Tamales, roosters and toilet paper...

There is a woman that sells tamales every morning... as early as 7:30am, you can hear her shouting, "Tamales, tamales." Every Sunday, the Catholic church down the road chimes the bells approximately 230 times. Not that I counted :)

Things that are an adjustment for me as I adapt to Peruvian culture:

1.) Not throwing the toilet paper in the toilet after going to the restroom, but instead, putting it in the trash can.

2.) Eating a large breakfast and lunch, and a very small dinner, as opposed to my "normal" very small meals several times throughout the day. I think I have only been able to clean my plate twice since being here. I always feel bad, and try to make my host mom feel appreciated, but my stomach just is not large enough to fit the very large portions they provide.

3.) Washing my clothes by hand. This was actually very liberating the first time I did it. It gave me a better understanding of how my time is valuable, as it takes about two hours to hand wash everything in the correct process. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I had finished :)

4.) Not have cell phones and not always having internet access. I know this might seem like an obvious one, but coming from a culture that is so technologically driven where I would always have my cell attached to my hip, and checking the internet multiple times every day, to having no phone at all and internet every couple of days is a huge change. Not a bad one, though, I must say. It definitely gets my priorities back in check-- which is nice :)

5.) Waking up to a rooster crowing, or dogs barking. In Peru there are a lot of families that farm just a few animals, such as a few chickens or roosters. There is a family that lives right next door to my host family that has a rooster or two that get up very early in the morning :)

I am loving my new home. It is hard to not be as near to my family. However, I love Peru. I love being completely taken over by an unfamiliar culture and having to adapt. It forces me to expand my comfort zone and learn.

The sites are so beautiful here! Yesterday Misti was so clear and it was literally breathtaking! If you have access to my facebook page, there are a lot of pictures posted!! I can't get pictures posted on here right now, unfortunately.

Spanish school has been going well so far. For only two weeks, I think I am doing well. I don't know a lot yet, but like I said... it's only been two weeks. I can't wait to assess my progress after three months!! We try to speak as much Spanish as possible, especially with our host families. After all, that is one of the reasons we have them. And actually, today is the first day that Emily and I are attempting to ONLY speak Spanish the entire day. That includes going to church, talking with each other or other people in our group and with our families. The only exception is if we happen to skype our families today, or in this case, writing a blog. Simply because I don't know enough yet to write this entire blog in Spanish. Eventually though :) Be looking for an entry you can't understand-- that means I learned a lot!

Well, that is all for now. I am going to work out a bit and do my devotions before getting ready for church. Emily and I ran this morning with our host mom. Definitely different working out in this altitude! Until next time... Hasta luego!

Kicking it, Peruvian style!

This morning a group of us played soccer with some Peruvians! I have never played soccer a day in my life, aside from gym-class randomness in elementary school. So, needless to say, I was super pumped when I lasted for half the game, in this altitude, and even managed to score a goal! A two hour nap followed... much needed, I might add.

Our afternoon was filled with little shops and mini adventures in Plaza de Armas. I have sworn off buying souvenirs so early in this journey, but I did find an awesome pair of earrings for myself that were worth investing :)

We have our first Spanish exam this coming Thursday, so I attempted to study more and made more flash cards. It is surprising me how I am picking up the language. I don't know a lot yet, but for only being here a week so far, I feel like I am learning a lot! Which is encouraging, because this language is needed in order to make my ministry work for the glory of the Kingdom of God.

I have now been sick for a week... it's not near as horrible as Monday was, but it's still frustrating. Hopefully my body will get used to this stuff and deal...or I can hopefully find some probiotics that kick up my immune system.

Tomorrow (Valentine's Day) is the main day of a carnival/festival here in Arequipa. I will be dodging paintballs and water guns all day, as it is tradition for everyone to soak everyone else! EEK-- only old clothes tomorrow! lol

One week under my belt, and feeling good!

Night world :) Thanks for praying for me!

Thursday

Today I don't have much to say... I am tired lol. I found myself very exhausted after school today. I am learning that Peruvians eat very large meals all the time, which is hard for me. I want to be respectful and would never want to seem ungrateful. However... I had to tell my "mother" that I at smaller portions because I felt bad that food was being wasted. I try to eat as much as I can and make sure to affirm her and let her know how much I like the food. My little stomach just can't fit it all in :)

I am going up to the rooftop to make a billion flashcards :) It is Alex's birthday today (40/40) and we are going out tonight to celebrate and comos la torte (eat birthday cake). MMM :)

Peace!

Falling asleep to fireworks...

Hola mi familia y mis amigos! Como estas?

That's about all the Spanish you are going to get after two days of classes, but sure enough, I am getting there :) We arrived safely in Peru on Friday night and were taken to our host families. I was very pleased and filled with joy to meet Vicki and Jorge and their 14 year old daughter Alison. Their house is beautiful and their hearts are full of love! I am staying here with Emily, another 40/40 missionary. Both of us are very happy here in our new home for the next three months.

My journey has definitely started off.... interesado... and a bit rough. Saturday afternoon the group of new 40/40s and the Extreme Staff went out to lunch at a local restaurant where we enjoyed some wonderful chicken and great company. After lunch, Brian, our fearless leader, took us to a local market for a "challenge," so he called it lol. Every single person in our group drank "frog juice" .... yeah. That's right. It's made from a real frog that was laid to rest right before our very eyes. I couldn't believe I was going to do this because I have the weakest stomach out of anyone I know!! But I did. Most everyone seemed to be okay with it and even thought it just tasted like a protein shake. Me? Not so much :) I chugged a cola right after and didn't say a word for the next 20 minutes, thinking it would just come right up if I opened my mouth. Sorry if that's a little detailed, lol, but it's the truth! The point of this challenge was that... if we can drink frog juice, we can eat anything in Peruvian culture. We are going to be faced with a lot of new and interesting foods over the next 27 months. While I would NEVER drink that juice again, the challenge did present the correct mindset for a previously very picky eater such as myself.

So anyway, Saturday was fun hanging out with the gang and getting to know everyone. Sunday morning I woke up expecting to run before church, but instead found myself feeling sick to my stomach. About 5 minutes after turning down running, I got sick. I then spent the next three days being sick, which brings me to now.

It was somewhat discouraging to start this journey off by missing the first church service and the first and second language classes. However, I am starting to feel better. I now have two classes under my belt, and I am realizing 1) there is a LOT of Spanish I don't know, and 2) it is encouraging how I am starting to pick it up after only two days! I still don't feel 100%, but I am not letting that stop me. I keep drinking liquids and being as smart as I can so that my ministry can be amazing for my King.

Things I like so far? Rice (nothing new here lol) and falling asleep to fireworks. Peruvians take great pride in their relationships. If something good happens, they want to celebrate with that person-- whatever the occasion might be. And since there are no firework laws in Peru, as there are in the states, they can just shoot at will! It's very comforting to know that every single time I hear a firework go off... someone has been blessed and is able to celebrate with those they love and care about!

Well folks... this woman is tired, and I have escuela de espanol en manana (spanish school in the morning). So I bid you good night :) I love you all.

Ciao!!

And so it begins...

I am currently sitting in a hallway of the church we are residing in this week during orientation-- trying my hardest to get an internet signal. It's only Tuesday (day two in all of these 27 months to come) and I am already seeing the amazing power of God at work! The people I have met that will also be traveling to Peru are some of the most special and uniquely created individuals ever. Their passions for serving and willingness to answer God's call are constant encouragement for me.

I am finding already that it will be very hard to update this blog to the full extent that I wish I could. I have only been here for two days, and already there are SO many things I want to share with you all-- to let you know what we are doing, and how God is preparing us for the road ahead. This is my small attempt at that...

We watched a video last night to close out the day's discussions. To view part of it, copy the link below and paste it into your web address box:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpl4

This video talks about exactly how great our God is, and it literally brought me to tears. It was sooo humbling to see that we are so uniquely created, and it was very encouraging to know that there was THAT much though put into ME... little, old me.

We have been discussing safety as we travel, preparing our hearts and minds for service, planning how to make it work even when we feel like giving up or without strength. It's not overwhelming... but I think that in and of itself is an affirmation that I am supposed to be here. Because this is a lot of info. But it's good info! I need to be hearing it all.

This morning everyone met as a group and prayed over many different things surrounding people in our group and their families, the cities we are serving in or will be soon, as well as other things. It was so encouraging to join hands and stand in the name of the Lord and declare all these things for Him and His glory-- to trust Him completely with these things and lift them up to Him, knowing that He is going to take them! ... I am not a stranger to prayer. I pray a lot. But... this was definitely an incredible experience-- one of many to continue.

After morning discussions and lunch, the group split off into two and either went to the beach or hiking. I went hiking, of course. Look for my pictures on facebook (once I figure out how to post them) because the scenery was amazing and totally credited God's creativity :)

All for now...