Thanks for those of you who have piped in with responses. Those are definitely some great thoughts, and they have helped me work through some of my own thoughts.

As of now, I am seriously leaning towards not getting internet. I could take my laptop to a coffee shop with free wi-fi once a week on my day off, which would solve the issue of online banking, as well as other financial stuff.

It just seems to me that internet cafés are major hubs of activity (at least in my neighborhood) since most people can’t afford their own computers or internet at home. Thus, it seems like it would be a good idea. We’ll see. Any other thoughts?

So, I’m seriously considering not getting internet at my new apartment. It would be a great way to meet more neighbors (at internet cafés), a much cheaper option, and probably make me spend my time more efficiently. At the same time, I would have to be much more intentional about keeping up with people in the States. Also, the fact that most people in my neighborhood do not have internet in their homes makes me wonder if this would be a good choice. Any thoughts? I could use ‘em.

After living at both the Thompsons’ house and the Fletchers’ house, I have been blessed by the chance to build relationships with the people that live and work around their houses. And now, as I officially live in my own place, I am starting the process all over again: meeting my neighbors, getting a feel for the flow of the neighborhood, learning where to shop & eat, discovering how to get around on public transportation. It has definitely been fun thus far, and I am looking forward to the relationships to come. And I also feel blessed to have pre-established friendships with people in other parts of town. I guess there are some benefits of being a nomad…

Well, last night was my first night to sleep in the new apartment. It was a great day: hangin’ with the Fletchers in the morning, cleaning and organizing the apartment, and receiving the appliances. Unfortunately, the mattress didn’t arrive. So….I slept on the floor. The tiles were definitely cold, but the mattress should be arriving soon – hopefully

The Fletcher family (with a good friend of theirs) will be arriving in Lima, Perú within the next several hours!!! We are all super pumped about their arrival. After living in various parts of the world for the past 11 months, we will all finally be together again! We can’t wait…

On another note, I officially bought my first ever appliances today: refrigerator, stove, and washer (no dryer; one word – clotheslines). The experience was quite fun, surreal, and somewhat frustrating at the same time. Fun because it was my first time to buy appliances, and I was doing it in another country for that matter. Surreal because I have never even so much as looked at appliances before moving to Perú, so the whole experience was weird. Frustrating because I was doing something that I had never done before in Spanish, using vocabulary that I definitely didn’t know. But, let’s not end on a negative note. I am really excited about them bringing them to my place tomorrow!

Finally, our team is in the midst of planning our second annual Thanksgiving-abroad-celebration. Last year, we had a marvelous time celebrating this wonderful holiday in Costa Rica with some of our closest friends from language school. This year, Thanksgiving in Lima! While we all miss our families (as well as the “feel” of turkey day in the States) during this season, it is such a blessing to share the holidays with our “framily”. I, for one, am definitely looking forward to some sweet potato pie, made specially with Peruvian camotes…mmmm.

I move my stuff into my new place. That stuff consists of the three bags that I brought to Perú, two boxes of books that were shipped from the States, and some things that I have bought since arriving – mainly cooking stuff. Then, the fun begins. Furniture, accessories, appliances, internet, painting. It is going to be a busy week coming up between the “settling in” process and the arrival of the Fletchers.

Speaking of which, please keep the Fletchers in your prayers. The next several days will be very tiring and stressful as they get ready to leave, and the adjustment process to Lima will also be difficult. Lots of things to do, lots of goodbyes to say, little sleep, and lots of emotions. I know that they would appreciate some shout-outs to the Lord. Thanks.

I signed a one-year lease on my new apartment this past Saturday! My excitement has only been slightly contained by the sickness that continues to trouble my very being (ok, so that’s a little exaggerated). I am super pumped about moving in early next week, and then spending time getting the place set up. Even more exciting is the fact that our last teammates, the Fletchers, are flying in on the 10th!

Our team has also been very blessed by the presence of several visitors over the last week. The team going to Cusco arrived last Monday night (Oct. 26), and we were able to spend significant amounts of time with them the next three days. Then, on Thursday night, Garrett Bradford, a friend of ours from A&M, came in from Arequipa. After spending several years working on the mission field in both Chile and Brazil, he is making is way up through the continent. I was able to spend almost every waking moment with him while he was here, and I enjoyed all of it. We had great conversations, ate great meals, prayed for our ministry, joined the team for worship, practicing Spanish praise, and Halloween festivities, talked with Peruvian friends, and even made some new friends. Good times.

So, here is another picture of the place. I will definitely put much more up as it starts being filled with furniture.

…to having my own place. Its close to good transportation, some neat “hole-in-the-wall” places, and a market. In this market they sell just about everything, from furniture to fish to fruits & vegetables to chicken (that’s right – whole chickens). I should be signing the year-long lease tomorrow. Please pray for peace as I finalize my housing situation. It is kinda crazy thinking that this place will be the hub for future ministry for the next year. So, another teaser picture:

I have officially experienced my first round of sickness in Perú – deep, upper respiratory cough, congestion, and a little sneezing. Definitely no fun.

On a brighter note, I am excited about the apartment search. Although the appointment on Saturday did not go as I had hoped, another opportunity has opened up that I am hopeful about. Here is a “teaser” picture:

Great conversations with my family – terrible games of soccer – fantastic spiritual conversations with Bill – rode to the beach with my friend David, ate ceviche, and nearly died on the bike ride back – met up with group from Westover Hills to talk about ministry and life – caught up with several missionary friends from language school in Costa Rica – met new Peruvian friend, Paul, and his son, Adrian – looked into classes at local university to work on Spanish, maybe start learning Quechua, and especially to meet college students for future outreach – found an open apartment in the neighborhood that I am looking – made an appointment to see aforementioned apartment tomorrow morning!!!

More to come on the potential apartment soon.