Let's Play Ball (Week 30)
I held the volleyball up, stretched back my arm, and said to myself, "This is it. I cannot possibly embarrass myself again. This will fly over the net."
You see, when I say I'm bad at volleyball, I mean I SUCK at volleyball. In fact, before arriving in Peru, I had decided I simply wouldn't try anymore. I'm bad at all sports, but it's like I was born with a curse, "And she shan't play volleyball."
But, Peruvians live and breathe volleyball. I learned quickly that if I was going to be Peruvian, I was going to play volleyball. Jose regularly asks, "Brooke! Ready to practice?" I bury my pride and help lose a few games. Sometimes I improve a little... like a mustard seed little.
So I lifted the ball, and I stretched back my hand, and I smacked that ball. That ball flew up and left and squarely into Keylita's face. It was the volleyball edition remake of Studio C's Scott Sterling episode. She stood blinking. Everyone else split a gut. Peruvians like to laugh, but this was pure comedy. For the remainder of the game, every time I held the ball shouts rang out, "Keylita! Watch out. Brooke has it." At one point I asked, "Keyla, are you SURE you're okay." She giggled, "Oh yes. It's good. Gooood and painful."
She called me 'Tia' (aka auntie) and I melted.
Quarantine has been filled with many hours trying to figure out how to get home, many hours fumbling volleyballs, and many hours stuffing myself full of as much Peruvian food as I can. I've tried hard not to be anxious, but I'm struggling to give it all to God. My back aches from the stress. Part of me never wants to leave Peru, but another part feels guilty for wanting to work so hard to make it home. I'm feeling thankful that my university wants me home. It's not a decision I personally have to make.
This week has continued like fierce waves of an ocean. Hitting and receding. "The charter plane will leave tomorrow." "Nope! There's no point. You first need a flight out of Lima." "The cat shouldn't be a problem." "Yah! That cat will have to stay." Frankly, the hardest part of this whole situation has been how quickly plans tergiversate. (It's one of my favorite words. Look it up.)
As of right now, I DO have a flight home after our current quarantine. I HAVE a ticket for next week. However, the president of Peru has mentioned the possibility of extending quarantine. If this happens my flight will be canceled. Some sources say that Peru will only be closed for 15 more days. Other sources say it could be up to three months.
I'm safe. Why do I want to come home so badly? I love the people I'm with. Why do I long to weather this storm out in a country that has it worse? All I know is that I want home.
The president will announce tomorrow (Thursday) what will happen after our current quarantine. My flight will likely be cancelled. The US embassy, however, has FINALLY contacted and promised that they will work to get every US Citizen out that needs home. That process will likely be much more complicated and probably result in me needing to leave the cat. Pray that I can put my faith in God no matter the outcome.
EDIT: My internet wouldn't post this yesterday. Today we received news that Peru WILL be closed for 13 extra days after our current quarantine.
Thiago always has a hug to share. <3
I praise God for my home church community. One of the small groups knew that even it the midst of "social distancing" God's people needed fellowship. They organized a prayer session over zoom. I got to join! For one hour, nearly fifteen people came together to pray and praise and encourage. Oh! How I long that all of my loved ones could experience a church like this. There are many, many people I love who haven't been blessed with asupportive church, and it breaks my heart. May I have the opportunity and honor of sharing the love they give to others who aren't so fortunate.
In other news, we have had an outbreak of Dengue Fever in Pucallpa. Dengue is similar to Malaria, but it's worse and more deadly (or so I've heard). Our city smells like chemicals because the government has been spraying our houses for mosquitos. The Pucallpinos won't be dying from Corona or Mosquitos... just starvation and cancer. No biggie. ;)
On a brighter note, in the past two days, I have somehow managed to score FOUR points in volleyball. This is a large feat for someone who receives excited cheers every time she even hits the ball in a semi-correct direction.
Over and out.
~TBS~