Stepping out of Comfort Zones and Stepping into Growth

Juliana Stanford: 

    I have been living in the loving community of Andahuaylillas for 11 days now, and for someone who loves writing - it is still hard for me to fully encapsulate the joy that this town radiates. I work 3 days a week as a physical education teacher, spend my afternoons helping with the meal program at the Parish, and also am working as a Public Relations intern. 

    I have grown to believe that I learn best when I am not within my comfort zone, and through living at the volunteer house as well as working in Peru I have further solidified that thought. I truly believe that there are many lessons to be learned from staying in a foreign country, trying something new, and living with a group and know for a fact that we are all gaining valuable insight from our time here in Peru. 

    If you were to go right now and check your screen time for your phone (you can do that by the way, in settings) I am willing to bet that at least 75% of those reading this will have a time ranging from 4-8 hours. Which, unfortunately, is completely normal. One of my biggest takeaways from this experience is how connecting it is to be disconnected. I have gained so much more for only using my phone as an alarm clock, radio, and occasional messaging device. Rather than a machine that lets me know where everyone is and what they are up to. This small town of the Quispicanchi project boasts a community of rich culture and old tradition. Although they have technology, it is not as frequently used as we are accustomed to. For example - Saul, the owner of Plaza Market, has a functioning computer at the checkout. But, he chooses to ring customers up with mental math, pen, and paper. The school I spend my days at use text books and white boards instead of ipads and projectors. Julia, Inez, and Estela prefer written recipes for their meal program and have never once consulted their phones for guidance. Only memory and stained notecards. In living in a remote village an hour away from a major city I am learning the value of immediate community and authentic communication. I have gained time with my friends, conversations with the wise women of the parish kitchen, laughs walking home from school with my young students, and the joy that genuine interaction offers. 

    Working at Fè y Alegria has been one of the biggest highlights of my time in Andahuaylillas. My day begins at 8 and lasts till around 1, it is filled with games, laughs, and chasing the soccer ball as it goes out of bounds and down the hill towards the swings. Helping as a teacher at this school has begun to show me the beauty of childlike excitement and curiosity. These kids jump for joy when they find out that we will be playing rock-paper-scissors relays, run from class to class, and hug new volunteers with excitement for what new games they can learn from them. They are curious about the color of the sky as well as how to say phrases and English, and embrace this curiosity with no shame. When I return, I want to continue tapping back into the younger days and adopt the confidence, curiosity, and joy my students have towards life.

    Living in a group of 7 is a treasure trove of life lessons. Our director, Michael, told us right off the bat that successful group living is not an every man for himself arrangement. This advice has taken us far. Simple actions, such as someone making the morning coffee for the 4 coffee drinkers of the house or the boys buying the girls flowers when at the farmers market are examples of a few random acts of kindness. But, small gestures of kindness make living together so much more enjoyable. Combining finances towards groceries and toiletries, working with portion sizes, meal planning, sharing 3 keys amongst 7 people, and so much more are lessons of communication and patience. But above all, going into this with a friendship mindset makes taking the trash out fun, cleaning the windowsills entertaining, and cooking dinner while playing question games so much more enjoyable. I will cherish the memories of making dinner together, power cleaning the house while listening to 70’s music, group dinners, and playing 2-3 games an evening. But, I will also hold the lessons of living with others to a very high regard and know that they are applicable outside of Andahuaylillas. 

    There was a time where my comfort zone consisted of  a room with more than one electric outlet, with people close to my own age, friends similar to me. I surrounded myself with English speakers and familiarity. Stepping out into unfamiliarity and volunteering in Peru has not only broadened my comfort zone but is allowing me to pack so many valuable lessons into my already overweight checked bag. Having new experiences and opening yourself up to a different way of life is one of the most pivotal actions towards growing up. This experience has not only allowed me to step into other people's shoes and step out of my comfort zone, but it has also enabled me to step into a season of growth.