Cultural Corner: Primeros Juegos Deportivos

Last Friday was the first "Olympic" type games for our girls and the students of Promesa.  We started the day off at a nearby park called Cajonahuayalla.  It was a very nice sports complex and was a lot of fun to watch the kids play and compete.  Of course a day like this comes with much preparation, as in we had to go out and get yellow ribbon for Danica's hair and green for Katie's.  We also had to find pompoms for each girl, all different colors as well. 

Danica and her friend Samuel got their faces painted as part of the festivities.  They also participated in the opening ceremonies as seen below.

 

Katie got to be a representative for her class and enjoyed doing the sack race.

Katie and Maria Fatima.  I am so very thankful for this sweet classmate of Katie's who has been an amazing friend to Katie, we truly believe that her kindness and friendship is a gift from God. 

Hannah didn't want me to take pictures of her and her friends, but I managed to get one.  Here is some of her classmates wearing their promoción jackets.  They have been doing fundraisers all year to prepare for promoción, a trip that the sixth graders take as a celebration of them going on to secundaria or junior high/high school.  Apparently, these jackets are part of the deal.  I was beyond thankful that she had what she needed for the day so we didn't have to go shopping to find attire for her to match her classmates.

 

A little peek of the park, the mountain views never get old!

Chris showing Danica how to use her whistle.  They gave all the four year olds whistles to blow during the games.  We enjoy days like today, but it certainly opens our eyes as to how our cultures are different.  We feel blessed to be able to be a part of these celebrations even though they can be long and tiring and have hours of preparation and searching for the right outfits, pompoms, hair ribbons, etc.  We know that we are here for a purpose and thank the Lord everyday for using us here.

 

Please continue to pray for our girls as they continue to adjust to the culture of a new school and  make friends.  ***Please especially pray for Danica, as she has really been struggling to go to school lately.  She only goes two days, but there have been quite a few tears and it can be difficult to make her go even though we know it is best for her.

 

Philippians 3:14  "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in

Christ Jesus."

 

We're Moving!!!!

We are moving!  Our plans were to stay in the Aprovite house for the remainder of our term here in Peru which is 2 more years.  (Can you believe we have been here almost a year?!?)  But, the Lord had different plans.  The Kreider family is heading back to the States and needed someone to rent their house.  At first we didn't think that would be us.  Then, we got a call saying our landlord was moving into the apartment above us and wanted to use our parking space to park their car.  Long story short, we had a meeting with the landlord and he wanted to just make another parking space in our already small backyard.  So, after much thought and prayer, we have decided to move. 

Here is a small glimpse of our current backyard which is also where we hang our laundry since we don't have a dryer. 

Please pray with us that the move will go smoothly and that the girls would adjust well to the new house.  Please also pray for the Kreider family as they adjust to going back the States. 

A few things to note, our mailing address will stay the same since we use a Post Office Box.  And we will still have plenty of room to host visitors :) 

Here is a sneak peak of our "new" house and yard.....

 There is even a garden space and green house! 

 Looking out toward the street, it seems to be much quieter than the street we live on now. 

***Since I started this post we have officially started the move.  It is very stressful for me, trying to figure what to put where and how to arrange the furniture and what to pack first, etc.  The Aprovite house has been in the mission for 10 years which has been a blessing, but it also means we have quite a bit of furniture to move.  Thank you for your prayers!