The Bakery progression

Hello Everyone! I have been here a month today and I only have one post about Peru! Things have been hectic here, and they are starting to get even more hectic, but I am finally getting into a routine, which before I did not have. On top of that, we just got internet in my house so I will be able to put pictures on from here instead of the internet cafe, which I did not exactly want to do. Anyway, about the project, it´s coming along slowly. Two weeks ago we had our second round of interviews with the moms, found our oven, purchased our mixer last week, and finished painting the building we are going to be using over the past weekend. It´s been a slow process I feel, because I spent the first couple of weeks trying to find our bigger needs, and then things slowly fell into place. We were suppose to have our first workshop last night, but the ingredients didn´t arrive! And I am sitting here on the computer waiting for Alicor to call me to tell me if they can bring them today. If not, we have to wait again because we won´t be able to bake without ingredients! We have electricity now, as of yesterday, for the bakery! Also, we have several mom´s interested in working. With that said, we are going to have two weeks of learning to bake and see who is most qualified for the position. There are 10 now, and by the end of two weeks we are going to select three to work with me and Jose. Jose is a member of the community who is a baker and will be teaching us to bake. He has been helping me find the materials that we need. So now as for the bakery, I´m just waiting on the ingredients to arrive and then we can start. As Melissa says, thats development work for you. Timing is never perfect and things are always changing.

As for Peru, it´s different. At first, I was really excited to be here. Everything was new and I was not accostomed to anything yet. And it didn´t matter to me the condition I was living in, and to be honest, its so much better than many others´housing conditions. It is evident here the extreme different of upper class and lower. Within 5 min, you can be in a nice neighborhood and then go into some slums. And life is rough in the slums, obviously. I don´t live in the slums, but close to it. Yes the housing conditions aren´t lovely, but people also take advantage or say things out line. These are just minimal examples here. There is so much that goes on. On the other hand, the family I live with are awesome! They are very attentitive and treat me like I am part of the family. Jeime, the eldest daughter, and I hang out all the time. Her and I have become good friends. They like to joke around and laugh, which is great because it makes conversing with them so much easier. My Spanish is progressing. I feel more confident and I´m learning more words. There has been some miscommunication, which has led to lack of other things, which has left some not to nice feelings, but we´re overcoming those.

I think now that I have found my password and we have a personal computer, I will be able to say more and show where it is I am living, and where the project funds are going. Thank you to everyone for your love and support and prayers, and your patience!!! I hope you are all doing well. Take care :)