Adjustments

By now I've learned how to quickly adjust to the culture of Peru; yet there are always those things that throw me for a loop. This year, it's the fact that I'm staying in a very different location than normal, and I'm having to learn new bus routes. My last four times in Peru I've stayed at or very close to the same location. However, this year, I'm living in a completely new district of Lima. It's closer to my friends, church, and most other things (except the kids), but figuring out which buses to take where has been a challenge. Thankfully most of my friends live near enough that they stop and pick me up to go places, and they drop me off afterwards. Only once did I get off at the wrong stop. I knew immediately I wasn't in the right location, so I called a friend to redirect me. She wasn't sure where I was either, so rather than walking to figure it out, I paid a taxi to bring me the rest of the way home.

Because I'm so close to most things, I have spent much time walking and walking and walking. I'm enjoying the savings on transportation, but Lima (especially at night) is wet this time of year, so I often feel damp and cold. As we walk down the street, my friends and I often walk shoulder to shoulder hoping to keep one another warm. All in all, I wouldn't trade these walks for a bus ride any day. Often during these walks fun and intimate conversations are had. I've learned more about some of my friends walking down the street with them then I would have learned riding in a crowded bus.

I've adjusted to staying out late and sleeping in quite well. The bus horns, car/house alarms, and pounding often wake me up each morning, but each day I'm able to sleep through them a little longer. I've adjusted to eating lunch around 1 p.m. and dinner at 10 p.m. or later. I've adjusted to slow internet, quick to the point phone calls (don't want to waste any prepaid money), and television in Spanish. I've learned to ignore the whistles and stares I get as I walk down the street, and I've learned to carry my belongings hidden and close to me. I've learned to be flexible and not to try to schedule things in advance...there's always something going on, I just might not know until the day of. I've forced myself to speak Spanish even when the person I'm talking with has studied English; it's the best way to improve my language skills. I've remembered why I love this place so much, and I'm thankful that God has provided me this month to to spend with friends dear to my heart.

In a few hours I will be leaving for Cuzco. I'm super excited to see this part of Peru's history, but I'm full of nervous energy. I will be spending the next 8 days with a friend who only speaks Spanish, and we will be staying at her aunt's house who also only speaks Spanish. I'm sure I'll get along just fine, but I always worry that I won't understand or that I'll say something wrong. I may not have internet access while I'm away, so I will update this when I return, if I can't do it while I'm away. Prayers for my health (so far so good) and safety (also not an issue thus far) would be appreciated.

Comfort Zone??

I've decided this trip is all about stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things. Although, I've probably thought that very same thing the last four trips I've made to this wonderful country. People and life here is so unique; maybe that's why I like it so much. Rather than sitting around, watching a movie or playing a game of cards, people here go out and share real life together. They talk, they laugh, they cry, they imagine, they create, and they do. They get outside of their daily routines, and they live life to the fullest.

Last night as I laid my head to rest, I was glad to have the entire day today to rest and relax. I took full advantage of that opportunity today, as I have been bouncing from one thing to the next since I arrived. Tonight, I am very thankful I rested today. My friend, Nilton, invited me to go with him to a Creativity Workshop. I wasn't sure what to expect as he described the event as improv; I figured, why not go and have some fun. It couldn't possibly much worse than karaoke was. Haha! Little did I know, during karaoke last evening, I was still able to sit behind the scenes to an extent and watch the activity around me. Tonight, I had no choice but to participate.

 Impromptu pose.

 Improv skits...he told me he didn't love me because I was tall :(

Team building excercise.

Thankfully it was a small group of people, and I did know a few of them. We did everything from team building activities, to impromptu skits, dances, poses, and more (as pictured above). I was definitely out of my comfort zone on most levels, but at the end of the night, I am able to look back and recall how much fun I had.

 My friend, Gisell, after the workshop.

Nilton and me.

Con Fé

Today as I read Hebrews 11 for my devotions, I became very interested in the idea of faith. Of course, I've read this chapter and heard this chapter read aloud multiple times before, but today something struck me. I began to wonder, what exactly does faith mean?

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) defines faith as 

• assurance of things hoped for
• conviction of things not seen.

Webster's Dictionary defines faith as 

• loyalty
• the sincerity of intentions
• belief and trust in God and traditional doctrines of religion
• firm belief in something for which there is no proof
• complete trust
• belief with strong conviction

The idea of complete trust really struck me today, and I pondered this thought as I went about my day. Today I talked with a friend about life past, present, and future. She asked me if God has ever let me down before, to which I responded with, "Of course not!" Her next question hit home, "Do you have faith that He will provide for you in the future?" There it was again...FAITH! 

I thought to myself, 'Do I have complete trust that God will provide for me in the future?' - I like to think that I do, but often when I think about MY plans, I don't consider how God is using me in the current moment/situation. I don't consider the necessary preparations that must be done in order for future plans to be carried out. It boils down to getting caught up so much in my plans, that I forget to consider God's plan and God's timing. 

Faith - I need to let go of my dreams and desires, and pray hard for the heart of the Lord and HIS will for my life. I've been asked many times in the last three days when I will come back to teach. I always answer the same, "Cuando Dios me permite." (When God allows me.) However, because I've said it so many times over, I'm beginning to lose faith in that statement. Tonight, with a different friend I chose to respond by saying, "If it is God's will, I will return one day. At this time, I don't know when that will be." This felt so much better than the almost sarcastic sounding, "Cuando Dios me permite."

Aside from some pretty heavy conversations today, I shared Chinese lunch and a nice walk with Mary, a Canadian whom I taught with at LISOFT in 2009. I also spent my evening with two Peruvian teachers from LISOFT, Amelia and Gabby. We shared a very nice conversation over dinner at the food court in the mall and later went to a Karaoke lounge for some fun entertainment. It was much different than I imagined it to be, but all in all, it was a blast! 

Amelia and me at the Karaoke Lounge :)

Day #2

I went to Jocky plaza yesterday which is a large shopping center with a cinema and multiple restaurants surrounding it. In the last year they have added a whole new outdoor shopping area as well as a DiverCity for children. I was amazed as I walked around the place. It's not a place the average Peruvian would be able to afford to shop at (nor myself actually), but nonetheless, I enjoyed looking through the various shops and imagining what person would be able to afford some of the items. There are some normal stores, but there are quite a few upscale places there as well.

Last night I met friends at church, and afterwards we came to my place to chat over Papa Johns pizza. It was wonderful to reconnect with my brothers and sisters in Christ; however, still feeling very tired from my travels and little sleep on Saturday, I'm afraid I zoned out for most of the conversations. My brain hurt from trying to understand and communicate back in Spanish. I found it interesting that one friend commented to me that my Spanish language seems much better than before, and later I was told I speak like a true Peruvian. Now, I wouldn't say I'm that good!! I only understand about 75% of conversations, and I get frustrated with myself that I cannot respond as quickly as I'd like. 

Teresa and I walking from church to my apartment :)

Today I spent the day with the dear children in Manchay and Pachacamac. I am in awe of the dedication a teacher puts forth for classroom decorations in Manchay. Today I helped a friend paint posters for her classroom that had been previously hand drawn on paper. I spent a good 2 hours on one poster and still hadn't finished it. As I thought back over my time as a teacher in Peru, I recalled all the work my co-teacher put into the decorations around our classroom before I came. It's a completely different way of doing things. As a teacher in the States, I don't have time to hand draw and paint posters for my room; it was a blessing that a mom was able to come in and do very detailed bulletin boards for me last year!

After Manchay, I headed up to Pachacamac! It always feels so good to walk through those doors to be greeted by hugs and kisses and laughing, excited children. The home recently received playground equipment for the children, and it was put together over the weekend. Today the kids were running everywhere, making up games, and asking to be pushed on the swings and tire swing. I enjoyed seeing them chase one another, play together, and scream with excitement. 

A few of the boys tired of the new equipment, and they asked me to play with them. Little did I know, but they were really asking, "Miss Jessica, will you teach me to play North American football?" Not long ago, a mission team came from the States, and they brought footballs along with them. One boy has really caught on well to the technique of throwing the ball, and he was so happy to show me his arm muscles he is acquiring. The other boys needed a bit of assistance, and I enjoyed being able to help them out. We had fun tossing the football around until it was time for me to leave. 

I'm having a wonderful time here in Peru. I hate that everyone asks two questions...

• When did you arrive?
• When are you leaving?

I don't like to think about that second one. It's too early to think about going home...

Feels Like Home

This morning my plane landed in Peru as expected at 12:50 a.m. However, that's not to say it was a perfect day of flying. My plane out of Chicago left an hour late which then caused my 1 hour 17 minute layover in El Salvador to be a mere 15 minutes. I rushed to the bathroom and hurried to the gate where I was expected to board for Bogota. Praise the Lord that San Salvador is a tiny airport, but wait, an airline change? A warning would have been nice. I spoke to the man at the counter, and he assured me that this was the same flight I had signed up for, so I boarded the plane for a 3 hour journey to Bogota, Colombia. Upon arrival in Bogota, I was patted down and had my bags thoroughly searched before being permitted to travel to my departure gate bound for Lima. There were police with dogs everywhere!! I was a bit nervous as I passed through 2 more security checks before boarding the plane. I found it odd that not once did they check my passport in Bogota.

I was thankful to leave Bogota for Lima, and I was even more excited when the plane landed on familiar territory. All of my nervousness immediately disappeared, and a wave of peace came over me. I quickly passed through customs, translated for a few travelers from America who were very confused about customs and currency exchange, and headed for the exit where Leo was patiently waiting. He drove me to my apartment where I quickly crashed into bed.

Today I've been to the cellphone store, the mall, and Starbucks. I will be meeting friends shortly for lunch, church, and some catching up. I am so grateful to be back here, and I'm honestly amazed at the amount of Spanish I remember. This feels like home minus all of you dear ones there.

I will try to keep this frequently updated while I'm away, and don't forget you can text me (iPod number), Facebook me, or email me. Thanks for your prayers during my time here in Peru!!