Day 10
The final day.
A day of bitter sweetness.
I spent a good deal of time last night getting the video transferred to a DVD for Sergio. Things never go right when you are under pressure, but, by 2 AM I had the DVD burning away, and it was done by 8 AM when I awoke. Whew!
After a good wake-up shower it was off to Nick's to pick up Sergio and Erin. I wasn't sure if all their stuff would fit or not. Here is the end result. They fit everything in, plus two jars of peanut butter. We'll have to get the rest of the donated peanut butter from Cornwall to Peru when we go next March.
I tried to get into the house, and it was locked. Imagine that. : ) I guess Nick and Margaret REALLY have had enough of me this past week. : )
As usual Sergio greeted me with his wonderful smile.
This morning's breakfast was oatmeal. I think Sergio has experience most ways to have breakfast here in Canada. I wonder what he'll be thinking about his breakfast's over the next weeks as he accustoms himself to his home life again.
I know that when we come back from another country, we appreciate certain types of foods from our home country/city. It's a bit reversed for Sergio, in that I don't think he's had many of these foods before, and I know he really enjoyed the meals here.
After packing up the van it was time for a good-bye picture with Nick and Margaret. They have been wonderful hosts to Sergio and Erin. Thanks for taking them in.
Sergio has been concerned that he won't have pictures to show his wife and congregation when he gets home. He didn't quite get the fact that all the pictures I had been taking were not for my personal edification : ) (though, I have to admit I do like taking them). Erin told him not to worry.
This morning I gave him the photo albums with the 200 pictures in them, and the DVD of our time yesterday. He was quite happy and immediately started going through them.
It was a bit of work, but well worth the effort because I know the books will be well used by Sergio as he visits in the homes of his congregation, as well as anyone else he meets.
We all went to the church and held a Skype conference with Pepe (I have to get savvy on Skype once again...it's been a while). Here is my good and crazy friend Pepe. He's gained some weight since I've seen him last......must be that good cooking that Erin does for him. : )
We spent about 2 hours (after some Internet glitches, and forgetting that the counting committee was using a room we were using) in my office talking with Pepe and Sergio. It was good to get some clarification on some things and work out some directions we might want to go in as a broader group. I think I caught Nick in mid sneeze in this picture though. Sorry about that Nick. : )
When we were done at the church, I dropped Nick off at home and we met Joycegina at Dick's for one last meal together.
As Sergio has been here, he has gradually relaxed more and more. I have seen his playful side emerge. Here you see him laughing and laughing (I forget about what again). He showed his profile face in this picture.....
He ordered the Salmon burger this time, as well as an order of Poutine. After trying a sample of root-beer he also decided to try a root-beer float. He thought the drink was amazing, though he didn't know that the spoon was in the cup at first. I had to show him that.
When the food arrived, Sergio demonstrated his expertise in handling the french fries.....makes for a great picture.
Another hand full when it came to the burger, but this time he didn't use a fork. He's getting better by the day....too bad he's going home today........
When lunch was over, I shooed everyone back to the church for a minute for some final pictures. Sergio and I.....
Sergio, Erin, and I (I felt really tall in this picture). Boy, Peruvians can be short, eh! :)
And then Sergio, Joycegina and I. Oh, I forgot, I also married someone who is not so tall...there goes that theory....BTW, I think Erin took, like, 6 shots of us here. She just kept hitting the shutter button and pictures kept coming.
It was time for Joycegina to say good-bye to Erin...
....and Sergio.
Next we were off to Loblaws so I could get the last 20 pictures made for Sergio's album. They went to the bank to get Canadian $$ changed back into U.S. $
We arrived at the Ottawa Airport at about 1:15 pm. Erin and Sergio checked in, and dropped off the guitar to the over sized luggage counter. We had about 1 hour to kill, and I offered Sergio one last Tim's French Vanilla, but he said he was full. No Problem! : )
So, there was nothing left to do but say good-bye. Sergio and I hugged each other.
I hugged Erin good-bye and noticed that Sergio was quiet. He was stoic, realizing that we were parting ways. He said some very nice things to me, and we hugged. He was genuinely sad about our departure. In previous times when we were in Peru, Sergio and I would say hello, work like crazy for the day, and then say goodbye.
This trip was busy too, but much different. We spent a great deal of time together on this trip, and when you spend a lot of time together with someone who's lots of fun, and a deep spiritual person like Sergio is, parting hurts. You don't see it in the picture, but I did kiss him on the head. I've come to view Sergio as a good friend. I will miss him too, and hope to see him in 2012.
I think even Erin was touched by the experience as I looked over and saw her. She's so sensitive. : ) So, we parted ways, and Erin and Sergio entered the security line.
A final wave goodbye from our friend Sergio.
Oh, not quite. After going through security I got one last picture. I sat down to watch the planes for a bit, and then looked at the departure board. I was shocked to see that their flight was now 45 minutes late. Erin just happened to be looking up and saw me. She pointed to the arrivals and baggage claim. She was going to go out of security with Sergio and meet me there.
Erin is a savvy traveller. That's an understatement really. : ) She, "likes to keep her options open" so she wanted to talk to Canada Immigration in Ottawa to see if Sergio could get his exit visa stamped here to save time in Toronto. They would only have 45 minutes between flights, and that's tight.
The end result was that Sergio needed to get the stamping done in Toronto. It did give me a chance to hug Sergio one more time. : ) They went back through security, and I went to Redeemer to do the daily pick-up. As I drove there, many great memories flooded through my mind.
I was reminded of the conversation over lunch in which Sergio once again told us of his nervousness in coming to Canada. What would he experience? How would he handle the weather? What about the food (making pancakes for example). I reminded him that we feel the same way when we go to Peru, so this experience will be good for Sergio the next time we come to Peru. It has been a good 10 days and it was all worth while.
As you go home to your wife, daughter, and congregation, let me say thank you Sergio. You're love for God, deep thinking, and humble heart have inspired many here. I have enjoyed becoming your friend. We pray that you will be able to sort out all your experiences here and sift through what to keep, and what to let go.
May God bless your church, your school, the feeding program, and the book making initiative. Remember to plan well, go slow and walk in God's time, not your own. I hope we will meet again soon, and you will be able to take me out for a coffee and a donut. : )
To Erin, I also say thank you. You've been fun to bug, but under all that ribbing is a deep respect for what you do. You are truly one of a kind. You are gifted, good at what you do, and have a true heart for your soon to be new country, Peru. You are sincere and not afraid to be bold when you need to be with the churches you partner with in Peru. At the same time, you are sensitive to what is happening around you. You are gifted with children and an excellent teacher. Frontline is served well with your partnership with Pepe.
So, the trip is over. Time for a bit of a rest for me. After that, it's time to get the Peru group together to discuss next steps. I'll tell anyone I meet that this trip for Sergio was worth all the time and effort. It just feels right to be able to get Sergio to come here and see things from a different perspective. I've increased my global perspective even more, and I know that many in our church were touched by what they experienced in Sergio.
For some of you that will mean going to Gamaliel church in 2012 and learning and growing in the broader church of Christ. For others of you, it will mean supporting those who do go. For all of us, it should mean that we use these experiences that happen in a set time period to be a catalyst for doing the work of God in our own city. There's tonne's of opportunity, you just need to hear God on it, and then obey. Will you?
Post Script:
Erin gave me these pictures from her computer. This is Sergio leaving Peru 10 days ago.
Colin came over and Sergio helped him put the picture that we received in church this past Sunday onto a backing.
I end these blog entries with a sad, and happy heart. I hope you've enjoyed peeking in on the activities of the week and I await what God will do with this experience both in Pachacutec, and Ottawa.
I know I've written a lot, and if you read John's comment in the last entry, you'll know I like homophones. It was great to allot my time to Sergio, and I hope we will all take away a lot of great memories.......until the next entry.... : )
Que te cuides.
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