La Esperanza: Nosotros Trabajando. Nosotros Cambiando.

When driving north on the Pan-American Highway out of Trujillo you enter the district of La Esperanza where the community of Wichanzao is located. Every morning on the way to the clinic I catch a collectivo, which is a black sedan which is somewhat like a taxi. It costs 1.20 soles (40 cents in USD), can hold about 8 people, and follows a certain route through the city. My route (B) takes me north out to La Esperanza, and on the way I pass under two bridges that mark your entrance into the district. Painted on these bridges are the words “La Esperanza: Nosotros Trabajando. Nosotros Cambiando.” Which means something like “We’re working. We’re Changing.” For some reason this phrase really captured my attention, and I began thinking what this slogan was trying to express and how it related to my experiences thus far in Trujillo.

I think that as we work here in the broken creation that God has placed us, we obviously experience change in many ways. Most of us start out strong and ready to conquer the world, and over the years we wrinkle, get sick and old. As Mother Teresa said "Each of us is merely a small instrument; all of us, after accomplishing our mission, will disappear." Life in this city is harsh for many. Work is hard to find in the city and nearly impossible in the country, which is why many people come here from the Sierra. The city is dusty and polluted and without an income and support of a community life quickly becomes difficult if not impossible. As you can imagine there is an enormous need and opportunity for the Gospel here, but this can take a back seat in the mind of a Peruvian who is struggling to keep food on the table for their kids. That is why Peru Missions various ministries fit so well here in this city. They meet people in the contexts in which they live and work and love them right where they are, teaching them to gather strength and hope from a source deeper than their own.

There is an ongoing cycle of redemption that is being played out in this city and everywhere else in the world. Sin leaves us and our world broken and tired, but as Christians we have faith that Christ will come to make all things new. This hope helps us as we work to bring justice and restoration to the world around us. So the phrase “We're working. We're changing” is given a much different (and much more hopeful) meaning in light of the Gospel, especially here in Peru where despite all of your effort and hard work change will often come slowly, if it comes at all.