Living with what I need

Here in Peru, I have learned how fortune and blessed we are in America! Many things we take advantage of, like clean water are not available to these amazing people! However, even those here with nothing, find happiness in everything!
I came to Peru with only what would fit in my suitcase and backpack. And while here I live out of my suitcase! This has been a humbling experience,  I left a room full of everything I think I need back at home and living now with just my necessities! And still I have more here than many Peruvians have!
It gives me a greater desire everyday to help change lives!

Aldea!

Yesterday we went to the orphanage, just to tour and meet the children! It's surprisingly nice and super cute and colorful! The children are precious! We spent most of our time with the preschool children, who were so loving and had the biggest smiles! The orphanage has some great leaders!
The orphanage does lack on money and has asked us to help them start a bakery! So I will be setting up meetings and getting a volunteer Baker to come in once a week and bake with the older children and then help them set up a system to sale it! Hopefully we will have baking lessons here in the next two weeks and we can get this project rolling!
there are only a few older kids and they are excited to have a program that is more on their level!

Peruvian life!

I tried posting this before, but it never worked! I am loving life here in Peru, the culture is so fascinating and wonderful!
It has only been a week here and yet I feel like I've already learned so much and met some amazing people!
I live in a house with eleven other people and they are so kind and loving! We live above Mary Carmen's store, she is our landlord and is one of us! She also has the cutest kids that give the best hugs! They are going to get me speaking Spanish by the end of this experience!
I will try to catch up and do better at blogging!

The Peruvian way!

I love the little quirks of living in another country! I love keeping track of them, so here is the beginning!
1. Napkins only come in one ply! It's a joyful occasion when you get an actual real napkin!
2. If it's hot the men just lift up their shirts, I think rubbing the belly helps!
3. There are vans 'combis' that drive around everywhere with a man hanging out the window yelling where their destinations are!
4. No flushing toilet paper down the toilet!
5. There are stray dogs everywhere! Some are beautiful, others not so much! It's hard not to pet them!
6. Shower heads are right above the toilets, wonderful idea! Just sit and shower! :)
This is my list for now! :) I love it here and all the experiences I'm having!

Piura, Peru!

This is where I am headed in TWO DAYS! :) 

So Excited for this opportunity to make a difference!

Check out this link with a description of one of the projects I will be working on this summer!!

Peru Orphanage