Top 10 (or 12) Main Events in FH/Peru in 2009

In the last week of my freshman year as FH/Peru's director I am reflecting on the past year and planning for the next. Since blog entries about our work this year have been too scarce, I hope this wrap up will give you an idea of some of our major events:

1. Death of staff community facilitator, Jack Arriaga. Jack, in photo to the right, was a young man full of energy and deeply committed to his work as a community facilitator in our Pucallpa region. His life was cut short by a strange and aggressive illness and compounded by inadequate medical attention. His impact in our lives runs deep and we miss him. Other tragedies involved deaths in the families of two other staff.
   
2. Two office moves. We moved our Pucallpa office, pretty smooth, and our Lima/Central Office, from which we are still recovering. Never underestimate the uncertainties brought out by an office move!
3. Three hirings, two firings, 3 renunciations. Uggh.
   
4. AH1N1 threats. One short-term team presumed infected with AH1N1, two staff infected, pandemic response unit of FH formed, and held many prevention activities.
5. Two agreements signed with government entities (ministries of Justice and Health), and visit to FH workshop by Vice-Minister of Justice.
   
6. Large well project in Pucallpa. This project, benefiting over 3,800 people, increased access to potable water from 10 to 15 liters of water a day, available only five hours during the day, to 120 to 160 liters per person, available 24 hours a day.
   
7. Hosted 13 short-term teams and 5 visitors. Teams are from partner churches and organizations while our visitors ranged from the former president of FH, various university professors, a philanthropic group and other FH offices.
8. Leadership changes. Besides Ryan, FH/Peru's regional directors in Lima and Chincha and our finance manager also completed their first years in their leadership roles.
9. Retirements of two long-term servants in FH/Peru: Rosaura Mesones, former Country Director, and Manuel Nuñez, former Financial Manager.
10. Held all-staff meeting and training on Vision, Mission and Values of FH.
    
11. Committees. Formed a facilitation team to lead training on Vision, an HR committee, and a National Project Committee.
    
12. Advisory boards. I joined the directorate of COEECI, a network that represents international aid organizations in Peru, and the International Council of FH, a group that helps to form policy recommendations to FH's leadership.

It has been quite an eventful, and exhausting year. God has proved faithful over and over through this time, as have our financial supporters. Thanks for your goodness to us.

"I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and earth."

Psalms 121:1,2