In the waiting room.

Hola a todos!

I'm in Lima right now, in Starbucks, actually. Yay! Oh, how I miss overpriced coffee, elevator music, and the rich folks in Miraflores. I don't love Lima, but I love visiting; I feel like I'm in the 21st century. Then, as I arrive in my city in the always-perilous airplane landing, I'm overjoyed to be home, away from the bustle of Lima, exchanging that bustle for the Arequipenan bustle. I will return to AQP on the 1st of June, after our summer missionary training is over.

Some stories for you until I can write more:

1. I saw two cows in a taxi in Arequipa recently. Two cows, stuffed in the back of a station-wagon taxi, driving down a major road.
2. I helped lead worship in church one Sunday. Can I sing, you ask? Everyone can sing in Peru... :) It was fun, nonetheless.
3. Ten road workers tried to pick me up in AQP as I was leaving for Lima. Usually I don't say anything in response, but TEN, all saying things....Let's just say, I got a little frustrated. My spanish is always better when I'm angry.
4. The Swine Flu (gripe porcina) has arrived in Lima and Arequipa. Peruvians are always faithful to remind me that Americans bring it in--they should prep themselves for 120 college students to arrive tonight then, all potential threats. ;) They also love to wear masks around, thinking we're all going to die.
5. I have gifts! People have sent/brought in natural peanut butter, chocolate chips, CHEERIOS, body lotions, and other random goodies (thank you, Chris Harris, for the Dolly cd).

I'll update you with more doings in a few weeks. I know I said that I would send out an email update. It's coming! Be in prayer over Malea's travels as she returns to the States. Kelsey, Stacey, and Nathaniel are here until the end of July. Pray as we get started in Arequipa that ministry opportunities flourish, and that God gives us His vision for that city. I've been praying for some time for vision, join me in that, please. As I was listening to my ipod on shuffle the other day, "Be Thou My Vision" came on, and it was beautiful meditating on Christ as my principle vision; all else will come in time.

Love to all, blessings as you enter new seasons. (Above: Some cute kids I teach at a colegio.)

transparency.

it's always best writing late, i usually feel real at this hour. 

these have been hard days. i've been avoiding updating anyone on anything because sometimes i selfishly want to ignore the difficulty around me--you know, let the bad subside, then tell you something wonderful whenever "wonderful" shows up. but i was thinking the other day, "when is something wonderful going to come?" in emotion, in not-thinking-clearly moments, i tend to think that greatness is beyond me. then i remember that greatness has come and is within me: 

Christ Jesus. 

so even when i'm awfully low, He picks me up and reminds me of His wonder. when i see gray, when i feel tears, when i can't breathe, God gives me warm/bright sun rays, cool/refreshing tears mixed with belly-ache laughter, and His very own breath...

good days are ahead. 

in the meantime, He brings me to Himself and to my knees. 

thank you for your prayers, i covet them. continue to lift up the work here with the ESL ministry. our summer missionaries are coming in June, please pray for their precious lives to glorify God in great ways during their months in AQP. pray for other Great Commissioner's, that they would be a blessing to the work God is doing in Arequipa and in South America. perhaps more importantly, ask that the Father would create a revolution in this city that points people to Himself. 

i'm begging Him to make His name known through all creation, for His renown. come quickly, Lord Jesus.