Volunteer Profile

Lima get away!
Last week the North Americans got to go to Lima for a few days. In Oct. we started our residency process and now it was time to return to finish and pick up our residency cards. At first we were just going to fly in sign some papers and then fly right back. But we found out that we would need more time in the residency office than we had organically thought. This now meant that we were going to be staying the night.

The N.A. boys flew out early Monday morning and us girls flew out Monday night.As soon as we had our bags we headed straight for the food court for some McDonald's,Papa John's, Dunken Donuts, and Starbucks. We all got something different that way we could all have a little bit of EVERYTHING!!!! The night only got better.We arrived at our hotel were we found big beds (well, bigger than what we have on the compound)......without mosquito nets, a bathroom with HOT water, a TV, and FREE internet. You can laugh all you want but when you have lived in the jungle for 7 weeks you long for a cup of GOOD cup of drip coffee (all we have here is instant) and a big fat juicy cheese burger. You forget what a HOT shower feels like and that you CAN go to bed without sweating.

Tuesday morning Laura, Melissa, and I got up at 7:30 because we no longer know how to sleep in :(. Okay I got up at 7:30, but I think they woke up even earlier.Anyway, we had an "American" breakfast of bead with butter and jelly, eggs, O.J. and coffee. What a GREAT way to start off the day!We didn't have to be at the residency office till Wednesday morning so we had the whole day to ourselves. Laura and Melissa wanted to see the Catacombs, I had seen them when we were here in 2004 but agreed it would be nice to go back and see them again. I couldn't believe I was back standing in the Plaza de Armas of Lima,when I was there in '04' I didn't think that I would ever return. Little did I know that not only would I return to Peru but I would also become a resident and live in Peru for two years. I was reminded of the verse "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. ~Isaiah 55:8~

I'm happy to say that the bones were the same and had not moved since I was there in '04'. :). After we walked through the church and saw the bones and skulls we decided to get a bite to eat before heading to the beach. We found a little pizza place where we could get a slice of pizza and a soda for S/. 2.50 ($0.88), it wasn't pizza hut, but it was pretty good. On our way to catch a taxi we found an ice cream place that had dipped cones. Mmm, strawberry ice cream covered with rich chocolate, are you getting hungry yet? We pretty much ate our way through the city on Tuesday, and didn't feel bad about it because we knew we were heading back to the jungle soon. We finally made it the the beach about 3:30 pm. We weren't actually on the beach, we were above it at a park with a VERY big statue of two lovers. Of course you can guess what kind of park this was ;).

We decided to end the night by heading to the mall where there was a Chili's. I had a buffalo chicken sandwich with ranch and french fries. SO YUMMY! We made it back to the hotel around 9pm, just in time for me to Skype with family before calling it a night.

Wednesday morning we had to leave the hotel by 7:30 am in order to be at the residency office by 8 am. All 5 of us girls were done and had our ID cards by 10:30 am.Laura, Melissa and I went back to the hotel packed up our stuff and left it in the office of the hotel. This way we could check out and not have to carry our bags around all afternoon. Our flight didn't leave till 5;30, this meant we had enough time to go back to the mall eat a cheese burger, and have some time to drink a cup of coffee at Starbucks.


When it came time to board the plane none of us wanted to go, our time in Lima had been so good and so needed. But it was time to go "home". I'm trying to remember that for now, my home is Iquitos and that I have work to do here!

God bless you all!!!

The Grand Adventure!
"Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that You have brought me this far?" 2 Samuel 7:18

One evening the pastor asked us to think about what God had done for us this past year. I thought of many ways I had seen God's faithfulness, but the one that stood out most was being here. It's truly a dream come true, while yes, there have been times I have hated it here and wanted to go home, God has continued to be faithful and meet my needs. One of those needs being, friends. My two best friends here are Melissa and Laura. If you had told me when we all first met in L.A. that these two weman would be who I turned to most I would have laughed at you. We are all so different, but there is one BIG thing we have in common our relationship with Christ. I'm so thankful for Melissa and Laura, I know it would be so much harder if they weren't here.

My devotion for thursday was titled "The Grand Adventure" This young girl talked about how she was on a 16-mile hike in Hungary and she was surrounded by people she had only met days ago. She said who God was able to give her a peace just by looking up at the vastness of the sky. Then what she said next really hint home. "With my face toward the sky, I was struck with the absurdity of the situation. A recent college graduate leaving her family and everything she's ever known to move across the ocean would be considered unusual by most. But, then again, there is nothing usual about following Christ. However, saying yes to Him is the best decision we can make. With Christ, we can look at the sky from whatever country we currently call home and know that He painted it for us." I couldn't have said it better myself. In the words of this young missionary " I simply trust Christ and follow Him. He is the one who fulfills dreams and gives hope for a new year of serving Him."

So here is to a new year with Christ and being on the GREATEST adventure of my life.....so far that is! Happy New Year everyone!

Merry Christmas!
Marry Christmas everyone! This month in my devotional "Voices of the Faithful" the focus is Christmas Around the World . On Monday I was reading about a woman who was having a hard time celebrating Christmas being so far from her friends and family. Her exact words were “Serving the Lord through international missions is fantastic. I would be miserable doing anything else. However, there is one time of year that seems difficult-Christmas. I am thousands of miles from my extended family and friends and from "normal" holiday activities." I couldn't believe what I was reading, I sure didn't remember Beth Moore coming to Peru to talk to me, but, there it was my own words and thoughts.

I love what I'm doing here, but I have defiantly been fighting homesickness more since Dec. 1st. Knowing that my family and friends were back home listening to Christmas music, baking cookies, putting up their Christmas trees, spending time with their families and trying to find just the "right" gift. While I'm here in Peru with NO Christmas music playing, NO kitchen to bake in, NO tree to put up, NONE of my familiar family or friends to spend time with and no money for just the "right" gift.

For the first time I realized how I had relied on MY own Christmas traditions in order for it to feel like Christmas. I wouldn't say that I had completely lost sight of the real meaning of Christmas, but I had certainly taking my eyes off of Him. Sometimes it takes loosing something or someone to realize what is or was most important in our lives. Please not forget the real meaning of Christmas! Oh and could you eat a cookie and Christmas candy for me ;). Thanks!

Okay, so after all that let me tell you a little about celebrating Christmas in Peru. First off, I have not heard one Christmas hymn sung in Church or on the radio. I found out the other day that the reason we have not heard any is because they only sing 3 Christmas hymns."Silent Night! Holy Night!” Hark! The Herald Angels sing", and "Joy to the World". Fruit cake is VERY big here, but it’s more like sweet bread with fruit candies. Also they love hot chocolate, the real stuff. They melt a chocolate bar with milk and sugar. Yummy!Melissa's Mom sent her a little Christmas tree for the girls dorm and Heather gave us her left over decorations, these little things remind us that it is Christmas in spite of what the weather might be telling us :). Also Laura's Mom sent her some homemade cookies and candies, sure am glad we all share around here :)! We decided to draw names for secret Santa, but the gift can't be more than 10 soles (about $ 3.50).
On Monday I went out with a few of the girls to try and find a gift and I think we walked around for an hour and a half and finally I gave up and looked again another day. It's so much harder to go shopping here.In Peru everyone stays up till midnight on Christmas Eve and then opens their gifts, they play games, drink hot chocolate, and eat fruit cake. One on my favorite things about the Christmas season is the Christmas Eve service at our church. When I signed up to do devos on the 24th I knew exact ally what I wanted to do, well my date got changed to the 23rd but I didn't care. I had people read and sing some in English and some in Spanish. It went very well, not as good as the real Christmas Eve service but a good one all the same!

Yes, things are different here, but that’s doesn't mean it's not just as wonderful! Thank you Father, for all that you've taught me this Christmas!!Hugs and Loves to all my family and friends!!!

Happy Birthday!!!
Molly, Olivia and Alexis,

I´m very sorry I´m not there to celebrate your birthdays this year, but please know that I love and miss all three of you very much! This blog is for 3 of the GREATEST nieces in the world! I know you all can´t read but maybe your Mommy or Daddy will tell you about it someday.

Some of the greatest moments in my life have been when your parents told me I was going to be an Aunt. And on Dec. 8th, 15th and the 21st when three of the most beautiful little girls were born!

Molly, I love your beautiful smile! My favorite thing to do with you is play on the floor, it really doesn´t matter what we are doing just as long as we are together. I would do anything I could to make you smile! I can´t believe you have turned 1 already and that you are walking and talking! I hope they are teaching you my name, hint, hint :)! I love and miss you very much Molly! Love always, Aunt Brittany

Olivia, I love you hear you laugh! It makes me smile just thinking about hear it :). My favorite thing to do with you is dance in the kitchen. Your face lights up as soon as you hear the music. Make sure you save a dance for me for when I come home in Oct. You bring such joy to my life! Happy Birthday pretty Girl! I love and miss you! Hugs from Aunt Brittany

Alexis, I love your cheerful spirit, you bring warmth and light to every room you enter. My favorite thing to do with you is read books and play outside. You have loved to read books since you were little, I hope this is the case your whole life! You are always so full of energy and ready for an adventure, I love that! You are an amazing and sweet little girl! I love you! I miss you and can´t wait to see you again! With love and Hugs, Aunt Brittany

Happy Birthday Girls!!!

A moment of clearity
Monday in class our teacher told us that we would be going to Padre Cocha (an island about 10 minutes across the Amazon) on Tuesday. He asked some people to prepare a skit, others to have games for kids and one person who would be willing to preach. Esther (my partner) and I decided to help with the skit, we got some help from our friends and had an idea of what we wanted to do. On afternoon when I was in town the other girls sat down and made an outline of the skit. I thought perfect all I have to do is show up and do my part, I forgot that I lived in Peru. Right before practice one of our guys said I think the skit is too long and maybe a little complicated. So he suggest a very simple skit he had done many times.

I'm learning that things more than likely will never go as you planned them too, and that's okay. This is a little difficult for me because I like to have a plan and stick with it :).

We practiced the skit a few times on wednesday night and called it good. I actually really liked this new skit and was very thankful that someone had suggested it! Thursday morning we got up at out usual hour of 5:45 am in order to be at chapel by 6:00 for devotions. At 7:00 we head to the dinning hall for breakfast. That left us with an hour and a half to get ready.

At 9am we grabbed a few moto taxies and headed out. Our teacher had gone ahead of us and gotten a boat for us to take across the river. We were all so excited to finally be ON the Amazon!!! We arrived on the island around 9:30, the pastor meant us at the church and told us a little about the island and their cultural. By 10:00 we were out knocking on peoples doors inviting them to come to the park at 4pm for the skit, games and preaching. Esther even made me do some of the inviting, I'm still struggling to speak Spanish. To be honest its mostly out of fear, but each day I over come that fear a little more.

When we were out we were literally walking through the jungle and right by the Amazon. I realized that this was what is was about. I had hated and wanted so bad to give up in Arequipa and every time I did Melissa would ask "Brittany,why are you here? " My answer was always, because God called me here. I can't tell you how incredible it feels to now see the fruits of God's labor (Even if its just a very small piece of fruit ;)), I know that there is no way I could have made it through without Him.

Seeing things clearly,
Brittany

Looking up to see those around us.

Photos on my facebook...
Here is a link where anyone can go and see the pictures of the beach we made.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=121236&id=512117367&l=487024dc14

Some times you just need a day at the beach...
When life get's to be more than we can handle what do most of us do? We re-treat to a place were we find peace and comfort, for some of you this may not be the beach but, for my roommate Melissa this is were she feels most at home.

So this week Melissa experienced culture shock at its finest, or should I say at it's worst. Melissa has been here for me when I was going through cultural shock and missing home the most. She always found a way to pull me out of my pit and help me to find joy in the little things. So, I wanted to return the favor. Oh did I mention that Melissa moved here from Hawaii, I guess that would be why she loves the beach so much ;)!

So how do you turn your back yard in peru into a beach? First, you need friend who is willing to help you with your crazy idea. I have some amazing friends here, one of my friends is Laura. I could not have pulled this little stunt of without Laura's help! Okay so the beach doesn't exists without the ocean, right? We decided that a baby pool was the best we were going to find, so we made our list and headed to Walmart (aka Plaza Vea). We managed to find a pool, snorkel mask and snorkel and a few other little things.

When we arrived back at the house and told our family what we were going to do, they loved the idea and wanted to help in anyway. So we set up our beach, complete with an ocean, big umbrella, colorful towel, sunglasses, good book and a few snacks. Now, the real task, getting Melissa to come home. My Mom (here that is) said "just call her and tell her I'm sick and she needs to come home now". So, of course I did as my mom said and called her. When Melissa arrived home she had big tears in her eyes, but when we reassured her that our Mom was fine and showed her the beach, her tears of sadness turned to tears of joy!

Melissa, Laura and I spent the evening laying on the beach talking about life! What a perfect evening, well almost it would have been perfect if we had Smores' ;).

I'm grateful for the many friends and families God has given to me. May you also find joy this week in being with your friends and family......were ever you may be! Live, Laugh and most of all Love!!

15 Minutes of Fame....
Last Tuesday I had to speak in class for 10-15 minutes about my family, sadly there wasn't enought time to talk about my whole family. So this is as far as I got, hope you all enjoy reading Spanish ;)

Tengo 3 hermanos, 1 hermano y 2 hermanas. Mi hermano y hermana primeros son medios hermanos y lo que son mucho mayores que yo. Mi hermano está casado y vive en Kansas. Tiene 3 hijos, su primogénito es Alexis. Ella tiene los ojos azules más hermosos y el pelo rubio y rizado. Ella tendra 4 anos en diciembre. Su segunda hija es Emma Jean. Emma tiene el mismo segundo nombre que mi mamá, lo que hace a mi madre muy orgullosa. Emma cumplió 3 años en agosto. Emma siempre se mete en problemas, ella es en realidad parecida a mí. Y luego está Brant, el único hijo de mi hermano. Brant nació en mayo, así que no tiene ni siquiera 1 año de edad todavía. No tiene pelo en este momento, pero tiene la mas bella sonrisa.

Mi hermana mayor también está casado y vive en Kansas. Ella tiene 3 hijos. Mi sobrino mayor tiene 6 años de edad y nació 2 días antes de mi cumpleaños 13. Su nombre es Joshua. Tiene el pelo castaño y grandes ojos marrones. Me encanta y lo extraño mucho. Nos encanta jugar al fútbol americano e ir a la piscina en verano. Él está aprendiendo Karate y, a veces iba a tratar de enseñar me, pero yo estaba muy mal. Olivia tendra 4 en diciembre, que es sólo 6 días más que Alexis. Olivia tiene el pelo rubio y ojos azules. Le encantar cantar y bailar, ella también es una reina del drama mayor. Y luego está Molly, tiene el pelo rizado de color marrón con ojos azules. Molly tendra 1 ano en diciembre. Ella está aprendiendo a caminar, y su hermano y hermana tratan de ayudarla.

Mi hermana Tanya es no cosada, pero ella vive en Kansas tambien. Tanya es mi mejor amigo en el mundo entero. Ella está a sólo 2 años más y luego yo. Ella está en la universidad estudiando para ser ingeniero. Ella puede cantar y tocar el piano maravillosamente. Creo que ella ha estado tocando desde que tenía 7 años de edad.Tanya y yo la gustan ir al cine e ir de compras al centro comercial. Yo extrano de menos los tiempos en que se reía tan fuerte nuestro lado haría daño.

In English: I have 3 siblings, 1 brother and 2 sisters. My brother and first sister are half siblings and so they are much older than me. My brother is married and lives in Kansas. He has 3 children, his first born is Alexis. She has the most beautiful blue eyes and blond curly hair. She will be 4 in December. His second is Emma Jean. Emma has the same middle name as my mom, which makes my mom very proud. Emma turned 3 in August. Emma is always getting in trouble, she is actually a lot like me. And then there is Brant, my brother's only son. Brant was born in May, so he isn't even 1 year old yet. He has no hair right now, but he has the cutest smile.

My oldest sister is also married and lives in Kansas. She has 3 kids. My oldest nepew is 6 years old and was born 2 days before my 13th birthday. His name is Joshua. He has brown hair and big brown eyes. I love and miss him so much. We love to play football and go to the swimming pool in the summer. He is learning Karate and sometimes he would try to teach me, but I was really bad. Olivia will be 4 in December, she is only 6 days older than Alexis. Olivia has blonde hair and blue eyes. She loves to sing and dance, she is also a major drama queen. And then there is Molly, she has brown curly hair with bright blue eyes. Molly will be turning 1 in december. She is just learning to walk, and her brother and sister love to try and help her.

My sister Tanya is not marriend, but does live in Kansas also. Tanya is my best friend in the whole world. She is only 2 years older then me. She is in college studying to be an engineer. She can sing and play the piano beautifully. I think she has been playing since she was 7 years old. Tanya and I enjoy going to movies and shopping at the mall. I miss the times when we would laugh so hard our sides would hurt.

I hope all is going well with each of you and that you too are learning new things......even its not Spanish ;). Love and Thanks!!! In His Service, Bre (my new Spanish name)

"Be strong and courageous!"
One of the 40/40's (her name is Windy) from cohort 1 who is currently studying in Iquitos had to come to Arequipa for medical treatment (no worries it's just a spider bite;)). So last night at our devotional time Windy took the time showed us pictures of life in the jungle and answer any questions we had. And as I'm sure you can guess we had many questions, like..."what will we be eating?, how do we wash our clothes?, and how will we commutate with our friends and family?". She also warned us that school is very difficult and we will have lots of homework. I mean come on college is hard enough when it's taught in English let alone when it's taught in Spanish. :)

Windy said she had a really hard time adjusting and was very close to leaving several times. She said the only thing that kept her from leaving was that she knew there were people supporting her and she couldn't let them down. Wow, do you all realize the impact you have in this ministry? Please don't ever doubt that you aren't being used by God to do GREAT things, because you are being used by Him!

After Windy had told us all of this I really started to freak out.....by the way this is not the first time I have freaked out, just ask my roommate. I have to remind myself everyday of why I'm here and who it is that got me to this place and I'm not just referring to God, I'm talking about each and everyone of you who are supporting me in prayer and founds.

Today after school I was reading in Joshua chapter 1 and was very encouraged by God's words to Joshua in verses 5-9 where He said "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I'm doing me best to not worry about the future and trying really hard to live in este momento (this moment, I wanted to throw in a little Spanish just so you all know that I really am learning the language). Helen Mallicoat wrote, "I was regretting he past and fearing the future. Suddenly my Lord was speaking: "My name is I am" He paused I waited. He continued, "when you live in the past with it's mistakes and regrets, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I WAS. When you live in the future with its problems and fears, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I WILL BE. When you live in this moment, it is not hard. I am here. My name is I AM."

May we all try to live moment by moment, trusting Christ as He leads us on this road called life.

Growing and learning new things everyday! Love Always, Brittany