Caballos!

Don't you want to sponsor this child?

What a weekend! Saturday I went with the kids to an intramural sporting event for children's homes in Arequipa. I watched our little boys play soccer, and I gotta admit, they were struggling at first. But with a little encouragement and continued direction from the older boys, they ended up winning the game! Julio didn't want to play so we hung out on the sidelines.

After teaching my Saturday lessons, the church had a goodbye party for Greg. We played a lot of games such as 'habla chancho', which involves wearing a blindfold and guessing who people are based on their animal impressions. Very fun. I got Greg on his bad impression of a guinea pig.

It kind of hit me this weekend that September is going to be a tough month. All of my Gringo besties are leaving me, and I'll have to rely on my Spanish more than ever. I was getting a little discouraged while praying about it outside, when one of my clarinet students happened to start practicing. He was learning a Simon and Garfunkel song, El Condor Pasa (If I could). It's actually a Peruvian folk tune that S&G adopted (that's my nice word for stole) and I'll be recording it with some of the older kids for Greg's documentary.

17 El Condor Pasa (If I Could).m4a


Anyway, listening to my student practice reminded me of why God brought me here in the first place. Not to become a Spanish-speaking all-star...although that would be nice (and I will admit I prayed one day to wake up the next morning with the ability of speaking Spanish fluently.) But I'm here to give the kids love and music lessons, and none of them have had the opportunity of learning clarinet before this! So listening to my student practice and learn a new song on his own reminded me to focus on victories from God, and not rely on my own strength.

Sunday after church, Audrey took all the girls horseback riding! It was beautiful riding throughout the countryside and just taking in God's creation. Although my horse was kind of a bully and kept biting other horses in the butt. What can I say? She wanted to be first, and I can appreciate that.