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!!
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