Generic update...

Casinos- a typical brand of cookie in Peru...I am eating some mint kind right now. Gives me the idea of Thin Mints, but they are not quite the same flavor. What is funny is as I am typing this, I keep thinking the Spanish words of the English words I am using to compose these sentences. I suppose this is a good thing- I do want to know the Spanish language. I did have a dream the other night where I translated a sentence in English into Spanish for someone in my dream. A baby was hungry and the woman asked me how to say that in Spanish. I said, “Tiene hambre.” I am also starting to comprehend it a great deal when people are talking in Spanish...AND I am getting to a point where I am more comfortable in carrying on conversation. Don't get me wrong: I have A LOT more to learn...but I am on my way.

I am in Chupa...It was 25 hours on a bus to get here from Lima. I am close to Bolivia...cerca de Lago Arapa...arriba Lago Titicaca. The elevation is about 13,000'...the highest I have ever been in my life. When I first got here I had the keen idea of climbing this 'hill' right on the outskirts of the town. Two and a quarter hours later, I am ontop of this mountain with a SWEET 360 degree view...but it took everything out of me, that trip did. When I got back home, I was wiped out. In fact, I suffered from one of the worst headaches of my life. I was absolutely miserable for two days. My body had no time to adjust to the elevation and it was evident, to say the least. The climb up Mount Ruckus (the 'hill' that is visually VERY deceiving) brought forth many memories of my AT hike. Hiking fascinates me because it really wears me out, but there is something about it that is incredibly gratifying...

I did visit Lake Titicaca...and I am convinced I could enjoy Peru much more without all of the tourism crud. I have spent a third of my time in Lima...I like Lima (at least the Miraflores part). I spent a third of my time in a small, coastal town that is not touristic at all. It is a pass-thru town on the Panamericano Hwy. The highlight of Atico was the beach, Puyenka... a local favorite. Now, Chupa, is small, too. It is a simple place...no internet here. They are just now laying some concrete roads, but these are very sporadic and few. Ok- so the simple life here I am talking about...so then, to go do a touristy thing was strange. Everything is expensive (or at least relatively so considering I know how much stuff costs in a different setting here in Peru)...and stuff can be cheesy with a tourist trip. I have become fond of the simple lives of many of the people I have met here...NOW- I would still love to visit Machu Picchu in Cuzco...and that is DEFINITELY touristy...

About the Lake and our experience. I saw snow-covered mountains in Bolivia from Peru. I walked on the floating islands of Oros, which was just a small area of dried reeds and soil that floated on the water and it was crazy. I almost got motion sickness from our morning trip to Isla Taquile...the water was incredibly choppy. One woman and one man did throw up on the hour long journey...while others were on the verge, including myself. We stayed with a family on Isla Amanati...and ate their traditional food. Apparently the Seventh Day Adventists have started a church there...so we did not eat any meat. The lake is huge...and we saw some beautiful sites, but it was not my favorite experience.

I have two more weeks here. I will send this out whenever I can. It is March 19th right now. I did remember St Patrick's Day on the 17th....made sure Kate was wearing something green or she was going to get pinched! I am off to bed...

March 22- The villagers asked my translator today when he went out into town alone if Kate and I were here for their gold. They saw us walking up Mt. Ruckus and are convinced we're here for gold. That is bizarre, but also disheartening. He said he was able to clarify that we are here to share accounts from the Bible. It took him by surprise, as well.

We go to the soccer complex at night around 5 and sit there until 6:30, which is when it gets dark. I have met this little girl, Kathia. She is eleven with a sweet smile and a kind heart towards me. We sat and talked some yesterday. Kate shared a Bible-story with her the other day and I followed up with her last night. I was talking with Rene, a man who knows very limited English and who has been visiting the villages with us in the Chupa area, how AWESOME it was to go to the church in Cututuni (where there were 16 believers meeting on their own accord to have a service). I was encouraged to join them because it reminds me of how big God is, but also how true He is...and Kathia was listening. Rene looked over to her and repeated that God is true. I then shared with her that Christ is real, but it has to be a personal relationship she has with him...that I hope one day she comes to know Him...that the Bible is filled with accounts of who Christ is and that a relationship with Him is the most important thing in life. It was a genuine desire to share with her that Jesus is not just tradition and religion, but truly relationship. I look forward to seeing her again tonight...hope she and I can keep talking- in Spanish!

I am in Juliaca right now. I have not reread that blog update since I wrote it not too long ago...I think it is all valid info. Tonight I have thankfully been able to read up on some emails from friends, chat with two dear friends (Rachel Carpenter and Blue) on FB, and I am about to take a warm shower...something that has not happened in Chupa. I haven't had internet the past couple of weeks.....It has been fun to read folks fun comments, the very encouraging emails...THANK YOU!

I have to get off of here now. I will be in Lima soon and will have more online time to update on a different tilt- more about what I am personally learning and not just our actions. Seriously, MUCH LOVE!