so Autumn and i go to the concert, right...of course, i mean this has the potential to be a cultural experience of a lifetime! and boy, i think it was!
first, the tickets say the concert starts at 8:00 -- yeah right! we are in South America! but being the grigas that we are Autumn and i showed up at 7:45 to get our spot in line... and it is a good thing we got there at that time because the line started backing up for blocks after about 30 more minutes. so, as we stand in line and begin talking to the people in front of and behind us. the guy in front of me was named Omar and the girl behind Autumn was Milagro (meaning miracle). i believe they let us inside the park area (soccer field i think) at like 9:00. we get inside and there is all this space and so we just kinda walk toward the front with our new friends Omar and Milagro. then Milagro keeps wanting to get closer...and so we go with her...at this point Omar stays back. we end up standing about 3 rows back from the front---CRAZINESS i tell u. we are squashed in there like sardines. so we wait there all smashed up for like 45 more minutes. i think the band finally came out at 10:00. and then it was pure craziness. we were jumping mosh pitt fashion surrounded by Peruvians. after a few songs the white guy (band guy) says, "how many latin americans are here" and all the Peruvians go crazy screamin' and stuff. THEN, he says, "now i see some faces like mine out there, some gringos...how many gringos are here?" and me and autumn are jumping and screaming....haha! then he says, "and i bet alot of you gringos are missionaries...how many missionaries are here?" then we scream louder. it was way fun. after a few more songs these crazy guys came pushing through the crowd and squished us, so i grabbed Autumn and we headed farther back where we could breath. we had a great time....very much a cultural experience.
Okay, so Tuesday I leave for 2 weeks. I will be out from September 12th - 29th telling Bible stories to the Asheninka. I'm all packed and ready to go.
this would be my clothes for the next 2 weeks. that is right 3 outfits, one waterproof bag!
and this is my trusty Kelty and my sleeping mat-- which will be strapped to my pack. oh, and my fancy new shoes from buffalo peak!
Now for the reflective side of Lane. I have spared ya’ll up until now by not being all self-reflective; however, I was listening to a song yesterday and it made me want to write in my journal. And now I want to share that journal entry with ya’ll.
Oddly enough the song I was listening to was “I’m Movin’ On” by Rascall Flatts.
These are the words that made me begin my journal entry: “I never dreamed home would end up where I don’t belong…I’m movin’ on…I know there are no guarantees but I’m not alone [God is with me].”
Here goes:
I’ve always known I was a little different. The first clue was when my mama told me I was at the age of about 8 or 10. However, I’ve also always known that God wanted to use that “different” part of me for Himself.
The trip that I’m about to embark on in 2 days is something I have only read and dreamed about. And for many years I thought that Missionary biographies and National Geographic articles would be the only places I would be able to experience this stuff. But, lo and behold, God has brought all things together – my quirks, my love of the outdoors, my hardships, my experiences, and my zest for the extreme – to bring me to the Ashéninka people of Peru! How exciting!
Finally, I am not reading about my dream, but living it. Now, I (not a yellow magazine) am the author of my story!
So there you have it friends… please continue to pray:
That God will give me super-natural Spanish speaking abilities
That the hearts of the Asheninka will be open to hear God’s truth
That I will be a blessing and encouragement to the Asheninka and my team
That my stomach will be calm and my back will be strong
“Praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ… that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.” Colossians 4: 3 & 4
Arive Paasoonke!
6 comments:
Hey there Crazy Little Jungle Monkey!
Love the post and totally know how you feel. It's pretty stinking awesome to be here (where ever here is).
Oh, and I found a bar that has live rock music in town. They were playing some nice 80s hair music when I was down that way last time. I've got to get in there sometime soon. Hopefully they won't be calling for missionaries though! Might not get the same warm response.
Hi my friend...i'm finally getting to catch up on all your blogs. It's so neat to see God's hand in your trip to Peru- lessons in patience and practice in spanish- and your experiences there- cultural experiences. I thank the Lord that you are living your dream and I look forward to hear how the Lord uses you on this first trip to the jungle. Know that we're praying for you and we love you Lane.
Lifted your team up today around 2:30 am your time and will be doing more of that while you're trekking. Your request for a settled stomach resonates with me--i know just how to pr-y :) I see that you attended the optional 'Packing for the Jungle' seminar presented by National Geographic.
This is awesome Laney! I'm very happy to know you are finally heading out to the jungle. Your Spanish is awesome, so I'm sure you will do your story justice. I will definitely pray for a calm spirit. Go get em!love you.
hey, hey. i hope the jungle trip went well. i am going to tell gussie about you having another dog. that way i can lure him away from you and he can live in my backyard.
don't worry about your spanish. i mean, we spent like hours with the dictionary at uptown and all over oxford.
be glad you're not here; rebel football ain't all it's cut out to be. the fall is fast approaching and the leaves turn color right soon. vaya con dios.
nice choice of shows. solomon amphibs are hard to beat on the river. i love mine.
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