Man I got so convicted today...We had church with Las Grandes (Big Girls House) and about 8 girls came. It went really well, and Lauren and I are thinking that casa churches are going to be the best way to do church here. Anyways, after church, we were talking about the cuys (guinea pigs...yeah you eat them) and why 80 of them were being prepared by the kids last night. The girls expained to us that one of the girls in Huaracas House needed surgery. Some of you from the Southmont group might remember her...she was a precious little girl (shes prolly about 12 and she has some obvious bone structure problems around the bridge of her nose. Basically, what I gathered from what the girls were telling us is that the bone structure in and around her face is caving in and she desperately needs help. The money that came from the sale of the cuys is going to help pay for the reconstructive surgery that will happen in two weeks. The girls were telling us that the results of the surgery are unknown and its pretty risky because while it is absolutely necessary, the results could be that she looses her sight, hearing, and ability to speak. They also said that she might not even make it through the surgery. Its so risky that it may cause death. She also has a sister that lives in Huaracas with her, so I am sure this has been an issue involving a lot of fear of the unknown.
I was so convicted because here I am being a fat American and worried about temporal things relating to me and a little girl that lives in Huaracas might not even make it past the next two weeks. I got so convicted on how I spend my money and what I spend my time thinking about. And where will she spend eternity?
Please be praying for Roxana. I am going to try to get some more information.
And I remember there was a picture of her and Chris that was taken in January...if you want to see what she looks like so that you can put a face with a name when you pray. I am so sorry I do not have time to find it. But if you find it, send it to me and I will post it on here. Thank you so much for your prayers. Love you guys. Im going to go get ready for bed.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Weeks 3 and 4!
Well its Friday! Praise the Lord. This week has been crazy because I havent known what English classes I was going to be teaching until the day of, plus Ive been teaching intensive English classes from 4-6 each evening. Ive heard the word ¨Miiiiiiiiiiisss¨ more times than I ever want to think about...and in that tone of voice too.
This week, I taught colors, numbers, months of the year, days of the week, and seasons. Some of the kids already know all of this, and some are to afraid to even begin to pronounce a word in English. There are a few kids in some of my classes that just arrived from the jungle or from some other part of Peru and they do not know a word of English. Many times they sit in the back of my classes, looking scared and closed off and my heart goes out to them. I want to start a class for kids that know absolutely no English and do not understand what is going on. So, hopefully I will be able to do that this next week.
This week, I have really been thinking about the difference between what I say I want to do and what I do. For instance, I say I want to know God more, but then when it comes down to it, I struggle with wanting to sleep longer vs. getting up and actually spending time with Him so that I really can know Him. I am also wanting develop the type of relationship that I constantly am relying on Him and talking to Him throughout the day, and while I know that Im subconsciously relying on Him, I want it to be a conscious conversation that is constantly going on with Him.
I am getting to know the kids better, and God has given me opportunities to share Him with them. This morning, I didnt have class, so I went to the cafeteria to grade papers and a couple of girls came up and started helping me. They were asking me what types of things I like (as kids here often do) and I asked them what they thought about God. I was then able to share Christ with them using the sweet bracelet from Lisa (thanks Lisa!!) that explains the gospel using 5 really simple little stick pictures.
I have been feeling so much better this week...I got a little sick yesterday but that was my own fault cause I had been drinking the water, which I will NOT be doing any more. Terrible idea. So, Im just recovering from that and so thankful that it didnt last longer than a day.
Im still trying to get a schedule down where I can kinda get everything in ballance. Its kinda frusterating, because I feel like there are not enough minutes in the day to do everything that I want to do. With teaching comes all of the paper grading and yada yada. Please pray that God will give me the wisdom to know exactly how to handle the time He has given me and that I will be able to actually just hang out with the kids more than I have been able to in the last week. With teaching English until 6 every night, dinner from 7 to 8 and then bed by about 10, there is not a ton of time in there to hang out, but it definitely can be done =)
Lets see...funny moments this week...Well, I found out that Ive been using body fragrance this whole time thinking it was deoderant...no wonder it wasnt working! I bought it here and apparently assumed that since it looked like a stick of deoderant, that it probably was! Boy was I wrong. Lets see...one of my kids in my classes tried to give me THE EYES during class...if you know what I mean. I was like...um kid, Im pretty sure your about 14. Did I mention Im 24? hmmm. I actually cant think of any more funny or embarrassing stories which is kinda weird. Guess it was a pretty uneventful week.
Well friends, I need to go, but I will update soon! Blessings!
This week, I taught colors, numbers, months of the year, days of the week, and seasons. Some of the kids already know all of this, and some are to afraid to even begin to pronounce a word in English. There are a few kids in some of my classes that just arrived from the jungle or from some other part of Peru and they do not know a word of English. Many times they sit in the back of my classes, looking scared and closed off and my heart goes out to them. I want to start a class for kids that know absolutely no English and do not understand what is going on. So, hopefully I will be able to do that this next week.
This week, I have really been thinking about the difference between what I say I want to do and what I do. For instance, I say I want to know God more, but then when it comes down to it, I struggle with wanting to sleep longer vs. getting up and actually spending time with Him so that I really can know Him. I am also wanting develop the type of relationship that I constantly am relying on Him and talking to Him throughout the day, and while I know that Im subconsciously relying on Him, I want it to be a conscious conversation that is constantly going on with Him.
I am getting to know the kids better, and God has given me opportunities to share Him with them. This morning, I didnt have class, so I went to the cafeteria to grade papers and a couple of girls came up and started helping me. They were asking me what types of things I like (as kids here often do) and I asked them what they thought about God. I was then able to share Christ with them using the sweet bracelet from Lisa (thanks Lisa!!) that explains the gospel using 5 really simple little stick pictures.
I have been feeling so much better this week...I got a little sick yesterday but that was my own fault cause I had been drinking the water, which I will NOT be doing any more. Terrible idea. So, Im just recovering from that and so thankful that it didnt last longer than a day.
Im still trying to get a schedule down where I can kinda get everything in ballance. Its kinda frusterating, because I feel like there are not enough minutes in the day to do everything that I want to do. With teaching comes all of the paper grading and yada yada. Please pray that God will give me the wisdom to know exactly how to handle the time He has given me and that I will be able to actually just hang out with the kids more than I have been able to in the last week. With teaching English until 6 every night, dinner from 7 to 8 and then bed by about 10, there is not a ton of time in there to hang out, but it definitely can be done =)
Lets see...funny moments this week...Well, I found out that Ive been using body fragrance this whole time thinking it was deoderant...no wonder it wasnt working! I bought it here and apparently assumed that since it looked like a stick of deoderant, that it probably was! Boy was I wrong. Lets see...one of my kids in my classes tried to give me THE EYES during class...if you know what I mean. I was like...um kid, Im pretty sure your about 14. Did I mention Im 24? hmmm. I actually cant think of any more funny or embarrassing stories which is kinda weird. Guess it was a pretty uneventful week.
Well friends, I need to go, but I will update soon! Blessings!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Nothin More to ¨Peru¨ve =)
Wow. So I´ve officially been in Peru for two weeks. It definitely feels like so much longer than two weeks, not because the time has been dragging, but because so much has happened. I stayed in Lima in a hotel with Karina for a few nights until Lauren got here on Saturday. I was so very thankful for Karina´s help...I definitely could not have done it without her. By the time Sunday rolled around and it was time to go to the la communidad (for those of you who dont know, that what the orphanage is referred to here), I was honestly dreading it. I didn´t expect to feel this, especially after having such a wonderful experience in January. It wasn´t that I didnt want to see the kids, but it was more that I was going to live in a place where I was out of my comfort zone and that many of the things I had lived with for so long (like hot water...or sometimes just running water period, internet, familiar food, etc) would no longer be a part of my life in the same capacity they were before. To be honest, I struggled with going to one of the poorest districts of Peru because I knew I would not have the materialstic comforts I was used to.
When we got to la communidad, I was glad to be there. The kids greeted us with hugs and kisses. School started the next day, and I definitely did not feel prepared. Well, I guess God knew how tired I was and how much I needed sleep, because I actually ended up getting very sick for the first part of the week. I had horrible stomach problems, and I hadnt even really even eaten the food. The started within the first hour of being at the community. I would get up and make it across the room and realize that I didn't have as much strength as I had thought.
So, I taught a few classes throughout the week, but everything was really weird, because in addition to having the language barrier, there really wasn't a schedule of classes. It was just like "well...walk into the room, and if the kids don't have a teacher, you've found yourself a place." So one class I ended up teaching for almost 3 hours. That was interesting. Then I found out later that it's the teachers that rotate in secondary...not the students. Hmmm. interesting concept...ha.
The school indeed was finished in time for the government to pick up the teachers salaries, so of course that called for a celebration. Actually, it called for TWO celebrations!!! The ministry of education (education department) came out to the school and they had a fun celebration and then came back and did a formal celebraton on Saturday. I got the worst sunburn of my life during that celebration. We are A LOT closer to the equator here...
This last week, a mission group from Austin, Tx. came and did VBS at la communidad. This was the group that did so much for Lauren and I as we prepared to come to Peru. They came and stayed for the week and this meant that the kids only had school for about an hour every morning, and then the rest of the day was filled with fun activities and things that the group had planned. It great to meet some new faces from texas, and it was sooo wonderful to see Karina, Carlos, Luis Felipe, Horishi hahah, Rodo, Rox, and Super Manny =). And it was also great meeting the other translators I had not met before. I seriously had an amazing time.
Lauren and I were able to go into Lima this last week and spend a couple of days getting some supplies and things we will need for the rest of the year. Its so funny because I am so used to just going to Walmart and picking up some stuff and being done with it, but here, there is no Walmart. Many of the stores are about the size of closets (some bigger than others) and only sell certain things. Eduardo came an hung out with us and translated for us, which was very helpful. I think we found almost everything we needed, and Mom is sending the rest of the stuff I need from the states =) I am so glad for moms.
This week has been hard emotionally and spiritually for me. There really hasnt been a solid week of normal school schedule since Ive been here, and I think its just hard getting adjusted and realizing what I need to devote my time and energy to in order to succeed. God has definitely been calling me to a higher level with Him, and Im learning that while I know beyond a shadow of doubt that this is where I am supposed to be, there will still be challenges, and life may still be pretty stinkin hard. But its so encouraging to have a God who provides EVERYTHING we need. I saw His sweet hand today. When Olive Branch left today, they left some of their leftover food with us, and when Lauren and I opened the suitcase, there were some of our favorite snacks in there. God even cares about what we eat. Thank you so much, Lord.
There is so much more I could write about, but here are some specific prayer requests that I have.
-Please pray for spiritual and emotional strength for both Lauren and I.
-That our lives would constantly be pointing to Christ and that everything we do would be glorfiying to Him
-That Satan would not distract us from the goals God has set before us, and that we will only use the energy God has given us on things that really matter.
-For continued opportunities to share the gospel.
-That peoples minds and hearts would be open to the Lord and that the Holy Spirit would draw them toward Himself.
-That I would be able to learn Spanish quickly.
-That the Lord will give me wisdom on how to plan my classes and most importantly, how to integrate the Bible into my classes.
My schedule for this next week looks like this (but could change in a heartbeat haha)
Mon-Fri teach English from 8-1 (Ill prolly have some breaks somewhere in there)
Lunch from 1-2
Teach Intensive English from 4-7 Mon thru Thurs.
I am excited about what God has in store. I absolutely love Peru and Im so glad He has placed me here. I am so thankful for what God has done to get me here, and Im so thankful for the people Hes placed in my path.
I will have an address soon, and I will get it to anyone who wants it, so shoot me a quick email for fb msg if you want it and Ill send it on. lane.nancy@sbcglobal.net
Also, check out my latest album of pics on facebook. For some reason I couldnt upload them
here.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2398551&id=23926997#!/album.php?aid=2398551&id=23926997
Much love
When we got to la communidad, I was glad to be there. The kids greeted us with hugs and kisses. School started the next day, and I definitely did not feel prepared. Well, I guess God knew how tired I was and how much I needed sleep, because I actually ended up getting very sick for the first part of the week. I had horrible stomach problems, and I hadnt even really even eaten the food. The started within the first hour of being at the community. I would get up and make it across the room and realize that I didn't have as much strength as I had thought.
So, I taught a few classes throughout the week, but everything was really weird, because in addition to having the language barrier, there really wasn't a schedule of classes. It was just like "well...walk into the room, and if the kids don't have a teacher, you've found yourself a place." So one class I ended up teaching for almost 3 hours. That was interesting. Then I found out later that it's the teachers that rotate in secondary...not the students. Hmmm. interesting concept...ha.
The school indeed was finished in time for the government to pick up the teachers salaries, so of course that called for a celebration. Actually, it called for TWO celebrations!!! The ministry of education (education department) came out to the school and they had a fun celebration and then came back and did a formal celebraton on Saturday. I got the worst sunburn of my life during that celebration. We are A LOT closer to the equator here...
This last week, a mission group from Austin, Tx. came and did VBS at la communidad. This was the group that did so much for Lauren and I as we prepared to come to Peru. They came and stayed for the week and this meant that the kids only had school for about an hour every morning, and then the rest of the day was filled with fun activities and things that the group had planned. It great to meet some new faces from texas, and it was sooo wonderful to see Karina, Carlos, Luis Felipe, Horishi hahah, Rodo, Rox, and Super Manny =). And it was also great meeting the other translators I had not met before. I seriously had an amazing time.
Lauren and I were able to go into Lima this last week and spend a couple of days getting some supplies and things we will need for the rest of the year. Its so funny because I am so used to just going to Walmart and picking up some stuff and being done with it, but here, there is no Walmart. Many of the stores are about the size of closets (some bigger than others) and only sell certain things. Eduardo came an hung out with us and translated for us, which was very helpful. I think we found almost everything we needed, and Mom is sending the rest of the stuff I need from the states =) I am so glad for moms.
This week has been hard emotionally and spiritually for me. There really hasnt been a solid week of normal school schedule since Ive been here, and I think its just hard getting adjusted and realizing what I need to devote my time and energy to in order to succeed. God has definitely been calling me to a higher level with Him, and Im learning that while I know beyond a shadow of doubt that this is where I am supposed to be, there will still be challenges, and life may still be pretty stinkin hard. But its so encouraging to have a God who provides EVERYTHING we need. I saw His sweet hand today. When Olive Branch left today, they left some of their leftover food with us, and when Lauren and I opened the suitcase, there were some of our favorite snacks in there. God even cares about what we eat. Thank you so much, Lord.
There is so much more I could write about, but here are some specific prayer requests that I have.
-Please pray for spiritual and emotional strength for both Lauren and I.
-That our lives would constantly be pointing to Christ and that everything we do would be glorfiying to Him
-That Satan would not distract us from the goals God has set before us, and that we will only use the energy God has given us on things that really matter.
-For continued opportunities to share the gospel.
-That peoples minds and hearts would be open to the Lord and that the Holy Spirit would draw them toward Himself.
-That I would be able to learn Spanish quickly.
-That the Lord will give me wisdom on how to plan my classes and most importantly, how to integrate the Bible into my classes.
My schedule for this next week looks like this (but could change in a heartbeat haha)
Mon-Fri teach English from 8-1 (Ill prolly have some breaks somewhere in there)
Lunch from 1-2
Teach Intensive English from 4-7 Mon thru Thurs.
I am excited about what God has in store. I absolutely love Peru and Im so glad He has placed me here. I am so thankful for what God has done to get me here, and Im so thankful for the people Hes placed in my path.
I will have an address soon, and I will get it to anyone who wants it, so shoot me a quick email for fb msg if you want it and Ill send it on. lane.nancy@sbcglobal.net
Also, check out my latest album of pics on facebook. For some reason I couldnt upload them
here.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2398551&id=23926997#!/album.php?aid=2398551&id=23926997
Much love
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