Learning to Love

The last two weeks at Utcuyacu Becca and I have been teaching the kids commandments from the Bible on Mondays and stories from the Bible that demonstrate those commands on Thursdays. We decided that the only place to start was with the greatest commandment, and then move on to the second greatest commandment, for Jesus tells us that “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” These lessons have got me thinking about the word “love” a lot. Becca and I are teaching these kids at Utcuyacu how the Bible tells us to love, but often I wonder if I am loving in the same capacity Jesus did and commands us to.

Since being in Peru I have had many people ask me variations of the same question, “Do you just love it there?” My response has often taken me a little longer than one might think, and lately I have been responding with, “I am learning to love it.” It has not been a “love at first sight” experience for me, but I am learning to love Peru. I see God’s grace everyday as He pours out more love on me. As a result of His love and grace I am learning to love Him, His people, this place, this season, and His plan.

I do not love waking up at 4am only to walk outside to go to the bathroom.

I do not love taking a warmish shower only sometimes twice a week.

I do not love spiders in my bedroom.

I do not love washing my clothes by hand.

I do not love when dogs pee on my feet.

I do not love being whistled at while walking down the street.

I do not love teaching English to rowdy first graders.

I do not love not being able to communicate with anyone I see.

I do not love consistently being late for things.

I do not love how long it takes for water to boil at 11,000ft.

I do not love living out of a suitcase.

I do not love the smell as I walk through the meat market in Huaraz.

I do not love when class is cancelled without any notice.

I do not love stepping in cow manure on the way to school.

But I am learning to love….

I am learning to love eating rice and potatoes three times a day.

I am learning to love a lot of extra free time.

I am learning to love the twelve animals that live in my backyard.

I am learning to love walking everywhere I go.

I am learning to love going to the market almost everyday.

I am learning to love riding the komby.

I am learning to love the hats and skirts all the women here wear.  

I am learning to love that Peruvians greet everyone they see.

I am learning to love washing all our produce.

I am learning to love being called a griega.

I am learning to love just sitting outside and starring at the mountains.

I am learning to love only getting online twice a week.

I am learning to love the little neighbor girls that randomly knock on our door.

I am learning to love Dina who own the store down the road.

I am learning to love Humberta’s adventurous spirit.

I am learning to love the construction workers that eat at Humberta’s everyday.

I am learning to love random festivals in town.

I am learning to love Gloria who serves us lunch everyday.

I am learning to love the families in Utcuyacu.

I am learning to love my eleven third through sixth graders at Utcuyacu.

I am learning to love all the students at Javier.

Thank you Lord for teaching more about your love each day. Lord thank You for first loving me. Let all my love for You and for others only be an overflow of the love You are pouring out on me. Lord thank you for a love that never fails, overwhelms yet satisfies; a love that is stronger and higher, a love that is patient, kind, and humble. Father thank you for a love that set me free, keeps no record of wrongs, and works all things together for my good.

Jesus le dijo: “Amaras al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazon, y con toda tu alma, y con toda tu mente. Este es el grande y el primero mandamiento. Y el segundo es semejante: Amaras a tu projimo como a ti mismo.”

Mateo 22:37-39