Hello Friends and Fam!

Wow, so much has happened since I last wrote! Most recently, we had our swearing in ceremony last Friday at the Ambassador’s residence in Lima. It was b-e-a-utiful! I felt very proud and honored. Afterwards the country Director had a party for us at his house with lots of food and dancing, very fun. The day before, we had a celebration for our host families at our training center in Chaclacayo. We put on a fashion show and a talent show for them, and made food and decorations…the works! I led the group in performing the Thriller dance J

I miss my host family in Lima already, they were so sweet! I can’t wait to visit them in January since we will be back there for our first in-service training. I also miss everyone back in the states, especially my family. I tear up when I people ask me about them. Mom, dad and Jay I can’t wait until you come visit me in April!!

Now I’m at my site in beautiful San Pablo, Cajamarca. To get here you can either fly an hour or take an overnight (very comfy) bus ride- 15.5 hrs. Then from Cajamarca city I’m an hour and a half, and you can take a group taxi or a bus.

The weather is very nice here- the sun is super strong and comes up over the mountains at about 8am every day and its warm all day (except in the shade). It does get pretty chilly at night, though! And there is a rainy season that lasts about 4 months or so, starting in Decemeber….I’m planning on learning to knit and reading a lot.

At first when I visited my site 2 weeks ago I was very unsure if I even wanted to stay here. It’s very small (about 3,000 people) and I was afraid I wouldn’t have enough work/find community. Part of the difficulty was that we all had to leave everything and everyone we got to know and love in Lima. After ten weeks, I had some solid relationships and was very comfortable there. But this is part of the journey, and life is not about being comfortable- especially a life inspired to honor God.

My site is already growing on me as I get to know people and explore it more. There are ruins here that date back to 3000 bc and a monument to the only battle Peru ever won against Chile. And I’m starting to make friends and acquaintances. I’ve hit it off with a French girl who is interning with a company that grows and exports a fruit called “aguaymento” and the products made with it, like salsa and marmalade. She is here about 5 more weeks.

There is SO much more to say, but I think that will do for now. I’m going put my new address to the right so you will all have it next time I can get on. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!