Tuesday, June 24, 2008

A little news...


Many of you already know, but we are very excited to announce that Noah is going to be a big brother! I am about 6 weeks pregnant, so the baby is expected to arrive in mid-February. I found out the day before Father's Day and decided to wait to tell Michael until that Sunday, with a tiny Father's Day note on his breakfast tray from his seasame seed-sized baby. Then we explained it to Noah. We think he gets it. Lori Berry, on our team here, is expecting her 5th in July, so Noah is familar with the fact that babies come in tummies. This is going to be a big change for him, though - he's already learning about Mommy not being able to carry him as much as before. That's hard for both of us, but we still get lots of snuggle time to make up for it. (c: From time to time, Noah has mentioned the fact that there is a baby in my tummy.

We've told all of our friends at church - things like that have a way of getting around anyway. We felt comfortable doing so, even at this early stage, because if I were to miscarry, I would want the prayer and physical support of our friends here (and of you all as well!). They are all praying for a girl. Apparently, here, the perfect little family is one boy and one girl and that's it.

For those of you concerned about my delivering this baby here in Peru, don't be worried. I'll be making an appointment soon with one of the best OBs in the country, the one that Lori is seeing. Mark and Lori's last child, Abigail, was born here 6 years ago with the same OB in a lovely clinic that Lori said was as good if not better than the ones she had been to in the States.

So far, I'm feeling just fine. Often just really tired and sometimes without any desire to eat. But once I do eat I feel better. Today, Michael left for another trip to San Clemente for a couple days, so pray for my patience and energy with Noah as I'm not quite as energetic as before.

Please pray with us for the healthy development of this little baby. He or she is already so blessed to have so many around that care! I'm really happy to be pregnant along-side my teammate, Amanda Ross! She's just a few weeks ahead of me, so it is wonderful to have someone to go through this special and sometimes trying time with.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Our Little Fireman

This week, Noah did his first school project on being a Fireman (un bombero). Luckily the costume was only missing the classic hat, which we rented for the day. Surely, these projects are far more the homework of the parents than the 2 1/2 year old child, but the teachers must get a kick out of all the parents' hard work. Noah did do his share of coloring, though, so he did have something to do with it. We were asked to bring something for each of his classmates that related to the topic - they each got a segment of garden hose. I think everything went well for it. Noah was just sad when his cool hat had to be returned.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Back in Touch

Our Vonage phone is working again! I know nothing about computers, but after resetting the modem for the zillionth time, it was back.
No idea.

And yes, there was mild depression in Lima today (outside of the normal cold fog-induced variety). My friends definitely did NOT want to talk about the game. It was a national embarassment (see last post). Peruvian football directors and coaches are resigning left and right, and players are speaking of "a cross we will carry for the rest of our lives". So I will mourn with my brothers here. It does seem a bit unfair that the USA team almost gets a free pass to the World Cup since the only truly competitive team in the region is Mexico; they are hardly recognized, relative to other sports, and largely unsuccessful upon arrival, while an entire nation of Peruvians waits breathlessly on every play, only to be devastated yet again, hopelessly overmatched by the many top-class teams on this continent. The last time they were in a World Cup was 1982.

Lastly, a couple of websites to make you go hmm.....

Global Rich List

Do the Test

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Whew...

Things have been busy lately, with a short-term team from Georgia visiting, youth group activities, Father's Day, several birthday parties, extra planning for music, and beginning piano lessons. I'm trying to get out a prayer letter update, and there are some other things I will mention later this week. The trip to San Clemente and Pisco was great, and I'll post on that later, once the team sends me pictures.

Just a round-up of today....it was my first "off" day in a while, so we tried to get a few things fixed here, including our Vonage phone - sorry that's been out to those who have called. It may be up again soon. Then I saw two routs - first of Peru by Uruguay in futbol, 6-0. Ouch. I feel so bad for everyone here. The whole country is so passionate and committed to the sport, but they can't seem to field a competitive team. They lost 4-0 to Mexico in a friendly last week, and there was a palpable sense of shame in the air. Tomorrow could be rough.
Then the NBA finals, which they do show here. What a game! I generally try to avoid the NBA, but the renewal of the great 80's rivalry was irresistable. Congrats to Boston fans, who have had a pretty amazing sports year.

More to come, stay tuned, many things to share.....

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Our Time with Annmarie



It's been a week since Annmarie left us. I am still feeling the wake of encouragement that she left behind. We had so much fun together and it couldn't have come at a better time. Michael was really busy with the short-term team that has been here and preparing for the church's anniversary celebration.
We had such an adventure in Pucallpa, visiting and staying with friends from language school, Todd & Stephanie Edgar and David Speyers. It was a huge blessing to see their ministry at the SAM Airbase - David as a pilot, Todd a mechanic, and Stephanie a teacher at the mission school in town. She had just finished school and was free to tour us around, take us to the zoo, some great resturants, and host us in her home. We thoroughly enjoyed life on Koshibo Cocha (the lake). It's about 30 minutes by car and (bumpy) dirt road to get to town. We also had the privilege of meeting women from the neighboring native tribe that lives across the lake - the Shipibo people. They were so kind to sing us a song of welcome in their language and return to show us all their handicrafts, mostly jewlery. Annmarie just loved the jungle! The Lord worked it out for her to visit, since she just graduated from New Tribes Bible Institute and is considering the mission field, potentially in a jungle setting. While we were there, we were spared from the normal inferno that it is - it was mostly cloudy during the day and it rained at night, so that made for comfortable temperatures.
We also had the incredible opportunity of going for a tour of Pucallpa by air, in the float plane! What a treat! Stephanie's Dad (she herself grew-up on the base) was our pilot. Noah really liked it. Taking off and landing in the water was a really thrill. He was only a little disappointed when he found out that this plane wasn't the one bringing us home to Daddy. (He really missed him!)
Our last night there, we walked to the dock and just enjoyed some sweet time chatting, catching a few shooting stars and marveling at God's creation as the reflection off the lake made for an endless sea of twinkling lights. Must say though, the mosquitoes there can bite you even through your clothes!
After all the fun we had, she assured me she'd be coming back, at least to visit, if not to live here as a missionary herself. (c:

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Michael's turn

Finally, it's Michael's turn to travel outside of Lima for a couple days. Noah and I are now holding down the fort while he is in San Clemente, accompanying the short-term youth group team who have been helping with the disaster-relief efforts there. They have been there for about a week already, so Michael left yesterday for their last day of work. Today, however, they are going to Paracas, otherwise known as "the poor-man's Galapagos." We miss him and can't wait to hear about his adventures when he returns tomorrow.

Coming soon...all the fun we had with Annmarie

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Aniversario

Well, it's been almost a week now, but it's still worth posting - our church here celebrated its one-year anniversary last Sunday. It was a beautiful service, a great time of rejoicing in what God has done here, starting with a couple of small groups, now a growing family seeking to serve and make an impact in Salamanca.

During the service we celebrated with the welcoming of new members and several baptisms, in addition to a newly unified worship team and guest preaching from Keith Powlison of the Cusco team.


Afterwards, we had a big party. Those in the church with means really wanted to go all out, so there was a cake worthy of a royal wedding, seen here with many of the original families of the church....

....and for a special surprise, what else but a Mexican mariachi band!


Really, you never know what you're going to get in Peru. We also had musical showcase for members of the church, so a couple of my students (on drums and bass) and I played some praise songs. Jimmy and Tito shared some of their own songs,

and Eliseo, Harvey, Robinson and Basilia played beautiful Andean music.


It was a great day, a fitting celebration of the Lord and what he is doing at "Luz de Vida".

Monday, June 02, 2008

Off to the Jungle....

This last week has been very exciting and busy with Annmarie visiting, a short-term team here from Georgia, and a big celebration for the 1-year anniversary of our church. But this morning, Laura, Noah and Am left for Pucallpa, in the jungle. I am here holding down the fort, getting caught up on a lot of things, and praying for their safe return. I should have much more time to blog as well, so there will soon be pictures up of recent events, and some reflections on culture.