Some people had to return right away to their clinics, homes or hospitals. The rest of us arranged a tour of the countryside with a trip by train to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. Farewells took place before a large, comfortable tourist bus came to collect the travelers. We hugged and waved and genuinely hoped we'd see each other again. It had been another emotional and memorable experience.
I thought about writing more. There is just so much to say about the wonders and the mysteries of Peru. To continue would have made this diary far too long. Besides, the mission itself was the most important thing to share.
On the way home, I read through my notes and tried to add anything more that came to mind. I thought about the young mother at the church who didn't want her baby and I wondered what had happened to her. I thought about the farmer who survived the murder attempt and the dear little lady to whom we gave the waist pouch. I thought about how different my life would be if I had been born in another place at another time and that I was going home to a reality the patients in our clinics could never imagine.
[Image: Lynn sitting down.]
[Image: Exterior shot of craft store.]
[Image: Mother and children.]
[Image: Vehicle.]
[Image: Dog sitting on a porch.]
[Image: Elderly person playing a harp.]
[Image: Woman selling vegetables.]
[Image: Woman selling bread.]
Christmas 2010 has come and gone. I've tidied up and changed my calendar. For me things are almost back to normal. I'm grateful for having had another opportunity to see what's normal for others and my sense of privilege and gratitude has been reinforced once more. I sincerely hope that everyone who has "come along with me" on this mission in Peru has enjoyed the experience. Thanks for reading. May good health, good news and good friends be part of your new year. All the best!
[Image: Ruins of Macchu Picchu]
[Image: More ruins.]
[Image: Liuba]
Before we sigh a collective, grateful sigh of relief, it behooves us to wonder what we've learned. One of the things that we've learned is that Lynn's need to be shocked and sad gets in the way of asking what is really going on around her.
