La Familia Smedes in Greater DC: First blog update

Without really know what we are doing, we have taken a fearless flying leap into the technological era. In one week we have set up a family blog and joined facebook (Angela only, Ryan is still afraid), in an effort to stay better connected as we prepare to relocate to Peru in January. We plan to post more frequent updates on this new blog (sorry, this first one is a long one) and we will send out an email message notifying you each time we update this blog. Alternately, you can register for RSS feeds.

Food for the Hungry Peru

In Lima we will continue to work with Food for the Hungry as we have previously in Bolivia and the Dominican Republic. Ryan will serve as the Director of Food for the Hungry Peru (FH/Peru) and we are excited for this new challenge. FH/Peru works in over 30 peri-urban or slum communities in Lima, Pucallpa and Chincha (see map on sidebar). FH/Peru works with these communities to see churches increasingly reach out to their communities, leaders increasingly solving community problems, and families increasingly meeting their family’s needs. To do this, FH/Peru primarily operates a Child Development Program where sponsors in the north (USA, Canada, UK, Korea, Japan) support community projects in the name of one their “sponsored child.” The community projects that FH/Peru currently operates include: Church Development, Community Leadership Development, Health and Nutrition, and Family Violence Prevention and Care.

Questions

We once had a friend tell us that she has learned a lot of geography following us on our journey. We are glad that our vagabond lifestyle can help to expose you to some of these interesting places we feel called to. We don’t yet know much about Peru, but thought we would try to respond to some of the questions we have been receiving.

Where is Lima?

On the western coast of South America, Peru shares a border with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile. MAP

Is it a big city?

We’ll be living in the very urban capitol city of Lima, which lies on the coast of Peru. Lima boasts almost 8 million people, which includes the rapidly growing peri-urban communities along the outskirts of the city where FH/Peru works. We will probably live in an apartment in a middle class area of Lima.

What is the weather like?

The weather in Lima is interesting – subtropical, desert and humid. The summer months (December – March) are warm, between 77˚ - 83˚F. The winter months are colder, overcast and still humid, between 54˚ to 59˚F. Rain is extremely rare.

What are schools like?

Because Lima is such a big city there are many schooling options, including English, Spanish and bilingual options. We plan to visit several schools and apartments during our one week visit at the end of the month.

When do you leave?

Our current plan is for Ryan to leave at the beginning of January to set up our home and begin working. He’ll then come back up to get us at the end of January.

So what are you doing now?

Gabe started 1^st grade at Sacajawea and is on his first soccer team, The Blue Wizard Unicorns.

Toby and Eliana are enjoying many play times with mom and dad, friends and family, weekly play at church, and swimming lessons to start soon.

Angela keeps the house up and running, is in a women’s bible study at church, started Spanish classes, takes weekly times in personal and spiritual reflection and is studying up on Peru/schools/preparing to move a family overseas.

Ryan took a trip up to B.C. to meet with FH Canada, is teaching a couple of online courses through the Chalmers Center, is doing some house projects, takes weekly times in personal and spiritual reflection, preparing for the new position and started Spanish classes.

Do you still need my financial support?

Yes. Currently our giving is at average of about $2,000 a month. We are being asked to raise $2,800. We are also in need of one time gifts to cover apartment set-up needs.

If you are currently supporting us, please prayerfully consider continuing with us as we move to Lima, Peru. If you are not currently supporting us, take the time to pray about a one time gift or monthly commitment of support while we’re on the field in Peru. We would appreciate hearing from you whatever you decide so we can know if our support needs will be met. Thank you.

**Find out if your company is one of over 100 companies offering to match your gifts through FH. Check out the list of companies at: https://www.fh.org/matchinggifts

How do I get the money to you?

Mail it to: Food for the Hungry 1223 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85034-1102, please write our account number 61941 in the memo line of the check (do not include our name on the check)

Donate on-line: https://www.fh.org/missionary61941

How can I pray for you?