On the edge of a dream

Last spring, after I graduated from nursing school, I heard this phrase, "On the edge of a dream". It resonated deeply within me, as I began to feel Peru getting closer and closer. And now you can see the picture of us at this incredible waterfall, in the foothills of the Andes mountains. We had an amazing day hiking around there, and I went off by myself to pray and thank God for fulfilling this dream.
I had another moment the other day. I was at the home where we go a few times a week to be with the women and children, which is called the Home of Life (Hogar de Vida). I was holding one woman's baby, singing him songs about Jesus and making him laugh, and she was sitting close beside me. And I knew that in that moment, I was sharing the love of God in Peru, in the best way that I can.
I don't know if I'm making sense, but what I'm trying to say is...I'm not standing on the edge of my dream anymore--I'm living it! I am living my dream, the dream that God planted 11 years ago. And I love it.
On Wednesday we are living for a 2 1/2 week trip to the northern part of Peru. I would ask your prayers, as we will be travelling lots, the weather is hotter up there, and we will be eating unfamiliar foods again. Our team has already had a lot of sickness, and I want us to be strong physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Please pray for angels of protection and God's mighty power to be at work in us.
I hope you are well. And I thank those of you who take the time to read this and remember me and pray for me. I can feel your prayers across the miles.
Oh, yeah. And please pray that we won't meet any rats on our journey. I'm bringing my rat trap though. You just never know.

Living a Peruvian life

I am getting tanned from the sun, toned from the gym, and kind of wanting to cut my hair. But I don't think I will just yet, because right now they tell me I look Peruvian. (Actually, someone initially said that I looked like a rich Peruvian. I wasn't exactly sure what that meant.) But anyways, I am fitting in well here, at least until I open my mouth! My Spanish is improving, slowly but surely. For example, we learned a very useful phrase in Spanish class yesterday: We're all going to die! So I used it several times at the gym this morning when these Peruvian men were trying to make us lift about a zillion kilos.

I watch the sun rise over Lima from the gym each morning...and I pray with all my heart that God would rise His Son over Peru. I watch all the cars driving somewhere, the people walking somewhere, and pray for the touch of my Father in their lives.

Here's a picture of me in my new role of playing guitar. I'm not great, but I can do it cuz I'm here in Peru.

We've kind of settled into a routine here. It feels very natural to me. I'm living a Peruvian life.

Yeah. I am Peruvian.