Fireworks

Let's talk about fireworks. Here in Peru, although illegal, thousands of people do fireworks on Dec. 24th and Dec. 30th. When I say "do fireworks" I mean set them off in their front yard or in the neighborhood street or park. True story. To say it is dangerous would be a huge understatement.

At about 11:50 pm on the 24th, I heard them begin. "Here we go" I thought, "I won't sleep so I'll see if I can see any fireworks from the windows." Well, where we are living, we are surrounded by thousands of people and I think most of them were doing fireworks that night! I could not even begin to describe the sound of it.....an unbelievable amount of pops, whistles and crackles, some very near and some farther away. The sound is like nothing I could explain or describe....just incredible and in some ways cool, in other ways, a bit unnerving. I did get a great showing from the bedroom window, btw.

Every year, I half expect a firework or two to rocket through one of our windows, they are that close! Car alarms go off everywhere, dogs bark and I've seen dozens of fireworks go off on the ground. Did I mention this is illegal? But how are you going to stop it when "everyone" does it?

All 3 kids were awakened and sent back to bed. This happens every year too.

Well, the intense noise went on until about 12:25 and then subsided some, but we heard fireworks off and on all night and many the next day as well. I was still hearing some at 10:30 am! My poor friends in another part of town were awake until 3 am with the steady sound of fireworks.

The 30th will be even more intense. I'm planning on going up onto the roof, settling in and watching - if you can't fight 'em, join 'em, huh? Well, something like that.

Miriam

Christmas funnies/special moments 2010

Christmas 2010 was a special and fun day. We are so thankful for good and faithful friends, but especially so on special days when we miss family. Here are some of the highlights ~ at least in my mind......

When Lucas woke me up at 6:15 telling me everything that was in his stocking and to wish me a Merry Christmas.

When we heard Lucas loudly whispering what he thought a gift was "A snowboard!" (that's funny because we live in Lima and we will never see a snowflake, ever).

When the kids busted into our room at 7:00 singing "Get up, get up, get up!!!" (they were told not to make a peep until 7 - hey, we tried).

When Kyall opened his skateboard and said "I never thought I'd see the day I would own a skateboard!"

When Lucas opened one of his "big" gifts and said "Oh, it's that one." When asked if he liked it, he said "Ehh, kind of."

When Olivia and Kyall insisted on giving their daddy money so he could buy cd's on itunes.

When Brent surprised me with a beautiful necklace.

When Lucas opened Wii Mario, whooped and yelled "YES! I've been dying for this! Zane is going to love this! This is the day I've been waiting for! I'm never going to share this with Kyall and Sis!"

After being sick all week, Kyall telling me he knew I would feel better on Christmas morning because "It is a day for miracles".

Olivia jamming to Casting Crowns in her room with her new ipod dock.

Brent making giblet gravy just from remembering watching his mom and grandmother make it.

Olivia and Kyall thinking they were Zeke and Luther after owning skateboards for 10 minutes.

Lucas asking "Since it's Christmas, can we skip church tomorrow?"

Kyall giving away his stocking treats just because he likes to share.

Olivia telling me it was her favorite Christmas ever.

Spending Christmas with the Kennedys for the first time.

Debbie's bedazzled Santa hat and "topal" jewelry (had to be there).

Mychelle's amazing cooking and baking.

The boxer reaching up onto the stove and pulling a full pan of turkey bones and grease onto the floor.

The girls winning Taboo.

The peanut butter fudge.

Watching the 12 kids play and laugh together.

The kids' handbell special they performed for the parents.

Good friends.

Celebrating Jesus.

Miriam

A Poem Tradition

In keeping with a Perdue tradition of writing an end of the year/Christmas poem, I think it's time for me to start writing one too. My Grandma Perdue and my dad have sent out poems for years and I always enjoy them. Here's mine:

Life is but a vapor

This is true, we know

2010 has come and gone

And it's been anything but slow!

Here we are, at year's end

Time to pause and reflect

On the goodness of God

His love, His Son and His

Promises He does not neglect.

For us, the Williams clan

Our year has been great

Laughter, tears, testing and change

Mostly, learning to wait.

From the blue skies of Texas

Back to Lima's gray

Spanish and homeschool

Lessons learned most every day.

Olivia is eleven

And reaches my nose

Kyall, soon to be nine

Reaches Sis on tippy toes.

Lucas is four and growing so much

With God's help, love and grace

Their hearts we hope to touch.

Our greatest adventure yet

Is the care of these three

Joy fills our days

As growth in each we see.

Brent and I stay busy

With work God has for us

Teaching, giving, serving

Learning to follow without a fuss.

Seminary work and classes

Counseling, camps and more

Our ministries in Peru

Could never be called a bore.

We celebrate Christ's birth

As is our custom every year

With gifts, food and family

Those both far and near.

Thank you, God for bridging the gap

In the form of a baby boy

All man, all God

Bringing with Him hope and joy.

We worship our King

We lift our hands in praise

Joyful, joyful we adore Thee

Our voices we will raise.

Hallelujah, Christ has come

To earth and to mankind

Let us share His love

Let us spread this word

That each one salvation may find.

In Jesus' holy name

Our love and greetings sent

Merry Christmas to all

From Miriam and Brent.

December

Dear December,

I love you for so many reasons:

I love you for winter in the U.S. and spring in Peru.

I love you because you mark the end of a year and the time to reflect on it.

I love you because of Christmas and all that goes with it.

I love you because most people think about others this month.

I love you because the new year is close on your heels.

I love you because I am sure to talk to most of my family this month, even though we are far apart.

I love you because you mark the birthdays of 3 of my loved ones.

I love you because it's ok not to diet for this month.

I love you because this it the month my husband proposed to me.

Thank you for being a great month. I will embrace and enjoy you this year, December.

Miriam

Let the Christmas season begin!

Warning: controversial material to follow.....

To fully enjoy the coming of fall, changing of the leaves, pumpkins and Thanksgiving, I need to be able to focus fully on these things. This means I don't want to be looking at Christmas stuff while also looking at pumpkins. It means that I should not see pumpkin pies and Christmas cookies in the same bin at the bakery. Thanksgiving and Christmas do not go hand in hand, they are two completely different events and should be celebrated separately (imo).

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and with it, the colors orange, yellow and brown. My mind has done the switch from pilgrims to presents, from turkey to tree and from giving thanks to baby Jesus. It is now ok to use red, green and gold. My kids may now make their Christmas lists and I will now begin shopping and decorating. Christmas music will now fill our home for exactly one month (just kidding, kind of).

So, I am now enjoying all the decorations and music. I am trying to get my mind and my family's to think about Jesus and the reason to celebrate this December.

Here in Peru, we are going from winter to spring right now and by Christmas, it will be hot. It is still hard for me to get used to and I really do miss the fall and all that goes with it in the U.S., but we do enjoy celebrating Christmas and swimming in the same week!

Every year, the Christmas decorations in Lima are more and better than the year before. Santa is meandering around in different stores (not sure how he does that), we're seeing more Christmas trees in peoples' windows, lots of pretty lights at night and music everywhere. Our favorite mall is decorated beautifully and has an enormous tree (50-60 ft. high) that we love. My favorite is the 6 story tall billboard with Santa drinking a Coca-Cola. 'Tis the season.

So, feel free to opine on the proper time to begin singing "Jingle Bells", but I'm gonna stick by my guns. Thanksgiving in November, Christmas in December. Whew, I feel much better now.

Miriam

On puppies and humans

A puppy does what God made him to do - acts like a puppy.

A puppy sleeps in perfect peace.

A puppy completely trusts his master.

A puppy loves to play and does so wholeheartedly.

A puppy doesn't see himself in the mirror and wish he could change his nose.

A puppy doesn't worry about his next meal, or anything else.

A puppy is disobedient until trained to obey.

A puppy accepts his surroundings without complaining.

A puppy receives love and affection readily and eagerly.

A puppy follows his master without question.

We can learn a lot from puppies.

Miriam

The good, the bad and the ugly of Thanksgiving 2010

The good:

1. We got to talk with some new friends

2. The kids had a blast

3. Someone brought "Cool Whip" (can't find that in Peru)

4. The "two-hand touch" football game ended with minimal injuries

5. I laughed until I cried

6. Two Canadian families celebrated with us

7. There was plenty of turkey for everyone to take some home

8. Someone brought cranberry sauce (also can't find this in Peru)

9. The kids made some new friends

10. Someone else cleaned up

The bad:

1. We missed our families who are in the U.S.

2. The kids are all sunburned

3. The Cool Whip went quickly and I only got a tiny scoop

4. The guys realized how old they are after playing football

5. We didn't get to talk to everyone there

6. Our Canadian friend said he was "thankful he wasn't American" (totally kidding, of course)

7. I missed my mom's broccoli casserole and "pull apart biscuits"

8. I won't have cranberry sauce again for at least a year

9. I ate too much

10. We had to pay someone to clean up

The ugly:

There was nothing ugly, it was a beautiful day! So thankful for good friends, especially when we're far from family.

Miriam

Giving Thanks

"How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me.....things so undeserved, yet You give to prove Your love for me....the voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude, all that I am or ever hope to be ~ I owe it all to Thee."

My heart overflows with gratitude for so many things, I could not begin to write about them all. My Heavenly Father has cared for me, provided for me and allowed me to live a happy and abundant life. He has been patient with me, forgiving and kind, and has answered so many of my prayers. He is the One who gives me life, the One who opens my eyes to His love and the One for whom I live.

God's greatest gift to me besides Himself is my husband. He knew exactly who I needed to bring balance and wisdom to my life. I am fearful and anxious; Brent is strong and calm. I worry; Brent trusts. I question; Brent knows. I cry; Brent holds me. I get overwhelmed; Brent brings it all into perspective. He is a man of integrity who lives what he preaches. He is an excellent father and a wise and good man. I am so very thankful for him and each day we have together. I love him more every year and am still enjoying getting to know his heart.

I am so thankful for my children, for my friends, my church family, my place of service, my health, my life. God has been abundantly good to me and to my family.

A thankful heart is a happy heart ~ I firmly believe this. I hope and pray I will remain thankful in the valley or in tragedy. I hope my gratefulness isn't conditional. I don't think it is.

Happy Thanksgiving 2010! May it truly be a day for giving thanks.

Miriam

I'll let this journey be my home

Brent and I have been married for 16 years, and in those 16 years, we have lived in 3 different countries, 9 different homes, almost 2 years without a home (traveling around the U.S.), traveled thousands and thousands of miles, stayed in hundreds of different hotel rooms and missionary apartments, and are now living in someone else's home, using their things, while all of our stuff is boxed up and stored.

At times, this has bothered me and I have allowed moments of self-pity. Then I remember that our life is but a vapor and on God's list of important things in my life, where I live or even in what conditions I live in, surely are at the bottom.

I have been asked many times where "home" is and I always struggle to answer. The U.S. is my beloved country and home, but where I live with my family is home too, and now, Peru is starting to feel more like home, after 9 years here. What I have concluded, I think, is this journey of life that I'm on - wherever I am, wherever God takes me - this is going to be my home. My home will be the peace I carry in my heart that I am where God wants me, and so, I will always be at home.

Steve Green wrote a song "I Will Go" and dedicated it to the Bowers, a missionary couple in the Peruvian jungle, who's plane was shot down several years ago as they were flying in a routine flight. Mrs. Bowers and her baby girl, who she was holding, were killed.

I sang this song in many churches in the U.S. 6-7 years ago, and have sung it a few times in Spanish here in Peru, but right now, today, it means more to me than ever before. I've never met Steve Green (although I have seen him in concert) but I praise God for his insight, his gift with words and song and I thank him for writing this song. Here are the words:

Give me ears to hear your spirit, give me feet to follow through

Give me hands to touch the hurting, and the faith to follow you

Give me grace to be a servant, give me mercy for the lost

Give me passion for your glory, give me passion for the cross

And I will go where there are no easy roads, leave the comforts that I know

I will go and let this journey be my home - I will go, I will go

I'll let go of my ambitions, cut the roots that run too deep

I will learn to give away what I cannot really keep, what I cannot really keep

Help me see with eyes of faith, give me strength to run this race

And I will go where there are no easy roads, leave the comforts that I know

I will go and let this journey be my home - I will go, I will go

I will go, Lord, where your glory is unknown, I will live for you alone

I will go, because my life is not my own, I will go, I will go

Miriam

Olivia's first serenade

Our kids do their homeschool work on the second floor of one of the buildings on the seminary property where we are living. Today, we listened as a group of students (all guys) began to sing down below us. I guess they had a free hour or were skipping class or something, but they sounded so nice and had themselves a little sing-a-long for a while - guitar, harmony, the works.

Suddenly the idea came to me to ask these guys to sing "happy birthday" to Olivia. (She turns 11 today) So I ran down the stairs and told them she was upstairs and asked if they would sing for/to her. They were more than happy to, so I ran back up and told Olivia to look down below for a second. She leaned over the balcony and quickly stepped back! By now, there were about 12 guys, and they began singing to her, much louder than they had been, now drawing the attention of the students and professors in class. They had even formed into a tight group and were looking up, a regular serenade! It was so cute!

Of course, Olivia was mortified, but I saw a smile on her face, too. She peeked back over the balcony a couple more times before they were through.

Here in Peru, there are endless versions of "happy birthday" (at least it seems like it). They sang four different versions - "happy birthday" in English, with a strong Spanish accent, two of the most common Spanish birthday songs, and one of the several Christian versions. I wasn't sure when they were going to stop! They sounded beautiful and I don't think Olivia will soon forget her first serenade by a group of handsome young men!

Where's the video camera when I need it??!

Miriam

Laundry treasures

Some things I've found in the washer and/or dryer:

a dead mouse (not kidding)

my husband's wallet

candy wrappers

lots and lots of money

notes

AWANA patches

jewelry

tissues

receipts

important documents

keys

gum/candy still in the wrapper

cell phone

collar stiffeners (what are those things called?)

clothes that don't belong to my family

hair ties

rubber balls

pictures

stamps

passport

puzzle pieces

plastic army men

plastic dinosaurs

plastic tools

plastic dolls

body parts of Polly Pockets

I'm only just getting warmed up, but am a bit embarrassed that I am admitting a ridiculous habit of not checking pockets before doing laundry!!! Well, it's fun anyway when I find money. I always pocket it.

Miriam

Family trip to the zoo

We went to the zoo this week. You would have thought we were going to Disney World. My kids were so excited! I think a big reason was because I was calling it a "field trip" which meant they didn't have to do homeschool that day. It's so easy to make things special when our kids are young.

So, this zoo is the national zoo of Lima, called "Parque Las Leyendas" or Park of Legends or Legend Park, or something like that. It is a big, beautiful zoo, with lots of green areas and is built around some ancient ruins.

This was our third trip to this particular zoo, so we felt like experts and remembered where everything was and how crowded it gets. Well, my genius husband suggested we go backward through the zoo to avoid the crowds of school kids, also on field trips. It was the best thing we did - we started at the end and basically had the whole park to ourselves until about 3/4 of the way through when we ran into the masses going the right way!

Olivia's favorite animals were the tigers and the leopards. She was so sad on previous trips to see a tiger and a lion in cages (I also couldn't figure that one out) but this time, they were in huge and beautiful African-like areas, with bamboo trees and waterfalls. She was much happier this time. Kyall's favorite were the pumas. He was a picture-taking maniac. He has only had his camera for a few months, so was so happy to get as many pictures as he could! Lucas said all the animals were his favorite except the "burping" sea lion. Seriously, the whole 10 minutes we spent looking at this enormous sea lion, he made loud, burping noises over and over. We laughed so hard! He was awesome.

I felt like I was supposed to be teaching the kids something since this was a "field trip" but after trying and failing, just decided to enjoy the gorgeous day with the family. Oh, btw, my favorite animal was definitely the tiger. The fences constructed at one place had us literally two feet away from him, the closest I'd ever been and he was fascinating to watch.

The animals were so cool, but cooler still was just marveling at God's handiwork and watching my kids' faces light up.

Miriam

Creation = Proof

Every day, I look at parts of the majestic Andes mountains. In some places, they rise against a gray sky and are covered with dirt and rocks. In other places, they rise against a clear blue sky and are covered with huge trees and brush. In yet other places, they are dusted with snow and overlook clear blue water.

I miss this season in the U.S. I can imagine the Blue Ridge mountains there, covered with orange, yellow and red - some of my favorite sights.

I see many, many different kinds of trees in Peru, some with huge leaves, some with long, pink flowers, some with small, round leaves and others with mangos, bananas or papaya.

In the U.S. I marvel at the huge magnolia trees, love the fir trees and feel nostalgic when I see palm trees.

Flowers - red, white, and peach roses, love them! I love sunflowers, hydrangeas, magnolias and lilies. God surely had fun designing flowers!

Then there is the ocean. I have seen the Atlantic Ocean many times in Virginia, the Pacific Ocean in Peru and Costa Rica, the Gulf of Mexico in Alabama and in Mexico. I have seen the Caribbean Sea in Cuba and in the Dominican Republic. Each one is breathtaking in its beauty and vastness. I feel closer to God at the ocean. One day, Brent and I will have a beach front home.

So many other amazing and incomprehensible creations of God - all of them point directly to Him. I cannot fathom there being a true atheist. All around us, every day, every minute, creation shouts that there not only is most definitely a God, but there is ONE God and He is truly Big, Good and beyond our understanding. Mostly, He is Love.

Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to enjoy your masterpieces.

Miriam

Voting in Peru

So we voted on Sunday for the mayor of Lima and of Ate, the suburb of Lima where we used to live. It was interesting to me, as my first time to vote in a country other than the U.S.

First of all, it is obligatory for everyone 18 and older to vote or pay a $65 fine. I must say, I really wanted to pay the fine instead of fighting traffic for an hour and waiting in long lines to vote for people I don't know much about.....but my conscience got the best of me (and we figured it to be cheaper to pay for the gas and lunch out than the fine, albeit barely).

I was surprised, as I walked into my designated voting place (an elementary school) that the room I was to vote in was empty - no lines! I got many stares as I carried my tall, white self into the voting room, holding my Peruvian i.d. out, just in case anyone might think I was totally lost. I acted like I knew what I was doing, voted for the two men Brent had told me to vote for and felt really good about myself. (Now, don't get me wrong, if this had been presidential elections, I would have been much more prepared and ready to vote intelligently.)

Just to make sure nobody gets by without voting or paying the fine, each voter must put his right middle finger into a bottle of purple ink, completely covering the fingernail. Yep. It is also a law not to wash the ink off for 24 hrs....as if.....it is now 3 days later and I still can't get all the ink off! After voting, we went to the mall to eat lunch and Lucas kept pointing out people with purple fingers - literally pointing, and announcing, "Mom, she voted too!" It was cute.

The big debate is if this will be the last year of the "obligatory voting" in Peru. Some argue that if it weren't obligatory, most people wouldn't bother. On the other hand, this is supposedly a free democracy and forced voting takes us back to the days of dictatorship. They estimate that 2o% of voters decide, while in line to vote, who they will vote for. Another percentage of people are illiterate, so no names are on the ballot, only pictures or symbols of a certain political party.

At times, I feel so much more like a foreigner than others and even with my blue Peruvian i.d. in hand, this was one of them. I was, however, made more aware that I do have a responsibility to be informed and play a part in this country, seeing that I am a citizen. I would expect nothing less of a foreigner living in the U.S. with citizenship status.

On our way home, once again fighting traffic for an hour, we saw one voting line that was at least 4 city blocks long - oh man, I was so glad I wasn't in that one!

We just heard today that 25% of the ballots were in a "to be observed more closely" pile, because of people's inability to follow instructions! Really, all you had to do was put an x over the right picture!

To end this little story, the guys I voted for lost, but every time I try to scrape a little bit more of the purple, persistent ink off of my finger, I feel my sense of patriotism growing. God bless Peru!

Miriam

Week 2 of homeschool - some more things I learned

1. I don't have a good answer to questions like "why do I have to know what a preposition is?"

2. Lunch break is the best part of the day, just like it was when I was in school.

3. Kids will do anything to get out of work.

4. The red pen is a powerful tool.

5. The desire to cheat comes naturally.

6. Kyall has terrible penmanship, and I'm not sure it should be a big deal.

7. Coloring for a 3rd and 5th grader is a waste of school time.

8. Lucas loves to trace.

9. I'm glad Bible memorization is part of my kids' curriculum.

10. I cannot resist correcting misspelled words, even if the subject is math.

Figuring it out, a day at a time!

Miriam

First week of homeschool.....what I've learned

1. Why my teachers always had coffee mugs with them.

2. I am a rule follower - I need to learn to be flexible.

3. Kyall truly is the class clown.

4. My kids are super smart.

5. Bible reading and prayer with the kids is a great way to start each day.

6. Olivia daydreams a lot.

7. Lucas's attention span is way shorter than I thought.

8. Math remains my least favorite subject.

9. I have a lot of power.

10. I love spending this time with my kids.

Thanks to everyone who has been praying for me, knowing that homeschooling my kids has been a struggle and not something I really have looked forward to. I think we're going to like it.

Miriam

Store hopping

I think it's pretty safe to say that it's unlikely you will find every grocery item on your list in one store here in Lima. Grocery shopping can be an adventure, if you're up for it!

At times, it's fun, at times, super annoying, to walk into a grocery store with a list, and leave with everything minus five. So we head to a different store and leave with four of the five things we lack. So we head to a different store for the last thing, and see that this store has items we hadn't seen in the first two stores, so we go ahead and buy them too, because they may not be there next week!

I get so excited when I see a new product or something I haven't seen in a while. I'm not sure why, but they seem to try out certain products for a few months, and then discontinue them - of course, they're usually things imported from the U.S. that we love - and it's so disappointing when they disappear.

Some of the things that may or may not be in any given store at any given time are: sour cream, icing, syrup, Pringles, certain cereals, instant oatmeal, cereal bars, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, corn, canned soup, imported ice cream.....on and on I could go. It's a gamble every time and just because it's not in the first store doesn't mean it won't be in the next one and just because it's in the second one doesn't mean it won't be in the first one next month!

Grocery shopping is a big deal. It takes up a good chunk of time. It's something I have to do every week. I will keep doing it. Sometimes it's fun, other times, it's a hassle. I miss Wal-Mart.

Miriam

Friends and Amigos

What would we do without friends??? Life would be so much less enjoyable and fulfilling without friends.

My earliest memories include friends! God has blessed me my whole life with true, loyal and wonderful friends. There have been many times I have been far from most of them and have mourned them and longed to see them. There have been times when I have been very lonely and had no friends close by. There are people who I was great friends with as a child or teenager that I don't keep up with anymore. There are friends I have only had for a few years that are an important and special part of my life now. There are people who I was casual friends with years ago, that now are some of my closest friends. There are a few who I have been friends with since early childhood and remain so to this day. Whatever season in life I find myself, and whether surrounded by friends or just with one or two nearby, I know that I am greatly blessed.

The friends I grew up with helped shape me and make me who I am today. I thank God from the bottom of my heart for these friends. The friends I have made as an adult help shape me and sharpen me as well and they are so important to me. I don't know why God chose to bless me with an endless list of awesome friends, but I am so glad He did.

I am truly thankful for my best friend, who is also my husband. I won't embarrass him by going into all of his good qualities and attributes....suffice it to say he is the best.

I pray often that God will bless my children in this same way and always give them at least one soul mate to call a friend. As our lives change and we head to a new place in Peru to live soon, one of my top prayer requests is for friends for my children - true amigos.

To all of my friends, near and far, I love you, I thank God for you and my life is so rich, full and meaningful because of you!!!

Miriam

The Gift of a Day

Some days, it seems to me like the whole day was just a waste, you know? There are days that I am so bored, feel so useless, act grumpy, have no motivation to do anything.....ever been there?

God has been pricking my heart and reminding me that each day He gives me breath to live is a gift. An amazing gift. It doesn't matter if I accomplish anything worthwhile (in my eyes) or if I just spend the day picking up toys, washing clothes and correcting children. God has decided that He has a purpose for me to still be alive on this day and I should rejoice in it.

When I think of women who write books, save people's lives, speak in front of large crowds, teach college courses, translate the Bible into another language - things like these - I think of these women as successful. It is easy for me to see my life as having little success, because I don't do any of these things. I know this isn't true, because I know success looks very different to God than it does to me. How often I need to remind myself that if I am serving Him where He wants me and with a pure heart, I am successful!!

Being my husband's helper and my children's mother are my greatest and most important jobs and each day I should treasure these jobs. I am speaking mostly to myself when I say that each day is important and should be seen as an opportunity to love God more, love my family more and find joy in the ordinary.

I have absolutely nothing to complain about and absolutely everything to be thankful for. I hope I will continue to learn to see each day as a gift from my Heavenly Father, unwrap it and enjoy it - no matter what I'm doing or not doing - and offer it back to Him!

Miriam

Who let the dogs out??

I have never had a dog, nor have I ever wanted one. I am told by my parents that they had a Collie and a German Shepherd when I was little and I was afraid of both of them, so they got rid of them. The only pets we had growing up were some bunnies that my brother let starve.

We are living in my in-laws' house for a few months while they are in the U.S. and it is situated on a large seminary property. For safety reasons, they have always had dogs on the property. So, I'm learning a lot about dogs, how to care for them, how to talk to them and when to leave them alone.

The two dogs here now are a Boxer and a Labrador. They are both beautiful dogs and good guard dogs. They seem to be good with kids as well, as my kids have played with them, pulled on them, sat on them, etc. and they just wag their tails at it all.

Unfortunately, they are also both males. Well, I've learned that one has to be the leader...... apparently, they picked the other night at midnight to decide who it would be. They fought off and on all night, and I mean, really fought! We hardly slept at all that night. Brent had a really hard time breaking them up and he had two guys helping him. I was observing from inside the house, of course. In the morning, we saw that they were both bloodied and badly wounded. They also couldn't be together or they would immediately start growling and lunging for each other.

Well, it looks like this won't stop, so we are going to have to give one of the dogs away, which has broken my kids' hearts.

Moral of the story: there really isn't one. The way the dogs have treated each other and the fact that one MUST be the boss has really made me think about people and how I've seen people behave like this, as well! I've never really seen two people biting each other and clawing at each other, but they may as well, so destructive are their words and attitudes.

There always has to be a leader/ boss, right? I wonder what would happen if one of the dogs would just concede and decide to let the other one be the leader and live in peace. That's not going to happen with dogs, but shouldn't it be a little easier with people?? Just sayin'.

Miriam

Lucas Seth

Just when we thought we had the parenting of small children down and we were done with diapers, bibs, and high chairs.....you guessed it, God decided He needed to mix things up a bit! Olivia was 6 and Kyall was 4 when Lucas Seth arrived. He "turned our world upside down" is a serious understatement. Motherhood has never been more difficult or more rewarding as it has been trying to figure this little guy out!

Lucas is 4 and is growing so fast, I just want to put a halt to it! During every stage of his life, Lucas has been completely different from his brother and sister, but I love the stage he's in now. He makes us laugh out loud several times every day, and also makes us want to rip our hair out about once a day. Lucas has a strong will if I've ever seen one, and has challenged us from day one. He has a mind of his own, his own way of doing things and he will do everything all by himself, thank you very much.

Lucas adores his big brother and would follow him around all day if Kyall would let him. He is very affectionate and will still sit in my lap and let me cuddle him. He has an awesome sense of humor and is surprisingly smart and tuned in to what's going on, even if we think he hasn't been listening.

Lucas loves to sing, dance, play the air guitar and air drums, play his DS and loves dinosaurs. Since he started talking, he has sung with vibrato and it is so funny to listen to. He may just be my musical one.

God is so incredibly good to us and we thank Him daily for our precious children. Our family was given an extra dose of joy and adventure with the arrival of Lucas. He keeps me on my toes and I wouldn't have it any other way.....except on the days when I want to lock him up and throw away the key! Just kidding, he is a gem and we can't wait to see what God will do with his unique personality. We pray for much patience and wisdom, all the while giving thanks.

Miriam

Kyall Brent

Having grown up with only brothers and really thinking I had a handle on the male gender, I always wanted to have a son. I fully expected our firstborn to be a boy and was shocked when we found out she was a girl! I really thought I would be a better mother to boys. Well, thankfully, God knew what we needed and in what order. I treasure being a mom, and God did give me a son - two of them. Truth be told, the boys have been easier in many ways up until now. I love boys and can't imagine our family without them.

Kyall Brent is 8 1/2 yrs. old. My husband and I really felt that Olivia needed a playmate, so we prayed about giving her one, and still while in Cuba, I got pregnant for the second time. We were so excited and just knew we were going to give her a little sister who could wear all her hand-me-downs and play with her toys. We decided to not find out the gender of this baby until he/she was born, just to mix things up a bit. When I was almost 8 mos. pregnant, we moved to Peru, where Kyall was born. We were surprised he was a boy and ironically, I wondered what to do with a boy, now that I had figured out how to care for a girl! God does have a sense of humor. Kyall has grown up in Peru and is actually Peruvian because of being born here.

We chose the name Kyall because it was like one of two that we both liked and Brent is his dad's middle name. We figured there would be thousands of Kyle Williams's in the English speaking world, so we decided to spell his name a little funky. I will never forget my mom telling me "That's not how you spell Kyle!" Well, it's how we spell it!

Kyall is all boy and then some. His favorite thing to do is to play. He loves karate, light sabers, swords, guns, and any kind of fighting and is very good at it. He is a sensitive and sweet boy, with a unique and fun personality. We are learning that he is the class clown, which kind of surprises us as he is very mild and even a little shy. If only I could be a fly on the wall of his classrooms..... He is smart and has made straight A's up until now, which also surprises us, as his attention span is like 2 minutes long.

Kyall is a one-friend kind of guy. He has a best buddy and that's pretty much all he needs. He is loyal to the end and will stick with his one friend like glue. He has always loved girls, never had a "oooh, cooties" stage and they love him. (pray for us, please) He is such a great big brother to his little brother, and loves to teach him stuff. He'll pretend to not like hugs and kisses from Mom, but really, he's still my baby.

Kyall was saved this past year at the age of 7 and has yet to be baptized. His interest in spiritual things is slowly growing.

We are so thankful that God not only gave Olivia an awesome playmate, but that He gave us an awesome son. He is a precious and special boy and our lives would not be as full and rich without him. We pray God will grant us wisdom and discernment as he grows up in this world full of entrapments, evil and confusion. Our prayer for Kyall is that he will serve God with his whole heart and will be a man of integrity and character who knows how to love.

Miriam

Olivia Ruth

Every mom thinks her kids are the best, as she should. I definitely think I have the best kids in the world and am immensely thankful for each one. Being a mother is my greatest adventure and I am unable to word my thanks to God for blessing me in such a way. I'm going to give them each their own spot in the blog world. The hard part will be keeping it short! (the box of tissues is ready)

Olivia Ruth will be 11 in Oct. God blessed us with her at the perfect time in our lives. We had been in Cuba for only about 6 mos. when I got pregnant for the first time. I received excellent prenatal care in Cuba, although I had to buy vitamins outside of the country. She was born in DE and we returned to Cuba when she was about 7 wks. old and she spent her first two years there. She has grown up mostly in Peru, with 2 years in the U.S. thrown in there.

We picked the name Olivia, because her grandfather's and dad's first names are Oliver and we liked the feminine counterpart to it. Her middle name is Ruth, after my grandmother and it is also my middle name.

Olivia is a smart, compassionate and loving girl. She is very mature for her age, and because she's almost as tall as I am, people often think she is older than she is. She is a typical big sis, bossing her brothers around, but she loves them both and is a good example to them in many ways. Olivia's favorite pastime is reading. In 2009, she read well over 100 books, and easily. She loves school and has always gotten straight A's. Her favorite subjects are reading, science and history.

She is a faithful friend and has had some wonderful friends over the years. Sleepovers, makeovers, shopping, movies....all more fun for her if surrounded by girlfriends.

Olivia accepted Christ at the age of five, and has grown in the Lord since. Her father baptized her in the ocean in Peru a year ago. She reads her Bible on her own and definitely has an interest in spiritual things. She is very tenderhearted and open to what the Lord wants for her.

Since she was born, she has blessed our home indescribably. As our only daughter, she and I have a special relationship, which I pray only grows stronger with time. We love to have girls' days out together and I am enjoying her company more and more as she gets older.

I could write a book on how special Olivia is, but suffice it to say we are so grateful for the gift God placed in our lives when He gave us our little girl. When she was born we called her our "present girl" because she truly was a gift from God and just at the right time.

May God give us the wisdom to rear her to love Him passionately, love others more than herself and to glorify Him in all her ways.

Miriam

Politics

Am I really going to go there? Not really. Try as one might, the subject of politics cannot be avoided, unless you're in a cave somewhere, or like one person I know, just refuse to talk about it or learn about it at all.

I am interested in politics, in the U.S. and in Peru. After all, my family is directly affected by who is making the laws and enforcing them. On the other hand, there are days when I think ignorance is bliss and I really don't want to know the latest headline.

I have been amazed at how quickly political beliefs and opinions can tear friends and family apart. I think most groups of friends can disagree on sports teams, taste in food, how to spend money, and even important issues of the day and never have a problem discussing and even arguing about these things. Politics, on the other hand.....disagreeing with someone's views can be as harmful to a relationship as personally attacking that person's character.

I have wondered what makes people (including myself) take such offense to someone putting down the way I believe the government should be run. Whether we want it to be or not, how we view the political scene of the day and what we believe about it can be very personal and tied into who I am as a person. What I believe about the political world says a lot of what I believe about God and religion. This is where it gets sticky, I think.

Whether I am a democrat or a republican, a marxist or a socialist.....what will matter at the end of the day is what I believe about Christ and the life He offers me. May we remember this, even when we're arguing our point of view and sure we're right!

Miriam

Toilet Paper

Let's talk toilet paper. Yes, really. It is amazing how big of a deal toilet paper has been in our missionary experiences. I mean, is toilet paper not something that we take for granted in the U.S.? You would never expect to go to someone's house or to a restaurant and there be no tp, for goodness sake.

When we moved to Cuba 12 years ago, shopping was an adventure in itself, but finding certain items was like being on a scavenger hunt. Toilet paper was not to be found. We went to every little store we saw, but alas, no tp. Finally, walking around Havana aghast, we saw a store window with two rolls in it! We went in, only to be told we couldn't buy it without a ration card. In Cuba, food, clothing and personal items are rationed. Some months, the people would get a roll of toilet paper, some months they would not. Not to be defeated, we kept looking and finally found a store that had actual packages of tp, and bought several. Many weeks, we went from store to store until we found some!!

In Peru, very few public restrooms have tp....most do not. We learned right away to always, and I mean always, carry tp with us wherever we go. In many public places, in Cuba and Peru, you can buy a few squares of tp outside of the restroom. If I need to do this, I always want to laugh and say "are you kidding me?!" Instead, I just ask for more......and pay for it.

Another thing is, the tp used in places like this is more like crepe paper than anything - seriously, it's pitiful, and yes, if it were any color but white, you could decorate with it.

In some nicer stores and restaurants, there will be one big roll in the restroom, from which each person gets what they need from it, enters a stall, etc. but the stalls don't have any. In the really nice stores and restaurants, there will be tp in the stalls. I am always so happy and know I'm in a nice place when I see tp in the stalls!

Now, in the stores here, there is an endless supply of nice Kleenex 3-ply tissue, so we are never at a loss at home! Thank goodness. There's even tp with dogs on it, or you can use the kind with flowers on it, if you so choose.

Visiting people in their homes can also be tricky, as most may (or may not) have a roll in their restroom.

Needless to say, toilet paper is an integral part of planning any outing of any sort. We have totally gotten used to it and it's really no big deal, but something we still joke and laugh about.

So, if you ever come see us in Peru, just be prepared the minute you step off the plane, and have a roll handy!

Miriam

New beginnings

I LOVE new beginnings. A new day, a new year, a new start, a new outlook.....thank goodness for new beginnings. When I have a bad day, I am so happy when it's over and look forward to starting fresh the next day. When the new year rolls around, oh man, you should see my lists of resolutions!! I want to start over with everything, from habits to hair to how I parent.

Some of my favorite verses in the Bible are Lamentations 3:22-23 "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (NIV) In another version, it reads "His mercies begin afresh each morning". Isn't that so awesome? Yesterday is done, in the past, and this morning, not only do I get a fresh start, but God will start over with me!

I am so glad God knows we are but dust and relates to us as such. He knows how important it is to me to have new beginnings, so He gives them to me.

For me, one of the dangers of new starts being so cool to me, is that I'll wait until Monday to start the diet (even if it's only Wednesday), or I'll wait until the new year to start a reading regimen that I should be doing now, or I'll wait until next month to stay on budget!

I realize we can't just erase yesterday or last month, because our decisions affect the rest of our lives, but it sure is wonderful to know that there's always tomorrow to do better, love better, spend more time with God, learn, grow and start afresh.

My Redeemer is faithful and true.

Everything He has said He will do.

Every morning His mercies are new.

My Redeemer is faithful and true.

(one of my favorite songs)

Miriam

Back to school

Here in Peru, all the kids are back in school, in their cute little plaid uniforms. My kids are feeling a little left out, at the same time, feeling lucky that they have a few more weeks of break left. They will be homeschooling and their materials are somewhere over the Pacific right now.

Classes at the Baptist Seminary of Lima also started yesterday. Brent is "directing" the seminary right now, in the absence of his father, and teaches the Theology course twice a week. He loves this course, because the students' eyes are always opened to new aspects and characteristics of God that they haven't seen before.

We are looking forward to getting to know the seminary students more this semester, as we are living on campus for a few months. Some of them have already challenged my kiddos to a soccer match!

It is so awesome to see them learn and grow and especially to see them go out and put to practice in ministry what they've learned.

This seminary has sent out hundreds of ministers, who are now all over Peru. What an honor to be a part!

So, while the kids wait for their schooling to begin, Dad is back to school and loving it.

Miriam

Yay Lists!!

I love lists! Like, I really love them! I don't think I can function without them, seriously. I'm sure it's a left-brain, sanguine personality, somethin', somethin', - I don't know, I just know I NEED lists in my life. So, here are some of the lists I'm working on right now.....

1. Grocery list

2. Things I can blog about

3. People I'm praying for

4. Ideas for homeschool

5. What to buy for homeschool

6. Books I've read so far this year

7. Books I want to read

8. People I need to call or write

9. Jobs for my kids to do around the house

10. Things we may need to buy soon

11. Stuff Brent needs to do

12. Stuff I want Brent to do

13. How much money I owe each kid

14. Addresses and phone numbers

15. Dishes I want to cook

16. Things I didn't bring to Peru that I wish I had

17. Things I want someone to bring me next chance I get

18. Meals I'm going to make this week

19. Movies I'd like to see

20. People I need to send thank you notes to

I honestly could go on. Does anyone find this disturbing or am I more normal than I think? Don't answer that.

So glad I get to mark "blog" off my list for today! Sigh.

Miriam

Language of the Heart

During our year in the U.S., we very much enjoyed the music at Central Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, TX. We loved learning new praise choruses and songs. The music chosen made it easy to create an atmosphere that was conducive to worship. How we will miss that!

We also love the music in many of the churches we've visited here in Peru. There are so many songs in Spanish that are much more expressive and poignant than the same song in English.

Before I learned to understand and speak Spanish, I would just listen to the melody and enjoy the music, but once I started understanding the words....wow, what a different experience altogether!

I am so glad that God doesn't speak English or Spanish, but the language of the heart. I don't think God even hears what language we're speaking when we sing or pray to Him. I think He's too busy looking at our heart and listening to what is really there.

One of my favorite songs in Spanish is called "Tu Estas Aqui". I have sung it as a solo, but enjoy it much more when singing it in a church service surrounded by my brothers and sisters in Christ. I think God might like this one as well, in any language. Here is just part of it, translated into English:

"Tu Estas Aqui" "You Are Here"

Aunque mis ojos no te pueden ver Although my eyes can't see You

Se que estas aqui, se que estas aqui I know You're here, I know You're here

Aunque mis manos no pueden tocar Although my hands can't touch

Tu rostro, Senor, se que estas aqui Your face, Lord, I know You're here

Mi corazon puede sentir tu presencia My heart can feel Your presence

Estas aqui, estas aqui You are here, You are here

Mi corazon puede mirar tu hermosura My heart can see Your beauty

Estas aqui, estas aqui. You are here, You are here.

Miriam

Sick Days

Although I hate being sick, sometimes I just need a sick day or two, you know? My husband waits on me, I get to sleep as much as I want, my kids are quiet and sweet.....not too bad of a deal.

I have been fighting my bi-anual sinus infection for days now and it finally got me. After a night of fever, chills and terrible aches, I just need a day or two of rest. Brent and the kids are out and I am enjoying a quiet house. Even feeling icky, I can still appreciate a quiet house!

I am thankful God made our bodies in a way that they kind of tell us when we need to slow down and take a rest. Sometimes, it's not the most pleasant experience, but it is a sure way to get our attention.

So, as I look at floors that need mopping, laundry that needs folding, etc., I'm just going to look away and pretend I didn't notice. It will all be here tomorrow and the day after. Today, I am going to listen to my body and give it a break!

Miriam

Kids Will Be Kids

It never ceases to amaze me how many kids' games and songs are transcultural. I have been watching out the window, as my two boys play with two little neighbor girls (Peruvian, of course) and guess what they've been playing......"hide and seek", "tag" and "riding the dogs like horses". I don't know where "hide and seek" originated, but it is just as well known to these kids as it is to ours.

Other games the Peruvian kids love to play that our kids jump right into are "rock, paper, scissors", "freeze tag", "hot potato", "duck, duck, goose", besides all sports (excluding American football). It's pretty cool that Lucas, our 4 yr. old, who really doesn't speak any Spanish can play and keep up with the bigger kids because the games are so well known to him.

Although our North American culture is so different from the Latin culture, one thing I've learned over the years, after being in several different South American countries, is that people are people - everywhere. Same emotions, same feelings, same desires, same dreams, same hurts, same struggles, same needs....of course this all varies person to person, but really, we are all created in God's image and are very similar to each other in our core.

I am so happy my boys have made friends so quickly with these two little girls and even more happy that, despite having different skin colors, speaking different languages and living very different lives, they can play and laugh have such fun together.

Kids will be kids - anywhere!

Miriam

Cooking from scratch

One of the things I enjoyed most during our year in the U.S. was NOT having to cook and bake from scratch. I was so happy to buy the ready made biscuits, rolls, pie crusts, pie filling, spaghetti sauce, brownie, cake and muffin mixes, etc. I vowed I would not make anything from scratch the whole year and I didn't!!

So, here we are back in Peru and I'm actually enjoying cooking and baking from scratch again. (Ask me about it in a few months and it may be a different story) Here, there are no canned soups, no ready-to-bake mixes or doughs, and definitely no cookie dough already cut into circles! But I'll tell you, my spaghetti sauce is tasting pretty good, as are my homemade biscuits, muffins and brownies. I also feel a little better about myself when the extra effort is put into preparing food for my family.

Aren't we, as Americans, always looking for the faster, easier way to do things?? I know I am. Let someone else do the work and we'll just enjoy the benefit, right? Well, I am learning that the things I put a little more effort into, I appreciate a bit more, even food.

May I never look for shortcuts and the easy way when it comes to the important things in life. It takes loads of effort and energy to be a mom, no news flash there. It also takes time, effort and a lot of thought to keep my relationships fresh and growing.

Yes, I'm happy when I can pop open a can of crescent rolls and bake.....but wow, I felt really good about myself when my family ooohed and aaahed over the cake I made from scratch!

I also love reading what other people have studied and written about relationships, but wow, how good it feels when I've actually done the work and see the results!

Miriam

Car Games

One thing we have in common with most of the other missionaries we know is that we spend hours and hours in the car. In the U.S., we have traveled thousands of miles as a family and boy, have we come up with some games to pass the time! Thankfully, our kids also watch DVD's, play their DS games, read, color, sleep, listen to music, etc. and really, the time does go by quickly.

Here in Peru, we are also in the car a lot together. It generally takes about an hour to go 25 miles on the Pan American Hwy., and getting anywhere just takes longer. We have only been back in the country for 2 weeks and the first weekend, we traveled 10 hrs. (only 300 mi.) on Fri. and 10 back on Mon. Last weekend, we drove 4.5 hrs. on Sat. and back 4.5 on Sun. Here are some of the games we play as we travel (just be open-minded and keep a sense of humor, please!).

"My Dog" - this is what we say any time we see a stray dog and whoever has the most at the end of the trip wins. On one 150 mi. trip, we had a total of 250 dogs we had seen on the street. Not kidding.

"My Flag" - same game, different object.

"My Cop Stopping People for No Good Reason"

"My Taxi" - in Lima, this is a good one!

"My Man Urinating on the Side of the Road" - Just kidding, we don't play this, but I do keep count in my mind and it's a LOT. Welcome to Peru.

"The Alphabet Game" - we each have to find every letter in the alphabet on signs, cars or whatever. (I rock at this one)

"Scramble for Change Before We Get to the Toll Booth" - lots of tolls

"Play Music As Loud As Mom Will Allow"

Traveling is one of our favorite things to do as a family and it is always a great time together. I have a feeling our kids will never forget some of the games we have played and they'll definitely remember the many wonderful car trips we've taken across the U.S. and across Peru.

Miriam

What's in a title?

I'll buy a book just because of the title. Seriously, titles grab me and pull me in. Usually, if the title of a book or movie is good, the content is good. For example, "If You Want To Walk On Water, You Have To Get Out Of The Boat" (John Ortberg)....kind of a long title, but such a catchy one that I immediately wanted to read it (and didn't regret it!). Other great titles (and great books) are: "You Matter More Than You Think" (Dr. Leslie Parrott), "It's Not About Me" (Max Lucado), "Nine Things You Simply Must Do: To Succeed In Love and Life" (Henry Cloud). I could go on and on (but I won't).

So when thinking of a title for our blog, it wasn't easy. We came up with some doosies, like "Wit and Wisdom from the Williams" (Brent wasn't comfortable with the wisdom part), "Miriam's Musings" (already taken), "The Wiles of the Williams" (we weren't sure wiles was such a great word), "Brent and Miriam in Peru" (so clever and imaginative), and others I won't embarrass myself by sharing!

"Anecdotes from over the Andes" was unanimously voted on. I love the word anecdote because, according to Wikipedia, it is "a short, free-standing tale narrating a curious and biographical incident....always presented as based on a real incident involving actual persons....the primary purpose is to reveal a truth more general than the brief tale itself." Perfect!

We are actually not "over the Andes" yet, but will be at the beginning of 2011. We will literally drive 250 miles over the Andes to get to the town of Pichanaki, where we have been led of God to plant a church. The story of this town is for another day.

What's in a title? A whole lot!

Miriam

Independence Day

Just days before we left the U.S. to return to Peru, we celebrated July 4. It was definitely more meaningful, knowing it would be our last time to celebrate in the U.S. for a while. Every time I heard the national anthem that week, I was moved to tears. Our choir at church sang it and it was very difficult for me each time we practiced, in a good way! I love the United States of America. It is home. It is my country. It is still the greatest nation on earth.

Yesterday, July 28, was Independence Day here in Peru. They celebrated almost 200 years of independence from Spain. They celebrate much the same way we do in the U.S. Yesterday was a national holiday, people travel, visit family, do fireworks, etc. Some of the differences are that here in Peru, the president attends a mass that is televised and they have a military parade that is also televised. (It's really cool) Also, it is law that every home and business put out a Peruvian flag, so there are flags everywhere, which is pretty cool as well. I don't think they cook out or eat apple pie, but the day before, the 27th, is National Day of Authentic Peruvian Food.

Honestly, the 28th of July holds very little meaning for me. I'm thankful that Peru is an independent and free nation, very thankful. But July 4th is the day that I love and celebrate.

People often ask me where "home" is. It's where our family is, but in my heart, the United States of America will always be my home. God bless the USA and God bless Peru!

Miriam

Living 2500 miles away from the U.S. can get lonely at times, but thanks to the internet, it's easy to feel like we're just next door! Apparently, we're a little late starting a blog, but better late than never, huh? So, here goes.

We hope this will be informative and fun and will prompt people to pray for us.

Modern missions is a lot different from many of the biographies we read of missionaries from the past. For example, yesterday, we went to a mall on the north side of Lima (the less developed side) and walked past the Chili's, Starbucks, Pizza Hut and Athlete's Foot. Then we went to a huge department store and looked at watches, guitars, blenders and eventually bought some new pillows.

Stuff like this is so familiar to most Americans, but when we left this mall, we drove past thousands of huts and half-built homes without lights or water and saw thousands of people living in poverty, watched hundreds of pedestrians crossing streets and crosswalks, most with vacant eyes and very little hope of a better tomorrow.

Having lived in Lima for almost nine years, this is all familiar to us, but after spending a year in the States, we are experiencing a little bit of culture shock. Lucas keeps commenting on how dirty everything is (so true!), and Olivia and Kyall are trying to remember how to speak Spanish and make friends. Brent is amazed at all the people in the streets and I feel like everyone is staring at the white family with the clean, new clothes!

At the end of the day, we make a point to remember why we're here in cold, dirty Lima, Peru. It's definitely not for the beauty, although there is breathtaking beauty all over Peru, it's certainly not because of the government or the economy. We see the thousands of people as souls, lost and hopeless, and we have what they need......the love of Jesus Christ.

As we begin another "term" (4-5 years) in Peru, we look forward to great and mighty things from God. Join us in our journey....the more the merrier!

Miriam