For this past week, we had a husband and wife team leading all of us missionary types in learning what it will take to learn, and the significance of learning, a new language.  Before this week I had heard that Dwight and Barbara were great at what they do and are very helpful to everyone who learns underneath them.  So, I was looking forward to this time.

What I didn't realize was that one of the best parts of the week was being able to see and hear the passion that God has given them for loving people by learning their language the way they know it.  There is a definite way in which you can passionately learn a new language, in our case Spanish, so that you present yourself to the people to whom you are reaching out as a learner and lover of their culture. 

By taking the time to diligently and wholeheartedly learn how Peruvians communicate, Sara and I and the kids will have the opportunity to express Christ's love to them in a very practical, tangible and "put your money where your mouth is" way.  (Excuse the pun, it was unintended.)

We, also, clearly saw, this past week, how this process will take hard work...very hard work.  We look forward to this process, but we also know that it will not be easy.  But, if it means that we can clearly express the love of Christ to the Peruvians in Lima, then my motivation is moved to a higher place. 

....on a steep learning curve...

Jim for Sara, Caroline, Chloe and Eli