a weekend with the girls

cafe mochas at starbucks. chili's chips and salsa. movies in an actual theater. high-speed internet. a park of water fountains. taxi rides with more people than should be legal. and quality conversations with some amazing friends.

these girls are a huge blessing in my life.
my heart is full.

Me and the newest, honorary member to
the Xtreme Team - Powers!!

All of us crammed into a taxi. Our driver didn't quite
know what he got himself into!!

Megan, Linzi, Christy, Powers, Me and Nadia
at the Fountain Park

my Peru family

Lessons on a Jungle Trail

One day we set out on what ended up being a long jungle hike. And when I say we were walking a jungle trail, there wasn’t really a trail I could see. The reason for this adventure was to bring back this nut that they called a fruit.

As we walked, my mind got to thinking. I know that I’m supposed to follow wherever the Lord leads. Without question. But being human . . . that’s hard at times. I want to know the plan, especially right now with my future hanging in the balance. What will I be doing after Perú? J3? Seminary? Nursing school? Or something altogether different? Our jungle hike drove a point home.

I was following Maria. I had no idea where I was going. No idea what we were really looking for. But I followed . . . unquestioningly. I had faith that she knew where she was going. There was no trail (well, no gringo trail). I never asked her if she really knew the way. Never really asked why we were even going. And after an hour or so of walking, we arrived. My jungle walk is a lot like following God. I don’t always know where He leads . . . but I’m not guaranteed that knowledge. All I’m called to do is follow. Nothing more. He is my guide. He knows the trail and destination. There may be distractions and hang-ups along the way – but I am to press on. There were times I couldn’t see Maria . . . but I could hear her. So it is with my Father. At times I might not can see Him or His hand, but I know His voice and I continue following. He didn’t promise me a smooth trail or a path free from obstacles. All He has promised is that He will guide me. And never leave me.

So, as my time here in Perú begins to wind down and my future is still up in the air . . . I’m trusting God. He knows my story and He holds my future. I’m following, even though I’m unsure of the where the path is leading. I’m called to follow. And I am excited about the next step in this journey.

Update Coming . . .

I´m getting around to writing some updates for the blog.

So there should be some new reading material soon!! No worries!

And as soon as I get it, I´ll post the link to Facebook pictures!!

Got Masato?

Masato is the drink of choice here in the jungle. They intake more masato than water daily. I was once even told to drink more because it stays with you longer than water!

So, you may be asking yourself - ¨What is this masato you speak of?¨ It is a drink made from the yucca root. It is a plant that grows in abundance out here. It could be compared to a potato, but still it is different. Let me share with you the whole masato making process!

Masato day begins a little before 6:00 AM. All the women grab their baskets and machetes and head for one of the many surrounding yucca fields. Once there, everyong begins to dig . . . even the gringas! The Yaminahua women can somehow dig up 20 or so yucca in about 5 minutes, whereas it still takes me 20 minutes to dig up 5 pieces of yucca!!!! We work with the pros. After 2 hour of digging, the peeling process begins, to which I´ve nearly lost fingers. By 9:00 AM we are back at the house and washing all the yucca. We put it to boil and then the fun part begins.

They take a large paddle and mash it up to the consistency of mashed taters. At this time, they shred some sweet potato and begin chewing it. Once the sweet tater is sufficiently chewed, it is spit into the big vat of mashed yucca. For the next 2 hours or so, spoonfuls of yucca are chewed and spit, chewed and spit, chewed and spit. You how have the masato concentrate. This sits overnight to begin the fermentation process. The following morning, they take some of the mush, add water . . . and WHALA - masato!! A 16 liter bucket is made each time. One pot of concentrated masato lasts for about a week and at least twice a day the bucket is refilled.

This jungle beverage is most definitely an acquired taste. When drinking, I just try not to think of the whole process. In the beginning, I grimaced while drinking my bowl . . . but after two months in Yaminahua-ville, I finish my bowl and with my masato mustache can smile and say ¨¡Mama sharakoi!¨ (Masato is great!)

Hello friends! After much prodding . . . I am updating.

I am still in Pucallpa, awaiting a flight out to San Pablo to spend two months with the Yaminahua. Nadia and I have been working on learning some phrases in the language, which has proved to be a little difficult. The pronunciation is quite different and very nasaly (sp?). We have learned to count! They technically don´t have a number higher than 3. They count in pairs. For example: if you wanted to say 4, you would say ¨rafe na nafea, rafe na nafea¨. This means ¨this one with this one, and this one with this one¨, but mind you . . . it isn´t pronounced like it looks! The pronunciation is: lawe da dawea, lawe da dawea¨. It is fun! We usually just end up laughing at each other.

During our non-study time, we knock around town and find places to visit. This pictures is from one trip to a local zoo. Who just wants to look at animals through cages?? Why not just yank that over-sized snake out of it´s cage so we can get a closer look at it!?!?! Linzi wanted a picture of one animal and couldn´t get a good shot, so the guide just opened the not so secure cage door and told her to go on in and get a better shot. Gotta love Perú!! All about customer service. One of the small blessings found in town is . . . DR. PEPPER!!!!!! God is good!!

We are all ready to take off to our communities. City life is getting dull. All four of us will be gone until August. And I´m sure, upon return there will be quite a few stories to post! Please be praying as we all work on learning a new language. Pray for lots of patience for the people we will be living with!

I have an assignment!!!

This past week, I have been in Arequipa with the entire Extreme Team. It has been a time of encouragement and sharing what God has done this last year. This is the one time each year that we are all together. It has been great. Today, we all disperse. It has been a blessing and I count each member of this team as family.

I finally have an assignment!!! I will be going with Nadia to the Yaminahua. Once training ends, April 1, we will begin intensive language study and then hope to head to San Pablo at the beginning of June for a 2 month trip. I am so excited that there aren´t really words to describe. The language is so important. While there, we will not be speaking much, if any, Spanish at all. The women speak the dialect. So, please pray with Nadia and I that language comes quickly, so we are able to effectively disciple the women of San Pablo. Also, be praying for Katie, Linzi and Christy as they study the Spanish language and head out of trips.

Here is a picture of our team:

Back row: Christy and me

Front row: Nadia, Linzi and Katie

For pictures from training and XGM, follow these links:

Training:
http://uta.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2076696&l=7e704&id=25300658

XGM:

http://uta.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2078815&l=d5f13&id=25300658