1. Cold in a primarily super hot country... yes I KNOW I am cold all the time anyways... but for real.. it’s been cold here for the past week... I’ve needed pants and a sweater, especially at night!
2. Heavy rain all day (being stranded in a house with nothing to do for 10 hours due to the cold and rain for fear of sickness due to the combination of the two, and fear of DEATH on the slick roads that are created with heavy rains, no cement, and roads made primarily of clay.
3. Being attacked by angry ants who just had their home ransacked by Joel (who was making a garden for the home)
4. The world’s biggest rodent lives in Peru... just last week it was apparently on the house grounds during the night and the three dogs who reside here were trying to kill it. Finally, as I have heard, Joel have to get a massive rock and smash it’s head and it ran away. Thankfully, I could only hear the whole thing... I think a giant rodent would not be a very pleasant experience hahahah
5. MASSIVE bugs! For all of you to imagine... my example comes of course from a kids movie, Bugs... there is a beetle in it that is a ¨fat¨beetle... and can´t fly very fast... well that beetle ACTUALLY exists! hahaha... I witnessed the bug fly at like -1 kilometers per hour... crash into a column of the house... then change directions and crash into the column beside it... change direction again and crash into the wall and fall upside down on the ground!!! LMAO! I had no idea what is was... it just looked like a flying black ball and it went so slow we could have played baseball with it!
About Me...
1. I am beginning to learn the girl’s stories and events from which they have built their character. The first small group for Celebrate Recovery started this past Saturday, and from what I saw, I think it’s going to a be a big blessing for not only the girls here at the home, but also for Patti and Joel as a resource to help the girls through what their past hurts and current habits and hang ups. Talking with Patti, I have also learned that other homes (“Casa Hogar” in Spanish) are not well run and are nothing like the loving, nurturing and caring environment that Patti and Joel provide in this home. A few of the girls have experienced such homes previously, and have said that they for instance were only invited out of their rooms to eat, it was nothing like a family but more like an institution. The children don’t go to school, nor, I imagine, would they be able to grow mentally, emotionally or physically in such a place. This home in Puerto Maldonado, Peru is very needed and very unique. (To find out more about the home and how you can help support what’s going on here go to www.iprojects.ca).
2. I am anxiously awaiting the team from my Young Adults group that arrives on June 9th. During the past month I have been preparing (with much help from Joel) for their arrival and the ministry opportunities that they will be participating in. The main mission is to continue construction on this girl’s refuge. The goal for this year is to finish the west side of the building. This would allow Patti and Joel and family to finally have space to relax and recharge for their many responsibilities without the constant interruption of the girls. It also will allow 10 more girls to move into the home, a very large expansion! The group will be completing the block work for the west side. Fun fun! In addition, plans for going upriver, for a Christian style fiesta day at the local water park free for families, a pastor’s unity-themed breakfast, and much more are planned. Being in town every night will allow me to update more often... so look for more updates coming soon in the next few weeks.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
La primera dos semanas en Peru
May 4 – 16, 2011
One of the last things Jesus did with his friends before He returned to Heaven was to hand out their new job descriptions. I wonder what the reactions of the disciples would have been after basically he said... “Go into all the world for Me and do the impossible.” (Matthew 28:18-20). Perhaps one reaction could have been, “Please Lord! Not me! I couldn’t possibly do that! Look at my failures. I wouldn’t know where to start!” On the other hand maybe they said “Ya! I can’t wait to get started!” However, Jesus also said “WAIT.” But wait for what? Acts 1:8 says, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me... to the end of the earth.” So, literally Jesus told His followers that what he was sending them to do they couldn’t do within their own power; They could only do it as His power moved through them. Jesus commissioned every one of his followers – from the original disciples down to you and me – to do for others what we cannot do alone.
About 3 weeks ago (in Canada), I attended a networking conference where one of the speakers said this:
“God doesn’t always call the equipped, but he always equips the called.”
Before I left Canada for Peru about two weeks ago, some of you may have heard my fears and worries about coming to a not only a different country, but one where I wouldn’t know the language (I only know the basics of Spanish), where I wasn’t sure exactly what I’d be doing and one that does not function as Canada does. In addition, the one comfort that I THOUGHT I would have was an English-speaking missionary couple, Jim and Sue, had a planned furlough trip for the summer months and left 5 days before I arrived. However, like I just previously wrote, because God called me to Peru Ineeded and continue to need to have confidence and faith that he will equip me with whatever I need when the time comes. And He has! I have made friends with two missionaries, Jennifer, and her friend, Ana, who were in Panama for 3 years and know the language well. They have helped tremendously with translating so the girls already know my story and why I’m here, which I am happy about. I am learning Spanish really quickly (I think... hahah) – thank you for the prayers! The best way God has equipped me so far are my fast and aggressive driving skills. They have come in handy driving here everyday (my mom will most likely laugh at that!) ! Hahahah And the list goes on.
Now for those of you wondering... the experience of living in Puerto Maldonado (15 minutes outside of the city)....
1. In P.M. I am constantly wet, sticky and dirty (hahaha)... I can never REALLY get clean in the shower, and even when I exit the shower, it’s so hot outside that it’s like insta-sweat! And there is dust constantly in the air that it sticks to the insta-sweat! It’s a horrible cycle that is impossible to escape!
2. BUGS! There are bugs everywhere! Last week I witnessed Nidia massacre this massive spider that I found above my bed with a rock after she had taken it captive with a broom and transported it outside. After smooshing it she said... “Oh... huevos!” which translated, “Oh... good thing we killed it cause it was going to lay eggs!” hahaha (So not just a massive spider... a PREGNANT massive spider!) And just yesterday a couple of the girls and me went on a cockroach raid of the kitchen. And of course ants, bees, mosquitos, no-see-ems, black fly things and the like ALL adore my new flesh and blood. Thankfully my chicken pox arms and legs are beginning to de-redden back to normal!
3. The food is a wee bit different here... rice accompanies every meal (like 3 cups of it!), pancakes at least once a day (I have never had so many pancakes in a two week period!), and freshly squeezed orange juice everyday (that the girls spend many minutes a day squeezing by hand). They do make these really sweet and delicious milks from quinoa and another from oatmeal. I like them a lot! However, due to my Canadian stomach I can’t eat or drink most of the foods they prepare for the next week or so... as some of you reading this may understand. I do love the fresh fruit everyday... papayas form the farm next door, mangos, oranges, apples, kiwi, starfruit, passionfriut etc. So so great!
That’s all for now folks!
Hasta Luega!
(as for pictures... I need to make them a smaller size cause they ae taking FOREVER to uload... lo siento!)
One of the last things Jesus did with his friends before He returned to Heaven was to hand out their new job descriptions. I wonder what the reactions of the disciples would have been after basically he said... “Go into all the world for Me and do the impossible.” (Matthew 28:18-20). Perhaps one reaction could have been, “Please Lord! Not me! I couldn’t possibly do that! Look at my failures. I wouldn’t know where to start!” On the other hand maybe they said “Ya! I can’t wait to get started!” However, Jesus also said “WAIT.” But wait for what? Acts 1:8 says, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me... to the end of the earth.” So, literally Jesus told His followers that what he was sending them to do they couldn’t do within their own power; They could only do it as His power moved through them. Jesus commissioned every one of his followers – from the original disciples down to you and me – to do for others what we cannot do alone.
About 3 weeks ago (in Canada), I attended a networking conference where one of the speakers said this:
“God doesn’t always call the equipped, but he always equips the called.”
Before I left Canada for Peru about two weeks ago, some of you may have heard my fears and worries about coming to a not only a different country, but one where I wouldn’t know the language (I only know the basics of Spanish), where I wasn’t sure exactly what I’d be doing and one that does not function as Canada does. In addition, the one comfort that I THOUGHT I would have was an English-speaking missionary couple, Jim and Sue, had a planned furlough trip for the summer months and left 5 days before I arrived. However, like I just previously wrote, because God called me to Peru Ineeded and continue to need to have confidence and faith that he will equip me with whatever I need when the time comes. And He has! I have made friends with two missionaries, Jennifer, and her friend, Ana, who were in Panama for 3 years and know the language well. They have helped tremendously with translating so the girls already know my story and why I’m here, which I am happy about. I am learning Spanish really quickly (I think... hahah) – thank you for the prayers! The best way God has equipped me so far are my fast and aggressive driving skills. They have come in handy driving here everyday (my mom will most likely laugh at that!) ! Hahahah And the list goes on.
Now for those of you wondering... the experience of living in Puerto Maldonado (15 minutes outside of the city)....
1. In P.M. I am constantly wet, sticky and dirty (hahaha)... I can never REALLY get clean in the shower, and even when I exit the shower, it’s so hot outside that it’s like insta-sweat! And there is dust constantly in the air that it sticks to the insta-sweat! It’s a horrible cycle that is impossible to escape!
2. BUGS! There are bugs everywhere! Last week I witnessed Nidia massacre this massive spider that I found above my bed with a rock after she had taken it captive with a broom and transported it outside. After smooshing it she said... “Oh... huevos!” which translated, “Oh... good thing we killed it cause it was going to lay eggs!” hahaha (So not just a massive spider... a PREGNANT massive spider!) And just yesterday a couple of the girls and me went on a cockroach raid of the kitchen. And of course ants, bees, mosquitos, no-see-ems, black fly things and the like ALL adore my new flesh and blood. Thankfully my chicken pox arms and legs are beginning to de-redden back to normal!
3. The food is a wee bit different here... rice accompanies every meal (like 3 cups of it!), pancakes at least once a day (I have never had so many pancakes in a two week period!), and freshly squeezed orange juice everyday (that the girls spend many minutes a day squeezing by hand). They do make these really sweet and delicious milks from quinoa and another from oatmeal. I like them a lot! However, due to my Canadian stomach I can’t eat or drink most of the foods they prepare for the next week or so... as some of you reading this may understand. I do love the fresh fruit everyday... papayas form the farm next door, mangos, oranges, apples, kiwi, starfruit, passionfriut etc. So so great!
That’s all for now folks!
Hasta Luega!
(as for pictures... I need to make them a smaller size cause they ae taking FOREVER to uload... lo siento!)
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Yo Estoy en Peru!
Well, I made it to Peru... got picke up at the airport (nothing to fret!) It has been really great so far. I am staying in a little house with Nidia and Carlos. There is a (cold) shower and I have my own room. It is very nice. So far I am helping Patti and Joel drive the girls to school in the morning (29 minutes there and back). I realized that God sending me here is a blessing for Patti and Joel. They are always doing something and Joel was driving the girls to and from school while at the same time looking after the construction aspects of the home and the accounting. Patti looks after not only her own three children (Deborah, 1, Caesar, 5, and Samuel, 7) but also is watching over all 6 girls, tyeaching them how to take care of their babies, to cook, do laundry, etc. These two lead very busy lives!
As for the girls. There are 6 girls ranging from 14-18 years old. Two of them had babies and we have already been to the hosiptal twice for exams and ultrasounds. And boy is it ever hot sitting and waiting to go into the exam room... I think weve spent a total of 5-7 hours at the hospital already.
Driving is not so bad, a little frantic and anxiety provoking because of all the honking! hahaha I always feel like I am doing something wrong while I am driving, however the honking is just a driving language and they honk for eveything.
I have been bitten like CRAZY!!! I am fresh, white meat! hahaha So itchy though! (To those coming.... bring heavy duty bug spray!!! )
They celebrated Mother´s Day here. They thought I was a mother cause I was holding one of the babies hahaha While the mother´s Day service was going on the men all preapred the dinner meal for the women. It was very cute! They brought out all the dishes while the women sat around in a circle and listened to traditional musicians playing.
I felt sick last night, but I took some medication and woke up this morning fine. They eat huge meals! Potatoes and rice and eggs oh my! All the time! hahaha Pattie also makes these delicious "milks" made of oatmeal and quinoa for the girls each meal. They taste delicious! We also have freshly squeezed orange juice at least twice a day cause there are so many oranges!
Well that is all for now. I will put pictures next time :) Promise!
Hasta Luego!
Raquelita
As for the girls. There are 6 girls ranging from 14-18 years old. Two of them had babies and we have already been to the hosiptal twice for exams and ultrasounds. And boy is it ever hot sitting and waiting to go into the exam room... I think weve spent a total of 5-7 hours at the hospital already.
Driving is not so bad, a little frantic and anxiety provoking because of all the honking! hahaha I always feel like I am doing something wrong while I am driving, however the honking is just a driving language and they honk for eveything.
I have been bitten like CRAZY!!! I am fresh, white meat! hahaha So itchy though! (To those coming.... bring heavy duty bug spray!!! )
They celebrated Mother´s Day here. They thought I was a mother cause I was holding one of the babies hahaha While the mother´s Day service was going on the men all preapred the dinner meal for the women. It was very cute! They brought out all the dishes while the women sat around in a circle and listened to traditional musicians playing.
I felt sick last night, but I took some medication and woke up this morning fine. They eat huge meals! Potatoes and rice and eggs oh my! All the time! hahaha Pattie also makes these delicious "milks" made of oatmeal and quinoa for the girls each meal. They taste delicious! We also have freshly squeezed orange juice at least twice a day cause there are so many oranges!
Well that is all for now. I will put pictures next time :) Promise!
Hasta Luego!
Raquelita
Thursday, May 5, 2011
En el Aeropuerto de Lima
This morning was craziness for me and I am really thankful actually for time to just sit.. but I'm having fidgety moments where I'm trying to find something to do. My mom and Mitchell drove me to the airport. We parked on the TOP of the parkade... a first lol, had a Starbucks and then I was off. (Notice the horrible attempt at a picture taken by my mom of the two of us hahaha)
As for my trip...
At 12:40am (1:40am Guelph time) I finally arrived in Lima. LONG flight! OF COURSE being the extrovert I am, I met and talked with Cynthia, who shared a row with me on the way here... she was a great row sharer (hoping that was a mutual feeling lol). She's a student in Toronto (commerce) and grew up in Lima. On the flight I caught up on watching all the movies I missed over the last months due to my school craziness and did a little reading.
After getting off the flight I had no trouble going through customs and getting on extension on my stay here. However, 45 minutes to an hour later, my bags finally emerged on the belt... with only a mere 5 other people left at the belt (two men who were absolutely FUMING at their bags not being out... I was thankful that I have grown patience over my recovery years). Now after getting your bags, unlike most airports I would assume, the Lima airport has this button that you push that's kind of like a lottery. After pushing it, there is a red light and a green light. A Green light means that you can proceed through, whereas a red light means they basically take apart your luggage as a random customs/security check. I got a green light! Thank you God! Now I am sitting and waiting for my 9:10 flight gate to be confirmed. LOVE that Starbucks has Wi-Fi... I am wiped and completely bored out of my mind already! hahaha
Teachable Moment of the Day: Being ok with being on my own... Verdict: Went well, I'd say an 8 out of 10
Thanks to those who kept me in prayer today. So far it's gone very smoothly! Now onto Puerto Maldonado :) Pray that Joel is at the airport (especially because of my flight time change)
PS.. If anyone is counting I have had 3 Starbucks today... my last for the entire summer.
I am experiencing the weirdest feeling on this trip so far... I am just like in shock. I truly cannot believe that I am going there on my own for 4 months... it's pretty unimaginable hahaha... So the reality has yet to set in, even with me in Lima. Lima is still a pretty "modern" city (I'm sitting in a Starbucks for instance with WiFi). So I'm excited, but I think the reality will set in when we touch down in Puerto Maldonado this afternoon and I sleep in a different bed tonight.
As for my trip...
At 12:40am (1:40am Guelph time) I finally arrived in Lima. LONG flight! OF COURSE being the extrovert I am, I met and talked with Cynthia, who shared a row with me on the way here... she was a great row sharer (hoping that was a mutual feeling lol). She's a student in Toronto (commerce) and grew up in Lima. On the flight I caught up on watching all the movies I missed over the last months due to my school craziness and did a little reading.
After getting off the flight I had no trouble going through customs and getting on extension on my stay here. However, 45 minutes to an hour later, my bags finally emerged on the belt... with only a mere 5 other people left at the belt (two men who were absolutely FUMING at their bags not being out... I was thankful that I have grown patience over my recovery years). Now after getting your bags, unlike most airports I would assume, the Lima airport has this button that you push that's kind of like a lottery. After pushing it, there is a red light and a green light. A Green light means that you can proceed through, whereas a red light means they basically take apart your luggage as a random customs/security check. I got a green light! Thank you God! Now I am sitting and waiting for my 9:10 flight gate to be confirmed. LOVE that Starbucks has Wi-Fi... I am wiped and completely bored out of my mind already! hahaha
Teachable Moment of the Day: Being ok with being on my own... Verdict: Went well, I'd say an 8 out of 10Thanks to those who kept me in prayer today. So far it's gone very smoothly! Now onto Puerto Maldonado :) Pray that Joel is at the airport (especially because of my flight time change)
PS.. If anyone is counting I have had 3 Starbucks today... my last for the entire summer.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
¡Vámonos! a Peru
I find God magnificent at pushing me completely out of my comfort zone (not more than I can handle though ;) )!! The challenge that comes when we are out of our comfort zone the bible says develops perseverance, character and hope (Romans 5:3-5). The one piece of comfort that I thought was going to be there when I arrived was an American couple who has lived there for a year. Unfortunately (but good on their part) they will be on furlough for the next 6 months, after living in Peru for 10 years... so apparently I have a lot more character to build hahaha! My biggest fear is being left at the airport... I know I know... Raquelita... NOT the worst thing that could happen! But I figure if I get past that I handle anything :)
My flight leaves at 5:35 PM and I arrive in Lima, Peru at 12:25AM... and then my connecting flight to Cusco and then on to Puerto Maldonado is either at 5:35 or 9:10. The time is still up in the air.
A lot of people have asked what I will be doing when I am there. My main purpose to to love upon and build relationships with the girls in the Refuge (see iprojects.ca for more information). I will also be teaching English to the missionary couple (Patti and Joel) who run the home, as well as helping Patti out a lot with regular tasks required to run the home on a daily basis. Other than that... I am hoping to learn to really hear form God and follow His direction on what he would like me to do while I am down there.
That is all for now. More to come!! My jungle adventures await! Keep checking back... I'll have pictures and crazy stories I'm sure!
Luv and hugs
Raquelita
PS... Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! to all my fantabulous friends, family, and adopted family for all the support and encouragement I have received in regards to this trip. I would not be going where I am going nor would I be the person I am without you all (you know who you are :) ).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)