Living Through a Whirlwind

These last few days have been a whirlwind, WOW. I can't believe it's only Saturday night because it feels like I've lived at least a week in the last two days. 

Have you ever gone backwards to go forwards? This natural planner was thrown into a little tizzy during our travel night (Thursday) as I thought we had a mere 10 minutes before our connecting flight left. But it turns out we were actually back a time zone...then ended up going forward again. #RookieTraveler

Irregardless, We are here! Friday morning around 03:15, Stef, Anna, and myself made it to our quaint hostel room in Lima, Peru. It's been fun listening to all the Spanish and wiping some of the cobwebs off my own mental files. Maybe picking it back up won't be as hard as I keep thinking it will be. :)

Both flights were pretty uneventful which is a positive sign of international travel. Friday night the rest of our Marquette tribe joined us in Lima and we spent this entire day on the go! Started with a tour of the city and then ended with another flight to northern Peru (Piura). Here we will be home for about the next four weeks, serving the people here, each other, and ourselves. I'm feeling so incredibly blessed to be part of this trip and am completely looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead!

Below are some photo highlights. I really don't have much to say yet other than we are safe and enjoying our travels! Stay tuned!

Finally in our hostel Thursday night/Friday morning after 12+ travel hours!

Hanging out our first morning waiting for friends 

Wisconsin and MU representing in Lima!

Mira Flores just outside downtown Lima--the mall made us feel like we were in America! 

The little niños in downtown Lima flocked to us Americans on Saturday morning. It was hilarious and I totally got a kick out of it!!! It's incredible to me how we were able to communicate even with such a language barrier. Children amaze me! 

At the St. Rose's Basilica this morning we got an awesomely detailed tour and had the opportunity to send notes and prayers up to St. Rose by throwing letters into a former well. 

Here is the whole group at Mira Flores!! Such a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean and such a peaceful setting. Still so surreal that we are here...

Tonight we flew from Lima to Piura on a somewhat empty flight. Nice to rest the legs for a bit!

Our incredible welcoming to Piura by the parish staff!!!! Topped off with roses for the ladies and a nice warm meal when we got to the village. 

We feel very fortunate to be here and anticipate many incredible experiences coming our way!!! Thank you for following along and for your continued thoughts and prayers for safe travels. 

Peace and laughter,

Alex & the gang