Daniel's (new) bike

Daniel has a (new) bike in Peru. It's a little to big for him as it actually belongs to Sam, but he is having great fun riding it.

Having Fun

Language school starts tomorrow, and we are looking forward to really getting stuck in, as getting a good grasp of the language will be an important part of us really being part of the community here. It will also be good to develop a routine as a family. However, the last few days have been full of exploration and fun, and here are a few photos to show what we have been up to. We went to a cafe called Don Estaban recently. It is lovely and we treated ourselves to some cakes and the best alfajores that I have had in Peru! We also found a great park not far from the house. I loved it, as it was safe and well looked after, but wasn't quite as health and safety conscious as the UK (in the best possible sense!) Check out the slides (with ominous rainy season clouds in the background) and the beautiful backdrop of the mountains! The children had a lovely time here; I wanted to post a video of them on a trampoline but I can't upload it. Here's a pic of them instead:



After this, we went out with another family for chicken and chips. The restaurant had a big play area, and then it was church! There was no problem with getting them to sleep tonight. And yesterday, we went out with another family to a Peruvian restaurant. We thought we might be lonely this weekend, but feel well looked after and cared for. And rather full.

El puente

Our new church is called 'the bridge church' (iglesia el puente) and just around the corner from the church building is a footbridge over the main road in Cusco. When I don't fancy dodging the traffic, I walk over it to get to the supermarket. The views of the surrounding mountains make household chore much more enjoyable. I can't beleive I get to see this every day! I tried to take a couple of photos, but they aren't great, as I took them very quickly, thinking I looked a bit conspicuous taking pictures. Although it is beautiful there it was also very moving the other night to see a young girl on the bridge, maybe 7 or 8, very carefully and with great focus laying out the leaves that she was selling. She was all on her own. I know nothing of her story and have seen lots of children selling stuff, I think partly becasue it is the summer holidays here. But this girl on the bridge particularly moved me. I was frustrated as I felt powerless to do anything (very typical of me - always feelign like I need to do or solve soemthing); I couldn't even speak to her. This next part sounds like a big bucket of Christian cheese but I can only pray that our church - the bridge - can be there for her. If you pray, can I please ask that you pray for her?

Church and Christo Blanco

Amanda mentioned our trip to church in our last post, and here is a picture of the meal afterwards. Very nice!



On Tuesday we went on a trip to a statue called Christo Blanco with a family from the US. They are Scott, Megan, Rachel, Mark and Penny. This is a picture of Daniel and Rachel in front of the statue.



After the visit to the staue we spotted some Llamas being loaded in the back of a truck.



Finally we have a picture of Sophia in her sun hat (which we got from a massive market in Cusco), and her rain coat, the weather here can be just as changeable as in the UK.



If you want to see even more pictures, then look at the Facebook group 'the ropers' adventures in Peru'

Early Days in Cusco

It feels like a lot has happened in the last few days, and the airport arrival feels like a long time ago.



Here are the kids on the first night; Sophia is so exhausted that she is already asleep and Daniel is looking cosy.



Although it is summer and warm during the day, the nights still feel cold and it is important to wrap up, especially whil we get used to it. I normally have about 4 layers on in the evening, although Neil sits there in just a t-shirt! Altitude sickness is ok so far, still trying to take our time and drink lots. Sometimes I feel breathless when I forget and jog up the stairs, but other than that, it is ok.

On Sunday, we went into the centre of Cusco. It is so hard to describe what it is like to finally be here after so long of reading, thinking and praying about it, as well as intently studying other people's blog. Plaza de Armas is stunning.



We then had lunch in a decidely average cafe, overlooking a beautiful square. We felt (and looked!) like tourists, which is fine at this point, but hopefully this will not be so obvious at some point, perhaps when we can say more than a few words of Spanish! I have already lost count of the number of people that have stopped to comment on how beautiful the childern are. It is a good job Sophia wears a sun hat, as her blonde curls attract even more attention!

We also went to Iglesia el Puente - our church. We may have looked very English and reserved there, but in fact, I felt overwhelmed to finally be at our church, the community where we will hopefully serve, be served, laugh, cry, learn and worship together. We were made very welcome and had lots of food afterwards to celebrate!

Yesterday, we visited our language school, and we start on Monday, not a day too soon! And this morning we visited Daniel's new pre-school, Ausangate. It looks amazing and he is very excited as we have registered him for a week of summer school. We are currently waiting to go to a market, which I am looking forward to. It is so hard to describe the different sights and sounds that we are experiencing. Although it can be frustrating to know so little and feel so helpless, it is also a real gift to look at the world through fresh, child-like eyes. It is a lesson in humility too; God must know what he is doing.

we're here!

We are here in Cusco and so excited to be here. We are staying at the Williamsons' house, which is great - the kids have got a playroom and a garden, and it feels very good to unpack the cases. I had visions of all that we would do when we arrived in Cusco, having a look around and acclimatising to the altitude being the top priorities, taking pictures of everything along the way. But life as a missionary family is always a bit different. The children were quite tored yesterday, and Sophia was particularly clingy - and lost her appetite - not like her at all! We finally managed to make it out to the Supermarket, walking across a road bridge which gave us stunning views of the mountains, including Ausangate. We got to there, only to discover Sophia had been sick! It seems plane travel and plane food are not a good combination for her, as she did the same thing at Miami. She was a bit unsettled during the night and Daniel has been awake since 4 - something. So resting up isn't going too well either, and there wasn't relaly opportunity for photos (to be honest, you may not have wanted close ups of everything from the last 24 hours!) Will post the few photos we have later and hopefully will get to see a bit more Cusco later. We will take it easy, though, as we have lots of time to explore and meet people. After many months of hoping and praying about Cusco and our life here, it is just wonderful to be here, even though I am shattered! Please pray for us as we adjust to all that is happening.

Preaching

On Wednesday evening I preached at a church in Lima with an interpreter. It was an interesting experience, especially as I was referred to as an 'international speaker'! (A somewhat grand title for someone who doesn't preach very often) Have to say I'm looking forward to being able to speak in Spanish.

The Ropers hit the beach!

After a frustrating day of chasing paperwork and waiting around, we didn't get our id cards today, although we are hopeful that this time tomorrow we can post pics of us with our cards and report that we have flights booked to Cusco!

We had happier times yesterday, when we went to the beach.



There were lots of steps down and undoubtedly more steps on our return, but we made it! It isn't really a beach for paddling, and there were loads of surfers, but we decided to get our feet wet. Sadly, a big wave came and splashed us - the picture doesn't do it justice, but I was pretty soaked, mainly as Neil and Daniel ran off when the first wave hit and I was trying to get out with Sophia when a huge wave got me (this may not be a totally accurate portrayal of events, but you get my drift.)



Later that day, we found a music shop... trust Daniel to find the drums! He looks a bit awkward as he was itching to play them, but we said no.



We had lots of fun, but we are keen to get to Cusco and see our new home. We are already getting frustrated with our lack of Spanish, so please pray that we will have more patience with ourselves.

A City of Contrasts

We hit the ground running in Lima. We landed at 530am, after me and Neil having had 2 or 3 hours sleep across the whole journey. After showers and brekkie (bless Margaret for buying in some Kelloggs, especially now we have seen the cost!) We then headed out and tackled immigration and Interpol, a busy first morning, but it means that our paper work has all been submitted and we are waiting to see if we get our resident's cards. In the last few days (it feels like a month), we have started to explore Miraflores and been out on our own, trying to make ourselves understood in cafes and at the park! In training, we were told that we would feel like we were infants and totally dependent when we first arrived, and I resonate with that, and I am grateful for Margaret's patience and understanding!

Today was just crazy and I am attempting to process it. We started off by wandering around the perimeter of Huaca Puclanna, a pre-Inca ruin that we can see from Margaret's apartment. Daniel is amazed by the cacti that are here - they are pretty big.



And here he is checking out a local rock, looking ‘very cool’ as he keeps telling us.




We then caught our first sight of llamas in Lima.



And, finally, I saw this and it was the perfect moment for a photo!



After this, Margaret took us to a church that she was visiting, followed by her church. The car journey revealed the poverty that many people in Lima live in. There were lots of rubble and half finished buildings, as well as views of the buildings and shacks built precariously onto the side of the hills and dunes surrounding Lima. It still seems unbelievable that people live there. And then, we were in church and it was wonderful to be worshipping our Almighty God, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, and the same in the UK and Lima, alongside other believers. We were warmly welcomed in both churches, and then it was back in the car. This is an experience in itself as driving in Lima is absolute madness. I have no idea how Margaret dares to do it, and I believe that the gift of safe driving is a gift of the Spirit that Paul forgot to include.

To complete our day of contrasts, we went to Larcomar for lunch, complete with Pizza Hut, KFC and TGIs (and very yummy ice creams). My head is totally jumbled up. It is a city of contrasts; the view below is from our bedroom and you can see houses with corrugated iron roofs next to expensive apartments. If you look carefully on the right hand side, there is a window with a very expensive child’s car in it. It is hard to comprehend it all, but we trust that God has called us here and know he loves everyone here, from those in the expensive apartments, to the families living in the shanty towns. I pray that God gives us ways to demonstrate this love.

Our journey to Lima

We finally arrived at Margaret's house (our host) at about 7.30am on Thursday, having started our journey at my parents house on Wednesday at 10am.
Although we arrived by 7.30 local time, that is actually 12.30 UK time, a total travel of over 26 hours, very foolish with two small children.

We left Enfield on the Church minibus at 10 on Wednesday, with Craig, Ruth and Janine, and we arrived at Heathrow just after 11!

We then checked in luggage, bolted down some lunch and said some very emotional goodbyes (lots of tears, my parents and sister Eve and her baby Megan were also at the airport at this point)

Once we were through security, and Amanda had been chosen for special attention, we were ushered onto the plane for take off!

The highlights of the flight for the children was the meal and the TV screen, Sophia has now started asking to watch TV!


Getting off the flight to Miami was a bit difficult as Sophia had just fallen asleep, and so as Amanda was struggling of with the kids. I brought out some luggage and was going back for the last bits when I was informed that I couldn't go back on the plane. We then had to ask the cabin staff to go and get it for us, and even then forgot the nappy bag, which was retrieved for us while we were waiting to get through customs, quite an adventure.


Sophia remained asleep while Daniel tried on hats at the toy shop opposite. All was well until Amanda noticed that Sophia had been sick. Oh joy!
We then went through Security at Miami airport and tried to get the kids to sleep at the departure gate. Daniel did eventually go to sleep, UK time 3am!

The flight to Lima was fairly uneventful (we even got some sleep)and all our luggage came out at the other end, including the hand luggage which was taken from us and put in the hold as we got on the plane.

This is a picture of Amanda and the kids at Lima Airport.


And then we made it safely back to Margaret's house, a shower and some breakfast.

Commissioning

Today we had our commissioning service at Enfield Baptist Church followed by a meal and drinks at The Cricketers Pub. It was a great service and a fantastic time afterwards with friends and family. Loads of people came to see us and there were even some of the children's friends there. Next stop Peru (via a bit more packing!).

Happy new year and new beginnings

Feliz ano nuevo! I am sitting here surrounded by cases, but packing appears to be under control (famous last words...!) We have our visas, we are fully immunised, I have bought lots of Clarks shoes for the kids in the sale and I haven't panic-bought too much stuff. We are nearly ready and very excited (and slightly freaked out.) CHristmas has been a great time to see friends and family, as well as continue with our preparations, but the new year has signalled our new beginning and we are looking forward to what God has in store for us and those we encounter. If you pray, please remember us on Wednesday as I sometimes get a bit anxious about flights and it is a big one with 2 small children. And pray for health - me and the kids were ill before Christmas and we are fine now, although Neil is a bit run down.

And if you are in Enfield, we are being prayed for tomorrow at Enfield Baptist Church. Later in the afternoon from 3, we are going to be at the Cricketers pub if you want to pop in and say bye.

I pray that you know God's great love in 2011. This is probably the last post before we fly, so the next time I post, we will be in Peru!!