I am thankful that I had the ability to drive in the states. Here, many people including myself have to rely on taxis or buses to take us everywhere. The buses are crowded and have long routes that sometimes are not always taking the same route. The taxis are a bit challenging only because I lack the language to negotiate price and describe where I need to go. I miss the independence that I had to just jump in my car and go where ever I wanted.
I am thankful for safe place to live, hot water to shower with, and a family who is helping me navigate life here. After my trip to the jungle I ended up getting some type of bug that made me pretty sick for about 5 days. I was incredibly thankful for medicine to help my stomach and also something called "Fruitti Flex" which is equivalent to Pedialite in the states.
I'm thankful that I was able to connect with a woman in the church who is a physical therapist and works with kids with disabilities in a very nice clinic in Lima. I was able to go and observe her treating a few kids 2 weeks ago. She was able to give me some information on places to order equipment and gave me a better idea of how things are the same/different in the therapy world. Thankfully, even though the language is different the therapy looks very similar! I am glad to get this information because I plan to continue to work with the orphanage with the 101 kids with disabilities, but I realized when observing her how very important it is to understand and speak the language in order to be most effective. So, I continue to learn Spanish in classes and at my homestay. I just finished my basic 2 Spanish class and start my Basic 3 Spanish class Friday.
I'm thankful that while I am still learning, I am able to help serve in other areas. I am helping the church outreach office called Alcance with other projects like cleaning out a house they owned but has been vacant for 2 years and now needs to be cleaned and prepared for selling. This is a very large job, because the house was set up for about 40 residents! I also was able to help paint a medical building as well.
I'm am also thankful for the ability to have fun with the few friends I have made here. I have a few friends from my Spanish class that I have hung out with and then also Paige who is also another missionary here from the US. We have had the opportunity to go for coffee and see a movie as well as just get to know each other in general. It has been so nice to have these friends but I still desire some Peruvian friends so I am continuing to ask for prayer regarding this. I am also thankful for the awesome gift boxes and cards that were sent. Having a little bit of home has been such a joy for me. I particularly love the hand written notes of love and encouragement.
I am incredibly thankful for each one of you who supports me in prayer, encouragement, sending cards/packages/emails, and financially. Really, I could not be here without you!
I am thankful that each day I am learning more Spanish and growing more comfortable with life here. I hope that at the end of January or February that I will know enough to be able to move into my own apartment. I have found out that most apartments come unfurnished which seems normal, however their unfurnished means no kitchen appliances including no fridge or stove. Also, if I would like hot water, I would need to purchase a hot water tank. Therefore, because of this new information, I have realized that my initial outfitting budget may not be enough to cover these expenses. As we are nearing the end of this 2013 year, if you are looking to make additional tax donations to an organization, please prayerfully consider donating a part to help cover these expenses. If you are interested in donating you will find information on how to give under the tab labeled "Ways to Give". Please note that if you make a donation with your credit card after January 1, 2014 that my agency will be removing 3-5% for the fees that the credit card company charges for each transaction. There are other ways of giving that ensure that all of your donation supports me and is not tied up in fees. These options are on that ways to give tab of this blog.
Specific prayer requests for me are:
1. Being surrounded by others during the holidays so that I am not lonely and missing home quite as much.
2. Continual forward movement with Spanish and cultural learning.
3. Continual progress with connecting with the orphanage and assisting with wheelchair distributions.
4. More friends!
5. Joy in my heart and a right attitude to serve in any way that I can here.
I continue to enjoy your updates that you are sending me, so please keep them coming. Maybe you can tell me what you are thankful for? I appreciate your updates especially during this time of year since I will be missing all of you even more! Please tell me your prayer requests too! I spend so much time in the bus that I am now spending the rides praying for all of you so the more specific the better!
Thank you so much for your continued support, encouragement and prayer. It means so much to me.
Blessings and Love to you all,
Lisa