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We are officially moved into our new casa! When you can move everything you have in the back end of a truck, you know you’re travelling fairly light.

We didn’t actually make it home from class today until 4:00pm. (class usually ends at 1:00) We took a field trip and ended up having a meal and visiting in our teacher’s sister’s house. You’ve got to realize that you don’t just stop in for a visit here. You sit and take something to drink and talk. When you say you need to go…you don’t really go….you talk some more. Then, you say you need to go again….but you still don’t go…..you talk still more…….finally, to emphasize the fact that you need to go, you stand up and say “well, we better get going.” Then, they stand up with you and you all talk some more. Then, you make your way to the door slowly but surely…all in Spanish.

It’s late and we’re about to go to bed. We’re worn out! Our apartment is awesome. We are excited about making it our own. Buenas Noches!

When we got our sweet little kitty, we didn’t realize that he hadn’t been weaned from his mom. We tried to give him canned food, but he couldn’t eat it. He also couldn’t really lap milk. So, I bought a plastic syringe and have been giving him milk! He was fed three times during the night last night! Yesterday he seemed really weak, but he has done a lot better today. He actually nibbled on a little tuna. Isn’t this great practice!?

Amanda

The Beach Boys are playing in Lima tonite!

You know what they say about spouses working together . . . that it’s probably not a good idea. Well, double that with language learning!!

Actually, we are doing pretty good in being patient and encouraging with one another. We were given some good advice before we started. One thing we’re not supposed to do is correct each other. This is kind of hard to do (especially since I always know the right answer/word/grammatical structure!).

Tonight I will be leading worship at English Bible study for the translators.

We took our second advancement exam this morning. I made a 95, Amanda made a 98. Tomorrow we start Basic 4 level.

Tonight we had dinner with Gladys Rojas. Gladys is 55 or so, born and raised in Lima. We had an all Spanish dinner. Gladys became a believer about 3 years ago. Her first year of being a Christian she led more than 100 people to Christ. She stopped keeping tack after a hundred she said.

Well this is Amanda writing. It’s been so long since I have written, some of you probably forgot Ryan had someone here with him! When I got sick, I got out of the routine of writing, but my new goal is to start back. I think the blog really needs my perspective–a girl’s perspective!!!!

I feel 100% better than I did a couple of weeks ago. The medicines kicked in and my body is adjusting to the air here. Mostly I believe prayers were answered!

Ryan wrote below about our new pet! At MLC we learned a lot about culture shock. We think the cat might be a culture shock purchase! Ryan says if it doesn’t work out, we’ll just take it to a Chinese restaruant! (Don’t worry, Poppa, I’m just kidding!!!) Don’t let what Ryan wrote fool you. He talks to this kitten like it is a baby! Anyway, we are both excited about our new addition to the Bush family. The only problem is it doesn’t have a name yet. We are open to any suggestions!!!

I am so excited because we move into our apartment this Friday. I can’t wait to decorate and make it ours. One of the things that I love most about Lima is all the little stores. I have found lots of little stores with knick-nacks! I have already bought a few decorations for the house at 50% off might I add. I may not be fluent in Spanish yet, but I can still find a bargain!!!

Thank you so much for praying for us. Please know that we feel your prayers and know they are making all the difference in our lives.

Amanda

A lot of you have been keeping up with the stuff going on in Ecuador. Ecuador shares Peru’s northern border. We have not been affected here in Lima, however we have several families with the IMB in Quito who are trying to keep low for a bit. The situation has stabilized now that the Pres. Gutierrez has left the country.

I’m sure you’re tired of hearing us ramble on about Spanish. But, it’s pretty much all we do these days. Tomorrow we have our next advancement exam. We’re trying reach Basic 4.

Language learning is hard, but it’s fun and exciting. Because we leave class and use it. Everyday we are able to express ourselves a little better. Today, I can tell the taxi driver more things than I could have yesterday.

It’s kind of strange. We are learning Spanish for one reason only. To convey the hope of the gospel to folks. And now, it’s like if we can share just a bit about what God has done for us we’re excited. And then I think about being in Little Rock. I speak English . . . pretty good. I could have shared with any wal-mart checker, neighbor, friend, anybody! But I didn’t that much. If I could get some of those opportunities back, I’d do some things differently.

Language is just a tool really . . . Spanish or English. A tool that can be put to work for what God’s doing.

Ever since we’ve gotten to Peru Amanda has been bringing up the idea of kids, ours. We don’t have any yet, and according to her that’s the problem. So, we got a gatito (kitten). I figure this’ll hold off the baby talk for awhile.

I wanted to name him “Chifa”. Chifa is the spanish word for Chinese food and the rumor is that some of the Chifa here in Lima has cat in it. Amanda doesn’t like the name. I can’t figure out why . . .

The weekend is over already! Time flies.

Friday night we had dinner with The Church at Rock Creek. They just finished up a trip in Yauyos. Mike Grober heads up international missions at Rock Creek and is doing a phenomenal job!

Saturday we took one of our sobrinas, Hannah Hutchison, to “El Parque de Las Leyendas”, the zoo. Lions, tigers, bears, snakes, snacks, parrots, penguins. You name it. One interesting fact about Peru is that we have Penguins! They swim up on the Humboldt Current and stay in Peru for a while.

Sunday, we went to a new church plant with the Chatmans. This missionary couple is assigned to work among the hundreds of apartment complexes in Lima. They are starting a new church in an apartment. About 6 people were there. One older man (this was his first time) got a bit excited during the music and started busting a move right there in the middle of our little circle!

Sunday night we went to English worship at the Brinkley’s house.