Peru '10

First off, I apologize for the delay on the blog post. I have been very busy since finishing up teaching in Chicago and coming back here to Trujillo, Peru but am throughly enjoying everything!

My time here started off with my mom and aunt joining me and getting an inside view into my life here. They both enjoyed their time and it was great to finally have them see my other home. My days here are occupied with teaching English at a high school, working with the teams, and working with the ministries of the churches and garbage dump. My days start early and end late but I feel more connected than ever here and feel very much at home. I am living with a Peruvian family this summer and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. My Spanish improves daily and I get a deeper insight and connection to the culture here in Peru. I love how my relationships have strengthen over the years with the people here and being able to see the ministries progress is such a blessing.

Teaching here is a world away from my teaching experiences in Chicago. The age difference, resources, and classroom setting are among some of the vast differences that have presented both challenges and rewarding experiences. The students are energetic about learning English but have a very different classroom structure that I am adjusting to.

My heart is still right here where I left it in the poor areas of Trujillo where people live and work in the garbage dumps. At times it feels like there is no hope left for the situation that these people live in, but after every visit I am left with just a bit more hope as I see the joy of the Lord shine through the people there. My friends there show the greatest extent of love I have ever found and I feel that the toothbrush and fruit I provide for them does not compare. Please keep these people in your prayers as they bring up families in the midst of garbage and rejection.

I get up in the mornings at 6am and still need to iron my clothes for tomorrow so for now here are some pictures I was able to take with someones camera after mine was stolen in Lima. I hope you enjoy them and please know that my prayers are with you. Thank you for all of your support and I promise to write again soon.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2042787&id=67600728&l=4664127fd3