Whistle Solo

All I need is just a little patience. I feel like I'm a pretty patient guy, by US standards. That is definitely not the case in Peru. Today, after the bible study at Santa Isabel church, there was an impromptu meeting among some of the male church leaders/members of the session to talk about things in the church they want to change/make better, or plans for upcoming services etc. Usually there are about four or five people participating, including Javier (my host dad, who's the church treasurer), which is the reason I also end up staying. These discussions after evening worship services/bible studies are not uncommon. And it's also not uncommon for me to get really antsy during them. Usually the discussions last for about 20 minutes. Frequently, I get a feeling they would last longer if I don't start heading for the door, or saying "I kind of need to go," at which point they all say "yikes, it's getting late, let's go."

But today I didn't do that. So approximately fifty-five minutes after the bible study ended, we walked home (the discussion ended with them deciding that they needed to have a meeting to talk this coming Saturday...) I feel really guilty for always only thinking about how much I want to leave during these discussions. I am amazed how much energy and passion these men put into their work with the church. They all have families and full time jobs. During any given day, they all probably get up earlier than I do, spend more time working than I do, and go to bed later than I do. But while I'm nearly falling asleep and anxiously watching the clock, hoping to go home during these discussions, they're excitedly chatting away about the church politics, policies and programming. I'm glad that they're all so passionate about church life. And I wish I had the energy and patience to be like them.