Where did that volcano come from?

 

We have arrived safely in Arequipa, Peru. This is the view from our dinning room table. We are on the fourth floor which makes for a great view but it was difficult lugging 12 suitcases, 5 backpacks and a stroller up 4 flights of stairs at 7500 ft above sea level. Sister Kristin was a great help. The huge mountain is actually a volcano named Misti and is one of three volcanoes around Arequipa.  

Strangely there is also a cornfield right behind our five story apartment building. The field is in the middle of a city of 800,000 people. It is odd but it feels a little like Indiana.

We have seen amazing traveling mercies. All went very smooth. God has blessed us. The biggest problem we had was they searched Lucy's backpack because they thought her snow globe was an apple. The visa process has gone very well. They are giving us a six month visa until we get our missionary visas. We were only supposed to get three months but they gave us six for reasons we do not know. There are long lines but if you have an infant then you are allowed to budge everyone right to the front of the line. Thanks to Maggie we have not had to wait at all. She is also a big hit with everyone on the street, as many strange women come up to us and talk to her, making baby faces and kissing noises. 

 The kids enjoyed the plane rides and were great travelers. They were able to go into the cockpit of the plane here in Peru and talk with the pilot.

 Everything is new and difficult and strange and exciting all at once. Please continue to pray for us in this time of transition. Josh begins classes a week from Monday.