Only alive with you...

The title of this post is inspired by a Jars of Clay song I have been listening to a lot. They say, “I’m only alive with you, I can’t get by, and I won’t get through. So put me in the river, and let me say ‘I do,’ cause I’m only alive with you.” God has been teaching me to lean on him immensely. It’s one of those truths that I have heard so often, but that I never tire of discovering anew. James 4:8 says “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” With confession comes cleansing and purity of heart, praise God. Like I said, I’m only alive when I’m with Him; may I be found in Him always. I can’t wait for that day when I step into a heavenly river filled with beautiful cleansing water where He will marry me all over again.

I hope this finds you all well. I have now been in Peru for a month and 2 days, and I still love it. I find there are times when I wish I could drive around in my car or eat Chick-fil-a whenever I want, but I’m adjusting to the walking/taxis and to going to the market everyday and getting really great stuff that is ultimately better than Chick-fil-a. Last night I made a veggie pizza that was surprisingly a big success given that the cheeses here are not like the cheeses at home.

I’m still getting used to city noises outside the apartment at all hours of the day and night (still waiting on the word to move, pray for this please). Last week Nicole and I woke up at 4 am to take a missionary couple to the airport. Though early, it was a blessing if only to see the sun rise over the mountains as we came back home. I also found out that quiet hours do exist in Peru—they only last from around 4 to 6:30 am.

We’ve had some fun adventures recently: Last weekend Nicole and Steve climbed Misti, so I hung around town (I need to train for this, it's quite a trek). I met some other missionaries and hung out with their family, which was really great. Apart from IMB folks here, there are Australian missionaries, British missionaries, Swiss missionaries, and German missionaries that I’ve met—it’s really cool meeting other Great Commission Christians. I also had an adventure with Esmerelda and Janina, two Peruvian girls who go to the university; they found me all by my lonesome in the Plaza and took me to Tingo, a little park outside downtown. It was really fun: I got to practice my Spanish, and they got to practice their English as we rowed around a tiny lake on a boat that cost 1 sol. (See facebook for pics)

Other fun things:

-Peruvians are incredibly strange about their money. If it is not perfect, they won’t accept it.

-We’ve been cooking a lot. Steve has gotten some recipes that he’s tested on us: Estofada (“al gringo”) and Aji de Gallina are some examples. Both were excellent, and we’ve had fun cookng.

-I taught for the first time at an English Institute. It was the funniest, most unnerving thing I’ve ever experienced. Imagine 25 to 30 students, ranging in age from 13 to 50, all staring at you, because, as I come to find out, they are scared of me. Apparently many of them have never seen a gringa. They all just stared at me, and it took me being my silly, crazy self to get them to loosen up. Another random thing: Students never call me “Sara.” I am simply “Miss” to them. Apparently it’s normal, but I’m already going through withdrawals of not being called “Junco,” since that is what I’m used to; I don’t even hear “Sarah” anymore, and when I do, it’s strange. J

-A couple of days ago Steve, Nicole and I went to Selva Alegra and just chilled out. We took towels and read and just enjoyed the afternoon. It was so beautiful out, and I love people-watching on Sundays, it’s quite entertaining. Sunday here is family day: People will either stay in or go to a park and hang out. Two bonuses at this park: I ate really yummy chocolate-covered pecans with coconut…it tasted like an Almond Joy or Mounds, only better. Also, we got pictures with the llamas, or alpacas, whatever they are. One of them spit on Steve. Check facebook for pics. 

-We went to Alianza church this past Sunday, and it was really wonderful. The people there were so welcoming and I loved the music and the teaching of the Word. It was a sweet time of worship and communion with the Lord. 

-I've discovered this new cafe called Zig Zag. They sell crepes, and I've tried a couple--they're okay, and I'm not a huge crepe fan. It's a touristy cafe, but still cute, AND it has free internet, thus the reason I have begun to frequent it. Cusco Coffee's internet is semi-functional, and I can only take so much Ritmo Romantico....this is the radio station Cusco has started to play. I hear the same songs (granted, in Spanish, so that is good) 12 times in 3 hours. 

-Steve discovered the power of aloe plants, so now we are obsessed with healing whatever ailments we might have with aloe out of the plant. It's pretty cool, actually. If only I could get over this sore throat with aloe. Peruvians think that healing a sore throat involves simply wrapping a scarf around your throat, even in 70 degree weather. No, thanks. 

-Finally, I'm reading a new book! It's called Crazy Love, by Francis Chan (thanks for the rec, Sam). It's really interesting, if only because Chan uses tons of Scripture to communicate truth that we hear a lot, but need to be reminded of. You should check it out. 

Much love! Cuidense....