Today at lunch, Tita taught me how to eat like a Peruvian! I had noticed here and there that there were a few differences between the way that I was eating and the way that everyone else was eating, but I didn't think about it too much and couldn't quite identify exactly what the difference was. But now I know!! First, I usually eat with my left hand in my lap. But Peruvians eat with both hands on the table at all times. The right hand is for the fork and the left hand is for the knife. And when I'm not using the knife, it is to be set on the side of the plate. And when I'm all done eating, it's proper to place the fork and knife together in the middle of the plate to signify that I'm finished.
Today, we all gathered at Professor Zandstra's home for a birthday party. This was a special birthday party, unlike any other one that I've ever been to for two reasons:
1. It wasn't anyone's birthday. The purpose of the party was to celebrate EVERYONE'S birthday, no matter when it is!
2. The main activity at this party was reciting poetry in Spanish. Most of my Calvin classmates are in Spanish 309 here in Arequipa (I took that class at Calvin) and they had to memorize a poem this week and they are reciting them tomorrow in class. Because of that, the birthday party was more like one large poetry practice session. We really know how to party.
Before the party of the century, I got to have conversation groups with Anthony and Alonso. Anthony is studying computer science, and he showed me one of the things that he's been working on, which naturally reminded me of a friend of mine, Andrew Webster. Hola, Andrew!
Alonso and I (accompanied by Lauren, a Calvin friend) moved our conversation group to a cafe near campus and ate some cake, which was a wonderful decision. I had a great time talking with Alonso! I'm so grateful for my friends from conversation groups! It's quite humbling to think that these cool people are want to take time every week just to sit and talk with me for a bit. Getting to know them has been such a blessing to me. Thank You, God! Through my time spent with them, God is teaching me about grace. We can't earn grace--we just have to recieve it.
It's easy to recieve when we feel like we have earned what we're recieving. However, I have done nothing to deserve the time and conversation and friendship that I am receiving from my conversation group friends. I can't even really try to earn it... I don't have very much to offer these friends other than someone to speak English with. All I can do is gratefully accept their friendship.
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