One Month In

Feliz Navidad a todos!! Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas-time is a time where you reflect on the blessings that you have been given in life. It is a time to rediscover God's love and joy and hope for a better world for us all. It is a time for gathering and celebrating with family and friends.  This Christmas was the first where I did not get the chance to celebrate with my family back in the States. Even though my family had a mini Christmas before I left, it was hard not being present. (Our 2 hour Skype session helped.. haha) Even though I wasn't with my actual family, I feel like I was able to celebrate it with friends and family here in Peru!

This past month has had its ups and downs with adjusting to life here in the desert of Tacna.

I have struggled with not feeling like I actually have a place at my worksite since my job at the Colegio is still TBD until the beginning of the school year in March (or end of February). I have struggled with feeling that my presence was more of a hassle or a burden than something that was valued. Most of my life I have kept myself busy with different projects or things to do, so coming here and not really having an orientation at the Colegio due to the end of the year chaos was challenging and something I took day by day.

Despite those low moments, I have felt truly welcomed at the Colegio. Meeting all the professors and getting to know some better these past few weeks has truly been a blessing. They are all incredibly nice, very willing to get to know me, and super helpful with my Spanish (which is coming back little by little). They made me excited to go to work the next day despite me not actually having anything really to do once I arrived! I am excited to see them all once school starts up again and to further those relationships with them. I am incredibly grateful that I have such a great support network at the school - not something everyone has available to them.

This past month, I have met so many wonderful people! Going to all the different worksites my first week (as part of our In-Country Orientation) was overwhelming. Christie and I probably met at least 30 new people everyday. Knowing my memory with names, I tried as best as possible to write down people's names in a notebook (as discreetly as I could). Along with meeting all fellow co-workers and the Jesuits down here, I have met the host families of all the volunteers, the Spanish volunteers who work mainly at Centro Cristo Rey, and friends! My host family is truly wonderful! My mother (the same age as my grandmother) is super funny, sassy, and a wonderful cook. I think I may have gained weight being at the host family's house these past 2.5 weeks. I am sad to leave them later today, but am excited to head to the JVC to FINALLY get settled in/ not live out of a suitcase (unless Mes de Mision on Jan. 4th).

Here are more random updates on my life:
-Food. Peruvians are known for their wonderful food, and they know it. The first question you will get asked by a Peruvian is what foods do you like so far or have you tried. Some of my favorites are ceviche, canchitas (a type of corn that is popped like popcorn), picante, and jugo de maracuya (passion fruit juice), and the staples of avocado and mangos! :) Definitely missing American coffee though.
-There are stray dogs everywhere. It is so sad not to be able to go up and pet them (like my instinct tells me to)
-I am slowing learning the bus routes around Tacna. I frequently take the 35, 5, 55, and 8. So I'm basically a pro
-Traffic rules or laws are basically non-existent here. It is kind of scary!
-I still have not tried cut (guinea pig), but am assuming it will occur sometime soon. I get asked almost everyday if I have had it yet.
-There is much Peruvian slang or jerga to be learned. I'm sure I will pick that up on Mes de Mision.
-On Tuesday, Christie and I, along with Megan and John and their families, made a trip over the border to Arica, Chile mainly so Christie and I can add more days to our tourist visa (a way to cheat the system a bit). Arica is beautiful!

-The entire month of January, I will basically be out of contact from anyone and everyone. I am going  on Mes de Mision with Colegio Cristo Rey (while the other 3 volunteers go with Miguel Pro). So me, 10ish other professors and 85ish high school sophomore boys will be living on the coast doing service work in a more impoverished town. It will be the first time these kids are away from their families and away from the luxuries of their cell phones, internet, video games, etc. It will be interesting. I am told it is a very hard but beautiful experience (at the end).

Hope all is well with you!

xoxoxo

I am Thankful...

Since it is Thanksgiving, I feel it is only fitting that I share what I am thankful for...

* I am thankful for the opportunity to serve with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. I will be starting my 2 years of service in Tacna, Peru TOMORROW.  I will be teaching English and Pastoral Formation at Colegio Cristo Rey and working with social justice and pastoral programs at Centro Loyola.  So far I have met so many amazing friends and have learned more about who I am as a person, and I cannot wait to see what else is in store once I get in-country!

* I am thankful for my friends and family who have been so supportive about my decision to serve internationally. It means so much to know that I have such a great support system that is thinking about me and praying for me during this adventure. I am grateful for all of those who also supported me financially through my Send Me to Serve campaign.  I'm happy to announce that I officially raised $4,030 - which is well over my original goal of $3,000 - so THANK YOU for your generosity!!

* I am thankful for my sisters and my parents (and Finny) who have given me one last week of my favorite meals, laughter, and love before I head out! You guys always inspire me and push me to be a better person. I will miss you so much & I LOVE YOU GUYS :)

* I am thankful for Christie and my future housemates Megan and John. I am so excited to begin this journey with you & I'm glad to have each of you by my side. I'm also thankful for Thomas, Kelly, and Allie (the 2nd years) who have been so helpful in answering my questions. See you tomorrow & Saturday morning!!

* I am thankful for Billy and all the JVC staff who have helped prepare me for the excepted and unexpected in my next 2 years. Thank you for all you do!


I hope you all are enjoying your Thanksgivings!

I'm excited to share my journey with you through my blog posts - however frequent or infrequent they may be! If you would like to keep in touch you can...

Email me: emilygray19@gmail.com  or  egrayper14@gmail.com

Write me:   JVC - Emily Gray
                   Colegio Cristo Rey
                   APDO 120
                   Tacna, Peru


xoxo Emily