Warning: Treacherous activities ahead. (Mom and Dad, prepare yourselves before you read this post.)

Picture this: I am scaling the side of a mountain, sans rope, and all I can envision in my head is that Sylvester Stallone movie where the girl falls from the bungee cord to…well, I didn’t die, clearly, and if you know me at all, you know that I tend to exaggerate. Anyway, as Nicole is yelling at me to straighten up to take a good picture, I am mentally freaking out in my attempts to find footholds as we precariously maneuver our way around rocks. There were definitely times when I was very uneasy and was wishing for a carabiner or two. I now understand why hard-core hikers and mountain climbers always pull out the whole “you have to respect the mountain” stuff. While I was fine, one misstep in my poor choice of footwear (Chacos) would have made me quite acquainted with the dried up riverbed in the valley below.

Nicole and I joined some students from the university and traveled outside of the city to Yura. Arequipeñans do a lot of stuff outside of the city, and it is fairly cheap to get to places by combi (mini bus—also somewhat of a death wish at times). The students decided that we ought to hike to waterfalls in Yura. It was a much needed day trip, and I loved getting out of town. We left our house at 6:15 to catch up with the kids and travel the 45 minutes to the town.

My first mistake: I wore my Chacos, thinking that this was going to be a semi-easy trek. No. (Also, Christy said, “Oh yeah, I hike in my Chacos all the time.” I blame her ;) I think I heard “waterfalls” and thought about wading through rivers and streams in the States. In Peru, you have to traverse massive desert mountains before you see any semblance of green. Once we hit the river, it was so gorgeous, and I was in my element. I loved climbing the rocks and wading through the water. (I only fell once, surprisingly, given my clumsy nature.) It was still a fairly rigorous hike to get to the big waterfall—you hike some serious terrain. BUT, the final waterfall was absolutely worth it. It was huge and the way the sunlight hit it appeared to make it sparkle (Pictures on Facebook). We had good fun wading around (Peruvians are funny and would only get in the water only after the white girls did) and taking pictures, and then we started for the long road home (another 2 + hours). The weather was great, the company fun, and the scenery majestic. It was quite an adventure, and I had a blast. I also have serious sunburn to prove it.

In other news:

-Today on the combi I saw the newspaper headline “Laura Bush esta enamorada con Peru.” This made me chuckle. (Side note: Bushie and his wife have been in Lima with other important people for some kind of summit. You can tell that I am really up to speed on news. ;) Anyway, I was glad to know that Mrs. Bush is in love with Peru.

-I made salsa and didn’t mix it with my hands for once. Usually when I do this, my hands burn so badly. Well, because Peruvian rocotos (peppers) are so hot, just touching them to chop them up makes my hands turn to fire.

-The other day I became acquainted with a Peruvian spa. That was an adventure. It was a good price: 12 soles (4 dollars) for as long as you want. That’s how we suffer for the Lord in Peru.

-I have determined that AQP is a hippie town. I love it. We get along great, even though I’m not a full out hippie here, because oftentimes “hippie” equals “touristy.”

-I got in a cab with a guy named Fidel. Enough said.

-I know I have been harping on how much I love the sunny weather here, but as the Holiday season approaches, I find myself missing cool weather. I do love the crisp air, the smell of Christmas trees, and the weathermen freaking out about “Winter Watch 2008/9.”

-I’ve started to teach some Bible Studies, English classes at an Institute, and even part of Nicole’s university class. Pray that I am given words to say to these people. I love doing it, but sometimes it can get overwhelming with up to 30 faces just staring at me. 

Much love, because of His love. I miss y'all, especially during the Holiday season!

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....

Going Home.

A year ago today my beautiful friend Kristin went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ. Though unexpected for all those she left behind, her passing into the heavenly realm was very much expected and anticipated by God the Father, to His glory.

I vividly remember every moment of that day—every phone call, every prayer, every tear and every hug. While my heart aches for friends and family left behind, I can only thank God for making her already beautiful and joyful countenance completely perfect.

Philippians 3:20-1 says “But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.

All I know to do today is what I did a year ago: As tears stream down my face, I lift up my hands and sing praises to God for keeping His promise that He has prepared a home for us, and that I will see Kristin again.

To those who did not have the honor of knowing Kristin, rest in the fact that she was a vibrant witness for Christ and that people saw the joy of the Lord in her. She was loved by Dan, Cindy, Jessica, Jonathan, Brooke, and so many more family members. She was utterly cherished by a wonderful man named John. She has so many meaningful friendships, and everyone was blessed by Kristin, and, ultimately, Jesus in Kristin.

To those at home who knew her: I wish I could be there with you to remember her, but know that my prayers are with you as you celebrate her life.

Watermark song lyrics that have spoken hope into many circumstances proclaim this: “Arise and be comforted, for the Lord, he is good to the weary…For the Lord, He will renew their strength…For the Lord, He is good. 

Storytime with Sarah.

My posts are getting more lengthy because I have accumulated so many interesting things (to me at least), to mention. Some topics will be short, others quite involved. First, I am frustrated that I don't have internet in the current apartment. So, when I do get the opportunity to be online for more than 40 minutes, it is a big deal. I have so much to catch up on, and I've been pretty busy. I'll move into the new apartment in Yanahuara around the end of this month or the beginning of December. 

First of all, I LOVE this city. I don't know it well yet, but I just know I love it already. The people I've met so far are nice, and I do feel semi-safe. :) I love the atmosphere-it is "small town" but in a city. There are a few things that are annoying: Construction here seems never-ending; there are "traffic cops" that blow their whistles for no reason at all; people here think I'm an alien or something because I look very different. Perhaps the worst thing about AQP so far is our current apartment. The location is great, but it is just too loud. For example, yesterday and today we have received wake up calls at 5 am. What kind of wake up calls, you ask? About 5 sledgehammers knocking down walls in our building, right above us. Needless to say, I've had about 9 hours of sleep over the past two days. Steve tried to help us out by coming over and talking to them, but we can't do anything about it. I cannot wait to move out of downtown, as cool as it is, to somewhere I can call home. 

Over the past few days, we've been shopping for apartment stuff and going to English/Bible studies that Nicole teaches, which I will eventually take over. I have enjoyed going and seeing what I will be doing. Arequipenos are nice, and so much easier to understand than Limenos. Nicole, Steve and I have been hanging out: we have made dinner, watched movies, fixed things in the current apartment, etc. They found this place that has puppies and cats for sale, and they want me to get one. We'll see....maybe in the future, if only to see if I can keep it alive, thus being able to care for children. :) 

We went to the market yesterday, where I met Gregoria, my new fruit lady. She was so sweet and kept saying how cute and nice I am, so that made me feel good. The market was fun, but I need to learn how to barter. Someone sold me a melon for way too much. If it weren't for other tourists here, mainly fair-skinned Europeans, I'd be the only blonde-haired-blue-eyed gringa in Arequipa. 

I'm currently sitting in Cusco Cafe, which has free internet. I love it here, but am excited to explore the city and find other cute spots. I need to also be a tourist for a day and take some pictures and explore. Yesterday, Nicole and I came over to the cafe (where I always get Cafe con leche) to check out current events, given that the election had just happened. I wasn't surprised to hear that Obama had won, but instead of getting tons of info from CNN or Fox, I got much of my information from facebook; it was so hysterical reading people's statuses on facebook. I was so entertained by all of you in the States, so thank you. You're passion, zeal, and humor told me very much about the state of our country. On a side note, praise God that He is still in control, not any one person. 

Other fun things: 

-I hear more American music here than anything. Sad day. Yesterday Fergie's "Clumsy" came on, and I also heard "Sarah" in Saga while we were shopping.

-Oh, shopping. It's an experience in Peru. Plaza Vea is fun: It is Walmart, basically. Siglo Veinte is a cheaper version, but kinda sketchy. It's huge and has everything. The Mercado is also huge and has tons of great food. There are cute tiendas here with cool stuff, as well as "normal" shops: Topitop, Estilos, and Saga. Saga is somewhere in between Sears and Dillards, and it has tons of stuff. When you buy at Saga, you pay for everything separately, which is an adventure; you pay for the TV in electronics, cookware in the Kitchen section, blenders and coffee pots in another section, etc. It is very involved. 

-The airport likes to cancel flights, I've decided. Our plane was canceled from Lima to AQP, then Kathy and Pam's flight was canceled from AQP back to Lima. We made it, miraculously. Needless to say, I won't be surprised if I show up in the future and my flight was canceled. 

-Right before I left Lima, I watched the GA/FL game at an American bar...it was awful, I was with all Florida fans, who I really think are the most obnoxious people on earth. While we were at the bar, there was an earthquake. Don't worry, Mom, I'm fine. I never heard where the epicenter was, but it was a nice shake. 

-My taxi driver the other day started asking me if I was married. He thought I was married to Anibal, and I quickly put that to rest. Then, he kept insisting I was married, so finally I just agreed with him. Big mistake. This led into a convo about family planning, "planificacion familial," I think. He basically was asking me why my fake husband and I don't have kids yet, and he wanted to know the best way to prevent that from happening, and how I, specifically, did that. I'm not kidding. It was weird at first, and I kept trying to change the subject, but he wanted to talk about it, so I just started making up answers. I would have been more concerned, but he was just an old Quechua man with 5 kids. Who knows, maybe he was just curious for his own sake. 

On that sketchy story note, I think that's all for now. There is finally some Spanish music playing in the cafe, and I'm happy. :) I'll be touch. 

For Him.

Crisp, biting air pierces my lungs

Dancing lights speak of promises yet fulfilled.

Feet grace new roads, expectant-

I fell in love. 

Tears softly run down 

creating cool streams-

Proof of life. 

Only good; whispers of assurance

He has said: It is time. 

Great things are coming...

Good things.

Praise God for unexpected surprises. He is always good about showing His love to us in the little things. Picture this: A park. Green grass. Blankets. Good books. And....sun. This afternoon, Sandi and I laid outside in a park across from the apartment. It was so delightful to feel the sun's warmth on my cheek, to see blue skies, no clouds at all. I don't think that this afternoon could have been any better. 

For those of you who have yet to hear me whine about my current home, here is the reason why I am so excited about sun: There is no sun in Lima, Peru. Okay, that is a bit of an exaggeration, but most of it is true. Lima doesn't get very much sun, at least not at this time of the year. So, here's the good news: I am leaving Lima on November 1 for Arequipa, which is really my home, and which also happens to be sunny 300 days of the year. I've definitely learned in the last two weeks that I am a girl who needs some sun in her life. :) 

I've had some good days recently, mostly hanging out with friends here. This feeling I have of not being able to do anything is about to change with my move south. Among other things, Sandi, Jessica and I have been hanging out a lot, roaming the city, drinking coffee, shopping, watching Lost (it just doesn't get old) and various movies with Austin and Anibal. We had a Halloween costume party last week for the ESL class, and that was tons of fun. The longer I stay in Lima and meet people, the more I do like it, and I will miss new friends. 

The other day I sat at Starbucks for 3 hours. It was so good. I finished reading The Shack (thanks for the loan Chris Black, I don't even think you knew I had it...I'll mail it to you in Brazil). My take on the book: It is a good read--fun in the sense that it makes you think. It is quite introspective. Here's how I look at all the spiritual stuff, though: To everyone who thinks the book is the be-all-end-all of things, just pick up Scripture. The Bible, the Gospel, though offensive, is what the author draws from, and it is far more accurate and life-giving than any novel. So my advice, for what it's worth, while I know not much, is just to read the Word of God and fall in love. 

Other funny tidbits that I have for y'all, if you're still reading after I spouted off about The Shack...

*Spanish here, at first, seemed like a breeze. Oh, it's absolutely not. I find myself saying "como?" more than any other word. I'd love to practice with people, but I need to understand them first. I think it's just that Peruanos speak really fast, and there are a lot of dialectal differences as well. 

*My taxi driver the other day thought I was from France. Wow. I don't even know what to say to that.

*I am going to turn into a chicken before I leave Peru. I'm convinced that these people eat more chicken than anything else. 

*I was excited the other day when I passed a local store and actually recognized it and the merchant in the store. The previous day I'd seen a man outside the store dancing with his daughter/sister. It was really cute. They were just salsa-ing, no music. Well, the next day, I saw him again. I know this sounds weird, but it was almost familiar....like I was actually home. I saw a complete stranger twice, but it was something recognizable. 

*Peruvian movie theaters are an experience...good, but interesting. Here is a movie NOT to see: Ceguera, or Blindness. I thought it would be a good, interesting, "intellectual" movie, but I was wrong. Sandi and I walked out of the theater. Don't ask, I can't even think about it. I lost 8 soles on that awful creation.

*I've now seen much of what is available as far as shopping goes. Jess and I went to the Black Market the other day, which was interesting. I can't say I'll go back there. Then, we went to Jockey Plaza, which was really fun and nice, very much like an American mall. Today Sandi took me to a "middle of the road" plaza, where we went to Topitop, also known as "La gran tienda peruana." This cracks me up. Everyone here seems to love this store, and it is does have good stuff for decent prices. Maybe someday I'll embrace Topitop and actually buy something.

*There is a new creature in my life. I call her Devil Cat. The apartment I am currently in houses a kitten. Don't ask me her name, I couldn't tell you. Jessica got her for 5 soles, which is about 1.50. That should tell you something. If you know me at all, you know that I hate cats with all my being. Well, this cat KNOWS that I hate it. I'm telling you, she is after me. She is a white furball roaming around, looking at me with her freakishly beady eyes, always ready to pounce on me or draw blood from my limbs. She can be semi-cute sometimes when she lets you hold her, but most of the time, she acts possessed. Since Jess left for Arequipa for a week, Cat has started to confuse me with her owner. Please come back soon, Jessica. 

*Now onto the BIG THING. Everyone interested in making fun of me/Peru, READ THIS (ie, all my Athens friends...) I saw llamas for the first time today. It's only taken me over two weeks. I was in a taxi and happened to look to my right and saw a park, where two llamas were roaming around. I didn't have my camera, and there was a a fence separating me from this glorious sight. All hope was restored in this moment, and I can die happy now: Sun and llamas in one day.  

Last funny thing, and then I'll leave the blog-world for another 10 days or so. First of all, happy halloween from Peru. Let me explain Peruvian halloween, as I know it at this moment. I've heard that Halloween falls on the same day that Peru celebrates its criollo music. So, most Peruvians, if they choose to celebrate something, are going to celebrate this day in their culture. Well, Sandi and I forgot to buy candy so tonight as we are watching a movie, we suddenly hear cries of "Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!" Apparently some kids do celebrate halloween, and we ended up having to hide from them, which made me sad because I would have loved to have seen some costumes. This year we embraced the ABBA fad that is currently taking over in this country and attempted to be ABBA-esque (it failed). Maybe I'll start working on my llama costume for next year...