The Voice of Peru

In this post, I want to focus on some of the sounds of Peru. After turning of the constant beeping of my alarm clock, the roosters from the nearby houses can be heard welcoming the new day. As I go through my usual routine in the morning, the soft hum of the hot water heater can be heard, until the girls start getting ready for the day. There is much comotion in the house for about an hour, until the last child is off to catch her bus for school. Taking a deep breath, I enter the kitchen where Maria can be heard softly singing over the clangs of the metal pots and pans. Soon, it is off to the busy street to catch my bus. Horns can be heard, brakes screech, motors rumble, and old vehicles clank along. Castellano (the Spanish spoken in Peru) is everywhere as people try to catch the right bus. The cobrador on the bus yells out where his bus is going, and whistles to those who are on their way to get aboard. On the bus, music is turned up extra loud in order to be heard over the clanging of the bus and the squeals of the brakes. Normally, a conversation is impossible due to the extra noises from the street. Upon arriving at Fetzer Christian Academy, it is so quiet, that studying there is much easier than at home. After class finishes at 3:30, it is back to the craziness on the street. Another bus is taken on Monday to take us grocery shopping for our lunches during the week. The 3-story market is filled with people all trying to decide what all they want. With our purchases made and our minds filled with Castellano, my roommate, Tessha, and I head back to our house. Roaming dogs bark at passing birds and cats and loud music from a passing mototaxi welcomes our arrival. I think my favorite words in Castellano are spoken by Maria or Pastor Antenor when they say "Vamos a cenar" (We are going to eat dinner). :) The busy day ends by hearing the family read the Bible and pray together. Tessha and I have been so blessed to have such a great family who takes time each night to have us in their family devotions. Though Tessha and I still have such a long way to go in our Spanish study, the family has been so gracious in being so patient. With the final words of "Hasta mañana" the house is again quiet for a time. As I drift off to sleep, fireworks and pistol shots can be heard from the nearby streets from those who enjoy the loud noises that each makes. With a sigh, I close my eyes and await the annoying beeping of my alarm to start yet another noisy day in Peru.

A View from Peru

Since my time in Peru, there have been many different things that I have experienced. I thought that the best way to try to describe them all would be by dividing them up into the five senses: sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings. The first one that I will try to describe is the sights. This is going to be quite difficult, because you just have to be here to understand it all.
From my waking up in the morning, people are all around. I live with a pastor with his wife and four girls above a church, so there are always people around. Just as prevalent as the people are the buses. It is hard to find a street that does not have a bus on it. Not only are their buses to transport the many people, but there are also a large amount of ticotaxis (a small, compact car) and mototaxis (a sort of three-wheeled covered motorcycle). The buses, ticotaxis and mototaxis each have their place on the road (and dogs at times), or so they think. They quickly zip in and out of crowded areas, avoiding the speed bumps as much as possible, meanwhile, the people in the vehicles are jostled around in their seats. Many times the buses are so full of people that many people end up standing in the aisles while haning on to the bars connected to the ceiling of the bus.
Besides the number of people and vehicles, there are geographical sights to see as well in Peru, and especially Lima, where I am now. Lima is amongst the Andes Mountains, so on a clear day, the tops can be seen. Now that I have made the comment of having a clear day, mostly, the tops of the mountains cannot be seen due to the amount of smog and low clouds hovering over the tops. The mountains that I see daily are very different from the mountains that I saw in West Virginia each day. The Andes, in this part of Peru, are monstrous mounds of loose rock and dirt. Later on in my travels, we will be seeing more of the Andes Mountains in a more up-close view.
Traveling around Lima, houses are lined up very near to each other with walls surrounding the owner´s property. Rarely are you able to see the entire house due to the high walls and foliage creeping up the entry gates. The doors to the property are very different. In a poorer part of the city, metal doors with no design take up a large part of the walls. In the more wealthy part of the city, beautiful wood doors can be seen with intricately carved designs on the front. What I have been fascinated by is the openness in houses. There are opening in the roofs of the houses with no covering, because Lima averages about 1 in. of rain a year. Windows rarely have screens and staircases are normally uncovered. There is dust everywhere, so people are constantly sweeping their houses. Those are just a few things that I have noticed in Peru so far. I hope that you have been able to visualize these few things to get a sense of what Peru is like.

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!

Oh, the Weather Outside is... Beautiful?

For the past couple of days, it has been in the 60's here in West Virginia. I want to describe to you what it has been like. It is nearly impossible to remain indoors when the sun is shining and a cool, sweet breeze keeps wafting in through my dormroom window. Looking out the window, the hills have been calling for me to walk and explore them. Of course, I obey and leave school work behind. Upon getting into the woods, the air gets a little cooler, the extra noises disappears, and my imagination takes flight. While walking down the road to the lake, the blue-green water ripples as the remnants of ice melt from off of the surface. Birds fly peacefully and chirp happily as I make my way closer to the edge of the lake. Walking around the lake, I walk past the cabin and around to the hidden chapel, a sort of outdoor amphitheatre. From sitting on one of the benches, I feel so small in comparison to the tall trees overhead. Completely surrounded by the beautiful hills and tall trees, I am reminded of God's all surrounding love- it engulfs me. With nothing but a bird or small animal to distract me, I enjoy the moment by sitting ever so quietly and taking in the most beautiful scene. Even with dead leaves on the ground and bare trees above, the sight is indescribable- I can't imagine what it would be like in the summer or fall. God's design is so amazing. As I read in Colossians 1 this morning in verses 16-17 is says, "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." I love the ending of verse 16 where is says that though all things were created by Him, all things were also created for Him. As one of His creations, am I living for Him as I ought? Without Christ I am nothing- He is the reason for my being. Praise Him who is my Creator and my Father as it says earlier in the chapter in verse 12 "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." I am able to be a partaker in His inheritance- how undeserving I am, yet how great His love and grace. Isn't God's creation and His love for His creation amazing? Join with me in praising God for His love today.

Changing Times

Well, time has flown by, things have changed, and my God is still good. As I write this, I find myself finishing my third week at Appalachian Bible College. Upon arriving, things were a bit overwhelming, but throughout just my short time here, friendships have developed and relationships have deepened. Though there are not many people who read this blog, in fact, I'm not for sure of anyone in particular at all, but I am making myself keep up with posting since this will be a way of communication while I am in Peru.
I have received my final acceptance into the ARRIBA program and am scheduled to leave the country on May 21st. Time will seem to go by quickly and there are many things to do in the mean time, but God has provided strength and grace in the past and He will remain faithful even during the most difficult times. Please keep this coming trip in your prayers as I will be gone for eleven months.

Great is our God

I have not written in quite a while due to the fact that things have been quite busy with school work and the many other things that accompany Pillsbury's closing. Throughout this whole ordeal, it has been so comforting seeing God guiding the whole way. No, I have not made a decision as of what school to attend next semester, but that does not mean that God is less in control or less loving. God has a specific reason in all of His dealings. Though I do not understand all that has or is going on, God is still faithful no matter what. Yes, things have been frustrating, tears have been shed, and many questions have been raised, yet, God is good all the time and all the time God is good. Praise God for the grace that He gives each day. He has provided the friends and family who encourage me and pray for me daily. Praise God for His goodness. Though much information has to be gathered, and Christmas break is coming nearer, God will show me where He wants me to be at the time that He wants me to know.
There have been some verses that have come to mind during this time of growing. The first is Psalms 46:10 which says, "Be still and know that I am God." After thinking about it, it is possible to have a busy schedule and yet remain still to remember who God truly is.
Another verse is Psalms 37:4 that says, "Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He will give thee the desires of thy heart." When I delight in my God, my desires will ultimately be His desires.
Yet another couple of verses in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thy own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." Here again is another instance in which relying on God ultimately shows the way that I ought to go. Praise God for his ability to be trusted.
I just wanted to share with you all how good God has been and how good He still is. Even when things are dim and unclear, we can thank the Lord for His being near and His being in control.