Its hard to beat a Peruvian cake.

Eliana and her family got me a cake for my birthday, and also when I left in August, they gave me a going away cake. Their cakes are so delicious. I really like how they put fruit on top.

Cuzco

Last August Eliana and I went with her father to some villages that were probably a few hundred miles outside of Cuzco, Peru. Her father is from that part of the country. He is a pastor, and has helped start a lot of churches in different villages. The people are so excited when he returns, and visits the churches. A lot of the people from these villages speak Quechua (an old Incan language). Her father also speaks Quechua, and also Spanish. I had come from Alaska, so I was used to the cold. But in Alaska you can step into a heated home, and get out of the cold. Eliana, and her family live in Lima, which is at sea level, and in the winter I think it rarely drops into the 50's. So I can't imagine how cold Eliana got, because she had never felt air that cold. (also, August is winter in Peru) Our first night there was so cold, and we got up in the morning, and her dad pointed at the ground, and there was white frost. Coming from Alaska that was not a big deal to me, but that was the first time that Eliana had seen frost. That morning we were cold, and hoping it would soon warm up. We were sitting around with her father, and some others, and a group of dogs started fighting about 40 feet away. Eliana threw a few rocks at them, but did not hit any of them, or stop them from fighting. She picked up another rock, and hit one of the dogs right in the head. I thought that was so funny, because Eliana is a very reserved woman, and never imagined seeing her hit a dog in the head with a rock. But it shocked her as much as it did me. By the way, it was just a small rock, and didn't hurt the dog.

In Alaska I was hiking up mountains, and ascending probably 3,000 feet in 2 or 3 hours. But Anchorage is at sea level, and so those nearby mountains peak at 4,000 or 5,000 feet. I do not know how high we were in the Andes mountains, but I would get out of breath very easy.

Our second day we hiked to a nearby village, and that is where we met the two children that is in the photo with Eliana and I. Their names are Zulma and Raul. I remember Zulma immediately liked Eliana, but was not sure what to think of me. I was surprised to find out that they all thought I was really tall, but I was only 5'10", and not tall for someone in the United States. But I remember that I put out my hand to shake Zulmas hand. Now I know that probably she had never really had anyone want to shake her hand, and she thought that I wanted to hold her hand. So she immediately grabbed my hand, and didn't let go. So we walked around for a while, and quickly became friends. And then we met Raul (Zulmas old brother), and he was also a really good kid. They liked being with Eliana and I, and we really enjoyed their company. They only had sandles, and I imagine those sandles are probably made by someone in that village, or a nearby village, because it seemed that a lot of people had the exact same type of sandles. Both Raul and Zulma had some wounds on their legs and feet. I know they probably started out as cuts, but soon became infected. And then I remembered I had some first aid supplies in my backpack, and so we used that. They really were very infected, and I imagine it was very painful, but Zulma was so content to be with us, and never complained about the pain. Eliana and I had brought a lot of gifts with us. The walmart store in Anchorage had had sales on childrens sweatshirts, and I had bought a bunch for $2 each. We also had a lot of gum, some toys, including a doll. When you pushed on the dolls stomach, her face lit up, and it played a lullaby. Eliana and I gave that doll to Zulma, and that was really neat. I don't imagine she had ever had a doll, and possibly had never had a toy before. Eliana and I would like to return to those villages someday, and a big reason is because we want to see Zulma and Raul again. We also talk about returning with a lot of supplies for them, including medical supplies, and also just gifts for people.

Soon we set off for another village, and we went down the side of the mountain. I thought the Alaska mountains were big, but those Andes mountains were huge. We probably hiked for four hours until we came to the next village. I was glad to be descending, because I knew that it would be warmer. I think we went to 6 or 7 villages in about 10 days. Trying to remember everything, I get the villages confused, but soon we went to a village, and that is where we met those little girls in the first and third photo. Immediately when we arrived at the village, I felt that it was special. I think it was because of the joy that I saw that people had, and I felt that God had really blessed those people. I was also really happy to see that they had some electricity, and so we had a lightbulb in our room. When we got to our room, those little girls (and one little boy) was playing in the doorway. They played with little rocks. They would put little rocks on the ground, and each would have one in their hand. They would throw the rock in the air, and then grab as many off the ground as they could, and then catch the other rock. One girl in particular was very impressive, and I couldn't believe how fast she could move her hands, and how good she was at the game. I stood at a distance and watched them, but soon I thought I would go and make friends with them. I started walking over to them, and as soon as they saw me, they got up and ran away. All except for one girl, and she stayed, and taught me how to play the game. These children spoke Quechua and a little Spanish. Soon the other little girls saw that I was friendly, and came and played with us. They were a group of good friends, and I imagine they played together everyday. They were some adorable children, but Eliana and I soon realized how brave they were. They liked to play with a soccer ball, but it was near a cliff, and soon one of them kicked the ball and it went off the cliff. Well Eliana and I went over to the cliff with them, and I thought that probably one of the children would walk on a trail down to the bottom and get the ball, and it would only take maybe 5 minutes. They surprised us, because they grabbed a rope, and put it around one of them. They all grabbed the rope, and lowered the girl down the side of the cliff. The little girl went and got the ball, went back to the rope, and we brought her back up. It made us nervous at the time, but its just another special memory we have now. One night those little girls made several campfires, and took care of them. That night I knew that Eliana was helping to cook, but I didn't realize that Eliana was cooking the spaghetti that she had brought. I was so excited when I found out that she had cooked spaghetti. She knew that I liked it. We spent several days in that village. We were at the church every day, and her father would speak, and Eliana would also speak sometimes. Her father would ask me to read verses in English, and then Eliana would read them in Spanish, and another person would read them in Quechua.

At one village I saw a child, and knew that I recognized her. One time I went outside of the church, and was watching some guys play soccer. The little girl left her friends, and came to sit with me, and was very content to sit with me and hold my hand. Soon I realized who it was, and it was Zulma from the first village we had visited. The little girl that we gave the doll to. I saw that the bandages had not stayed on her foot, but I think that it was healing. She must have walked the 4 hours down the side of the mountain also, probably with her family.

Eliana and I really have so many special memories from that trip. It was a really difficult trip, both for me and Eliana. I think one of the most difficult things was the language barrier between me and Eliana. But I think that God used all of our difficulties for good, and to bless us. Eliana was so strong on that trip. I know that there were times that she was exhausted, but she would always keep going, and also help me. I remember struggling to make it up a big hill, and she got behind me, and pushed me for a while. I wish that I could write down everything from that trip, but I think there are so many memories, that it would actually be a book. When we returned to Lima, soon I had to leave to return to the United States. That was so difficult for both of us. I am so thankful for Eliana, and we are so excited that we will soon be married.

(The photos are of our engagement rings, and our engagement ceremony)

(Los fotos es de nuestro novio anillos, y de nuestro novio ceremonio)

Thanks for the comments! I am very exciting to think that I will soon be in Peru with Eliana. The wait has certainly not been easy for us, but we know there has been a reason for that, and so glad that finally we will be together. I am wanting to be in Peru the first part of October, and we are glad to think that we can spend another month together before we are married. It is a little complicated to get married in Peru, especially because I am not a resident. We have to go through the civil marriage process, and that is doing all the paperwork, and some other stuff. That is what is required to legally be married, but then we will be married in the church, and the date is November 10, which is a Saturday. Elianas father is a pastor, and he will marry us in their church. My parents will be there for our wedding. My dad went with me on my last trip, but my mom has not yet been to Peru, and so Eliana and her family are glad that they will soon meet her.

Wedding invitations will be sent out later, and its something that Eliana and I are wanting to do together. We are wanting to do a lot of the preparations for the wedding together, and also her sisters are wanting to help with our wedding (she has 6 sisters). Everyone is invited to come to Peru for our wedding, but I know that it is expensive and also requires a passport. And so I hope nobody worries about not being able to go. When I am in the United States again, I want it to be when Eliana can come with me, and so it would be fun to have a dinner or something, and everyone can meet Eliana. It sounds like we will be having a big wedding. Eliana has a lot of family in Lima, and I know a lot of people from her church will also be at our wedding. Eliana has a picture of a beautiful wedding dress, and there is a woman in her church that makes wedding dresses for a living, and I am hoping it works out that we can have that wedding dress made. The groom wears a suit made especially for the wedding, and Elianas brother in laws brother makes suits for a living, and so I think he will also make my suit.

Eliana and I got engaged February 4. We had an engagement ceremony in her church, and exchanged engagement rings, and our fathers spoke, and it was really a neat thing. The engagement is a very formal thing, and I like that tradition in Peru.

I know there are some differences from United States wedding, for example, we will not have bridesmaids, or a best man. I think at the front will just be Eliana, and I, and the pastor, her father. Also we will have a reception after the wedding.

I will be moving to Peru in October, and we will be living there. I really like Peru, and am so excited to live there. Thanks to God, my Spanish has gotten so much better. Eliana and I talk everyday on the phone, or on webcam. Its really hard for me to learn Spanish in a class or by studying it, but I have learned so much by talking to Eliana every day, and also from my time in Peru. When I was in Peru about a year ago in July, we really could not communicate much and that made it really difficult. But now we can communicate really well without the aid of an electronic translator, although of course we have to repeat a lot of things to each other, or say it in a different way.

Eliana and I have talked about moving to the United States someday, but really we do not know how everything is going to work out. When I am in Peru, I don't think I will be able to work and get paid until I become a Peru resident, and that will be after we are married, and then having to go through the paperwork for the visa. Eliana and some others have recently started a book company. I think it will be a while before I can work and get a paycheck, and so I want to help her in that company for a while. I would like it if I could stay working with her in that company, but its just starting out, and I think it will be a while before they actually hire someone else. There are a lot of American companies in Peru, and I think those are the places I would start applying to. I think a lot of places want someone that can speak English, and so that is good. I'm not even close to being fluent in Spanish, and that makes it difficult, but I keep learning more. I think after just a few months in Peru, I will know a lot more Spanish. Its a lot easier for me to speak to Eliana, because everyone speaks in a certain way, and I am used to the way she speaks, and it is more difficult when I speak to someone else in her family. So being in Peru, I will become better at speaking to different people.

I feel so blessed because of what God is doing between me and Eliana. She is a wonderful Christian woman, and I am so happy that God chose me to be her husband. I hope all of you can soon meet her.

¡Gracias por los comentarios! Soy muy alegre pensar que pronto estaré en Perú con Eliana. La espera no ha sido fácil para nosotros, pero sabemos que ha habido una razón de eso, y soy tan alegre que finalmente seremos juntos. Estoy deseando ser en Perú el primero de octubre, y estamos alegres pensar que podemos pasar todo un mes juntos antes de casarnos. Es un poco complicado conseguir casado en Perú, especialmente porque no soy un residente. Tenemos que pasar con el proceso de la unión civil, y ése está haciendo todo el papeleo, y un poco de otra materia. Eso es qué se requiere ser casada legalmente, pero entonces nos casarán en la iglesia, y la fecha es el 10 de noviembre, es un sábado. El padre de Eliana es un pastor, y él nos casará en su iglesia. Mis padres estarán allí para nuestra boda. Mi papá fue con mí en mi viaje pasado, pero mi mamá todavía no ha estado en Perú, y así que Eliana y su familia están alegres que pronto conocerla. Las invitaciones de la boda serán enviadas más adelante, y yo y Eliana deseamos hacer eso juntos. Estamos deseando hacer muchos preparativos para la boda juntas, y también sus hermanas están deseando ayudar con nuestra boda (ella tiene 6 hermanas). Se invita a cada uno que venga a Perú para nuestra boda, pero sé que es costosa y también requiere un pasaporte. Y espero que nadie se preocupe de no poder ir. Cuando estoy en los Estados Unidos otra vez, quisiera que fueran cuando Eliana puede venir con mí, y así que sería diversión para tener una cena o algo, y cada uno puede conocer a Eliana. Pienso que nosotros tendrá una boda grande. Eliana tiene muchos de la familia en Lima, y sé que los muchos de gente de su iglesia también estarán en nuestra boda. Eliana tiene un foto de un vestido hermoso de la boda, y hay una mujer en su iglesia que haga los vestidos de la boda, y estoy esperando que se resuelve que podemos tener que el vestido de la boda hizo. La preparación usa un juego hecho especialmente para la boda, y Elianas hermanas esposos hermano leyes hace los juegos, y así que pienso que él también hará mi juego. Eliana y yo conseguimos el 4 de febrero contratado. Teníamos una ceremonia del contrato en su iglesia, y anillos de contrato intercambiados, y nuestros padres hablaron, y era realmente una cosa aseada. El contrato es una cosa muy formal, y tengo gusto de esa tradición en Perú. Sé que hay algunas diferencias de la boda de Estados Unidos, por ejemplo, no tendremos damas de honor, o un mejor hombre. Pienso en el frente apenas seré Eliana, yo, y el pastor, su padre. También tendremos una recepción después de la boda. Me trasladaré a Perú en octubre, y viviremos allí. Realmente tengo gusto de Perú, y de la así que excitado para vivir allí. Gracias a Dios, mi español ha conseguido tanto mejor. Eliana y yo hablamos diario en el teléfono, o en webcam. Sus realmente duros para que aprenda español en una clase o estudiándola, pero yo hemos aprendido tanto hablando con Eliana diario, y también a partir de mi tiempo en Perú. Cuando estaba en Perú en julio 2006, realmente no podríamos comunicarnos mucho y ése lo hizo realmente difícil. Pero ahora podemos comunicarnos realmente bien sin la ayuda de un traductor electrónico, aunque por supuesto tenemos que repetir muchos de cosas el uno al otro, o los decimos de una diversa manera. Eliana y yo hemos hablado de trasladarse a los Estados Unidos algún día, pero realmente no sabemos todo va a resolverse. Cuando estoy en Perú, no pienso que podré trabajar y que conseguí pagado hasta que hago un residente de Perú, y ése será después de que nos casen, y después teniendo que pasar con el papeleo para la visa. Eliana y algunos otros han comenzado recientemente una compañía del libro. Pienso que será un rato antes de que pueda trabajar y conseguir una cheque, y así que deseo ayudar en esa compañía durante algún tiempo. La quisiera si podría permanecer de trabajo con ella en que la compañía, pero el su comenzar justo hacia fuera, y yo piensan que será un rato antes de que él emplee realmente a algún otro. Hay muchos de compañías americanas en Perú, y pienso que ésos son los lugares que comenzaría a aplicarme a. Pienso que los muchos de lugares desean a alguien que sabe hablar inglés, y de modo que sea bueno. No soy uniforme cerca de ser fluido en español, y ese lo hace difícil, pero guardo el aprender más. Pienso después apenas de algunos meses en Perú, yo sabré mucho más español. Su mucho más fácil para que hable a Eliana, convertido en cada uno habla de cierta manera, y me utilizan a la manera que ella habla, y es más difícil cuando hablo algún otro en su familia. Tan estando en Perú, haré mejor en el discurso a diversa gente. Me siento así que bendije debido a lo que está haciendo Dios entre mí y Eliana. Ella es una mujer cristiana maravillosa, y soy tan feliz que Dios me eligió para ser su esposo. Espero que pronto puedan conocer Eliana.

Welcome to our blog

Eliana and I are really glad to now have a blog. I will soon be in Peru with Eliana, and I think a blog is a really good idea, because I can post, and my family can always have news of us. It is very exciting!

Yo y Eliana estamos realmente alegres ahora tener un blog. Pronto estaré en Perú con Eliana, y pienso que un blog es una idea realmente buena, porque puedo escribir, y mi familia puede siempre tener las noticias de nosotros. ¡Es muy emocionante!

How do you like our blog?

mi amor, tú tienen gusto de nuestro blog?