15 Days in Canada already

¡Hola a todos!

I’m in Canadá.
In 15 days here I have: visited 9 different cities, slept in 9 different beds, preached in 2 youth meetings (Welland and Regina), 1 church on Sunday (Regina), 1 presentation (Saskatoon), 1 radio interview (P.A.), toured 1 hospital (Victory at P.A.), 1 museum (Regina), 1 Art Gallery (Regina), 8 bridges, 1 wedding in Woodstock… 1 first nations reservation and I have eaten 1 buffalo burger, Poutine (spelling check?), French Onion Soup, Canadian style Leaver (yes, I ordered it because yes, I like leaver), Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Thai food… among other things.

I am really happy, and absolutely convinced that there is not enough time in life to write down everything you learn while traveling. Thankfully there is such a thing as eternal life.

Since I got to Saskatchewan my skin has dried up…a lot. I have this rash and burn, but I am trying to get rid of it. Still, I am enjoying everything. People in Canada are VERY VERY VERY kind and hospitable. God has put people each step of the way and I am really enjoying receiving all of their love.

Just when I got to Regina it was long weekend. Normally the ROC church cancels all their activities because most people get out of town. They were so nice, they kept their schedule because I was coming and even though it was Victory day, a good number of people showed up. At the end a lot of them came to greet me and encourage me for the work I am performing. I met a family who lived in Peru for 4 years, a South African girl and many more…I was filled with their smiles and love. Here people do not greet with a kiss on the cheek like we do in Peru, but their words are as warm as summer sunsets, filled with true love and energy.  

Something very special about this trip is that I have been able to get together with a lot of people I have worked with in the last years. In many places, including Ludwing’s wedding people have approached me because their recognized me from 2, 3… 4 years ago or maybe more.

We have visited many places. Weather has been great. There is sooo much space everywhere and the scenery is full of green. I love the trees.

When I got to Saskatoon, it was raining ALL day. We were very few people at the presentation… but seeing that all of us were already involved in international development, and the variety of the projects represented, I decided to change it a little bit. I started by telling them that I would speak for a little while but then we would all have a discussion giving our opinion. There were green-energy business men with the interest of creating resources to support ministries, a friend who is a Bible School student, a couple friends of mine who are just getting ready to move to Peru and start a children’s home, a friend from Sudan and the CEO of the Bible School who invited me to this trip. It always makes me nervous to have to speak in public before people who have already accomplished millions of things and experiences but somehow everybody enjoyed it. Instead of giving a presentation I ended up moderating a bible study which seemed to be very productive and everybody was encouraged in each one of their projects for God.  

Well, yesterday I was told we would have frost and then snow…but today is sunny! I guess it is not so bad since I have nothing heavy enough for snow so, it’s ok.

¡Un abrazo a todos!
Inés.

Oh Canada!

Ok. Here we go: I am off to Canada.

If I actually think about it, my legs start feeling weak just like when I stood on the bridge at Santa Eulalia getting ready to jump off (Nah. I didn’t “jump”, it was more of a graceful fall… you can watch it on YouTube).

Somehow I got this invitation from the Chakam School of the Bible: To go to Canada as the speaker for the “Land of the Incas Tour”, a number of presentations to promote volunteering opportunities in Peru. This event is partially sponsored by the Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation. Which means I am going to speak about Peru, the need, how international cooperation and volunteering can help and what are some opportunities to perform volunteering in Peru (such as the Casa Hogar Torre Fuerte in Arequipa).

From all times in the universe, a Peruvian friend who lives in Canada happens to be getting married just a few days prior to my presentations. Congratulations Mr. Ludwing! It is just so exciting that thanks to all this I get to be there too. Also, I will be able to visit many friends I have worked with throughout the last 10 years of mission trips. I met some of them interpreting for them, leading programs, or (trying) teaching them Spanish. These last days have been full of coordination messages and finally I’ve got an itinerary. I will be visiting about 6 cities, 8 confirmed presentations, a radio interview and a wedding. The total amount of attending people is about 1000. They asked the Canadian Embassy from Peru to send promotional material too.

So there I go. I hope to be able to share from my experience and the value that I keep finding in intercultural collaboration. I don’t know how they found me. I don’t know what will happen after this. I know it is a really nice way to celebrate 10 years since my very first mission’s trip. Something has not changed: I am more scared of what may happen if I do NOT do this. So, even though I am not sure I actually want to go, I’m going. Of course a part of me wants to go, but I must be honest with myself, there are a thousand fears and awkwardness, but fear is not enough of a reason to stop doing what is right.

I want to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me. To Fer for recommending me, the CEO of Chakam for inviting me, my family and friends for believing in me, Barbra calling me wonder woman, Wilder for the photos, the Emmanuel Noticias team for keeping the good work while I am gone… to all the members of the “Amigos de Ines” group. You know who you are and your support is holding me up and encourages me. Thanks Rocio for the info. Talks with friends like Pierre from  France Volontaires Peru and Pepe from Frontline Peru inspired me a lot for the presentations. Thank you everyone. There are many more to mention J

Maybe I will be back in June. I might go to Central America after, who knows? I don’t.