Most of today (8 hrs) has been spent on the bus, traveling to and from Taza's vet appointment (which lasted all of 10 minutes). Tim and I hid behind The Chamber and Anne of Green Gables respectively and survived the journey quite well. Despite all of the warnings we heard about traveling on New Year's Eve, we made it back by 7 pm.

The Cubases returned on the 29th with a team of young people from Wheaton Bible Church. They've been painting the market building, showing movies on the boardwalk (with related short messages about God), and are now prepping for a sports extravaganza on the beach. It's been fun having their energy in Puerto Supe.

Tonight we're celebrating 2009 Peruvian-style with a turkey, hot chocolate and Christmas bread at midnight. We're also celebrating having a full water tank again, after running out yesterday for the 5th time this month. I'm glad this shortage only lasted a day!

It's been a busy crazy month (well, year), and I know we have a lot to thank God for as we close it out tonight. I'm looking forward to all the twists and turns and blessings 2009 holds and feeling hopeful about this continuing journey.

God, I'm not trying to rule the roost,
I don't want to be king of the mountain.
I haven't meddled where I have no business
or fantasized grandiose plans.

I've kept my feet on the ground,
I've cultivated a quiet heart.
Like a baby content in its mother's arms,
my soul is a baby content.

Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope.
Hope now; hope always!

This might be a one-and-only post, so pay attention!

Seven weeks ago I wrote about how much we like our vet. That same weekend, Taza started to develop a bad ear infection, which we have labored these 7 weeks in curing. No luck. We took her to Lima yesterday to get a second opinion.

This morning, within walking distance of our mission's house in Lima, we got had a visit with a doggie ear infection specialist who happened to have studied at NC State! He took one look at Taza's medicines and told us that they're what Americans call "BS." He prescribed her an antibiotic and told us she'll be better within 5 days. Could it be true? 8 hours later the gook is already clearing up a little bit. I'm thrilled!

Unfortunately I have to return with her on Wednesday. What kind of posh dog do I have who has to travel 4 hours (and then 4 back) to go to her doctor? She also liked to sit with her legs crossed, eats duck, and is darn cute.

Here she is on the bus on the way to her appointment (and to drop Mom and David Hugh off at the airport last night... boo hoo).

Tim went to the Municipality this morning to ask where our water was. We haven't gotten any in 4 days apparently, and there's no good answer. This afternoon we trekked over to the church building to shower and use the bathroom. I think we all feel much better.

The best part was that to leave the house, we had to make our way through this crowd of little ladies and children parked on our doorstep. They were here for the free hot chocolate and bread that our across-the-street neighbor was handing out.

We're a little culture-tired today and are hiding inside. Mom's going out to chat with them now. Maybe they'll give her some hot chocolate, too!

I'm relishing ever minute of having my brother and mom here in Puerto Supe! One of my top sources of entertainment this week has been watching them experience all of the you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it moments of Peruvian culture.

1. The Peruvian Party.
So far they've been here 3 nights. You may recall that the prom from the first night had me awake from 2-6 am. The second night passed without any blog-worthy noise violations, but last night I started popping pills to get to sleep. It sounded like the child kareoke party was in my living room. Kareoke is bad enough with adults. No one should ever give a child a microphone and expect them to adhere to musical traditions like staying in one key for more than 3 notes. Mom looked like she was going to tear out her hair.

2. The Doorbell.
Every afternoon between 3 and 5 (and some mornings on top of that), our doorbell rings two times in a row, usually 3 sets within in 10 minutes or so. It's a physically and mentally handicapped girl who wheels herself around town looking for someone to entertain her. This is an ongoing difficult situation. Yesterday topped it all. Someone wheeled her up on our porch, so instead of having to ask passing pedestrians to ring the bell, she did it herself. At least 94 times.

I was genuinely busy, and my mom went out to tell her so. Somehow that didn't register, so she continued ringing the doorbell and calling out "Amiga Amy!" (not my name in any language) for half an hour. Finally Tim went out to remind her that I was busy, and she gave him a little talking to: "When I ring the doorbell, you should answer it the first time so I don't have to continue ringing it over and over." Oh dear. I know this story isn't doing the reality justice, and I'm already disappointed. It was priceless.

3. Water.
We ran out yesterday around noon. The tank is still bone dry and we're wondering if water delivery continues on Christmas Eve and Christmas. It could be a few days before we get any water. We're brushing our teeth with bottled water again and stacking our dishes high. I don't think a big Christmas Eve meal is really in the works at this point. Maybe we'll eat Chinese take-out.

To counter, let me list some of the positive things they've been enjoying about Peruvian culture and life:

• fresh bread at the corner for 3 cents a roll
• the sweet people
• big open beaches
• eating "out" in a living room restaurant-- tasty food and a friendly cook
• pedestrian life

Don't think for a moment it wasn't worth it.

Would you bear with me while I write out my thoughts? I'm a teacher after all. I can't "get it" until I give it away. Maybe it will be of some use to you, but I know at least that consolidating my reflections to share will be a blessing to me.

I pray to God-- my life a prayer--
and wait for what he'll say and do.
My life's on the line before God, my Lord,
waiting and watching till morning,
waiting and watching till morning.
Psalm 130:5-6 MSG

Dictionary definitions of waiting:

• to remain or rest in expectation, readiness
• to serve the needs of, be in attendance of (as in "lady in waiting")
• the act of remaining inactive or stationary
• being and remaining ready and available for use

"Wait" in Psalm 130 comes from the Hebrew word "qavah"-- to wait, look for, hope, expect, or to collect, bind together. Most often used in Psalms and Isaiah.

Selected other appearances of the word "qavah":

1st use in this sense (waiting): For your salvation I wait, O Lord. Genesis 49:18

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. Isaiah 26:8

Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31

Those who hope in me will not be disappointed (put to shame). Isaiah 49:23

Are there any among the idols of the nations who give rain? Or can the heavens grant showers? Is it not you, O Lord our God? Therefore we hope in you, for you are the one who has done all these things. Jeremiah 14:22

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:22-26

Smart people talk about waiting and this psalm:

If the Lord Jehovah makes us wait, let us do so with our whole hearts; for blessed are all they that wait for him. He is worth waiting for. -Charles Spurgeon

And in his word do I hope. This is the source, strength, and sweetness of waiting. Those who do not hope cannot wait; but if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. God's word is a true word, but at times it tarries; if ours is true faith it will wait the Lord's time. A word from the Lord is as bread to the soul of the believer; and, refreshed thereby, it holds out through the night of sorrow expecting the dawn of deliverance and delight. Waiting, we study the word, believe the word, hope in the word, and live on the word; and all because it is "his word," -- the word of him who never speaks in vain. Jehovah's word is a firm ground for a waiting soul to rest upon. -Charles Spurgeon

Oh, it is the waiting for the Lord that keeps the soul waiting upon the Lord! -Octavius Winslow

It is the posture of rest. A soul waiting for the Lord is a soul resting in the Lord. Waiting and resting! Wearied with traversing in vain the wide circle of human expedients; coming to the end of all your own wisdom, strength, and resources; your uneasy, jaded spirit is brought into this resting posture of waiting on, and waiting for, the Lord; and thus folds its drooping wings upon the very bosom of God. Oh, how real and instant is the rest found in Jesus! Reposing in him, however profound the depth of the soul, however dark the clouds that drape it, or surging the waters that overwhelm it, all is sunshine and serenity within. -Octavius Winslow

Waiting has four purposes. It practises the patience of faith. It gives time for preparation for the coming gift. It makes the blessing the sweeter when it arrives. And it shows the sovereignty of God, -- to give just when and just as he pleases. -James Vaughan

In all your waitings remember two things: Let it not be so much the event which you wait for, as the Lord of the event; the Lord in the event. And take care that you have a promise underneath you, -- "In his word do I hope", -- else "waiting" will be too much for you, and after all it may be in vain. -James Vaughan

• How can I benefit from waiting? guidance, a strengthened heart, God's glory, renewed strength, not being disappointed, not being ashamed, God's goodness expressed in my life
  
• How do I wait? in prayer, by redirecting hope, by redefining expectations, making God's glory #1 in my life, watching in vigilance

Lessons learned

• Waiting is clinging to God, binding myself to Him.
• Waiting is attending to God's desires and not forging ahead on my own.
• Waiting is being available to be used as God requires.
• As I wait for God, my hope must be in Him. I am waiting for Him, not a specific result. My expectation is in Him.
• The primary "waiting" of God's people is for the Messiah-- for the first incarnation at Christmas and then for the promised return some day. Jesus is all my heart waits for. He is my everything.

And now what do I do with this?

This is not the answer I expected or wanted maybe to my question this morning. I'm glad in a way, because now I feel certain it's from God and I didn't make it up myself. I need to wait for the Lord, watch for His communication with me about this matter, make sure my expectations are in Him and not in any particular outcome to the current dilemna I'm facing. I need to put myself on hold, waiting and watching and hoping in Him.

It's a bright summer 6 am by now. I was waiting for the Lord, not the morning, but I think they both have come. Having heard from God, I bet I can go back to sleep for a few hours now.

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. Psalm 3:5

It's 2 am and there's a prom a couple of houses down from ours. Is anyone else on this block sleeping? I'm not sure how. It's my mom and brother's first night in Puerto Supe. I wonder what they're going to have to say when daylight comes.

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

Having already made plenty of blanket statements about the necessity and effectiveness of prayer, why does the Bible include this specific direction about praying for wisdom? I'm not sure, but I know I'm banking on that promise these days. I'm lacking wisdom on so many fronts and trusting that this generous God will give it to me. My hope is in Him this morning and all day long.

Our trip to the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Lodge was unbelievable-- everything I thought the rainforest would be and a lot more. We saw all kinds of monkeys, birds, tarantulas, snakes, caimans, ants, etc. My favorite expedition was walking along the swinging bridges in the rainforest canopy, but the all time best experience from the trip was waking up to the sounds of the rainforest from inside my mosquito net palace.

Today we returned from the jungle. We spent 3 nights in lodge on the river with Hannah's brother and mom an hour away by boat from the nearest town. It was beautiful! Since it was the rainy season, it rained pretty hard about half of the time, which was a welcome to Hannah and I, having not seen rain for the last year.

Today we left at 9 am on a fancy dugout canoe. Our journey lasted 12 hours and included a boat, van, plane, taxi and bus. Hannah's mom and brother are currently in Cusco and Machu Picchu and will be coming to Puerto on Sunday. Pictures to come. Tonight we're trying to unpack and spend some time with the dogs (Taza has been standing on the keyboard fighting for my attention).

"I don't think I have anything to report on my blog today," I said to Tim a few minutes ago. Then I remembered how we had to walk one leg of today's trip to Lima through the desert past riot police, burning tires, and 400+ angry demonstrators.

A few miles outside of Puerto Supe, the bus came to a stop. "Flexibility" is my new middle name, and I didn't mind adding some time to our 4 hour bus ride. I assumed there was an accident in the road until we all had to get off the bus and march past the riot. The road was covered with big rocks and burning tires (putting off some incredible heat!), one guy chanted into a loudspeaker surrounded by his followers, and some sharp entrepreneurs were selling crackers and ice cream to frustrated bystanders whose journey up the PanAmerican Highway was significantly delayed.

I was grieving my broken camera anew.

As we passed by the riot police, Tim asked one of them why the people were so angry. I guess he misunderstood Tim's intent, because he immediately responded on the defense, heatedly arguing that it's exactly the same in our country and not letting Tim get a word in edgewise to clarify the question. Finally the guy next to him (also a riot policeman) calmed him down enough to explain that he thought Tim only wanted to know the purpose of the demonstration. Turns out it was in protest of the bad condition of the roads, which has led to a flurry of accidents in recent weeks.

Lesson learned: Be gentle when questioning riot policemen.

On the other side of the action, we boarded a new bus and continued on our way to Lima. Tomorrow morning we will pick up my brother and mom at the airport and rest for a day before heading out to the jungle (Puerto Maldonado). I'm glad they're bringing a temporary replacement for my camera. You have to see this stuff to believe it.

We had a sinking moment before everyone showed up for the New Life in Christ course tonight. 8 pm had come and gone and no one had arrived. Tim, 6 liters of hot drinks, 2 cakes, and I sat in the classroom wondering what (if anything) was about to happen. Since he had his guitar, we started singing some English worship songs together. I had forgotten how much I missed singing. When we came upon "In Christ Alone," I felt my spirit lifting.

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

I'm so glad my hope, security, and purpose are in God and not in how many people show up for a meeting. 10 people did come and seemed to benefit from and enjoy the night, but my offering was for God before it was for them-- the best of my planning, organizing, teaching and leading, laid at His feet in worship.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

My friend C showed up this afternoon with red eyes from crying. She had come to ask for $7 to help pay for the end-of-the-year-party cake for her daughter's kindergarten class. It's her responsibility and she just doesn't have the cash (in part because her husband's boss hasn't paid him in months).

We tried to come up with some creative option for work but in the end had to say no. It's our policy not to lend or give money so that we maintain the purity of our relationships. I think I can still say with confidence that I believe in that policy and that it's serving our ministry well, but it was hard tonight to see her anxiety and not "fix" it.

Why do the schools plan these elaborate celebrations anyway? I think this goes back (again) to my theories on Peruvians and their parties, but it makes me mad. I don't see people having fun. I see moms stressed out, kids left out because they can't pay, lots of money wasted on bad cake and silly decorations. My housekeeper's daughter, for example, won't be participating in her own graduation because they can't afford spending a month's salary on it. Which people in Puerto are inventing these crazy party ideas and where are they getting all their money?

"It's not right or wrong; it's just different" is the cross-cultural motto. This kind of different frustrates me.

Today I allowed iTunes to make my playlist using their genius feature.  I was pleasantly suprised when I heard the song Jolene and then looked to see that it was by Dolly Parton.  If you're not familiar with it check out the video below.  I'm on ebay now looking for a blazer to match the host's and if I'm lucky maybe I can find an outfit like dolly's for Hannah.

In case you're dying of suspense, here are some resolutions to recently posted events:

1. Tim vs. the Wave
His wounds are healing, slowly but surely. He thinks in another day or two he'll stop using the burn-victim bandages and give his hands and arms a chance to breathe fresh air again. So far no infections (yay!).

2. Three thirsty days
It seems that we finally got a sufficient supply of water today. I took a shower at home for the first time since Thursday (there was another one in there that I took elsewhere). I'm so glad to have a flushing toilet and a clean kitchen again!

3. Camera woes
I've decided to send my camera to Panasonic for repair. They have a $99 flat fee on repairs for this model, which is way less than I was expecting (it's a pretty expensive camera). With shipping and what not, I think it will be a few months' process, so I bought an inexpensive but very decent point-and-shoot on Ebay. It will arrive with my mom and brother on Saturday.

Today's lunch: Peanut Noodles with Mango

Today's Wikipedia discovery:
The term "Granola" is occasionally used derisively by some political Conservatives to describe Liberals as being mostly "fruits, nuts and flakes".

We're in Peru because of what we believe about God, the human race, and why we're alive. We're here to tell people about what we believe because we're convinced that it makes a big difference. The most lasting, meaningful, and honest way I know to show compassion to someone I love is to tell her (in word and deed) about the life God offers.

We live in the desert. Normally our town gets water for 2 hours every morning. For most families, this means that they fill up barrels in their house to use for the rest of the day. We are very grateful that we have the luxury of a water tank on the roof. We almost never notice that our water service isn't "normal."

• no showers
• dishes piled high
• limited cooking options
• doggies drinking bottled water
• no toilet flushing
• brushing teeth with bottled water
• no laundry
• no hand washing

It's really not the end of the world, but the flies in the kitchen (which is more or less open to the great outdoors) are getting thick. We're marching forward and hoping our deodorant holds out.

UPDATE: We just found out that there's no water coming tomorrow either, in celebration of Immaculate Conception Day! Oh dear. I'm wondering how I'm going to get the sweet potato stains from lunch off my hands. Tim's wondering how Jesus was immaculately conceived on Dec. 8 and born 17 days later.

Jeff just left for Pucallpa (via Lima). I'm sad to see him go but super grateful for the visit. When was the last time we had a visitor? I think early August. Since the Cubas' departure Oct. 4, we haven't spoken English to anyone but each other here in Puerto. They've been lonely months.

My stomach muscles ache from laughing so hard over the past few days, and overall, there's a new lightness in my heart. We needed Jeff's visit in many ways, but mostly, I'm grateful for his solidarity, understanding, encouragement, and wisdom. It's been good to have an outsider looking in and explaining what he sees. I know our vision gets narrow as we plod along.

If there was ever a post that deserved pictures, this would be it. Unfortunately, my camera was involved in the accident, too, and the Barranca Hospital doesn't treat cameras. For now, we're working on home remedies and considering whether or not she needs to fly to the US for her recovery.

Tonight was night 1 (of 13) of our new discipleship course, New Life in Christ. It was a big success in every way! We had near record-breaking attendance with 5 men and 15 women. The self-selected groups seemed very comfortable together, and I think people had a good time.

Half of the participants came from the most recent Alpha Course. We were super excited to see them show up at the Comunidad Cristiana and are hopeful that we'll be able to integrate the two groups. This particular course is meant to be both a follow-up to the Alpha Course and an encouragement for members of the Comunidad that still lack some of the tools necessary for growth to spiritual maturity.

Jeff Orcutt is here visiting us from the SAM home office. We are THRILLED to have a visitor, and in particular, this one! We ate dinner (anticuchos, or cow hearts) outside Esther's house and showed Jeff around town.

Fortunately (or not, when I consider how well I'll be sleeping tonight) there's a lot of action in Puerto Supe tonight-- mostly focused around the Miss Supe Puerto contest! It's part of the preparation for Friday's town anniversary celebration.

I'm sitting next to Tim and a Christmas tree in Starbucks, listening to jazzy carols, sipping on my cappuchino, and enjoying the overall Charlotte-esque ambience. There's no sign of Christmas in Puerto Supe (funny how money and Christmas are so tightly entwined), but here in Lima, it's clear that December has come.

Lima again. It's amazing how often we end up here, and it's really not in search of Starbucks and McDonald's. Tonight we're (hopefully) meeting up with Jenny Ballen, one of my dearest high school friends who I haven't seen in 10 years. She's in Peru for 3 months doing some fascinating work with microloans. Tomorrow we're getting together with a Peruvian pastor to talk about a potential connection to our Comunidad Cristiana that would involve a more permanent pastor for us.