Rita's Journey in Peru

Monday, July 13, 2009

Late night

I have definitely been afraid to return to Oklahoma, to school in particular, afraid to face things that I just want to get past and not have to concern myself with and so I have ignored it. But God is funny, He makes you face things. He will just keep on bringing it up until you do.
Today in church the speaker spoke on 1 Samuel 17, David and Goliath and how David was a man after God's own heart. He did not listen to the negativity that Goliath and others threw his way. He did not look at the surface value of the situation and run in fear. He faced it with courage and faith in God for his triumph and protection in the process. David had faith that God could do the impossible and he walked in that confidence. He did not cower down and run away and he did not believe the lies of the enemy. God is bigger than the giants in our lives. He wants us to leave those giants at His cross, follow Him with devotion, and trust that He has it all under control. And I trust that He has my situation all under control as well. So I am not going to get worked up about it. I am just going to go back to school and finish off the semester, graduate, and get on with my life.
I have found the place where I feel like I shall return to shortly after graduation. I think it is the starting point, the preparation ground for all that is to come in my future. I know that God will provide the sponsor for me to be able to financially take care of my loans for school. God calls, we just answer, and He will provide for me. I know that.
God has blessed me with tremendous support and people who love and pray for me and I am so blessed. This place has taught me so much appreciation for all that I have.
I love every minute here and I find that it will be extremely difficult to say goodbye to these kids when the time comes. But God knows what He is doing and I must graduate =]

Emily and I each have one!

3rd graders!

Yhonson thought it was funny to say Emily was tall and I was short!

Sixth graders!

7th graders!

2nd graders!

Yhonson also likes to point at rat and say Rita. ha ha!

The night she left!

Enough said!

4-5th graders!

1st graders!

No need for words.

Kids from the second house!

I love these kids!

Joel insisted on having the same words and colors on his bracelet as I did.

Making bracelets at the 1st house!

Making bracelets at the 2nd house!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Video of us walking on the pier...dun dun dun..

Beloved Redimir

Teacher Appreciation gifts (fake roses)

Us being silly girls =]

Our matching bracelets!!!

I was definitely freaking out. Me and heights, no bueno. Me and heights on a bridge with water underneath, no bueno times 10! ha ha! It was fun though!
Baked a lot these past couple of days, desserts. I think it is a comfort.
Aimee and Karen arrived so two new roommates. We had a good day today. Very sunny, I think I got a little sun. And then I went into town a lot, got a whole heck of a lot of exercise. And anyway, not a lot to say as of yet but I think I will have more stories after these days with no school and lots of play time with the kids.
It was cool though. I baked cookies for the individual houses and today the house mom, Aracely, asked me if I made them and I said yes and she said she wanted more, ha ha. And she wanted to know if I had the recipe and I of course did so I went and got it and helped translate it into spanish because she wants to make it at her house with her husband and kids =]

On that note, much love sent your way! Enjoy your weekend. Never take a moment for granted!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Emily's Gone =[

Monday we had no school. Yay. It was a fun relaxing day.
We had our Bible Study.
Tuesday-Thursday I taught school and then we had lunch with the kids. Wednesday night was Bible Study again. And I helped some of the kids with english homework. Thursday night was missionary night and Emily and I cooked mashed potatoes and cookie cake. Oh my gosh, we had maggot problems with the potatoes and it was no bueno, quite disgusting actually. Kevin cooked meat loaf. We made bracelets with the kids on Wednesday night before Bible Study =]
Thursday night was Emily's last night, sad day. We had 3 weeks of amazing time and now I have a new family member. She has a special place in my heart and has taught me so much! We are kindred spirits and I know God has great things in store for her!
Today we had school and Gabby was not here so we watched Cheaper by the Dozen in english, with spanish subtitles. Classes were cancelled for the next three weeks on account of the swine flu. I don't know how serious it is here but I guess I need to look into the news around here.
Don't worry about me though, God's got my back. I trust in Him.
Two new girls tomorrow and Cherry is back. I don't know what is to come for these next few weeks but I am excited for the time I will get with the kids to play!
I feel like I have more to say but I don't know what to say so I will end it with this.
Much love sent to everyone!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

A Typical Sunday...

Lots and lots of pictures these days, thankfully I am finally getting them uploaded and up to date! Today we got up early and watched the Marathon that was put on by Stephen, the Peace Corp guy! People came all over Peru to race and there were a tun of people from the United States to race. It was so weird to see so many people speaking english. I wanted to go up and talk to them but I didn't, ha ha. The pastor, Yhonson, and Fred were all in the race and then we went to church. Avis preached about the love of God. It was great. And then I went into town with the guys to hangout and then we had lunch. Emily met up with us and we went to the beach and on the pier to take pictures and then we met up with everyone else for the awards ceremony for the marathon. Then we all went out for drinks and Emily and I had ice cream =]

Now Jan, Emily, and I are watching Gilmore Girls. We are on the 4th disc of season 1! Nothing like a little bit of home, ha ha. Oh my gosh, I do not like Sparky, the dog here. He was messing with Jan outside when she was doing laundry tonight and so I went out to distract him, but then he started messing with me and he jumped on me, big dog, wrapped his front two legs around my waist, and i got away and he did it two more times when I was trying to get away and freaking out. I have scratches on my sides, through my shirts. And I started to cry. Freaking out, no lie. No bueno. But anyways, we are having a great time, no school tomorrow, YAY =]

Jan and Emma!