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.

Worship

Oh! And can I add that I am so excited to worship in Spanish again?!?! I planned my trip, just so I could have 2 Sundays there in Peru!!! Singing in my car with a cd or listening to my Spanish worship mix on my computer is just not the same.... just as worshiping in English while in Peru just wasn't the same. (There is not a Sunday that goes by at OMPC that I do not relish the worship time.)

Corporate worship is so great, be it in Spanish or English! **sigh**

Going Back!

Well, I am going back to Peru!!! This time for only a 10 day visit, but nonetheless, I can't wait!!! I get more and more excited as the day approaches. I will be going down on a "vision trip" and am using some of the remaining support I have to provide spanish books for the team and church there. As I look at the date right now, I realize that it has been exactly 6 months since I left this dear country that I love.

I am eager to see some of the growth I have heard about at Luz de Vida, the church we planted in Salamanca, to visit with my dear friends and see how they all are, to visit with my team and see how their families are growing and their ministries are going. It doesn't seem like it has been that long since I left.

For those who may not know about what I have done since I have gotten back, I shall briefly sum it up. I got back at the end of February; March and April I visited my supporting churches, supporters, family and friends; and at the end of April I moved back to Birmingham. God planted right into my lap a wonderful job (that on most days I love) and a wonderful roommate! I have plugged back into my dear church, and know that for this stage of my life I am to be here. I am still praying and considering nurse practitioning as well as missions. God made it SOOOO clear for me to go to Peru the last time, and I have no doubt that if He wants me to go again, He will make it just as clear.

So in 2 weeks I will be back in Peru, and hopefully will have another post for you then!

**I do have another blog "Side Notes" for my random thoughts etc, as this one was more for my Peru ministry =) **

Presentation Video

This is a video that was put together to show to my supporting churches upon my return. It is a tiny glimpse into what I was a part of while in Peru. I hope you enjoy it!

My Last Weeks in Perú

This post is a bit overdue, but what can I say? I have been really busy since I have been back in the states. 

My last few weeks were very busy, very sleep deprived, but very good. One thing that I learned was so important before coming to Peru is the importance of good goodbyes. I believe that I had good goodbyes when I left the states 2 1/2 + years ago, and I wanted to implement some of the same things in my goodbyes in Peru. I visited with many people, was invited to many meals, and had a supurb going away party "despedida" the night before my 1st departure. (I say 1st because, for those of you who don't know, my original flight was unable to take off, and so I stayed another day. It good, but 2 goodbyes were hard.) There were many activities... from beach trips (as it was summer there) to a youth talent show (which they so lovingly dedicated to me), Valentines day, and many many other get-togethers and invites. 

Here are some pictures that speak more than my words can right now for me:

After a sweet lunch with Paulo, Raquel, their family, and my roommates.

My first attempt of making ceviche (a Peruvian fish meal), and lunch with the Matamoros.

One of my last visits with Lea.

My last visit with Meche, Maximina, Martin, and Kiara.

Me with Susan and Monica at our Valentine's Day party.

Me with Michael, Laura, and Noah Salvatierra at my going-away party.

Me and Monica at my going-away party.

A group shot at my going-away party... And many had already left by this point!!!

 It was crazy fun!! 

Toby wanting to go with me.... he was a bit sad in those last days too. 

Me with my roommates right before we left for the airport.

Me with many friends on the way to the airport.

Airport group shot.... I am glad you can't see my puffy teary eyes.

I am soooo blessed to have so many good friends!!

What a Whirlwind its been!

The past month to six weeks has been so full, so crazy, so busy, but so much a blessing. I had one of the best and memorable Christmases ever as it was spent with so many people that mean so much to me. When I refer to Christmas, I mean the season more than the exact day.... though Christmas eve and Christmas day were very special. Like in the states, there are a lot of parties, people getting together and doing things, the lights, the trees, the songs, the gift-giving, and the normal stressful hairpulling season! 

Here is a picture of me with my girls at a Christmas party held at the Rosses house.

Here in Peru they celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve with a huge feast late at night, either at midnight or before to "bring in Christmas", and everyone sets off fireworks at midnight too. Teammate and roommate Laura Hoyt and I had received some sweet invitations to join some families for Christmas, and so we split our time between the two. The Matamoros were planning to eat an earlier dinner, so we went over early, and helped them in the feast preparations, and then ate a nice big meal. It was a very special time. This family has become one of my families far from home for me. 

After that feast, we went to our good friends the Mauros, who live a few doors down. We are closest to Raquel and Paulo who are close to our ages, and have been getting to know their parents more (who minister in Ayacucho-another area in Peru) and their brother Carlos who is serving in the Peru military. (pictures of the family are below). We had yet another feast with them about 2 hours after our first one. (It is truly a miracle that I ate so much in such a short period of time!!) There were more of their family present. It was a lot of fun! We were with them at midnight to watch all the fireworks and then go back in for the opening of the presents. 

On Christmas Day, Laura and I had the Mauros over for a traditional Christmas breakfast (at least for me, Monkey Bread!!). We wanted to share how we spend Christmas day generally in the states, with reading the birth story and talking about it, as well as singing, and gifts. It was a special time with them again. 

After Christmas I had a special visit from my dear friend Sarah Nell Jones. We spent some time in Lima, and also traveled to Arequipa and Nazca. It was a very special time for me, as I love sharing Peru and what I love about it to people, especially my dear friends or family from home. 

The evening we got back to Lima from our trip, I received a call from home that my grandmother had passed away that same day. MTW assisted for me to be able to return home briefly for the services, and it worked out for transportation too, as I was on a different flight than Sarah, but she, her fianceé and her family could get me to the service and to my family. I was there just a few short days, but it was good for me to be there with my family. Please pray for my family in this time of mourning.... more specifically for my dad and my aunt. 

So now I am back in Lima, and having a hard time..... I am looking at the remainder of my time, and how it is dwindling down. Its as if time is pulling me, but my heels are skidding as I am being pulled. I am not ready to go yet. I love this place and the people so much, and it grieves me to say goodbye. I confess that I am in a little bit of depression about leaving. I don't know what God is going to do in my life, and I know that I have a "plan" of sorts, but know that He can and probably will rearrange my plans. I am just going to keep my eyes on Him and let His hand guide me. It is still my prayer and I am attempting to live every day to its fullest, and to take advantage of the opportunities He gives me. 

I do crave your prayer for this time of transition. 

Thank you all for all your prayers in these years. I will write more as I can. 

Ariana

It is a bit overdue, but praise the Lord!! Ariana is here!! After some early complications in her pregnancy, bedrest, and homerest, Lea gave birth to a healthy baby girl on November 24. Laura Salvatierra and I were able to assist her at home for several hours of her labor before sending her on to the hospital. (The doctors had sent her home and didn't want her to come back until her contractions were a minute or so apart).

It was a special time to be with her supporting her. And we have had some fun visits with her since the birth to hold little Ariana and visit with Lea. 

Here are some more pictures of this little treasure!