51 Things that Make Life More Comfortable in the USA...

...but most days I'd still choose to call Peru home {at least for now}.

Disclaimer: This list has been compiled in no particular order. 

1. having family nearby
2. friends that know me inside and out
3. church services in English
4. speaking English 99% of the time
5. sharing my passions with many more words and emotions than often done in Spanish
6. people who understand my culture
7. blending in as a 6' tall white girl
8. familiar radio stations with songs I enjoy
9. having my own transportation
10. driving a car on calm, country roads
11. finding "common" foods at the local supermarket
12. cooking foods that are familiar
13. drying clothes in a dryer
14. changing seasons
15. a white Christmas
16. always being connected to the internet (although I'd call this a curse sometimes)
17. banking...don't even get me started on this one
18. ease of buying clothes that fit 
19. clothes are generally cheaper
20. knowing what hygiene products I'm not allergic to
21. cheaper hygiene products (make-up, lotions, shampoo, etc)
22. my Keurig 
23. mom's home cooking
24. shredded cheese
25. frozen foods/dinners
26. over-the-counter medicine
27. my dogs
28. flushing toilet paper
29. hot showers
30. toilet seats in public restrooms
31. cellphone plan vs pay as you go
32. packages actually arrive on my doorstep
33. safe drinking water from the tap
34. ability to watch all of my favorite tv shows
35. childhood memories at my fingertips
36. in fact having all of my belongings nearby (even if they are in boxes)
37. knowing which stores sell certain items and where to find deals
38. grocery ads and coupons
39. teacher store
40. Hobby Lobby
41. warm water in every faucet
42. indoor heating and air conditioning
43. weather warnings (there aren't earthquake warnings in Lima)
44. advancement of the education system (although it still has its flaws)
45. law enforcement that are actually working to protect us
46. feeling safe most of the time
47. having dad nearby to fix things when they are broken (or at least try to)
48. being close to mom who can sew things when they rip or don't fit right
49. ordering online
50. a gas stove that isn't hooked to a tank that could run out at any given moment while cooking dinner (I'm always fearful I'll run out while cooking for guests.)
51. less dust

Okay, so I know to some of you this list may seem ridiculous, even petty. However, we never realize how good we have it until we're forced to live differently or with less than what we're used to. Being in Peru has been a blessing, and while I miss the comforts of the things listed above, not a day goes by that I regret my decision to give it all up to serve the Lord in Peru. Honestly, it wasn't even until I returned home for Christmas that I realized I missed most of the things above. Heck, at times, I still look for the trash can by the toilet to throw my toilet paper in, and I plan my outfits ahead in order to have time to dry my clothes on the line only to realize I can use the dryer. I praise the Lord that I am so easily able to adapt to my lifestyle in Peru, and I am grateful for the chance to enjoy some of these blessings we have here in the States for a few weeks.

Please see my next post for a full explanation of why I created this list. 

Hollywood vs The Foundation of America

Operation World - Prayer Guide to Every Nation lists "The Americas" as the prayer focus for the next couple of days. The beginning of the year includes prayer for each continent/region before turning the prayer focus toward specific countries. I had to giggle a bit when I noticed that North and South America are grouped together as one continent or region. You see, in Peru, schools teach only five continents - America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. There is no difference between North and South America, and apparently Antarctica doesn't matter because people don't actually live there.

In previous arguments with Peruvian friends, I have backed down because forcing a distinguishable difference between N. and S. America always turns me into appearing superior since I'm from the USA - the land of wealth and prosperity in their minds. It doesn't make sense to them that Mexico is part of N. America even though truly it's people and culture relate more closely to that of S. America. As you can imagine, I no longer argue for 7 continents, I've learned to just nod my head and smile.

As I read through Operation World this week, I like that they break one continent - The Americas -  into three regions rather than two continents. The three regions of the Americas are: North America (USA, Canada, and Greenland), The Caribbean (the islands of the Atlantic and Gulf), and Latin America (Mexico, South America, and all of the smaller countries in between). It makes a lot more sense this way as opposed to our traditional way of creating two continents - one of which includes part of Latin America. I never know if those smaller countries (Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, etc.) and the islands of the Caribbean belong with the North or the South anyways. 

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Last evening as I read a few pages on prayer for the Americas, there were a few sentences that stuck out to me.

Pray that godly North Americans might continue to engage with the

 needs of the world in a humble, passionate, and informed way. 

Hollywood's portrayal of American life is a perversion of the values

 that made the USA a great nation.

As I read these two sentences, my mind began to wander to all of the corrupt situations surrounding me - not just via Hollywood but through all kind of media. Music, video games, movies, tv shows, news sources, and even conversations with those nearby all tend to demonstrate morals and values that go against the dreams and desires of our founding fathers. 

In GOD we TRUST!

It's written on our money, it's plastered on the walls of some government buildings, and it some cases it has been used in public speeches. However, do we truly believe it? Is our trust really in GOD or do we trust in the government to fix our problems and keep us safe? Maybe the bigger question is: Does our government truly trust in God, or do they rely on man or other forms of false hope when making decisions that effect each one of us? I have an overwhelming sense of disappointment that we've turned our backs on GOD when it comes to government, and He is left out of many discussions and decisions that take place in Washington, DC. 

I don't think it's appropriate that we continue to ask GOD to bless America when the only time many Americans run to Him occurs during times of extreme heartache and attack. Instead, we should be praying for America to bless God by turning to Him and relying on His guidance as our ancestors have done in the past. 

Rights come from GOD, not government.

This Founding Principle is actually embedded in our Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Again, we as Americans are forcing our government to vote on issues that are clearly stated in the Bible as right or wrong. Our government was created to make and enforce laws to protect the people, not to decide correct moral codes for humanity. Let's look at the biggest {moral} issues facing us currently: abortion and gay marriage. It is not one's right to decide that gay marriage is legal or that abortion is a woman's choice. Those are not rights God has given us; instead, He has clearly stated in His word {the Bible} that both of those are sin. {See the verses below.}

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It disappoints me to think how far man has fallen from the beginning of time - beginning with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden over 2000 years ago. Then I think how far America has fallen since it's beginnings 200+ years ago, and my heart breaks for humanity. I am, however, overjoyed that God forgives, His grace covers me and all my filthiness, and His mercy makes me a new creation. He can do the same for you, and I firmly believe that if Christians would unite together in prayer and action, we will see the world, too, change for the better. 

IN GOD I TRUST!!!

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Verses on Homosexuality

Genesis 2:24/Ephesians 5:31 - For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.

Leviticus 20:13 - If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

Romans 1:26-27 - Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 7:2 - But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.

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Verses on Abortion

Psalm 139:13-18 - For you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.

Psalm 22:9-10 - Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast. From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 - Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..."

Job 31:15 - Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?

American Culture

My first weekend here in Lima I had an interesting conversation with a dear Peruvian friend of mine about mission. As we talked, I began to express some of the things I have realized bout myself and my role in ministry over the course of the last year. One of those things being that I don't know that I see myself coming full time on the mission field until I am married and have someone to come with me. Not saying I'm not open to coming alone, I just feel that at this time that is what God has revealed to me.

"WHAT?!" he exclaimed, and I proceeded to attempt to explain myself. I expressed that I've talked with other missionaries who have done it alone and have received mixed opinions. Some saying being single allows you more freedom to be involved wherever you choose, while others have expressed the difficulty they have felt in not having someone alongside for support and understanding. 

As I've had these conversations, I can't help but think back to my time teaching here in 2009. I had a blast (outside of school), I learned a lot, I grew up and matured, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. However, there were many times where I felt lonely despite my super busy schedule. Yes, I had American/Canadian friends to talk with, but no one really knew me outside of the context of me here in Peru. 

I tried to explain this to my friend, and he asked me, "What is the American culture? How is it different?" That I wasn't sure how to respond. I tried to explain that we are a people of schedule and routine. What we say we are going to do happens when we say we're going to do it. We work Monday-Friday and go out on the weekends. Beyond that I wasn't sure how to express the differences in thinking and ways of doing things. "It's just different," I said, and my friend responded, "But you fit in just fine here." That was a comforting statement, even though sometimes inside I feel very different from what is expressed on the outside. 

For example, three times my first week here I had "plans" with friends who had said they would call me the next day to confirm a time and place to meet. I waited, and the calls never came. So what did I do (being a schedule oriented person)? I called to find out where I am supposed to be when. All three times, I found out the plans were cancelled because other people couldn't come. Now in the States, if the plans are cancelled, you would call and tell the person that. However, here, one is just to assume if you don't here specific plans, they aren't happening. Being a schedule oriented person, all three times I had other offers of things to do, but I've turned them down because, "I have plans." Luckily two of the three times, I was able to call the other offers and go out with them anyways. 

This is just one example of the difference between American culture and Peruvian culture. It's something I face every year, and after about a week I do learn to adjust. The first week is always the hardest, then usually I'm fine and learn to not expect anything and to have a backup plan.

If someone asked you how you'd explain the American culture, how would you describe it? What kinds of things stand out to you?  (I asked this in another post and only got one comment. Please, help me out here!)

Torn but Spoken For

Some friends and I took a semi-impromptu trip to Washington, DC last weekend. I had a 3 day weekend off school, so I thought it'd be a great idea to get away. It was nice to be out of this town and spend some time with friends I don't really hang out with much. It was a fun, exhausting weekend away, but totally worth it. I gained a new appreciation for my country, and I felt proud to be a citizen of this nation. It was a feeling I have only felt a few times in the past, but not a daily point of gratitude I recognize in my life.

My heart, mind, and soul are divided. I have a great life here in the U.S. but {most of} you know that I feel called to Peru. That is where I feel happiest and the most at peace. I feel content here, but often I find myself just living the day to day life without realizing my purpose. Is it wrong to be content here? I don't believe so. Does God use me more effectively in Peru than He does here? I honestly can't say that He does. So why do I feel more "useful" living in Peru and serving there than I do here in the U.S.? I have no idea. 

On our very long drive home, I spent some time reading the Bible and thinking about God's calling on my life. I don't think being here is wrong by any means. Honestly, the longer I'm here, the more I'm enjoying it. Moving out of my parents' house has been wonderful. Yes, I do miss them, but I feel more settled and less "in waiting". Yet, still, not a day goes by that Peru isn't on my mind. Whether it comes up in my classroom, an interesting post on Facebook, or a Spanish conversation with Peruvian friends, my days are filled with memories of life in Peru. 

As I pondered God's calling, and read His word, my focus shifted from my desires and residency here on Earth to God's purpose and my citizenship in heaven. It's not about me, and it doesn't matter where I live, God will and does use me each and every day for His purposes. In my classroom here in America or at the orphanage in Peru, God uses me, and none of that is by mistake. He has me where He wants me in my job each day, and he provides opportunities for ministry in Peru during my summer vacations. In a way, I've got the best of both worlds. 

Ultimately, it does not matter where I live on Earth. As long as I'm open, God will use me where I am. I'm not going to earn a higher place in heaven because I lived in Peru. My citizenship is in heaven, and that is all that matters!!

Ephesians 3:17-21 ~ 17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

And what's a post about finding my American identity without a few pictures? Enjoy :)

Cassandra and I with the Capital Building in the background.

Front of the 'Casa Blance' - White House

Dwight D. Eisenhower building - prettiest building in D.C.

WW2 Memorial - Each star equals 100 lives lost :'( 

Lincoln Memorial

Arlington National Cemetery - Breathtaking 

10 Years Ago

Ten years ago on September 11, 2001, I was a freshman in high school sitting in my first year of Spanish class, when our teacher reported to us that an airplane had hit the World Trade Center tower. At the time, we weren't sure if the malicious act had been an accident or planned activity. As we listened to the radio, we learned that not one but both towers had been hit, and the event was being reported as an act of terrorism. We also learned of the destruction at the Pentagon and the loss of life due to a plane crash in a Pennsylvania field. Moments later our teacher found a mobile TV and allowed us to spend the class period watching the news reports of the event.

Shocked and confused, I silently began to pray as we watched the horrific events and listened to the news reports. It was in these moments that I recall for the first time honestly thinking, "Wow! This world really needs to know and understand the love of Jesus." I knew it before, but I understood that need more than ever when I heard that the men who had hijacked these planes had done it because of their "faith." How misled they had been, and how devastating that they died believing this was the way of salvation.

Later in the year, I recall my Spanish teacher telling me during a one-on-one graded Spanish conversation, that if I continued to pursue my studies of the Spanish language, she knew I would go far with it. It was also in this Spanish 1 class that I began to sense God's calling me to minister and teach overseas. At the time, I didn't put all of these things together, but today, as I sit and recall the events of 9/11, I'm in awe of how perfect God's plan is for me, even ten years ago.

It's amazing how far ten years has brought America and myself. I don't generally consider myself a very patriotic person, but I will never forget the events of September 11th, and I will continue to sympathize with the loss of life on that tragic day.