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Ever since I read Finding Mañana, I’ve been tuned to all things Cuban: I called my Cuban friend. I talked to a guy in a cigar shop about Cuban cigars. I suggested to Amanda that we find a Cuban restaurant to eat at. I even became an honorary Cuban. And, now I am the proud owner of Cuban music.

If you’re a long-time reader of this blog, you might remember the Martinez family from our time in Peru. Well, turns out, Rick (Ricardo) Martinez is Cuban and his grandfather is none other than the famous Cuban musician and band leader, René Touzet. So, when I emailed Rick about Cuban musicians, he directed me towards his grandfather, and this album in particular, which can be found on iTunes. Go ahead, give it a listen.

Kevin Shearer is a missionary for the IMB in Lima, Peru. I had the chance to get to know him during our two years there. Here’s an excerpt from his blog . . .

Then I wandered down a narrow alley till I found Judith. Judith is a beautiful 18-year-old (approximately) who just gave birth to an even more beautiful baby girl. “Come see my baby,” she said, excitedly. I stooped and went into the small straw mat hut with dirt floors. Theirs is better than some; they have three rooms. It was warm enough inside (thankfully). There, in the middle of the only bed they own, lay that precious baby. Judith looked up with proud, but pleading eyes. “Please pray for Chris; she has a lung infection and a blood infection.” I did. Chris cried all the way through, sneezing from time to time. I told Judith I would be back. Judith has her own health needs. I know some doctors who plan to help meet them . . .

You can read the whole post here. Kevin plants churches in the ever-expanding city of Lima.

The IMB investigation team has returned to Lima after spending several days in the most affected areas. Here is Debbie Brinkley’s report:

God is always faithful but there are occasions when His faithfulness slips over into miraculous. These last 48 hours have been one of those times.

The amazing interventions began shortly after the 7.9 Richter scale earthquake that occurred on Wednesday evening, August, 15, 2007. On Thursday morning, we made plans to travel to the area of southern Peru that was hardest hit by the earthquake in order to do an evaluation of the needs and how we could be most effective in providing disaster relief. We didn’t want to show up empty handed when we knew people would have desperate needs so . . . click here to keep reading.

The death toll is over 500 and is expected to rise substantially as workers begin to clear out the rubble in Peru. The earthquake which measured 7.9 took place 25 miles under ground causing widespread destruction and a tsunami warning. A state of emergency has been declared in the most affected areas as people are currently without shelter, water, food, or electricity.

All IMB missionaries are accounted for. The IMB is sending six missionaries into the hardest hit areas tomorrow to assess the damage and find out how they can help. Please pray for them. One of the missionaries that will be going is Arnold Austin of the REAPSouth team. You can see his blog here.

Peru registered 4 major earthquakes last night, the biggest measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale. There are over 400 dead and counting. Thousands of houses collapsed. Please pray for those who lost family, friends, and homes.

Thankfully, all IMB personnel are fine. Many of our national friends, however, live in much more precarious situations. We hope to find that they are safe as well.

Here is a map of the epicenters put out by El Comercio the main newspaper of Peru. Cañete, Ica, and Chincha were the three largest cities closest to the epicenters.

Tonite we’re off to stay at the Holder’s house. Boots and Katie are IMB missionaries here in Lima. They have three kids. They are out of town for the week so we are staying at their house to watch out for Rosey . . . . their 60 lb. German Shepherd.

Debbie Brinkley is our ENOC. ENOC stands for something but I forget at the moment. Debbie basically takes care of us for our first couple of months. She is the one who did her homework and found our language school. She takes us to different cultural things. If we have questions we call her. Without her, we would be lost!

That’s one thing about the IMB . . . while people are people and there are problems, the IMB takes care of it’s people. We have felt nothing but cared for and supported through this whole process. We feel 100% confident in the heart, theology, and mission of this organization.

Check out this resourcefulness! The stove’s lowest burner setting is too hot to simmer.

Lots of people asked us what we would do when we first arrived in Lima. Well, now we know!!! Mike and Kathy (our supervisors) and Wayne and Debbie Brinkley (administrators for Peru) were at the airport to meet us. As Ryan wrote earlier, we didn’t get to where we’re staying until about 4:00 a.m. I was wired when we got to our new temporary home, so I unpacked some. I went to bed about 5:00 a.m. Mike and Kathy took us to lunch and began showing us the ropes!!! I got to go grocery shopping. It was lots of fun! We went to E-Wong, the Wal-Mart of Peru. I am so excited about all the fresh fruits and vegetables–they are so cheap. I bought a watermelon for about a dollar, and tonight at dinner we had freshly snapped green beans. (Mom, aren’t you proud that I cooked the first night here!!!)

After our tour of the neighborhood, we finished unpacking and got settled in. We will be staying in the mission house for about six weeks. The mission house is owned by the IMB, and it has a few apartment type areas. We have a living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. The couple living in the apartment we are supposed to move into is not leaving until the end of April, so we’ll be in there then.

Mike and Kathy said it would be about two weeks before we start langauge school. They want us to have some time to adjust to just living here. I am excited that there is not a lot on our plate now, so we have some time to adjust!

Well, I thought this day would never come, but it has–and it has been a really good day. I know people are praying for us. I feel it.

Amanda