praise the LORD, all ye nations!

One of the strangest sensations that I have experienced here in Arequipa is the feeling of burping carbonated water. Ugh. And yes... I bought carbonated water again today--on accident. This time, it didn't explode all over myself, though, so that's an improvement.

Today was a holiday in Arequipa--Dia de Santa Rosa de Lima--so there was no school. So, I went to a concert tonight!

Two days ago, I noticed an advertisment on a wall as I was walking to school. It was for a concert for a band by the name of Rojo, a Christian group from Mexico. I recognized this because the ONE Spanish CD that I have is by this same band! I asked the Calvin group if anyone wanted to go to this concert, and a few people were interested. So... the next step was getting tickets.

According to the website, the tickets were being sold at a store called Estilos. I knew I'd seen a store by that name... but I could NOT remember where it was. The internet told me that there was one relatively close to the Plaza de Armas. So, this morning, Lauren (one of my classmates from Calvin) and I headed down to the Plaza de Armas and started searching for Estilos. It didn't take us too long to find it, and we bought tickets for the two of us and another classmate, Scott. The tickets were only S/. 20 (that means, 20 soles, which is about... $7.50).

On our way back, we got a bit delayed by a parade that was celebrating Dia de Santa Rosa de Lima. I guess it wasn't exactly a parade--just a lot of people singing in the street and launching fireworks.

Later on this afternoon, Lauren, Scott, and I met at Starbucks and took a taxi to Coliseo de Arequipa, where the concert was being held. It was a big basketball stadium set up for a concert. And we had a great time!!!

O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. (Psalm 117:1)

This verse came to mind during the concert because part of one of the songs was "las naciones declaran que Tu eres Senor" (the nations declare that You are Lord). And that is true!! I have read this verse before, but tonight I sang it in a differnt country with hundreds of other people.



Getting a taxi after the concert was a bit more complicated because there were a LOT of people. But, before too long, we were on our way home! And our taxi driver taught us some words in Quechua!

Oh God, You are worthy of honor and praise!! Digno eres Tu, Senor! You are good and faithful, the provider and healer, and Your Name is above all other names that exist! And God, I thank you for mi familia here in Arequipa--Lord, bless them in Jesus' Name!