18 August

I am 2 days shy of 6 months in Peru. This is the longest that I’ve been away from home and the longest I’ve ever gone without my family coming to visit me. Even when I studied abroad, Mom came out to see me, as well as Oma and Opa. Plus, I had Aunts and cousins just a two hour train ride from the school.

I'm in love with the people, the culture, the food. The heat, though excruciating at times, is not that bad....I say that tongue in cheek because yesterday and Sunday I sat in front of the fan all afternoon and thought I was melting if I had to walk to the bathroom. My Heavenly Father is revealing new truths and stretching and growing us all in ways we didn't think we moved. It's exciting and painful. I'm being pruned with fresh sheers and it hurts sometimes. It's a good hurt though.

On the 22, we'll have been in Iquitos with our Peruvian partners for 3 months. Ana is a God send. She is a fabulous partner. True, we don't always see eye to eye, but we're growing closer every day. She is very smart and has a heart for the Lord.

Keep us all in your prayers. We learn something new everyday.