Besos, Barcos, Bebés ... and a little bit of Bostesando

In order to properly greet you today, I would give you a BESO (kiss) on the cheek.
***VIRTUAL BESO!!!***
I have come to really love this physical affection from everyone! It is such a warm way of saying hi. Check out this blogpost for some in-depth (and quite humorous) advice about besos ... from the perspective of a man who came to Perú for a "6 month internship" with Paz (sound familiar?) but ended up staying 6 years!! Don't worry, HNGR wouldn't let me do that ;)
Y mi besito?

Now that we've greeted appropriately, I need to tell you that, unfortunately, I have STILL not made it to Andahuaylas because of continuing protests throughout the country. It has been a day-by-day process of learning patience, as each day I come to the Paz office and am told "Still no, still no." This has led to some boredom and BOSTESANDO (yawning), as I feel quite useless here in the office and spent most weekdays last week on the Internet and most weeknights watching TV in my hotel. I am disappointed, as I am anxious to start my "real" internship, get to know my host family, settle into a routine, and begin my independent study ... but as so many of my faithful encouragers have reminded me, God doesn't waste any part of our lives! While I don't know why I am "stuck" here, I trust that God is teaching me and molding me in a special way here in Lima. To be sure, it has been good language practice! Also, I have been so blessed with the super-hospitable and helpful staff of Paz here in Lima. They never hint at the feeling that I've overstayed my welcome here, and are quick to do whatever they can to help me. I feel VERY cared for and loved. This is a picture of the daily Uno game during lunch break. It is hilarious to watch and participate as these sweet women get so competitive!! Also funny to me that Uno cards are in English (I was very proud to help with the pronunciation of "Wild" and "Skip"). This is one of my favorite parts of the day!

That being said, on Friday I was still nervous about spending the weekend alone, especially as I hadn't even gone out by myself! However, as he always does, God provided just what I needed. Friday night and all day Saturday I spent with a Paz coworker named Nancy, as well as her 2 completely adorable gemelitas (twins)!! We went out most of the day on Saturday. First we went to the coast, which I hadn't seen yet, and took a ride on a tiny little BARCO (boat). It was so fun to be out on the water ... although a little scary at times because this boat was TINY and we moved around a lot! After our ride, it was relaxing to just stand on the rocky beach and hear the natural sounds of the ocean waves. There's something about being out in nature. And now I finally know where all this seafood is coming from!!














Nancy and I then went to a naval museum (which admittedly brought about a little more bostesando because 1. I'm not all that crazy about the subject matter, and 2. monologues are the death of my Spanish! But we had fun just walking around and looking at stuff).








After the museum we ate lunch and walked around a little more, and then went to pick up her ADORABLE BEBES (babies!). Their names are Karin and Osyris, and they are just over a year old. These twin girls are sooo precious. I got such a kick out of taking pictures of them, watching them toddle around, listening to them try to talk ... And Nancy is supermom, seriously. I tried picking both of them up at the same time and I couldn't even hold them standing still, much less walk around!!








We took them to the "centro comercial" (a mall) and everyone was staring at them. Obviously because they're the cutest! Osyris fell asleep on my chest while we were riding home in a taxi, and it convinced me that I am totally adopting a Peruvian baby someday. :)
I love their pigtails!













And so is life for me, with besos, barcos, bebés, and a little bit of bostesando ... Please keep praying for Perú during this tough time. Pray for a quick and fair resolution, one that will benefit the nativos and not just the government. It is also dangerous for everyone traveling. And please pray that God will continue to reveal Himself to me, that I will feel His presence, and that I will patiently wait for the right time to travel to Andahuaylas. He is faithful! Thanks so much for reading ... and for all your prayers and encouragement!! Miss you all ...

Love, Christine