We've had a bit of a struggle this week in our home. It started with Elizabeth and has slowly made its rounds through the family. John is having some reoccuring problems, and Debbie is also struggling with some persistant unusual pain. We've had to put our health insurance to the test this month! Hopefully we will all be on the path to good health real soon. We would appreciate your prayers for good health at this time. We have some appointments tomorrow. We had to laugh when we heard the name of the gastroenterologist that was recommended: Dr. Barriga. (Barriga means "tummy" in Spanish!)
Daniel, our national co-worker is recovering well from his gall bladder surgery. His surgery was very delayed. He had to wait several months until a date was open with the insurance company. He should be back to normal real soon.
With so much sickness going around our home, I am waiting for someone to put up a sign that says "UNCLEAN" on our front door. It does make us feel thankful for the good health we have been blessed with. On a lighter note, we would encourage you to check out the girls website and see how their growing.
Happy Birthday! 472 Years and Counting...
Today is my birthday. Everyone in Lima is out celebrating this special occassion. Last night there were parades and fireworks. Thousands went to the center of Lima for a huge party and concert. But it wasn't for me. No, I share my birthday with the "birthday" of the city of Lima. 472 years ago today Lima was founded. At the time, Lima was the most important city in South America. Today many historic buildings are still visible from that time period. Lima is indeed a place rich with history. I guess it should make me feel young. 34 is nothing in comparison to the age of this ancient city! Debbie and I continue to compete over who has the most gray hairs. I'm winning!
The View from Peru: Traffic
92 Percent of Lima's residents use public transportation like these buses. A trip across town on a bus is only about 35 cents.
Don't have time to shop? Don't worry, while you sit for long periods of time in traffic the street vendors will walk by selling everything you could ever imagine. Fruits, vegetables, calendars, toys, cellphone accessories, drinks even the latest music CD's and DVD's! We think of it as the "mobile Wal*Mart!"
Thankful...For Our Car!
Today we find ourselves especially thankful to have our own car. Owning a car is a real privledge here in Lima. 92 percent of Lima's residents depend on public transportation to get around the massive city. The streets are usually crowded with buses, mini-vans and taxis carting people from place to place. Today the streets are free from buses and vans because of a 24 hour strike called a "Paro." Thousands of people are stranded with no way to get to work. Corners were crowded with people waiting for the few available taxis. It wouldn't be unusual to see the back of a dump truck filled with people, using it as a bus-alternative.
The drivers often go on strike in Peru trying to have traffic and motorist laws changed. This time they are protesting high fines, and the revoking of drivers permits for unpaid infractions. Several years ago a study was done and found that Lima's streets were the most dangerous in the world. The government leaders try to improve the poor driving habits with new laws and stiff fines. Not much has helped as drivers continue to race through the streets and only occassionally obey traffic laws. No one stops at "stop" signs. No one obeys posted speed limits. It is pretty common to see people going the wrong way down a one-way street. I've often thought that NASCAR drivers should visit Lima for a refresher course in racing!
We are actually thankful everyday for our car. Daniel, our national co-worker comes over most days to visit and work with us. His morning bus ride takes at least 1 hour and 15 minutes. We can travel that same distance in our own car in 30 minutes. Most Peruvians have just grown accustomed to the delays that public transportation create. Thankfully most transportation strikes only last 24 hours. Next time you jump in your car for a quick trip to the grocery store thank God for your car! I know we're thankful!
The drivers often go on strike in Peru trying to have traffic and motorist laws changed. This time they are protesting high fines, and the revoking of drivers permits for unpaid infractions. Several years ago a study was done and found that Lima's streets were the most dangerous in the world. The government leaders try to improve the poor driving habits with new laws and stiff fines. Not much has helped as drivers continue to race through the streets and only occassionally obey traffic laws. No one stops at "stop" signs. No one obeys posted speed limits. It is pretty common to see people going the wrong way down a one-way street. I've often thought that NASCAR drivers should visit Lima for a refresher course in racing!
We are actually thankful everyday for our car. Daniel, our national co-worker comes over most days to visit and work with us. His morning bus ride takes at least 1 hour and 15 minutes. We can travel that same distance in our own car in 30 minutes. Most Peruvians have just grown accustomed to the delays that public transportation create. Thankfully most transportation strikes only last 24 hours. Next time you jump in your car for a quick trip to the grocery store thank God for your car! I know we're thankful!
Take Your Eye Out!
We have enjoyed getting to know so many new people in Vina Alta. It is almost like visiting a small southern town. In the afternoons and evenings the neighbors sit on their front steps and chat with neighbors and those passing by. Children play marbles and checkers on the street corners. Vendors pass by with little carts selling sweets and ice cream. The streets are even cobblestone. It truly does seem like an oasis of calm in the bustling city of Lima.
It has been nice to begin building relationships with the neighbors. Each day that we visit we seem to be more accepted. People are stopping us and asking questions. Some have even wanted to tell us tragedies and difficulties in their lives. Seemingly looking for hope and a listening ear. We've especially enjoyed seeing the children learn our names and tagging behind us as we walk from place to place visiting. Every few minutes we hear a shout of "Hermanos!" from the younger ones. (Hermano simply means "brother" in Spanish.) Some have even wanted to play a round of marbles.
Yesterday we saw a group of a half dozen neighborhood boys just sitting on the curb talking. We approached and sat down to chat with them a few moments. Soon others came and soon we had more than a dozen boys around us. They wanted to hear me speak English. I said a few words but that didn't satisfy their curiosity. They insisted that I tell them a story in English. I had Daniel begin to tell a story in Spanish then I translated it into English. It was an odd feeling speaking in front of this tiny group. Not a one understood anything I had to say. Yet it was a neat opportunity as we shared with them the story of creation and then the fall of man. It was an open opportunity to teach them several Biblical truths.
We invited them to church and got ready to leave. One looked into my eyes and said, "Look everyone! He has blue eyes!" I decided to seize the opportunity and made a deal. If every one promised to come to the Kid's Club on Sunday I would take out my eye and let them see it. They were amazed and all raised their hand making a promise. I carefully pulled out my contact lense and held it on my finger. Several of the younger boys looked shocked. One even started reaching into his own eye! They all started laughing and cheering as I placed my lens back in place. Most had never heard of contact lenses. None had ever seen them. I can only imagine the tales they must have told when they got home. If we are blessed some of the adults will show up Sunday to see the crazy American that takes out his blue eyes!
It has been nice to begin building relationships with the neighbors. Each day that we visit we seem to be more accepted. People are stopping us and asking questions. Some have even wanted to tell us tragedies and difficulties in their lives. Seemingly looking for hope and a listening ear. We've especially enjoyed seeing the children learn our names and tagging behind us as we walk from place to place visiting. Every few minutes we hear a shout of "Hermanos!" from the younger ones. (Hermano simply means "brother" in Spanish.) Some have even wanted to play a round of marbles.
Yesterday we saw a group of a half dozen neighborhood boys just sitting on the curb talking. We approached and sat down to chat with them a few moments. Soon others came and soon we had more than a dozen boys around us. They wanted to hear me speak English. I said a few words but that didn't satisfy their curiosity. They insisted that I tell them a story in English. I had Daniel begin to tell a story in Spanish then I translated it into English. It was an odd feeling speaking in front of this tiny group. Not a one understood anything I had to say. Yet it was a neat opportunity as we shared with them the story of creation and then the fall of man. It was an open opportunity to teach them several Biblical truths.
We invited them to church and got ready to leave. One looked into my eyes and said, "Look everyone! He has blue eyes!" I decided to seize the opportunity and made a deal. If every one promised to come to the Kid's Club on Sunday I would take out my eye and let them see it. They were amazed and all raised their hand making a promise. I carefully pulled out my contact lense and held it on my finger. Several of the younger boys looked shocked. One even started reaching into his own eye! They all started laughing and cheering as I placed my lens back in place. Most had never heard of contact lenses. None had ever seen them. I can only imagine the tales they must have told when they got home. If we are blessed some of the adults will show up Sunday to see the crazy American that takes out his blue eyes!
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