Hello to all!!



Life down here is definitely a bit on the crazy side. I feel oddly out of place, not just becuase I am blonde and white, but also because I was walking aruond in shorts and a tank top while everyone else is shuffling around in puffy coats and long pants. Since it is their winter everyone is freezing right now. On Friday morning Kevin and I explored a little bit of Peru while we were waiting for our bus to Pucallpa. Our taxi took us 40 minutes across Lima to the bus stop. It was a typical ride filled with lots of quick turns and honking - lots of fun. Then we were dropped off at the bus stop and left all alone. We were the only to white people in the terminal and the only ones who spoke english. It was a pretty fun challenge to figure out which bus we were supposed to get on. But in the end we figured it out and all was good. The bus ride was pretty nifty. The first part was the drab Peruvian high desert - fairly tall mountians void of any life. Soon this progressed into taller mountains that were a little more lush. As the hours progressed we chugged through more of the Andes, the high mountian walls rising straight up on the sides of the road. Random cactus were to be seen, which seemed a bit out of place - but made the scenery quite spastically random. The road was definitely curvy-kinky, but oh so fun. We reached the top of the Andes just in time for the sun to set. Only a few peaks at the very top of the pass had snow. In all the bus trip was 19 hours. The most exciting leg of the journey was when we reached a spot where a bridge had collapsed, but nothing would stop us so we drove down the river bank across the river and up it a ways to a drivable section of the far bank and then up the other side. Awesome. Never before have I just driven across a river when the bridge is out. At about 8 in the morning we arrived at Campo Verde which is a little town near the Mission. Jenni and Tara were there to meet us. The took us back to our new home at km 38. Surrounding the house is a papaya tree, a pomerosa tree, a guaba tree and about a bazillion lemon trees. Only these aren´t just any lemons. The are gargantuan - way bigger than any grapefruit. I tried the guaba friut, it is a small fruit with bright pink innerds and crunchy seeds. It is a bit tangy in taste - pretty good. The fun things is that there are little white worms in the fruit which can be picked, but I just ate them. So far it hasn´t killed me. When we walked in the door we were mobbed by the gatita (little cat) that Jenni had just gotten the day before (to keep the rats away). She is an energetic little cat who is completely addicted to humas. After eating breakfast we went to church. I understood a bit of the sermon. Fixing lunch was fun. We decided to try for burritos (they don´t have tortillas down here - a tortilla to them is simply a flat omlet like thing). So we tried making up a tortilla recipe and made little tortillas in the shape of dfferent states. Our little exotic tortillas were pretty good. The following morning (sunday) Kevin and I got up at 4 to go work at the clinic site. We cramed 7 of us into a tiny little truck. We are cleaning up the clinic area. At first it was to dark to really see so we would just stumble around looking for the little chunks of wood scattered on the ground. Soon many of the villagers arived to help our little 6 member crew with the work. We were cutting grass with machetes, picking up wood, digging holes and leveling the floor. The hard part was the Dr Matthews (who understands, but doesn´t speak, a tiny bit of english) left us there. So there Kevin and I were on a job site without any real means of communication. It was definitely an experience, but tons fun. The people laughed at me (with me) many times but they seem friendly. I have gotten many odd looks from things I have said and have replied with many blank stares - but it is fun learning a new language through immersion. I feel all settled and ready to live here for the next year. There are many adjustments to be made, but will all be good. I will post pictures as soon as I am able (but I have no idea when that will be). The first clinic will start soon, but for now we will be doing manual labor preparing the location.
Last night I saw a little glowey but (not a firefly but similar) which completely made my day. They are so crazy cool. It was also the first night that the stars were out. It is weird to look up into the sky and not see one familiar constalation. I like all the new stars though - especially with all the jungle noises. Welp, I´m gonna go eat lunch now. Chao!

After months of preperation and planning I am finally in Peru. Traveling was fantasic despite having to live off of granola bars and stale airline peanuts. I explored each airport - including seeing every square inch of the Panama airport at least 2 times (I had a five hour layover and it is a pretty small airport). Last night at about 10:23 I landed in Lima, Peru. For the night I am staying at a hostel. It is the definitely the coolest place I have ever stayed at. The walls are all painted in bright yellows, oranges and greens, flags from all over the world hang from the ceiling, futbol jerseys line the walls along with scattered messages and pictures of other adventurous individuals who have stayed at this hostel. It is a cheery homey little place with a pool table, fooseball and ping pong. In just about an hour Kevin and I will be boarding a bus for our 18 hour trip up and over the Andes to the Eastern side of Peru where Pucallpa awaits us.

Hi!!!

In only 8 hours I will be boarding a plane that will take me to Peru for 11 months. This crazy adventure is almost here. My backpack is loaded and after a few more cookies I will be ready to fly off to the distant land of Peru all the way down on the Southern hemisphere. Upon my arrival I will make a new post as soon as possible. Here is a picture of me just so you all don't forget what I look like. I look forward to hearing from you all!

Greetings fellow earthlings!

Things are starting to get a bit crazy now. The days are flying by- seeing as I leave July 22, there are only 13 days until I fly out of Spokane. In 13 days the youngest of the Schreven clan will attack Peru, full force, armed with a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff.
Currently I am working up at Camp MiVoden on Hayden Lake, ID. As the days cruse by I am getting even more excited for the opportunity that God has given me to spend 11 months as a Studnet Missionary in the Amazon Jungle. I am getting ready for the adventure of a lifetime and I thank you for your prayers and support.
Stay tuned to the Schreven News Blog as time progresses to hear about life as a blonde in Peru!