A letter from Rusty Edmondson serving in Peru
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Write to Rusty Edmondson
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Detouring around destroyed bridges, driving through deeply cut riverbeds and around huge rocks that were carried down by floodwaters from the mountains above town—this is the new route into Cajamarquilla. As we drove into a compound of blue tents, the dry desert floor was under the cover of low, wintery clouds. It created an eerie scene that would be an excellent intro-trailer for almost any action movie. Except this was very real for the people who are now involuntary players on this specific stage. And my first question to myself was . . . “Where is Cajamarquilla?”
Fellow mission co-worker Jed Koball and I recently traveled to Cajamarquilla. It is a community east of Lima where PC(USA) partners Paz y Esperanza (PAZ) and the Iglesia Evangelical Peruana (IEP) are collaborating with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance humanitarian aid efforts after Peru’s destructive floods in March. Cajamarquilla is a community settled mostly by people from Ayacucho who fled there seeking safety during Peru’s “Time of Terror” (1985-2003). From the office of our Red Uniendo Manos–Peru (Hunger Program’s Joining Hands Network), located in the Lima neighborhood of Magdalena, it can be very difficult to travel to the far eastern side of Lima because of the distance, bad roads and horrible traffic. So when I heard about Jed’s idea for our mode of transport, my response was one of surprise and hope: “Really, you seriously think Uber will go there?”
An hour and a half later, our new Uber buddy delivered us to Paz y Esperanza’s office, located at an IEP church near Cajamarquilla. After a brief meeting, we joined two PAZ staff members who drove us to visit the community.
Stepping out of the truck, we walked among the relief tents and simple wooden-slat homes that were recently constructed to provide shelter for Cajamarquilla’s residents. We were graciously greeted by smiling women and children. Most of the men were either working for an income or helping repair/construct homes with their neighbors.
As we looked around, it soon became clear that we were walking on top of what once was Cajamarquilla. The homes and businesses were not really washed away as much as they were covered—buried in meters of dirt carried down from the mountains in this recent flood. The residents explained that the floodwaters in the narrow canyons above town were so intense that the river channels changed upstream. The floods collected mountainside rock, soil from farmland and desert sand as it charged toward Cajamarquilla. The small, flat valley where Cajamarquilla is located allowed the river material to deposit in depth. As we walked around the community, we could see rooftops and walls of covered houses, their contents entombed in hardened earth. Instead of digging their homes and contents out, many residents chose to accept the loss of possessions and rebuild on top of their covered homes. New infrastructure such as water and sewer lines will need to be installed for all of this community.In our time visiting with residents, we witnessed their spirit of determination, resolve and Christian faith as they shift their focus from relief efforts to rebuilding. They continually give thanks to God that no residents of Cajamarquilla died in this disaster.
Some people have restarted their businesses from the rubble, while others continue looking for an income. Their meals are being prepared in temporary kitchens organized by resident volunteers, and their bathrooms are still public facilities. School is at a temporary shelter, as is the local health clinic. Community, family and personal challenges are being met with perseverance from these good people. They smile at us, say “thank you” and return to the task at hand. Back to work, “not to rebuild our past,” as one woman said, “but to build our future.”
On my return trip to the Red Uniendo Manos–Peru office in Magdalena, I made two “must do” notes. The first note was to refer our current taxi driver’s name to the next director of a Mad Max movie. This guy absolutely qualifies for a stunt driver’s leading role. The second note is from the residents of Cajamarquilla. They want to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Paz y Esperanza and the relief workers from Iglesia Evangelical Peruana. This community and these relief workers are also encouraged by and grateful to the PC(USA), the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the numerous churches and individuals who sent financial gifts, prayed and acted in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Peru.
Many Presbyterians have donated in response to this disaster, and we would like to share some stories. The “Passport to Peru” VBS program at the Presbyterian churches in Monte Vista, Colorado, and Jackson, Tennessee, raised funds for flood relief. Also, a Presbyterian pastor in Ithaca, New York, reports: “The three– through five-year-olds at Ithaca Community Childcare Centers have finished their fundraising to help the flood victims in Peru. They made a giant card, sent pictures of themselves, and raised $500! They worked very hard for a month, selling artwork and cards, jewelry they made, baked goods and gently used toys. We are really proud of what they accomplished.” Sara had a lot of fun when she visited with them recently in Ithaca and showed them how the money was being used to build new homes.
The rebuilding of Cajamarquilla has begun—materially, personally and spiritually.
Thank you for your financial gifts to Presbyterian World Mission. Your gifts to our Sending and Support make this ministry possible. We thank you for continuing your walk alongside your brothers and sisters in Christ, aqui en Peru.”
Mil gracias y saludos de Rusty y Sara
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