Getting ready

From Eric...
It wasn't that long ago that this seemed a long way off. Our family (Eric, Sue, Emily, Maggie, Carolyn, Rebekah, and Elijah) is 2 days away from our 3-month stay in Lima, Peru. I'll be working on a global health program idea that I hope to get going at Wabash College in the coming years -- a program that will enable students to be able to travel to Lima (and maybe other areas) to learn about many of the parasitic & infectious diseases which afflict a large proportion of the world's population. I hope to work with university and NGOs and will get to travel to a couple of different regions of Peru, including rainforest and mountain zones. I’ll be working on my Spanish skills (which are currently “limited”), as well.

In Lima we’ll be living in a district known as Miraflores. It’s a very nice section of the city with scattered parks or green spaces, shops, etc. We have a 3 bedroom apartment about 2 blocks from a nice park, and from the park there is a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. We’ll be within walking distance of most of what we need in terms of stores, church, etc. – with “walking distance” being defined by Sue and me, not the kids! We will not have a car while we’re there as driving in Lima is a bit crazy, so we’ll get around on foot, by taxi, and maybe even one of the other types of public transportation at some point.

From Sue...
We are beginning to assemble clothes and books, continuing to make transportation arrangements and saying goodbye to friends. We have been overwhelmed with the huge amount of support we have received from friends and family. So many folks have prayed with us and are committed to praying for us as we head to Peru. One of my favorite encouragements is when a friend told us that God will be bigger when we return. Isn’t that cool?! I am praying that this will be a time of great growth spiritually for our family. We are all venturing WAY out of our comfort zone on this one, but we are trying to trust in the Lord and remember His promises. I really wish one of those promises was on-time flights!!
HaHa or as they say in Peru-jaja!