Just a little bit of everything

So there is no specific topic or anything to this blog but just a whole lot of randomness.

Well recently I have given myself a few new challenges. Now it has been a struggle but I think once I put on my big girl panties and do it than I wont hate it as much. One of the new things is that in December I will be climbing Chachani a 20,000 ft. monster on December 31 and January 1. I know that this isn't going to be easy but I will not let it defeat me I plan on getting to the top. So I have been trying to go on a run everyday for an hour or so and doing some P90x.


Another challenge is to really really dig deep into the word. I do struggle with it but I am making a point to memorize scripture and to really really get into the nitty-gritty. The last one for now is to read. To read lots and lots of books. So that means less computer time and more book time.

Something else is that we have a puppy! The cutest, littlest thing ever, I honestly don't think I have ever seen a puppy that small. Her name is Emma and is about 8 weeks old. She is a miniature schnauzer and belongs to Trish and Lindy (our support parents).

Preaching.... now this is something I never EVER thought I would do, let alone in another language. For me speaking in spanish is sometimes a little nerve wrecking, but when I am up in front of spanish speakers and teaching about the word of God in the back of my head I'm thinking.... "Do these people understand anything that I am saying or what I am trying to say. Will they get what I am trying to convey, or are they just waiting to leave?" I sure hope they are able to understand and get it.

There's a little of what is going on here.

A hop, jump and a skip

So I know it has been a while but there has been a ton gong on here! So here is the readers digest version.

1st thing - Im here to stay!!! Ok so Before I was in Cusco and when we had our vacation in the the states I ended up staying a little longer to work on some personal things. So when I was ready to come back I wasn't able to go to Cusco again, but there was an opportunity in Arequipa (where I lived for 9 months) and I took it. Well I only agreed to stay for a couple of months, but plans have changed and I am able to stay and finish out my time here in Peru. Granted it is not with my team in Cusco, but I am reunited with some other dear friends of mine.
2nd thing - It's amazing to see the growth in the districts that I am now working in. There are a couple that are just taking off! and another that we have some difficulty with. But in all of the places that we are working the people there are just amazing. And in all reality the people give me the motivation and the courage to go out and do what we do. Also seeing how dedicated the people are here as well, just blows my mind!

3rd thing - The group that I am now with consist of 7 girls, including me. And we have been going through a tough time. So send prayers this way. For personal things, our group as a whole, and that we are able to look at this difficult situation as a time to learn and grow, and that we are able to hear what God has planned for each one of us.

4th thing - I only have about 7 ish months left here before returning home. Its been hard being here because I am supposed to be graduating this year, yupp this would be my Senior year of college. Now I will be graduating when I am about 24 ish, give or take. But here's the thing, I am growing and changing more than I would have done at school. I am gaining more being here than anything else.
When our time here is done I will be torn and hart broken but I am really really excited to be home again. But who knows God my have a different plan, and I am willing to continue to follow, where ever that might be.

There is a ton more that has happened in the last few months but there will be more to come!

Scriptures

Here are just a couple scriptures that have been layed on my heart the last couple of days, I just wanted to share.....

1 Peter 2:23
²³ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

Psalm 91

¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.^[a]
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

³ Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ “Because he^[b] loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

Psalm 51

¹ Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
² Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.

³ For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
⁴ Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
⁵ Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
⁶ Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

⁷ Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
⁹ Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.

¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

¹³ Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
¹⁴ Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
¹⁵ Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
¹⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
¹⁷ My sacrifice, O God, is^[b] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.

¹⁸ May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
¹⁹ Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

The last few days have been rough, and these are the verses that have helped me get through. Through the fire and the storm. These have been really encouraging and I hope they will be to you as well.

i WAS broken

I was tied, but now unbound

My head is off the ground
For a long time I was so weary
Tired of the sound, I've heard before,
The gnawing of the night time at the door,
Haunted by the things I've made
Stuck between the burning light and the dust shade.
I said now I used to think the past was dead and gone,
But I was wrong, so wrong, whatever makes you blind
Must make you strong, make you strong,
In my time I've melted into many forms
From the day that I was born, I know that there's no place to hide
Stuck between the burning shade and the fading light,
I was broken, For a long time, but It's over now.

Yes and you, and you,
Well you walk these lonely streets that people send, People send.
There are some wounds that just can't mend, I do pretend, pretend,
I am free from all the things that take my friends
But I will stand hear till the end, I know that I can take the moon,
In between the burning shade and the fading light
I was broken, for a long time, but It's over now
I was broken, for a long time, but It's over now

This wasn't planned....

So a lot of the time we think we have all things figured out, to what we want to be, to who we are, where we want to live... ect. Well as humans we don't have all of our ducks in a row.

The reason I bring this up is because my plans and what I thought was going to happen changed.

I decided to go back to the states on our 3 week vacation to get my "ducks in a row." Well I ended up staying in the states longer then planned. And because of that it felt like my life was flipped upside down. And it was looking like I wouldn't be able to return to Peru.

Well I wasn't ready to just give up and be ok with that. I simply told God that I have no idea what to do, I don't know how to feel, breathe, or take the news. The news that because I stayed home to get things worked out that I might have messed up the call that God put in my life. And without much warning he opened a door, not a big opening but he opened a door. He allowed me to come back to do some more work down here in Peru.

Well the thing about this is that I will just to be down here temporarily. Just as a temporary partner for a couple of months or so.

So the closer it get to me going back to the states before my time here is up the more and more my heart breaks. It breaks because I am not ready to be finished, I don't want to be, I don't want to accept that I, MY TIME, is up. But there is pattern there........ I.

In this moment I am being selfish. As my Dad likes to put it.... It's not all about you.

And how true is that. Life isn't about what we want, or our plans its God's.

So I know that in my heart of hearts that this isn't what I want but this is God's plan for me in this moment of life.... and I am learning to trust. I am learning to put my human wants away and see what God has in store for me.

I can't wait!!!

He is going to do amazing and beautiful things in my life, things that I can't even fathom.

But as of right now I am learning. Learning to breathe, put everything I have in his hands and not the hands of man.

Just getting by

So I think the place that I like to meet people most would be in airplanes, in Peru, ok well in general.

Like today, when I got on my flight to come to Lime I meet the sweetest couple EVER.

And I don't know if it is because I am traveling alone. Or if I look like a "Barbie," as I have been told.... or if I am just like-able.... I'm going with I'm like-able.

But we talked the whole time. She game me recipes for Peruvian dishes. We talked about religion, family, life.

So really we covered all the bases.

They were amazing.

And I got a Pear, a number, e-mail and open arms.

This is another thing that just makes me realize how hospitable and loving Peruvian people are. And granted they are not all like this but all the ones I know are.

And this is one thing I really admire about the Peruvian culture.

So thank you Peru for being Awesome.

I forgot my Sweater

So a few weeks ago we had our first event out in Ancahuasi, and as usual things don't go as planned.

1. We left late.
Usually that isn't a problem but when you are going 2 or 2 1/2 hours away its a little bit of a time crunch. We needed to clean set up and get the keys to the building that we used and set up chairs and eat dinner.

2. Technical difficulties.
Technology is a great thing when it works, and when it doesn't it just makes you want to throw something against a table or wall. We had all the items that we needed but it wasn't enough. We didn't have a long enough extension cord, we could get the keys, and no lights (no electricity). So we waited 30-45 minutes until we were able to get started.

3. Extension cords.
Always have more then enough, even if it is 50 ft. and you only need 10ft. Always be overly prepared. And have adapters, because most things here are not made for 3 prong cords just 2 prong... and when you need to plug a three prong into a two prong it makes things a little difficult.

4. Frustration hits.
It was bound to happen. Our other impact events haven't gone well, or gone at all. When 6 people think that there is problem with different parts and they all try to fix it and don't listen, and you have to say it in another language... not easy.

5. I forgot my sweater.
Out of the practical things to forget.

AND HERE COMES THE GOOD NEWS!!!

We had about 80 or more people come to the movie, and half accepted Christ! Whoop Whoop.

And if I had to go through all of the frustration and problems (without a sweater) I would. you know why? Because the amazing blessing and only God could have done that.

After all the difficulties and frustrations we had a little sleep over at one of our contacts houses. We stayed up till midnight making tamales for breakfast and hanging out.

21st birthday!!!!

I’m officially 21!!!!!!!! Now I was born on St. Patties day + 21^st birthday = danger (or it could).

Well I hate to disappoint some people but my birthday didn’t involve drinking, clubs or a raging crazy party. But we fasted……. Boring huh.

Wrong Again

As a group we decided to do the Daniel Fast. It a fast for 21 days. Where we can only eat veggies, fruit and whole grains. So no meat, no sugars and nothing with preservatives. So really it is like a vegan diet but with more rules.

For some people this sounds awful and for other people it sounds like a challenge. It really depends on how you look at it, and how you go about it.

The first week was a little tough, because there are a ton of cravings and temped just to break the fast. But in the middle of the fast it became pretty normal and towards the end we were just counting down the days until we are done.

Amy and Ty did an amazing job with the food that they prepared and the lack of resources here.

So I decided this way it is more memorable to do this then to get trashed.

And in all reality we didn’t decided this to be something for my birthday but when I looked at it I am counting it for my birthday. It was more of a coincidence.

Blah Blah Blah

I have a new address!!!!

Emily Rattle
Correo Central Cusco
Cusco, Peru

And I think I win for the most boring blog in the world.... but that is ok I am still a winner!
Any ways there it is.

VBS

VBS

So a few weeks we held a VBS at they church for our neighbor kids from 9-11 every day of the week and at the end of the week they presented what they learned.

We had crafts, fun and games, a snack, music and a clips of movies.

The thing that blows my mind is the parents just let their kids go. I was out inviting all the kids I saw to come to our VBS. Some of the parents asked where it was going to be at and others just said bring them back when it is done.

The first day we had 20 kids and the rest of the week we had 15 or 17 kids.

Even after the VBS most of the kids come to church every Sunday to participate in Sunday School.

So now all the kids in the neighborhood know the “Gringos” that live here. They say hi to us as we walk by and when they come to church they always make a point to say hi.

Granted it is easier to get kids to come but they are just the start. They go home and tell their parents what they learned and hopefully it will encourage them to come to church and get saved.

We just decided to start with kids and poco a poco their parents will come. Its just a different way to plant the seed.

Hospitality

There are a lot of words that can describe the people of Cusco, but the first word is hospitality.

In Mattthew 25:35-40 says:

35 For when I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you incited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you can to visit me.’

37 “then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and fees you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 when did we see you a stranger and incite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the lest of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Can you think of the last time you did that for a stranger? I don’t think I can…. and I am a missionary! And of course as a missionary I should be a notch higher then everyone else, right up there with a pastor. Well here comes the bad news…..I’M NOT. I am not better then the person next to me, or spiritually better then the person next to me. I will make mistakes, I will judge someone, I will sin more then 10 times a day (without even thinking), I will lack in my spiritual life. I don’t have all the answers.

But when people think of missionaries they think of them as more hospitable, that we are going to help people with money getting clothes and things like that. Granted that is some of the things we do but the real thing we should be doing is furthering the kingdom of God, and not so wrapped up in everything else.

So when the Cusqueños ask us what we are doing here and part of our response is “We are here to help with whatever we can.” And they ask us “Can you help me financially?” We simply ask them “What is more important, growing a relationship with God or having money?” And we get different responses but in the end we tell them we will go work in your fields all day, we can help you cook, carry you things to your house, go to the market and help you spiritually as well. And some times that isn’t what they want to hear, but we tell them anyways.

As we are out and about helping how ever we can, I am just amazed at how they are willing to give and share anything and everything they have. We have been gifted potatoes, corn, jelly, and bread. We have also been asked to come and eat lunch or dinner with families or when we just stop by to say hi they offer us something. And we are complete strangers to them. And they are willing to give.

Taking refuge

In Colossians 1: 13-14 says: “ for he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption the forgiveness of sins.”

We were putting a letter of permission to take to the city hall in San Sabastion, one of Cailyn’s areas, and we really didn’t know what to expect or where we were going to start. So after we submitted our letter we were told that we needed to wait a week or so to get a response. While we were in the city hall we wanted to know more about San Sabastian, we walked around trying to find the right department. After walking around and looking lost we found what we were looking for. We asked several questions about the area and got the answers that we were looking for. But before we even walked into the building Cailyn said a little prayer and as we were getting information there was a lady sitting in the same area, and asked us who we were and what we were doing here, and we explained and her face just lit up.

She is actually working in a women’s home called Casa de Acogida, which means house of refuge. And she asked us if we wanted to go check out the house and the women living there. And we all three looked at each other and with out hesitating we said yes. So we walked about 8 ish blocks with her to the home and she showed us around and we met some of the lady’s and kids. And after visiting and talking with the women we asked if we could come and share a Love Story with them and do a little lesson or something with the kids. She said of course.

Now almost everyone here in Cusco is Catholic, whether they are catholic because they live here or they are catholic because they are religious (we never really know) but for the people of Cusco it is an easy wall to put up between us and them.

Ok so back to the women’s home: So as we were about to leave she says something that kind of throws us off guard (now remember she hasn’t mentioned anything about believing in God or being Catholic or if the home is from a Catholic organization).

“ these women have been through so much and a lot of the time we dwell on the hurt and the negative that we just forget about God.”

But how true is that?

For me its very true. And I tend to just dwell on the negative and just can’t see the good or the beauty in anything when I am dealing with something or someone. But I have challenged my self.

And I want to challenge you as well:

To remember God in the good, the bad and the just ok moments. To constantly praise him.

Also in Philippians 4:13-14 says: “ Brothers. I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

The 3 amigas

So in case I haven’t mentioned it we have lost 2 original members of our team, Ester and Jorge. So we have been stuck in a tough situation but I thank God for answering prayers because after a lot of waiting and wondering we found out that Alex is going to be getting a partner!!! He’s name is Eli and he arrived on Valentines day.

Its kind of a around about way for him to get here because he was originally supposed to be in Arequipa. But when he got to training he when to the head hancho and asked if he could go to Cusco instead, but he was turned down and was told he will be in Arequipa. Well not too long before we were supposed to graduate from training his American partner was sent home. And the rule was that if your partner is sent home you also need to be sent home. He ended up not going home and staying in Arequipa to help and work with one of the local churches. And his work was flourishing so when he was asked to come to Cusco to be Alex’s partner I’m sure that there were some thoughts that ran through his head. But after some prayer and all of that he decided to come and be Alex’s partner.

And now we are able to work better and more efficiently but we are still not complete.

So hopefully in due time we will be complete once again.

So as of right not Caylin, Kathy and I are working in Lamy and Coya, Poroy, Anta and San Sabastian.

So keep the Cusco team in your prayers, we have been put to the test and we are constantly being tested too.

A Late Up To Date

Ok now that has been said here is a late up-date!!!

I have officially been in Peru for a year!!!

(well now over a year, but for blog purposes a year)

Arrived in La: Feb. 1^st 2010

Arrived in Peru: Feb. 5^th 2010

And oh boy have things changed:

Friends have gotten married and engaged, family has changed, church has changed, relationships have changed ect.

And here in Peru things have changed as well:

Our group, church plant cites, relationships, and where we live.

Now that I look back on this time away from home, I can’t believe that it has gone by so fast, I feel like I just left home to start on this adventure. I can’t believe that I have only 15 months left here.

In all reality these 27 months here are nothing it is just a blink in time and before we know it we will be back to our every day lives. And we will look back on this experience we are going to be so thankful that we decided to take a leap of faith, and walk by faith. This is ultimately going to stretch us, test us, and change us for the good.

When I arrive back in the states after these two years I wont be the same person, I will have changed for the good.

So when you come across an amazing experience to grow and to learn I urge you to take that leap of faith. It wont be easy all the time but you will be thankful that you did in the end.

People change, circumstances change, and our lives change. Its what you make of it that determine who you are.

Twitch

When you go to a pet store its easy to just pick out a dog and take care of it. You know what kind of dog it is and that it is healthy and clean.

Well I had this bright idea…. I’m going to unofficially adopt a dog. Now in Peru there are dogs EVERY WHERE. Most of the time you don’t know what type of dog it is or if it has a home, and most of the time they don’t have a home.

So in our “neighbor hood” or street we have 2 neighbors. One lives down the street with a healthy, sweet amazing dog. And she is our protector, she keeps all the other dogs out of out street and we always know if there is someone in our street that is new or a car that is new.

Then there is another dog on our street and is super sweet, not the brightest sometimes and has a twitch. Well we thought that her owner just left her. For 2 months there was no one entering or leaving this house. And all of the sudden there were these youngsters that came with a moving truck. So we thought that her owner just moved or disappeared in the middle of the night. Well come to find out that her owner is the youngsters aunt and that they have been in another city for 2 or so months.

So her “owners” are home, but she doesn’t want to leave our house. We have bathed her, given her food twice a day, and fresh water and lots of people to love on her…… and right as I was falling in love with her I have to let her go…. But before I start the grieving process I am going to see if her “owner” really wants her, and if not I will keep her and if she wants her I still love her anyways.

Moral of the story: buy a dog from a pet store, wait for someone to give you a puppy or a dog or adopt on off of the streets (make sure they do not have an owner and don’t fall in love too fast if they have an owner.)

So Twitch I love you tons and I will miss you.

Shout outs!

Thanks to all who made my Christmas break amazing.

So here are a few shout outs to the people that made my time special.

Robin Potter: So when I was living at home a needed to do some community service hours, because I have a led foot. Anyways my dad was able to get me some time at his work in another department. As time passed I started to fall in love with working there and the people, and making some friends. Now these are not your typical friends for a 20 year old, but they are still dear to my heart. And this shout out is to you Robbin Potter. We didn’t work much together but when we did it was a blast. Lots of talks and fun. And when I told you that I was going to be living in Peru for 27 months it seemed a little silly, but you had faith in me and my call. And I can’t thank you enough.

Chelsi: Bestie!!!! Ok so I know we have know each other for like ages (the 3^rd grade to be exact) but I still wouldn’t trade you for the world. Even though I was only able to see you once when I was home it was so good to see you and catch up. And we have definitely been thorough a lot of hard situations and good ones too. And I really wish that I was able to go to your wedding, but I love you lots and lots and lots.

Corin and James: I can’t thank you enough for dinner. That night was amazing and definitely UNFORGETTABLE! And Corin, you have been there through so many different things and you just tell it like it is. And I know things are difficult with things, but just know that you are loved tons, and I love hearing stories.

Kellie: Bestest!!!!!! Oh how I have missed you tons and tons and tons! And I love you lots and lots and lots! And I thank you Kellie Kidwell for being my friend! And I know I have been M.I.A. but just know that I think of you lots and there are thing here that I wish I was able to tell you, like just give you a call or text… but I can’t. But just so you know I would if I could. And I am glad that we got to spend lots of time together while I was home, it was what I needed.

Mom and Dad: You both are super amazing! And I love you tons! I see more of you both in me ever day, its crazy to think about but I do. I love you both so much and I am so glad that I am apart of your family. I know that we haven’t had the best relationship, but I am proud and happy to call you guys my best friends.

Brooke, Dusty & Kadee: You guys have made a huge impact in my life, and you continue to do so. There are tons and tons of great memories from youth group, but I can’t wait to make new ones. And Kadee, make sure she knows that I will be home soon, and not to miss me too much. And that before she knows it I will be home for good for good. Kellie, me and Kadee will all have a big sleep over together.

Joey: Ok 1. stop growing your making me look like a little fairy. 2. You sound like a man. 3. I miss you!!!!!!!!! 4. I love you!!!!!!! 5. I am so proud of who you are becoming!!!!

Marie: You are super generous and I am really proud of you and all that you are doing. It isn't always easy but I am glad we are family.