Loving Life!

The following was all typed on Saturday. Of course, the internet hasn’t been working (surprise, surprise! haha) so I am just now posting this! Keep that in mind while reading. :)

After eleven days in Cajamarca, I still have many moments when I can’t believe I’m actually here. I am constantly reminded about how grateful I need to be for this awesome opportunity to live in such a wonderful area. God has given me so much love for the people and culture here in Peru that I get so excited about the simple things…. like trying to practice my Spanish with people, holding hands with adorable children, or observing the city while riding the bus to school each morning. I love the seemingly small things like feeling the cool morning air as I walk to meet a Peruvian mother who rides with me and her absolutely precious kids on the bus to Monte Sion School, taking walks along beautiful paths with Crissy Heath (a missionary/our mom here) and my roommate (and other intern) Kelly, and spending time with Jesus while sitting on a barrel with this gorgeous view.

Last week, Kelly and I had apples and peanut butter for a snack with a gorgeous Villa Milagro view!

Teaching English at Monte Sion has been much different than I had expected. It is much harder than I thought it would be to teach over 200 students (from ages six to sixteen) a language about which they know hardly anything. Before coming here, I planned to start from scratch—the basics of the language—but quickly learned that there was already a curriculum in place with a Peruvian teacher who is eager to learn more English from me. The classes consist mostly of advanced grammar and copying words from the marker board, yet the students don’t know how to say basic greetings. I was frustrated that the system works this way but was encouraged by the Larry Johnson and Crissy Heath (both missionaries here) that things always work better when we are flexible and do things the way Peruvians think is best. Since making this adjustment, I have kept in mind that it is more important for me to love on the students and build relationships with them than to teach English. People > content. Who I teach > what I teach. But I still try to incorporate as much relevant and fun learning into the classrooms as possible. I really enjoy teaching at Monte Sion, and the students and faculty are SO open and welcoming towards me. My favorite thing about spending my days at Monte Sion is being approached by nearly every student, receiving a hug—as well as a kiss on the cheek—and hearing “buenos dias.” Perhaps even better than that, though, is being swarmed by twenty kids at a time saying, “Mees Cecilia!” (Miss Cecilia is what I go by because Claire is too hard to say in Spanish!) I don’t deserve the amount of love and enthusiasm these kids give me, but I am so encouraged by them!

Students at Monte Sion Elementary before they participate in Sean's soccer ministry!

I’ve loved getting to know the church volunteer group from Geyer Springs in Little Rock, as well as the Heaths. Sean and Crissy have meant so much to Kelly and me because of their over-the-top hospitality and all of the fun conversations we have had at their house while learning to cook new recipes! We automatically became close friends with the whole family (they have four hilarious and great kids). I’m grateful for Larry Johnson for letting us stay in his house and for being our caretaker in every possible way! I’ve had a few goof-ups and blond moments that he has already put up with! J I have absolutely loved getting to know Kelly Causin and feel like we’ve gotten so close so fast! She is so kind, fun, and godly; and we get along perfectly! Couldn’t ask for more! The Villa Milagro staff and facilities are so awesome as well. The weather here has been nice but somewhat unpredictable because it gets dark so early and quickly becomes cold. The weather has never been over 70 degrees during the middle of the day, but randomly the temperature will drop or we'll have a little rainshower. Typically, it's in the upper 50s or lower 60s. I still don't miss the 100 degree temps back home!!!

Helping with the soccer, volleyball, and Bible study ministry at the Heaths’ house on Friday nights has been so fun. The kids love having a big yard to play in with their friends and singing Spanish Hillsong praise and worship songs, and so do I! I’ve also enjoyed helping some with the soccer ministry that Sean does at Monte Sion with the boys there during their P.E. time. I help with the children’s activities during Pastor Helmer’s sermons on Sundays at Monte Sion and am trying to learn the best way to do that because the kids are much younger than I had expected for my planned fitness activities. I love going to Monte Sion Baptist Church and getting to know the pastor and his wife better as they drive me back and forth from Villa Milagro and invite me into their home for lunch when I teach all day!

A new friend at the Heaths' soccer ministry. Sorry this is sideways! I can't figure out how to rotate it on this blog!

Tomorrow the Geyer Springs group will be hosting a VBS in the afternoon at Monte Sion, so I will participate in that—I’m so excited! We are also going to two churches in the morning, Monte Sion and one of its nearby annexes. Thanks to all of you for keeping up with my trip, and most of all for your prayers!! Please continue to pray because prayer works! I appreciate it and love you all!