Visiting a Peruvian School

My third post:
As the guys in our Arriba group have been in southern Peru doing construction for a family who lost their house in the earthquake, the 3 Arriba girls have been “on our own” this past week. After our Spanish class ended at 10:30 on Wednesday, we were able to spend a day with one of our Spanish tutors, Victoria Garcia. We call her Vicki. Vicki is a teacher at a nearby Christian school, teaching English to elementary and secondary students. We had the amazing opportunity of going to school with her and being the teachers for one day for 2nd and 6th grade classes full of adorable Peruvian kids. Vicki was delighted to have teachers in her class that had the “native tongue” of the English language. We taught the 2nd graders “Jesus Loves Me” in English with the actions and “Old MacDonald had a Farm” to the 6th graders. We also played games, such as Simon Says and Red Rover. We would explain directions in Spanish and then use English words during the songs and games, teaching then some new English vocabulary. We also had time to converse in small groups with the kids in Spanish. One of the 2nd grade girls in my group, named Paola, lived in an orphanage. She seemed very sad and isolated from the others in her class. As we were talking, she kept talking in English! She is Peruvian but speaks English very well. Apparently, there must be English-speakers in her orphanage that she converses with. So, we talked in English, and she seemed to be encouraged by that.

We also visited a secondary-age classroom, where we asked each other questions about the culture, our hobbies, our future plans. They seemed to have a blast with us, and we enjoyed learning some of the clean Peruvian jargon from them. It was blessing being able to tell them how the Lord is leading me to be a missionary in the future. Joy and Nikki, the other two Arriba students, also had that testimony. The students asked us why we wanted to be missionaries, and we were able to explain about our desire to spread the Gospel and glorify God in our lives through serving Him. When they explained their plans for the future, none of them mentioned ministry. I pray the Lord used our short time with them to increase their desire to use their lives for ministry to the Lord, no matter what field he places them in.

I was grateful for this opportunity to view and even get involved in a Peruvian school. If the Lord continues to lead in this direction, I would like to teach or work through the public and /or Christian schools in some capacity on the missionary field. It is a great way to have daily contact with children and teens, and then meet their families as well. The goal is not only to teach and encourage the children, but also to reach them and their families for Christ and see them added to the church. My experience at this Peruvian school, opened my eyes and heart to the needs of the Peruvians and the opportunities of using education as a tool to reach the lost and edify Christians.

Feliz Cumpleanos!

Last Sunday I experienced my first Peruvian quinceañera when one of the girls in our church named Paolo turned 15. Birthdays are a very special occasion here in Peru—especially a girl’s 15th Birthday, which they call her “quinceañera.” The event was announced well in advance at our church and over 100 people attended. Members of our church worked together to decorate the church, provide special music, prepare the food, and create a PowerPoint of Paolo’s life. Paolo had a beautiful formal dress made for the occasion.

The event was to begin at 5 p.m. but actually began after 6 p.m. This is customary in Peru—if it would actually begin at 5, no one would be there yet! Being late for things is simply the Peruvian way of life. It is neither right nor wrong—only different. The ceremony included Paolo being escorted by her father down the aisle, preceded by her mother and friends that carried flowers, much like a wedding ceremony in the United States (minus the groomJ). Scripture was read to Paolo by her friends, a message and prayer of dedication were given by Pastor Evelio, and special words were presented by her parents. Much focus was given to challenging Paolo to stay pure until marriage, and a purity ring was placed on her finger by her father. In addition to a trumpet duet and vocal solo, I was honored to play a special on the piano for the ceremony. This opportunity was made even more special because I played on a keyboard that was presented to Paolo by her parents as a Birthday gift. Paolo is learning to play the piano, and she was thrilled to tears when she received this special gift at her quinceañera. A full course meal was then served, the PowerPoint was presented, and the spectacular 3-layer cake was served!

I was impressed with the entire event, but especially with the presentation of the purity ring and with the amount of time, money, and effort put into making the evening special for Paolo. I will never forget my first experience of a quinceañera, and I’m sure Paolo will never forget this one either!

Jewel from Jeremiah

This is my first official post on my new blog! Thank you for your patience! This week began a new class—Cultural Anthropology with Mr. Brian Trainer, a teacher from my “home university.” Last Friday ended our Major Prophets course. It was a difficult yet rewarding two weeks. The Lord gave me a verse to claim from what we learned in class one day: Jeremiah 20:9 “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” We discussed that those called to be prophets could not resist proclaiming God’s message. In the context, Jeremiah was being mocked for proclaiming the message God had called him to give to the people, so he said he didn’t want to speak of Christ’s name anymore. But . . . he just couldn’t keep from it. After Jeremiah says he will stop prophesying, he then says “but His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” WOW! I had never really noticed those verses before. I thought of the many times while I’ve been here in Peru that I’ve had to “forbear” from giving the Gospel verbally because I simply cannot speak the words. I also was convicted that I wasn’t as “bothered” with that as I should be. I want to be as passionate as Jeremiah about proclaiming the message God has called me to proclaim. I want the Gospel to burn within my heart, so that I cannot bear to hold it in!