Trip to Chinchil 2015

Please, not my Jello!

I would assume that establishing the relationship with your future in-laws is typically tricky business.    

             What should you call them?
             How do you act in their house?
             Does that change after the wedding?

I would also assume that throwing in the norms of another culture does NOT make it any easier.

            What does their culture say the daughter-in-law should call them?
            In their culture, do grandparents help raise the kids?
            Will they judge me if I don't always prepare for their son the typical cultural food?

Peru has been my new home for the past two months. I've gone to Roman's house countless times since I've been here. His mom has already given me a key to their house and is constantly telling me to come over any time and walk right in! I feel like our relationship as future mother/daughter-in-law was moving right along...until the jello incident.

We were sitting at the dinner table: Román, his mom and dad, his sister Amelia, and me. Román's dad was asking me about the US presidential candidates (of which I know very little) when suddenly Hermana Carmen (Román's mom) interrupts. "Hermana," she addresses me, "Quiero pedirte perdon." --Sister (the typical term used when talking to another Christ follower), I want to ask your forgiveness. --

I'm sure a peculiar look of surprise combined with nervousness came across my face as I sneaked a glance at Román who looked utterly confused. What could she possibly need to ask my forgiveness for?! She confessed, "I ate your jello that you had left in the fridge last night!" An enormous silence filled the room for two seconds before it boomed with laughter. Román, Amelia, and their father were in stitches. I, on the other hand, was trying to control myself due to her serious countenance as she spoke. I tried...but to no avail. I couldn't help it! She seemed so sincere in her apology. I never expected it to be about Jello :) I quickly tried to explain through my giggles that I would not get upset over her eating my jello and that she should feel free to do so at any moment.

I still don't have all the answers to how relationships typically play out between in-laws. I do, however, know that it's ok to eat the jello.


         

The Return

The Return

I have officially been back in Peru for three weeks. It has been a whirlwind of activity getting ready to teach for the first time, finding my place in the church, and realizing my financial support has hit a roadblock.

School

            I arrived two weeks before we were scheduled to begin teacher in-service days. I have never taught before, so I wanted to get settled in my new apartment (located on the school property) and get ready for the students without feeling rushed and overwhelmed.  We ended up starting school two days later than anticipated because of a problem with passports/visas for two of the elementary school teachers. Neither the students nor the faculty minded the two extra days of rest and prep! We had our first day of classes on Friday the 14th. It turned out to be a mellow day getting to know the students and letting them get to know me as a new teacher. I warned them though…Monday we were going to hit the ground running!

One of my Bulletin Boards: Philippians 4:8

            I have loved getting to know my fellow teachers! There are five of us: five young ladies between the ages of 22-29. 

First Day of School
From left to right: Melly Smith (HS English and Office Staff), Amy Brundage (HS Math),  Lura Martinez (5th Grade, JR High Science and History, HS Government), Suzana Clifton (3rd and 4th Grade), Rachel Clifton (1st and 2nd Grade)

We decided to go on an impromptu teacher outing on Saturday to ride horses along the river east of the city. It turned out to be a beautiful “winter” day and we had a great time building relationships. I am the only new teacher this semester, but the other four ladies are always willing to give advice or answer questions about school procedures. I have a feeling we are going to be a close-knit bunch by the end of the semester. 

Fetzer teachers and friends

Church

            During the past few weeks, I have enjoyed attending Good News Baptist Church, which is located about a mile east of my apartment. During my year as an ARRIBA student, I attended a different church but was able to get to know many of the young people from Good News Baptist Church through my host family.  I have enjoyed meeting some of the other church members and will continue to do so throughout the next few months. Immediately upon arrival, the Sunday School Coordinator asked me to teach one of the Sunday School classes. As a first time school teacher, I did not want to become too quickly overwhelmed by giving myself too many responsibilities. (Teaching Sunday School in Spanish requires twice as much prep time for this English speaker). However, we decided that being in charge of the nursery would be a good compromise. My first Sunday I didn’t have any babies in the nursery, so I was able to sit in on Roman’s (my fiancé) class with the adults. I hope to be able to sit in on a few more of his classes throughout the next few months. The following Sunday I had my first baby, Vania. As a a happy seven month old, she was a joy to take care of. I’ve also been thrown into the pianist role. One of the young men named Josué asked me to accompany him for a special song. I am sure this will soon lead to playing for congregational hymns as well!

Funding

            I feel like I’ve transitioned fairly well over the past few weeks: culture, climate, food, transportation, etc. It all came back to me like riding a bike. The only major roadblock I have hit so far is in regards to my financial support. I naively thought that I could be supported as an independent missionary through my local church. I was wrong. I was informed the day before I left Colorado that the church could  not legally hand me a check. I quickly…maybe a little frantically…called the directors of the missionary school seeking advice. They told me to have the church make the check out to Fetzer Memorial Christian Academy. Once the check hit the school’s account, they would retrieve the money and transfer it to me. That’s not legal either. They did, however, inform me that I could simply reactivate my previous Short-Term application from my year as an ARRIBA student in 2012-2013. Why did I not think to do this from the beginning? I thought, “Melly, you’re only going to be teaching for one semester, not even a full school year. Don’t be a burden to the mission board. Just go by yourself!” WRONG-O. No can do. By trying to go on my own, I have made a mess for the missions committee at my church, the mission board, and the directors of the school. Nice going, Melly. By the grace of God, it is an easy fix. An email came in for me this morning asking me to sign an electronic release of liability. That is the only paperwork I have to do. Within two days, I should be reactivated as a Short-Term missionary through Baptist Mid-Mission. 

           What a timeless lesson for me to learn. Second Corinthians 12:9-11 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Although I have endured neither insults, persecutions, nor calamities, I have been relying on my own strength…which is completely unreliable. But in my weakness I see the power of God.  How many more times will I rely on my own strength before I realize I have nothing of the sort? Father, humble me of my pride. Show me my weaknesses so that I may clearly see Your power and might. Continue to teach me to rely on You and You alone.