waiting for inspiration

Yes, that is MY excuse for waiting a whole week to make a journal entry-not sure a/b Jeff's deal. I do believe that he promised one a while back and never delivered. So, I do hope to write every day in order to avoid this situation- feeling overwhelmed with what to type about.

First of all, thank you for prayers and concern for my fever virus and Jeff's back. I have been well for while and Jeff's back is doing much better. The mattress was crucial, along with daily P.T. and a hot tub all last week. He is actually getting a massage right now.

Kate, Hall, and Ellie seem to be enjoying themselves. Though they would choose to never return to their school here, they seem to have fun while there. They are somewhat famous -being the only white, blonde-hair and blue- eyed children there. Ellie is the star of the town. Everywhere we go women and children look @ her and smile @ her and just reach out and hug her. Others enjoy Kate and Hall a lot, too!

Jeff is enjoying his job as English Professor. His classes were so fond of him that they requested him for next semester(this first semester ends Wed. and the 2nd one begins next Monday). He uses stories from the Bible as a tool to teach English and to teach the Gospel. He has had a very captive audience in one class in particular. I attend SALI for tutoring on M-W-F and the little peeps start tutoring together T-TH this week.

We have continued getting to know and enjoy the different families living here. They have been so supportive and helpful and kind toward us. There are 3 churches we can choose from each Sun. a.m. It is difficult for me and the children b/c the whole service is in Spanish. Jeff can comprehend quite a bit during the liturgy and songs, but the sermon is tricky. We sang Is. 43 and Create in Me a Clean Heart and I was able to engage some in the worship. I really enjoyed last night @ the Eby's house. They have the interns over every Sun. pm for a great dinner and Bible study. Josh taught on Jonah ch. 1 and I learned new lessons from a story we've all heard hundreds of times-I love when that happens.

Because Jeff is done on Wed. until Mon. we planned our summer excursion to visit a city called Arequipa. We had to purchase plane tickets on Sat. but we still have yet to book hotels. The highlight of the trip should be our 2-night stay in Colca canyon-near Arequipa. It is the deepest canyon in the world, I believe, and has a lot of greenery(which we don't see much of here)

We were supposed to visit the orphanage on Sun. w/ 2 other families, but were not allowed to b/c someone had to be there to supervise us-the visitors-and they weren't there. Hopefully we can go the next weekend, though.

Do you mind praying for us on our big trip w/ no other support people traveling w/ us. It's just the Barry family setting out on a big adventure. That we would be healthy and safe and take in the experience and worship God in each vista, each meal, each person we see and talk w/.......

Much Love and appreciation from each of us, Amy