Canyon de Colca

So a quick correction from my last post, its def. not Cucka canyon or whatever I called it...its Colca canyon, and I just got back! It was beautiful. I´ve def. never seen anything like it before. Tomorrow I will post a photo album on facebook but I´m just warning you now, I know the pictures will not do God´s work justice.

On an unrelated note, I hugged a baby llama and I also think alpaca meat is quite tasty. Sorry alpacas...ya´ll sure are cute but you taste so good, lol. Don´t worry I still havent eaten any cuy :)

So Dillon, Lauren and I finally talked about the work were going to be doing. We are all kind of on the same page as to what we would like to accomplish in the community. I really appreciate the perspective I gained from 6 years of becoming an MSW and feel like I have a lot to offer, because I´m a social worker, that the others don´t have. But our skills definately compliment one anothers so that´s great. How do things seem to work out so perfectly like that?? (duh, God!) I´ve been going into some of the catholic churches in the pueblo´s we´re visiting. I´ve been to some in Arequipa and seen some in Maca, Yanke and Chivay. Its amazing that in the midst of towns constructed of mostely cinderblock homes with tin roofs, that the churches are still such majestical buildings, and right at the center of town! The altars inside are truly constructed in the image of heaven as they see fit. Its funny too that I just read about that in Hebrews last week so I even more was able to understand the significance of the enormous amounts of gold inside the churches...completely to bring glory and praise to God. I was listening to a preacher who was preaching in the middle of the Plaza de Armas in Arequipa last Sunday evening. Dillon and Lauren seemed unamused, I think it may be because of the negative connotation Americans have with street corner preachers ( and rightfully so at times unfortunately). But though I could only understand about 1/3 of what this man was saying, I could see the passion and COMpassion in his eyes. For some reason I felt very moved by him so I just stopped and prayed that God would use His words that day to touch someone. Its amazing how no matter where we go..we´re all God´s children and He loves each and every one of us so much..equally!

Well other than the beautiful scenery and my experiencng Peruvian Catholicism...I´m starting to really feel like I´m meant to be here (good thing since I´m already here! lol). But to be honest I really do miss home and those I love. So while I am glad because I can feel God pulling me closer to Him, I am human and I have been a little bummed during the nights lately. So please keep that in your prayers. I´m glad I´m a runner though, because I can feel it. Its like how when you´re running a very long distance - sometimes the first 5 miles are the hardest. I just need to break through the wall and grab on to that runner´s high.

Unrelated: also I´m glad I´m a runner cuz I guess I have a pretty strong heart because of it. I´m not really getting winded that much or having any problems with the altitude (so far!)...so thanks goes to God for that of course!

Alrighty ya´ll...until next time, hasta luego, and remember the next facebook album should be up tomorrow so keep an eye out.

<3