Hands and Feet

After a long (but, thankfully, uneventful) 24 hours of travel, we have made it to Piura. The noisy streets (complete with marching band today), Peruvian food and the reunions have been fantastic. It’s wonderful to be back in Peru!

After a siesta and walking tour of Piura, we set out for the afternoon’s projects–helping with a Vacation Bible School, purchasing construction materials for a home building project, and, the activity I chose, venturing into the community for home visits with the Parish nurse.

Three of us, including my husband, J, and I, had the opportunity to assist the nurse as she tended to an older man in a nearby village. We quickly learned that the gentleman had serious sustained burns on his feet, had bed sores all over his body, and was very frail. Despite the challenges, it was so humbling and an incredible honor to wash his body and change his dressings. Jason had the task of shaving his face. While I have always loved working with the nursing staff, watching my husband tend to this man with such care, was a new blessing, and reminds me of how grateful I am that we have been able to come on this trip together.

The question posed during the reflection time tonight was, “Where did we see Christ today?” It is a difficult question because the answers are so numerous–in the Parish staff who show endless hospitality and care, in the Peruvians we met today, who welcomed us into their homes, meeting a newborn baby, born to the family ‘adopted’ by a fellow missionary, during Mass this evening– all around us. The challenge will be remembering to see Him as easily after we leave Peru, and recognizing moments in our everyday life when we can serve as Christ’s hands and feet.

by Leigh Ann Slonka