The following is based upon a journal that I kept while in Peru and several months reflecting over what I experienced. It has taken this long to just begin processing everything. I gotta admit, though, I’m still not sure what to do with it all.

05/29/07

I don’t consider myself naive. I’ve seen poor. Because of my job, I’m often in the parts of town that most people avoid or , at the very least, lock their doors when they travel through. Not only am I in the area, but I’m often in the homes.

I’ve seen many mattresses on the floor with only thin blankets and no sheets as beds. I’ve seen the pile of clothes in the corner because there is no chest of drawers to keep them in. I know there are people who’s living room furniture is a couple of plastic lawn chairs.

Countless homes I’ve been in with candles burning for light because there was no money to pay the power bill this month. How many fridges have I seen with a bottle of ketchup, tub of butter and nothing else? Don’t even get me started on roach infestations. **shiver**

Like I said…I’ve seen poor, I’m not naive. I know how many people, just in my little town, live in conditions that most like to pretend don’t even exist. I thought I was prepared for what I was about to experience,

but I was SO WRONG!!!

We head to the outskirts of Lima to the “shanty town” Saul Cantaral where the AMG center was located. Out the bus windows I watched the polished, green, plush version of Lima turn brown, dusty and gritty, revealing the true desert landscape of the region. Then I began to notice the “shacks” built all over the mountains surrounding us.

“Ok” I thought to myself, “this may be a little rougher than I thought.” But when we pulled up to the AMG center…

to be continued