I have arrived!!

Hello everyone!
So I am here! I am sitting at Hogar de Esperanza right now. I will give you a quick recap beginning when I left yesterday. My flight to Houston and then on to Lima was fine- come to think of it, I can’t even remember my flight to Houston. . . : ) On the flight from Houston to Lima, I sat beside a woman named Ana and her daughter Christina who is 2 ½ years old. Ana is from Peru but married a man from Utah 4 years ago. She was really sweet and comforting. She told me what to expect at the airport- which turned out to be false information because the airport was just redone- she also helped me with my Spanish. Her little girl was quite the character and refused to do anything unless I was looking. : )
Throughout this week I have been emailing back and forth with the hotel I stayed at last night. They had asked me if I wanted someone to pick me up and I said yes. So I was kind of expecting them to be there when I got off the plane. . . but they weren’t. : ( But, thanks to my wonderful Aunt Kathy, I knew that there were trustworthy taxi companies just outside customs- so I just did that. I found out as soon as I got in the car that people in Peru drive very similar to people in Guatemala- but a little faster and they don’t stop as much at stop signs, lights, for other cars or people. My driver decided that I had to see the Pacific ocean first thing so we took the scenic route to my hotel- I didn’t tell him but all I could see was a tiny bit of water and a whole lotta black! : ) I finally made it to my hotel in time to sleep for a few hours and get up to go to the bus station. The bus ride was really nice actually- it was a coach so there were movies playing constantly and the “bus attendant” put English subtitles on even though I was the only English speaking person on the bus- wasn’t that nice??!! I got to see quite a bit of the Peruvian countryside during the ride. We went along the coast and then moved inland a bit more. Everywhere you looked there were little shacks. It was really odd to me because there would be miles and miles of sand with nothing else around and then you would see a tiny shack made of leafs, tin, limbs, or a combination of all. We went through a few towns that consisted of more of these homes and some bigger ones that I am guessing were stores. It was really kind of funny because I would be catching myself thinking, “Wow, I could not imagine myself living like that- no doors, no windows, dirt floors, etc. . .” Then I would see a cable television antennae sticking out one of the tin homes! I guess everyone needs a little Friends or Miami Ink once in awhile. : )
After 8 hours on the bus, we arrived in Trujillo- Liz, the Social Worker for the orphanage, was waiting with a sign. We were instant friends- I can speak a little Spanish and she can speak a little English- once I started talking to her, I understood a lot more than I thought I would. She is 27 and so very sweet. The grounds keeper/driver also was there, but sadly, I cannot remember his name. When we got to Hogar de Esperanza, the first resident I met was Be-be- the slightly chubby Basset Hound! He is very cute. Then I got to meet all the children- it was wonderful!!! Most of them just came over and gave me hugs and kissed me on my cheek- I have been looking forward to that moment for so long- I can’t wait to get know the children better- there are so many of them! 21 girls and 20 boys. There is this one little boy- which I can’t remember his name either- because seriously, between the kids and the staff I met 50 people in about 15 minutes!- anyway this little boy has these huge glasses and he did not want me to let him go. He just clung to me and kept saying “mi Tia” – my aunt. : ) It was so cute I almost cried!
They also showed me to my room and I have take picutes, but at this moment I can't figure out how to import pictures from my camera. There would be pictures of kids and the outdoors but by the time I remembered my camera it was dark outside and all the kids were in their casitos. So there will be pictures to come!

I still can’t believe I’m here, but I honestly already feel pretty comfortable. Liz is wonderful and I can tell we will become close. The kids are just ready for anyone to love them and the staff is appreciative of any help. I just hope my Spanish will get better quickly so that I won’t be annoying.

When I was on the bus today I was feeling oh so tired and already a little lonely. But then I opened my Bible and began to read. I started reading in James 1 where it talks about going through trials to produce perseverance and endurance. Not that this is a trial necessarily, but it will be a struggle somedays. It just reminded me that serving the Lord may not always be easy, but it is always rewarding. It always serves a purpose and He is always with me through every step. I may not be at home with my family in Missouri. But as long as I am following Him, I am home in my heart. . .

Well, I am off to a dinner of easy mac (provided by my Mom) and a peanut butter sandwich (provided by my Aunt!)!
Love you all!! I will write more soon!
Janie