Well, I´ve said goodbye to almost all of my new friends, and we´ve checked off nearly all the things on our ¨Things to do before leaving AQP¨. Tomorrow morning I hope to watch the sunrise at the Mirador, and maybe revisit Parque Selva Alegre.
Tomorrow night, Sunday, we will travel to Ica on our way back to Lima for the end of the summer debriefing. We´ll spend some time in Ica on Monday, sandboarding and riding the dune buggies. Then we´ll travel to Pisco to go to Paracas to see the penguins and sea lions. Finally on Tuesday, we´ll travel to Lima to meet all the REAPSouth summer missionaries.
Last night was our despedido at Martin Luther King Jr Institute. I felt very loved as each student told my how much they would miss me and as I received presents. Then I felt like Mickey Mouse as we took a hundred pictures. I will miss teaching my students and getting to know them. I had a lot of fun even though many times I dreaded class. I hope I taught them well, and taught them useful English, as well as, about my faith. I will definitely continue to pray for each student.
Please pray for everyone´s safety in travel and their work in the many villages and towns.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Muchas Cosas
Well, well, well...I´m feeling quite chipper today. Despite the fact that I just found our Louis Vuitton (my most faithful and fun fish ever) passed away last MONTH. Elishia thought it best to tell me this in person, so she waited until I talked to her through Skype today. Well, at least I finally got to see her again. Technology is really an amazing accomplishment.
Anyway, I forgot to tell you about the earthquake. Never had I felt one before, but July 8th at 4:20am I felt it. I shot up out of bed and immediately heard Jessica in the next room. I stood at the foot of her bed and for the entire minute and half to two minutes that the earthquake was going on she was rambling on. It was really funny looking back on it, because she just kept talking nonstop. It´s a funny memory of my first tremor.
In addition to this new experience, I´m really enjoying our new roommate. Lydia is a huge help with bible studies and her strength in God is very encouraging.
Claudia and the Austins and two new visitors stopped by for a few days in Arequipa. They are coming back from the pastor´s conference. It´s been really fun hanging out with them too.
Jessica leaves tomorrow. She´s had an interesting week dealing with a Peruvian boy´s crush. The Saturday before last a student of mine came over after class for dinner and to teach us how to paint. It was a lot of fun, and I think we´re all very talented. Well, this is the boy that has a crush on Jessica, and since then she´s received flowers and a portrait of herself. With this in mind her departure comes at a good time. We´re gonna miss her though.
Other than that, Lydia and Stephen and I are preparing for our last week of bible studies, and I´m preparing my goodbye to all my new friends. We leave Arequipa a week from today. We´ll be in Chosica for a couple days with the end of summer de briefing and then off to Cusco. These last two weeks are really going to be busy. Please pray for everyone´s safe travel, and happy farewells.
Anyway, I forgot to tell you about the earthquake. Never had I felt one before, but July 8th at 4:20am I felt it. I shot up out of bed and immediately heard Jessica in the next room. I stood at the foot of her bed and for the entire minute and half to two minutes that the earthquake was going on she was rambling on. It was really funny looking back on it, because she just kept talking nonstop. It´s a funny memory of my first tremor.
In addition to this new experience, I´m really enjoying our new roommate. Lydia is a huge help with bible studies and her strength in God is very encouraging.
Claudia and the Austins and two new visitors stopped by for a few days in Arequipa. They are coming back from the pastor´s conference. It´s been really fun hanging out with them too.
Jessica leaves tomorrow. She´s had an interesting week dealing with a Peruvian boy´s crush. The Saturday before last a student of mine came over after class for dinner and to teach us how to paint. It was a lot of fun, and I think we´re all very talented. Well, this is the boy that has a crush on Jessica, and since then she´s received flowers and a portrait of herself. With this in mind her departure comes at a good time. We´re gonna miss her though.
Other than that, Lydia and Stephen and I are preparing for our last week of bible studies, and I´m preparing my goodbye to all my new friends. We leave Arequipa a week from today. We´ll be in Chosica for a couple days with the end of summer de briefing and then off to Cusco. These last two weeks are really going to be busy. Please pray for everyone´s safe travel, and happy farewells.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Velcome Wisitors
SO much fun to be had.
Last Sunday Claudia and Lydia came to visit for a few days. Lydia will be with us until end of summer debriefing, but Claudia was just passing through on her way to a pastor´s conference in Chulpa. I´m very excited to spend the rest of my time in Arequipa with Lydia. It is such a blessing for me to hear all the amazing stories of God working through their experiences this summer.
Last week was slow. Slower than ever. But this week is moving very rapidly. I think it´s because I´m realizing that I only have a few more weeks left in Peru. Last week I rejoiced in this fact and couldn´t wait to be home, but this week it saddens me. I knew my two months here would go by fast, but since I´ve gotten comfortable here, I can´t imagine going back to normal school life. It´s weird to think that I´ve only spent two months abroad, when so many people here have spent months and years longer.
As for our work in Arequipa. Our bible studies are continuing to have good attendance, and even more of a blessing our students are asking good topical questions. All of us are so busy that it is hard to meet and plan for bible study, but somehow it´s working out ok.
My 4:00 classes are really a pain, but I´m starting to get the hang of a regular class schedule. It´s actually a blessing to be able to keep so busy, although I may not believe that all the time. It makes it a lot easier not to think about other things that are happening, like friends´ difficulties and going home soon.
Please continue to pray for Greg´s family and friends, and Lydia, Claudia, Kristen, and the REAPSuth team as they deal with his death. Also, pray for our classes and students. When I think about all the opportunities I might have not taken advantage of talking with them, it disappoints me. Now, I´m struggling to make a full imprint in their minds with the truth that God has blessed me with. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Last Sunday Claudia and Lydia came to visit for a few days. Lydia will be with us until end of summer debriefing, but Claudia was just passing through on her way to a pastor´s conference in Chulpa. I´m very excited to spend the rest of my time in Arequipa with Lydia. It is such a blessing for me to hear all the amazing stories of God working through their experiences this summer.
Last week was slow. Slower than ever. But this week is moving very rapidly. I think it´s because I´m realizing that I only have a few more weeks left in Peru. Last week I rejoiced in this fact and couldn´t wait to be home, but this week it saddens me. I knew my two months here would go by fast, but since I´ve gotten comfortable here, I can´t imagine going back to normal school life. It´s weird to think that I´ve only spent two months abroad, when so many people here have spent months and years longer.
As for our work in Arequipa. Our bible studies are continuing to have good attendance, and even more of a blessing our students are asking good topical questions. All of us are so busy that it is hard to meet and plan for bible study, but somehow it´s working out ok.
My 4:00 classes are really a pain, but I´m starting to get the hang of a regular class schedule. It´s actually a blessing to be able to keep so busy, although I may not believe that all the time. It makes it a lot easier not to think about other things that are happening, like friends´ difficulties and going home soon.
Please continue to pray for Greg´s family and friends, and Lydia, Claudia, Kristen, and the REAPSuth team as they deal with his death. Also, pray for our classes and students. When I think about all the opportunities I might have not taken advantage of talking with them, it disappoints me. Now, I´m struggling to make a full imprint in their minds with the truth that God has blessed me with. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Emo Coaster
Today is Monday. Yesterday was Sunday.
On Sunday we went to Alianza Church as usual, and then went out for lunch. We had decided upon a restraunt in the plaza that sold adobo and cuy, traditional dishes. We ordered and then Stephen told us the news. He´d told us about the accident the day before. Claudia, Lydia, and Greg were on a bus, when it ran into the side of the mountain. Claudia and Lydia are shaken up, but Greg had serious head trauma. He is now with the Lord. He passed away quickly after the accodident; there was nothing that could be done. Please pray for Greg´s family and friends, and his reasearch team members Lydia, Kristen and Claudia, and for all of us in Peru. There was an article written about Greg at this website, http://ibsa.org/
That was Sunday.
On Saturday morning, Melissa, Jessica, and I went out to the poverty pueblo part of town and played with the children. We brought bubbles and played soccer. At 4 o´clock we had our VBS at Alianza church. We taught our three children colors, and sang Jesus Loves Me. Our purpose is to teach the children english, this song in english, and a bible verse in english (Psalm 84:12). After VBS, we were hungry, but Melissa wanted to quickly call Mike and talk to him about her going home. She was going to leave with Jessica on July 22nd, but after she talked to Mike, he´d suggested that she leave immediately to get her health figured out. For the past week her hands have been numb. We sent Melissa off to Lima last night. We´re hoping the problem is resolved quickly and premanently, so that she is able to return to Peru and finish up the year. Now our Arequipa family of four is only three. Please pray for the healing of Melissa hands.
That was Saturday.
The night before was the Fourth of July. On Friday, we threw a huge US Independence Day party. We invited everyone we knew, and some how squeezed 38 people into our little apartment. We served BBQ chicken, potato salad, greenbean casserole, and apple snicker salad for dinner, and no bake cookies and the US flag jello for dessert. We even made sweet tea. The food was delicious, props to Jessica, and everyone enjoyed themselves. We also had a watermelon seed spitting contest. Even though there were no fireworks, we had a lot of fun, and our Peruvian guests got to experience a real American 4th of July party.
That was Friday.
The Tuesday through Thursday before that was hectic. I´d added my new hour and half english class to my schedule. Now I have a class at 4:00 Monday through Friday, a class at 5:30 on Thursday and Friday, and bible studies at 7:00 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. I wasn´t exactly sure about how to teach this new class, because unlike my others, I have a teaxtbook to go by. Some were good and some were bad, and I was stressed, but enjoying the responsobility. Now I have a good idea of what I am doing, and how I am teaching, so this week should run a lot smoother. Please pray for my students. Pray that they are bold with their questions and that God is able to use us in all of our classes. Also, pray for opportunities for serious conversation.
That was last week.
The weekend before that, Saturday through Monday, we were in Nasca. Everyone from REAPSouth met in Nasca this weekend for a midsummer debriefing. This was such a high. It was great getting to see Nasca, and even more encouraging to hear about everyone´s ministries in their villages. It was also great getting to spend time with all the friends I´d made in the beginning of the summer in Chosica. We were unable to see the Nasca lines, but I´m content with that. Please pray for all the summer missionaries in Peru. Some are in villages, without hot water, or even a bed to sleep on. Pray that God is contiually blessing them and encouraging them.
And that´s the rollercoaster I´ve been on this past 10 days. Emotional highs and emotional lows. God has blessed me with an awesome team in Arequipa, and a positive outlook on everything. I´m thankful I got to know Greg, and am praying without ceasing for his family, Lydia, Claudia, and Kristen. I am learning to praise God through every event and every situation.
Praise God for His Almighty plan.
On Sunday we went to Alianza Church as usual, and then went out for lunch. We had decided upon a restraunt in the plaza that sold adobo and cuy, traditional dishes. We ordered and then Stephen told us the news. He´d told us about the accident the day before. Claudia, Lydia, and Greg were on a bus, when it ran into the side of the mountain. Claudia and Lydia are shaken up, but Greg had serious head trauma. He is now with the Lord. He passed away quickly after the accodident; there was nothing that could be done. Please pray for Greg´s family and friends, and his reasearch team members Lydia, Kristen and Claudia, and for all of us in Peru. There was an article written about Greg at this website, http://ibsa.org/
That was Sunday.
On Saturday morning, Melissa, Jessica, and I went out to the poverty pueblo part of town and played with the children. We brought bubbles and played soccer. At 4 o´clock we had our VBS at Alianza church. We taught our three children colors, and sang Jesus Loves Me. Our purpose is to teach the children english, this song in english, and a bible verse in english (Psalm 84:12). After VBS, we were hungry, but Melissa wanted to quickly call Mike and talk to him about her going home. She was going to leave with Jessica on July 22nd, but after she talked to Mike, he´d suggested that she leave immediately to get her health figured out. For the past week her hands have been numb. We sent Melissa off to Lima last night. We´re hoping the problem is resolved quickly and premanently, so that she is able to return to Peru and finish up the year. Now our Arequipa family of four is only three. Please pray for the healing of Melissa hands.
That was Saturday.
The night before was the Fourth of July. On Friday, we threw a huge US Independence Day party. We invited everyone we knew, and some how squeezed 38 people into our little apartment. We served BBQ chicken, potato salad, greenbean casserole, and apple snicker salad for dinner, and no bake cookies and the US flag jello for dessert. We even made sweet tea. The food was delicious, props to Jessica, and everyone enjoyed themselves. We also had a watermelon seed spitting contest. Even though there were no fireworks, we had a lot of fun, and our Peruvian guests got to experience a real American 4th of July party.
That was Friday.
The Tuesday through Thursday before that was hectic. I´d added my new hour and half english class to my schedule. Now I have a class at 4:00 Monday through Friday, a class at 5:30 on Thursday and Friday, and bible studies at 7:00 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. I wasn´t exactly sure about how to teach this new class, because unlike my others, I have a teaxtbook to go by. Some were good and some were bad, and I was stressed, but enjoying the responsobility. Now I have a good idea of what I am doing, and how I am teaching, so this week should run a lot smoother. Please pray for my students. Pray that they are bold with their questions and that God is able to use us in all of our classes. Also, pray for opportunities for serious conversation.
That was last week.
The weekend before that, Saturday through Monday, we were in Nasca. Everyone from REAPSouth met in Nasca this weekend for a midsummer debriefing. This was such a high. It was great getting to see Nasca, and even more encouraging to hear about everyone´s ministries in their villages. It was also great getting to spend time with all the friends I´d made in the beginning of the summer in Chosica. We were unable to see the Nasca lines, but I´m content with that. Please pray for all the summer missionaries in Peru. Some are in villages, without hot water, or even a bed to sleep on. Pray that God is contiually blessing them and encouraging them.
And that´s the rollercoaster I´ve been on this past 10 days. Emotional highs and emotional lows. God has blessed me with an awesome team in Arequipa, and a positive outlook on everything. I´m thankful I got to know Greg, and am praying without ceasing for his family, Lydia, Claudia, and Kristen. I am learning to praise God through every event and every situation.
Praise God for His Almighty plan.
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