It has been a while..

And so much has happened. So let's catch up!

First, I am no longer living right on Ovalo Gutierrez, but a few more blocks away. I can still walk to the Ovalo anytime I want to. [= I have another roommate now as well, whose name is also Lauren. Yep, that makes 3 Laurens living together in Lima. Pretty rad and kind of funny, I know. Anywho, let us discuss what has transpired in the past 10 days or so.

On Monday, I worked with the absolutely wonderful and fantasmic Lauren A. and John. We did surveys outside of the ICPNA very near where we live. These surveys are to help us gather information for our English conversation group that will start up at the end of September. We met some great girls that day and have continued to meet with them to work on our Spanish and their English. As a matter of fact, we are meeting them later today.

On Tuesday we rode out to Pamplona Alta and helped lead a bible study for the women and children there. I worked with the kids along with a new friend Jimmy. The kids learned Ephesians 6:1. I really enjoy going out to Pamplona. The women are kind and a few have a real love for Christ. I pray to see their numbers grow and that more ladies will join our bible study. Yesterday, when we went out to Pamplona we made pizzas from scratch. It was my first time ever making them and I had a blast. Even if a certain someone threw flour on me. Haha. The pizzas were amazing, mostly because of the dough. That I helped to make, so of course it was the best part. AND!!! the kids remembered their verse from the week before. And when challenged with a long verse, one girl was super eager to memorize it for next week. I really couldn't be happier with those kids.

On Wednesday we rode out with the dental clinic and family photo team to a small village called Pampalomia. The village is on the side of a hill and looks out over a green valley. Lauren A. and I played with the kids pretty much the entire day. I really enjoyed getting to know those kids. They were so nice and loving to us, even if my spanish is really bad. I tried my hand (or foot) at futball for the first time a long time. Playing with kids has a way of lifting your spirit. I don't know if it is their carefree-ness that rubs off on you or what, but I really needed to just hang out with them. My lack of Spanish skills didn't matter, only that I would pay attention to them and love on them for a little while. And, yes. Some of their lives are truly tragic. Their parents may beat them or their older sisters are pregnant, along with their mothers and grandmothers. And every kid seemed to have a different father. But somehow they still were able to love a couple of gringas. If I could take them home, I would. They deserve a shot at a better life, but they face insurmountable odds in overcoming they life they have been given. All I can do is pray for them, pray that they accept Christ's love, love Him in return, and trust His promise that better things await us. On a brighter note, while I was watching some of the girls make some bead necklaces one of the mothers came into the church with a bag. But what was so special about this bag? The thing inside the bag. So what was this special thing?? Oh you know, dinner. Also known as a PIG'S HEAD. Yep, a severed pig's head. Is your stomach growling yet?? The local ladies got a real kick out of my reaction to the head. No, I didn't completely flip out and run screaming from the church. I just made a few funny faces and that was all it took for the ladies to laugh. I'm glad I provided them a good laugh. Haha.

On Thursday we had discipleship with Jessica. She is really awesome. I love that she doesn't judge me or make assumptions with anything that I say. She just accepts my words and encourages me to be a better Christ follower. We also did some more surveys and then went out to eat at a super awesome french restaurant. New favorite place to eat in Lima. Plus the inside just looks cool. [= Thursday night we went to Parque Kennedy to meet with our two new national friends to work on our language skills. We learned how to say cool in Spanish, and the text spelling of the word. I'm super excited to meet with them tonight.  We also went to an English Translator's class and helped out there some. They re-enacted the story of Abraham and Lot parting ways. I was thoroughly entertained by their enthusiasm. 

On Friday we went for an interview at ICPNA, a language institute. We will be facilitating English conversation club in exchange for some Spanish classes. I'm pretty excited about this opportunity. We also visited the Hauca (pronounced wocka, so make some Wocka Flocka jokes [= ). It is a local archaeological site and museum. I learned a good bit about the Limean culture on that tour. And yes, I geeked out a good bit. That night we went over to John and Jessica's house and met their kids and had dinner with them. I got to play the cornet for the first time in over 2 years. I would be lying if I said I wasn't completely thrilled. We also had a bonfire and just good fellowship with some truly amazing people.

On Saturday we went to help with one of the English translators classes and discussed environmentally issues in Lima and around the world. That afternoon we moved into the new place, a record move if I do say so myself. And then went with John to his house so that we could watch their kids while he and Jessica went on a date. Those kids are the best behaved I have ever met. I enjoyed playing the wii, eating pizza and watching a movie with them. That entire family is just awesome.

On Sunday we went to Calvary church with the other Lauren. The service was in English and over a difficult passage. By this time, my cold was kicking my butt. I didn't feel like going anywhere or doing anything. After church we just hung out at the apartment for a while and I got to catch up with my family. We had Lauren bonding time and watched New Year's Eve. Good movie, but I'm not too happy with the age differences in the couples. I just can't imagine why the producers didn't ask for my opinion.

On Monday, Lauren A. and I went to the ICPNA near Jockey Plaza and did some more surveys there. We even surveyed some police officers. After doing several surveys we came back to the apartment and had lunch/dinner. Lauren A. went to meet our new friends for language improvement while I stayed home. I was still feeling super sick and really didn't want to go anywhere else. I ended up falling asleep for hours and got none of the work done that I needed to get done.

And that brings us to yesterday, Tuesday. Which I already talked about. Remember the homemade pizza in Pamplona Alta?? So there you are. As I've said, if you have questions PLEASE comment me. I want feedback, I like feedback. [=

wishing you each wondrous adventures and happiness in the smallest of things,

with all of God's love,

Lauren T.