Greetings from Cusco, Peru!!!
This is the city of the llama... the city that the Incans called their capitol... the most visited city in South America... oh yes... it is wonderful.
It is colder here than Iquitos... Cusco has had weather in the 60s... and it is so refreshing!! Well, it was the first day being here. I am starting to miss the warm humidity of the jungle actually, due to the cold-sore throat-cough sickness I now have. Oh well... I will get better soon I am sure!
This city is absolutely beautiful... it is hard to even describe in words. Cobblestone streets. Mountains covered in richly antique buildings. Colorful hats-scarves-bags-gloves. People speaking a new language at every street corner... so much diversity. I will definitely post pics when I get home... be patient. Check sometime after June 3 for the update!!
We have been shopping, exploring, hiking, and being guided on tours for the past three days. I have seen so many beautiful scenes... ones like my eyes have never seen before this. Today we visited Machu Picchu. It was beautiful! I got sick on the train ride over, however... and did not feel well the whole time... but am still thankful for the opportunity and tried to make the best of it. Bumpy train rides are definitely not my favorite means of transportation now... haha.
Anyone want any souveniers???? They have some pretty amazing stuff here... just let me know, ok?? Do not be shy!
Llama scarves and hats.
Leather wallets, journals, etc.
Colorful purses.
Exotic jewelry and artwork.
Much more.......
Love always
aShleY
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Fellowship
The fellowship in this place is not like any I have experienced before.
We truly operate as family. Peruvians, or Peruanans as they refer to themselves, are SO hospitable, so loving, so open and relaxed. The culture here is definitely not time based, but rather people based.
Our group has definitely picked up on this cultural fellowship. Just a small expression of this is the fact that we have started giving each other pats on the back. It´s a small thing, but something our group would not have done at home.
Two days ago we visited a school for kids who have special needs. The kids were either blind, deaf, or had Down´s syndrome, etc. At first I was sad from what I saw, but after spending ten minutes there, I started to see the joyful spirits of the kids, ESPECIALLY when the ¨recess bell¨ rang!! Two ten year old girls immediately grabbed me and started playing volleyball with me in the small courtyard. Four or five others ran up and gave me a hug before they joined in the fun. Shortly after our volleyball fun, a 21 year old girl named Victoria gave me a fruit and told me to cut it up and eat it with salt. Her friend who referred to himself as James Bond also approached me and gave me his crackers. I sat down and talked with these two precious people in Spanish for a good twenty minutes. It was SO MUCH FUN. Several other kids joined us, and laughed at me as I tried to communicate in their language. It was such a blessing to be a part of their lives.
Oh dear... I have just been told to go grab my luggage... we are headed for Cusco in about an hour!
I apologize for not having the time to say more... because there is so much more!!!
Thank you for your prayers!
We truly operate as family. Peruvians, or Peruanans as they refer to themselves, are SO hospitable, so loving, so open and relaxed. The culture here is definitely not time based, but rather people based.
Our group has definitely picked up on this cultural fellowship. Just a small expression of this is the fact that we have started giving each other pats on the back. It´s a small thing, but something our group would not have done at home.
Two days ago we visited a school for kids who have special needs. The kids were either blind, deaf, or had Down´s syndrome, etc. At first I was sad from what I saw, but after spending ten minutes there, I started to see the joyful spirits of the kids, ESPECIALLY when the ¨recess bell¨ rang!! Two ten year old girls immediately grabbed me and started playing volleyball with me in the small courtyard. Four or five others ran up and gave me a hug before they joined in the fun. Shortly after our volleyball fun, a 21 year old girl named Victoria gave me a fruit and told me to cut it up and eat it with salt. Her friend who referred to himself as James Bond also approached me and gave me his crackers. I sat down and talked with these two precious people in Spanish for a good twenty minutes. It was SO MUCH FUN. Several other kids joined us, and laughed at me as I tried to communicate in their language. It was such a blessing to be a part of their lives.
Oh dear... I have just been told to go grab my luggage... we are headed for Cusco in about an hour!
I apologize for not having the time to say more... because there is so much more!!!
Thank you for your prayers!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Jungle
Oh wow!!!
I just had the best two days in the Amazon jungle EVER!!
We took three Peruvian ¨speed boats¨ out on the river, riding with the wind in our hair and waves at our feet. Stopping at a cute village called Tom Shiyaka, we purchased enough sweet break for twenty people, totaling, get this, A DOLLAR FIFTY! I had four pieces. Yummm...
When we finally arrived at our destination, we approached something I didn´t expect... an island like dock, totally surrounded by the brown waters of the Amazon... we liked to refer to it as a bungalow. Approximately fifteen camping tents filled one side, and six comfortable hammocks draped from the rafters in the middle of the complex. A PERFECT jungle getaway.
We enjoyed taking a canoe trip to explore the surroundings, more specifically the jungle trees that we were told were probably filled with snakes. Yeah right... we didn´t see any. (We did go alligator hunting last night however... and now I am a real jungle woman! haha. That´s a story of its own though. )
Our first night in the jungle was so fun. We swam in the river, danced around the ¨tree of life,¨ fell asleep in the hammocks, sang worship songs, and had wonderful fellowship.
The next morning we were wakened by the early morning sun... around five I am guessing. After breakfast and devotions, we all loaded into the boats to head to our first clinic destination. The village was a twenty minute hike from the ¨shore,¨ and we had a sweaty good time carrying all our supplies that far. We were drenched by the time we got there.
At the clinic I helpled a mere five people, but it was worth every minute. An eighty year old man had grossness in his ear, and his wife had dizziness and headaches. It is so hard when we can not do much. I was encouraged when we removed the junk from the guy´s ear, but heartbroken when we could only give his wife some advil to mask her symptoms.
We finished that clinic by passing out toys and clothes...ahhh.... so much fun.
Ok... people are eating, I must be going. I will have to finish this later.
Keep praying!! God is so good!!!
I just had the best two days in the Amazon jungle EVER!!
We took three Peruvian ¨speed boats¨ out on the river, riding with the wind in our hair and waves at our feet. Stopping at a cute village called Tom Shiyaka, we purchased enough sweet break for twenty people, totaling, get this, A DOLLAR FIFTY! I had four pieces. Yummm...
When we finally arrived at our destination, we approached something I didn´t expect... an island like dock, totally surrounded by the brown waters of the Amazon... we liked to refer to it as a bungalow. Approximately fifteen camping tents filled one side, and six comfortable hammocks draped from the rafters in the middle of the complex. A PERFECT jungle getaway.
We enjoyed taking a canoe trip to explore the surroundings, more specifically the jungle trees that we were told were probably filled with snakes. Yeah right... we didn´t see any. (We did go alligator hunting last night however... and now I am a real jungle woman! haha. That´s a story of its own though. )
Our first night in the jungle was so fun. We swam in the river, danced around the ¨tree of life,¨ fell asleep in the hammocks, sang worship songs, and had wonderful fellowship.
The next morning we were wakened by the early morning sun... around five I am guessing. After breakfast and devotions, we all loaded into the boats to head to our first clinic destination. The village was a twenty minute hike from the ¨shore,¨ and we had a sweaty good time carrying all our supplies that far. We were drenched by the time we got there.
At the clinic I helpled a mere five people, but it was worth every minute. An eighty year old man had grossness in his ear, and his wife had dizziness and headaches. It is so hard when we can not do much. I was encouraged when we removed the junk from the guy´s ear, but heartbroken when we could only give his wife some advil to mask her symptoms.
We finished that clinic by passing out toys and clothes...ahhh.... so much fun.
Ok... people are eating, I must be going. I will have to finish this later.
Keep praying!! God is so good!!!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
If only I could do more...
ahhh.... what a day... bitter sweet.
It is such a burden on my heart not to be able to do more for the people that we see...
Only equipped with so many supplies and resources leaves me feeling hopeless and useless to give the people of the Amazon what they really need.
One 91 year old lady had cataracts, could barely see, had wheezing in her lungs, and was dizzy all the time with headaches around her eyes... what could I do besides give her pain medication... not much. It broke my heart. It was also hard that I could not even express to her my sympathy. The communication barrier is harder at times to deal with than at others.
Oh well.
God is in control... I am not the only one able to give hope to these people... I pray that the Lord will use my interaction with them in a way that I can not even comprehend. I trust that He will provide the hope that these people so desperately need.
p. s. The Amazon river and its tributaries are AMAZING. So much fun!!!
It is such a burden on my heart not to be able to do more for the people that we see...
Only equipped with so many supplies and resources leaves me feeling hopeless and useless to give the people of the Amazon what they really need.
One 91 year old lady had cataracts, could barely see, had wheezing in her lungs, and was dizzy all the time with headaches around her eyes... what could I do besides give her pain medication... not much. It broke my heart. It was also hard that I could not even express to her my sympathy. The communication barrier is harder at times to deal with than at others.
Oh well.
God is in control... I am not the only one able to give hope to these people... I pray that the Lord will use my interaction with them in a way that I can not even comprehend. I trust that He will provide the hope that these people so desperately need.
p. s. The Amazon river and its tributaries are AMAZING. So much fun!!!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Yummy!!!
Peruvian food is AMAZING.
Ok... going into this trip I thought I was going to have to ¨survive¨ on not very much food... you know... live a rough, deprived life on this mission trip. Boy was I wrong!!
I never knew rice, potatoes, chicken and beans could be prepared so many different delicious ways. Not to mention homemade peanut butter at every meal as well... and freshly squeezed juice daily!! Have I used enough exclaimation points yet?!!!!!
Ok. That´s all I have time for right now. People are waiting to use the computer.
Keep praying for us!!
Ok... going into this trip I thought I was going to have to ¨survive¨ on not very much food... you know... live a rough, deprived life on this mission trip. Boy was I wrong!!
I never knew rice, potatoes, chicken and beans could be prepared so many different delicious ways. Not to mention homemade peanut butter at every meal as well... and freshly squeezed juice daily!! Have I used enough exclaimation points yet?!!!!!
Ok. That´s all I have time for right now. People are waiting to use the computer.
Keep praying for us!!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Belen
There are four districts in the city of Iquitos. Belen is one of them.
This evening we took a tour of Belen, and to summarize this district I would choose the following words:
Sewage
Poverty
Flood
Colorful
Solitude
Yep... that´s Belen.
The district is only able to be seen by canoe because almost eight feet of sewage water floods the area. There are houses with only the roof visible. As we meandered through the ¨alleyways¨ on our canoe, the children looked at us from the windows of the second story of their underwater homes, many even lacking walls and therefore windows altogether. The ninos definitely didn´t seem as joyous as the ones we had been smiling and waving at previously. Poverty was rampant. Silence hovered across the surface of the murky water. The beauty of this place shined through the colors and shapes of the laundry hanging from clotheslines, framed by the painted wood planks of the flooded homes. Colors always bring beauty, even in Belen.
Pictures will be coming... and you know how the saying goes...
I´m going to save myself some words!
Please pray that the part for our boat comes by tomorrow. We are anxious to venture into the jungle soon!!
This evening we took a tour of Belen, and to summarize this district I would choose the following words:
Sewage
Poverty
Flood
Colorful
Solitude
Yep... that´s Belen.
The district is only able to be seen by canoe because almost eight feet of sewage water floods the area. There are houses with only the roof visible. As we meandered through the ¨alleyways¨ on our canoe, the children looked at us from the windows of the second story of their underwater homes, many even lacking walls and therefore windows altogether. The ninos definitely didn´t seem as joyous as the ones we had been smiling and waving at previously. Poverty was rampant. Silence hovered across the surface of the murky water. The beauty of this place shined through the colors and shapes of the laundry hanging from clotheslines, framed by the painted wood planks of the flooded homes. Colors always bring beauty, even in Belen.
Pictures will be coming... and you know how the saying goes...
I´m going to save myself some words!
Please pray that the part for our boat comes by tomorrow. We are anxious to venture into the jungle soon!!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
So little yet so much...
Today was our first clinical. Personally, the first clinical of my life.
I was ¨clueless¨ for the most part, yet at peace despite my inadequacy.
Jumping right in, I used the little Spanish I knew, as well as the help of a twelve year old boy translator, to get the history of several Peruvian mothers and their sick children.
Personal questions were flying across the table left and right, yet no one seemed to mind... the culture here is very open with no sense of what privacy even means. Very different from America.
As we started assessing the patients, I found myself just wanting to hurry up and figure out their problem, give them some medicine, and move onto the next one... but then I stopped that thinking and asked myself what good that would do. Nada. These people needed education. They needed more than that... they also needed hope. Perhaps our somewhat unorganized team provided that today. That is my prayer. I am praying that the very little that we did for them can be more of an impact that we can even comprehend... by God´s power, that is.
Oh, I could go on for hours I am sure... but this will have to do for now... the mosquitos are biting.
I was ¨clueless¨ for the most part, yet at peace despite my inadequacy.
Jumping right in, I used the little Spanish I knew, as well as the help of a twelve year old boy translator, to get the history of several Peruvian mothers and their sick children.
Personal questions were flying across the table left and right, yet no one seemed to mind... the culture here is very open with no sense of what privacy even means. Very different from America.
As we started assessing the patients, I found myself just wanting to hurry up and figure out their problem, give them some medicine, and move onto the next one... but then I stopped that thinking and asked myself what good that would do. Nada. These people needed education. They needed more than that... they also needed hope. Perhaps our somewhat unorganized team provided that today. That is my prayer. I am praying that the very little that we did for them can be more of an impact that we can even comprehend... by God´s power, that is.
Oh, I could go on for hours I am sure... but this will have to do for now... the mosquitos are biting.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Joy Joy Joy...
About noon today, while walking through the dirt paths of an area called Puchana, I felt true, deep joy for the first time on this trip... the sun was still blistering hot and the humidity almost unbearable, but the agony slipped away from me as children started walking down the path in groups of three to six... holding hands, smiling, and waving shyly to us, the "gringos." School had just apparantly gotten out (maybe just kindergarten, I am not sure), but everything about that place got so much more beautiful the moment the children entered the picturesque scene.
Their smiles were enough to bring me joy, but when a scroungy six year old boy with a grin pasted on his face from cheek to cheek started showing me his small plastic parachute man... throwing it up in the air and laughing at it... I started to feel at home in this place. He immediately became my friend the moment I said ¨Hola! Como se llama?¨ He proceeded to follow me down the dirt path, smiling, laughing, and throwing his probably one and only toy. Parents do not seem to care where their kids are or who they are with. It´s a very interesting contrast between Peruvian culture and home. I am starting to fall for it here... despite the heat!
Today we also visited another community... one that I will remember forever. The kids, again, were by far ¨mi favorito¨... their curiosity, joy, and depth. They are so innocent, most likely not knowing how poor they really are. So precious were their smiles as they intently followed us around as we asked the adults health questions about their families and the community. The ¨ninos¨ were, I am sure, watching our every move, intrigued by how different we may seem. Oh how I wish I could communicate more with them! Why didn´t I learn more Spanish before coming here?
What I kept close to my heart the entire day, however, were the words from the devotional that Paul (the leader of People of Peru) spoke to us this morning. They are from I John 3: 18 :"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." Okay, I may not have been able to use all the words I wanted to with the children I met today, but I loved them as best I could with my actions and in the truth. That truth being that God loves each and everyone of them... and my actions being perhaps as simple as a smile to demonstrate that love from the Father.
I can not wait to love through my actions tomorrow as we serve through our first medical clinical!
Their smiles were enough to bring me joy, but when a scroungy six year old boy with a grin pasted on his face from cheek to cheek started showing me his small plastic parachute man... throwing it up in the air and laughing at it... I started to feel at home in this place. He immediately became my friend the moment I said ¨Hola! Como se llama?¨ He proceeded to follow me down the dirt path, smiling, laughing, and throwing his probably one and only toy. Parents do not seem to care where their kids are or who they are with. It´s a very interesting contrast between Peruvian culture and home. I am starting to fall for it here... despite the heat!
Today we also visited another community... one that I will remember forever. The kids, again, were by far ¨mi favorito¨... their curiosity, joy, and depth. They are so innocent, most likely not knowing how poor they really are. So precious were their smiles as they intently followed us around as we asked the adults health questions about their families and the community. The ¨ninos¨ were, I am sure, watching our every move, intrigued by how different we may seem. Oh how I wish I could communicate more with them! Why didn´t I learn more Spanish before coming here?
What I kept close to my heart the entire day, however, were the words from the devotional that Paul (the leader of People of Peru) spoke to us this morning. They are from I John 3: 18 :"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." Okay, I may not have been able to use all the words I wanted to with the children I met today, but I loved them as best I could with my actions and in the truth. That truth being that God loves each and everyone of them... and my actions being perhaps as simple as a smile to demonstrate that love from the Father.
I can not wait to love through my actions tomorrow as we serve through our first medical clinical!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Cold Shower... ahhh....
Never before has a cold shower felt as good as it did in all my life!! I took one about an hour ago, and I am right back to being just as sweaty as I was... but aye aye aye... it was worth it!! =]
Iquitos is hot and humid. It's funny that you can "hear" about it all you want, but never really understand until you get here. We all feel like we are melting. It's going to be a challenge to keep the complaining to a minimum. Please pray for us!!
My favorite part of the past 24 hours was flying into Iquitos There was NOTHING BUT JUNGLE and meandering river until a few scattered huts came into view just about one minute before we landed at the airport. We truly are in the jungle, and I can't wait for the adventures to continue!!
Iquitos is hot and humid. It's funny that you can "hear" about it all you want, but never really understand until you get here. We all feel like we are melting. It's going to be a challenge to keep the complaining to a minimum. Please pray for us!!
My favorite part of the past 24 hours was flying into Iquitos There was NOTHING BUT JUNGLE and meandering river until a few scattered huts came into view just about one minute before we landed at the airport. We truly are in the jungle, and I can't wait for the adventures to continue!!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The day before...
Well... the suitcases are packed and ready to go... all 60 pounds to be precise.
It is hard to predict whether or not I will have too much, too little, or "just right" (no, my name is not Goldilocks) ... but then I ask myself... why am I predicting?
This is my outlook on this trip: Do not make predictions. Do not try to imagine what it will be like (even though this is somewhat inevitable). Do not set expectations that may or may not be fulfilled. Ok... TIME OUT. You may be thinking that this is a really negative view on my part, right? You may be thinking to yourself... "Why isn't she talking about her goals, desires, and aspirations...?" Right? Maybe I am wrong... anyway...
Here is my thought: ALLOW GOD TO DO ALL THE WORK. I am willing, yes, but I need to leave room for the Lord to work in and through my life. Lots of room. If I am (even before I leave) already caught up in what I want this trip to be and look like, how am I able to say God is the one working? I have faith and confidence that He has prepared me enough for the work I will be doing there... It is all Him and none of me. That is my prayer. Please pray for this with me.
Truth of the day: I Corinthians 3:7
"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."
It is hard to predict whether or not I will have too much, too little, or "just right" (no, my name is not Goldilocks) ... but then I ask myself... why am I predicting?
This is my outlook on this trip: Do not make predictions. Do not try to imagine what it will be like (even though this is somewhat inevitable). Do not set expectations that may or may not be fulfilled. Ok... TIME OUT. You may be thinking that this is a really negative view on my part, right? You may be thinking to yourself... "Why isn't she talking about her goals, desires, and aspirations...?" Right? Maybe I am wrong... anyway...
Here is my thought: ALLOW GOD TO DO ALL THE WORK. I am willing, yes, but I need to leave room for the Lord to work in and through my life. Lots of room. If I am (even before I leave) already caught up in what I want this trip to be and look like, how am I able to say God is the one working? I have faith and confidence that He has prepared me enough for the work I will be doing there... It is all Him and none of me. That is my prayer. Please pray for this with me.
Truth of the day: I Corinthians 3:7
"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."
Monday, May 11, 2009
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