Confessions of a Gringa

Saturday afternoon I spent 20 soles on 4 batteries and a cup of coffee. Larco Mar is the super gringo-ized outdoor mall that over looks a cliff down to the ocean. I was in my room doing work all morning, and I felt couped up. I needed to get outside on such a sunny day, and decided to capitalize on my gringa-ness by buying my first Starbuck's latte in 4 months. From El Augustino I caught the azul 24 on the Evitamiento(the section of the Panamerican highway that's right outside my house) and rode it an hour down to Miraflores. I may have in the process discovered my new vice. I don't really like be treated like a tourist there though. I want to tell the workers that speak to me in English, hey I live here, in a pueblo joven. But, I am choosing to put myself in this situation. And I'll suffer through the steriotypes, for a nice view of the ocean and a cup of starbucks once in awhile.

I have recently become very much more aware of the nature of the church here due to the fact that I understand so much more of what they are saying. I participated in my church's version of a lock-in on Satuday night. And for this reason I justify the Starbucks. Nancy and I would always get a nice big cup before our Westminster lock-ins. This lock-in or vigilia was very different. First off, it was the adults who participated. Several members had one hour to lead, including me(which I found out on Wednesday, giving me sufficient time to prepare;) and we stayed up all night. Not, playing games or making sure people aren't making out, but we prayed, read the Bible and sang for eight hours and then ate not doughnuts, but soup at 6am. I was really glad to experience it, and feel my Spanish has come a far way for me get through my hour. I haven't yet fully formulated my thoughts on it, yet.

I generally think of myself as a peaceful person. But, I am wadgeing a war. Right now, I am on the loosing side of this battle. The bugs that enjoy eating me alive are winning. Each night they feast, and each morning I itch! I am attempting to de-bug my room this evening, as I am leaving for Huancayo and the cemicals will have time to work their vicious magic.

I want you to know that I did get to celebrate a good Thanksgiving, even though it is not the tradition here. The yav group got together for a meeting and to eat some fabulous food. Our meetings are great, not only because I really enjoy the other volunteers with me in Peru, but also it helps me to see the bigger picture. When I'm going along, doing my thing, set in my routine, I sometimes forget why I am here. This is bigger than me just going to the office, writing this newsletter, sitting in on that meeting. I was called here for a reason. I'm not sure quite yet what that is, but when we get together and reflect, and share, I can try to understand.