Raising Third Culture Kids

Jess and her class

Jess and Sam have grown up in a culture that is different to ours, but unlike their Peruvian friends they are not from the host country either. In many ways they are neither British nor Peruvian but actually have their own culture. They talk to each other in spanish but there are things that they love about England too! They have lived in Peru for 6 1/2 years and we are so proud of the way that they have adapted, learned the language fluently, made friends and served in our ministry with us. We do recognise that this has come at a cost, they have grown up missing many things about the UK; whilst they have had some amazing experiences (trekking in the Andes, watching dolphins swim wild in the Amazon, sailing on lake Titicaca, helping to provide aid to victims of natural disasters ) that their friends in the UK could only dream of.

Today was their last day at Ausangate school where they have studied for the last 6 years. As their Peruvian adventure is coming to an end (for now), they will need to adjust to life in the UK which is really a foreign culture for them; so many things about life in the UK will be new.

Sam has lived most of his life in Peru, he has no memories of when we lived in the UK before, so it will be a huge change for him. Please pray for them as we make the transition, their Peruvian class mates did a special presentation to say goodbye to them today and we had a small farewell party. Their prized possessions are their school uniforms which their friends and teachers have signed. Saying goodbye was hard, there were lots of tears today and more to come....

Despedidas

Leaders from the Peruvian Baptist Convention pray for Pastor Scott

Anjanette says goodbye to colleagues at the La Fuente clinic

Sometimes despedidas involve dancing!

Sharing time with our friends in Yucay

Anjanette's last day teaching english at Los Patriotas

Almost all despedidas involve food.

The count down is on as we get ready to leave Peru in 2 weeks time. In Latin America many different groups of friends and colleagues want to celebrate a despedida with us. The verb despedir means to take ones leave and a despedida celebration usually involves eating, talking about how much you appreciate the person who is leaving and thanking God for them,  in Christian circles it involves
praying together. So we have started the despedida season, it is necessary for closure but is emotionally very draining. One thing is certain we have felt very loved and appreciated by all the kind words and things that have been said and done. Of course we recognise that nothing would have been done or accomplished without God's help, so a despedida is also a time to think back and thank God for his amazing faithfulness to us and to ask him for strength to get through the next few weeks of despedidas too !