The Lord is certainly working on me here in Peru. You know how you pray for patience and what does the Lord do? He puts you in a place that requires patience! I pray for a servant’s heart. One that is focused outward, not inward. One that joyfully serves others and loves his neighbor as himself. One that desires to worship the Lord and Glorify Him in all that I do! And what does the Lord do? He puts me in a place that requires that, but he also gives me great examples. One such example is my friend Drew. What a servant’s heart! Not many people will haul 6 mattresses up 4 flights and never complain and do so with a cheerful heart! What a blessing he has been to Peru Mission and me! Thanks Drew for all of your hard work! We will miss you in Peru and hope you return soon!
Drew always is happy to help—whether moving my washing machine across the roof or going with me shopping for the girls house. This past weekend, he was a saint and traipsed all over Trujillo with me for 2 days! Our trip to the Mercado Mayorista was quite entertaining! It is a great market that has lots of wood furniture. We were shopping for 6 beds for the girl intern house, a table and six chairs, and 2 sets of drawers. It was such fun! Or least I thought so. . . not sure what he thought, but again, he just came along with a smile and was so helpful. So, we are shopping around, shop to shop, and bargain hunting. You know me, I LOVE to haggle for a price. So, we shop all around and find a table and six chairs. I have them out on the street for us to see and view in the sunlight. We agree on a price and I go back in the store with the owner to make sure we are getting the right chairs and table, etc. I notice that this woman and guy are staring at us at the end of this process and when I come back out, they are talking to Drew. So, I ask what is up and he informs me that they are security for the Mercado. So we all discuss what price I have gotten and if it is a good one. She then walks off and returns with her “jefe” (boss) and he gets in on this. He decides it is an acceptable price. While this is all happening, Brad Ball calls and I ask him and during the call a taxi drives up and the driver chimes in. By this point Drew is laughing out loud and finding it hilarious that half the market is asking what I paid and weighing in on whether it is a good price. And you know me . . . haggling for a good price and getting to talk to strangers! I am in heaven!
So we decide that it is a good price and are talking to the security personnel. I mention that I feel very safe with them around and the guy offers to follow me around and keep us safe. So we are really laughing by this point. We pay for the table and chairs and go off to find the drawers. They follow and again are making sure we get a good price. It is hilarious. And so while waiting for a taxi to load all this furniture up, the lady that sells us the drawers asks what we paid for the table and chairs and she agrees we got a good price. It is just hilarious at this point that we have about half a dozen, or more actually, people weighing in on the price I am paying for this furniture!
So, Drew and I load up in two taxis--6 beds, 2 sets of drawers, and a table and 6 chairs. We return to the girls’ apartment and start carrying it all up the 4 flights! What a fun day in the market! One of the things I love about Peru—shopping in a market and loading up the taxi to go home!
The next day we actually moved all the belongings from the two places the girls are living into the new apartment. Drew again is there to help—as well as all the guy interns. So Drew and I head to the Karrakers for their 2 mattresses, plates, and other donations to the girls’ house. We load up this taxi with more stuff than you can imagine will fit and Drew (sorry Drew, no idea how tall you are) who is what, over 6 feet tall? Contorts his body into the back of the taxi with the 2 mattresses and other housing items and I cram in the front with the driver and we are off to the girls apartment. Again, I am saying, “is it bad that I am sad not to have my camera?? I must learn to start carrying it on me at all times!” And upon reflection, this is the same thing I said when Drew, Harrison and Jamey moved my washer. So sorry you are not seeing the picture of these adventures. I need to do better in capturing my life on film.
Anyway, we got there and moved all the mattresses up the stairs before the help arrived, but we managed to get all the girls’ stuff in the house. It still needs a few things before it is a home, but it is a comfortable option and hopefully serving them well. And I had a blast shopping for furnishings and spending time with our awesome Peru Mission Interns. We are blessed to have such a great bunch!
