Un Paseo

Be ready for anything in Peru! This past Saturday, we were invited by a group of students from the school we visited to join them for a paseo - an outing, a picnic, a "little hike". It turned out to be quite the adventure. Seven foreign students from the institute met six Peruvian kids, about 30 minutes outside the city, at 8:30 am. Our destination was some cataratas - waterfalls - well known to the locals, but not described in any guidebook. It ended up being three hours one-way through some breathtakingly beautiful country. We started out in terraced farmland and cow pastures, and ended up climbing 1500 feet through a rugged canyon. By the time we reached the falls, we were scrambling over and under rocks and passing Noah across the mountain stream. The cataratas were spectacular, and the kids were so sweet. They wanted to carry Noah for a good part of the trip, and they enjoyed telling us stories about the history there. Apparently they do this all the time, but we were exhausted. After eating a picnic lunch and watching one of our friends take an accidental dip in the frigid water, we headed back for the town, but not before stopping to see some little-known Inca petroglyphs along the way. We eventually found a bus heading to Arequipa, which took its time picking up dozens along the way, and we got back to our apartment at around 3:45. Just in time for the (rescheduled) weekly football game. If that had been the extent of our weekend, we'd be tired enough, but of course there was much more. That will have to wait, though, because it's been long enough in getting this post up. I'll add a few pictures here, but more will come. It was an unforgettable trip, and we are very thankful for our new young friends.

Recovering

We are an exhausted bunch here, after a very full weekend. We have spent lots of time with friends, made some new ones, seen incredible scenery and had an overall terrific few days, but we have not rested much. Tomorrow we'll post a description of our adventures and plenty of fun pictures; I just can't do it tonight. So here are some links I meant to post on Friday - interesting recent online reading.

First, some food for thought from The Margins

A fascinating photo collection which is actually an art exhibit coming to NYC. Follow the link and look for "Running the Numbers"

I found that exhibit linked on Toward Hope, on which everything has been worth reading since
May 21

One week ago there was a very interesting forum held by Sojourners, in which the three leading democratic candidates candidly discussed their faith - how it affects their lives and guides their political decisions. A bit brief, but here's the transcript.

Another photo essay, this one from Time magazine, about how people eat around the world.

And last but not least, some great notes from Tim Keller at a recent conference regarding Gospel Ministry

Hope you enjoy. Happy Monday!

An Unexpected Friend

We are very excited to be reacquainted here with a friend from back home. Two days before leaving the States, we had the pleasure of meeting Seth, the boyfriend of a dear friend of ours, Jess Nakles. Seth is a missionary to Peru with Pioneers, and at the time he was raising financial support, not expecting to be in the country until the fall. He knew he'd be coming to Arequipa first, but we didn't expect to see him for very long before we moved on to Lima. So it was quite a happy surprise to receive an email from Jess this past weekend saying that Seth was arriving in a few days, and to find that he'd be studying at the same institute! He came over to our apartment the night he arrived, and we've had a great time already catching up on things back home. After a crash course in Spanish (6 weeks), Seth will be working in Pucallpa. This picture is for you, Jess!

Canciones

(to the tune of "Twinkle, twinkle")

"Mi gatito dice, 'miau'
Cuando quiere de comer
Cuando quiere pan blandito
Y su leche en su platito
Ven gatito, miau miau miau
Voy a darte de comer."


We are starting to learn some nursery songs in Spanish, and Noah loves them! Most of the others aren't familiar melodies, and our teachers are happy to teach us. Like American songs, most are about animals, and often use their sounds, or practice counting. Music is always the best way to learn!

Another Noah video

Hope everyone had a great weekend! We were invited by a new friend, Efraín, to another great church today, and are having some friends over tonight. Other than that, it has been a weekend of much-needed rest. We're all recovering from our resfrios (colds) and have many more blogs planned this week, so stay tuned.

For now, here's a video from earlier last week, when Noah was especially full of it. Sometimes he just gets in these moods and it's too cute. As a bonus you get to hear some of my practicing on the quena. Noah is the best audience.

Escuela

Wednesday was definitely one of my favorite days since we arrived. All the students and teachers from the institute went on a trip to a public secondary school 45 minutes outside the city. It was a very rural area with beautiful surroundings, but an area of great poverty. After meeting the teachers, we divided into groups of 4-5 and each visited a couple classrooms. Everyone had prepared a short explanation of their home country and discussed the similarities and differences in the schools, customs, climate, and pastimes there. We also tried to give these precious 12-15 year-olds a little pep talk about studying and the value of education, as the director of the school had specifically asked for that. For the most part, these students have very little support or encouragement, and don't see much hope for a better life. What could we offer them in half an hour? Still, they welcomed us with such warm smiles and were very interested in what we had to say. Music yet again became a wonderful bridge - in the first class, when we were answering questions about languages we had learned, one brave girl asked if I could sing something in Latin (of course I told them I was a music teacher). I obliged and sang the first thing that came to mind - Libera Me from Faure's Requiem. In the second class, another student asked if I could sing the U.S. national anthem, so I did my best. Naturally they wanted to hear our German friend Wolfgang sing the German anthem, which he did with great gusto and pride. Of course then it was their turn, so they all stood up and sang the himno nacional de Peru, and everyone cheered. After answering more questions, we all went out to the "courtyard" and enjoyed a snack that we had brought for them, as we talked and mingled. Some, especially the boys, were shy and aloof, but many were very friendly and eager to talk. They were patient with our imperfect language skills, and they (the students, not the teachers) even invited us to a picnic on an upcoming weekend.

The whole experience was so refreshing and motivating, probably in part because I was back in a classroom with students again. But more, it felt so much more real, more connected to everyday life. In the city center, that is real too, but most of the people there have means, and the schools are very nice. It's not reality for most Peruvians. We brought world maps into each class to show where we came from, and then left them there. When I think how we fret about the number of new computers in each classroom back home, and this school is incredibly grateful for a world map...it's just staggering. The place was practically barren, yet the students and teachers were making the most of it. I want to go back, I want to know their stories, I want to help however I can, yet there are schools like this all around Arequipa, and hundreds more in Lima. I don't know what I will be able to do in the schools there, but I'm thankful for the chance this week to get a taste of reality for so many young Peruvians.

Lately

Hello friends,

Bits of random information today. It always seems to be hard to blog at the beginning of the week. We dive back into studying, and that plus Noah tends to consume us. This weekend was fun - fútbol Saturday morning, then a great time with the Murphys at the club internacional. Noah and Sarah enjoyed the playground. Pics to follow. Sunday we went to church here, then after Noah's nap we were invited over to Concho's house. It was a delightful time meeting her family and visiting for a while. Their house has been in the family for over 100 years, though a large part was destroyed in the 2001 earthquake. Concho is wonderful and so good with Noah.

Speaking of Noah, he has come down with a bad cold recently, and would appreciate your prayers.

Yesterday a rivalry was renewed. Our dear friend Brett - college roommate, groomsman, salsa king, happily married to Krista, missionary in Venezuela - and I have a long-standing Scrabble competition. In January we thought we had played our last game for a while, barring a cross-continental visit, but wouldn't you know it, there is a website where you can play online for free. www.scrabulous.com is great, and I'm happy to say that Peru won the first round by 1 point.

Tonight we went to a "Chifa", which is a Peruvian-Chinese restaurant. There are hundreds of them here, as China has had a huge influence on Peruvian cuisine. Very tasty, though you have to do some creative guessing here to find the dishes you know. There's a delicious Chifa in Northern Virginia if you're interested - Kampo, on Leesburg Pike at Bailey's Crossroads.

Tomorrow we will be going on a field trip with the institute to a very poor school outside the city. We'll be talking to the kids there and getting an idea of what the education system is like for many. Stay tuned.

More Noah Pictures

Okay, we realize this kid gets way too much airtime on the blog, but how can we resist such adorable pictures?

He has recently tried his hand at finger-painting. He doesn't understand quite what to do yet, but he did enjoy getting paint on his shirt....

...and in his hair.

Ever eager to pitch in, here's our little man...

Helping Concho mop,

Helping Mama with homework

Drawing with chalk on the sidewalk,

and giving his favorite bear a big kiss.

Pics and Video

I promised Noah updates, and here they are. There have been many cute photo-ops lately, so there should be more posted tomorrow.

Looking very grown up

Sleeping like an angel

Here's a very silly video of Noah collecting his thoughts and trying to take the camera. You may notice a couple of little bruises on his forehead. Those are from his latest trick. Sometimes, when we tell him not to do something he knows not to do (like touch the oven or stand up in his chair), he becomes very upset and starts to bang his head on the ground. He knows that we will (or at least did) give him sympathy in place of the reprimand, and it's worth it to him. He's becoming more travieso by the day.

More fútbol

Much to write, much we are learning, but today I'm just going to put up some recent pics and a silly Noah video. Actually that will have to come later this afternoon when I can get it loaded.

This past weekend was fun - I finally went to a Melgar fútbol game, with a new friend, David, from Michigan. It was a great time, with relatively few incidents. There were police in riot gear everywhere, guarding the field and breaking up a couple fights among fans, but we were sitting among families with small children, and it was a safe environment. It was decent soccer, too, though not exactly the Premiership. It was an important game, and the fans are so passionate, especially against a rival of sorts, Cienciano from Cusco. Lots of action, exciting goals, a few yellow cards, and finally a 2-2 tie.

Today I'll join some language school friends to watch the European Championship between Liverpool and AC Milan. Go Liverpool!

Only one side of the huge stadium was full, but they sure made some noise.

A new friend and fellow student at the institute, David. He is a pilot with South American Mission, and will be serving a number of different agencies in the northern jungles of Peru.

This is our Saturday morning international football game, including players from Peru, USA, England, Northern Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, and New Zealand. This week Laura and Noah came to watch and enjoy the nearby playground. Noah wanted to play so bad!

A Mother's Tears

Mommy Kisses

After celebrating a lovely mother's day complete with a special chocolate chip pancake breakfast, an encouraging church service, a long nap, and the gift of a travel hair dryer (a luxury I haven't had for the last 3 months), I realize how blessed I am to be so loved and cared for by my husband. He works hard to encourage me and serve me, constantly pointing me to my position in Christ, reminding me of the grace I've been given so freely.

This week, though, I saw tears shed by a couple mothers. A dear friend shared with me how she spent mother's day in the hospital with her 26-year-old son. He's been very nervous lately and suffers from chronic gastritis. He just graduated from college. As my friend told me about his sickness, she burst into tears, claiming it was all her fault. She explained to me that her son was from her first husband, and that he was always supportive and loving even though her second husband, with whom she had 2 children with, was verbally abusive to both him and her. He has always been the easy child, organized, responsible, and hard-working. Her second husband left her (which is she is grateful for) and she now blames herself for all the stress and anxiety that her son feels. I cried with her, amazed at how much she loves her son, something I can empathize with.

At bible study this week, we prayed with another mother broken over her son. He has been hiding in a nearby city after taking some of the family's money to start a printing business. When the business didn't work out, he took to drinking, and nobody can find him. I saw her tears displaying how deeply this mother wishes to be reunited with her son.

Finally, this week I cried, thankfully not over my son, but rather over a lack of heart-to-heart female fellowship. It is still hard for me to communicate my feelings in a second language. I pray that this would become easier as I slowly become more comfortable with Spanish. I tearfully admitted this need to both a dear friend here and to Michael. The friendships I had with women from home, I totally took for granted! For any of you dear women and fellow mothers reading this - thank you for all of your empathy, encouragement, wisdom, and listening ears. Michael can only fulfill this desire to a point and I recognize my need to rely on Christ for approval, rather than a person. But it is a struggle I thought I would share.

Lots of tears this week, but our Savior has a plan in each of these situations, for redemption and for rejoicing.

Interesting things

Feliz Viernes! (happy friday)

It's a beautiful friday in Arequipa, though a little chilly. It may have only reached 72 today, with hardly a cloud in the sky. Hope yours was equally nice. Laura took the day off today because she has been a bit sick with a bad cold. She's had it for a while, and has bravely pushed on, but today she was just too exhausted to conjugate verbs. So she is taking a much-deserved rest, and we have a quiet friday evening planned. Could you pray for her recovery? We went to the doctor yesterday and he gave her some prescriptions. Hopefully they will help.

For fun today, I have a few reasons why I love Arequipa:

1. Perros on the roofs! This is seriously where most people keep their dogs, rather than inside. I suppose it makes sense if it's unused space and the weather is always nice (yes, the roofs are flat). Noah loves the fact that as you walk down the street in the morning, you are greeted by many happy puppies staring down from 2 or 3 stories above. I think the main reason the dogs like it is because it ensures unimpeded communication, rooftop to rooftop throughout the night.

2. Quality assurance. Peruvian store-owners go out of their way to let you know you're getting a functional product. I bought an empty plastic spray bottle, and they had a cup of water there to demonstrate that the nozzle would, in fact, spray. The other day we splurged and bought a toaster. After paying, but before the toaster came home, they took it out of all the packaging, plugged it in, and had us put our hands over it to prove that heat was coming out. Muy amable.

3. Musical vendors! Many Arequipeñan services have distinct ways of letting you know they are coming down your street. The trash trucks are the first example we noticed. In each neighborhood, the trucks play a different tune. In ours, it's the immortal Fur Elise. I don't know if this is the use Beethoven had imagined when he composed it, but it works for Arequipa. In other parts, it's rather loud rock music, so we're happy. A gentleman who will take your glass and metal garbage away on his cart has a shrill whistle that you can't miss. The guy who sharpens your knives plays a rather nice tune, and even the tamale man has a song.

4. Do Peruvian babies have hair! Every little one we've seen has a full head of long dark hair. Poor Noah looks like Charlie Brown out there, though as you can see by his pictures, he's getting more. Maybe it's in the empanadas.

Writing and music

Noah never ceases to surprise us. He started scribbling, as we posted before, with crayons, but recently has preferred pens. He knows how to take the top off and put it back on, and knows which end to write with. The craziest thing is that he has somehow learned how to hold the pen like any adult would, between his first few fingers. I promise we didn't pose this or even correct his grip. He loves taking a piece of paper or a notebook (or a wall or his shirt) and sitting down to write. It's very purposeful, like he really has some thoughts to get down or notes to take. We have an amazing little boy.

I did forget to mention one thing new from last week. On a recommendation from my teachers, I started taking lessons from a music professor at the university here. I am studying the quena, a traditional Andean instrument. It's not the classic multi-tube zamponia you might be thinking of - though I may study that later - but rather much more like a flute or recorder (see picture). It has a beautiful tone - when played by somebody like the professor. I am just starting, however, and all the trumpet and vocal experience in the world doesn't help me contort my lips in the necessary manner for making a sound. It's great fun, though, and a terrific outlet for practicing Spanish in a different setting. I'm also learning all the music-reading vocabulary in Spanish, which is both exciting and humbling. I pray it will be another way in the future to connect with Peruvians - music tends to do that.

Here I am trying to serenade Noah, who is less than thrilled.

Feliz dia de la Madre!

Mother's Day is a big deal here - in some ways one of the biggest holidays of the year, at least commercially. We had the privilege of going to a different church this morning, the one connected to our language institute (the head of the institute is also the pastor, and most of the teachers are part of the church). It was a wonderful blessing to worship with them! Pedro, the pastor, speaks very clearly, and we could understand most of the service. Afterward there was a special lunch and dessert served for everybody, and flowers for the mothers.

We are so incredibly thankful for our own mothers, who have done SO much to serve us, love us, encourage us and pray for us. Every day in raising Noah we learn more about just how much our mothers have done. I can include my wife in this praise, because I am constantly amazed at what a terrific mother she is to Noah. So a huge THANK YOU to our Moms and all moms out there!

Three wonderful Erickson Moms

Mom (Grandma) Salvatierra, doing one of her favorite things

Various items

Happy friday!

A few things to post today, not much is new this week - just getting back to vigorous Spanish study.

First, I've added a bunch of links over there on the right - many more friends' blogs at home and abroad, as well as some blogs that I've found insightful and thought-provoking (in the "other blogs" section). Check them all out! I'll give you a few leads - some posts I really enjoyed:

Christ's righteousness, an incredible piece by Internet Monk

Latino Progressive Evangelicals, from the Sojo blog

A post on the church and gentrification, from The Margins

Lastly, Charity and Justice and Multiplication, from Toward Hope, really hit hard

One other to mention - Cracked Pots is always phenomenal. There are many more, and these blogs always make me think. I love keeping up with friends' blogs too - keep the posts coming! It's really amazing how connected we all are despite the distances.

Along that same thought, we wanted to put out our old-fashioned post office address, as people have asked for it. It was in our prayer letter, but I don't think it's been on our blog. I don't feel nervous in posting it either, because it's a PO box, not a street address.
For normal letters, you can use:
Casilla 1577
Arequipa, Peru
South America

For anything larger (or letters), use:
Casilla 1898
Arequipa, Peru
South America

Do be sure to include our names, as many people use these boxes.
More blogs are on their way. Have a great weekend!

Arica and back

We are finally getting our adventure to Chile posted. It was a terrific trip, and both goals were accomplished: visas and rest. The flight was short - 25 minutes - and without incident. After landing in Tacna, Peru, we took a taxi for the 45 minute trip across the border. The taxistas know how to get you through quickly, and again there were no problems. We went directly to the consulate in the coastal city of Arica, and found out that we were missing the needed photos to get the visas. Thankfully a very nice taxista knew right where to go, and we got them done quickly. We returned to find the consulate closed, but were able to return a couple hours later to successfully receive our resident visas. We now have 20 days to get our carnets (id cards for foreign residents) from the embassy in Lima.

In between, we checked into our beautiful hotel, recommended by the Ross family. We honestly felt a bit spoiled there, as it was right on the beach and quite comfortable. I've never been a huge beach fanatic, but here I realized how much I love the ocean, and could sit on the rocks watching and listening for hours.

Chile was interesting and had a very different feel from Peru. It has much more Western influence, and is generally wealthier. The first thing we noticed was the traffic - Arica is much slower, quieter, safer. Cars actually slowed down to let us cross - unheard of in Arequipa. Everything seems newer and cleaner, prices are much higher, more like in the States, and though it wasn't a huge city, there was a McDonald's. On a different level, we could see very clearly just how enriched Peru is by the influence of indigenous Andean cultures, something somewhat lacking in Chile. Arica is a beautiful place, with many monuments to their victory in the 19th-century war against Peru. We enjoyed the cleaner and more humid air, but I was honestly glad to return to Arequipa. Even with all its frustrations, I think I'm already starting to feel some attachment to our new home, this country that is rich in so many ways.

Noah got to sit in his own seat on the plane!

Part of downtown Arica

We walked down close to those rocks - absolutely spectacular.

This is called the Morro de Arica - a desert cliff where you can see the whole city.

Also atop the Morro was a huge statue of Christ

This was our hotel - and our room on the right. The Morro de Arica is in the background

Noah loved playing in the sand! He and I dug a hole together, which he then sat in. There were hundreds of shells around, which fascinated our curious boy.

Video and article

Happy friday!

We are leaving this morning for Chile, returning on Sunday. We'll take a short plane ride to Tacna, Peru, then a bus across the border to the town of Arica. This afternoon we will be going to the consulate there to get our permanent visas, which are finally ready. Arica is on the beach, and we hear it's very nice, so we'll post some pictures when we return.
Two things before we go:

First, I am compelled to link a great article which my brother sent me. It is fascinating, a pretty important piece of legislation which won't make the political sound bites but is as much an issue of life as anything else we might vote on.

NY Times
MAGAZINE April 22, 2007 The Way We Live Now: You Are What You Grow By MICHAEL POLLAN Will this year’s farm bill make us fatter and sicker?

If there's a problem and they need registration and password, use the member id "salvatierras" and the password "blogger".

Secondly, the other night we took Noah out to the Plaza de Armas to feed the birds again, and let him walk around on his own. Did he ever! He saw all the open space and ran! He liked the birds too, and we got some video that's on youtube. I'm no videographer, and it's not the most exciting footage, but we still think it's fun. Hope you enjoy.



Have a great weekend!

Soccer

The last few weekends I have had the opportunity, at long last, to play some futbol! A group from the language institute has started playing on Saturdays, usually 3 or 4 on a team, on various small "canchas" (fields, but made of concrete and about the size of a basketball court). Some of our Peruvian teachers and their kids play - Julio, Edgar and Litos, as well as David from Ireland, Kyle from Colorado, and a occasionally some other students. It's a very laid-back game, a decent level of play, lots of fun, and great exercise, especially at this altitude. It doesn't matter how old or out of shape someone is here, everyone knows futbol.

Sunday it gets more intense. My friend Franc (who helped me get the guitar) has invited me the last two weeks to join him and his buddies for a 6 on 6 game on a slightly larger cancha. These guys are serious, competitive, and play at a much higher level than me. I'm getting the hang of the modified rules and aggressive style, but I'm not much of an asset to the team. In any event, I love it, and I'll play as long as they'll have me. I get to make friends with more Peruvians, practice my Spanish in a more realistic - and difficult - setting, and play the beautiful game.

Quick story: The first time I played with these local guys, it was a truly Latin American experience. Franc told me the game was at 2pm, and that he was getting a ride from his place to the field. So I could meet him at the church (below our apt) at 1:30 and we'd go to his house to be picked up. I figured that meant he lived close, and it would be a simple procedure to get to the game. Hmm. When I met Franc at 1:50, he got us a cab, and we took it quite a distance across town to his house. When we arrived there, we apparently still had some time before the friends came, so of course Franc's mother brought out heaping plates of arroz con pollo! I couldn't refuse such a generous offer, so we enjoyed the pre-game "snack". Eventually the friends came and all six of us piled into the tiny taxi (driven by one of the guys) and went quite a distance back the other direction. When we got to the cancha, the other team still hadn't arrived, so we waited another half hour for them. Finally around 3:20 or so, we started playing. I'm learning to adjust my expectations for time, and enjoy the fact that people are more important!

The cancha for our Sunday games

El Dia del Trabajo

We think this is kinda like Labor Day in the States, basically, just a holiday. Since it was yesterday, a Tuesday, it made today feel like another Monday...anyways we made the most of it.
In the morning we walked to La Selva Alegre (the Happy Jungle). It's a public park complete with a pond to feed ducks and ride in rowboats, playgrounds, alpacas, caged monkeys, a macaw, rabbit, turtle, and iguana (the last three living quite peacefully in the same cage), electric hotwheels for children to take for a ride, and an area full of amusements for children which is only open on weekends and holidays. For a small fee (1.50 soles) Noah could play in the ball pit for 10 minutes and ride on the manually operated merry-go-round of plush animals. They also had trampolines (with safety-nets), and small tracks with trains or electric cars on them. Needless to say, Noah enjoyed himself. He was in the ball-room as he saw the adjacent merry-go-round and pointed to it curiously. We chose to seat him in the blue dinosaur because its safety belt looked the most "secure." Once in his dino, he wasn't quite sure what to think. He didn't crack a smile, but cautiously took in the situation...Daddy running beside him, Mommy taking pictures, and Winnie the Pooh close behind. I'm sure it was all very strange to him.

Then we visited the alpacas on our way out. There were three, one of them clearly much younger, with a white fluffy coat, giving everybody a little show as he pranced and hopped along. I'm sure Noah thought they were the strangest looking dogs he's ever seen.

After our adventure to la selva, we went to the home of some new friends, the Murphys, for lunch. They are from Northern Ireland. They have an adorable little girl, almost 2, named Sarah. She and Noah had a blast together sharing toys and (sort of) playing hide-and-go-seek. Alisia made Thai chicken satay - it was delicious. She (and Sarah) even made brownies for dessert, a treat we haven't had since we left home. Michael stayed after lunch to watch the Liverpool-Chelsea futbol game with David, his new soccer friend. Noah and I went home for naps - it had been a full day already!

Adorable

Sorry for the lack of blogs lately! We've had many good times and pictures in the last week or so, but we haven't been able to put them up. Expect at least a blog per day for the rest of the week.

No time tonight for stories, just cute pictures of Noah.

Noah has long enjoyed looking into his toy "chest" and deciding what to play with. Lately, though he seems to prefer getting into his toy chest to better assess the situation. In fact, every morning he likes to spend a little personal time reading his two or three favorite books, sitting amidst his toys. Maybe it's security, I don't know, but it sure is cute. I promise we did not pose these pictures, he just got in and pulled out his book.

Yes, Noah?

Ice Cream

This is our 100th blog post! Celebrate with dessert from Laura:

Noel taught me a cheap way to make ice cream and cure the sweet tooth....

1 can (about 14 oz?) of evaporated milk
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla or about 1/4 c. cocoa (or other flavoring to taste)

Pour the milk into a plastic bowl with lid and place it in the freezer for about a half hour to an hour, getting it real cold and almost crystalizing. Remove it and add the sugar and flavoring. Beat with a mixer until thick. It gets a fluffy layer on the top. Freeze for a few hours or overnight.
Here, this costs less than a dollar and lasts us the week! Enjoy!

Being Mom in Peru

I have the joy of being mom to my sweet Noah Thomas! I just know I'm in love as I laugh over all the silly things he does at 15 1/2 months. Now when we stoop down and open our arms out wide, he comes, almost running, with a big smile and a Noah-sized hug for us. I keep trying to tell him that there will never be a day when hugs and kisses from mommy and daddy are not okay...even as a grown-up.

He's closer still to talking, we think. His babbling is increasing in frequency and sounding more and more like we should be understanding him. We're not worried if it takes him some extra time - he's got 2 languages to figure out!

At meals, he's beginning to take interest in using the spoon. If we help him get something on it, it often makes it to his mouth without too much of a mess....In the tub now, he likes to help me trap air under a plastic bottle or yogurt cup and giggle as the bubbles shoot out. It's so much fun to watch him learn. He also really enjoys getting a little back and shoulder massage with mommy's soapy hands in the tub.

This was the first time he's helped me do some baking. We made chocolate "chip" banana bread. (Chocolate chips are about $7 a bag, so we crumble our own)

I also know how in love with my husband I am as he is sensitive enough to know when I need some time to myself to reflect, journal, and blog. He is always willing to take Noah out for an adventure on the town, which is what they're doing right now. Those guys have so much fun together!

Hogar de Maria

(Laura:) I know we have just only begun to see some of the poverty here. Nearly every street has one or more people asking for money, for food, for you to buy candy, gum, shoelaces, or some other items that couldn't possibly feed a family even if they sold ten that day. It breaks my heart to see the babies strapped to their mother's backs while they sell ice cream and small children playing in the dirt next to snack stands, no toys, no playgrounds, no ways to stimulate their learning - they just stay at their mother's sides all day long. These things remind me how blessed we are and how much we've been given, regardless of whether we deserve it.
The past two weeks, I have been able to accompany Noel to a women's shelter, Hogar de Maria, or the Home of Maria. It is government-run and has a social worker, a psychologist, a lawyer, and administrator on staff there. They take in women, brought by the police, providing them food, shelter, and temporary safe-haven. It's a short walk from our apartment, so Noah and I got to come along last week and today. The old, colonial building looks pretty nice on the outside, and the public area, with the chapel and offices is clean and rather welcoming. Once passing through to the living quarters, however, I was amazed to see how people were living. The building has taken quite a beating from previous earthquakes and I'm not sure how much has been done to repair it. There was scaffolding up in one area. The common area is split down the center with a cutain dividing the living space from the sleeping area. There are five bunk beds and one normal twin bed. Last week, there were 5 women and 7 children; barely enough space for them all to sleep. The oldest child might have been 6 or 7 and the youngest was 11 days old. Can you imagine getting all of those children to sleep in such tight quarters? During our visit, the children ran around, undisciplined, with very few toys and little else to do. It was very dirty. The tile floor seemed to have a sticky layer of dirt and crumbs. As Noah played, this was a time I was praying he wouldn't put his hands in his mouth.
I met one woman there, Elsa, who had six children. The three youngest were with her and the older three were with her mother. She had the little girl that was just 11 days old. As Noel talked with her, it was clear to see she was exhausted and overwhelmed. I'm not sure what situation it was that brought her to the shelter, but likely some form of abuse.
This week, we met a young lady, who had just turned 17 and had a 2-month-old baby girl. She herself was an orphan from Puno (town near Lake Titicaca, about 6 hrs away by bus). She came here to work and was never paid her wages. Now she has a baby and no family to help her.
Noel has told me many other hardships of the women she has met there - one who fled her home with her 3-year-old daughter after her spouse punched the little girl in the eye, saying he wished she had been a boy.
According to Noel, these women don't often stay longer than a couple weeks. Once their case is heard in court, they may be assigned to live with a nearby relative, to work if their situation allows it, to live in a convent to be cared for by the nuns, or in some cases to return to their spouse if he has repented and promises not to hurt them again....These stories bring tears to my eyes - hearing how people, children, do not have safe and loving homes. Being a mother now, I feel like my heart is more easily broken by these testimonies.
The purpose behind Noel's visits is to listen to their stories and demonstrate love to them. She shares with them a Love that will never fail them and a Savior who cries with them when they are hurt. Who better, than Jesus, could understand such pain? I realize how incredibly blessed I am to have such a loving husband and family. How this inspires me to learn Spanish, so that I too can be a listening ear and an encouragement to these women. I know, however, that bringing sweet Noah, brings many smiles to their faces. "Que lindo!" (How cute!) they say, as he plays with the other children, rolling balls, and sorting puzzle pieces. Other ladies from the church here come sometimes too. When there are many children, one might take them out to play so that Noel can get an undistracted chance to talk and pray with the ladies.
Indeed the needs are great, however,

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

John 16:33