TravelStream™ news feed for member igotoperu on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/igotoperu en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:11:58 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1248119941/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1248119941/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1248119941/tpod.html Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:11:58 -0400 Two Teams, One Purpose - Mission Peru 2009

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Tacna, Peru

Or so the saying goes. I think several of us have left parts of our hearts (at least) behind with us in Tacna.

Our last day consisted of packing and cleaning and shopping and lunching (because who can do without the biggest most delicious meal of the day?) and goodbying.

For our souvenir needs, we returned to the little row of tourist shops in the Central area of Tacna. I never knew Tacna had so much traffic until this morning. I joked with Brian that we went by way of Africa when we finally got there. Some of us went off to get juice as we had done for breakfast a week earlier, and the rest of us got serious about shopping. Later in the day as we were shopping, our Peruvian friends who were hanging out with us and helping us haggle, told us that robbers were there and were planning to rob us! I guess there were 5 of them total, 2 at one end of the street and 3 at the other. This raised some alarm amongst us, but turned into nothing. Brian told me later that when he has to deal with that kind of issue, he stands next to a gringo and, in Spanish, says something to effect of: "Hey, do you see that guy? He's a thief." And usually the guy goes away. He's also confronted them directly and said things like, "Can you be more obvious? Do you really think you're going to be able to rob us? You should just leave."

We had another rather heaping dose of protein at lunch with just the church leaders and workers. The restaurant literally translates into "The Place of My Grandpa," but Chiqui and I figured the better translation is more like Grandpa's Ranch. This place, though similar to the patio restaurant we had eaten at the week before, had quite a few attractions including a soccer field, water slide and pool, playground area, hamsters in a cage, rabbits in cages and chickens/roosters in cages. We aren't sure if they use those to cook...

One thing we have not had sparingly this trip is Peruvian food, which sounds like an odd statement(considering we are in Peru), but really it is a different thing for us as we've "played it safe" as Mark says. Havng Brian and Chiqui leading things this year as opposed to our Chilean brethren, Tito and Patty has resulted in us having more cultural food experiences. We had 2 types of picante, a traditional version with various meat parts, and a seafood version with whole shrimp and crab legs. Picante is basically meat in a somewhat spicy sauce with potatoes. We also had the bbq platters of meat cooking over a live coal. On these platters was lamb, beef (which some of us think was alpaca), chorizo (different than what you're used to), and pork. One end of the table had Lomo Saliado, which is strips of beef cut up and cooked with onions and tomatoes in a sauce. That is mixed with cooked french fries and heated together before it is served. It is usually served over rice and is one of our favorites. There was also a large platter of fried pork chunks and potatoes which had been boiled and then fried. 2 plates of ceviche also circulated the tables. If you left the table hungry, it was your own fault.

Back at home we finished packing and hung out with whoever was there. The church was preparing for a night of competitions with the youth, so there wasn't much time to say goodbye before we left for the airport. Only a handful of our friends went with us and it wasn't long before we were heading through the gate, getting on our first plane and thinking more and more about home.

Our layover in Lima was much shorter this time around which left us a little time to get coffee, last minute souvenirs and snacks before Mark had to get on his flight which left almost an hour before ours did. Our plane departed at about 2AM on the 18th and we arrived back home (CA time) around 8:15AM. Our bus was close to being on time, and though we spent some time in traffic on the 5, we made it home to cheers of celebration where warm showers and familiar beds awaited us.

So concludes Mission Peru 2009!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1248118940/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1248118940/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1248118940/tpod.html Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:01:33 -0400 Two Teams, One Purpose - Mission Peru 2009

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Tacna, Peru

Today we slept in almost as late as we wanted. We ate breakfast at our own individual paces and were prepared to leave as soon as Brian was going to arrive at 9AM. Despite our readiness, we still left late. It's part of the Peruvian culture. It's also a constant lesson in patience :) Amelia, one of the interns who was going to be coming with us, left her passport at the church in LC, so she had to go back to get it. It didn't really effect us too much and before we knew it, we were on our way to the bus and taxi depot.

In the past we've taken a bus because the size of our group made it easier and less expensive. Because our group was so small, we took taxis like the guys did on last year's trip. Basically every taxi is an individual contractor. The rate is the same, however, for all the taxis. Apparently the drivers have to go through a lot to become a taxi driver that crosses the Chilean-Peruvian border several times a day. The total drive time is about 45 minutes in length. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the border. Then you get out, go through immigration on one side while the driver is working on his paperwork for his vehicle. Then you get back in the car, drive all of 60 seconds, get out of the car, go through immigration on the other side while the driver again does paperwork for his vehicle. Finally, after you've been admitted, you can get to where you need to go! It's about 15 minutes to the bus and taxi depot.

We had to walk about 15 minutes to the main part of Arica where we like to go shopping. The McDonald's was undoubtedly one of the highlights as most of us had ice cream or french fries (or both). Unfortunately for us, most of the little touristy shops were closed because of a religious based holiday.

Mark and Brian took off to find the restaurant the group of guys ate at last year (which we know now is called Los Hornitos #2). The rest of us stayed and shopped as much as we could with so few shops to choose between.

We finally lunched at one of the most amazing meat restaurants ever. The meat platters were supposedly for 2 people (but more like 4 people). They are like mini-bbqs with live coals underneath and the meat and potatoes on top of a metal plate. This came with a salad like plate and french fries (which none of us can ever seem to get enough of). We also ordered several plates consisting of fried eggs atop chicken or beef with rice and french fries on the side. Needless to say, we were all very full when we left. On a side note, one of the unique things about this particular restaurant is that you can leave your name and message on their walls. We found signatures from several of our Peruvian and Chilean friends from a few years ago in the area where we were sitting.

Before and during lunch we toasted our memories from the trip. This is a fun tradition we do in some form every year. It's a great opportunity to remember the fun we've had but also the ways God has worked and provided.

As the sun was working on setting, and the air was getting increasingly cooler, we started our 15 minute walk back to the bus and taxi depot and went through the entire process of border crossing to get home.

That evening we had a big Once/Lonche/Cena. (Once is a term used in Chiel, I was informed. Lonche is for a typically light evening meal. Cena is for large evening meals.) Everyone we had been working with was invited. We had leftovers from our mid-day meal as well as bread, avocado, butter and whatever else we could find in the kitchen. We also bought a couple cakes. Everyone hung out, chatted, ate and, in general, had a good time.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1248117184/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1248117184/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1248117184/tpod.html Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:46:38 -0400 Two Teams, One Purpose - Mission Peru 2009

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Tacna, Peru

It is somewhat a bittersweet day for us. Today was our last day of presentations. We went to a park we presented in 2 years ago, which is a short walk from the Local Central church, and to a concrete soccer field (much like the one used to look like across from the CN church several years ago) in the New Jerusalem area. Our audiences have been comprised of children mainly, so some of the more serious mime skits have gone unused.

During our second presentation in the late afternoon in NJ, we ran out of gas for our gas powered generator. (I find it interesting that we took one form of fuel (gas) to create another form of fuel (electricity) so we could run our sound system.) Just as we were starting a mime skit, we found out we had to improvise a little and start stalling. Fortunately for us, Alfredini and Nicholas the Great were on hand to divert the children with magic tricks. What was perhaps even more comical for all the English speakers was that Nick would tell the kids what he was doing but in English. We got the play-by-play, whereas the kids were even more distracted because he was talking to them in a language they don't understand. You might think it's somewhat cruel, but it did work, and they were amused (and we were amused).

In the evening, 4 of us got the chance to go to the LC church and converse with students in English! (The others stayed behind in CN and hung out or helped with the mural.) We had about 5 students plus Alfredo and Jechu. We weren't sure what to expect, but Alfredo sort of led the discussion. Everyone introduced themselves and told a little about their interests, family, etc. Then Alfredo asked everyone to talk about what gave their life meaning/purpose. This was an open invitation to talk about Christ, which we all took advantage of. Though almost every one of the 5 students claimed that God was the focus of their lives, Mark reminded us that they aren't necessarily Christians.

Everyone is looking forward to a rather relaxed day tomorrow as we visit Arica, Chile!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247615538/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247615538/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247615538/tpod.html Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:39:53 -0400 Two Teams, One Purpose - Mission Peru 2009

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Tacna, Peru

It's somewhat hard to think that this is our last week. In just a few short days we will return to life as we are all too familiar with back in the States. The last week and a half, however, have been very different for all of us, even for those of us who have made this journey before.

Yesterday we got up much earlier than in order to leave around 8AM for our first presentation at a very large all girls' school just a block away from the Local Central church. The reception was very good. Our message, which is very Bible/God/Jesus based is usually well received in schools because of the strong Catholic influence in Peru. With the kids, we're really just planting seeds. We invite the kids to come to OANSA (AWANA) at the church and pray that adults come too. It's sometimes a hard sale for adults, which is why the focus in CN, at least, is on the children. And already they are seeing fruit from their work here (the 7 baptisms on Sunday). Our presentations create an opportunity to dialogue with the kids and share Christ's love with them at the same time.

We had our second presentation at another school right after we finished. This school was close to the other, so we walked. Overall, our audience was not as attentive, and the sun was surprisingly hot for a winter's day, but we persevered.

In the late afternoon the mimes returned to the first school of the day for the third presentation. (Meanwhile the puppets stayed behind and sanded the walls of the youth room for the mural that Haylee and Emily are going to paint.) The mimes presented on a raised stage with a door for a conductor to an audience of teenage girls. The girls were extremely responsive and appreciative. Judiht, a young woman in the church, gave a little of her testimony and Jechu spoke briefly on a spiritual related topic.

The mimes arrived home in the evening to the great flood of sewage! A line broke under the ground floor and sewage was seeping up through the cracks in the floor. Opal and those at the church moved furniture away from the growing pond and by the time everyone was home, the windows were open and the plumber had been called. This issue was resolved enough for Opal to bleach the entire downstairs area, but they are going to have to break through the ground floor to make a permanent fix to whatever broke. (There are many speculations about what happened. There was an earthquake a couple nights ago, so that has been suggested. They also emptied the baptismal, which is upstairs, and so that has also been suggested as a cause.)

To get out for an hour or so and away from the various smells in the building, 9 of us went out to the Chambi Polleria down the street and had dinner.

Today was similar to yesterday. We got up really early, though not as early as yesterday. Opal made pancakes (yum!) and then we started our day at Haidi's preschool. (Haidi, pronounced Heidi, is Alex and Livia's daughter. Alex and Livia are the caretakers at the CN church where we are staying.) We got to lead the kids through Soy Una Taza and had a great time jumping and dancing around with them. Our second school had similar qualities of the school we went to yesterday. The sun finally came out and baked us. The kids here were really varied in age. We had young elementary aged kids and older high school kids. This is a challenge because the puppets are primarily for the younger kids, whereas we have mime skits which work well with an older crowd. So we changed up our program a little to try and accomodate our mixed up our program. Our audience was somewhat indifferent overall to our presentation. Very few of them danced or clapped with us on the songs. Some booed and were distracting. Brian told me this was not a good school, though he didn't really have to tell me that for me to figure it out. The reason we went to this school (and have been going to schools in general) several students are also involved at the church.

After a late lunch, we went to a local gated sports park about 1/4 mile away and gave a presentation to the kids in the neighborhood. This was a lot of fun as some of the kids we recognized from OANSA and overall all the kids were interested in what we were presenting. We blast the music out to the community so people hear it, and one of the guys announces to the neighborhood that we're going to have a puppet and mime show and invites them to come. As our program went on, and the sun was going down, we had more people come to check out what was going on.

We walked home afterwards and have returned home to relax (most of us) and paint. They really want the girls to get the youth room finished before we leave. This will be interesting considering that we have only 2 full days left before we leave.



]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247457272/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247457272/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247457272/tpod.html Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:58:19 -0400 Two Teams, One Purpose - Mission Peru 2009

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Tacna, Peru

Services today were held at the three churches, but not in the regular order. CN and LC held service at about the same time. Mark went off to preach the LC, and the rest of us stayed at CN to be a part of the several baptisms which happened at the end of the service. It was a great day!

The mimes presented at both CN and NJ. 2 presentations in one day usually means the makeup stays on... and so it did through lunch at the local Polleria. Though I am extremely loyal to El Pollon, which is in the central part of Tacna, I have to say that this place was really good.

This afternoon we traveled up to NJ for their service. Mark preached and incorporated the mime skits into his sermon.

We came back to get primed and ready for FUTBOL. This year, another first, the girls played as one team. Originally the two interns were going to play for the Peruanas, but as that team had more than enough players, they joined the gringos to help represent Gringolandia, aka the USA. We thought we would play like the guys do, 5 minutes or first goal wins, but after the first goal we just kept going. Every time a team scored a goal, the stands would rush out on to the court. It was a lot of fun even though we lost. We played hard, some of us having never really played before, and the game ended with Peru winning, 5-4. The guys then played after us and rotated like they normally do, both winning and losing their matches.

Tomorrow we have a very early start! We are trying to take advantage of the schools we can get into this week because the President issued a decree that schools will close Wednesday, Thursday and Friday due to the concern with Swine Flu. This is a big bummer for us as we were scheduled to work in a good number of schools, 3-4 presentations a day. However, God will work out these details and it just might mean that we take our messages to the streets.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247456812/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247456812/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247456812/tpod.html Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:41:00 -0400 Two Teams, One Purpose - Mission Peru 2009

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Tacna, Peru

We were blessed with an opportunity to give a 2 hour long presentation at a very large church called Fountain of Life (Fuente de Vida). The church is housed in an old cinema, which is very very big. We likened it to a Calvary Chapel because of its size. We had an excellent turn out, probably 100 people or so, and we were able to give our full presentation minus the Soy Una Taza song.

From the Fountain of Life we went home for a traditional Peruvian dish called Aji de Gallina which is similar to a dish we had earlier this week. The sauce is yellow and has chicken in it. This is poured over potato slices and is usually garnished with a slice of hardboiled egg and an olive. In addition to this we had rice. (They really love their carbs here!)

In the afternoon we participated in the first ever OANSA Olympics at the Local Central church. This involved all the IAM churches. I am happy to report that one of the two CN teams won the cup! Stephanie, our roommate, was very happy. The room was very loud with all the cheering and drums banging and such, but there was a lot of excitement and energy.

This event rolled right into Culto.com, the youth (jovenes) church service night. Mark gave the message and we tried our best to talk with the youth there in both Spanish and English.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247448989/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247448989/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247448989/tpod.html Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:59:05 -0400 Two Teams, One Purpose - Mission Peru 2009

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Tacna, Peru

We started our day a bit earlier, but it was because Mark wanted to take us all the to the local Jamba Juice in the central part of Tacna. Ok, so it isn't a Jamba Juice, but it is really good. In addition to fresh blended fruits for breakfast, we also had the opportunity to eat cheese empanadas before walking across the street to help the 6 guys shop for souvenirs to take home to their loved ones and supporters.

After shopping, we were treated to a couple hours at one of Tacna's spas. It is a really nice place, however we don't think it accomodated the size of our group very well. There was an hour and a half wait for massages, so we weren't able to do this. So most of us got facials instead, which should last for 20 days (or so they say). Our day at the spa is the first hot showers we've had all week, which was a nice blessing. They had both a dry and wet sauna in which to relax as well as a hot tub. Some people took several showers in an attempt to make up for the ones they didn't get this week. Because of the nature of this event (being very wet overall), we didn't take in cameras or take many pictures.

One lady did the facials for all of us. We sat around this relaxing area while she painted on exfoliating masks for the girls and heat activated masks for the guys. Step 2 involved a smoothie banana mixture of sorts. Then we had steam and finally some other ointment and a type of buffing. The one lady was rather overwhelmed, so she was not very organized and had different people on different steps. She raced through each of us, spoke quickly and softly, so she was hard to understand.

For lunch we went to a local outdoor meat restaurant and had several different ethnic dishes (see the pictures and their captions for explanation). The only drawback of this place was the number of flies which came to join our party when the food came out. Otherwise, the place is kind of like a giant patio with awnings and plants, a grassy area and trees. This particular place had several pure bred dogs. The golden lab tried to befriend us in hopes of getting our table scraps. Apparently, you can pick out which chicken you want... though none of us did this.

We wrapped up the day with a praise night at which all three (or four, if you count Hope) churches participated. I guess you could call this another first for us as we've never been a part of something quite like it.

The 6 guys on the construction team left about the same time that the praise night began, so they missed the event, but I am sure they were happy to be heading home to an Angel's game, In-n-Out, Rigoberto's and their families.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247449149/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247449149/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247449149/tpod.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:33:14 -0400 Two Teams, One Purpose - Mission Peru 2009

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Tacna, Peru

Today's entry will cover 2 days, both Wednesday and Thursday, due to the fact that our work days have been pretty repetitive and because we have been so busy that I haven't had a chance to update in a while.

So... on to Wednesday!

The project at NJ continues. The men have been working in the trenches digging deeper and deeper, and they are looking forward to the day they get to pour cement.

CN is receiving window treatments which also appears to include the windows themselves... fortunately the blue paint will come off with a little elbow grease and a sharp razor. Meanwhile, the bathrooms are getting a bit of a face lift, which starts with some good sanding followed by thinned down paint. The promise of Friday keeps everyone motivated.

At LC Dave C is nearing the end of his mural, which everyone was excited to see nearly completed. Ashley, Haylee and Emily have joined him there to help prepare for a couple events happening this week.

Tonight we had another new experience to add to our list (following the 2 teams, 9-hour layover, wedding and birthday). We got to see our friend Tony get baptized! And we learned that several of the youth are getting baptized on Sunday. Our roommate (not to mention others) is very excited about this. Unlike our nicely heated baptistry in the States, the baptistry here is winter water cold, which I am sure adds to the spiritual experience. We are all very happy for our friend who has made this decision.

Now to Thursday...

The guys started pouring cement today. The process is definitely different than how we might do it in the States. As they poured the cement into the 8 foot deep trench, some of the kids on site added large stones slowly and at intervals. The guys told me they sort of treated it like a game, which ended up causing a problem. The stones were added too quickly, and it ended up busting the wood panels they had set up to hold the cement until it dried. Then the guys were playing their own game, trying to catch the cement. Everything ended okay, and the guys finished the wall and all the pillars but one. They will add iron bars to make a fence when the last pillar is put in place.

Window treatments on the lower level were completed today. Also the bathrooms are fresher and cleaner looking overall. The boys bathroom still needs some work, but at least the outer shell of the stalls and doors has been worked on.

Dave C finished the mural, which looks pretty amazing. The leaders at the LC church are going to surprise the kids with it on Sunday and take a picture of their faces as they come in. Then they are going to send it to Dave so he can see it (as he will have already made it back home by then). The girls finished their craft related projects, much to their relief. Apparently the job was a lot more work than they were expecting and required a lot of patience and skill.

Dave C also continues to use the massage tables to help out the team. He said to Brian and Mark that they were taking them out and he was helping to stand them back up.

Our night ended with an update on the three churches, during which time Victor spoke on behalf of Nueva Jerusalen, Brian spoke about Ciudad Nueva, and Tito gave an update on where the churches are now. They have many great plans for the future and desire both prayer and financial support to help make the churches self-sufficient and able to provide jobs for people within their congregations.

Despite the repetitive nature of our work, it has been satisfying to see progress and know we are making a difference however great our small it might be. We are all looking forward to a day of rest tomorrow as we shop and eat and hang out together before the 6 guys head home.


]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247018174/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247018174/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247018174/tpod.html Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:18:04 -0400 Two Teams, One Purpose - Mission Peru 2009

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Tacna, Peru

With the exception of the meal we had at lunch, today was almost exactly like yesterday. We've had a couple of stomach related illnesses, but overall everyone seems to be doing okay.

The men finished their trench and started with concrete. The work they've accomplished is much appreciated as it will wall in the side of the caretakers' house and help protect the church in NJ.

In CN, the ladies continued the sanding and painting project on the windows on the south side and moved to the west side which faces the park. Despite the growing amount of blue paint on the walls and on the windows, the job is moving closer to completion. However, there are many windows in the church, and all of them could use some sanding and painting.

Dave C. is almost finished with one of the two murals he is painting for the Local Central church in a couple of their classrooms. It is taking him longer to finish than expected due to the uneven surface of the wall and the quality of the paint.

Projects have branched out to the other mural at CN, which required planning today, as well as touch up work on wall decals at the Local Central church. Haylee, Ashley and Emily spent the second half of the day working on those projects. The girls' bathroom also got sanded and a first coat of thinner diluted paint, which is more like glazing and less like painting.

Some friends joined us for Once tonight and are still around playing ping-pong and other games. Mark and Israel just returned from worship practice and we will meet tonight for another worship, prayer and feedback session. Meanwhile, Dave C., affectionately referred to as Dr. Dave, is using his Shulman therapy skills to help out everyone with muscle related problems. A medical team came not too long ago and left 2 massage tables, which he is putting to good use.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247011270/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247011270/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/igotoperu/3/1247011270/tpod.html Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:48:49 -0400 Two Teams, One Purpose - Mission Peru 2009

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Tacna, Peru

Okay, so not quite... it's more like just another day in the dirt field.

Our mornings are starting around 7AM, and we are heading off to work around 9AM. Like we did on Friday, we will also continue to do this week. The guys go to Nueva Jerusalen to work and the girls stay at Ciudad Nueva to work.

The guys are digging an 8 foot deep trench in which they will eventually pour cement and create columns for a wall. Tacna is basically a desert with fine silt-like dirt, so digging it up is a really dirty job. Needless to say, everyone needed a shower this evening.

Dave C. is using his artistic abilities and is painting a mural in one of the classrooms at Local Central (in Tacna proper). Apparently, they also want a mural at CN, but the guys are sleeping in one of the rooms where the mural will go, so they are waiting until next week when they can move the guys into a smaller room.

The girls, on the other hand, are shivering and sweating in the shade of the church sanding the bars and the frames on the windows. This requires scaffolds, which are an adventure especially when you need to stand on a stool on the scaffold to reach the tops of the windows. Though it rains here very little, the dews and mists of the morning rust the iron. As you probably know, if you don't sand it down and repaint, you end up with corroded metal which breaks easily. It is somewhat tedious, but the girls are working towards the goal of getting to paint once they've completed a window. Between the dirt created from the rust and the paint being sanded to the hard-to-remove paint, showers are appreciated at the end of the day.

Our showers today came from the kitchen in the form of hot water boiled on the stove and dished out for us to take upstairs to use in the bathrooms. The hot water shower system here requires decent water pressure, and we never seem to have that, so we're "roughing it" more or less. Opal is taking care of her 18 children and not only helps prepare our lunches (the biggest meal of the day) but also gets the water boiling when it is near quitting time.

Our Once was a lot earlier tonight, and we had a chance to worship together in English, share about our day, what was blessing us and bugging us, and pray. You'd think we would have gotten to bed earlier, but it was after 11 when everyone finally settled into another cool high 40-something night.


]]>