Isn't it ironic...don't ya think?

Last week I spent a few days in Lima getting things ready for the Eisolds' arrival. Part of that included cleaning the apartment. Over no more than two months, we managed to accumulate a cupboard full of plastic bags.

As you may have guessed from the picture, Peruvians are quite generous with their bags. If I buy six items at the grocery store, I usually get at least three bags. (Which I find interesting because Costa Ricans were super stingy with theirs.)

Anyway, it was apparent that we needed to change something, and Katie noticed that they started selling the reusable shopping bags, so I went out to buy some for the apartment.

I bought two bags and picked up a 2-liter bottle of water and an outlet adapter while I was there. The lady rang up my items, I got my money out of my purse, and by the time I looked up, I saw that she had neatly bagged my four items into two plastic bags.

Holiday Highlights

The past month has flown by! I haven't been blogging because I've been so busy. I'll be sending out a newsletter soon with more details, but for now, here are some highlights of the past month:

December 19 - Katie and I said goodbye to Anthony as he headed back to the States for two weeks. We missed him, and we're so glad to have him back with us!

December 23-26 - My parents and brother joined Katie and me in Lima & Lunahuana for Christmas. I gave my family traditional Peruvian hats called "chullos."

December 27-31 - Brooke joined us for our excursion to Cuzco and the famous ruins of Machu Picchu. AMAZING. (This was a self-portrait thanks to Brooke's new little tripod - she barely made it into the pic in time.)

January 1-7 - After my family left, I got to spend some time with Brooke in Lunahuana. It was nice to do all the tourists things in the tourist town that I live in - rafting, hiking, and trying the local delicacy, guinea pig. (It tastes like chicken). Katie and her friend, Marcy, made it even more fun.

January 8-14 - Faith St. Louis brought 15 people to serve in Lunahuana (specifically in San Jeronimo) on a short-term mission trip. They helped us with an English camp to promote the English classes that Katie is now teaching in San Jeronimo, in addition to her classes in Uchupampa. The trip went well - God's Word was preached, the kids got excited about Katie's classes (I think she's got about 25 in her class now), and we missionaries were greatly encouraged by the team. Thank you, Faith!

January 15-19 - Anthony and I ran around Lima (and stood in a lot of lines in Lima) getting things ready for the arrival of Pastor Mark Eisold and his family. They will be here this Saturday, January 22!!!

The next month will be just as busy as we help the Eisolds get settled, start making more ministry plans, and continue coordinating short-term trips. Thank you for prayers of thanksgiving and supplication for all that's happening here!

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." 2 Corinthians 2:14