Estoy en Perú

I arrived in Perú late last night and am totally exhausted after day 1. I have some pictures and I am far too lazy right now to post them, but I'll try to get them up before I leave my first trip to a worksite.

Humbling experience número uno - inability to communicate with people once I entered my transfer point in Bógota. I now realize just how much I've taken for granted my communication and people skills, because they're pretty much useless at this point... Hopefully that will take a turn for the better as my Spanish improves. I think I might be so tired right now because I spent all day trying incredibly hard to understand what everyone was telling me.

It was still a great day. Billy took me to the Scripture Union office, showed me around Lima a bit, gave me some orientation reading material, and I got to meet with Manuél, who I will probably be helping with the financials in the SU office. I also got a look at my tentative schedule, which has me leaving for the work sites in a couple days! So I apologize if I go abruptly silent for two weeks. Hopefully I'll get an opportunity to get to an internet cafe while I'm out there.

Ok. I lied about being too lazy to put up pics. You faithful readers deserve something exotic and something cute.

The presidential palace in Lima.

Most adorable little girl in history, Faith.

Hope you like the accents and such from this crazy Peruvian keyboard. ¿ñ°

Memorial Day Vball

Since I'm not going to be around for my parents' yearly July 4 bash, we had an impromptu get together yesterday for Memorial Day. Played some good basketball and volleyball. Highlight of the day: my game winning spike directly to Mr. Alcaro's testicles.

Here are the guys, including bearded Jared.

I also sent out an email this weekend describing what I'll be doing in Peru and how you can contribute. If you'd like to contribute but did not get the email, let me know and I'll forward you the information. Once I get down to Peru, I'm also going to post a wish list for basic necessities that the boys need down there. First I need to get an address and instructions for sending those things.

Lazy in PA

Sorry I've been MIA with blog postings for a while. Not too much is going on in PA. It's kinda slow... There's been a number of soap operas I've been forced to watch because I'm home with mom during the day...

On a positive note, I finally finished Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky. It was quite a struggle. Nothing really gripped me in the novel except when Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov opened up to the other characters. Rodya opened up so infrequently that there was little motivation for me to keep reading. It was a decent novel with an interesting theme, but the main character is so mentally unstable most of the time that the read is not so enjoyable.

Next up is Vagabonding by Rolf Potts, which I received courtesy of Mr. Peter Murphy. From what I've read so far, I think it'll be highly entertaining and quite applicable to my impending journey to Peru. I'm hoping to tear through this one, seeing as it took me WAY too long to finish C&P, and I have a monster stack of books in the to-read pile.

In other news, I'm spending my time here in PA gearing up for my exodus. I'll be spending lots of time calling folks this week before I send out a big email telling everyone where I'm going, what I'll be doing, and how you can contribute. So if I have your number, be ready for me to call. If I don't have your number and you're interested in supporting me while I help the kids in Peru, send me and email at jmb496@gmail.com. I'll give you a call and make sure you're on my email.

Deliciousness

To respond to Brandon's comment about delicious food...

Hard TimesDrool...

And of course the company was just as good as the delicious food.

Reflections on Mississippi

I arrived in DC last night after 15.5 straight hours of driving. Luckily I have access to my own personal trainer, KC, who did something amazing to relieve the pain in my back.

Right now I'm actually sitting in my car, tapping into Arlington WiFi, eagerly awaiting Hard Times at 6:30. Mouth watering pics to follow...

Everyone's been asking me how I enjoyed my trip. I have to say it was fantastic. I really wish I had planned ahead and organized a group of people to go because that's the only way it could have been more fun. I loved being away from TV and bars and all the other things I use to waste time.

The best time of each day was just after dinner, as the day was winding down. We'd sit on the porch and chat or read. There didn't need to be activities every night - we just enjoyed the weather, the outdoors, and each other. They also had a bball and vball court, which came in handy every few days. And of course, I met some great people, and I'm going to do my best to keep them part of my life.

I'm thinking about getting a group together and going back in late summer or fall when I come back from Peru. If anyone is interested in taking a trip on their own, the website is www.mennonitedisasterservice.com. My site was Pass Christian, MS. I encourage everyone to take a trip.


Frog ==>

Goodbye MDS Pass Christian

Well, my time here at MDS is coming to an end. It's sad. Just like last week, as soon as I start to get to know my fellow volunteers, it's time to leave. I had a great time here, and love my new buddies, Lori, Brett, and Maureen.

Here's this week's group. I have a beard...
Wish me luck on my long journey home. I'll be stopping in Pensacola for today, then making the long haul to DC tomorrow.

More Prayer Requests

It was a tough day for some of the folks from Regina. Brendan's 2 year old daughter, Keily, who's still at home in Canada, was just hospitalized for spinal meningitis today and is on life support. Brendan is flying back and will be with his family tonight. Please say a prayer for Brendan, his daughter, and the rest of his family.

Before we learned about Brendan's daughter we had a nice picnic at the park. My buddies Lori and Brett and I acted like degenerates.
We also had a race up the slide and climbed around this crazy modern jungle gym. The kids these days have some awesome playground stuff, including a mini rock climbing wall. However, one huge omission from the playground - the monkey bars.

Sidenote: Brett, the Nebraska farm boy did NOT fit in the kiddie playhouse.

On the job I did lots more drywalling. My hand hurts. Hopefully we'll finish up tomorrow.