Newsletter

The above picture was actually taken in June, but it gives you a small glimpse of Peru. This town is Manchay, and it is just about 10 minutes east of where I live. My housing is a little better than what you see here, but I am indeed surrounded by dirt mountains.


I'll be sending out a monthly (or bi-monthly...depending) newsletter tomorrow about Peru, my classroom, Kids Alive, etc. If you would like to receive it, but have not yet given me your email address please do so.


Thanks for all your prayers!

Broken

I'm not sure I could find the proper words to truly express what my heart feels right now. A lot of thoughts and emotions consume me here in this moment. A frequent prayer of mine has been, "Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours. Open my eyes so that I may see your majesty in even the most miniscule details of this world you've placed before me. Show me your glory in both the good times and the bad, so that I may live every second of my life worshipping and honoring you."

We live in a broken world. People aroud the world are struggling every day just to get by. There is so much suffering in the world...kids without parents, families wondering where their next meal will come from, people living on the street because even the cheapest "shack" is too expensive, people inflicting pain upon themselves because self-inflicted pain is better than the pain caused by others in the past. I see it every day; people suffering and helpless. These people are searching, but I'm not sure they know just what they are searching for. They do not realize how much God can change their lives if they would allow him to be the center of their lives.

I think mission trips are a wonderful opportunity to get a "taste" of what the world is really like outside of the normal routine of life. It's opens the eyes to how others live, the needs others have. However, I'm not sure I fully understood just what it meant to have a broken heart for the lost until God called me back to Perú. The longer I'm here the more I see; the more my eyes become open, the more I break for the needs of those around me.

Contrary to that, I have also met many people who know what it means to truly worship God and trust Him with everything. People who have next to nothing that love God and serve him with a special vibrance. You can tell these people love Jesus with every ounce of their flesh. You feel uplifted just by being in their presence; they cause me to want to know God more. I want to be like them; I want people to experience God because of his love that flows freely through me.

I spent a few hours at the Kids Alive home this week. These kids energize me. They are the prime example of joy despite circumstance. They keep me going and remind me why I am here. God is at work in Perú, and his people here are quite amazing.

What a Week!

Each day God continues to reveal more pieces to the puzzle I like to call life. God came through time and time again this week - as he always does - for me, and I am so thankful for his daily love and care for me.

I finished up my book training this week, and I was finally able to assist in class on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. The teaching approach is very different. Each student is tested at the beginning of the year and given mini-workbooks to do at his/her level. They read them and do the activities in about 2 weeks time and take a test when they finish everything. If they pass they move on to the next book and if they don't they do another book with similar content to reteach. Basically I facilitate the class as the students work independently. There are parts I like, but there are some things I do not fully understand. The kids receive very little instruction outside of the text. It's hard adjusting to, and I'm having a hard time seeing how my talents as a teacher will be fully utilized in this class setting. However, I am confident that this is exactly where God wants me to be in this moment of my life, and I know that I will learn a lot through this experience.

Outside of school I had a pretty decent week. I spent Monday and Tuesday evenings watching movies and just relaxing. After a long week and a whirlwind arrival/weekend in Peru, I was very ready for this alone time and relaxation. It was nice to have time to process everything that had just happened and figure out where to go next. Wednesday I was able to go to the Children's home for a few hours. I was so glad to see the kids again and help with homework. I will be going there once a week to assist in this way and possibly on Tuesdays for devotions with the kids. Thursday, I began to feel slightly ill; I've got a head cold that really doesn't bother me except for a horrid cough. I planned to spend the evening reading, watching movies, doing laundry, etc. but a friend called around 8 and wanted to hang out. I ended up going to one of the missionary's apartments where she served us dinner and we had a great time of devotions and singing with other Peruvians and missionaries. It was such a refreshing time and just what I needed...God is good like that!

I was given the day off from school today to go to Immigration and obtain a work VISA. I was nervous because I did not have all of the documents the website said I needed, but turns out what I did have was sufficient enough. However, the whole process was quite overwhelming as we traveled back and forth between 3 places in order to obtain all necessary documents. Finally we were able to go across the city to the international police station where we did more running around. Once I had everything in order, and I received a stamp of permission to sign a work contract, but I will be unable to obtain a VISA until my criminal history report comes back to the school in about 50 days. I was so grateful to have Leo with me to help with the process; I'd have probably given up had he not helped out. After school was dismissed I met a few of the teachers and talked for a while. Finally we ended up just going out for dinner together as well. I've decided that teachers are pretty cool people whether they are American, Canadian, Peruvian or any other nationality; the common bond there is wonderful.

I'm looking forward to a nice weekend and finally starting to teach next week!

Support Systems

When I first made the decision to return to Peru for a longer period of time, I had many emotions of fear run through me. Mainly I worried about fitting into the culture, being so far away from all of my close friends and family, and another fear was the ease of meeting people that would be kind enough to help me as I learned the Peruvian way. I knew that I would know people here, but would they accept me? Would people be willing to step in when I was feeling alone to care for me and share God's love? Over and over again I was reminded of the verse found in 2nd Timothy 1:7 which says, "God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid; he gave us a spirit of power and love and self-control." God also brought me to 1st Peter 4:10 a few times: God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

The first one was where I would refer when I became overwhelmed with fear (and I come back to it daily). God did not give me a spirit of fear but a spirit of power! Human nature is to fear what lies ahead. We tend to be afraid of the unknown and run toward what is safe. We crave that which is comfortable. Let me tell you, moving to Peru (even for just 4 1/2 months) is anything but safe and comfortable. I'm sure it will get there at least a little bit, but it will take some time. However, this weekend I learned very quickly that I am accepted and that they are many people here willing to help me along the way. I am so grateful for each person I have met along the way that has stepped in to help me out, whether it was 2 years ago, 2 months ago, or just 2 days ago. Everyone has helped me to feel very welcome. I'm thrilled to be a part of God's movement in Peru; I'm excited to have the opportunity to develop relationships with those I have already met on past trips and those I have yet to meet in the upcoming months.

The other verse was a God's way of helping me to answer the question, "What the heck am I doing here???" I asked myself this in the days leading up to my return to Peru, and I've asked myself the same question at least once daily as I begin to transition into living here and getting to know how things work. I am here to teach, even if it isn't what I'm used to. I am here to serve whether it be the people I live with, other teachers and missionaries, or the children at the Kids Alive home. God gave me a strong desire to work with children and minister to them, and I will use my gifts for that service.

I read a quote in a book just the other day, and it really spoke to my heart. It said, "He [God] often takes us aside from every other source of comfort so that he alone can have our heart's attention." I'm looking forward to watching God move in me and those around me in the upcoming months. It's amazing the things he does when he alone is your sole source of strength. Don't get me wrong...he is always working and doing mighty works, but we appreciate and notice them so much more when we give him our undivided attention. Give him your eyes and ears today and allow him to show you something new, something exciting, something refreshing. Whatever you need today, I pray that he will provide it.

I Have a Lot to Learn

Well, I did indeed make it Lima, Peru about 11:40 Wednesday evening. After about an hour drive to the school where I am staying, I finally got to bed about 1:30. It was a very long day, but I am so thankful to God that I made it safely (despite an hour or more delay in Houston due to a sudden storm).

Yesterday was a good day. I was able to sleep in a bit until around 8:30 when I was awakened by school bells and children laughing and screaming. I guess that's one of the privileges of living right above the school. I was able to unpack my things and then went downtown with the principal and admistrator (similar to a superintendent) for lunch. I had a small orientation in the afternoon and then went out for dinner and watched a movie in the evening.

I was awakened about 3 a.m this morning by small tremors. Apparently there was a 4.0 magnitude earthquake about 100 miles away.

Today has been a long day. I started official training today. This school does things very different from any school I've ever seen, and "supervisors" (teachers) are required to complete coursework that lasts about one week. I completed 2 whole course books (PACEs) today and have a third for homework this weekend. I'll explain more about how the "learning center" (classroom) works once I figure it out more myself.

I began a list of things I have yet to learn today. I hope you enjoy the things I've accumulated thus far:

• Shower water is only hot when turned on very low...heat is more necessary than water pressure, so it takes longer to shower in the morning.
• The grocery stores have aisle numbers that the workers know, but the customers have to look very hard to find them.
• The buildings are not sound-proof, so you can hear everything going on around you. Literally.
• Milk tastes better in the United States.
• Electricity is not guaranteed (or maybe I learned this at home Tuesday evening) The power went out about 3 times today during school. Good thing they build things with lots of windows.
• My spanish is very rusty. The kids get talking and lose me because they are talking so fast.

Control

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a very organized and planned out person. I make plans for my life 5 years down the road, and I live by lists and schedules. In my opinion this has always been a good characteristic to have during school with multiple classes and assignments, but now that that season of life has passed, sometimes I wish I were more spontaneous.

Last semester was a growing experience for me in that way, and I see today why last semester was so crucial to where I'm at now. Being a substitute teacher, you cannot always plan weeks in advance, and very rarely do you know the material you will be teaching before you walk in the door on any given morning. It wasn't always easy, but it taught me to relax and take life one day at a time.

As you know, I'm leaving for Peru in 2 days. A lot of you have asked what will happen after these 4 1/2 months. Will I sign a 2 year contract and return to Peru in mid-February or will I return to the U.S. permanently after this short-term experience? I honestly can't say I know that answer. I have no plans for my life beyond December 19th when the school year ends. Of course, I have things I would like to do in life, but I have no timeline for when those things will happen. I'm not making plans with rigorous timelines anymore; I am now able to leave life open and ask God to show me the way. I'm on this journey with God, and I'm trusting him to lead me and care for me wherever life takes me.



On another note...I'm leaving in 2 days! I'm mostly packed, and I'm praying really hard that my suitcases really are under 50 lbs. Our scales here at home say they are, but they also aren't always consistent. I would really appreciate it if you would pray for me and my family as I say good-bye and begin this next step. Please also pray for safety and easy entrance and exit through security and customs.