Just as every group of SSTers takes on a wonderful personality of its own, so too does every mix of host families. And so when those two groups come together after nearly six weeks for an evening despedida, it’s bound to be a one-of-a-kind farewell party.

The families began arriving soon after 7 p.m., welcomed to the Seminario by posters and streamers that students had hung earlier in the day. A slide show captured some of the highlights of the weeks in Lima, including meeting families for the first time, swimming with sea lions, and visiting the home of the artist Víctor Delfín.

Celia greeted the families, opening the formal part of the program. Then followed the first of several musical numbers. We enjoyed hearing a mixed ensemble, a women’s choir, and the full group of students. Family members sang along with the full group too, after a brief coaching session on the song. Students in the advanced Spanish class worked up an impressive lip-synch rendition of a favorite pop tune, that included bringing Oswaldo, their language professor up on stage. Since Oswaldo had to teach a class that evening, Duane stood in for that ‘surprise’ part of the song.

Laura Schlabach and Melanie Hershberger shared some favorite word associations, compiled by the whole group as students thought of favorite memories with their families.

We invited families to come forward in groups, first recognizing those families who had hosted students in every semester of the program in Peru (six semesters and counting); then those who had hosted students for five semesters; and so forth. As the families stood up front, their respective sons and daughters presented flowers to the host parents.

Duane “Carlos” and Karen thanked the families for all that they had done, beginning with inviting students into their homes, with mucho cariño, or love. Kate and Emily thanked families, in part, by serving Inca Kola and other soft drinks during our intermission.

Yes, while the rest of us ate bocaditos and desserts, more than half the group of students disappeared. Downstairs, they were putting on dance costumes. When they returned, fully outfitted as folkloric dancers from the Andean highlands, they put on an impressive display, led by Pedro, their dance instructor over the past couple of weeks. It’s fair to say that the crowd went wild. There was lots of picture-taking during the performance and afterward, as families members and friends posed with the dancers.

The program ended with the introduction of Alex Naula and Julia Adams, who are set to take over in August as directors of the Goshen College program in Peru. Blessings to them and to all who participate in the program in the year ahead!