Update Timeline

I knew it had been a long time since I had posted an update on my blog, but I have been so busy with major family changes I didn’t realize that it had been over six months.  So much has happened in that time I don’t know how I will be able to fill you all in, but here is my attempt to present a timeline of the most important events:

March: New Monitoring and Evaluation System

My co-worker, Fredy, and I worked on finalizing the new monitoring and evaluation plan for FH Peru.  FH Peru has never before had a system for evaluating the results of their ministry here.  It has been a challenge to create a system that incorporates not only quantitative data collection, but also gives staff opportunity to reflect on their work in communities, and capture qualitative stories of change.  Our goal with this new monitoring and evaluation tool is to enable the information gathered to inform donors about the progress of different projects and the improvement and transformation occurring in the communities where we serve.  Additionally, this information would be used by staff to learn from our experiences and make adjustments to activities.  We have been using and improving this new evaluation process for about six months, and it seems to be working well.  Please continue to pray our analysis of our projects will enlighten both staff and donors.

April:  All Staff Retreat

Staff from all three Peruvian regions (Lima, Pucallpa and Huancavelica) came together outside of Lima for an all-staff retreat.  The focus of the retreat was team building and learning different strategies for dealing with stress.  What a great time of sharing, encouragement, and growing together! At the retreat, Fredy and I presented the new evaluation system to the staff. 
                    

May:  FH Peru hosted the FH Latin American Annual Regional Retreat

Over thirty visitors came from 7 different countries for about two weeks.  I was responsible for organizing the logistics for many of those travelers.  (organizing transportation pick up to and from the airport, hotel reservations, meal reservations, etc.). 

June:  Community Based Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Training

For the last year or so I have been part of an FH working group from all over the world who have been collaborating in the creation of new training materials that FH will use to help communities become better prepared for disasters.  In June the coordinator/ leader of this working group (my friend Sara Sywulka from the Washington, DC FH office) came to Peru to train our staff in using these new materials that contain new community planning tools  I organized the logistics of the training sessions and also assisted Sara.

The best part of the week was getting a chance to work in the field helping some community leaders put disaster preparedness into practice.  It was great to see how these new tools helped community leaders analyze the disaster risks facing their communities and begin to think about the ways they can plan to mitigate these risks.  I really enjoyed working in the communities again (it has been a long time since I have had a chance to do this).  The female community leaders were also excited to see my pregnant belly and share with me their advice for being a new mother (a great sharing opportunity).  It is a blessing that God has enabled me to use my gifts of computer skills and organization to indirectly assist others in their call to minister to the poor here in Lima in my time of new motherhood, but I still have a heart for working directly with the people here.  I trust the Lord to know what is best for this time. 

Practicing Disaster Preparedness Tool in Community

One of the Disaster Preparedenss Tools - Community Risk Mapping

Practicing Disaster Preparedness Tool in Community

FH Staff who participated in the training

June: Farewell to FH Peru Director, Ryan Smedes

After almost 4 years of service, our country Director stepped down to take on a new role in the FH office in Washington DC.  It was really sad to say good bye to Ryan and his family (I have especially been missing my friend Angela, his wife), but we are excited to see how God uses Ryan in his new role as the FH Director of Livelihoods and Economic Development.  The search is still on for a new Director, but in the mean time, Noemi Gamonal (FH program manager and my boss) has taken on the role of interim director.  Until August, I was also helping Noemi by providing support in the 2013 budget process, and our plans for expanding work into new communities in 2013. 

July: Praise the Lord for your new home!

Cristian and I became home owners in July, when the apartment we purchased back in September of 2011 was finally finished and the builders handed us the keys.  At the end of the month, my parents came to visit and they were a huge blessing helping us with getting the apartment ready to move in (painting, installing appliances, and other tasks). Our apartment is located in front of a huge park, and in the mornings and evenings the trees fill with birds chirping and singing.  It is a great blessing to be close to God’s natural creation in the midst of the huge, bustling city of Lima. 

our new living room under construction

Our new apartment building

August:  Cristian and I became Parents!

On August 18 at 8:40 in the morning, after more than 18 hours of active labor, we welcomed to our family Caleb Aurelio Alegre Woodside.  Here is what my mom wrote about the birth:

“Caleb has been a huge blessing in our lives, and we are completely in love with our little man.”

About a week before Caleb was born

September – November and beyond:  

As we learn to be Mommy and Daddy the last few months, I have been blessed to have maternity leave and vacation in order to spend time with Caleb.  Cristian was able to take a couple of weeks off when Caleb was born and then had to go back to work.  We are both adjusting to our new roles as parents and figuring out new routines and schedules.  We have also been blessed to have some help at home – Maria is a wonderful Christian woman who comes several times a week to help me with cleaning and other household errands. 

In December, I will be returning part-time to ministry with FH.  I am hoping to work out a schedule which allows fewer hours in the office and do the rest of my work from home, since much of my duties involve writing reports, translations, and doing research.  Maria will also help us care for Caleb (along with Cristian’s mom) when I return to work at FH.  Getting to know Maria has been a huge answer to prayer; both ours and hers, as she had been looking for full time work to help support her family (she is a mother of 6 – 2 grown and 4 school aged).  Please continue to pray for us as I transition back into ministry with FH and we continue to learn what it means to be parents.  We know that this is the hardest job either of us will have and we will need God’s love and grace to do it well. 

Blessings to you all,

Lauren, Cristian, and Caleb