Sunday, September 13, 2009

Sometimes you don't need to understand the words...just the heart!

The first time I heard this song was my very first sunday here in Peru. The song brought tears to my eyes and I had no idea what she was saying but my heart was touched. Melissa and I were sitting waiting for Sunday school to start this morning and they started playing this song. I turned to Melissa and said "I love this song!", she agreed and so we were determined that before we left we would find out who the artist was. And we did her name is Marcela Gandara and the name of the song is Mas que un Anhelo (More than a Promise).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8j_JBSVuBA

More than a promise, but a desire
We hunger for you,
Hungry to see you, meeting you,
In your presence live.

Fill us with your love, sir sasianos,
Give us more of your light, your fullness.

We just want to be with you,
We parted and more (Christ is your route)
With hearts, to you surrendered,
That never wavered.

Fill us with your love, sir sasianos,
Give us more of your light, your fullness.
Your presence is my food,
My portion, the sweetness that feeds the heart.

Fill us with your love, sir sasianos,
Give us more of your light, your fullness.

More than a promise, but a desire
We hunger for you ...

When I looked up the words I became so overwhelmed by the spirit. It's so hard to be away from everything and everyone you've ever known and on top of that everyone around you is speaking another language. Then on Sunday you go and sit in church for 3 hours where you understand NOTHING.....But then, the holy spirit speaks to you through a song, a picture of Christ carry the cross or a young child playing and all of the sudden your eyes and hears are open. Your heart is no longer sad but hungry for more of whatever it is you are feeling in that very moment.

I'm learning that you don't need to understand what the praise team is singing to to worship and you don't need to know what the pastor is saying to to hear his (or her) heart. God is growing me to heights I've never been before and opening my eyes to things I've yet to see.

Love Always,
~Brittany~

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

2 Weeks in Peru

Wow, I can hardly believe I have been here two weeks now. We have had NO down time since we arrived, but some of this business is by our own choice.


Okay, so let me back up a little, we arrived in Arequipa on the 29th of Aug. While we are here in language school we (the 40/40's) have been divided into groups of 2 or 3 and placed with host families. Someone from our new family was at the school waiting to take us to our new homes on Saturday. Melissa (my roommate) and I are so lucky because we live right next to the school. Our host Mom could see that we were exhausted so she showed us right to our room and let us sleep a few hours.

On Sunday we went to our new church where I had some time to catch up on my journaling, this would be because I had no idea what the pastor was talking about :). Melissa and I went to the mall (yes, we have a mall here) and had KFC for lunch, not as good as my mom's taco salad but what can a girl expect for being in another country, right?

Monday morning we dove right into Spanish. We have classes de Lunes a Viernes (Monday through Friday) from 9am-1pm. I have two teachers Carlos and Elvira. Carlos works with Kevin, Drew and me on our grammar for 2 hours and then we have a 20 minute coffee break. After break Elvira works with us on our communication skills, they really have their work cut out for them, but I have yet to see them get really frustrated with us.

After class Melissa and I go home for lunch, which can sometimes last 2 hours. But, we really love our time around the table with our family; it's really improving our Spanish too. After lunch we usually had out on the town, we have our favorite little coffee shop (Cusco Coffee) where we like to go to do homework. It's a good 45 min walk but it always feels good after sitting all morning and after have a HUGE lunch.

I have to say that I love Arequipa, and I'm already thinking it will be so hard to leave in Nov. God has blessed me with a new family I love, the best roommate a girl could ask for and a beautiful new country I call home! Thank you everyone for your all your prayers, love and support! I would not be here if it hadn't been for each of you giving, I thank God for each and every one of you!!

Love Always,
~*Brittany*~

P.S. I'm working on getting pictures on here, but am having lots of problems.