February Update #2

Dear Family and Friends,

I know I will not be able to send updates this often once classes start, but for now I am glad that I have some time to update you! I am settled in just as if I had never left, and it has been such a blessing to fellowship with everyone here again!

February is the month of "Carnavales." During carnavales the boys throw water on the girls. Yes, it is for the whole month, and they say it gets worse toward the end of the month. It is very ungentleman-like, especially considering they often use extremely dirty water (not as expensive that way of course because it is already used :p). Sundays are the worst days since most people don't work. Last Sunday I was sitting on a bus headed to Manchay when all of a sudden a huge wave (literally) of water was thrown into the bus! There was a girl sitting in the very front seat by a very large, open window, and therefore was the perfect target for the VERY stinky water that thankfully only got my shoe, leg, and part of my skirt. After I got off the bus, I walked quickly with determination and my eyes to the ground, so as not to attract attention, and thankfully I made it safe and dry. ;)

Lord willing, I will be starting a small library at our church. One of my friends in the States donated some Bible study/counseling books and commentaries in Spanish as well as some good Spanish music CDs. I'm excited about this opportunity!

We are working hard at LMCS to get ready for a year of very hard work, since we are still short of teachers. Plans have changed a bit for me. I will still be teaching science in 5th, 6th, and 7th grade Science, but instead of girl's PE, I will be teaching Bible in 5th grade and be the 5th grade homeroom teacher. Although I am sad I won't be teaching PE, I am excited about the opportunity of being a homeroom teacher. As a homeroom teacher, I will have A LOT of contact with parents. Of course, if the Lord provides more teachers all of this could change again. :)

Friday at school we had a lunch with the staff and their families. Tom Pace, the LMCS founder and missionary of over 41 years, gave a brief encouraging word. He said that in his years in Peru, he has rarely seen a ministry influence and bear more fruit than LMCS. He said he could give names of many people who were saved because of the school's ministry, and that it is spreading to the grandparents, the uncles and aunts, etc. Please pray again that the Lord would bring more unsaved students to our school, and that we would be useful vessels for the Him.

Also, please pray for a girl named Michelle, whom I talked to on the plane. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find my planner where I wrote her contact information since the night I arrived. Please pray that it would be returned to me, or that she would contact me, if it is the Lord's will.

Please continue to pray the Lord would bring in support for 2010.I am going to list three prayer requests for school and three from church below if you would like to pray with us.

El Manantial:
Pray for Joana's spiritual growth.
Pray for Karina who will probably be going to seminary in the next month.
Pray for Urbano and Alejandra and their family as several of their relatives have died in the past weeks, and they are faced with major difficulties and decisions including orphaned children.

LMCS:
Pray for Gladys our librarian who is having serious health problems.
Pray for teachers Cassandra and Eric Pardine who's new-born baby Joshua has many health issues and faces a near-future open-heart surgery.
Pray for Pastor and school counselor Beto Mayta who is still recovering from a heart attack last year and possibly faces more surgery.

I am very thankful for you all.
In Christ, who is our life,
Emily Snodgrass