I'd like to dedicate this next post to my brother...

Dear Marcus,
I know that you are supposed to be working right now, doing vicar-like duties- such as: looking up obscure Greek words, discussing theological matters, studying complex scriptures, changing the lightbulbs in the bathrooms, and dead guy duties. However, I appreciate that you are taking time out of your busy schedule to read my blog.
Love,
Your Hermana


So I'm going to Ecuador tonight. I have to renew my visa by leaving the country, and then coming back into the country. There's an entire process that accompanies visa renewal that I refuse to go into- mostly, because I don't understand all the ins and outs, nor am I convinced that anyone truly understands the entire process. However, rest assured that it involves a lot of running to and fro between offices and banks and copy shops. Seriously. An entire lot. And, like most bureaucratic processes, there are some pretty colorful characters sprinkled throughout it. Anyway, the point of those last few sentences is just that I am taking a 4 day trip to Guayaquil, Ecuador to relax and renew (spirits and visas). This is one of those horrible suffering for Jesus trips.

Not.

I am definitely looking forward to this trip and to resting a little bit in Ecuador. Pictures will definitely follow, I plan to visit the art market there, hang out in the iguana park (yep it's real), and visit other ecuadorian like attractions. I, however, am not entirely sure of the 17 hour bus ride to Guayaquil. But, like all good things, this trip comes with price. The price is a 17 hour wait. I just hope that this wait includes a bathroom on the bus.

Movin' on up....to the East side!

So it's been about 57 years since my last post, and for that I am heartily sorry. However, allow me to plead my case by telling you about my life for a bit and we'll see if we can't make amends for the absence of communication.

Many things have changed since my last post! I don't teach all the same classes, I don't live in the same neighborhood anymore, I'm diving into new areas of ministry AND I'm no longer a brunette! Just kidding. I wanted to make sure you were still with me. The first two items are true though.

First things first- Classes!
I'm now teaching 2 Basic 9 English classes with most of the same students. We're having alot of fun too. Or I am anyway. The basic 9 class focuses on reviewing what the students have already learned and prepares them for advancing to Intermediate level classes. Also, my students are reading their very first book in English! We're reading an abridged version of A Little Princess and so far I think everyone loves it. It almost brings a tear to my eye to think how far they've come.


Next on the agenda- Living situation!
I am no longer a resident of the Vista Hermosa neighborhood. All of the English teachers have moved into a new neighborhood called Recreo, which is a very good word for practicing rolling your r's. It's nice- it's a lot closer to SALI- the language institute where I work and I really enjoy living there. I have a few pictures of my view from the fourth floor of my room.



This is neighborhood of Recreo. I see that teal house every morning. I think it's a pretty color.


However, there are things that I miss about Vista Hermosa. Por Ejemplo (for Example), Zu-Zu. which is short for Azucar, which means Sugar. Zu-zu was our roof top friend at vista Hermosa. Most people keep their dogs on the roof because yards are rare, and zu-zu was our night guard. Fare the well zu-zu, I shall miss thee. Here are some pictures to help the memory live on.











aaaaand FINALLY!-
Please be praying this week for new ministry opportunities that are coming my way this weekend. Tomorrow (being Saturday of course) I will be launching myself into a strings music ministry program designed for kids who can neither afford instruments nor lessons. You're looking at/reading the words of the brand new cello teacher. This will be interesting with my lack of fluent Spanish....

Tune in next folks, same Peruvian blog time, same Peruvian blog channel for the update!

Gringlish....

My new favorite Popcorn Stand in Peru:
Krip Crap's Specialty Popcorn. For all your Popcorn needs.

Hoy es Viernes....

Today is Friday and I am tired.

The week hasn't been busy beyond the normal, but the normal is busy in and of itself, and I think the last three weeks of normal have united their powers to bring down the great Energy machine. It's very captain planet-esque. En este caso, however, it is more like Captain Busy / He's our hero / Gonna take your energy / Down to Zero.

Well. Anyway....

It's Friday and I'm definitely am enjoying the perks of teacherdom, such as happily posting a new blog instead of taking a quiz, like my students are right now. Suckers! Just kidding. My class is great, I really love my students! Last night, after my 8:45 class let out, two of my students, Milagros and Guiliana stayed after class for a little and we got to talking about many different things. It was a very encouraging conversation, I shared a little bit about why I was down here and why I was teaching at SALI. They asked questions about my family, my life, and shared many stories about their lives and snippets about Peru. They promised to take me out and show me their city, and share their culture. It was very nice! They also promised to take me out to eat anticuchos (that would be cow hearts for those in the dark). I think I've actually had them before, but I'm up for trying anything once. They asked if it was hard to leave my friends and family behind. At the end of the conversation, Guiliana and Milagros told me "Somos tu amigas en Peru "We are your friends in Peru" It was so nice. It's amazing how one little phrase can mean so much to someone.

Reaching out to someone in the smallest way might end up having the biggest impact. I think it was a very good lesson to see. It's easy to be under the impression that mission work invovles something big elaborate tent revival or organized effort to deliver the Bible and spread the Gospel by preaching from the pulpit. I believe that sometimes this idea may hinder people's views of what the Gospel can look like. Sometimes it seems like we expect mission work and the spreading of the Gospel to appear like a Christian dog and pony show, with a magician that pulls tracts and Bibles out of a hat. However, the Gospel is not spread because of our human efforts and campaigns and sermons, etc. The Gospel is love, and sometimes God works through the smallest gestures that don't involve a pyrotechnic display of Christianity.

"Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." Matthew 13:32