The Get-You-Caught-Up-On-My-Life Post

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You started thinking that maybe I’d never post another blog?

Well here I am, posting another blog.

Now, I know it’s been a long time (Huh, four months, what?) so there is a lot to catch you up on, so no time for excuse making or apologies!

Moving forward. 

Kelli and Emily, the two missionaries who spent a year with us returned to the U.S. It was sad to see them go, but it was exciting knowing that they were going to get to see friends and family that love them and missed them a lot. The transition and readjusting back to North American life has been difficult for them at times, but they are doing well so far.  

Kelli-welli Nelson

Eminemily

Clare, a 22 year old girl from New Jersey, came in their place to start her two-year commitment with the IWM program. She’s really awesome and we connect on a nerd level so we have some mutual interests (e.g. LOTR) which is cool.

When Katie runs out of Q-tips. Clare seems supportive.

The only downside is that Clare is allergic to cats. If you’ve been keeping up with my past blogs or have access to my Facebook account, you’ll know that our three cats became a really important part of my missionary experience, and therefore just how serious this is.

Hail to the Cheif!

We found the wobble cats a home in the garden of Hospice, the care center for terminal patients, where Katie works. They have plenty of space to wobble around in, and Hospice has a full time cook that has been spoiling them with scraps and leftovers. And they live close by so we can visit them whenever. Some clips of Pisco and Bailey in their new home:

Oop Ooop, almost...There ya' go...awwwwww

Bailey freaking out.

…and my little baby Fidea?

"I'll behave I promise!"

 Seeing as how she’s lived in the missionary house longer than we have, we didn’t have the heart to turn her out onto the mean cold Chimbotano streets.

So she spends the day outside in our back yard and we bring her in at night where she sleeps in Katie’s room. While she’s still coming to terms with her reduced privileges (no more counter top food snatching or midday furniture scratching) I think she’s glad she didn’t get the eviction slip like the Wobbles. I know I am. Clare has been understanding and patient about it all, itchy watery eyes aside, which is pretty groovy on her part.

I'm not her favorite human at the current moment. 

“Wait…what is it exactly that you’re doing down there again, Kyle?”

Good question!

I was working with the nutrition program Sembrando Infancia in the small town of Cambio Puente, but now my work with WGC has turned into a full time operation.

The women’s group that I had been working with is a “group” no longer! Pushaq Warmi is a full fledged asociación , albeit with training wheels. 

Pushaq Warmi participating in a protest against the violence in Peru.

Here is a breakdown of what has happened and what is going on.

Ten women completed a three year leadership program.

During an immersion trip to Chimbote, Women’s Global Connection, the NGO that I work for met these ten awesome ladies and helped them form a women’s group.

Then I came along, a giant (literally) mumbling goober who spent the first three months giving them the good ol’ smile-and-nod. I’ve since learned a pretty decent amount of Spanish – I’d say I’m in the normally functioning human being category now – and now consider myself an actual asset to the group.

"Yes, I understand what is going on in my general vicinity...."

Tere, the director of WGC, who also happens to be the greatest boss I’ve ever worked for *cough-more cholula-cough* :) visited twice with two separate immersion teams to work with Pushaq Warmi. She has been a big inspiration. Coming from an International Relations background I was a little skeptical in general about the work of Non-governmental organizations...I just didn’t see how NGOs and Non-Profits could have that much of an impact working outside of the government framework.

My time with WGC has completely changed the way I think about all of that and now I can say I understand the importance of community empowerment and sustainability. I can now say, with confidence, that true solutions must start at the grassroots level to be successful in the long-term. My opinion, anyway.

Pushaq Warmi is focusing on two main goals:

1. Helping to increase the capacity (knowledge and skills) of women in and around Chimbote.
2. Developing an economic project (a small business) to help fund workshops for these women and to provide some economic relief for the women of Pushaq Warmi.

After focusing solely on giving free workshops to women in our area on a variety of different topics (health, rights, computer training, how to make yogurt, self-esteem…) they’ve realized that it can get pretty expensive being a Non-Profit.

At the time I thought I was blending in. 

So with the help of Tere and an impressive team of professors and volunteers from the University of the Incarnate Word (I’ve still got my Rattler pride, calm down) we’ve been working on a business model to help make all the work of Pushaq Warmi sustainable.

By sustainable, I mean that hopefully by the time I leave if everything goes according to plan, Pushaq Warmi will be self-sufficient. They’ll be making enough money to pay for all the expenses associated with giving workshops to help women in the area.

A workshop on self esteem

Also…we’ve scored ourselves a radio program every Thursday morning on a local Catholic radio station that reaches hundreds of thousands of people. Pretty sweet, right? We essentially have thirty minutes, live, on-air, to share information. From programs on Economic Violence: men controlling or abusing their partners by controlling the household income, to Niños de la Calle: children who work or perform on the streets for money, Pushaq Warmi has been working hard to raise awareness on important issues facing Chimbotan@s today.

In the recording cabin at the radio station.

I’m excited to move forward on the business plan and continue helping with all the great work Pushaq Warmi is doing, and to prepare for the upcoming WGC immersion trip towards the end of November.

Other than that…I have to say that time is flying. I can’t believe that I’ve been here for more than a year already. I miss my family and friends a lot for sure, but my Mom, Dad and little squirt of a brother will be visiting me over the Christmas holiday, so that’s something to really look forward to.

Thanks for all your prayers and support and if your reading this, for not giving up on my blog! 

Now, for random pictures of my life over the past four month:

...and not a single llama was tamed that day. 

Katie, her best friend Erin and I in Cuzco.

Our lives have been spared....for now.

We went on a pilgrimage with our parish to the site where some Franciscan missionaries were murdered during the terrorism in Peru, then rescued this dog.

The church theater group here at St. Francis put on a play about the life of St. Francis for the anniversary of our church. I played Francisco's disciple and I even had a line, "Francisco! Francisco!" I nailed it.

Katie and Clare riding a bulldozer across the street when our street flooded. Ahh....the things that'd never happen back in the U.S.

What happens when you take a hundred pictures in less than an hour. Also, indescribable Machu Picchu.

We didn't know you can't do this anymore. Good thing the security guard couldn't see into the future. Also pretty sure the female  photo-bomber to the left was pretty disgusted by our American tomfoolery.

                                               She owes me one.