Partying...

sister and intercessor Teresa

my boys Jhon and César

Sabina and another Teresa enjoy the food

Jhon attacks the potatos

Sabi serves Jorge while Santosa savors flavors

Peje Rey!

Anamaria , left, brought the last big plate

Ruth watches Nimia prepare to chow on noodles

Jorge insisted I join my voice to Sabi's and Roldan's when I knew the lyrics

Santosa's husband dances with another faamily member

Another Teresa gets me on my feet whil Ronald claps

my boys Jhon, Tito, and shy José

Jorge gets me dancing too

dancing with Tito

pant pant pant

Jhon sings, Roldan plays teclado

Tito directs some games

Sabi is behind Ronald, as the arms in this game

Yesterday we had a quiet day in the DAYTIME...Originally, Ps. Jorge was going to have us (the church) go to Huascar Park but since he and I had already walked our legs off there on my goddaughter's birthay, he changed plans to be a pass-a-dish lunch at the church. SO MUCH FOR LOSING WEIGHT! I didn't have any of the cebiche Sabi made because she made my favorite little fried fish, peje rey, JUST FOR MEEEEE! One person made a fried rice with bits of hot dog and chicken.Someone brought "chicharones" - fried bits - of octopus (sweet and tender!), someone else brought chicharones of chicken. Someone brought a salad of broccoli and avocado. There was also a warm pudding of pineapple. When we thought we had stuffed ourselves - someone else brought a platteer of spaghetti with chicken. I crammed a bit of wing and noodles in th last remaining space! Later people caame and went, Jorge practiced or composed songs, I loaded pix and chatted on the computer...Then we all went to Santosa's house - for HER birthday. Let me tell you, CHRISTIANS KNOW HOW TO PARTY - and with no liquor (just the New Wine of the Holy Spirit - see Acts 2), we had a delightful time, singing praises to the Lord and dancing. I used to be able to do a "Holy Ghost Hop" but now I do more of  "Trinity Two-step!" I think I may have worked off that big lunch! Tito led in some gams before there was food - a wing in sauce, rice, and potato with creamy picante sauce. fter a while, I asked Sabi if I could have José escort me home, and Teresa came along, since she lives between José and the church. It was eleven when I got home and crashed into bed - Sabi said the rest of them got home around 2 after cleaning up when the party ended around 1:30!
I'm hearing some music by Paul Wilbur in Spanish with a Jwish flavor, the same song that sister Ana danced to at Ciudad de Refugio the last Sunay I was there. Today after lunch with my friend Nimia we'll go to the airport - early, in case of traffic delays. And perhaps we'll have the traditional Papa John's pizza! Meanwhile, my nieces Leidi and Tutty have told me the family is anxiously awaiting my arrival in Pucallpa tonight! Ah, but who is MOST anxious? Song - "Tonight" from West Side Story!

Madrina

Jorge and Luisa and I await a cab

soup is served - my goddaughter Lisbet and me

with my hand for scale - plump juicy tangerine

Libe's abuela, mother, and self

far left is Luisa's little sis - Parque Huascar

new ride at Huascar, a little tour around part of the park

the train cars

my friend Jesusa gives me a hug as I eat my traditional boled potato with picante sauce

Marcelino, Lisbet, me, Luisa - growing closer ovr the years since Lisbet's quinciñera

Yesterday was my goddaughter's birthday. Lis Juarez Ayvar had asked me in 2007 if I could be her madrina for her quinciñera. So here she's TWENTY now! Well, I stayed in Lima especially for her. So anyway, after I had a nice wash-up at the church and did stuff on the computer, her mother Luisa Ayvar Cruz came for me. She took me and Ps Jorge Samelvino Mozombite to a restaurant which she runs by day ( another relative runs it as a pizzaria by night) where she served us a yummy chicken noodle soup to start, followed by a nice salad. Jorge had the pork chop. When I mentioned lasagna was my favorite dish, she prepared a pasta dish for me that had a nice cheesey sauce, and a bit of ground meat in tomato sauce, that just hit the spot. For dessert, enormous plump tangerines. Then we took a cab to the local park, Huascar, where I have been taken at least once every visit to Lima. I had a good long walk, and observed some new additions to the amusements offered there. Then we parted with Jorge and went to the Juarez residence where I lay down a while (my feet were swollen and sore!) Then up to visit a while with Lisbet's father Marcelino Juarez, catching up on events. Gradually other relatives arrived. Silhi France Juarez Felix plopped next to me and let me tell her about my love. I also met an 11-yr-old girl whom I have to "friend" so she can continue practicing her English on me. It was pleasant to be reunited with others from Manantial de Vida for Lisbet's birthday. Silhi warned me they were "mañaneros," coming from work to join the party and staying to the wee hours of the morning - mañana. So Sabina called around 10 pm and asked when I might be coming home so my poor hostess Irma would not be inconvenienced. It was decided that Jorge would come for me. We stayed to sing a number of renditions of Happy Birthday, in Spanish and English, and to have some cake, and "another picture!" "otra foto!" It has ALWAYS been difficult to take leave of this delightful family in Christ. We rode with Pilar Juarez and another partier to arrive home around midnight! All in all it was most pleasant fellowship, and Lis and her family were very glad that I "honored" them with my presence (while I in turn felt honored to be included!)

Good Investments

Yesterday morning before I went out visiting, Sabi and I were just sitting and talking, and I told her what a blessing it was to see the kids growing in the Lord. She told how all were increasing in boldness. For example, her daughter Ruth didn't participate in school festivities of singing certain songs with ungodly or satanic themes, enduring the mockery of her fellows - and then asked the teacher permission to preach. At first there was mockery, but then even th mockers were silenced. The teacher stepped out of the room, crying, and others were crying under the conviction of the Holy Spirit; and many received the Lord. Furthermore, Sabi told me how the "Soldados de Bendicion" (Soldiers of Blessing) tees I gave them last year also encouraged them, as they went out together and ministerd through choreography or skits, and this year's "God's Army" baseball caps only added to the uniform and put fuel on the fire. I was so blessed to know that these little gifts contributed to the work of evangelism that they do in their spheres of influence. I may not get out like they do, but I am nonetheless a participant in the work they do, and so I can also share in the reward!

Progress and Visits

Lorenza calls Cristina

David and his mother

Cristina aka Aurora

My fellow "Soldada de Roca", Angelica

My first god-daughter, Ester

Leví is entering the 21st century - last night he was at his niece's house and she told him I was online on facebook. So he started to message me under her name, till I reminded him of his account and password (wife=secretary!)While we chatted, Sabi brought me sandwiches of meat sauteed with peppers and onions. He went home after a while and tried to call me at the church, but could not get through. So he returned to his niece's house. Meanwhile, Sabina sent one of her nephews to get me a pre-paid phone card so I could call HIM. And that's what we did, finally connecting, talking about my arrival. Around 9 I was yawning like crazy so he urged me to go to bed. I slept well, and when I got up around 7:30 I went to Sabina's for breakfast. Chicken bits with peppers and onions - I told her, you can make anything taste good by adding peppers and onions! We had no formal agenda planned, so Jorge escorted me by mototaxi, with a bag of the clothes my grands outgrew, a big bottle of vitamins for children and one for women, to the tailor shop of my friend pastora Lorenza (whose daughter Ester is one of my 2 god-daughters, and whose 5-year-old daaughter was named after me!)  She was totally surprised and delighted, and said my coming was very timely because she is in the midst of a very heavy economic crisis due to a loan her oldest daughter took out and has been unable to keep up with paymnts - so Lorenza as co-signer faces losing her house, and the sewing machines of her trade. I told her, were I rich, I would pay off her debt ( the equivalent of about  $1500)- but that I would at least pray and alert others to pray for her situation.(SO PLEASE PRAY! And if you can help let me know, I'll tell you how to wire money to her!)) I have faced such crunches too, and understand the stress - and have seen God move, to the glory of His name, in unexpectd ways. While I was at her shop another sister, "Soldd de Roca, Anglica, who was with us at Machu Picchu, happned by and was surprised to see me thus unannounced. Lorenza's eldest son David - he's 14 or 15 - also came by. He has left school to work to help his mother, at HIS insistance (let me mention, Lorenza is a widow with many children) and today was his first day. My goddaughter Ester came by and gasped when she saw me. I think she'll be 17 this year! Well, then Lorenza was calling our mutual friend Cristina, and telling her "You have to come quickly, I don't know what to do, I'm desparate, hurry!" SCARING her (and Lorenza's muffled laughter sounded like crying). I hid when Cristina was approaching, and she took a seat, wondering what was up, and out I popped. Again - surprise and delight. Well, I treated us four adults to "pollo a la braza" (rotisserie chicken) with chicken noodle soup, fries, salad, and good ol' Coca Cola. Angelica brought her 4 yer old grandson, who focused on the fries. We had the whol chicken cut in eighths, and I sent the leftovers home with Lorenza to shar with the other kids. For that meal it was the equivalent of $14...a worthwhile expenditure to treat my friends. But you can't outgive God. Lorenza bought me some small bananas and tangerines to snack on! Then Cristina and I walkd to her house to visit and catch up on what we'd been going through during the past year. Lorenza and Anglica joined us a bit later with bread, whole grain crackers, cheese, and coffee.I crammed some chese and crackers into the space in my esophagus, till Jorge came for me around 4:30. And here I am online!

Youth Service and Visits

On the way to Santosa's house

On the way to Santosa's house

Luis, me, Evelin, Santosa, and a parcel of granddaughters

I hug Santosa's daughter Flor while Evelin waits her turn

Santosa displays her plátanos

Santosa has her own little "selva" (jungl) in her front yard - an oasis in the otherwise dusty area

Ruth and José lead praise and worship

Ronald, Jhibson, Evelin, Rosita, Jesús...

Victor (Titín) leads in prayer

José preaches on David and Goliath

attentive youth

Now it's time for fun and games!

Me in the bright yellow with the "jóvenes"

Had a wonderful time during the youth service. It's thrilling to see how they've grown in the Lord over the years. José delivered a message after he and Ruth led in praise and worship, and even I had to get up and do a little dancing (took ibuprofen later!!!) They had some games afterwards - I had to video bits of them. I want to post this one, where Jhon and Tito squared off like a pair of fighting cocks to grab a little ball! Finally around 11 since they were still playing, I had to call it a night. José walked me home and I think I caught up on my sleep. Irma served breakfast this morning, with her husband Wilfredo, Ps. Jorge, and José - whole wheat rolls, a plump avocado half, and my favorite Peruvian olives! We had a long visit, then went to the church where Santosa and Sabina were leading in praise and worship. I was fairly successful in being surreptitious in my entrance, so as not to distract from the real center of attention, our wonderful Lord Jesus - but a couple of sisters did grab me with big hugs and kisses! Since I was there, Jorge asked me to share from the word. Afterwards, there was a video of a pastor expounding about end times. Then I walked home with Santosa (good exercise!) for a lovely lunch of chicken and mixed veggies. The ubiquitous rice was also offered, but since there were bits of potato in the veggies, I passed (starch!) Evelin Mina Moreano is Santosa's daughter, and both were with us in Feb. 2007 when we went to Cuzco and Machu Picchu. It's delightful to be with them - and use their internet to post this!
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7EZbzR2pQ8&feature=youtu.be   Here's a bit of one of their games!

Traveling to A Home Away from Home

José's rabbit

Ruth and her parrot Cuchito

Cuchito the parrot and his quail friend

Flying over Niagara Falls, lower left corner!

When my son-in-law dropped me off at the airport, he said I looked like an excited teenager. I guess love will do that! But I won´t be joining Leví till the 28th.Well, uneventful is a good way for flights to be. All flights were on time. I took advantage of wheelchair service due to sometimes great distances between gates (especially Chicago!) Thanks to sis Deb´s love offering I was able to tip those who served. Especially when the gal in Chicago told me she gets only $5 per hour, plus tips, and she has a baby, and is going to college in the fall. (She was responding to my questions) But once there, I have them leave me, and I do local walks to stretch out a bit.  The longest layover was in Miami, so I did my first drawing. When I have more photos to download, I´ll put it on with an explanation.
My welcoming committee in Lima was a bit smaller than at other times - many WANTED to go, but having to BE there at 4:30 in the morning is daunting (it´s a good hour or so to Villa el Salvador from the airport) - especially for those who have to study for exams. But Jorge and Sabina came with two of my boys, Rónald and José, and they helped load the 2 heavy boxes into the taxi, the driver of which wanted 35 sols at first, but then 50 when we came to the end. That´s about $20, low by US standards, but high there. I covered it - the least I could do for robbing my friends of sleep! Note to self - next trip, get a later flight! Sabi, Rónald and José dozed in the cab on the way home - I  told Jorge he had to stay awake because no way could I give directions.
Sabi prepared me a breakfast of a hamburger as I showed her the herbs and spices Abi and I had gotten for her. She was eager to try them out. I gave José and Rónaald the little goodies I had acquired from my flight - some fancy chocolates a fellow traveler gave me from her business trip, and a couple of oatmeal cookies from the last flight´s"dessert" - and also their "gorras"- baseball caps: for the music team I had gotten some army grey ones that said "God´s Army", which go well with the "Soldado de Bendicion" shirts I gave them last year.
After breakfast I went next door to my hosts´ house, Irma and Wilfredo (José's parents) and had a nap to catch up a bit on lost sleep. I returned to the church at 12:30, where Sabi had lunch about ready, having used some of her new spices.
I've met José's pet white rabbit, and Ruth's little parrot and  pet quail. A nice quiet change from two hulking slobbery boxers fauning for attention! And now here I am. Son Jhon has arrived, so I have to give him his hat and bandana and peanut butter - he gets a little extra spoiling since his own mother passed away. And later I'll have Moisés help me load photos. Youth service is tonight, so I want to get in on that. Hasta luego!
 ... After blogging, son Jhon pops his head in to greet me - he knows I brought him his own jar of peanut butter. I came out of Moisés' room (where the computer is) to visit with him and another son, César. Poor Sabi was tired, so she took a nap while the 3 of us just chilled. Of course I tried to give some motherly advice - to Jhon," Share your peanut butter", to César, "if you want him to share, you contribute the jelly", to both, don't be unequally yoked, and reading to them from 2 Timothy 2 - Love my "Soldados de Barro"! I get back to the computer after they leave, and Sabi spoils me with tangerines, apricots, and fried dough!

Transitions

I am returning to Peru on Friday, for the 9th time. Each time has been different, and I think it's the Lord's way of keeping me from trying to "box" Him in or limit what He wants to do, where He'll do it, and how. I had my ideas of what I'd be doing this trip a few months ago, but the Lord let me know otherwise, bit by bit. One thing is certain - I am remarrying...uh...Right, Lord???

I actually met Levi Utia the first time I went in 1997, but I didn't really come to KNOW him know him until the summer of 2007. In hindsight I can see how the Lord was preparing the way for this union by first establishing a friendship and letting me get a glimpse of this man's character.

So anyway, the agenda goes SOMETHING like this. Leave Friday afternoon, via American Airlines, by way of Chicago and Miami, arriving in the early morning of the 23 in Lima, where I'll be greeted and picked up by my "family" - oh, they really are family! - from the church Voz de la Transformacion , pastored by Jorge Samelvino (brother to my late friend Hugo) and his wife my DEAR friend and considered little sister, Sabina Campos. At first I was going to go directly to Pucallpa, where Levi is, but I have a goddaughter, the niece of another pastor friend, and her birthday is the 26th. I want to have some time with her and the family. And I want to see if I can find either a keyboard or a guitar which I can afford to buy for my musical husband. And since my last trip, I have bonded very strongly with the church family there, so I really want to have a few days with them before I devote myself to my new husband. But I don't want to stay away TOO long. So...I will continue on to Pucallpa on the 28th of June.

I'd THOUGHT we were going to have the civil ceremony - this is the only one Peru recognizes - on June 30th, but it has been in Levi's court to make arrangements, and he has been working 7 days a week. So I don't know the exact date - I expect it will be in July. And I ask the Lord, what may be the significance of the date HE has chosen for us to wed. Because I've learned he DOES things like that.

So, I have an IDEA of what's going to transpire and the rough outline of the time frame. But the details will unfold before me - and Levi - as we walk into this new life together. So, for now, I'm happily counting the days till I'm reunited with the family in Lima, and will enjoy them while I'm with them...and the days till I'm back in Levi's arms!