One Down.

I learned a lot from my high school English teacher about writing, grammar, what not to say in public, how not to behave in a classroom setting, what 'manners' not to exhibit, etc., but one thing I never learned--and honestly, still have never done--is make a rough draft of a paper to ensure all the paragraphs flow and are united. My papers typically always just kind of come together beautifully and perfectly and make 100% sense... But my teachers typically thought otherwise.

As I sit here thinking about what all I've seen this past week, how much fun it was, what funny stories I can share, or how I've already seen God opening doors, I'm not about to put a cap on these stories by trying to organize or paraphrase them in the most cohesive manner. Either, "You're welcome" or "I'm sorry."

So, here we go.

Well, the first full day in Trujillo, after the last blog post and a full night in the Lima airport, was spent half-and-half. Half of it was running out to Josh's work and seeing the Sinergia building, Wichanzao church, and some of the surrounding community that benefits from the church and Sinergia. A man who was leading a mission trip for a group in Lima had heard about Sinergia and wanted to come visit, so Josh took him and me on a tour of the Sinergia grounds and then of a local marketplace that has many women who benefit from this wonderful microfinance aspect of Perú Mission (http://www.perumission.org/stewardship-sinergia). That was great getting to see actual faces, fruit stands, and products of those who benefit through Sinergia--as well as the neighborhood and lifestyle of those parents and kids that attend Wichanzao church. That was really cool. Then, once we returned back home, I spent the other half of the day unconscious in my bed. From 2:00 to 7:00 I was fully unaware of all my surroundings. There could have been an earthquake (which there actually was the night before I came, so not really an exaggeration) and I wouldn't have shifted. However, I was awoken by the laughter and voices of several people outside... WHOOPS. I slept into a little game night that we were having, with Peruvians of course. So I went out and greeted everyone and we played Mafia and hung out until about 9 when Josh, several other guys that were there, and I were supposed to go play fútbol at an outdoor, turf 'club.' That was an exciting, packed day full of visiting and sleep.

All of the days since then have kind of become one through taking about 3 days to finish a task (just part of the Peruvian culture) and my amazing ability to forget things.

But there's so much more I want to share, so it will be a lot less of a chronological order and much more of a 'whatever pops into my head' type order. Yes, that is definitely a type of order.

So, through the hard work and planning of Josh and Liz, my weekly schedule is coming together! I will be working at a boy's home named Hogar San José three days a week, still not set in stone which days, teaching English, playing games with the boys there, making art with them, and basically any other activity I'm asked to do. More on this, a little bit later. I will also be working at Las Ponas, a Perú Mission woodshop, Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Still in the mix is the possibility of teaching English at our church in Wichanzao with Pilar and Pablo, two Peruvians that most likely know English better than I know Spanish. Another likely possibility is volunteering at Hogar Luz de Vida (Light of Life) a few times a week. So, a lot of opportunities have been laid out in front of me and one of the most exciting so far has been Hogar San José.

This past week, on Tuesday afternoon, Josh and I went to visit Hogar San José. This orphanage is about 15 minutes away from our house on Fátima and is a boy's only organization. So, after Josh talked with the director and planned a meeting, we were able to go and visit. It took several days to reach the director and schedule a meeting, but that's just part of living in Perú. Josh and I took a bus out to the boy's home, signed in, and then went and talked with the director. Señor Wilfredo was an extremely nice man, who seemed almost as excited as me for this opportunity. Josh took some Perú Mission pamphlets and talked about opportunities to make connections between the orphanage and the mission, which was also really cool to see Señor Wilfredo's excitement towards that. When Josh and I first got there, several boys were walking around and I suppose heard that I would be volunteering there because one guy asked us, "Are you the one working here?" After about a 20 minute introduction to the boy's home and discussing possibilities to work, Señor Wilfredo took us on a little tour of the grounds. It's actually pretty large; there are 2 or 3 dorm buildings, 1 building that has offices and such, 1 that has a big room to do arts and crafts in, 1 building that has classrooms and desks in it, a big stadium-like fútbol/basquetbol court, and an area with trees and a garden or something. After the tour and everything was done, the boys were down on the court playing fútbol and asked if we wanted to play, so we played with them for about half and hour. It was awesome. So that has been encouraging to see God opening doors with Hogar San José for me to teach and help, and also the opportunity to make connections with Perú Mission.

Aside from visiting Hogar San José, talking about planning meetings for teaching English at our Wichanzao church, visiting and helping out at Las Ponas, calling and discussing opportunities to work at Hogar Luz de Vida, talking about attending and helping out with SUSA (a college ministry outreach of Perú Mission), much of this week has been spent getting to know Trujillo, meeting missionaries and their kids, walking around, kind of getting lost, and other fun things.

For most of the week, Josh has been taking me around to different spots, making connections for me between where we are in relation to home, taking me to the bank, etc. Contrary to the States, the main means of transportation in Perú is walking. Sure, you take buses, taxis, or colectivos (extraordinarily fun) to the surrounding area where you want to go, but then you walk. And walk. And it's awesome. Everything's typically close enough to take no longer than 25 minutes to walk to, whereas in the US you have to get in your car and drive at least 20 minutes to get to the nearest Walmart. It's just a different way of life. Willy Madrid, married to a missionary of Perú Missions and next-door neighbors, took me out on a tour of downtown Trujillo, also. This was more of a historical tour where he gave me much information, history, facts about Trujillo and it was a blast. We walked about 45 minutes into downtown, walked all around the streets, sat and talked at a park about Peruvian government and other issues, and then walked to get on a colectivo. Being able to hear so much background info from a local Peruvian and see a new perspective on the city was absolutely grand.

Man. I feel like I just have so much to say, but I don't want to bore you... Here, intermission.

Josh and I walking around downtown.

A Día de la Sierra y Costa at Wichanzao church--celebrating the majority of the congregation's heritage by bringing and enjoying foods of the mountains (sierra) and the coast (costa).

Eating some type of surprisingly spicy food at the Día de la Sierra y Costa festival.

Okay, and we're back.

So, although walking is a main means of transportation, one of the most fun things has been taking advantage of the other means. There are combis, colectivos, taxis (spelled takci), and micros. Combis are bigger, home-school-family type vans that seat maybe 15 adults. Colectivos are only cars, but fit up to 6 passengers excluding the driver. Taxis are supposed to only hold 4 passengers aside from the driver... But nobody keeps that. And then the micros are just big city buses that hold as many as can sit down, stand up, kneel, lay down, etc. My favorite have been colectivos and micros; colectivos are just fun because it's a standard rate, they run in set paths--but there are many routes--and if someone else needs to get to a destination farther down the route of the colectivo that you're in, they just get in and sit down by you. You flag them down, get in it, and enjoy the hectic ride. Micros are kind of like colectivos, only bigger and more dangerous for pedestrians and passengers. You just flag them down, get in, and then get off when you reach your destination. It sounds simple, but it's not. But it basically is. Essentially, what I'm trying to say is that I kind of got lost or turned around or something after getting off a micro earlier than I should have and then getting on a colectivo that wasn't heading to where it said it was. Kind of mostly my fault, also just kind of part of going with the flow.

Yes, this week has been extremely busy with trying to figure out work schedule in a very polychronic culture, running around town to see more of the city that I'll be living in, figuring out routes of transportation, visiting and having others visit, church activities, etc., but there has been so much goodness in it. Seriously. So many blessings have been poured onto my time already. Josh and Elizabeth have been so generous, helpful, and welcoming as I transition in, many doors are being opened for me to help, volunteer, and teach, the Lord is showing me more ways that I can actively be a servant, and how I can glorify Him more fully this summer.

As I begin this summer after a full week, please continue in prayer for me, Perú Mission, and Trujillo.

Specific Prayer Requests

-Safety for families and children of surrounding neighborhoods.
       -In Wichanzao, there have been several alleged cases of children being taken in front of their mothers in          the marketplaces by local gang members, killed, and their organs taken out--most likely to be sold.
       -In Parque Industrial, a sister church's neighborhood, there have been several murders and robberies in            the last few weeks.
-That the Holy Spirit may continue to soften hearts of Peruvians and the Perú Mission team to Himself.
-That the Lord may continue humbling me and showing me more of how to glorify Him and serve others.
-For Josh and Liz and the other missionary families that they may be sustained and encouraged by each other and God's good promises in His Word.

Some goodness from The Valley of Vision

"Continue the gentleness of they goodness towards me,

And whether I wake or sleep, let thy presence go with me,

thy blessing attend me.

Thou hast led me on and I have found thy promises true, 

I have been sorrowful, but thou has been my help, 

fearful, but thou hast delivered me,

despairing, but thou has lifted me up.

Thy vows are ever upon me,

And I praise thee, O God."

Daniel