I'm back

Hello everyone,

It's been a long time... and things have been busy. My work in Peru along with planning a wedding and a long distance relationship have taken their toll on my communication with other,

Peru has been a great experience for me, I learned so much there about pereserverance in the faith and what going "without " means for Peruvians as opposed to Americans. I spent some wonderful times with my students. They described me as strict and were afraid they couldn't joke with me but later found that, although I am an exigent teacher, they can still have fun with me.

My plans have changed a bit from when I last talked to you. I came back to the states a 6 weeks early and I am spending it here in Philadelphia with Joshua, planning the wedding and looking for jobs. Philadelphia weather has been a little back and forth but mostly short-sleeve weather so that makes me happy though my peruvian tan is slowly fading away. I am doing fine being here especially because Joshua is in my imediate presence. We are having a great time registering and looking at the Apartment therapy website to decorate our new apartment. I am staying with his friend Tanner and wife Hannah who are great Christian influences.

Let me tell you these past two years have been a worldwind for me, but I am very happy for where God has lead me. In Peru I met some of the most caring people you could ever meet. I had meals with people who lived in houses with thatched rooves and dirt floors who loved and trusted the Lord more than I could even imagine. Two ladies in particular fro my church became very dear to my heart along with their daughters whom I saw often while helping out with the youth group and teaching Sunday school. Also my Peruvian mom Noemi has inspired me in so many ways. She taught me Spanish 5 days a week and her husband is the Pastor of my church there. I ate countless meals with them and I shared with her all my struggles as we did more bible study, prayer and counseling during our lessons than reading , writing and grammar. I cried when I had to leave them.

But then I came back and seeing Joshua has been so wonderful and real. Life seems more normal when we aren't Skyping every day for 2 hours. I had begun to think I lived in a digital world. It was one of the toughest things relationally I can think of.

I am really enjoying envisioning my life here. My neighboorhood is a very quaint one on the edge of the city with all the conveniences such as the Train and bus system but quiet and within walking distance to a small town downtown area with a cheeseshop, wineshop, Coffee company that roasts their own espresso beans. The trees are flowering so everywhere you see all the springs greens, whites and pinks of the trees not to mention the rainbow of flowers and azaleas on the lawns.

Joshua has been such a provider and spiritual leader through all this. He's been through alot to himself to save money and find the right job. He has gone through 2 jobs already currently has 2 jobs and will start a year long contract with a Non-profit organization teaching Abstinence Education in late June. We spend mornings and evenings together trying to pull our plans together and resting after the last 3 months with little sleep. I have been cooking a lot especially since its basically our entertainment. We are on a tight budget!

We can look at the cheese but rarely buy....hehehe.

I hope all is well,

Katie

Announcement

I have an announcement to make....

I'm Engaged!

I'd like to introduce you to my Fiance Joshua Burdette. (That's him up there!)

Joshua is from South Carolina and came to Peru in August 2006 to do missions before seminary. He originally intended to stay 10 months but providentially decided to stay 7 months longer. We met on his birthday (he's only ten days younger then me) and became friends. He took an interest in learning French so when we found the time during our busy schedules teaching at SALI we would do lessons and conversation.

The interns are very tight we were all living in the same building working together, and doing ministry together. Joshua and I seems to gravitate toward one another more than I had with any of the other interns. We had such similar interests, views and life goals. With each conversation I found myself thinking "Huh, you too?". With much thought prayer and counsel we began dating.

We both desire to enter into a covenant marriage centered on Christ, serving one another in the way that God has called. We are committed to laying down our individual desires to serve God and one another more than ourselves. We have tried to absorb what marriage really mean through pre-marital counseling with Pastors and their wives whom we trust to teach us the word and how that will apply in our marriage. Understanding the deep commitment we have to one another, becoming sanctified together as an offering of sacrifice to the Lord, and using that as a model in how we serve others, we have been freed to love one another in a deeper way administering all the grace and mercy Christ has for us.

We were engaged on New Year's Eve 2007 and we will marry in July 2008. Joshua is in Philadelphia to work until he starts Seminary at Westminister in the fall. I will remain in Peru until May to finish my work here. Please pray for us during this time of distance.

My work in Peru has been very fruitful as of late. I have committed to working with the youth group at my church in Arevalo counseling the teen girls and visiting their parents many of them non-christians. I have made many friends with my students and juggle my time helping them with their English and getting to know each other. I am also getting back into French I have several conversation partners and I hope to take a certification exam to help me teach.

I hope all is well wiand I am praying for each and every one of you.

-Katie

Remember September

Visit my web albums: http://picasaweb.google.com/catherinegaylor

Family and friends, whom I dearly miss,

Today I am writing you with a 3 week old cough for which I have been searching numerous homeopathic remedies, luckily for me hot chili peppers is one of them and I eat aji, a hot pepper sauce almost daily. I will also be buying ginger and using the local honey I bought that is packaged in a Pisco bottle, with bees and all still floating in it. It’s rustic- I like it.

That brings me to how I obtained the honey. Last weekend my friend Joshua and I went to Herma Linda market. This place was amazing. They sold just about everything there plus some. Peru contains one of the richest varieties of produce- over 200 varieties of potato, and countless varieties of banana and avocado. One section of the market is just a large dirt road with organic plant matter attracting flies while others are tents with produce such as onions beautifully presented in pyramids, or peeled garlic over powering the other more offensive smells. We successfully bargained and obtained a modest charcoal grill for about $8, beautiful exotic fuchsia and orange gladiolas. I’d like to share some highlights from this past month:

I went to a Peruvian wedding which was very fun. Not too different from American weddings except the size of the wedding party included about 12 bridesmaids and groomsmen and 3 flower girls. They also have Godparents that help pay for the event and host it. They have godparents for many events too apparently. Another thing is you can’t even escape the games when there are 50+ people. For one of them we had to stand up when they said Jerusalem and sit down when they said Zion. Another had all the married couples stand and kiss each other in front of everybody to see which couple was the most passionate. It was of course the couple of 43 years who were basically making out in front of everyone. Also the bouquet toss is not a toss at all. The bride is blindfolded and spun then you shout directions to her so she can find you. I tend to think my voice and accent stuck out to her in the crowd as she chose me! There was not much dancing only for the wedding party and only a shot glass size of wine as the Evangelical churches in Peru try to remain conservative. I had quite the conversation with the pastor about how this is changing and they are pushing away from legalism toward balance and enjoying weddings as they were enjoyed in the Bible.

Another fun event was the SALI scavenger hunt. We were sent all over town to complete hilarious tasks including: playing a game of 3 on 3 with strangers, performing in the streets for money-I sang “Perhaps, Perhaps, perhaps” in Spanish while 2 of my students danced (we got more than double the required amount thank you). We all tried on the same red sweater at the market. One man had to race another to eat a monstrous burger called the Matahambre: the hunger killer. It was a riot and a good way to experience Trujillo.

This past Saturday we had and old fashioned dance where we did the Virginia Reel, the Waltz, The Gay Gordon, and Posties. We have been practicing for a month but we had enough people who did not come to practice that the dances were pretty rough especially the circle dance people were falling on each other and bumping into one

another, steeping on shoes. One thing I failed to mention from the dance is Peruvians dress up prom style from various events such as weddings, dances, quincineras etc. We Americans feel quite awkward at times since we did not bring these items. But we try.

Please pray for the brand new choir at Arevalo and Noemi’s (my Spanish teacher and pastor’s wife) health as she has some tests done on a tumor. I will be helping develop the music and I am trying to minister to my students of different faiths. Please pray for me as I study the Book of Mormon and discuss my faith with my students and their Elders.

I miss you all so much and look forward to seeing some at Christmas.

Love,

Katie

The Good Life

Hi there everyone. I have gotten several requests to write on my blog and I suppose it is about time to post again. We’ll let’s see…

The weather is changing and I have been to the beach 2 times this month in Huanchaco. I’ll post pictures tomorrow. These times are wonderful to get out of the city and away from air and noise pollution to enjoy the wonder of God’s creation. The Sun makes me happy. Two summers in one year makes me happy too!

We’ve moved into our new house which is awesome. Moving in was interesting to say the least. We had one pickup truck with a rack over the cab. We had to move 11 beds, a sofa, loveseat, armchair, 3 dressers, 3 sideboards and various items accumulated over the past three years. All of these items however, were scattered between twos houses and Larco Church. We actually foisted all of the simple metal frame beds up through the balcony of the 3^rd floor using a mere extension cord. But the icing on the cake was lifting the sofa in the same manner. After 3 trips with the truck and cabs we were done. Luckily everyone helped and surprisingly we were finished moving in just in time to eat lunch with Noemi our Spanish teacher and the wife of Arevalo’s pastor. My room is large with parquet floors. Amanda is still my roomy. A little about my apartment…

We have green walls and have decorated with various scarves and shawls I have as well as maps and a calendar from Amanda’s time in Seville, Spain. Our room overlooks a beautiful park.

[Picture here]

Our kitchen is just about finished and soon the smell of polyurethane will fade with the smells of home cooking. We are really feeling like a family with the interns (3 guys, 5 girls) and two Peruvians Loida (who owns our apartment along with her parents) and Rebeca her sister who lives downstairs. Loida and Rebeca also teach English at SALI We gather in the living room for tea, movies, fellowship and most importantly we have begun “family’ devotions. We read Samuel II in the morning and Corinthians I in the evening it’s a great way to start and end each day.

This month has been much easier for me emotionally as I am becoming more efficient doing my job and am able to do things I enjoy for my ministry here. Forming a family away from home has been a good place to start. Having a good foundation at home and work really inspires you to branch out to reach your students and get involved with your church.

With my students I have begun reading a scripture each class period which has opened doors to discuss my faith. I have also worked conversation appointments into their grade which gives me one on one time with each and every student. I have been glad to answer questions about my faith during class especially today. We were doing interviews and the students decided to turn on me and put me in the hot seat. They are interested in missions and what I am doing here outside of the classroom.

My most treasured time of the week is on Friday. This is when I go to Arevalo, a suburb 20 minutes from here. I also go to church here. I teach the ladies to cook international dishes as we learn songs and study the Bible. For a while I was the only gringa (white girl) there. But Allen Smith has returned so I don’t feel alone. It a very interesting experience. Imagine cramming 30 people into the living room of your normal 4 bedroom house. Then imagine 20 5ft tall Peruvians under your armpits until you can’t move. Trying to understand what you are saying trying to help. Everybody has an interpretation of what I am trying to ask for. Here’s how I sound:

“I need the, the thing you boil water in, and the thing you fry things in, please chop the zucchini but don’t peel it. What’s that pan you use in the oven, the flat one I need that to put at the bottom of the oven so the shish kebabs don’t drip everywhere…etc.”

Arevalo is brand new and growing.

Please pray for them:

• Give thanks for the growth there. Pray that men especially husbands come. People are bringing their daughters, sisters, neighbors and friends to the Women’s League, it’s a regular Friday afternoon party.
• Give thank for Kids who are bringing friends to Sunday school. Pray that these new kids bring their families.
• For Pastor Eduardo his wife Noemi and their boys Juan, Alfredo and Benjamin. For Pablo Quiroz who leads worship and Youth and for Associate Pastor Percy Padilla
• For leaders and teachers. We are forming a choir soon and need people to lead song. There are so many children on Sunday that Amanda, Noemi and I are overwhelmed, we need help.
• For classrooms to be finished
• Associate Pastor Percy who is ill.
• Ask the lord for the people of the neighborhood to congregate in the Church

Believe it or not they pray for you too. It appears in the bulletin each week!

Pics

Eating Tamales

Lenny and Ludwigs Indian Folklorica Music at Church

Girl's Bible study and French toast- Thanks Gillian

Oscar, Ludwig and Sydney

Cheese

Still up to my old tricks

Amanda and Michelle

Heather and Caleb

Heather and I

Hi everyone.

It’s hard to know what to say. Time has been flying by so fast. I have been very stressed out at times, and very emotional. You never quite feel like you are good at anything when you first start a new job and speak a new language. You can’t find your identity in what you do either. The only thing I HAVE been able to take pleasure in is cooking for my fellow interns. Cooking to me makes anywhere feel like home. It’s hard to feel settled in when you are eating out all the time or eating sandwiches. Everyone enjoys it and that makes me happy. Food has been quite a comfort. We have the opportunity to cook desserts for our Mission lunches on Sundays and my roomie Gilian cooked us a big French toast and bacon breakfast on Saturday before our girls bible study.

More about cooking… I have joined a women’s league at the church in Arevalo. My Spanish teacher is the wife of the Pastor there. Her son Juan is also one of my star advanced students. He is a wiz at English at the early age of 15. SO after class on Friday he accompanies me to his home in Arevalo- a 30 minute collective ride from here. These are inexpensive shared taxis- kinda gross sometimes but to cheap to pass up. Any time after dark I must take a taxi. I taught the women’s league how to make Eggplant Parmesan last week and this week will be Mexican Chicken Enchiladas. The ladies are very excited. I also started my first Sunday as a new member at Arevalo. Our parish church is Larco but I feel my heart is in Arevalo. I am helping my other roomie Amanda teach children’s Sunday school. The children are a big draw for the church as it is a new church and under construction. We went from 21 children to 30 children this week.

Classes have been a lot smoother. I had a rough first 2 weeks. I spent most days just struggling to day everyday things, but I found it would take so much longer. Mind you the water doesn’t work around here sometimes and little things you take for granted take much more preparation. I have a schedule going now…

I get up at 6am and get ready, then walk 20 minutes to work. My first class is at 7:30 and my second class ends at 10:30. I eat breakfast then- hard boiled egg, and a piece of fruit or a pastry. Then I take private Spanish lessons for an hour with Noemi. We are reading a Horse and His Boy in Spanish among other things that we’re doing. I plan for my last class until lunch at 1pm when Rosita our cook serves lunch at SALI and all the interns eat together. Great fellowship. It was sunny yesterday so we pulled the table outside and ate in the courtyard.

Some of out weekend activities include: Reformed University Fellowship at SALI on Fridays nights, with a short sermon and group discussion.

Saturday at some point we have the girls Bible study on How People Change. This week we talked about Jeremiah 17 comparing the shrub in the desert and the tree planted by the river.

17:5 Thus says the LORD, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the LORD.

17:6 For he will be like a bush in the desert And will not see when prosperity comes, But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, A land of salt without inhabitant.

17:7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD.

17:8 "For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.

Last Saturday our Peruvian friends Lenny, Ludwig and Jack invited us over for lunch. Of course Jack’s wife Tatiana, Lenny’s fiancée Janette, and Sonya cooked. Peruvian men don’t cook and clean much. We had lemon chicken, rice and a salad with beets, carrots, and broccoli. For dessert we had strawberries and sweet condensed milk.

Saturday night we showed a film in the courtyard projected onto a big screen. We showed “O Brother Where Art Thou” per the request of out resident southerner Joshua. It was really fun but kinda cold.

Coming up soon we will be moving into our new apartment. The girls will live on the fourth floor. We’ll have a washer and drier and a kitchen here. We’ll also have roof access, a good place to eat in the Spring. Moving will be relieving as many of the interns are scattered about town. It will simplify things- especially since we’ll be closer to work. We can actually run home, rather than stay at the office all day!

Our first cycle ends next Wednesday so after grades are in we will move, then I hope to go to Arevalo and help paint or do whatever they’ll have me do to further their construction efforts. We also plan to spend a day in Huanchaco at the beach for an intern day retreat. I want to have seafood for the first time since I’ve been here. Hope for a warm day for us!

Please pray for …

The church at Arevalo. If you choose to donate extra money to the mission aside from my support please designate it to the clinic at Arevalo. This clinic will do wonders for the people of Arevalo. It may employ enough people and get enough people well to turn this ghetto around. This town needs healing. Children roam the streets not going to school, people are jobless and hopeless. Pray that they find hope.

Here is a peru mission letter on he people of Pisco, and Ica:
http://www.ymlp.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?perumission+39

Earthquake in Ica, Peru

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As many of you know, a massive 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck Peru Wednesday evening at 6:40pm, killing hundreds in the southern cities of Pisco and Ica. One church in Pisco collapsed during a memorial service, which alone has left an estimated 200 dead.

The quake thankfully did little damage in the capital city of Lima 90 miles away, a city of nearly 10 million where many more might have perished. The mission's own RUF pastor John Ferguson, with his wife Heather and their children Colton, Jason, Justin, Kevin and Miranda, and our SALI director Caleb Sutton, all happened to be in Lima at the time and experienced some of the panic that occurred there. In northern Peru where our mission works, we felt the tremor, but did not suffer any damage.

The people of Peru are responding to the disaster and sending aid to the affected regions. As a mission, we will also be sending aid through the local church and/or the National Evangelical Council of Peru, which has already taken steps to collect needed items. If you would like to give to our brothers and sisters in need, you may send your contributions to the following address:

Christian Missionary Society
Re: Earthquake Relief Fund
PO Box 53363
Knoxville, TN 37950-3363

We will pledge to use 100% of any contributions received by Thursday, August 23 toward buying emergency supplies for those left without water, electricity or shelter, and 100% of any contributions received afterward toward ongoing care of the victims of this natural disaster.

Thank you again for your prayers.

In His Grace,
the Peru Mission team

Care packages

My care package wishlist:

Glucosamine Chondroitin and Fish oil complex ( my joints get sore)
The Office DVD's any season.
GOOD COFFEE. It's hard to find here, and I need it with my job.
the list is growing.....