A little bit of everything... Life is Good

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the skies.  

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
    your justice like the great deep.
    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.  

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

Psalm 36:5-7

Hello Friends and Family!

Blessings and much love to all. Sorry I have been MIA for a while. I have been up to a lot of community work and time feels like it starting to fly a bit quicker than usual. These last couple of weeks I have began work in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It has been such an incredibly opportunity to be part of the Area Developmental Programme (ADP) of Calca. They are such a wonderful team, and I have had the chance to work in the communities with the parents and the health facilitator.

As crazy as this sounds, I really love talking about sexual reproductive health with people. All the different reactions I get really crack me up. I really have been touched by how responsive and open the communities have been with me despite being a foreign stranger. The language barrier has been a bit difficult. The other day I asked the mother's in the community how many sexual partners they think a man should have, and they all cracked up. They cracked up even more when I asked them how many a woman should have. It's just been really great touching all these subjects with them and understanding a bit more the challenges and realities they face when it comes to taking care of their sexual and reproductive health. It really has been a great experience.

I also had a chance to go to Machu Picchu. Traveling alone can be a lot of fun. I met lots of people, and I was really surprised to how easily I made friends all along the way. God's always taking care of me, and I still marvel at the people he places in my life at the right time. I had reserved my Machu Picchu excursion with a local agency two weeks in advance. I wanted to climb Huayna Picchu, and as some of you may know, there are only an allocated number of tourist allowed to enter each day. The agency promised they would get the tickets for me, and quite frankly they were overcharging me, but I thought they looked more formal than the other agencies I had been to and I didn't want any problems on the trip. They had assured me that everything was taken care of, but to my surprise as I was getting on the bus ready to leave, they told me they had not been able to get Huayna Picchu for me. I was really upset. They lied to me and I felt deceived. The lady pleaded that I still go because otherwise they would lose the train ticket they had already purchased for me and told me they had bought me an entrance to another mountain so I could climb. I decided to give them grace, but I warned them that if anything else went wrong with the trip they would have to return my money because they broke contract with me.

All works out for the good of those that love God. Despite not getting to climb Huayna Picchu, I got to climb the mountain of Machu Picchu, which is a 1,000 mts higher than Huayna Picchu with a private tour guide who was phenomenal. We had such good conversations about spirituality, morality, botany (mostly from him), and just life that I feel actually really blessed that I didn't get to climb Machu Picchu. It was way more of a work out than Huayna Picchu and I had an incredibly spectacular view. I made some great Colombian, Peruvian, and New Zealander friends on the way. It was a great trip. I was beat when I got back though and my legs were somewhat terribly soar as well. It was well worth it and I still love trekking through the mountains!

Macchu Picchu is spectacular. You really do wonder how they managed to build in these conditions. These mountains are really high up and steep. The size of the stones are huge. It is a puzzle for mankind. I gottta hand it to the ancient civilizations, they were incredibly ingenious. I actually went to an observatory close to Sacsaywaman, and it really is incredible to see everything you can learn from the stars. They can help you predict the weather and season. It's also fascinating to see how the same group of stars have been so important for different people groups all around the world. God is so great, and when you think you've already seen how magnificent the world can be, He always surprises us. 

Praises:

1. Opportunities to Travel. It really is a blessing to be here and see the beauty God has created in Peru.

2. I got an answer from IRB. I have to make some small modifications, mostly to consent forms, but I hope to get official approval soon.

3. World Vision PDA Calca staff. They have been phenomenal!

4. God's grace with the communities I am working with. It really has been so touching to see how receptive and welcoming they have been with me, despite the taboo topics I've come to discuss!

Prayer Requests:

1. Professors are on an indefinite strike. So even if I get IRB approval, I still can't start research to classes begin once more. Please pray it gets resolved soon.

2. Efficient time use and diligence. I have A LOT of work to complete before I leave Peru. I only have about three weeks left, and I have a tremendous amount of work to complete before then. Please pray it all gets done. Mostly, it is difficult because the timing and control of time is not in my hands. For example, I got to a community ready to meet with the father's of the community, but by the time I got there, they were all slightly drunk on Chicha because they had had a celebration. Nothing I can do about it!

3. I continue to have GI problems. I've pretty much limited my diet to rice, toast, water, and broths. I am surviving. I just feel really bad because food is really important here, and I have had to turn away so many meals people in the community offer me because I've been sick. Thankfully they have been very understanding.

PS... I am also transforming World Vision Peru. Most of the female staff do not drive! I couldn't believe it. I got authorization and have been cruising with the ADP Calca pick up and have encouraged the other women to learn how to drive. I hope they overcome that fear! I've also shown a few men how it's done. I know my mother would be very proud of me!

Hugs to all!

Sorry. I had to do the tourist thing and hold a baby llama. It's so cute! I really wanted to take it home! The cuy back there is the fattest cuy I had ever seen in my life.

This is the Sacred Valley of the Inca's and I work in one of the most important ancient sites: Calca.

This is on my way to work.

The Inca's were just so ingenious. They had a filtration system set up in these terraces. They truly are a remarkable civilization. This is Alex our Sacred Valley tour guide.

Ollantaytambo. It was spectacular. It's my favorite ruin so far after Machu Picchu.

Let's play a game. There are actually two historical figures traced in this mountain. One was the guardian of all the agricultural seeds the Inca's preserved in these mountain refrigerators they had created. The other (hint:close to the side) is their famous Inca leader.

Machu Picchu. My pictures do not do it justice. It is absolutely spectacular especially before the crowd of tourist come!

Making friends. I literally met them on the street. This is Rafael and his mother. They joined me for dinner as they also were heading to Machu Picchu.

Huayna Picchu is the peak you see behind.

Could you imagine waking up to this every morning? I love the mountains. I can't blame them for worshiping them. They truly are majestic. Creation does speaks of God's glory!

Dad, these are some of the orchids native to reserve of Machu Picchu and no I won't bring you back any. :)

The crowd is receiving energy from the Sacred Rock. Apparently the stone used for construction in Machu Picchu is mostly granite and contains a lot of quartz. Therefore, Machu Picchu is believed to have a lot of energy stored and my group was trying to gain some before we continued the hike.

I had to do the tourist pose. I hope you'all appreciate it!

 The mountain far in the back is Machu Picchu mountain. That is the one I hiked up! It was a well worth climb. :)

 I felt I was fulfilling some kind of pilgrimage. I think I pretty much repented of everything on my way up!

We are 1,000 mts above Huayna Picchu as you can see!

This is another orchid I also did not bring back for you father. :)

I made it!

The top was spectacular. It was absolutely gorgeous!

Still smiling after our climb down. I don't get it. It took me about 2 hours to climb up and 45 minutes to get back down to Machu Picchu. Then we started hiking it back to town.

Goodbye Machu Picchu! Hasta luego!

These are some of the members from Unuraqui, one of the communities I've been working at this last week. WE gave the mother's some hygiene kits. Heather, you would have loved them.

This is Gilda. She is fabulous! She works in the ADP Calca and has a radio program with some of the sponsored kids. She is really admirable and she is joining me to Lake Titicaca this weekend!

I love this fruit. This is Chirimoya which is the Peruvian version of Guanavana.

This is Guiler. He is the administrator of ADP Calca and what was ADP Lamay. He has been lots of fun to hang out with. I still think I drive better than he does!

I love this poster... what would a world where all children can be safe be like? That is what we are working for and having the children themselves be the agents of change for their community.

Lunch has arrived...

Edith you really want me to eat all those Nabitos? Edith is the health promoter for ADP Calca. She has been a joy to work with this week. She has been trying to teach me some Quechua, but I am struggling. Wawa=child. Gracias=gracias...that is about it right now.

I had an activity with the mother's in the community.... and there was a huge pile of corn in the room I needed to use. What do I do? Well... the kids used it as their playground. It kind of became a nursery on its own. The children were quite entertained and allowed for the mother's to participate.

This is another of the communities I have been working in.

You can't judge me. I have no practice or skill doing this. That poor boy was a brave soul.

Nailed it! I really admire how women walk around the mountains with their Wawa's like that. I loved carrying that boy around. His Chuyo says CUSCO. (Chuyo=hat)

The mother's thought I should produce some Wawa's of my own! They didn't look to convinced at my Wawa carrying skills. I think they meant I needed more practice!

 You all right back there?

 He cuddled with me! I actually really love this technique. I hope to implement it someday. It really is a great bonding experience.

Love to all!!!

Immersing in the Culture of Cusco

Hello Friends and Family!

I really miss you all. Thank you for your emails and Skype dates! I love still being able to share life and time with you despite the distance.

This was a pretty busy week for me. I had to finish a report, which was past due, for World Vision. It was actually kind of fun to do at the beginning but agonizing towards the end. I am happy that everyone was happy with it and glad I could help out in some way. I have to culturally adapt all the surveys and questionnaire's I will hopefully be using for the research project to Calca. Please continue to pray as I still await for IRB approval. I send them an email yesterday and hope to hear back from them soon.

I am glad to report I am feeling much better. Cusco has been one wild party all week. This past week was the peak week of celebration.I joined the World Vision dance team and got to parade and dance through the streets of Cusco dancing a "Mestiza Quoyacha." I had a blast. The steps weren't difficult, but the rhythm took a bit to adjust to. I felt really privileged and blessed that they would allow me to dance with them. I mean they were representing Peru and World Vision Peru, and it really was an honor to be able to join them. We got to be on TV and we literally danced in front of what seemed like all of Cusco and thousands of tourist. It was a lot of fun. I was actually flattered and thought it was funny that after the presentation I was asked several times to be photographed by tourists. I look very Peruvian till I say something, and then my accent rattles me away.


I also got to attend the Inti Raymi on Sunday. (http://www.unique-southamerica-travel-experience.com/inti-raymi.html) You should read more about it. It marked the beginning of a new year for the Incas. Peru knows how to put on a good show. I really enjoyed the beginning part of the ceremony a lot more at the Koricancha. There was a lot of nostalgia with past times and associated with it. I really did almost cry when they sang the hymn of the Inca.


I guess I just really ask myself sometimes what happened to these people groups. I see them now, relics of a great empire, and they are some of the most forgotten and marginalized people in the world. I spent last week with some of the descendants of the Inca's in almost forgotten places. I really did enjoy attending the Inca Raymi and it was quite the experience, but I wish the same attention were given to the people groups that still exist today.

If anyone is concerned, they don't really sacrifice the llama at the ceremony. They put on quite the show. The costumes, which they change every year, are absolutely gorgeous. The whole event takes place in Quechua. Apparently, it hasn't been of much public and international notice till recently. I added a small video. I apologize for the lack of zoom. My camera has failed me and I have had to resort to my iPhone. I met and made some wonderful Colombian friends during the ceremony. I just really love Colombians. I have yet to find one that I can't get along with. Perhaps I should take off to Colombia after graduation!

I'm a bit concerned. I have had to change the location of the research project and still don't have IRB approval. Although now I will be working in the Sacred Valley of the Inca's, once I get IRB approval I will have to immediately submit an amendment. I really just want to get started. I don't have much more time left. On top of everything else, the professors from the high schools are on an "indefinite strike." Apparently, they want the director of education for the area removed from his position. Working with people is difficult! I gotta admit that sometimes I do miss the cell and tissue culture labs. I had a bit more control, but it drove me crazy that a microliter mistake could ruin days of work. I guess everything has its challenges.

I really miss being in the States. I was telling one of my friends that. I can't even believe I am saying that. I really do. I miss my friends and my freedom and the culture a bit. I've loved being here, but part of me is just ready to get back to life and settle down for a bit. This weekend I'll be climbing Macchu Picchu. I also have to meet with facilitators for the educational and health programs which I will hopefully be participating next week. I have lots and little to do all at the same time. Mostly, I have to wait. Well, God is teaching me patience.

Praises:
1. No more stomach problems! Yeay! Praise God for antibiotics!
2. Report for WV is completed and it was very beneficial for them.
3. Opportunities to immerse in the culture and friends God has blessed me with.

Prayer Requests:
1. IRB approval. I need it ASAP. Please pray it is soon and everything goes quite smoothly.
2. Professor strikes to get resolved soon! Ideally they would be back to work as soon as I get IRB approval. I am also somewhat worried because classes end at the end of July. I need to get my data in before then.
3. My heart and mind. I really want to be here for everyone, but lately I've been in thought about other things. Please pray for God to bring peace and to help me regain focus, vision, and clarity again.

This is me prior to antibiotics.

This is me after antibiotics. :)

Ready to dance! I loved my hat!

There were actually 24 of us dancing. This is half of the group that got ready at one side of the city.

The Inca flag actually has all the colors of the rainbow. I loved the guys dance suits. 

This is Juanita, Lucerito, and Rita. They helped me get everything I needed for the parade. They are wonderful and great dancers!

This was our sign!

Representing World Vision! Not sure if you can see, but the handkerchiefs we were wearing said World Vision.

Koricancha. All hailing to Father Sun. This is an incredible site because you can see the Koricancha that was partially destroyed by the Spanish to build the Monasterio de Santo Domingo (white).

There were four "legions" of soldiers that came from the 4 regions of the Inca Empire.

 This is in Sacsayhuaman for the actual Inti Raymi. We were on the mountain of tourist sections. I didn't want to pay the full price ticket to go in. It cost $115.

 You can't see this very well, but the opposite mountain was full of locals. Sacsayhuaman was packed!

 I did have a good view of what was going on, but my camera did not capture it. I thought it was funny that the sky was gray as we were invoking the Father Sun.

 My Colombian friends! I'm telling you they are great no matter what part of the world they are in.

I went to a fair and these are products of some of the local communities WV is helping consolidate into networks to promote their work and hopefully provide better incomes for those communities and families. It is beautiful work.

 I've made a new friend. She is awesome! This is Noemi and she just got back from a graduate engineering program in France. She is Cusquena and such a blessing to know!

 Noemi took this picture. Off in thought as usual...

 This is Cusco.

You can't see the sign very well...I forgot the name of these people but they are there so that people will respect crossing the streets on the designated crossways. Apparently they are legally authorized to hit you with their rope if you don't.

 Heather...this if for you. Remember how you had to help me pack 5lbs of granola bars for the trip... I would trade them all in for this one bar! I love it. It is made out of something called "Kiwicha" and they are the best thing I've ever had. I love them!