A New Way of Thinking...

The Lord has led me safely to Peru. Presently, I am able to check my Email and do updates from a local cabina (a room with about 12 computers for the public to use). He has been so good. When I first arrived, I was not quite sure what I had gotten myself into, but God supplied the needed stregth and grace to handle all that has come my way thus far (whether it be eating different foods, riding on very crowded buses, or ¨talking¨with people at church). God is good all the time and all the time He is good.
As my first class has started, the professor, Glenn Kerr, has instructed, that it is not merely a time to learn a new language, but it is a time to learn a new way of thinking. The time that I have spent in Peru thus far, has proved to be a stretching time and to be sure there will be many more of those times to come.
Let me tell you a little bit about my time so far. I am living with the Guallardos, a pastor and wife with four daughters. They have been a real blessing and have been an encouragement to my roommate, Tessha, and I. We have enjoyed getting to know them and allowing them to get to know us better as well. Tessha and I take buses to get to the ARRIBA center located on the campus of the school for missionary children. The buses are normally quite crowded with much noise and clamor, but it has been an interesting experience. I have begun my tutoring sessions in Spanish and have enjoyed the helpers very much. Some of them speak English, so they help out during some difficult moments in our conversations. Also, I have begun my course in lingustics. It has been very interesting so far, and I am eager to learn more about it. Each day, I become a bit more accustomed to Peru and her people. I am reminded daily of God´s strength and thank Him for His continual presence.

Unchanging

With five exams finished and only one left to go, I find myself a bit relieved with knowing that classes are almost finished; yet I also think back on how quickly this school year has gone. The months have flown by, but the times have been sweet. Commencement is this Saturday and along with that comes a long drive home. I look forward to seeing my family again, but that time, just like the school year, will go by all too quickly. I will only have nine days to spend with them before I leave for Peru for eleven months. I am so thankful that God is not limited to the United States, but that He is everywhere at the same time. I am glad that He is the one who holds the future, not for me only but for my family and my friends as well. Though I may be away for a time, God is there and He will not change. I thank God for His promise in the book of Hebrews, chapter 13 verse 8: "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." What a comfort to know that though circumstances and situations will change many times a day, my God does not change. He will never leave nor forsake us and He shows us the way that we ought to go. Praise God today for who He is!