The first week of our language classes is officially in the
books. The classes are going really good and we both feel we are gaining a lot
from them. Our classes start at 8:30 A.M. and finish at 12:00. Typically we
have about an hour of homework. I must say it feels a little odd to be sitting
in a class setting again at 42. I have to admit that the thought of, God, if
you have me back in school learning a new language at 42 what else do you have
in store for me? I try not to let my mind wonder down this path to far and just
take things one moment at a time.
Carmen has started going to a school in Arequipa for the
month that we are here. She was real nervous to start this school. Not only did
she not know any one; this also was her first experience going to an all-Spanish
speaking school. On the first day we stopped by at lunchtime to see how she was
doing. Well in true Carmen spirit, she was all smiles, had a circle of kids
gathered around her desk, and she was playing a card game with them. She saw
us, came out real quick to tell us she was fine, and told us to go on. Her
school starts at 7:50 and gets out at 2:30. We are able to walk her to school
on our way to school then Amy and I have a couple hours to spend by ourselves
before picking her up.
The cooler temperatures of Arequipa have been a nice change
from the hot, humid jungle. It is nice to wake up in the morning, spend some
time with God, and watch the sunrise over some snow capped mountains! The city
is also a much more modern city than what we have in the jungle. It has been
real nice to be able to get to go to school but also it is nice to get a little
break from the rigors of life in the jungle. It is nice the way the schedules
are set up. Amy and I feel like we have gotten some much needed time to focus
on our relationship, which has been hard to do while living in the jungle. The
family we are renting the apartment from took Carmen to a kids club so Amy and
I took advantage of this and spent some time exploring the city. We all feel
extremely blessed to have this opportunity to focus on learning more of the
language. Thanks for all the prayers and support.
