So yesterday we celebrated Heather and Calin's wedding!!! Heather is one of my first friends from Peru and she is just amazing. She is married to Calin, who is also one of my first friends here. They are both amazing people and i just think they are great. Heather is American and Calin is Peruvian so the wedding was a new experience for everyone there Americans and Peruvians alike. The whole wedding was bi-lingual and i thought it was just really neat. Like any normal peruvian wedding, it started late (although it was only about an hour late- in comparison to most peruvian weddings which start about 2-3 hours late) I had the great honor of playing the violin in the wedding (something I only do for very special people like heather and calin) we played somewhere over the rainbow as they walked down the aisle and it was really fun! Heather looked gorgeous and Calin was all smiles all day long. It really was the most beautiful wedding ceremony i have every been to and it was great to be able to celebrate with them.
The ceremony ended and then came the party!!! And like all weddings, the time came for heather to throw the bouquet (although, instead of doing it at the end of the reception it came really early on). So I, being the single woman that i am, did what every other single girl did and went to catch the bouquet. I stood in the front, not because i wanted to catch the bouquet, but because i had faith that Heather could throw the bouquet far! So the time came.... she threw the bouquet and it floated directly into my hands.....and i thought..... "Oh man, what have i gotten myself into???" i was in front of more than 200 guest and completely embarrassed (Thanks a lot Heather!) oh but the embarrassment had just begun. As i went back to my table i received tons of congrats. Then i was time for the single guys... I am still not sure what they did because they didn't throw the garter like we do in the US. Calin was blindfolded and the guys stood in a circle around him and somehow a guy was chosen and given the rose. It was very entertaining. Well once the guy was chosen i was summoned to the front of the room where i was then told to give a SPEECH!!oh man..... i am not good and giving speeches when i am prepared, but then i had to give one on the spot (just because i caught the bouquet- the maid of honor didn't even have to give a speech). It wasn't the best speech ever, but i did it. So finally i felt like it was over....but no- only wishful thinking. Next came the biggest fear of my life (well not really, but kinda) I was told i had to dance with the guy that got the rose from Calin. "WHAT!!!!! YOU'RE KIDDING ME!!!" that was going through my mind...... "ALL I DID WAS CATCH SOME FLOWERS" ..... well i did my duty as the bouquet catcher and danced. I danced with Oscar and i believe he was equally embarrassed but we made it. It was embarrassing but all in all it was actually pretty ironic and funny- and definitely something i will never forget. The rest of the day i was congratulated (and even today in church at least 5 people mentioned it again- it's apparently a bigger deal than i thought to catch the bouquet). well after that trying time in my life i quickly got over it and danced for the next 4-5 hours!! I WILL have dancing at my wedding and possibly play Peruvian music b/c it is the funnest to dance to. Much thanks to Heather and Calin for getting married- it was a great day (and it really was the entire day- i arrived at 11 am and left at 8 pm!!) I am looking forward to many more Peruvian weddings!!
here is a like to pictures from the wonderful event: http://www.facebook.com/patty.kinsey?ref=profile#/album.php?aid=2013463&id=136700165&ref=mf
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Quiero ir al cielo....
"Yo no quiero ir a la luna
Yo no quiero ir al sol
Quiero ir al cielo
porque es allí donde Jesús es
Yo quiero vivir con Jesús
Quiero ir al cielo"
since i have been working at the clinic we have been visiting a patient in his home pretty regularly. Agnes, Terri, and I try to visit him as often as possible, and at the very least one of us will visit him in his home during the week. He is an elderly man who has a host of medical problems but he always so thankful to see us and is in high spirits despite his problems. I went to visit him this week for the first time in a while, and as always I was greeted by his loving smile and joyful attitude. He is a believer, and as we were talking he began saying what is written above.....it translates: I don't want to go to the moon, I don't want to go to the sun, I want to go to Heaven because that is where Jesus is, I want to live with Jesus, I want to go to Heaven.
Yo no quiero ir al sol
Quiero ir al cielo
porque es allí donde Jesús es
Yo quiero vivir con Jesús
Quiero ir al cielo"
since i have been working at the clinic we have been visiting a patient in his home pretty regularly. Agnes, Terri, and I try to visit him as often as possible, and at the very least one of us will visit him in his home during the week. He is an elderly man who has a host of medical problems but he always so thankful to see us and is in high spirits despite his problems. I went to visit him this week for the first time in a while, and as always I was greeted by his loving smile and joyful attitude. He is a believer, and as we were talking he began saying what is written above.....it translates: I don't want to go to the moon, I don't want to go to the sun, I want to go to Heaven because that is where Jesus is, I want to live with Jesus, I want to go to Heaven.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Give Thanks
Today I feel very thankful. I know that many days slip by and I don't take the time to think about how much I have, but for some reason today is different....... the blessings i have are uncountable. I am constantly amazed by Grace and I truly am "better than I deserve" because of Grace! Thank you Lord for forgiving my sins, making me your child, and choosing to use me!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Acts 20:24
Working in the clinic has been amazing and i am so blessed to be able to serve there! The clinic in wichanzao is an amazing ministry of Peru Mission. Wichanzao is one of the poorest areas of trujillo with an average monthly income of around $100 month (for a family of 6 or more) and is a place that desperately needs compassion and mercy. Jesus often preached the gospel in the context of acts of compassion- and we have the incredible opportunity to show compassion to a place much in need of it. So we seek to do what Christ taught us- We help the helpless and visit those in need. Our clinic serves the community and it is very inexpensive and we never turn anyone away because they don't have the money. Since working in the clinic i have had the amazing opportunity to visit and care for an elderly man- Sr. Leon. He has no income and live by the goodwill of others and often begs in the market by his home. He came to clinic right before i arrived in Peru and was sent to the hospital because he was very sick. When he returned home we were visiting him daily and changing and bathing him and checking his glucose. And we have seen him get stronger and stronger. Recently we have gone to visit him and found him across the street in the market- since he has regained some strength he goes their often. It is always a joy to visit with him. He is encouraged by our visits and I am encouraged by him. I went to visit him today and he wasn't home and we couldn't find him in the market, so he has been on my mind a lot today. Hopefully he will be home tomorrow and we can have a good visit!
Today was a hard day for me.The urgency of the gospel was made real to me in many different ways, and i was really convicted. How much am i really doing to spread the gospel and advance God's kingdom? Am i taking every opportunity and using it for the glory of God and the building of his kingdom? I often find myself so wrapped up in my own needs that i forget the needs of others- i find that i serve myself much more than i serve others. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Acts 20:24 " But i do not account my life of any value or as precious to myself. If only i might finish the course and the ministry i received from the Lord Jesus Christ, to testify to the Gospel of the Grace of God." I pray this verse for myself almost daily. I pray that i would live each day in light of grace and testify to "the Gospel of the Grace of God".
Today was a hard day for me.The urgency of the gospel was made real to me in many different ways, and i was really convicted. How much am i really doing to spread the gospel and advance God's kingdom? Am i taking every opportunity and using it for the glory of God and the building of his kingdom? I often find myself so wrapped up in my own needs that i forget the needs of others- i find that i serve myself much more than i serve others. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Acts 20:24 " But i do not account my life of any value or as precious to myself. If only i might finish the course and the ministry i received from the Lord Jesus Christ, to testify to the Gospel of the Grace of God." I pray this verse for myself almost daily. I pray that i would live each day in light of grace and testify to "the Gospel of the Grace of God".
Monday, September 28, 2009
Back to PERU
*Disclaimer*
Well i have been back in Peru for almost two weeks now and i have finally started a blog! don't get too excited..... the only thing i can promise about this blog is..... well actually i can't promise anything :) I definitely can't promise inspiration or entertainment, i can't even promise i will update it again this year (sorry). But to the few, if any, that read this you should just be proud of this post! I don't want to disappoint, therefore i must be honest up front about the fact that i am not a writer and this is not my personality at all. So there you have it.....
*Disclaimer*
Well now on to actually updating on my life. I'm back in Peru and am very happy to be here. But i must say that returning was a lot different than i expected. I guess i expected everything to be the same, just the way i left it..... and it wasn't..... but i have adjusted and come to the realization that yes things have changed,but change is not always bad. Change is important.... it challenges me and i need to be challenged in order to grow. And anyways, the things that made me love Peru are the same. Here are just a few: #1) The people are the same..... loving, accepting, and sooo much fun! #2) the pace is the same....... laid back and relaxed, there is no exhausting feeling of urgency here. #3) Peru Mission is the same...... there is a great group of people here who honestly are seeking to "renew Peru through the power of the gospel" #4) My church is the same...... I LOVE Larco church..... i have a great community here and it truly is a blessing! #5) The food is the same (haha).... i can't forget the food. Peruvian food is amazing (even if you are a vegetarian).
The past week and a half has involved a lot of figuring things out and trying new things. When i was here before my primary work was in SALI- teaching 3 classes everyday and spending time with my students there. For now SALI is not opened and my work here has changed dramatically. Instead of spending most of my day teaching english, my primary area of service is at the clinic..... and I LOVE IT!!! I worked a little in the clinic before, but now it is basically full time. I am at the clinic every day from 8 am until 2pm(ish). I get to see the patients and get their history and do triage and I get to visit patients in their homes and i get to sit in with the doctor and help in the pharmacy!!! And tomorrow we are going to a kindergarten in the community and doing checks on all the children!! I love serving in the clinic and learning so much and am challenged daily!
As well as serving in the clinic i am continuing to teach english classes. I am teaching one class in the Wichanzao community and i am helping with a class in the Larco community. I am enjoying the classes and although i do miss SALI very much, I am enjoying being in the church communities! But i could definitely use prayer in the area of teaching.... In SALI I taught students that had a least 5 months of english classes (taught by peruvians) and i am now teaching beginners....... and by beginners i mean we start with the alphabet. It definitely is a challenge because my spanish is minimal but it is a fun challenge and i am definitely learning a lot more spanish :)
This honestly is just a short overview of what has been going on since i've returned..... God is teaching me and challenging me in new ways and i am honored and humbled to take part in sharing the gospel and seeing God's kingdom expand
Well i have been back in Peru for almost two weeks now and i have finally started a blog! don't get too excited..... the only thing i can promise about this blog is..... well actually i can't promise anything :) I definitely can't promise inspiration or entertainment, i can't even promise i will update it again this year (sorry). But to the few, if any, that read this you should just be proud of this post! I don't want to disappoint, therefore i must be honest up front about the fact that i am not a writer and this is not my personality at all. So there you have it.....
*Disclaimer*
Well now on to actually updating on my life. I'm back in Peru and am very happy to be here. But i must say that returning was a lot different than i expected. I guess i expected everything to be the same, just the way i left it..... and it wasn't..... but i have adjusted and come to the realization that yes things have changed,but change is not always bad. Change is important.... it challenges me and i need to be challenged in order to grow. And anyways, the things that made me love Peru are the same. Here are just a few: #1) The people are the same..... loving, accepting, and sooo much fun! #2) the pace is the same....... laid back and relaxed, there is no exhausting feeling of urgency here. #3) Peru Mission is the same...... there is a great group of people here who honestly are seeking to "renew Peru through the power of the gospel" #4) My church is the same...... I LOVE Larco church..... i have a great community here and it truly is a blessing! #5) The food is the same (haha).... i can't forget the food. Peruvian food is amazing (even if you are a vegetarian).
The past week and a half has involved a lot of figuring things out and trying new things. When i was here before my primary work was in SALI- teaching 3 classes everyday and spending time with my students there. For now SALI is not opened and my work here has changed dramatically. Instead of spending most of my day teaching english, my primary area of service is at the clinic..... and I LOVE IT!!! I worked a little in the clinic before, but now it is basically full time. I am at the clinic every day from 8 am until 2pm(ish). I get to see the patients and get their history and do triage and I get to visit patients in their homes and i get to sit in with the doctor and help in the pharmacy!!! And tomorrow we are going to a kindergarten in the community and doing checks on all the children!! I love serving in the clinic and learning so much and am challenged daily!
As well as serving in the clinic i am continuing to teach english classes. I am teaching one class in the Wichanzao community and i am helping with a class in the Larco community. I am enjoying the classes and although i do miss SALI very much, I am enjoying being in the church communities! But i could definitely use prayer in the area of teaching.... In SALI I taught students that had a least 5 months of english classes (taught by peruvians) and i am now teaching beginners....... and by beginners i mean we start with the alphabet. It definitely is a challenge because my spanish is minimal but it is a fun challenge and i am definitely learning a lot more spanish :)
This honestly is just a short overview of what has been going on since i've returned..... God is teaching me and challenging me in new ways and i am honored and humbled to take part in sharing the gospel and seeing God's kingdom expand
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