Here I go again....traipsing the world

Alrighty, being brand spanking new at this I don't know where to begin. If you're reading this you probably know me and well...the fact that I don't blog. So I'm attempting over the next 2 years and some change to share my experiences in the Peace Corps.

So here's the deets: I've up and joined the Peace Corps. I'll be living in Peru for 27 months (~800 days). I will be a Community Health Promoter aka health educator. Don't worry I won't be stranded in the Amazon jungle like many seem to think. I will be living with a Peruvian family in Lima for 3 months and after training I head to a different village for my 2 years of service.
Yep I'll be living here!

Why you ask? Well, I'll take a stab at explaining. I'm an adventure seeker...always have been. I had a "plan" for my life but it seemed God has called me in another direction. I know I have always been drawn to other countries....I have itchy feet...I'm a nomad...however you want to put it I never stay in one place very long. Even though the Peace Corps is a secular gov't organization. I feel very strongly that God will allow me to use this time to grow spiritually and train for future. I will finally be able to cross "learning a foreign language" off my bucket list. I truly believe my time with the PC with better equip me for future positions with an NGO and working with international disaster and relief projects.

I know God has given me guidance and peace about my decision...especially since I'm not even nervous (weird...huh?).

So here I go, "traipsing the world again" as many family and friends have told me. But the definition of traipse is "to walk or go aimlessly without finding or reaching one's goal." Well I'm definitely not wondering the world aimlessly so I'm on a quest to find a better word..hmmm quest? Nah. How about adventure or journey. Either way I really do know God has a hand in all of this. Trust has been an important word to me lately. :)

I suppose I should end this with a little more inspiration: 2 stories

Story #1: Most of you know I worked at M-Fuge this summer. Teaching Day #2 of Bible Study was about "Relating to those in authority" We discussed Matthew14:22-33 AKA The Story of Jesus walking on water. We were supposed to have our students draw a boat and above it write Matthew 14:29 which says," Come! And climb out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus." This verse is relating to how Peter stepped out in faith and completely trusted Christ, knowing He has all power and authority. Subsequently, I would have my campers fill in this blank: If I could do one big thing for Christ and I need I couldn't fail I would ________. Then the campers would write this in the bottom of their boats. I had done a sample boat before camps started and in my boat it said, "Go to the far ends of the earth." And guess what? That was a week before I got my invitation to Peru. Crazy, huh? God is amazing. His timing is perfect. And if we completely trust Him, He can do amazing things in and through our lives.

Oh, here's a pic...I keep it in my Bible...Yes I know I cannot draw... Thanks for pointing it out.
(Note: the pirate, the lookout, the monkey, and Kate Winslet)

Story #2: Is not really a story but inspiration none the less...Today I was reading in 2 Corinthians 5. One of my favorite verses is verse 17. But today I took more notice of verses 20 and 21. "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ behalf, "Be reconciled to God." He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." Ambassadors....we are to be ambassadors. Representatives of Christ in our speech, our actions, and our attitudes. We are to reflect Christ and be salt and light as it says in Matthew 5:13-16.

Well the rest of my blogs will be in Spanish...jk. I had my Spanish speaking level interview yesterday...yikes! I have forgotten so quickly. Oh well....more on that later.

I'll keep everyone posted on these next few weeks!

If you would like to write me while I'm gone or send peanut butter ;)

Cuerpo de Paz - Peru 

Celeste Grisham, PCT

Via Lactea 132

Surco,

Lima, Peru

Until next time,

Celeste