Peru 101

It has been almost a full week (minus a few hours) since I have landed in Lima, Peru.  When I arrived at the OKC airport, I was informed I would only get three of my four bags to Peru.  You could say I was a bit frustrated and a repacking my suitcases like mad person! Looking back God provided - in the small things.  1. I had my parents to give all of my "extra" stuff to hold onto till Christmas. 2. The airport is a bit smaller than the ATL scene so security was a breeze after spending so long repacking. 3. Since I didn't get 4 bags I saved $150.  I definitely wish I could have had everything go with me, but I am learning to do without.

The house. Getting off of the plane, I stepped into winter.  The houses don't have AC/heat or insulation.  We actually were having issues with getting hot water in our house.  So taking a shower was torture...cold before, during, and after the shower. It is hard when you never get the feeling of warmth.  We are bundled up with scarves, winter coats, and powering space heaters. I think I might be coming down with a cold because of the sudden climate change. There will be 5 girls in my house. The house is great - lots of space.  I have met 3 of my 4 roommates. They are a blessing - all so very different from one another.  Gabbi is a hugger and loves to encourage everyone. Jess is a team player and an AMAZING cook.  Missy is the perfect lounging buddy who has done so much to get me acclimated to my new surroundings.  She and I were good friends before our international adventures began last year. (We met at PFO and have remained good friends.)  It is great to have instant community with the ones you live with.  Our last roommate will come when paperwork and everything Stateside gets finalized. She will be teaching music for our kiddos.  We have gone shopping and I have gotten lots of cute decorative items for my room. When I am finished decorating, I shall post pictures.  I can't forget to mention that you don't flush toilet paper down the toilets in Peru.  It was hard to get used to and (let's be honest) I am still not liking it.  I will appreciate the sewage protocol that much more when I come home for the holidays.

The city. The first stop I had once arriving in my new home was Starbucks. :)  We ventured to the grocery store, Wong, on the 2nd day here.  Independence Day was Sunday and Monday. The employees at the store are all decked out with capes and fun hats.  The carryout service is crazy!!! They walk your groceries to your house and put them on your kitchen table. There must be some type of maximum number of meters they will walk but you aren't allowed to tip them.  Crazy! And I thought Publix had a great carryout service.  I have had some DELICIOUS food.  Ordering food and buying groceries is a bit difficult because of my lack of Español.  I think I am learning by immersion but I need to start my Rosetta Stone lessons. :)  I have gotten Dutch and Spanish confused more times than I can count!!!  The mall is AWESOME!!!  They have moving walkways at an incline that can hold shopping carts as you ride.  It was a cool experience.

The school. I have 13 little ones on my class roster and even more girls than boys. I can't wait to meet them!  My room is just tiny and trying to make it work will be interesting.  Pictures will be posted once it is cute-ified.  It is great having some of my Suriname crew with me in Peru.  However, we are realizing how difficult it will be to maintain our friendship with all the crazy  going on. It is not as easy to see each other as it used to be! But they are still my people! Our school is renting space from Union Church.  It is not ideal for the needs of our school, but the school is actively looking for a new place.  So...join us in prayer!  The school is growing out of the space we have which is a GREAT problem to have!

Prayer needs... Having already lived overseas I feel like I should have a bag full of tricks.  That is a true and false statement.  Being in a completely different country, I feel like I am starting all over.  Since Suriname was so small, it was easier to get around independently. I am having to learn how to hail and barter with taxi drivers.  Not to mention learn my learn way around the city.  So....please continue to prayer for this adjustment period. We have such an encouraging and helpful staff here, but it still takes time to find my own place in this city and school. 

A Grateful Heart. The summer at home in the States when by quickly.  I was blessed CONSTANTLY by my sweet friends and family loving on me in countless ways. I wish I could have rested a bit more, but I am grateful for the precious time I had.  Thanks for the encouragement along this journey.  I love you all.  Here is a bit of visuals of my new world. (These are the same photos as facebook...fyi!)

Hop, Skip, and a Jump to Current Tales

Hello! Let me sum up the end of the Suriname adventure, talk about being home home (that's America), and share the excitement I have about starting my life in Lima, Peru.

Suriname Shenanigans. We finished the year strong.  I was impressed with how well my students performed on their achievement testing. It was a nice pat on the back and reinforcement I must have done something right this past year. I have been encouraged to post a new label - Pinterest fail.  I have attempted many projects that haven't worked. For example, the failed Father's Day gifts. The students wrote sweet notes to their dads on a mug. I was supposed to be able to bake the mug so the writing would not come off. Epic fail! Instead, all the dads got mugs they can have love notes rewritten on. Oops! We did a mini-unit on The Wizard of Oz.  It tied in PERFECTLY with the last dress up day.  All students (including me) where the main characters from the story.We did a mini unit on poetry.  I was thrilled with the creativity and sweet things they had to say about each other and their 2nd grade school year.  The last week of school was filled with birthday celebrations, wacky water day, and movie marathon day. During the wacky water day the teachers had a little mud wrestling. It was fun to say the least. 

Packing up was/is never easy.  I have gone from having so much in the States to packing a couple of suitcases (and having a couple of boxes shipped) to packing up two suitcases.  I wouldn't consider myself a hoarder, but I have grown attached to some material objects.  I am a sucker for the sentimental stuff.  BUT with packing comes with the goodbyes.  Whenever you do real life with people, especially other Christians, there is a unique and strong bond among people.  This was a special time in my life where I was surrounded by some people who poured themselves into me daily.  The staff of IAS have become part of my family.  We had a fun trip to Galibi to see sea turtles lay eggs (kinda awkward to watch!), weekly dates to B-fit followed up with a bike ride to McDonald's, game nights galore, and did I mention a PARTY BUS?!?!?!  We have gone through a lot this past year...some unexpected....but God has used this set of individuals to have me draw closer to Him.  We constantly joke about having to build a RAFT (say goodbye) to one another, but it was not the easiest thing I have done.  It is hard to say goodbye to ones you know you won't see again.  I am grateful to modern technology that allows many friends to only be one click away! These students taught me so much about friendship and their hunger to know God was infectious.  They have such teachable spirits. It was a pleasure for me to walk alongside of them during this time in their life.

Stateside Shenanigans. I am living out a suitcase while jumping from house to house. It is stressfully fun. I only have about a month at home which allows limited quality time with friends and family. I feel so blessed and encouraged by all of these friends and family I get to hug and share my life with.  I have enjoyed good food and great company.  And to those who have let me borrow cars or been my personal chauffeur, you are a gem. I appreciate you to the moon and back.  I was able to go to Vegas to be serenaded by Celine Dion. It was a dream come true. I ALMOST cried when the concert started but I kept my composure.  The sights and sounds of the city were a bit overwhelming coming from my frugal way of life.  But it was fun to mark that adventure off of my bucket list.  Trying to get paperwork done in ATL has been a BEAST. All I want to do is get on the plane and get to Lima. But in the midst of the chaos I DEFINITELY see God's handiwork. 

Lima life. Transitioning from Suriname to America to Peru in one month's time is a doozy. It is emotional and SO many decisions have to be made. I have a hard time prioritizing my time and responsibilities when I want to say "yes" to it all. I want to be prepared (with my 4 suitcases) without spending a fortune.  I want to be mentally and professionally prepared, too. I am excited about this new venture God has placed me on.  I am stoked that I have three of my Suriname girls to start our Lima adventure together.  It also has been so encouraging to have my friend, Missy, on the other side.  She has walked through the Lima transition and has given me some insight on my class and classroom.  It only encourages excitement about this new beginning.

While I have FAILED MISERABLY at consistently updating this blog throughout my Suriname travels, I do want to do a better job while I am in Lima, Peru.  I hope you come along for the ride!

Following His lead,
Megan :)

P.S. I already have a hashtag ready for my Lima adventures: #Limalife  Get excited all you hashtag haters. :)