Back Again

I got back a few days ago from my first trip back to Peru after 6 months. It was such a great time! I originally was only going to be there for 10 days, but my trip was extended due to Hurricane Ike, and the cancellation of my flight through Houston. I hope to get some pictures up here soon, but in the meantime I will summarize my trip.

On Friday night, I arrived and was picked up by my dear friends Susan, Monica, Paulo, and Raquel. We came back to Susan's apartment and were greeted by Romina and Gianella (who had made a welcome sign) and the new MTW intern Anne. Soon many people came over to greet me, and in traditional Peruvian style we had a party, including some food and dancing. (All starting after midnight!) By the time I went to bed, I had been up 31 hours (because I worked the night before)....needless to say I slept in on Saturday! On Saturday I went with some of the women to Reina de la Paz, a shelter for young mothers in Salamanca, and that night I went to the youth group meeting, and they had a talent show that night.

Sunday morning I played my flute with the worship team for church. It was so good to see and talk to so many of my brothers and sisters in Christ there! And it was so good to worship in Spanish again too! The whole week I met up with dear friends there, those on my team and those I was able to minister to in my two years there. One great thing with the apartment that Susan moved to is that it is the same building where Kike, Martha, Romina and Gianella moved to.... we can run up 2 flights of stairs and hang out with them or just yell out the window "vecinas!" ("neighbors") if we need something. Its great having them close! I was able to see Lea and Ariana (who is now 10months old!) and play with her some. She is so precious! I also got to visit with the Berry's (my team leader and his family) and see their new baby Hadassah, as well as my other dear team members that I miss... the Salvatierras and the Rosses. My week was jammed with visiting people, but what a great way to stay busy! I met up with the girls I discipled, and had some really great conversations with them. I was able to spend some time with my dear friend Mesha who works with Food for the Hungry. I went to worship practice, played soccer with the youth, went to a birthday party, and went to youth group. My week was so jammed that it flew by very fast! What I wasn't expecting was the added blessing to stay 4 days more. On Sunday (the day I was to come home) I found out that my flight through Houston was cancelled because of Hurricane Ike. So with that addition of days (and my loss of control~as if I ever really have it) I was able to relax and enjoy the extra time without a packed schedule... many more sweet times of fellowship and deeper conversations came out of those days. (I am now at work and will be making up the lost hours!)

One very exciting thing that came out of this trip is the planning of a mission trip that I will be leading to Lima over New Years with my singles group at church. I am very excited about this possibility!

It was such a great trip... but it was also interesting to get further confirmation that I am where God wants me right now. I love the people there and it was good to see them again and was interesting to walk the streets I used to call my own yet know in my heart I am not called there right now and that I am to be in Birmingham, at least for this season of my life.