An Amazonian Homecoming (Week 20)

"Brookecita!" Kayla came running out of the house and nearly ran me over with her hug. "Como estas? Como fue Cusco?" I smiled big, wrapped my arms around her and said, "Hola Kaylita! Bien. Bien. Cusco fue incredible."

My welcome "home" to Pucallpa was one of the warmest homecomings I've ever experienced. Papa Henrry and Ally met me at the airport. Ally held a sign that said, "Welcome back!" and as I hopped in the combi she held out a pile of homemade snickerdoodle cookies. "You're coming home with some swag!" Ally said, referring to my new backpack with Incan designs and a llama embroidered on it. I laughed. "Yah! I had fun supporting the local artisans."

Funny, the drive from the airport to the compound felt entirely different than it has for the past 4 months. It was familiar. After two weeks of travelling to new places, I came back to something I knew. I never thought the Amazon would feel "normal," but it did.

Caleb is becoming my little buddy.

As the combi pulled up to the compound, Caleb came running out, swung the door open, practically lept into my arms, and gave me one of the tightest hugs I've ever had. Andres was less inclined to give me a hug, but his face lit up.

I crawled out, and Papa Henrry came around to officially welcome me home. "We missed you."

Over dinner I told them all about Cusco. "What do the people look like?" Papa Henrry asked. "Are their noses different?" In Peru, an experienced eye can tell which region someone is from based on their nose. No joke! "Yes," I said. "Their noses look more squashed and round." I demonstrated by pressing my nose further into my face.

At the zoo with the crew. (Me, Mama Laura, Kaylita, Nancy.)

"Mama Laura, your food is better than any food I tried in both Lima and Cusco," I said. "Verdad? Truly?" she asked. "Si!" She jumped. She literally jumped in the air! Cusco and Lima are both known for their food. In my Peruvian travel guide it says that Lima is one of the more famous "foodie cities" in the world. But, I was serious. Mama Laura's food is better.

As of this week I am officially half way through this student mission experience. Four and a half months down. Four and a half months to go. I'd say I can't believe it, but I can. I have felt every minute of these past four and half months. They have been incredible, but wow! they have been difficult.

Something changed this week though. It was like a switch flipped. We have several new student missionaries, and many of them will be staying for most of my remaining time. While they've only been here a week, they have already brought so much joy to the world of Pucallpa.

Giselle and I look like nurses here, but you probably shouldn't let us in the dentist office if you don't want one or both of us passing out. Spoken from experience.

I haven't smiled, laughed, or been this happy in a long, long time. My cheeks hurt from smiling, and I realized I had forgotten what it felt like to have a stomach ache from laughing. I finally feel the wonder of living in an exotic place, and yet it no longer feels so far from home.

Also, my Spanish has taken a leap forward... or else I'm finally understanding how much I've improved. A couple of the new missionaries don't speak any Spanish, and I've found that I can suffice as a translator. I have A LOT to learn still, but it is so fun to see how far I've truly come. This girl may have a shot at becoming fluently bilingual after all.

This morning I made pancakes for the crew. I used the same recipe that my great grandma once used to feed several farm hands before they went to work in the wheat fields and cattle pastures. As always they were a HUGE hit. Edmond even returned to say, "Gracias. El panqueque fue fantástico." This is a huge compliment coming from Edmond, a man of few words. Maybe I'm more like Great Grandma than I realized. She doesn't like cooking either. And yet, she has several recipes that are worthy of being passed down the generations. I hope I have the makings to become as strong a woman as she was... still is... although I hope I never feel the need to hit someone with a hammer. I digress. That's another story.

Two of my favorite Nancy's in one picture. <3 They both prove that the language barrier has nothing on friendship.

I have hope. This week has been filled with joy. I received many letters from home filled with "paper hugs," some "I remember you," and "when you get home." Thanks to Sara, Danielle, and my mama, I have not lacked chai in this week. I have drunk deeply from chai and from love. Thank you.

Here's to the next four and a half months.

~TBS~