Only 15 days left until I leave for Peru. I’d like to thank those who donated cameras, equipment, and finances to give the kids at New Hope an opportunity to experience Photography hands on. As my departure date gets closer, I’m experiencing a slew of emotions from one day to the next. I’m nervous about my arrival, because I only speaking a little spanish. I’m told I’ll pick it up fast living with the kids and going to language school Monday through Friday. Since my departure date is arriving soon, I’ve been studying spanish in spurts in between preparing for being away for six months and preparing for my last two weddings out of twenty one in 2 1/2 months.  I still have some odds and ends to wrap up and of course see my family and friends, because I won’t be in the States for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

One major issue I’m still trying to find out more information about is bringing all the donated point and shoot cameras through customs without having to pay a tax. If anyone is able to find out more information regarding this issue, please let me know ASAP. If you know of someone who might have dealt with similar issue, please ask if they would be willing to talk to me. My hope is that because they are donations to New Hope and I am simply transporting them, there will be no tax.

With all the preparing and craziness, there are times of clarity of how excited I am to go and serve at New Hope. I’ve been prepped about adapting, feeling isolated, being a minority, not speaking the language by those who have been on long term missions before. I’m very grateful for their words and insight. I am not sure what it will be be like experiencing the culture shock. But until I step foot off the plane, it’s one day at a time.

I can’t wait to see how this all pans out, and I’m going to need all your prayers. Please pray for our team (Brad Labriola, Jesse Rahn, Lydia Smith, Julia Black, and myself) who are serving at the New Hope Children’s Home in Arequipa, Peru. We will need prayer for knowing how to best serve and love the children, learning our daily roles at the home, and simply adjusting to the culture and language. Keep checking back for me updates.

P.s. If you are forgetful like me and it helps to have reminders to pray for people, use the picture below by clicking on it, saving or copying it to your computer, print it out, and stick it on your fridge.