This verse has been so encouraging to me today! Here in Arequipa, my weaknesses are making themselves more and more known to me everyday. There is so much about the culture here that I do not know. For example, I went out to dinner with Lauren, a friend from the Calvin group, tonight. We went to Capricco's, a cool little restaurant with sandwiches and desserts and stuff. We learned that when you finish eating, the waiter does not automatically bring you the bill. Instead, he waits until you ask for it. That made for an awkward little while for Lauren and I, but we eventually caught on.
And another example of how I am continually realizing how much I DON'T know: Our neighborhood is gated in. There are two enterances. After 7:00 at night, only one of them is open. So far, it has always been Enterance 1. Tonight, though, it was Enterance 2. That threw me off a bit when I returned home tonight after dinner. Also, each enterance has a car gate and a person gate. Since I am a person and not a car, I use the person gate. But after 7:00, I THINK I'm supposed to use the car gate. I'm not entirely sure, though. Sometimes I try the person gate and it's locked and then the guard opens the car gate for me. This seems like a very minor issue, and it really is quite unimportant. However, it is a daily reminder to me that there is a lot that I don't know here in Arequipa that most other people do know.
And then there's the whole language thing... there are times when I have NO IDEA what people are saying. Indeed, my weaknesses are staring me in the face almost constantly. But, as I'm feeling more and more aware of my weaknesses, God is reminding me more and more that His grace is sufficient, and that in my weakness, His power is perfect!!!!!!!!!
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This morning, about 7 of us went to church at Iglesia Bautista Fe again, and afterwards, Amy, Scott, and I went exploring. We started out by going to a street called Puente Bolognesi, which is near the Plaza de Armas. This street has many music stores--in only two blocks, we went in at least 5 different stores that sold all different kinds of guitarrs, and we only went in about half of them!
But music stores are not the only thing on Puente Bolognesi--there is also ice cream. So, we got some popsicles. They were quite delicious.
And then we kept walking for quite a while. By the time I got home, I was a bit tired, so after lunch, I took a nap! I don't remember the last time I took a nap before coming to Arequipa, but I am learning to appreciate this part of the culture here that values rest. It's quite wonderful to not feel like every single moment must be productive.
Today for lunch I ate causa, which is one of the most popular Peruvian dishes. It is very dense (think along the lines of a triple stacked brownie made out of potatoes with layers of chicken, and some kind of white sauce, and veggies in between), and very yummy. Also, last night for dinner, I drank yogur, which is liquid yogurt. I like it.
After Lauren and I finally realized that we had to ASK for the bill, we paid and I headed home. And after that I relaxed with Tita, Andrea, and Kike, and we watched StarWars.
Oh God, thank You so much for mi familia here in Arequipa! Lord Jesus, be with Tita and Vicente and Andrea and Kike. And I thank You so much that Your power is perfect in my weakness! Help me to not try to compensate for my weaknesses myself, but rather to find my strength in You.
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