Thursday begins

We studied Acts 1 around the table after breakfast, and then everyone got down to their business for the day.

Don Encarne out working in the potato field

Heading to the next house to meet up with our fellow berry-pickers.

Leading the pig

Looking back at Encarne and Olga's from above

Lisho and Dalila's house

David helps his mama skin a rabbit. I'm guessing that'll be our supper tonight.

This is the grinding spot - used for all kinds of herbs, spices and anything else that needs to be ground.

The best part of the house...

The kitchen, more specifically, the kitchen stove

Ah, heat!  

It also provides the living quarters for the cuyes, who will one day be upgraded to the top of the stove.  ;-)

Not perhaps the best picture of either Olinda or Celmira, but I think it's the most complete picture I have of the whole kitchen

The table is immediately to my left.

Cuyes are quite shy little creatures, but I managed to snap a picture as three of them ventured out from their cozy haven under the stove.

Our living quarters at Encarne and Olga's

The living room

This is where Special Meeting was held on Sunday.

Notice all the umbrellas opened up to dry.

Up the stairs to our room

The front part is an open area which serves as kitchen, dining, living and wash areas.  Through those curtains is the bedroom.

Nice to have running water, even if it is freezing cold.

Here's the drain for all waste water removal.

Looking back toward the stairs from the bedroom

That's the wash area curtained off to the right.

My corner of the bedroom

An outside tour of Encarne and Olga's

Looking right from the bathroom

Straight out from the bathroom

Can you see the people working in the potato field?  They're those dots that are barely visible against the green (right behind the dark brown patch in the middle).

That's the door to the bathroom on the right.

Laundry area

Clothesline

The whole house

That's the shower (I think) to the left of the wash area.  The bathroom is around behind that.  The kitchen is just around the corner on the right side of the house - the one warm room in the house, provided the fire is going and the door is shut.  The living room is just to the left of where the truck is parked, and the sisters have a little bach room above that.

Now you can see the door to the kitchen on the left and the door to the living area open in back.

You'd think a few more provisions for keeping warm would be made in a place with such a cold climate.  As it is, you just pile on the layers and shake.  :-) 

But now mine eyes have seen thee

I had heard about Ramoscucho before arriving there on Wednesday, April 18.  

1. It's cold.

2. You'll love it.

3. It's quite cold.

4. You'll probably need rubber boots.

5. It's really cold. 

6. You'll really love it.

That's about what I remember of my previous knowledge of Ramoscucho.  And it was all true.  I needed rubber boots.  It was extremely cold, at times at least.  And I absolutely loved it!  

When we arrived, all five of us workers had lunch in the home of Encarnación and Olga, Johny's parents.  (Encarne and Lisho are brothers.)  After we finished eating, one of the workers suggested that "Maybe Kamela would like to share something." And thus began the pattern of the Peruvian rounds.  And thus began my initiation as a visiting worker.  On this particular occasion, I told about my grandparents - about the encouragement of their constant example over the years, about their courage in facing difficult life changes, about how, in spite of the fact, that much of their life is behind them, they are still looking forward.  

After a short rest, we headed to the home of don Marcial and Sra. Emiteria (Encarne and Lisho's parents) for the 3:00 p.m. midweek Bible study.  The topic was "Salvation as a garment"; Isaiah 61.  Though a number of those who attended the meeting were unable to read, they all had a nice little thought to share that enriched our time together.

Supper was at Lizandro (Lisho) and Dalila's.  (As aforementioned, Encarne and Lisho are brothers.  Olga and Dalila are also sisters.)  Lisho and Dalila have three children: Janela, Kevin and baby David.  All five of us workers were present for supper, and once again, after we had finished eating, I had the privilege of sharing something from my "vast collection" of experiences.  I decided I'd better make a list of things to share for back-up!  We ended the evening together by singing a few hymns.

    

Dalila and David

I just couldn't get enough of this little fellow and his chubby, rosy cheeks!

Nearly all the homes I was in in Peru had a wood stove similar to this one where all the cooking was done.

All bundled up in his tub with an empty water bottle for entertainment.

Before supper, Celmira and I took a little walk since we hadn't had much in the way of an opportunity to move that day.

See the rainbow?

After supper, we walked home in the rain and the dark. 

 It was a lovely day, but I was definitely excited to be getting ready for bed before 8:00.  

My last two journal notations for this day:

1. Drip on the head - scrunch down in bed

2. Thank goodness for a hot water bottle to hug!!!