Keep Out

Today I purchased 56 meters of 1" x 1" wood. This delicate wood will be used on three large metal doors in Santo Tomas. Basically it will form a large frame which will house screen to keep the mosquitos out. A simple project like this takes more time than I care to admit. For example...today I went to exchange some money, so I could actually make some purchases, pick up a couple pieces of hardware and get my wood. Three hours later I had completed these tasks. Life as we know it in Iquitos, Peru.

We meet people all the time no matter what we are up to. Keep that in mind.

Bummer Man

I just sat there stunned. A young man, about twenty years old, was running away from where I was sitting on a bench. He had just snatched my backpack from beside me. My eyes watched for which direction he would head off to. My head was screaming to keep calm and stay cool. Then from just down the street a motorkar sped right in front of the theif and which quickly took off with the theif and my backpack.

I didn´t yell. It probably would have been helpful, but I was stunned. I couldn´t believe someone would make such an obvious robbery in a plaza with many observers. The motorkar headed onto the main street thirty yards away and almost carelessly sped out of site.

My eyes looked into my friends. She had been practicing her English and I had been working on my Spanish. Being absorbed in trying to understand new words and concepts we had not be paying close attention to our surroundings. I had let my guard down and didn´t put my arm through the strap of my backpack for several minutes. Others who had witnessed the event didn´t seem to react much...they just stared probably aware that there wasn´t much they could do. I started to scratch down the contents of my backpack as quickly as I good...´wallet, that´s to bad it had my credit card and driver´s license..oh ya and $40 that the bank wouldn´t exchange because of some small tears..and, OH NO! My keys.` I stuck my hands in my pockets and I took a deep sigh! My phone, keys, and coin purse were all there.

We all go through experiences, some good and some bad. Here in Peru stealing is a way of life. People steal all of the time. Paul has handfuls of stories of people coming and stealing things from the office. From druggies looking for some quick cash or an employee trying to take advantage of a situation. I think about the ten commandments and what they mean to my life. What I don´t want to do is steal from God! Everything is his...he gives me life everyday and I want to make sure that I´m doing my best to give back to him, by giving back to others.

Sick in Peru

This week has been a little different. Aaron got sick on Sunday and today he was still feeling horrible. Yesterday Casey, Aaron, and Kelley were all feeling pretty bad. To add a little more pain to the mix there is a chicken pox epidemic going on right now too. Several of the girls and little ones are covered with the red spots of wrath. I've spent the last two days out in Santo Tomas, just assisting the girls. Today we worked on completing the board for the game "Cashflow" - the Peruvian adapted version anyway. The girls also made players for the board game.

Tomorrow I'll put screens on the girls doors. It is kind of necessary since the rainy season is in full swing and the mosquitos are humming in the night air.

Life is moving along. I've been having a lot of fun teaching English and Finance.