Arequipa Week 1

It has been an interesting day and week since we left the states last Thursday. It´s also begun to hit us that we haven´t "worked" (a 9-5 job) in 3 weeks. On the other hand, while learning Spanish is going pretty well for me (since I had many years of it in school), it's hard work for Alex because he has never had any schooling in it before. Since we have so little time, they (and we) want to cram in as much information as possible, but it is a bit overwhelming. We also take a 20 minute bus ride each way every day, another interesting experience in Peru in general, but sometimes it can be a little stressful. Everyone is crowded in so close, we rarely get seats, and it´s not always easy to know which stop is ours because everything sort of blends together still. I´m sure it will get easier each day though... Plus, I´ve also had some stomach issues the last 2 days, so hopefully that will go away soon too.

Today all the students and teachers at our school gathered and sang happy birthday to me in 4 languages. Then they promptly had me blow out a candle on a cake which was then partially smashed in my face (leaving enough of the cake to serve everyone, of course). That was funny; we wished we had had our camera, especially when I proceeded to give Alex a great big kiss with my cake-covered face! That was a cool birthday present...reminiscent of our wedding day and the groom´s cake!

To celebrate my birthday, we ate at Pizza Hut in a very nice American-style mall where I got a new watch (since I don´t have a cell phone to tell me what time it is anymore). This morning between classes, I also finished reading the first prequel of the "Left Behind" books, called "The Rising." I´m hoping that ...someone... might send along a late birthday present (with the November NCCM team) with the next 2 prequels, the only ones of the entire series that I haven´t read yet. :-) In the meantime, we are enjoying our free time, especially reading the Word, doing devotions together, and simply preparing our spirits for the time and efforts ahead. The home where we live has been a wonderful sanctuary, and we are so blessed and thankful that Allan and her family have opened their arms and embraced as their own. We are affectionately called "Hollycita" and "Alexcita."

Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings, especially on this, my 29th birthday, my first birthday outside of the US! (I smell 30 right around the corner!) Please keep praying for us! And we´ll do our best to keep you up to date once a week. As soon as we have internet service hooked up in our room, we will be online more often and will upload some pictures too.

For those of you who are ever interested in talking to us for FREE, sign up your computer for Skype (at http://www.skype.com/) for free, get a headset & microphone, and add hollyjcompton@gmail.com to your contacts. We´ll be waiting to hear from you!! We miss you all and hope to hear from you soon too.

Blessings,
Holly (& Alex)