So, I've been living in Wake Forest for about 8 months now, and I absolutely love it.  I thoroughly enjoy all my classes at the seminary, and I have made some amazing friends that encourage me more than I can even fathom.  I have been pretty lax in writing over the last few months, not because of a lack of things to say, but because I have been so stinkin busy with school, work, and getting to know people.  Even still, I have been living in a quasi-bubble of sorts.  I have been wanting to branch out and get to know people in the area and minister to those around me that are outside of the seminary.  I joined Open Door Baptist Church back in the fall because I found a place there with a Hispanic ministry for Bible Study, as well as a mission-minded body of believers.  I have been attending the Hispanic class for a while, but this semester was asked to become involved in leading music with them.  This was an answer to prayers to become a part of the group, and to use my gifts to glorify the Father.  I still desired to build deeper relationships with my new Spanish-speaking friends, but didn't exactly know how to do that. 

This past Saturday night I had the opportunity to go square dancing with International students at N.C. State, and it was a tremendous amount of fun.  Despite getting to hang out with these students, I was disappointed that I didn't get to form any relationships among the girls there. 

I went to Open Door on Sunday morning with my heart burdened to be in Peru and to converse with my friends there.  Luckily, I was going to my Spanish Bible study, but as always, I knew in my selfishness I would leave without building a stronger relationship with anyone in my class.  My pride that my Spanish language skills were lacking kept me from trying to talk to anyone for too long after class.  When I was about to walk out the door, the leader of the group, Carlos, asked me if I would be willing to help an older lady in the class learn how to use her computer.  I was hungry for an opportunity to get to know someone, but also a little reluctant because of all that I already have on my plate.  However, my inability to say "no" got the best of me, and I said I would do what I could.  I walked over and was introduced to my new friend Blanca, who I was sure thought I was young and didn't understand much of what she was saying.  Nevertheless, she was excited that I was going to help bring her up to speed with the information age.  

In her eagerness to email to her heart's content, Blanca called me yesterday afternoon and we planned to meet this morning.  At first I thought, I'll just spend an hour or so and then get back to reading before going to work, but I was in denial.  I knew that the visit would be a good chunk of my time, since visiting in someone's home of another culture tends to have no time limit.  I love that, by the way.  I truly enjoy getting to spend quality time with people and hearing their stories, as well as being genuinely asked about my own.  Real, pure, engaging, conversation.  I just thought I didn't have time for it today--that I couldn't fit it into my oh so busy schedule.  But as it goes, my Colombian coffee time and computer lessons were a much needed bursting of the bubble where I kept myself.  Today I reverted back to the way time was in Peru when I didn't have to be anywhere but sitting right there talking to that person and enjoying fellowship.  I taught Blanca how to set up her email, use a touchpad, and to click on links when the arrow turns into a hand, but more importantly a friendship was formed that I think we both needed.

Hey everyone!  Although I started this site to tell about my adventures in Peru, I'm continuing it for other future adventures life brings my way.  With that said, I will be traveling to Swaziland April 11-21 with a team of four other people (my mom included).  Swaziland is a small country in Southern Africa, completely landlocked by South Africa and Mozambique. 

Please be praying for us as our team serves in Swaziland during these few days.  We will be leading worship services, talks at a high school, tent meetings at night, visiting people in their homes, and Bible studies for children and adults.  It's going to be a full trip!

Here's a rundown of our schedule and how you can be praying....

Friday April 11--Pray for us as we will be driving to Washington, DC and then flying to Johannesburg, South Africa overnight.  Also, my dad will be driving us to DC and then driving back home, so pray for his safe travel as well. 

Saturday April 12--When we arrive in Jo-burg, we will then fly to Manzini Swaziland and drive to Tambankulu.  Please pray for us as we collect luggage, connect flights, and drive to our destination.

Sunday April 13--Pray for our busy day and for minimal jetlag.  We will be leading worship from 11am to 1pm, and in the afternoon we will be speaking to high school students at Mananga College from 4pm to 6pm.  We will be singing songs, and speaking on True Love Waits.

Monday April 14-Friday April 18 (with the exception of Thursday)--  We will be doing all of or a combination of visiting schools, visiting people in their homes, doing Bible Storying with a story cloth, children's Bible studies, and revivals at 6:30 pm each evening.  Pray for us as we try to effectively communicate love and the Gospel message to the people of Swaziland.  Pray for "People of Peace" that will invite us to return to their homes and schools to speak more during the week.  Also, pray for our translators that will be working alongside us.

Saturday April 19--We will finish up with a Children's Bible study in the morning and will have our final revival service at 6:30pm.  We will also follow up with people from the week.  Pray for receptive hearts and for God to move through us during the entire week.

Sunday April 20--We will be traveling back home and will return on the 21st.  Once again, please pray for safe travels for our team and my dad. 

I will give a full report when we return, but I covet your prayers as we go.  I pray that God will be glorified and that each one of us will be truly blessed by serving Him during this week.  

I am so excited to be going overseas again and back to Africa, but I'm also nervous too and feel a bit inadequate.  That means God is going to work in mighty ways and it has nothing to do with me :) 

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." 

                                                                                                                           --Habakkuk 2:14 

                        "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus"  Phil. 3:14

Tomorrow is my last day here in Peru.  I already left the Asheninka, my friends, my house, my monkey, and even my shoes (well in the last community at least).  What I carry with me are the memories--the lessons learned, the relationships formed, the simplicity of life here.  I have spent the last week in Lima, and I honestly don't really like it.  It's just a precursor of everything I will have in the US...all the food I can stuff in my face, all the luxuries this life offers, all the hustle and bustle.  I already miss the jungle (although not the heat) and its simple pleasures.  I miss my friends there.  I miss the beauty of nature all around me.  I miss how cheap things were.  I miss having a monkey sleep on my head.  I miss the kids already.  I am excited to return to the US and start a new chapter.  I am excited not to live out of a suitcase or move around every other week.  I am excited to visit family and friends and enjoy my time there.  But, I will also miss Peru and the things I have learned here.  God has taught me many things here and is raising me up to be a woman who seeks Him more earnestly.  So, I return to the States with the same fire within me that I have here to make Christ's name known.  I pray that flame will not be put out, but will be spread as I share of the adventures God has allowed me to be a part of. 

Here are a few pictures from my last trip in December.... 

                                                                                                  me cutting up yuca!

Hermano Ernesto carrying leaves to put a roof on the church building in Puerto Pascuala.

                                                                                         little girls starting a fire in Amambay

On my last trip, I decided to leave my shoes behind as a reminder to me of what really is important.

"And he said to them, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.  Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.  Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road....."  Luke 10:2-4

                               So, I say goodbye to my jungle home, but will carry it forever in my heart....

                                "for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content"  ---Paul