Back in the EEUU

which means Los Estados Unidos (America) by the way. Learn it.

Update since I've been home:

Praying over one of our leaders, Jason, who was a mentor and big encouragement to us Americans on the base. He and his Chilean wife and four children are moving to Pennsylvania in Nov. to possibly raise up a YWAM interpreting school. Pray for them!

The six who were always in trouble. In our Peruvian beanies. I miss them already - these girls were like sisters to me! Most of us will be reunited in Sept (read on for details!)

Most of the DTS together one last time, with our flags. Some of the most amazing times were spent worshipping together in all our different languages. It's really a piece of heaven on earth!

After two or three weeks of spending time in southern Chile with Tere's family, Canada with my  family (so fun with aaaalll my millions of cousins), Santa Barbara briefly with friends and Reality, and being home for a bit, I am finally sitting down to write on this thing. It's been amazing to see my friends and family, to be home and to get back into the swing of things in California. Life here really is VERY different from my life for the past few months. Its an adjustment but learning to live in all circumstances is a gift and a challenge so I better start adjusting.

As for this summer, I will be in San Diego with my family, saving money and preparing to go back to Chile in September. God made it clear to me before I left the base in June that I would be coming back, and the Ministry leadership school in Sept. is exactly where I want to be. It's another bilingual school on my YWAM base in Pichilemu, and I think 12 or 13 of my DTS friends are coming back to take it with me! God changed my heart (I originally was the one very set against it; I already had my life going in SB and wanted to get back to it), and I know He has even bigger plans for me through this next step. I am reading the New Testament in Spanish this summer and staying in contact with all my friends down there so I dont forget my Spanish. 

Looking back at the 6 months I spent in South America, I can definitely say it was life changing. It was an equation of 6 months, 2 countries, 28 students, 8 cultures, 5 languages, hundreds of bus rides in tiny Peruvian buses, dozens of meals of rice, chicken and potatoes, 10 different church families, dozens of dramas and kids' programs, 4 trips to the hospitals, 2 flu injections, 1 swine flu scare, 1 mystery meat scare (dog? alpaca?),  all 150 Psalms, and lots of antibacterial hand gel and baby wipe-showers to have an unforgettable experience that changed my heart and perspective forever. God truly worked miracles in our health, in our hearts, in our language abilities, in our relationships in our team and with family members of people on my team, in our callings and faith in Him, in saving people in Chile and in Peru, and in giving us new dreams and goals in serving Him. His plan is always better, His dreams are always bigger! 

Thanks for the warm welcome home, and all your prayers for safe and healthy travels. If you're reading this it means you are important to me and your support (especially prayer!!) is VERY appreciated. Let me know if there is something I can pray for in your life...

my email is jharper0921@gmail.com