Day-5, July 7, 2009

Ola!

As the media team paces during a 5 hour layover in La Paz Bolivia I say blessed are those with high speed! I have been waiting patiently for 45 minutes to access my blog from an Internet cafe in the airport terminal. As frustrating as that has been the view is beautiful. La Paz reminds me of Yellowknife because it´s somewhat desolate and Calgary because of the snow capped mountains on the horizon. We are at such a high altitude that passengers deplaning have been known to faint when they disembark. Either I'm made of sturdy stuff or the drugs are kicking in (just altitude tablets mom).

Today´s focus will be an interview I did with Canon Kim just before our flight. His story reminds me of an image concocted by the Celts long ago. They used to illustrate life as a dragon guarding a cavern. The cavern represents opportunity. The dragon represents challenge - how will you fight it, with whom will you partner to fight? They intended the image to be a positive depiction of struggle as good.

So begins Canon Kim´s story...he was with the medical team yesterday. They were at the end of an exhausting day - 165 patients treated by the eye clinic; 35 by the dental team. As they were leaving the bus was forced to stop because someone had blockaded the road with long bamboo poles. It appeared to be an angry drunk or group of drunks. When someone disembarked to remove the poles, he or they pelted a rock at our window. Some team members were afraid. Alcoholism and domestic abuse are problems in Peru. Fortunately the team was able to leave safely. Canon Kim felt he needed to reflect with the team on what had happened. He talked about the consequences of despair. And he encouraged the team to ¨pray for our enemies¨ and understand what produces the violence and the anger: what prompts people to attack strangers; ironically strangers trying to help? Like all countries, Peru has its dragons. We need to understand why and we cannot let them prevent us from supporting those who try to slay them.

As the media team heads on to Cochabamba we will think good thoughts that our Lima teammates will not be impacted by an impending transit strike. Apparently bus and taxi drivers are planning to protest what they consider to be punitive traffic regulations. There are concerns about the safety of our teams if they leave the Convent in marked vehicles. Our team coordinator seems confident we can use unmarked secure taxis. Alternatively the eye and dental team may set up a clinic at the Convent for the nuns, guards and staff.

As Kyle Charbonneau - a mission first-timer on the Children´s Ministry team - replied when I asked him what he has learned so far - be flexible!