The breakfast juice of champions. Thank you Lord for cheap strawberries and opposite seasons in this country!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
It's been a while..
So, yet again, it's been a while since I've blogged. I'll stop commenting on this on every post and just assume that you understand I'm busy and/or lazy and will average 1-2 blogs each month!
This past month has been interesting, to say the least. I've actually started several posts, but never went on with them because they were touchy subjects and would have possibly caused some issues, but then I thought, this is my blog! I can write what I want! So, I'll save you from listening to my rants on what's wrong in the world, and just write what's on my heart now. However, if you're lucky, you may get a future post on America's problems (healthcare and welfare in particular) and the American mindset of missions.
Just for you, I'll stay off my soapbox for now and share some things from this past month! From November 12-21 I was in the jungle of Peru playing with babies, napping in my hammock, and cruising down the Amazon River! It was real hot, but a nice change from chilly Lima. Here's my favorite baby, and yes, I picked a favorite! If I bring one home, I'll go back to the jungle and get Jhon!
I got back, and Melissa had already moved my stuff into our new apartment! It's amazing how much an apartment affects your outlook on living here. The old house was fine, just old. Now this apartment, that some missionaries are letting us "house sit" for the rest of our time here, is wonderful! We have a recliner, lots of natural sunlight, and a washing machine. It's nice, such a little blessing that we don't deserve!
This week, we went with our friend with Santiago to do Bible studies in Cieniguilla and Pamplona. They're both on the outskirts of Lima, but they're soo different. Cieniguilla is a small town atmosphere, and Pamplona is an overly populated shanty town. Both are unique, but have so much in common. Santiago goes to each town once a week and leads a Bible study with a group of believers, so we just accompanied him and did what we could to add in the conversations. In Pamplona, Santiago had me read from Nehemiah where they were re-building the wall. In Spanish, it says Levantémonos (let's all get up and go), but I read aloud Levántete monos (get up, ya monkeys). Needless to say, everyone laughed, and we've continue to laugh for the past two days.
Yesterday, we went to the zoo for the first time here! It was similar to American zoos, we saw lions and tigers and bears (oh my!). When it came to the monkeys, naturally I told them "Levantete monos" for kicks and giggles. They didn't listen. Lazy. There was also a bird called the Macareño. Say that aloud. Yes, it sounds like the Macarena. So, I danced in front of the birds. They didn't really think it was clever. Whatever. All in all, the zoo was a good trip!
We don't have classes for the month of December. We're going through a huge transition and we're supposed to be planning for the new class structure during that time. So totes, keep that in your prayers, that we'll glorify God through our planning and that our strategy will be what will make Him the most famous in this land!
This past month has been interesting, to say the least. I've actually started several posts, but never went on with them because they were touchy subjects and would have possibly caused some issues, but then I thought, this is my blog! I can write what I want! So, I'll save you from listening to my rants on what's wrong in the world, and just write what's on my heart now. However, if you're lucky, you may get a future post on America's problems (healthcare and welfare in particular) and the American mindset of missions.
Just for you, I'll stay off my soapbox for now and share some things from this past month! From November 12-21 I was in the jungle of Peru playing with babies, napping in my hammock, and cruising down the Amazon River! It was real hot, but a nice change from chilly Lima. Here's my favorite baby, and yes, I picked a favorite! If I bring one home, I'll go back to the jungle and get Jhon!
I got back, and Melissa had already moved my stuff into our new apartment! It's amazing how much an apartment affects your outlook on living here. The old house was fine, just old. Now this apartment, that some missionaries are letting us "house sit" for the rest of our time here, is wonderful! We have a recliner, lots of natural sunlight, and a washing machine. It's nice, such a little blessing that we don't deserve!
This week, we went with our friend with Santiago to do Bible studies in Cieniguilla and Pamplona. They're both on the outskirts of Lima, but they're soo different. Cieniguilla is a small town atmosphere, and Pamplona is an overly populated shanty town. Both are unique, but have so much in common. Santiago goes to each town once a week and leads a Bible study with a group of believers, so we just accompanied him and did what we could to add in the conversations. In Pamplona, Santiago had me read from Nehemiah where they were re-building the wall. In Spanish, it says Levantémonos (let's all get up and go), but I read aloud Levántete monos (get up, ya monkeys). Needless to say, everyone laughed, and we've continue to laugh for the past two days.
Yesterday, we went to the zoo for the first time here! It was similar to American zoos, we saw lions and tigers and bears (oh my!). When it came to the monkeys, naturally I told them "Levantete monos" for kicks and giggles. They didn't listen. Lazy. There was also a bird called the Macareño. Say that aloud. Yes, it sounds like the Macarena. So, I danced in front of the birds. They didn't really think it was clever. Whatever. All in all, the zoo was a good trip!
We don't have classes for the month of December. We're going through a huge transition and we're supposed to be planning for the new class structure during that time. So totes, keep that in your prayers, that we'll glorify God through our planning and that our strategy will be what will make Him the most famous in this land!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Blessings Abounding
Friends, yet again, I'm sorry I've let you down. If any of you ever really were interested in my blog, I've failed you big time, and I will make it up to you somehow. I'll bring you a llama or something!
It's true. I haven't posted in over a month, but I've been crazy busy the past month! Things seem to start to be slowing down, which may or may not be a good thing for my sanity. Who knows? I just know that a little over a month ago I was pouting and angry that I wasn't doing much here, and I felt like I was wasting my time. Then the Lord filled my schedule with ways to serve Him, my heart with joy and peace, and my mouth with his praise! Call me crazy, I just love to brag on my Savior's faithfulness!
Anywho, life here has been going by soo fast! I've already been here almost 5 months! The days are flying by, and I'm not really sure how! Everything is changing in the organization I'm working with, so it feel like we're just holding out til the big changes happen. We'll deal with new stuff when it comes around in January!
I will share one big change with you, and even add a picture! Our immediate supervisors, the Constantes, left for the states last weeks as they ended their term here. I'm going to miss them! Especially this little booger!
But yeah, changes are happening, and it's very exciting!
In other news, God is just showing me day after day his faithfulness, and since this blog was meant to share my heart, I will! It just seems that every day God is showing me how much He is in control of absolutely everything, and that Romans 8:28 really is true: all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. When we stop trying to run from God and do things our way, we can see the faithfulness of His Word in full force. Even in the hard times, He gives us unspeakable joy, which is so awesome.
So as you go throughout the rest of your day and/or week, I just want to challenge you to seek the Lord. Sing praises to Him. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. Study his Words. He will be faithful to be beside you every step you make!
Sorry for the vagueness of this blog, and no real information on what I'm doing now. Have some patience, and I promise to get my A game on and write more! Peace and blessings people!
It's true. I haven't posted in over a month, but I've been crazy busy the past month! Things seem to start to be slowing down, which may or may not be a good thing for my sanity. Who knows? I just know that a little over a month ago I was pouting and angry that I wasn't doing much here, and I felt like I was wasting my time. Then the Lord filled my schedule with ways to serve Him, my heart with joy and peace, and my mouth with his praise! Call me crazy, I just love to brag on my Savior's faithfulness!
Anywho, life here has been going by soo fast! I've already been here almost 5 months! The days are flying by, and I'm not really sure how! Everything is changing in the organization I'm working with, so it feel like we're just holding out til the big changes happen. We'll deal with new stuff when it comes around in January!
I will share one big change with you, and even add a picture! Our immediate supervisors, the Constantes, left for the states last weeks as they ended their term here. I'm going to miss them! Especially this little booger!
 | |
| This is Joshua, and I taught him to walk before he got on that plane! |
In other news, God is just showing me day after day his faithfulness, and since this blog was meant to share my heart, I will! It just seems that every day God is showing me how much He is in control of absolutely everything, and that Romans 8:28 really is true: all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. When we stop trying to run from God and do things our way, we can see the faithfulness of His Word in full force. Even in the hard times, He gives us unspeakable joy, which is so awesome.
So as you go throughout the rest of your day and/or week, I just want to challenge you to seek the Lord. Sing praises to Him. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. Study his Words. He will be faithful to be beside you every step you make!
Sorry for the vagueness of this blog, and no real information on what I'm doing now. Have some patience, and I promise to get my A game on and write more! Peace and blessings people!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
What am I doing here?
Dearest readers,
I'm really sad to tell you that this will be another photo-less post. I know, I know. I promised more photos so I could keep you entertained. Truth is, I haven't taken many pictures. It's not that I don't want to, but it's not smart to carry valuables to some of the places I want to take pictures at. One day, I promise I'll brave up and do it. Until then, I'll tell ya about what I'm doing now, since people at home are curious! The best way to get everything in is probably to just go down through the week. So, if you're interested, follow me through a typical week!
Sunday-- I wake up at like 8:30, eat breakfast, find clothes, and facebook chat with my mom for about 2 minutes, then Melissa and I catch a bus to Barranco, an area of Lima about 15 minutes from our house. Muy cerca. Sunday school starts at 10:30ish. We're usually 5-10 min late. No worries though, so is everyone else. I love this culture for that! Anywho, Sunday school usually goes til 11:40ish, and then church starts around 12. It lasts til 2. Yep, that's right. TWO hours. But I love it. Our worship songs are verses out of the Bible, like verbatim, set to music. Last week we sang Psalm 95, 97, and Revelation 15. Love it. We sometimes eat lunch at church for 5 soles, but not always. However, we always get cremoladas on the walk back to the bus.. These are like creme slushes basically, and just 2 soles (that's 66 cents!). Soo yummy. Then we come home. I usually take a lil nap or read. Then we have class from 6-8, and hang out til about 9. That makes for a full day!
Monday-- Mondays are planning days, or atleast I try to make them that. I try to get things planned for my classes on Wednesday and Thursday. Something always seems to come up on Mondays. Either visiting someone or getting lunch with someone, but both are always fine with me! At 5 we get ready to take the S bus to San Miguel to work with some translators (keep a lookout for a blog about the buses here). Our friend Arturo has started a "Christian Interpreters Club" at his church, Calvary Chapel, and we go to be the native speakers that correct and perfect their English. We sit in circles of 4 or less and take turns reading passages of Scripture in English and translating it to Spanish, and vice versa. This is always fun. And they usually make me translate too, so I get to practice some Spanish.
Tuesday-- Tuesdays are my Sabbath. It's the one day I have no where to be all day. Usually I still have some planning to do, but then I can read and blog and cook and do whatever I want really. Melissa and I do have our team time on Tuesdays, and we usually go to the market after that. But that's about all that's consistent and worth talking about for Tuesdays. If you ever want to skype or something, this would be the day!
Wednesday-- Wednesdays are my full days. I get up and get ready to go downtown. I catch my bus at 9:05ish to go downtown. It takes about 30-35 minutes on the bus to get downtown, then I jet down two blocks and get to the orphanage/school that I'm teaching English at. I say I jet down two blocks because I definitely stand out downtown, and I don't want to risk getting robbed or anything just because people think that I have money just because I'm white. So I get to the school, ring the doorbell, and the fun begins. Wednesdays I teach 1st and 2nd grade English. These kids have or have had difficult living situations, so they all want love and attention. They're all a mess, but all so super sweet (watch, they'll be crazy tomorrow since I'm bragging on them now). I've only been twice so far, but I love this. I'm teaching from 9:50-1, all a mixture of broken Spanish and English they don't understand. As the weeks go on, I'll write about days here. At 1 I jet back down 2 blocks and go to a mall. I have been buying a drink in Starbucks and sitting there reading and looking up stuff on my iPod until 5. At 5 I go about a block away and meet Melissa as well as Gina and Quentin Roberts. Quentin and Gina are missionaries in downtown Lima, and we help them with English here. I teach a group of about 5-8 adults basic English. It's so fun because they actually listen!! It's great! We finish there at 8, and we leave immediately. Again, this part of town isn't very safe, especially after dark. Quentin and Gina are very good about getting everyone out by 8 in order to get home safely. We usually get back about 9 and eat something & then I retire to my room.
Thursday-- Thursdays aren't quite as busy as Wednesdays, but still full. I go downtown to the orphanage/school to teach 3rd and 4th grade. These kids listen better than the younger ones, usually. It's nice. When I finish at 1, I take a bus back home. I usually take a nap and work on some planning stuff. We have translation class at our house from 6-8. And then we hang out for a little bit and then back to my room!
Friday-- Fridays are always different and fun. We wake up, either visit people, or spend the mornings reading or doing whatever around the house, then we meet our friend Santiago for lunch. Then the 3 of us take a bus to Pamplona Alta. Pamplona started out as a shanty town, but now it's HUGE. A couple thousand people living in what most Americans would call huts. Oh yeah, it smells like pigs and pig poo too. But these people are (mostly) happy. Yeah they all have their struggles, but they are unstained from the greed and ignorance that most of us live in. The children there are ecstatic for a coloring sheet to color, not for an iPod or cell phone. Although their living conditions aren't necessarily the best, they don't know any better and are just as happy and joyful there as most of us are in the US, sitting in our houses of fortunes. In Pamplona we have Bible study with several ladies, and it's always really good. Santiago likes to put me on the spot and ask me to pray in Spanish. It drives me CRAZY, but I have to remember that it's for the Lord and that with him all things are possible, even my broken Spanish. We then take the hour long bus ride back to our area of town and find something to do with the rest of our afternoon/evening (it's usually around 5:30 or 6 when we get back).
Saturday-- Saturdays are my days to teach! Saturday morning is devoted to finding college football, and hoping that some online station is showing the Vols. I also do a lot of planning for our Saturday afternoon conversation class. These classes are really laid back and we just have a topic that we try to get everyone to discuss. It's a big fellowship time basically. Then we sometimes go out with our students after class, or just have a night in. Either or.
I'm sorry if I bored you with that book I just wrote. I just thought some of you would like to know where you're money is going! Every week is different, and things change a lot, but you have some idea now. I promise next time to take pictures and make things more interesting! Thank you for reading!
I'm really sad to tell you that this will be another photo-less post. I know, I know. I promised more photos so I could keep you entertained. Truth is, I haven't taken many pictures. It's not that I don't want to, but it's not smart to carry valuables to some of the places I want to take pictures at. One day, I promise I'll brave up and do it. Until then, I'll tell ya about what I'm doing now, since people at home are curious! The best way to get everything in is probably to just go down through the week. So, if you're interested, follow me through a typical week!
Sunday-- I wake up at like 8:30, eat breakfast, find clothes, and facebook chat with my mom for about 2 minutes, then Melissa and I catch a bus to Barranco, an area of Lima about 15 minutes from our house. Muy cerca. Sunday school starts at 10:30ish. We're usually 5-10 min late. No worries though, so is everyone else. I love this culture for that! Anywho, Sunday school usually goes til 11:40ish, and then church starts around 12. It lasts til 2. Yep, that's right. TWO hours. But I love it. Our worship songs are verses out of the Bible, like verbatim, set to music. Last week we sang Psalm 95, 97, and Revelation 15. Love it. We sometimes eat lunch at church for 5 soles, but not always. However, we always get cremoladas on the walk back to the bus.. These are like creme slushes basically, and just 2 soles (that's 66 cents!). Soo yummy. Then we come home. I usually take a lil nap or read. Then we have class from 6-8, and hang out til about 9. That makes for a full day!
Monday-- Mondays are planning days, or atleast I try to make them that. I try to get things planned for my classes on Wednesday and Thursday. Something always seems to come up on Mondays. Either visiting someone or getting lunch with someone, but both are always fine with me! At 5 we get ready to take the S bus to San Miguel to work with some translators (keep a lookout for a blog about the buses here). Our friend Arturo has started a "Christian Interpreters Club" at his church, Calvary Chapel, and we go to be the native speakers that correct and perfect their English. We sit in circles of 4 or less and take turns reading passages of Scripture in English and translating it to Spanish, and vice versa. This is always fun. And they usually make me translate too, so I get to practice some Spanish.
Tuesday-- Tuesdays are my Sabbath. It's the one day I have no where to be all day. Usually I still have some planning to do, but then I can read and blog and cook and do whatever I want really. Melissa and I do have our team time on Tuesdays, and we usually go to the market after that. But that's about all that's consistent and worth talking about for Tuesdays. If you ever want to skype or something, this would be the day!
Wednesday-- Wednesdays are my full days. I get up and get ready to go downtown. I catch my bus at 9:05ish to go downtown. It takes about 30-35 minutes on the bus to get downtown, then I jet down two blocks and get to the orphanage/school that I'm teaching English at. I say I jet down two blocks because I definitely stand out downtown, and I don't want to risk getting robbed or anything just because people think that I have money just because I'm white. So I get to the school, ring the doorbell, and the fun begins. Wednesdays I teach 1st and 2nd grade English. These kids have or have had difficult living situations, so they all want love and attention. They're all a mess, but all so super sweet (watch, they'll be crazy tomorrow since I'm bragging on them now). I've only been twice so far, but I love this. I'm teaching from 9:50-1, all a mixture of broken Spanish and English they don't understand. As the weeks go on, I'll write about days here. At 1 I jet back down 2 blocks and go to a mall. I have been buying a drink in Starbucks and sitting there reading and looking up stuff on my iPod until 5. At 5 I go about a block away and meet Melissa as well as Gina and Quentin Roberts. Quentin and Gina are missionaries in downtown Lima, and we help them with English here. I teach a group of about 5-8 adults basic English. It's so fun because they actually listen!! It's great! We finish there at 8, and we leave immediately. Again, this part of town isn't very safe, especially after dark. Quentin and Gina are very good about getting everyone out by 8 in order to get home safely. We usually get back about 9 and eat something & then I retire to my room.
Thursday-- Thursdays aren't quite as busy as Wednesdays, but still full. I go downtown to the orphanage/school to teach 3rd and 4th grade. These kids listen better than the younger ones, usually. It's nice. When I finish at 1, I take a bus back home. I usually take a nap and work on some planning stuff. We have translation class at our house from 6-8. And then we hang out for a little bit and then back to my room!
Friday-- Fridays are always different and fun. We wake up, either visit people, or spend the mornings reading or doing whatever around the house, then we meet our friend Santiago for lunch. Then the 3 of us take a bus to Pamplona Alta. Pamplona started out as a shanty town, but now it's HUGE. A couple thousand people living in what most Americans would call huts. Oh yeah, it smells like pigs and pig poo too. But these people are (mostly) happy. Yeah they all have their struggles, but they are unstained from the greed and ignorance that most of us live in. The children there are ecstatic for a coloring sheet to color, not for an iPod or cell phone. Although their living conditions aren't necessarily the best, they don't know any better and are just as happy and joyful there as most of us are in the US, sitting in our houses of fortunes. In Pamplona we have Bible study with several ladies, and it's always really good. Santiago likes to put me on the spot and ask me to pray in Spanish. It drives me CRAZY, but I have to remember that it's for the Lord and that with him all things are possible, even my broken Spanish. We then take the hour long bus ride back to our area of town and find something to do with the rest of our afternoon/evening (it's usually around 5:30 or 6 when we get back).
Saturday-- Saturdays are my days to teach! Saturday morning is devoted to finding college football, and hoping that some online station is showing the Vols. I also do a lot of planning for our Saturday afternoon conversation class. These classes are really laid back and we just have a topic that we try to get everyone to discuss. It's a big fellowship time basically. Then we sometimes go out with our students after class, or just have a night in. Either or.
I'm sorry if I bored you with that book I just wrote. I just thought some of you would like to know where you're money is going! Every week is different, and things change a lot, but you have some idea now. I promise next time to take pictures and make things more interesting! Thank you for reading!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Streaker
So. This is a great story. There will be no pictures, you'll be thankful for that.
On Fridays, we're going with our friend Santiago to a part of Lima called Pamplona. It started out as a shanty town, and now its HUGE, but it's definitely one of the poorest places in Lima. He's been doing Bible study with some ladies there a couple days a week. It's been pretty neat to be a part of, and Santiago refuses to let us just sit in. He makes us speak in Spanish, even when we don't want to and we aren't prepared, but we're better because of it!
Anyways, we usually meet him in Parque Kennedy and get lunch before the hour long bus ride there. After lunch, we were standing on the sidewalk waiting for the bus, and Melissa notices a cop on a segway crossing the street. Yes, in this crazy busy popular part of town, its a bit odd to see that, but not too out of the ordinary. Here's the dialogue from this time.. "There's a cop on a segway."-- Melissa. "There's a naked guy beside him!"-- Santiago.
This is a true story. There was a bare butt naked man walking beside this cop crossing the street! TRAUMATIZING!! He then proceeded to run in between the cars stopped at the red light while the cops chased him. EVEN MORE TRAUMATIZING! At one point he ran into a guy on a motorcycle! ahh! Luckily our bus was there (they had their doors closed so he couldn't run on there), and they let us on! Once we got through the traffic lights, we saw that the cops had caught the streaker (PTL).
This is soo not what I expected to happen when I woke up yesterday!
On Fridays, we're going with our friend Santiago to a part of Lima called Pamplona. It started out as a shanty town, and now its HUGE, but it's definitely one of the poorest places in Lima. He's been doing Bible study with some ladies there a couple days a week. It's been pretty neat to be a part of, and Santiago refuses to let us just sit in. He makes us speak in Spanish, even when we don't want to and we aren't prepared, but we're better because of it!
Anyways, we usually meet him in Parque Kennedy and get lunch before the hour long bus ride there. After lunch, we were standing on the sidewalk waiting for the bus, and Melissa notices a cop on a segway crossing the street. Yes, in this crazy busy popular part of town, its a bit odd to see that, but not too out of the ordinary. Here's the dialogue from this time.. "There's a cop on a segway."-- Melissa. "There's a naked guy beside him!"-- Santiago.
This is a true story. There was a bare butt naked man walking beside this cop crossing the street! TRAUMATIZING!! He then proceeded to run in between the cars stopped at the red light while the cops chased him. EVEN MORE TRAUMATIZING! At one point he ran into a guy on a motorcycle! ahh! Luckily our bus was there (they had their doors closed so he couldn't run on there), and they let us on! Once we got through the traffic lights, we saw that the cops had caught the streaker (PTL).
This is soo not what I expected to happen when I woke up yesterday!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Unfailing
So, I apologize again that I haven't done this in a while. No excuses. I'll try to keep all you who are supporting me updated on life in Lima these days!
First off, let me just tell you that God's rocked my world the past couple of days. We all know the "ask and you will receive" verse; yeah, I'm receiving blessings in abundance!
Let me tell you how this has all unfolded.
Background information. I've felt pretty useless the past few weeks here. We've been finding different things to do in addition to our English ministry, but I still had a ton of downtime each day. Yeah it was nice being able to sleep in and be in the Word as I pleased throughout the day, but I was wasting soo much time I felt. I came here to serve, not to be lazy. Not fluently speaking the language of a place really puts a limit on doing street evangelism and such, and the organizations I'd contacted, such as World Vision, hadn't gotten back to us on opportunities. Last week I was frustrated most of the week just because I was hanging out all day in the house, and I didn't know how I could be out ministering more.
So Sunday was "one of my better days" as my Maw would say. For those of you who don't know, I've had bed bugs/allergies/something biting or irritating my skin since the end of July, and we haven't been able to figure out what it is. It's like I get rid of them, and then a week later they find me again. We fumigated, and I moved rooms, and they moved with me. We fumigated again, covered my beds with giant plastic bags (which are still there. no worries if I wet the bed though!), and they still came back. We stayed at someone else's house for a week, and I was still getting them there! So needless to say, I'm wayy over itching and scratching!
Soo.. Melissa and I were staying at a missionary family's house all last week while they went back to the states. So Sunday I woke up and took my sheets off the bed first thing so they'd have clean sheets when they got home, and what did I find? A teeny tiny little ANT! and not just one of them, but 2,3,4,5,6 of them in different places on the bed! This is where my "better day" began.
In addition to feeling like I wasn't doing a thing in Peru all week, I was spreading ants to other people's houses and they were going to start getting bit too. I cried, a lot (go figure), and just really felt like packing my bags & coming home this week. If I was useless here, and getting eaten alive by the pestilence, SURELY I was just in the wrong place & this was a sign for me to go home. I basically pitched a lil pity party for myself for a while. Finally I came to my senses and knew I just needed to be still before the Lord and just listen to Him and let Him calm me. So I went to Romans 5 where it says "endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame." Ok that was cool and somewhat encouraging, but I needed more. So I flipped to Romans 1 and just kept reading and reading. It talked how we're all fully of sin, and not just petty "little sins", but we're disgusting in our sin, and NONE of us are righteous. None of us deserve the love of God. But through faith in Jesus Christ, God will redeem us righteous. So I just pitched a fit before God, the Creator of everything, and then I see how absolutely useless I am to anything that matters in the world, but it's through faith in His son that I am redeemed. Ok Gerica. Feel dumb yet? It's this faith thing I was lacking. I just somehow forgot that God is faithful, and that He's taking care of me in every circumstance, so I should be faithful to Him and trust in that. Man did I feel ridiculous and embarrassed!
So Monday rolls around, and Melissa and I had a meeting scheduled in the morning with a missionary couple who do inner city missions in Lima. She said they'd love to have us help with their English ministry there on Wednesday nights. Then I asked about any orphanage ministries they work with (cuz I miss my daycare babies), and she said they had one who actually needed an English teacher a couple days a week! So we took a bus downtown and saw there office, and then stopped by the orphanage. This is where the "ask and you shall receive" plays in. We just stopped to see if they needed someone, and they were quick to say yes, and asked me to start on Wednesday! People, that's TOMORROW! So now Wednesday and Thursdays I'm going to teach 1-4 grade English at an orphanage downtown. So instantly I went from having empty mornings and some empty evenings, to having all day Wednesday full and now Thursday mornings. Kinda cool huh?
But the story doesn't stop there! We then went to the Llorens's to visit with them after their trip to the states for Mrs. Tammi's mom's funeral. Just a side note, this is the coolest family in Lima Peru, and they have been so great to us and love on us like we're their own. Such a blessing to have that here, and I'm soo very thankful for them! Anywho, they brought us good news of "house sitting" for 6 months for a missionary couple going stateside in November. PTL we get out of this gloomy lil house we live in now! They also wanted us to consider taking on some more logistical work in the future. And we all know that I'm a walking, talking UPS commercial in that I LOVE LOGISTICS! So yeah. Went from an empty plate when I woke up Monday morning to considering if I had enough time to take on anything else! How neat is that!
We come home for a bit, and God just blessed me with great conversation and a full heart for my friends back home. Then we went across town to help with a translating group one of our friends is starting, and had good fellowship and learning time there. *Pause. One day I'm going to write a blog on my experiences with Lima transportation, get excited.* And then we came back, and I just had more great conversations with people. It just made my heart sooo stinking happy to see how God's working in people in different ways all across the globe. And I'm soo tremendously blessed that He's allowing ME, the one who threw a temper tantrum in front of Him Sunday, take part in sharing and growing with these people! He's allowing me to see the effects of not giving up on people, the importance of knowing what the Bible says on certain things, how to rejoice in blessings with others, humility, His hatred for sin, the importance of standing firm on the Word and its teachings, and share in the excitement of new believers. WOW. Mind blowing how cool this all is.
I must stop now and go plan my lessons for tomorrow and Thursday, but I write this book of a blog just to encourage any of you who are reading to stay faithful. God's got ya. His love is steady and His faithfulness never ends.
First off, let me just tell you that God's rocked my world the past couple of days. We all know the "ask and you will receive" verse; yeah, I'm receiving blessings in abundance!
Let me tell you how this has all unfolded.
Background information. I've felt pretty useless the past few weeks here. We've been finding different things to do in addition to our English ministry, but I still had a ton of downtime each day. Yeah it was nice being able to sleep in and be in the Word as I pleased throughout the day, but I was wasting soo much time I felt. I came here to serve, not to be lazy. Not fluently speaking the language of a place really puts a limit on doing street evangelism and such, and the organizations I'd contacted, such as World Vision, hadn't gotten back to us on opportunities. Last week I was frustrated most of the week just because I was hanging out all day in the house, and I didn't know how I could be out ministering more.
So Sunday was "one of my better days" as my Maw would say. For those of you who don't know, I've had bed bugs/allergies/something biting or irritating my skin since the end of July, and we haven't been able to figure out what it is. It's like I get rid of them, and then a week later they find me again. We fumigated, and I moved rooms, and they moved with me. We fumigated again, covered my beds with giant plastic bags (which are still there. no worries if I wet the bed though!), and they still came back. We stayed at someone else's house for a week, and I was still getting them there! So needless to say, I'm wayy over itching and scratching!
Soo.. Melissa and I were staying at a missionary family's house all last week while they went back to the states. So Sunday I woke up and took my sheets off the bed first thing so they'd have clean sheets when they got home, and what did I find? A teeny tiny little ANT! and not just one of them, but 2,3,4,5,6 of them in different places on the bed! This is where my "better day" began.
In addition to feeling like I wasn't doing a thing in Peru all week, I was spreading ants to other people's houses and they were going to start getting bit too. I cried, a lot (go figure), and just really felt like packing my bags & coming home this week. If I was useless here, and getting eaten alive by the pestilence, SURELY I was just in the wrong place & this was a sign for me to go home. I basically pitched a lil pity party for myself for a while. Finally I came to my senses and knew I just needed to be still before the Lord and just listen to Him and let Him calm me. So I went to Romans 5 where it says "endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame." Ok that was cool and somewhat encouraging, but I needed more. So I flipped to Romans 1 and just kept reading and reading. It talked how we're all fully of sin, and not just petty "little sins", but we're disgusting in our sin, and NONE of us are righteous. None of us deserve the love of God. But through faith in Jesus Christ, God will redeem us righteous. So I just pitched a fit before God, the Creator of everything, and then I see how absolutely useless I am to anything that matters in the world, but it's through faith in His son that I am redeemed. Ok Gerica. Feel dumb yet? It's this faith thing I was lacking. I just somehow forgot that God is faithful, and that He's taking care of me in every circumstance, so I should be faithful to Him and trust in that. Man did I feel ridiculous and embarrassed!
So Monday rolls around, and Melissa and I had a meeting scheduled in the morning with a missionary couple who do inner city missions in Lima. She said they'd love to have us help with their English ministry there on Wednesday nights. Then I asked about any orphanage ministries they work with (cuz I miss my daycare babies), and she said they had one who actually needed an English teacher a couple days a week! So we took a bus downtown and saw there office, and then stopped by the orphanage. This is where the "ask and you shall receive" plays in. We just stopped to see if they needed someone, and they were quick to say yes, and asked me to start on Wednesday! People, that's TOMORROW! So now Wednesday and Thursdays I'm going to teach 1-4 grade English at an orphanage downtown. So instantly I went from having empty mornings and some empty evenings, to having all day Wednesday full and now Thursday mornings. Kinda cool huh?
But the story doesn't stop there! We then went to the Llorens's to visit with them after their trip to the states for Mrs. Tammi's mom's funeral. Just a side note, this is the coolest family in Lima Peru, and they have been so great to us and love on us like we're their own. Such a blessing to have that here, and I'm soo very thankful for them! Anywho, they brought us good news of "house sitting" for 6 months for a missionary couple going stateside in November. PTL we get out of this gloomy lil house we live in now! They also wanted us to consider taking on some more logistical work in the future. And we all know that I'm a walking, talking UPS commercial in that I LOVE LOGISTICS! So yeah. Went from an empty plate when I woke up Monday morning to considering if I had enough time to take on anything else! How neat is that!
We come home for a bit, and God just blessed me with great conversation and a full heart for my friends back home. Then we went across town to help with a translating group one of our friends is starting, and had good fellowship and learning time there. *Pause. One day I'm going to write a blog on my experiences with Lima transportation, get excited.* And then we came back, and I just had more great conversations with people. It just made my heart sooo stinking happy to see how God's working in people in different ways all across the globe. And I'm soo tremendously blessed that He's allowing ME, the one who threw a temper tantrum in front of Him Sunday, take part in sharing and growing with these people! He's allowing me to see the effects of not giving up on people, the importance of knowing what the Bible says on certain things, how to rejoice in blessings with others, humility, His hatred for sin, the importance of standing firm on the Word and its teachings, and share in the excitement of new believers. WOW. Mind blowing how cool this all is.
I must stop now and go plan my lessons for tomorrow and Thursday, but I write this book of a blog just to encourage any of you who are reading to stay faithful. God's got ya. His love is steady and His faithfulness never ends.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
My Room!
So, I realize I haven't posted a blog in over two weeks. Crazy sorry
guys. I really have no excuse besides life really isn't that exciting,
and the exciting things that do happen, it's unsafe to take my camera
there!
Anywho, for the sake of blogging, I thought I'd give you guys a mini update on life, and show you my (somewhat) clean room!
First off, life in Lima is weird, and we're still trying to figure out what exactly we can do to be doing more. We have English class 6 nights a week, Melissa teaches 3, I teach 1, Michael teaches 1, and the other is just translating. However, things may change soon. Fact: everything in life is subject to change. That's the one constant here. Change is inevitable, and that's its own blog on another day. Anyways, only teaching one class a week gives me lots of free time, that I'm trying to fill in productive ways. I'm looking into volunteering for World Vision or some other children's home in Lima, and also going to one of the poorer areas of Lima once a week or so and doing whatever I can there (I'm going Friday for the first time, so I'll be able to tell you more after that!). I'm really looking forward to getting involved with more here in Lima. I hate wasting days/time. Really, I do. I just have no idea what I can do right now and I'm going a lil crazy! But the Lord is good and He will provide me with whatever opportunity that will glorify Him the most and I have no doubt of that!
Soo.. on my not busy day today, I cleaned my room. And by clean, I mean moved back into my room for reals. If you didn't know, I've suffered from bed bugs or awful allergies to something since i've been in Lima (all of August). We sprayed mattresses, clothes, sheets, pillows, and basically everything else in this room, twice. The last time we wrapped everything in plastic and let it sit for a while before washing it. So hopefully, if it was bed bugs, they're dead now. Last week we stayed at a missionary family's home, so I didn't have to move back in my room until Saturday. I had the Limanian dridge (sinus cold/junk/bellyachin) all weekend, so today was the day I actually tidied up! (don't judge! what I call tidy may not meet your standards! :P)
Sooo yea! That's my tiny little room, ALL of it! In cleaning up today, I found this tiny empty jar. It's what the oil for my oil lamp I wrote about earlier came in. It's soo tiny and so cute, I couldn't throw it away. So I found a use for it! It's my flowery bobbie-pin holder! So stinkin cute!
Well, that's all I have to say for now. Stay tuned in til next time!
Anywho, for the sake of blogging, I thought I'd give you guys a mini update on life, and show you my (somewhat) clean room!
First off, life in Lima is weird, and we're still trying to figure out what exactly we can do to be doing more. We have English class 6 nights a week, Melissa teaches 3, I teach 1, Michael teaches 1, and the other is just translating. However, things may change soon. Fact: everything in life is subject to change. That's the one constant here. Change is inevitable, and that's its own blog on another day. Anyways, only teaching one class a week gives me lots of free time, that I'm trying to fill in productive ways. I'm looking into volunteering for World Vision or some other children's home in Lima, and also going to one of the poorer areas of Lima once a week or so and doing whatever I can there (I'm going Friday for the first time, so I'll be able to tell you more after that!). I'm really looking forward to getting involved with more here in Lima. I hate wasting days/time. Really, I do. I just have no idea what I can do right now and I'm going a lil crazy! But the Lord is good and He will provide me with whatever opportunity that will glorify Him the most and I have no doubt of that!
Soo.. on my not busy day today, I cleaned my room. And by clean, I mean moved back into my room for reals. If you didn't know, I've suffered from bed bugs or awful allergies to something since i've been in Lima (all of August). We sprayed mattresses, clothes, sheets, pillows, and basically everything else in this room, twice. The last time we wrapped everything in plastic and let it sit for a while before washing it. So hopefully, if it was bed bugs, they're dead now. Last week we stayed at a missionary family's home, so I didn't have to move back in my room until Saturday. I had the Limanian dridge (sinus cold/junk/bellyachin) all weekend, so today was the day I actually tidied up! (don't judge! what I call tidy may not meet your standards! :P)
 |
| bunk beds!! |
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| closet area, minus the closet... |
 |
| shoes! yes those are all the shoes i brought.. |
 |
| desk area |
 |
| book case, minus the flower jars! |
Sooo yea! That's my tiny little room, ALL of it! In cleaning up today, I found this tiny empty jar. It's what the oil for my oil lamp I wrote about earlier came in. It's soo tiny and so cute, I couldn't throw it away. So I found a use for it! It's my flowery bobbie-pin holder! So stinkin cute!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Sin Ti, no soy nada..
Lately, when people ask me how things are going here, I respond with the typical "It's going good! Things are picking up and we're getting settled in well!". Each time I do this, my insides scream "Tell them what God is teaching you rather than what you are doing!". Because, quite frankly, I, myself, cannot do anything without Him.
Lately, the Lord has been pounding in my head and heart my desperate need for Him. To be able to see this need, He's specifically teaching me humility, and how to humble myself before Him.
humility -- the quality or condition of being humble; (thanks
-- modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc.
Just for the sake of it..
humble -- not proud or arrogant; modest.
-- having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.
-- low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.
-- courteously respectful.
-- low in height, level, etc.; small in size.
-- to lower in condition, importance, or dignity; abase.
-- to destroy the independence, power, or will of.
-- to make meek: to humble one's heart.
This last definition of humble is what I'm going for. a humble heart. But what does that really mean?
For me, Philippians 2:3-4 comes to mind. "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourself. Let each one of you not only look to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Ok so, let's just think about that. We've always heard "put others first", but practicing it is always easier said than done. Especially, when humbling ourselves before the King of Kings. In Luke 9 Jesus says "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." Denying oneself.. basically the opposite of what we're taught growing up in the USA. It's all about how hard you work and how much you study and what you make of yourself. The "American Dream" is what we all aim for: success, security, love, happiness, joy. And I'm not saying any of those things are bad desires, butwe I tend to forget that my purpose here is not to glorify myself. My purpose is to glorify God, the Creator of absolutely everything. And to do this, my focus cannot be on myself, my life, my friends, my family, my job, nothing, but Him, because without Christ, I cannot do anything to make any one of these good, pure, lovely, or holy.
For me, Philippians 2:3-4 comes to mind. "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourself. Let each one of you not only look to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Ok so, let's just think about that. We've always heard "put others first", but practicing it is always easier said than done. Especially, when humbling ourselves before the King of Kings. In Luke 9 Jesus says "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." Denying oneself.. basically the opposite of what we're taught growing up in the USA. It's all about how hard you work and how much you study and what you make of yourself. The "American Dream" is what we all aim for: success, security, love, happiness, joy. And I'm not saying any of those things are bad desires, but
In order to fully depend on the Lord, I'm learning that I must really see my depravity as a sinner. Although I'm a sinner saved by grace (PTL!), I still have the sinful nature of a human. And after being in Peru these past two months, God is revealing to me one huge sin that I've been living in for a wayy long time. That, my friends, is pride.
pride -- a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.
Wait, didn't I just say that cannot do anything without Christ? So seeking Christ wholeheartedly and dying to myself to glorify His name leaves no room for my selfish pride. I have done nothing significant ever in my life. I am a missionary only by the grace of God. I deserve an eternity apart from His unfailing love. I absolutely hate this sin that looms over me daily! I read this article this week that says "I remember that I am by nature a depraved sinner and that, in all my sinning, I have treated God with contempt, preferring other things to his glory. I take stock that I have never done a good deed for which I don’t need to repent." And this is soo true. Isaiah tells us that even our greatest efforts to please God are like filthy rags. Wanna know the beauty of it? He loves us still. How marvelous! How wonderful! is my Saviors love for me! That he would love me still, after all the times I've chosen the world over him!
I guess my point in writing this is to say, Glory to God for being Him, for loving us still, for His grace and mercy. I encourage you (whoever actually takes time to read what I have to say) to humble yourself before the Lord, and let his all consuming love radiate in you, so that you can bring more glory to His precious name.
Wait, didn't I just say that cannot do anything without Christ? So seeking Christ wholeheartedly and dying to myself to glorify His name leaves no room for my selfish pride. I have done nothing significant ever in my life. I am a missionary only by the grace of God. I deserve an eternity apart from His unfailing love. I absolutely hate this sin that looms over me daily! I read this article this week that says "I remember that I am by nature a depraved sinner and that, in all my sinning, I have treated God with contempt, preferring other things to his glory. I take stock that I have never done a good deed for which I don’t need to repent." And this is soo true. Isaiah tells us that even our greatest efforts to please God are like filthy rags. Wanna know the beauty of it? He loves us still. How marvelous! How wonderful! is my Saviors love for me! That he would love me still, after all the times I've chosen the world over him!
I guess my point in writing this is to say, Glory to God for being Him, for loving us still, for His grace and mercy. I encourage you (whoever actually takes time to read what I have to say) to humble yourself before the Lord, and let his all consuming love radiate in you, so that you can bring more glory to His precious name.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Casa & Ideas
Dear United States of America,
Please get a Casa & Ideas before I come home. I desperately want to decorate my future house with their things and with their prices. For now, I'll start small, and continue to dream big!
Here's my scented oil burner I looked at for 3 weeks before I finally forked up 10 dollars to get it. Let me just tell you, the office smells amazing right now! Hopefully it'll tackle the bed bug spray stench tomorrow! :)
Please get a Casa & Ideas before I come home. I desperately want to decorate my future house with their things and with their prices. For now, I'll start small, and continue to dream big!
Here's my scented oil burner I looked at for 3 weeks before I finally forked up 10 dollars to get it. Let me just tell you, the office smells amazing right now! Hopefully it'll tackle the bed bug spray stench tomorrow! :)
Friday, August 12, 2011
Sad day
This, my dear readers, was Miss Cuddles. I say was because she passed away last night. She blessed the Maclin family with her presence for the past 11 years, and will be dearly missed. I thought I'd share with you guys about my obsession love for my precious poodle puppies!
Meet Cuddles (left) and Snuggles (right). Don't judge me for their names. I was 10 when that happened! We all do stupid things when we're little! Anyways, these two have been an integral part of the family for years! Sure they bark a little wayy too much, and maybe they had an accident every now and then, but they still loved on ya like you were the best thing in the world (especially if you gave them a Snuggy Snack!). Speaking of Snuggy Snacks, let me tell ya about Ole Snuggy Rug!
Ole Snug. His full name is Snuggle Buny Maclin. Yes, Buny, cuz mom misspelled Bunny on his papers. Anywho, Snug was our first inside dog. It took a lot of crying and whining and begging on my part, but they finally said yes! He was tiny when we got him. Just a little ball of fur that fit in your hand. So, at age 10, I thought of the best name for him. Snuggles! He forgives me, I promise. Snuggles has always been the favorite. He's just so loyal and lively. He barks a lot. I may or may not have taught him the word "bark" when he was a puppy, so he knows it well, and expects a treat when he does soo. Oh yeah, this is where Snuggy Snacks came from! This dog is crazy bout some treats! However, he's stayed skinny over the years because up until Christmas 2010, he and Cuddles shared a kennel, and Cuddles hogged the food bowl. Sad, but true. Snuggles has always been skinny, and Cuddles was always a chunk. Snug is still with us, PTL, but mom says he's real stressed about about not having his best friend/life companion/love of his life there with him!
And this, my friends, was Miss Cuddles. Her real name was Precious Cuddles Maclin. However, she responded to Cuddles, Miss Cuddles, Fatty, Snuggles, and Baby Girl. She was basically an attention hog, and if you acted like you wanted to give attention away, she was sure to take it! Like I mentioned earlier, she hogged the food bowl for YEARS! Snuggles was a weenie and would just stand and bark at her! So, she was very very fat for her size. Just more to love! This dog had the personality! She hunted rabbits and mice, would growl at ya til you rubbed her, loved my momma, would chase gato, and loved belly rubs. She also had seizures quite often, which was real sad. One time Chip almost killed her in a tragic ping-pong accident, but she pulled through! She was definitely fun to watch and laugh at. Ole Miss Cuddles... It's not gonna be the same without her come May when I actually go home. Snug, you better hold strong til at least then!
It's crazy how attached you can get to your pets. The really become a part of the family, and when they're gone, you really miss them. I still walk outside expecting to see Jack sometimes (Jack was our black lab that died last year), but he's not there. Going home to only one poodle is going to be weird. Let's start talking Tommy and Gerri into another house dog soon!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
I < 3 Peru...
... and their fruit!
Breakfast: Apples, strawberries, bananas. Topped with vanilla yogurt and "Granola and Flakes" cereal. Yes, you too can do this at home.
Lunch: Crepes and Waffles. Google it. Waffle, covered with Nutella, topped with bananas, ice cream, chantilly, chocolate drizzle, and a strawberry. You must come visit to get this. Well, you can probably make it, but you should come visit anyways. I totes promise to take you to Crepes and Waffles. :)
Dinner: Left over chicken nuggets from Mickey D's and Lays chips. Cut me some slack, it was a long day!
Breakfast: Apples, strawberries, bananas. Topped with vanilla yogurt and "Granola and Flakes" cereal. Yes, you too can do this at home.
Lunch: Crepes and Waffles. Google it. Waffle, covered with Nutella, topped with bananas, ice cream, chantilly, chocolate drizzle, and a strawberry. You must come visit to get this. Well, you can probably make it, but you should come visit anyways. I totes promise to take you to Crepes and Waffles. :)
Dinner: Left over chicken nuggets from Mickey D's and Lays chips. Cut me some slack, it was a long day!
Friday, August 5, 2011
A Too Long Blog...
I've been putting off writing this blog for a couple of days. Partially because I know it's going to be oober long, but also because I want to rid the "Gerica" from it and just really let the Lord speak through me on this one. Coming back to Peru has been great, and I definitely feel like God has me here for a reason, but that's not to say that it's all peas and carrots either.
Let me just start from the beginning, so you can get the whole overview. I'll do a play by play on our days, and then a summary of lessons learned towards the end. That way, you can just read the fun, interesting stuff if ya want!
Let me just start from the beginning, so you can get the whole overview. I'll do a play by play on our days, and then a summary of lessons learned towards the end. That way, you can just read the fun, interesting stuff if ya want!
On June 16th I said goodbye to my parents and my best friend... yeah we look happy, but we were fighting back tears, all of us. Don't even play!
Anywho, that began the journey. From the get go, God wanted to get my attention and show me He was in control. I made it to El Salvador just fine, and had no problem getting on the plane to Lima. Praise the Lord there were a lot of white people who spoke English and were even on a mission trip on my plane. Why? Well, I arrive in Lima, get my bags, and the taxi driver who was supposed to get me wasn't there. Yep. There I was. Stranded. I waited for like 45 minutes, but still no sign of him. So I get an Inka Kola, and go to the white people from the plane. They help me find internet to get a phone number to call, but, because Peruvian phone numbers are weird, we couldn't figure out how to call. So they decide to take me to their hostal with them, and we'd get everything figured out. On the way there, their translator called my supervisor for me, and turns out, these people are going the opposite direction I need to be going. For those of you who don't know, Lima is a little bigger than Greenfield. Like, roughly the size of New York City. This poses a problem, but the Lord knows what He's doing. The white people I was with, who were part of a Church of God mission team, had to go back to the airport that night. So I just went back with them, met the taxi guy, met some cool people from Grand Canyon University. Ba-da-bing ba-da-boom! Problems solved! I didn't even have to pay for the taxi ride to the hostal!
The next day, I met up with Mike (he's kind of a big deal, to me at least) and the Creightons. They're a retired couple from Louisiana who are here for the summer!
The next day, I met up with Mike (he's kind of a big deal, to me at least) and the Creightons. They're a retired couple from Louisiana who are here for the summer!
Aren't they presh? Anywho, that day we roamed around Miraflores, covered the essentials. Ya know, McDonalds and PINKBERRY!! Ahh! I got real excited when I first saw this. For all you who don't know, Pinkberry is totes the best hun cal fro yo!
So, we covered the basics of Miraflores, Lima, Peru. We eventually met up with Ginny Chandler (a really cool young woman that the Lord just shines through) and some others who were part of the Barnabas team for the first half of the summer. They include Chuck and Mary Firestone, a retired couple who moved down here to serve, Kerrigan Smith, our resident yankee, and Lloyd (I'm unsure of his last name), the most interesting lawyer/psychiatrist/teacher/everything you could imagine, all while faithfully serving the Lord! We met up at 4-D Gelateria, which is the best ice cream/gelato on the planet. No questions asked. (Yes, I had ice cream and frozen yogurt both this day.) At 4-D Ginny informed us that she, Sue and Walter Creighton, and myself would be leaving at 4:30 AM to head to Coracora to meet up with the Chavina team. Believe it or not, 4 AM exists, and it is entirely possible to walk 10 blocks at that hour. Here I was! I lived to tell the tale!
So the next morning we met at 4:30 and took a taxi to a bus station, then a bus to another bus station in Nasca, where we got off and took a van jam-packed with 13 people to Puquio, and then a combie from Puquio to Coracora. We arrived at about 10 that night in Coracora, and we were POOPED! It was by the grace of God we didn't get sick on some parts of that trip! We then spent the next two days in Coracora with Rachel, Ashley, Kelsey, Jim, and Matt. They were all here for the summer like I was two years ago, except for Jim, who has been here for a year. It was good hanging out with them, but we had to go back to Nasca on Tuesday for our mid-summer debriefing. This is where everyone gets together for some rest time and tell about what God's doing in their villages and in them up until this point. (Btw, the travel day to Nasca was my BIRTHDAY!! Just sayin)
Anyyways, we spent three or four days in Nasca sharing stories and hanging out, then Jenna, Mitchell (we called him Pablo) and I headed out to Vilcashuaman, Peru! This is the village I was in two years ago, and I was sooo excited to go back!! Before I go on any farther, I'd like you to meet my team!
Anyyways, we spent three or four days in Nasca sharing stories and hanging out, then Jenna, Mitchell (we called him Pablo) and I headed out to Vilcashuaman, Peru! This is the village I was in two years ago, and I was sooo excited to go back!! Before I go on any farther, I'd like you to meet my team!
This was our last night together, with Mama Kathy's desserts! Yumm!! Anyways, the three of us, along with the Creative Ministries Team, headed for Vilcas together on a big overnight bus. However, Jenna had a spider bite and some other medical issues to attend to, so we sent the CMT on to Vilcas while Jenna, Arturo (awesome Peruvian translator), and myself stayed behind in a bigger city called Huamanga. After hours of waiting in doctors' offices, Jenna got all the info and drugs she needed! So we got our last round of "good food" (pizza) and left the next morning for Vilcashuaman. This 3-4 hour combie ride was wayyy smoother than I had remembered from before, but my stummy was in knots with excitement to see my old friends. We arrived, and of course we couldn't find the CMT anywhere, because a group of 6 white kids don't stand out enough here. So we took our bags to the hostal, and we went walking down the street looking for them. While walking, we saw one of my favorite people in the whole world, Gloria Gamboa!! Ahh! This was the lady that I helped in her restaurant before. We had a good little screaming fit in the middle of the street, complete with her picking me up and spinning me around! The rest of the time the CMT was there (after we found them), we went around visiting people we knew in the village, and the CMT performed skits and songs and stunts to draw attention and Bible stories to anyone who would watch/participate. This was a lot of fun, and a good way for us to meet new people.
Ok, had enough yet? Well we're no where near finished! I'm going to now just go through a typical day and tell about each person we tried to meet with each day. Each morning, Jenna and I would wake up at about 8:15 (Pablo would wake up at 6 and work out while we got our extra beauty sleep!). Let me just add that Jenna would prefer that I freeze to death than to cuddle with me at night. Ok so... we'd get up and get dressed and go to breakfast at Gloria's at like 8:30ish. Then we'd go back to the hostal, have team time, then our own quiet time, then walk "arriba" to try to meet with Emma, Delphine, Monica, the Maries, the Ladies, the Crazy Lady, or the doctor. If someone wasn't there, which they weren't almost every time, we'd just pick another person and try to meet with them. We walked a lot. We'd take a break for lunch somewhere in there, then start back on the list. At 3 every day we would go to the market and talk to Josephina and Domatilla. We wouldn't try to meet with everyone everyday, but some days we couldn't find anyone, so we tried everyone. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Anyways, we'd stop looking for people around 5 or so, take time to change into warm clothes and prepare for Bible study, then we'd have Bible study with Bernardo and his family, Eusebio, a dentist, and Edwin. We had all three men there once the whole month, but when we were able to meet with any of them, it was always a good time. These men, especially Edwin and Eusebio, have a hunger for the Word and are so eager to learn!! Then, we'd eat cookies, then go to bed! Good day!
Ok so, no I'm going to talk a little about the people we met with the most. First, I'll start with Emma. Emma and her family are non-believers. They believe there is a God, but they have no desire to follow Him, mostly because they don't want to follow any crazy "rules". Emma has a rough life. Her oldest son is physically and mentally handicap, and he doesn't leave their house. So she is taking care of him, a fiesty and mean two year old son, and a four month old daughter. Even without any health problems, this would be a lot for any woman! But she keeps good spirits. We tried to help her wash clothes or shell peas or something when we'd go to visit, and she was always willing to let us help! There's a huge Jehovah's Whitness population in Vilcas, and, unfortunately, they had been to see her many times, so she struggles in who to believe as well. And I mean, when a group tells you there's no Hell and that you're fine if you're a good person, it's hard not to like those worlds. However, it's not truthful. We were able to have several good conversations with her, and we would leave knowing we got her thinking, so keep praying for that.
After Emma we would aim to visit Monica. We met Monica randomly on the street one day and were able to develop a relationship with her and her husband. She's 23 and he's 24. It was nice hanging out with people near our age and not our parents ages. We worked hard on developing a friendship with them and earning their trust and respect. We would just sit outside and chat with Monica and then ask her if we could share a story with her, and she always said yes. She was another we could tell that we had gotten her to think, and now we can just pray that that seed will grow some deep roots and we can go back later to water and care for it.
There were also two different sets of sisters that we also tried to meet with. Both lived wayy uphill in different directions, and neither of them were able to hang out much, but it was still fun when we could.
Who's next..? I'll talk about Delphine. Mitchell had met him the first day, and he lived MUY ARRIBA (wayyy up!). It took a good 30 minutes up hill to get to his house! We only met with him two or three times, but he and his wive, Delia, were always welcoming. They have 12 kids! It was heartbreaking to hear that their oldest son beats them and some of the youngest kids. So please, pray for that. Spiritually, we felt like Delphine understood the gospel and accepted it, but his explanations to us weren't always so clear. So we're unsure, but maybe? Keep praying for him definitely, that he reads the Bible and gets a better understanding of who Jesus is and His sacrifice for us.
Now, there's the Crazy Lady. We called her this not because she was crazy, just flamboyant. And we all forgot her name. We had seen her on the streets several times, and she even asked us to buy her some gum one day, so we did! But Mitchell befriended her, and we went to visit. The first day was hilarious! Her mom was there, and she went on about how we were all Italian and we were family and had so much in common. Oh yeah! Her mom had no teeth either! She just kept on about how we were family and Italian for a long time, and even when we tried to tell them a Bible story, she would interrupt with "Soy Italiana. Somos Italianos!!". Although it was very distracting and frustrating that they weren't listening, we couldn't help but laugh, a lot. Anyways, we were able to meet with Crazy Lady and her husband and kids several more times while we were there. We gave her a New Testament and share with her several stories. So pray that she reads the Bible we gave her and that she begins to understand.
Now I'll talk about Gloria. She was my absolute favorite two years ago, and if you've ever heard me talk about Peru, you've heard about Gloria. Shes just a little ball of energy, and she'd do anything to help you, but she doesn't care to know the Lord. She knows the Scripture, but has never experienced the freedom and joy found in Christ. And this breaks my heart guys. This lady was like my mom for 8 weeks in 2009, and she has no eternal hope. Pray for her, that the Lord works on her heart and she realizes that she NEEDS Him.
Now, my favorite story. Doctor Fidencio Chavez. This little guy is sooo cute. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of him, but just know he's precious. Anyways, we met Fidencio last time when I did not have the swine flu. We were able to meet with him regularly, and he began sharing his life with us. Turns out he's got some serious family issues going on. Anyways, we found him this time, and he immediately wanted to meet with us. We were only able to find him a couple of times, but he wanted to get right in the Word. He ended up telling Mitchell that last time we were there he was so lonely and we were like family to him. After we left and he had no one, he realized that God was still there and that He wasn't going to leave him. So he gave his life to the Lord then and there. PTL!! Fidencio still needs a lot of prayer, because his family situation is even worse now than before, and it tears him to pieces.
Now we'll talk about the market ministry. Vilcas had a pretty big market, with things ranging from raw meat to crochet needles. It was different, but always interesting. We would try to go there daily and talk to Josephina and Domatilla. A group that went to Vilcas earlier in the year began to meet with them and share the gospel. It appears to us that Domatilla understood it and trusted the Lord with her life as a result of these guys. Josephina had good intents, but we were never quite as sure about her submission to God. Anyways, it was such a blessing to sit down and talk with these ladies, both are in their 40s. They always attentively listened and had good questions, and their friends would listen too! They're still weak in their faith, so definitely be in prayer for them. Here they are, in a very awkward picture!
Now we'll talk about the market ministry. Vilcas had a pretty big market, with things ranging from raw meat to crochet needles. It was different, but always interesting. We would try to go there daily and talk to Josephina and Domatilla. A group that went to Vilcas earlier in the year began to meet with them and share the gospel. It appears to us that Domatilla understood it and trusted the Lord with her life as a result of these guys. Josephina had good intents, but we were never quite as sure about her submission to God. Anyways, it was such a blessing to sit down and talk with these ladies, both are in their 40s. They always attentively listened and had good questions, and their friends would listen too! They're still weak in their faith, so definitely be in prayer for them. Here they are, in a very awkward picture!
Aside from all of this, we tried to have a regular Bible study with a couple of people we knew were believers. Three men showed up, different ones on different nights. Only once did we have all three, but when we did, it was GREAT! They all have a hunger to learn more, to be discipled. They had real questions, and they wanted real answers. We went through some scripture on prayer and being strong in their faith and how to use their spiritual gifts to share with others. Pray for someone to step out as a leader and return to disciple these men, to be there to teach them and help them grow and advance the Kingdom in Vilcas.
Life out of the village is a culture shock in itself. My roommate Melissa and I are going to be living in Lima for a while, and Lima is a lot like New York City. It's HUGE!! We're learning and patiently waiting on what God has in store for us in the upcoming months, and we desperately covet your prayers for us as well. Pray for guidance on what to do, wisdom to understand and handle certain situations correctly, and faith that God is working all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
I'll try to keep the next one of these real short. Thanks for sticking around this long!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Quick update
today we visited emma and had a real good convo with her and pablo just threw the gospel at her and we could tell it really made her think. so pray that she does think on it and has more questions for us and that she eventually accepts the Lord. we also met virginia´s husband today. he´s been away working. and we invited him to Bible study on Monday, and he asked if we could come over tonight to study the Bible with them. so we did! and they were full of questions and just hungry for the Word. it was really encouraging to us and great for them too. so pray for them and the Bible study on monday and that we have more people come.
tomorrow is saturday. we´re gonna go help this little girl shepard some sheep at like 9 in the morning. nervous! then tomorrow night we´re gonna get good chicken and fries and then go back to the room and pig out on candy and cookies and coke. sooo excited! oh! and the jehovahs witness lady told us shed make us pizza for lunch! so maybe that´ll work too!
keep those prayers up people! they´re working!
tomorrow is saturday. we´re gonna go help this little girl shepard some sheep at like 9 in the morning. nervous! then tomorrow night we´re gonna get good chicken and fries and then go back to the room and pig out on candy and cookies and coke. sooo excited! oh! and the jehovahs witness lady told us shed make us pizza for lunch! so maybe that´ll work too!
keep those prayers up people! they´re working!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Vilcas update
We´ve been in vilcas for 6 days now, and they´ve been pretty great! yeah, i miss home, and all of you writing on my facebook wall telling me to come home, know you made me cry! :P no really although i miss home, vilcas is great! God is definitely doing great things!
the first couple days we had the Creative Ministy Team here with us. they were great and drew lots of attention and shared some cool stories. We had Bible study with a dentist with thim several times, and after they left, we were able to meet with him again! sadly, he left for Lima yesterday. oh yeah..
yesterday was dumb.we had plans to meet with several people and NONE of them happened. we were back in the hostal at like 6:45. it got all our spirits down. i did beat sudoku several times on my iPod. i´ll be a champ before you know it! We just stayed in prayer all day and tried to keep busy studying the Bible and reading our trendy Christian books we brought! (mine is Lord Teach Me to Pray by MacArthur incase you wondered) anywho, it was real sad. we were asleep by 9!
however today has been GREAT we went to emma´s (a lady i met last time) and chatted and the first thing she asked was what´s the difference between us & jehovas whitness and is there a hell? yea.. intense. but she did chat and cook us lunch and we picked peas for her.
on the way to her house we found the doctor that i use to meet with last time & he was wayy excited to see us & invited us over to study right then! so we went after we left emma´s.
then we tried to have a children´s time, but none showed up, so we went looking for some girls we played volleyball with earlier this week, and they invited us in their house. we sat there for like 2 hours and they cooked us spaghetti. granted, the two hours of sitting was awkward, the food was good, and that was a very sweet notion on their part. we got some good conversation from them and hopefully we´ll get to go hang out again tomorrow. we didnt get to play volleyball today cuz it rained! and its FREEZING cold right now. me and jenna are gonna get in the word (the bed and the Bible) after this and get warm and eat sublime (sublime is their version of hersheys. it´s legit).
yes, right now, we are freezing, and the little man in charge of this joint just yelled "senorita, es la hora!" therefore, we must get off the internet soon. i responded with "media hora mas!" so i got a lil more time!
keep praying for us. that we stay warm and that this cold that is trying to invade my body will be overpowered by prayer and the decongestants i´m taking! pray for opportunities to share with more people, and that we don´t miss any opportunity. pray for wisdom in choosing which stories and books of the Bible to share in our meetings with people. Personally, pray that the Lord humbles me more and more every day, and that my desires become His. Pray we keep high spirits for the next 24 days here and have safe travels going back to Lima!
I´ll try to post before then, but I´m not making any promises, because it´s cold and costly to be on here! thanks guys! you´re the best!
the first couple days we had the Creative Ministy Team here with us. they were great and drew lots of attention and shared some cool stories. We had Bible study with a dentist with thim several times, and after they left, we were able to meet with him again! sadly, he left for Lima yesterday. oh yeah..
yesterday was dumb.we had plans to meet with several people and NONE of them happened. we were back in the hostal at like 6:45. it got all our spirits down. i did beat sudoku several times on my iPod. i´ll be a champ before you know it! We just stayed in prayer all day and tried to keep busy studying the Bible and reading our trendy Christian books we brought! (mine is Lord Teach Me to Pray by MacArthur incase you wondered) anywho, it was real sad. we were asleep by 9!
however today has been GREAT we went to emma´s (a lady i met last time) and chatted and the first thing she asked was what´s the difference between us & jehovas whitness and is there a hell? yea.. intense. but she did chat and cook us lunch and we picked peas for her.
on the way to her house we found the doctor that i use to meet with last time & he was wayy excited to see us & invited us over to study right then! so we went after we left emma´s.
then we tried to have a children´s time, but none showed up, so we went looking for some girls we played volleyball with earlier this week, and they invited us in their house. we sat there for like 2 hours and they cooked us spaghetti. granted, the two hours of sitting was awkward, the food was good, and that was a very sweet notion on their part. we got some good conversation from them and hopefully we´ll get to go hang out again tomorrow. we didnt get to play volleyball today cuz it rained! and its FREEZING cold right now. me and jenna are gonna get in the word (the bed and the Bible) after this and get warm and eat sublime (sublime is their version of hersheys. it´s legit).
yes, right now, we are freezing, and the little man in charge of this joint just yelled "senorita, es la hora!" therefore, we must get off the internet soon. i responded with "media hora mas!" so i got a lil more time!
keep praying for us. that we stay warm and that this cold that is trying to invade my body will be overpowered by prayer and the decongestants i´m taking! pray for opportunities to share with more people, and that we don´t miss any opportunity. pray for wisdom in choosing which stories and books of the Bible to share in our meetings with people. Personally, pray that the Lord humbles me more and more every day, and that my desires become His. Pray we keep high spirits for the next 24 days here and have safe travels going back to Lima!
I´ll try to post before then, but I´m not making any promises, because it´s cold and costly to be on here! thanks guys! you´re the best!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Is This Real Life?
As I sit here in my air conditioned house, on my big, comfy, brown couch, things are getting real. Only one more day in Greenfield. One more day to say goodbye to people. One more day to enjoy the luxuries of washing machines, dish washers, air conditioners, heaters, unlimited electricity and water access. One more day of playing with Snuggles and Cuddles. One more day of hanging out with Chip. One more day of driving to the bank, then Sonic. One more meal at El Vallarta. One more dinner around the kitchen table. One more day of throwing Gato out of my room. One more day at home.
With all this, it also means six more days of family time. Six more days in extreme Florida heat. Six more days with my sister and her family. Six more days of being spoiled rotten on vacation. Six more days of 9 people sharing 2 bathrooms. Six more days at a pool (finally!).
And then, a year of adventure. A year apart from my family. A year apart from Brucey. A year apart from my friends. A year without late night chats at Drew and Bethany's. A year financially dependent on others. A year away from America. A year of new friendships, new foods, new places. A year without sweet tea. A year re-building past relationships. A year of intense Spanish.
A year of challenges. A year of excitement and joy. A year ofsadness and anxiety. A year of compassion. A year of trusting the Lord. A year of Him being my strength. A year drawing near to Him, sharing Him, leaning on Him for everything. A year of miracles. A year of heart changes. A year of love. A year of grace. A year of faith. A year of dependence. A year of beauty. A year simply basking in the arms of my Savior, and doing anything I can to make much of Him. A year of praise.
As I reflect this week, many things enter my crazy mind. This journey that I am about to embark on, that I am called to do, is going to be life changing. I remember leaving for college thinking "everything is about to change". The same is true when I left for Peru in 2009: "Life itself is going to be different after this". While this is a terrifying thought, because we all love the comfortable side of life, I can't help but look at the big picture, that we are all called to something. God has given us all specific talents and desires of the heart that He knows will bring all the glory to Him. This involves change, the different, the unknown. Following the Lord isn't easy, or necessarily fun all the time. It's difficult and scary. Frankly, I'm scared to death of getting on that plane on the 16th, but I know the Lord's got me in His big ole hands, and He is not going to let me go. I pray that I don't forget that, and that this next year God will break me to pieces and build me back up to be stronger in Him.
If you're reading this, I covet your prayers. I covet the prayers of everyone you know. I need you all. In return, I promise to keep you updated on what the Lord is doing in Peru. For those who don't like to read, I promise to upload pictures when possible. :)
Let's do this.
With all this, it also means six more days of family time. Six more days in extreme Florida heat. Six more days with my sister and her family. Six more days of being spoiled rotten on vacation. Six more days of 9 people sharing 2 bathrooms. Six more days at a pool (finally!).
And then, a year of adventure. A year apart from my family. A year apart from Brucey. A year apart from my friends. A year without late night chats at Drew and Bethany's. A year financially dependent on others. A year away from America. A year of new friendships, new foods, new places. A year without sweet tea. A year re-building past relationships. A year of intense Spanish.
A year of challenges. A year of excitement and joy. A year of
As I reflect this week, many things enter my crazy mind. This journey that I am about to embark on, that I am called to do, is going to be life changing. I remember leaving for college thinking "everything is about to change". The same is true when I left for Peru in 2009: "Life itself is going to be different after this". While this is a terrifying thought, because we all love the comfortable side of life, I can't help but look at the big picture, that we are all called to something. God has given us all specific talents and desires of the heart that He knows will bring all the glory to Him. This involves change, the different, the unknown. Following the Lord isn't easy, or necessarily fun all the time. It's difficult and scary. Frankly, I'm scared to death of getting on that plane on the 16th, but I know the Lord's got me in His big ole hands, and He is not going to let me go. I pray that I don't forget that, and that this next year God will break me to pieces and build me back up to be stronger in Him.
If you're reading this, I covet your prayers. I covet the prayers of everyone you know. I need you all. In return, I promise to keep you updated on what the Lord is doing in Peru. For those who don't like to read, I promise to upload pictures when possible. :)
Let's do this.
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