We arrived at the house in complete awe. “This is our house?” Bethany and I said to each other. Ron and Regina Schultz, and Marga met us at the house to welcome us yet again to Peru. Marga is our ‘empleada’ meaning housekeeper. Missionaries hire them in order to bless the Peruvians that need a job and of course, it helps us out. I know, I sound even more spoiled now. So she’s just great and the 2 of us really can’t talk much yet, but we get our point across. 
(Left)This is what we see when we walk outside of our yard. (right) From left to right- Carrie, Jen, Abby, Derick (Bethany and Ella in the back. Notice the 4 stray dogs. There's a black dog behind the the german shepard looking one.
The day we arrived, we took a nap after lunch to help our bodies rest and adjust more to the altitude. The Brubaker’s came over (our next door neighbors who also work through EMM and moved in recently to improve a medical center) and we all walked to the Schultz’s house for a wonderful dinner. I should explain- The Brubaker’s consist of Jen and Derick and their two daughters Ella and Abby. The Schultz’s include Ron (the principal) and Regina with their 3 kids Hannah, Jeremiah, and Bethany. There is another family, the Kreider’s who have 4 children but they’re on vacation for the next week still so I haven’t met them yet. Anyway, dinner was delicious and we had a nice time of catching up. I found there are dogs everywhere, most seem to be strays. I just want to pet them all, but fleas are pretty bad around here. 
Friday, we went to the Plaza de Armas which seems to be the town center. We hung out around there all day taking lots of pictures. Carrie’s friend joined us and it was such a blessing because her friend wanted to include me in all conversations, saying “translate for her” all the time, plus being patient to listen to me explain the movie Pleasantville (because that’s where I was born) and then saying that I did good and I should explain the movie Titanic to get more practice.
I was exhausted when we got back that night and as tired as I was, my aching legs kept me awake till 3am… unless of course it was the flea biting me all night. I woke up at 7, starting doing my devotional and noticed I kept scratching my stomach. Wouldn’t you know it, 14 flea bites. So, I quickly threw the blanket that was closest to me and my clothes I was wearing in the hamper and took a shower. Oh, the shower is another story but first I’ll quick say that I haven’t had anymore bites today, even though I did take a nap in my bed to catch up on the sleep I missed.
Ok, the shower. I turn on the left knob, then the right a little bit so it’s not too hot. Right, well it was freezing so I completely turned off the right knob. I’m not daring to get into the shower till it’s warm. Then I remember that Carrie said something about needing a new water heater. So, I wait 5 more minutes and I decide not to waste water cause maybe it’ll never get warm so I took an ABSOLUTELY freezing shower that took my breath away. I was trying not to make too much noise about it (trust me, when you’re in ice cold water, your body automatically makes you want to scream) because Carrie was still sleeping. I let Bethany know the water’s cold and after she takes a shower she says, “The knobs are switched. Next time use the red knob on the right.” Fantastic. At least she told me this important information for next time.
Today (Saturday) we took it easy in the morning, then went to a big artesian market. I was learning how to bargain. It’s not as scary as I originally thought. Long process trying to find a sweater though. I had a couple layers on so trying them on, they all looked too small. I kept saying I was too big for their large sweaters and they’re like, “This is large” and I’m like, “I know, this is small for me” and they’re like, “Oh, you want a small?” Of course all of this is in Spanish. Doesn’t sound like much, but the fact that I had a whole minute conversation without asking one of the girls to translate was liberating. We headed home for lunch and I met Luz who is the director at Promesa, the school where I’ll be teaching starting March 3rd. As I said before, I took a nap which accidentally lasted 2 ½ hours since I don’t own an alarm clock yet and then we headed to “Kairos Extreme” which was an event for the youth. It was very good, even if I didn’t understand all that was going on. Plus, I was introduced to Wendy, one of the teachers at Promesa as well as lots of other people. I learned that it is better to go for it and say hi to a random person rather than not because everybody greets you when you come and everybody says bye when you leave. All are welcoming and it’s just the culture to be that friendly.
I start intense language classes on Monday that go for 3 weeks. I’m hoping to learn very quickly and be able to have a conversation that lasts more than a minute using harder words than ‘I am’, ‘large’, and ‘small’. I really do know more than that honestly though. No worries. 
Everything’s going well and the Lord has really been showing me that I do have a purpose here, even if I’m not exactly sure what it is yet, but I’m patient, listening, and willing. Carrie’s friend actually talked to me (translated through the girls) for about 20 minutes on what God was putting on his heart to say to me. They were words that only God knew I could relate to and Carrie even agreed that her friend never talks like this to people he’s just met. It was God working through an almost stranger in a fast food restaurant. See how He works everywhere? Needless to say, this is where I’m meant to be and God has a lot in store for me, even though sometimes I may doubt that I’m important enough to be used by Him. That just shows what little faith I have in Him though. God made me, of course I’m good enough. If He made me and I’m doubting myself, then really I’m doubting how He can do anything. I hope that makes sense. Think about it because it goes for you too.
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