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.