I'M IN PERU!! =)

First of all, I just wanted to let you all know that I made to Peru safe and in one piece. =) Secondly, I cannot believe this is all real!

I have seen God so much already, but i'll start at the beginning for you. As many of you know, this trip was my first time flying...and I LOVED it. On the first flight to New York, Justin let me have the window seat because he's awesome, and I watched out the window pretty much the entire time. It really got me to thinking about how big God is. At home, everything in life seems so important. There's so much 'big stuff' that we lose focus of what really matters. But when you're up in the sky, looking through clouds at the place you call home, you realize just how small and insignificant the earth is. From up there, you can't see people or houses or schools or celebrities. All you can see is God's creation. His perfectly crafted, beautiful creation. This place is nothing compared to the Home that our Father has prepared for us in Heaven.

After we got to Lima, we rode in a van to Chilca. It was pretty late so we just put our bags in our room and went to bed. Sunday morning we woke up, ate breakfast, and went to church. That service was unlike any church service I have ever been to in my life. The worship was so sincere. It was like Jesus was just hanging out dancing and clapping with us. So awesome. After church we went to lunch with some of the kids from Hannah's. I wish that you could all meet them. They are so full of love, and you know how I feel about love...it's my favorite. =) One of the girls, Esther, grabbed my hand and started walking around with me as if we were best friends. I just love how God works in us so that, even with a language barrier, we could have a genuinely good time. And then there's Kelly. She is the funniest little girl here. I'm pretty sure she doesn't remember my name, but she just calls me crazy. I guess the kids in Peru are just like the kids in Ohio. lol The rest of Sunday was basically just hanging out and getting a feel for things. We played a pretty intense game of catch phrase, made some new friends, laughed alot. You know, solid day. =)

This morning we woke up at about 6:45 for showers and silent time. Every morning we will be having silent time to just read some bible verses and really connect with God so that our hearts and our minds are in the right place. Then we eat breakfast and get our missionary assignments. Today I was in the sanding group with Tina, Rob and Gene -- with Ryan as our leader. Ryan is a summer volunteer for Childreach from Penn State. He shared his story with us, and it was really inspiring to hear what God has done and is doing in his life. During the morning session of sanding, I had to climb up on this ledge thing that was definitely not the sturdiest thing i've ever sat on, but it was cool. We took a break for lunch and then it was back to work. I say work pretty lightly, I had it easy today. Justin was a little bitter because him and Reston (our new friend from Tennessee) were sweating it up digging a big hole while I was hanging out in a window. Not my fault -- Ryan told me to take a break. =) However, I did help dig for a little bit.

Anywaysssss we got to go play with the kids at the orphanage today!! As soon as I walked in, Kelly walked up to me and said 'crazyy!' haha Some people played volleyball, some played soccer, a few of us just sat around and hung out. It was pretty much just a time to love on a few kids for an hour and a half. We came back for dinner and had this delicious chicken over rice with some kind of yellow sauce. Don't ask me how to say or spell anything, because I have no idea. We really started making more connections with the rest of our team tonight. It's so awesome to hear the stories of how everyone came to be here at this time in their lives and just to communicate with brothers and sisters in Christ. And we had some pretty interesting (and hilarious) conversations. Mostly started by us girls...surprise! lol Everyone was laughing soo much! There are alot more young people here than I was expecting, and I find that really encouraging. It's so easy to concentrate on the negative aspects of the youth today, that we overlook the hope and promise of our generation. It's just inspiring. We're just kids who want to help, you know? We want to change the world. We want to be a generation who can rise up against evil, and being here with these people makes me think that we can be that generation. We can start a revolution for God.

Okay, so I really need to go shower because I look like I have gray hair from sanding this afternoon. And lights out was about an hour ago. And we have to get up early. Pleae keep us in your prayers as we continue on this adventure.


Lift your eyes up. Seek God in every area of your life. Trust that He will always answer you.



peaceandlove<3