Inti Raymi And The Cusco Parties

Hermana Ostler’s Update – June 30, 2014

If I thought people in Hood River partied...I was not aware of Cusco. This week was Inti Raymi, or the day they celebrate their Sun God. It was INSANE. Half naked people in the street, dancing their brains out to weird Andina flutes and conches. We accidently drove though one of their parties for a Catholic Saint.... BAD IDEA. Everyone was drinking and clinging onto the car in their weird costumes covered in feathers and sparkles. Saw a lot of fat rolls but that is about it. I could not stop hysterically laughing in the back of the cab. Cusco is.... Cusco. 

Inti Raymi also meant that no one was home. Absolutely no one. I spent a lot of time walking and walking and walking. What is the purpose of walking so much I ask? Why is it that lots of times I walk and walk and do not get to teach? What is the purpose of being so far away from home and never getting to do any good here?

Those are questions that sometimes come into your head when you are tired and a little frustrated and a little sad. But something I learned today was that there is a purpose in everything. Sometimes the Lord requires me to walk a little. Sometimes he requires me to feel a little bad in order to become a different person. I walk because it changes me. I am serious. In those difficult moments when nothing is rose colored or exciting, that is when I get to know myself. What kind of person am I? Why am I really here? I am grateful for walking because it forces me to just be happy, even though it’s hard, and sometimes it isn’t all that rewarding and successful. 

I know that someone walked a whole lot longer than I do. I know someone that felt a whole lot sadder than I do. That He knows what it is like to work and work and work and not see immediate success. I know Him and for that I can keep going. Christ loves us. He loves us so much that He invites us to come to Him, He even walks with us all those lonely miles, and many times we turn our heads and reject Him. I am glad for walking. It makes me His disciple. 

I also am happy for the uncomfortable moments I have with my companion that make us laugh. We have a lot of them. She is so fun. I am so thankful that I can be with one of my best friends all the time... I never feel too down because all we can do is laugh when we are together. The other day we were looking for a less active family. A weird butler guy ushered us in to the house and we realized that we were in a MANSION. With a jaguar fountain and cages of little pink birds everywhere! They made us sit down at a table and it was so weird. I think we forgot what it is like to be civilized or something. We were soooooo thankful to get out of there. Lesson learned. I don’t like fancy things anymore!

I love you all! Take care! And be glad to not see fat rolls jiggling around during the Cusco Parties!  

Love, hermana alexx

Zona Cusco

This is how I apply my sunscreen every day without fail. You have to find the small moments to enjoy yourself on the mission. 

TAMPICO for lyfe. I remember tampico being the sludge of all beverages in the States. But here... it is like liquid gold. That stuff is soooo good.