Week three started out a little slow and rough with me catching some kind of head cold/flu bug which kept me home for 2 days. Thankfully, I 'm feeling MUCH better and am happy to say that I think the shock my body initially went through is fading and I'm adjusting much better. During
my time at home, I experienced my first ever earthquake! According to news reports it was a 7.0 on the Richter scale, with the epicenter being about 300 miles away from Lima. Thankfully, there was no structural damage in Lima, but I was literally shaken up from the experience. This served as just another reminder that I am not in control of my life and the only secure thing I can cling to is God.
One day, I had the opportunity to go to one of the shanty towns the church serves to meet a 14 year old young man named Jhonny, who I mentioned in my last blog update. Jhonny has Cerebral Palsy and untreated Hydrocephalus. Being that it was my first time with him and his first ever therapy session, the session consisted of me evaluating his needs which are severe, and his strengths which are also present like his great smile, and his ability to move his left hand to his face and the top of his head. His sister and mom who are his primary caregivers watched and learned how to position him on his stomach so that he could work on putting some weight through his left arm and work on head control. Jhonny fatigued quickly so the session was rather short. I'm hopeful that the little bit that I did do was valuable for him and them. I'm realizing as I go into these people's homes that unlike in the states, there really is very little within the house to assist with therapy. I did not bring many supplies down with me due to limited space. I'm going to start a wish list of things I would like to have here. I have limited knowledge of what can be bought here and what I will need to get from the states. I hope to visit a therapy clinic in downtown Lima sometime soon to get a better idea of this, and once I do have a wish list, I will post the items on my blog if any of you feel led to help purchase some of these things and send them down this way.
The rest of the week consisted of participating in different serving opportunities and meeting more people. I helped to pass out fleece scarves to children at a school while some members of the church shared the message of the gift of receiving Jesus as their Savior. I couldn't believe my eyes seeing a whole bunch of kids openly praying in school! When I asked about it, I guess there are rules about it here, but there are ways of getting around it. I also had the chance to help give out breakfast to cancer patients and their families at a cancer center. Neither of these service acts were therapy related but I go where-ever my host family goes so I get to participate in all these other things too.
Today, was the best day so far this week. I finally was able to sign up for Spanish classes ( I start Tues Oct 1), and learned how to take the bus to school and back home to the house. I finally feel like I have a little understanding of where I am and how to get somewhere. I'm very nervous though doing this on my own in just 2 days! My host mom, Margot and I spent the day together with her teaching me things I need to know about the bus system here, and also spent some time by the ocean enjoying the view.
PRAISES!
1. My condo sold!
2. I'm feeling healthier
3. I'm understanding more Spanish each day.
4. I was able to help Jhonny and his family a little bit today with different positioning techniques.
PRAYERS!
1. That I can stay healthy!
2. That I can navigate the confusing bus system to language school and then to the church on my own with safety and without any mix ups. It will be about a 40-60 minute bus ride each direction.
3. That I can get connected with the local therapy place to investigate equipment.
4. That I can make some friends here.
5. That I can continue to soak in the language and culture.
6. That I can continue to find little joys in each day.
7.That I continue to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and not let the worries of everything else turn my focus away from Him.
Lastly, I have a request. I know this seems like a luxury item but I'm finding out more each day how incredibly helpful it would be to have a newer smart phone than the one that was donated to me. Unfortunately, the older the phone, the slower the speed and often times inconsistent internet connections. There are apps that would be so helpful for me, like one that converts pictures of documents into a PDF file which I need for my expense reports for my agency. Another is the Google Maps so WHEN I get lost, I will be able to try to figure out how to get home, or tell someone where I am so they can come get me! And, of course apps that allow for communication to family and friends. So, my request is, if you have AT&T phone service and are looking to upgrade your 4s iPhone to a 5, and are interested in selling your 4s or know someone who does, I would be interested in buying it from you/them.
Again, thanks so very much again for your prayers and encouragement. I'm looking forward to this upcoming week as we move into October and I hope that you are all as well.