Saturday, September 29, 2012

So Many Jobs

There are so many jobs in Lima that we do not have in the states. Of course there are many more people in this town than there are in the towns I have lived in. There are jobs for people in so many areas that we do not have in the states. They offer to wash your car while you are in the grocery store or at Starbucks!
There are jobs for people to hand you a paper as you enter the grocery store parking lot. As you leave you give the paper back to another worker. One day we were told that we exceeded the two hours allotted to us to shop and that we would be charged NEXT time if we did this again. There culture isn’t into confrontation and so the charge was put off to another time. Hahaha! We had stayed that long in the store because there is a coffee shop upstairs and we had visited (Alison, Justin and I) and then shopped while the older kids were in preschool.
There are other jobs for people who ride a bicycle and have a box of snacks attached onto the bike. This man was selling treats on the street outside of Cailyn’s school as the children got out of class.
There are also little islands in the middle of the street where there is a small area that you can stop to get gas. You just pull over and there is a person to put gas in your car. It reminded me of the pit stops in the car races .
They even have jobs in the grocery store for a guard. Wong is the name of the grocery store chain that they have there.
There is a lady who comes to the apt. complex that Alison and Justin live in (gated area with four apt.) once a week. She mops down the concrete on the ground level and the stairs going up to each apt. door -including the entry way of each apt. There are so many things that heighten your awareness of your home culture. There are so many different ways things can be done!!

Friday, September 7, 2012

Lima, Sweet Lima!!

My mission of coming to Lima to help out with Baby T arrival has come to be. We have enjoyed almost four weeks with Carter Ethan!! He is a very quiet baby, really only crying for short amounts of time. He has plenty of people who want to hold him and he is passed around. Corban has learned to come in slow for all of the kisses he wants to give and I definitely can see that God has gifted both of the older children with compassion and encouragement to their little brother. Corban assures Carter that "his big brother is right here" and "I will be back from school really soon" and as Corban goes for nap he will remind Carter "I won't be gone long". Pretty much all that we are saying to sooth Carter is repeated by the children. Cailyn said today, "I know you don't want to go long in the poopy diaper"!! She is really tender not only with her words but also with her touch!! They both are running to get wipes and pick out clothes for Carter!
I have been able to do laundry and helping with the cooking! I have found several items in Alison and Justin's kitchen that I think I need. Pampered Chef muffin pan and a lime juicer. I love enjoying some new recipes and Alison has helped me very successful with eating gluten free!!
Playing games and reading books with Cailyn and Corban is one of my favorite things to do while I am here. We have read many books. Cailyn and I read a chapter book about Abe Lincoln since she was very taken by him when they went to DC, and we also read the book entitled Hundred Dresses. There was a surprise ending to the book we read,
Now we have started a book entitled Meet Kaya. Cailyn loves to sit and do "projects" - color, draw, cut and glue!! She is quite the teaser and has a sense of humor like her mom!!
Corban is the most precious brown eyed 3 yr. old around. He is very competitive and has be to reminded it is ok to be second. He loves to eat - wanted three helpings of pancakes this morning that Justin prepared!! He loves to dance, sing and is quite the dare devil on the playground!! The photo below doesn't nearly express the laughter that Alison and I had when he came in with water dripping from his hair!! One of the things that the Peruvian people do is put water on their hair for mid-day primp. So Corban came walking in with his mid-day primp and we just died laughing. Water rolling all down his face and his little proud expression. We just couldn't hold it it!! Alison and Justin have read with him enough that he loves to sit and read - although he might get up several times to grab something. His favorite story in the Bible is David and Goliath!!
I had a grand experience of going to a birthday party for a six year old grandson of one of Alison and Justin's new neighbors. We didn't know anyone but the grandparents and we went to the party about 45 min. to an hour late. You would think we would have missed something but we didn't. We arrived to a decorated home with lots of balloons in cascades (covering three of the four walls) and some taped to the ceiling. There was a DJ there playing music and the kids and parents were sitting in chairs lined up around the room All of the furniture had been moved out of this room to make room for the guest and celebration. Gradually the children began to dance around and all of the sweets on the table at the children's level were being picked over. Our two were a bit slow to participate but Corban began to enjoy the music and play with the balloons like they were swords. Never knew long balloons could keep a group of children so busy for an hour. Every so often the hosts would walk around with the bowls of sweets and pass them out. Presents are not opened at the party and cake is not eaten. Families most often hire someone to be the "entertainment". This family had hired a couple who sang and danced. They were dressed up in the theme of the party...Lightening McQueen Cars. It was quite the celebration. Families embrace the children totally expressing themselves by their dance to the rhythm. After being there 3 hours Alison tried to tell the host that we were going to have to go....The host pleaded with her, "No there are many more activities and gifts for each child". So we continued. About 30-45 min. later as the lights were dim and all had balloons and were dancing in a circle, singing and celebrating we slipped out!! There was a bag of goodies and the slice of cake in a box given to the kids as we left. Interesting!! Very celebratory!!