People are inherently...

As I began to think of a title for this post I recalled a paper I wrote during my last year of high school debating whether people are inherently good or inherently evil. I don't remember which side of the debate I took a stance on, but I do believe that all people have a bit of evil inside them as a result of the fall of man in the book of Genesis when Eve chose to eat the apple.

I will, however, also argue that because Christ shed his blood on the cross and died to cover our multitudes of sin, those who have accepted Christ as their Savior and choose to live for Him must also then choose to fight the evil and practice the good. Of course we still sin, we still make mistakes, we still have that mark of evil upon us; yet Christ, by His grace, covers the evil and sees the good. We as Christians must then choose to demonstrate the good to the world in order to be living examples of Christ's light in a world filled with the darkness of evil.

In the last month, I have faced evil acts committed by man two different times in the form of robbery. I am so thankful for God's physical protection and provision during both occasions. Let me explain more...

Most of you know that last month my U.S. bank account was hacked, and all of the money I had deposited to continue paying on my student loans was used to make purchases around the world (literally - Siberia, USA, England, Israel, etc.) We have no idea how this happened since my debit card has been safely stored and unused since I was in the US in January. Thankfully, the bank was very helpful, and all of my money was returned either by the companies or through insurance the bank provides.

Then on Tuesday this week, I was robbed again while in my own car. I know a lot of my American friends are wondering, "How does one get robbed while driving down the road in her own car?" Let me be the first to tell you, it's actually very easy.

Javier had picked me up at school to take me to the central post office where I was to pick up a box my parents had sent me. The post office isn't in the best part of Lima, but it isn't in the worst area either. Javier and I were driving with the windows partway open, when he asked me to look up a number on my phone. Holding my phone in my right hand, I began to search the internet for the number he had asked for.

Upon finding the number, he asked me to use his phone to call the company. I explained to him that in English it would be nearly impossible for me to accurately explain the problem we were having with the car, so in Spanish I probably couldn't do it either. I then asked him if he would please call them, to which he responded, "If you call, I'll tell you what to say."

Still holding my phone in my right hand, I picked up his phone to dial with my left. I (not being from these parts) never thought to close the windows, and Javier being focused on the call, the problem with the car, and getting to the post office before they closed also did not think about the insecurity of using a phone with the windows open.

After that things become a slight blur. I don't remember if we had stopped for a traffic light or slowed down because of traffic, but as I began to dial a hand entered the window and grabbed Javier's phone. In my peripheral vision I could see two men outside the car, one in a green and blue plaid button up, and the other in a solid colored t-shirt. My immediate reaction was to throw my phone to the ground to free my right hand to help fight for the phone. However, before Javier or I could react the man holding the phone was twisting my fingers, and I just let it go. We quickly drove away, but as I turned around I saw the two men running down the street in the opposite direction, bent over the phone.

I am so thankful the men didn't approach us with a knife or a gun. We are blessed that the only damage they did was causing temporary pain to my fingers and shaking my nerves up a bit. The only lost property was a cell phone, not a life.

So then the next questions I received from friends back in the US were, "How do you get it back? Do you file a police report?" Forgive me, but I had to chuckle inside. Javier and I first went to collect my box knowing that we were running short on time. Next we went to the cellphone company and had the phone chip and number blocked so that the men could not access Javier's stored information or make phone calls. As for a police report, even if we filed one, the police wouldn't do anything about it. Cellphones and such things are robbed on a very regular basis here in Peru.

"What happens next then?" one might ask. Well, Javier still needs to buy a new phone, but in the meantime he worries about me even leaving the house without being able to contact him. As for the men who stole the phone, they will probably take it to one of the markets and sell it to someone looking for a phone cheaper than they sell them in the store.

Lessons learned:

• God is our ultimate protector. 
• Pray for those who do evil against you for they need to know the salvation and wholeness that comes through a personal relationship with Christ. 
• Forgiveness.
• Sharing the blame - Javier and I were both responsible for setting ourselves up to be robbed. 
• Even though I generally feel safe with Javier, I also need to continue to be aware of my surroundings and personal safety.
• Close the windows when talking on the phone (no matter what area I am in). 
• Don't use a cellphone in plain view in certain parts of the city.

Please friends and prayer warriors, continue to pray for safety and God's protection while I am here in Peru. I know similar things can and do happen in the US; however, here in Peru it is more likely. When I add up all of the time I have spent in Peru it amounts to approximately 16 months. I am so thankful that in all of that time, this is the first time I have been robbed, and I pray that it will be the only time it happens, too.

I will be sending out another newsletter at the end of this month. If you are not signed up for my monthly updates and would like to be, please comment with your email address. (All comments are sent to me before being published on the blog, so I will not post any comments that include your personal email addresses or information.)

God is faithful!!

And just for kicks and giggles, here's a recent picture of Javier and I while hanging out with a missions team that was visiting from Canada for a few weeks. He wanted to use the hot pads and quilts the women had brought to pretend he was an elderly, native Peruvian woman.

Blessings to each of you and your families this Easter weekend.

Much love - Jessica

Doctor Visits and Culture Differences

Since returning from the States in January I have been to the hospital/doctor's office twice for Javier. There aren't really doctor's offices or clinics here like you would find in the States, and both times I have felt a little weird going to a hospital for something at home I would visit a local doctor about. However, that's how life is here, so I must adjust.

In January we went to the hospital because Javier had been having chest pains for a few months. We were afraid it could be a heart condition, so he promised me when I returned from visiting my family we could go. I was simply baffled by the process, so informal and not very thorough.

First of all, I was allowed in the room with Javier during the entire process. I may be wrong but something inside me was screaming HIPPA violation since there is no marriage commitment between Javier and I. Apparently here that doesn't matter. The doctor didn't even think twice about me following Javier into the room, and he actually included me in the conversation.

Then it got "worse" I guess one could say. In my head I was thinking that if I were a doctor and someone came in with chest pains I would probably do a chest x-ray and other tests to analyze what the problem might be. However, instead the doctor asked a few questions, had Javier sit on the table, and asked him to raise his arms up and turn from side to side. As he was doing so he asked if there was pain, and when Javier responded yes, the doctor said it must be a pulled muscle. He wrote a few pain prescriptions, and he sent us out the door.

Considering Javier hasn't had too much pain since being off the pills and the days of rest the doctor advised, I assume that it was just a pulled muscle. However, there are still random days when he reports that it hurts which makes me wonder if that's really what it is.

This past week, Javier called me and asked me to pick up medicine at the pharmacy for a fever and for a sore throat. (You can buy antibiotics over the counter here.) I arrived home from school to find Javier fast asleep with a cold cloth on his head and red skin. He had come from working overnight to sleep at my apartment while I was at work with the plan to surprise me and be here when I got home. His plan was not to have a 104.3ºF temperature.

After a short discussion he asked me to call a friend that drives taxi to take us to the hospital (I still don't know how to drive our car.)so that he could see a doctor. We went straight to the emergency room, and they put us in a "private room" to wait. (Room as in a little cubicle with a bed and a chair closed off from the main hallway by a curtain. As we waited, Javier had me ask the doctor multiple times when he was coming to the room or to ask what we were waiting on/what were they going to do next. Again, there was not one person that asked who I was and not one person told me I couldn't be in the room with him. The only time I was asked to leave was when the nurse put an IV in his arm, but she didn't say a word to me later when she pulled down his pants to put a shot in his hind end. (Don't worry, I chose to look the other direction.)

After all was said and done and we were told we could leave the doctor handed me the prescription and medical note, and Javier sent me to buy his medicine. I didn't know the hospital had it's own pharmacy, so I wandered out of the hospital to the pharmacy down the street to buy the medicine. I was given everything I needed and sent on my way.

Now, as if the actual procedure was different than I'm used to, there were other differences I noted. Neither the doctor or nurses wore gloves. The bed sheets had a mark of dust or dirt on them despite looking clean. The ER visit took less than 2 hours (the fastest ER visit I've ever experienced). Asking the doctor multiple times how long we'd have to wait or what we were waiting on was completely acceptable. (I did explain to Javier that that behavior would not be allowed in the US.) Most shocking was that the visit cost a little more than 100 soles, which amounts to about $40. Can you imagine an ER visit in the States (without insurance) only costing $40? I think a visit to the local doctor's office costs more than that.

Thankfully, Javier seems to be doing much better. He took a few days off work, and he says he is still feeling weak and tired, but his fever is gone and his cough and congestion seem to be clearing. Let's hope we don't have to make any more doctor's visits for a very long time!

April Showers

I think most of us are familiar with the popular phrase: April showers bring May flowers. A similar phrase could be applied here in Peru: Cold April mornings bring earthquake warnings.

It seems that with the recent earthquake in Chile on Tuesday, and one of smaller size yesterday, earthquakes are all anyone talks about. Did you feel anything? There's a bigger one coming. Do you have a plan if an earthquake would occur? Are there earthquakes where you are from? It's colder this April than usual, the cold mornings/evenings combined with the hot afternoons could signify that earth is changing and an earthquake may occur here soon.

Sometimes I have to smirk when I hear the comments of others, but inside I often find myself nervous and afraid. I have a hard time believing that the rare, April cold mornings and evenings combined with the hot afternoons would be a sign of an earthquake to come. I mean it makes sense that it could signify a thunderstorm or a tornado - weather related events, but an earthquake is something completely different.

However, when I think of the reality that an earthquake can happen at any moment, with no warning, no matter where I am or what I'm doing I start to become afraid. What would I do if I were home by myself? What would I do if I were at school? Or worse yet, what would I do if I were on a bus stuck in traffic as I often find myself in the afternoons returning from work? Chances are cell service would be cut off and the internet would be down, I'd not be able to reach Javier or anyone else for that matter.

Usually it's in those moments that I become most fearful that I feel the touch of the Lord and He reminds me that He is in control; that He knows exactly if/when an earthquake will strike, and that He already knows my fate should it occur here in Lima.

I'm learning more and more that we can't live our lives in fear. I can't be fearful of getting robbed every time I go out, or I'd never leave my house. I can't be afraid of saying the wrong thing in Spanish, or I'd not be able to communicate with most people here. I can't be scared of an earthquake that may or may not every happen because the time and place of where it may strike is unpredictable.

Living without fear doesn't mean make stupid choices and decisions. I still don't exchange money on the street; instead I go to the exchange house near the bank. I try to speak in Spanish with my Peruvian friends that speak English because even when I make a mistake, I know the more I speak the more I'm learning. I'm learning that it's okay to mess up because real friends will help you out rather than laugh at you. I've also learned that while it's necessary to have an emergency plan should an earthquake occur, I can't just sit at home in fear waiting for it to come an go.

If nothing else this experience living overseas has taught me to live outside of my comfort zone. It's taught me to depend on God more than ever before, and it's taught me to think differently. I'm learning not to sweat the small things, to focus on what really matters, and that my problems are small in comparison to the situations and suffering others around me are facing.

So if anything, while in the north you are all singing the tune "April showers bring May flowers." I am here in Peru smirking at those who have told me (in their own words of course) that these "Cold, April mornings signify earthquake warnings."

Make Gratitude an Attitude

At the start of every year we are all encouraged to make a goal for the new year, a resolution as many would say. Often times those resolutions involve measurable goals - losing weight, spending more time in prayer or reading the Bible, accomplishing dreams, etc.

In 2011 I set out to lose a certain amount of weight (which I did, but since have gained it all back). 

In 2012 I committed to reading the Bible chronologically.

In 2013 I set my mind on praying for every nation while reading through Operation World Prayer Guide to the Nations. 

All three years I achieved my goal {not to brag or anything}, and at the end of the year I felt pretty good about myself. However, I also recall at times throughout the year feeling down on myself as I fell behind in my reading and/or praying or hadn't lost the pounds I had hoped to each week. The times I felt down though, only pushed me to try harder, to catch up, and to be more faithful in working toward the ending goal.

This year, through conversations and prayer, I've felt challenged to set a different kind of goal, a resolution that can't be checked off the list quite so easily. If you receive my email updates, I challenged you to do the same: Make gratitude an attitude - be thankful more and complain less. 

How did I come up with this goal?

In my previous post I typed up a list of things that make living in the USA more comfortable {at least in comparison to my life in Lima, Peru}. One evening, while having dinner with my boyfriend, Javier, I was talking about things I missed about being home {in the USA}, some of the exact things I mentioned in my list. After my mini complain session, he pointed out that even though I'm supposedly lacking things in Peru, I have much more than most people and that I have been blessed.

Another evening, after a seemingly rough day, I had quite the attitude. As I went on about how awful my day was, Javier reminded me that even on my worst days there are people who have been through situations a lot more difficult and challenging than my own. Trust me, at first I was mad at his unsympathetic response, but after some thought I realized that really my day hadn't been THAT bad after all. So what if I didn't sleep well the night before, my students talked too much, and I didn't have the ingredients I needed for the meal I planned to make. I have a bed to sleep in, I have a well paying job, and I have food to eat. Not to mention after I calmed down I got a hug - an embrace some only long for. 

You see, Javier {and other Peruvian friends of mine} have been a blessing to me. Living in Peru has been an eye-opener, a rude awakening at times. Having grown up in Peru and with a life very different from my own, Javier does a wonderful job at reminding me what's important in life. Daily I'm challenged to give thanks without complaining and to live humbly, always willing to help those in need. 

You see, in Peru I live a somewhat glamorous lifestyle. I have a {sometimes} hot shower, internet, cable, and proper electricity. I have a washer to wash my clothes, plenty of space to house guests, and an income that supplies all of my necessities and then some. I am blessed; my life overall is very easy even in Peru where things are at times "uncomfortable" for my American upbringing.

Therefore, from that came my resolution for 2014: Make gratitude an attitude - be thankful more and complain less.

God has blessed me so that I might be a blessing to others. However, if I only ever look at the negative side of things or recall how things used to be when I lived in the States, I will never reach my full potential in Christ. I have been given more than I could ever ask for or imagine, nothing I have do I deserve. Therefore I have no reason to complain about anything, for everything I have is a blessing from above. And that my friends is why I choose to focus on giving thanks this year, because how can I complain about something that has been put in my life as a blessing from above. My cup runneth over.

If you have resolutions you'd like to share with me {or ask me to pray for} please feel free to do so. I'd love to hear what God has asked some of you, my readers, to focus on for the year 2014.

Resolution #2 for 2014 - Be less selfish. Maybe I'll explain that one more later...

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.