Second to last week in Ayaycucho :((( Feb 25th

Buenas!!! Como estan? 

Esta semana fue interesante y divertido. To start off, I got robbed on the bus haha. Someone opened my bag and took my cute Peruvian coin purse without me or my companion noticing so that was fun. My wallet had 30 soles and some change so not too devestating (especially considering I was going to put my 100 soles in there that morning to break it down to smaller bills, but didn't). I'm actually more bummed about my cute coin purse mas que nada hahaha. It's okay though. And it's also good my camera wasn't in my bag that day, too, tender mercies!!

Yesterday we were walking by Juana's little restaurant to take a bus and she offered us food in baggies to eat on the way, so we gladly accepted and ate as we walked. It was cooked corn and a piece of meat. We were stopped on the sidewalk and eating when my companion suddenly gasped really loud and said *Hermana!!* and I said *que, que, que??* *Sabe que esta comiendo (Do you know what you're eating?)** and I responded, *Que??* and she said *CUY!!!* and we flipped out. I've been wanting to try cuy while I've been here in Ayacucho but it's expensive and I haven't gotten the chance. Cuy is guinea pig, by the way. I WAS EATING GUINEA PIG: and I thought it was pig or chicken, like usual. SO that's a fun story for yah.

This week we had our Uni Zone conference with Presidente Richey and his two Assistants here in Ayacucho. It was really good and we ate some good pollo a la brasa for lunch. 

Then we had Stake Conference yesterday and that went well, too! Saw a lot of people and visited for a while after. It was fun.

This weekend is CAMBIOS. and my time here in Ayacucho is bastante... so I'm probably leaving this weekend :( okay, I AM leaving bc President told me in my interview haha. I just dont know where or who will be my companion so I'm nervous. But I know where I get sent is where I'm supposed to be! Just sad to leave all the people I know and love here in beautiful Americas 2, Huamanga, Ayacucho, Peru. Def gonna cry but it's fine :)

I wish you all the best in all your endeavors this week! Love you all!

Hermana Lowe

Reply to Deb's email:  
We had stake conference, and two friends of Hna Delia came! they're from Venezuela and she feeds them lunch everyday bc they don't have hardly anything. Hna Delia is the best person I know. But they're the only two that came..  the other people we invited didn't make it :(

That's so cool! I can testify of the joy the gospel brings! why do you think our family is always happy when were all together in our home?? I know for sure we will be even happier when I get home :)

I have an idea for what you can do when you read the Book of Mormon this time! Focus on Christ using 4 colors of highlighters or colored pencils. Each color has a meaning, for example, I'm doing it right now and I use these colors: Pink: Attributes of Christ, Orange: Principles and Doctrines of Christ, Yellow: Every reference to Christ (Señor, Mesias, Christ. Jehovah, etc), and Blue: His words when He speaks. I love this assignment and it's crazy to see how much the Book of Mormon really is another Testament of Jesus Christ!! I can't describe how much I love you, much less how much He loves you! 

I love you mom

Hermana Lowe

Deb:  We got to talk to Brittany today!  She video chatted with us for 18 minutes.  She is doing SO good, but sad to leave the area she's been in for so long.  It was so nice to see her face, and hear her voice, and it was so nice to know that when we hung up, that we would probably see/speak to each other again soon!  There was no crying, or trying to get in last words...so much more relaxed! I'm sure proud of my girl.  Can't wait to find out where she will go next! 

Cuy (guinea pig)

Cuy

My agendas!!!  I have 5 now, soon 6, what the que?

what to buy when you are having a hard day

Life in Ayacucho

Hello all,

How´s it goin? I hope everyone had a great week.

This week was good! My companion and I are super close now and are teaching better together. We have a lot of promising investigators and are working hard in the work of the Lord. I´m grateful for this time I have as a missionary to share the gospel and experience a new culture firsthand.

Today for Preparation Day we went to Los Cañones! (the canyons) and took some cool pictures. It was a two hour drive both ways but worth the view. My zone is super fun and I love hanging out with them.

I began teaching English classes with Hermana Valenzuela and its super fun! Every Friday at 6pm we have a class, and its so good. The sad thing is, cambios are in two weeks so if I get transferred, I wont get to teach English anymore but its okay. We´ll see what happens.

We have eaten a lot of tuna this week… and no, not the fish. The prickly fruit that grows on cactus. It's everywhere here and everyone is going to the selve (jungle) to pick tuna and sell it here in Huamanga. It's like girl scout cookie season… kinda.

There has also been a lot of rain this week… what's new.  Haha

We explored to the end of the world (the end of our area) this week in a place we had never gone so that was fun. We walked along, dodging vicious dogs and curious children. Also we almost got hit by water balloons. Since it’s the month before Carnavales, everyone likes to throw water or water balloons off their roof to hit the people walking down below… Which unfortunately is always me. And I stick out like a sore thumb so I'm an obvious target. Luckily I haven’t been hit too hard yet, just a little. But one time we were in a bus and someone threw a balloon at the open window and it almost made it inside the bus to splash the innocent people inside. Its cruel.. but keeps things interesting haha.

We are having *invasions* as las hermanas in my zone. We all meet in one area, and divide and conquer for two hours, looking for old investigators, contacting people on the street, and knocking on doors to look for people who are interested. Then we give all of these references to the hermanas in this area and now they have a lot of people to work with! It's cool. So far we've done Garcilazo and Mariscal 1. Americas 1 and 2 are this week.

      Well my friends, and fam, I have a lot of pictures to share like usual. Enjoy J

       I love you all! Until next Monday!

       Hermana Lowe

We didn't receive a call from Brittany this week but in regards to the new opportunity for her to call/text family on a weekly basis as needed, she said: "I will let you know what I wanna do!"  which to me, means that she is doing well, and I know she is happy and is going to do what is best for her! Even though it's hard as a mom to want to talk to her, it brings me more joy that she is happy and doing well, and eventually she will probably call us.  

Hey momma...Here's some random facts about my life that I was thinking about this week that I could tell you.

1-  I'm officially a curb walking expert because it rains so much the curb is the only dry place to walk.

2-  I do my own laundry and have been since I got to the field. We were gonna find a lavenderia but it's easier to do it at home and cheaper.

3-  One time we were taking a bus and we were in the very back seat and we went over a bump super fast and I totally CAME OFF THE SEAT. Terrifying. Absolutely crazy! hahaha

Mickey!

Hna Guasgua and I

Hnas Butler and Valenzuela

Peeling tuna straight off the cactus!

Money, money, money

Rain and Rescuing Animals

Hello friends and fam!!

This week was wonderfully full of a lot of rain and warm drinks. I love the *summers* here haha. Ayacucho is where I am supposed to be!

We rescued a puppy and bird this week... in the same day, and gave them both to my pensionista to keep, haha. Having a puppy in your bag is a good way to contact people and start a conversation ;)

I hit my 6 month mark and I feel so happy! I'm glad I chose to serve this mission; I'm learning TONS and growing in so many ways... hard ways.. but still growing. 

I would love to hear from you guys and get updates on your lives! 

Love you all!! Saludos de Huamanga, Ayacucho, Peru!

Hermana Lowe

Hermana Lowe's new email address:  brittany.lowe@missionary.org

Do you know the boundaries for the new Limatambo mission yet?  Will it cover Ayacucho?

Lima Tambo is gonna take a little of Lima South, Lima Central, and Lima East. Ayacucho will stay in South with Ica, Nazca, Pisco, and Cañete (i think) and Lima Tambo will take Pachacamac, Villa Maria, Chorrillos, Villa El Salvador, etc. 

Did you get up super early today to be able to go to Wari and be back so soon? 

Yes! we got up at 530 and left at 630 for Wari and got back at 10! it was good bc we still have all day to do things

Inca Kola-my absolute fav

Views from Delia's new house

Mexican food!  I felt at home for a minute.

The cats that came with Delia's house. 

Mi mami de le mision - Hna Delia

More views from her house which is at the end/border of our area

Hermana Valencia and Lowe

Hermanas Lopez, Valencia, & Lowe

Birthday party for Tony after his baptism

Rain, literally rivers in the streets everyday, I love it

Bus that goes to and from Lima to Ayacucho

The corn we peeled off the cob

Hermana Valencia carrying Diego, the rescued puppy

Delia and Hna Valencia holding the rescued bird and puppy

Rescued bird

Diego on Hna Lowe's lap

Hna Lowe, Delia, & Valencia

Birthday card to mom 

Cactus at the Wari Ruins

Views at the Wari Ruins

Hermana Butler, Lopez, and Lowe (THE NORTH AMERICANS)

Hermana Lowe & Butler

On hike to Wari ruins

Beautiful view!

Wari Ruins (wari means an old or ancient people...
they were here before the Incas and the Chancas)

Wari Ruins

Spider pic for Dad

Another spider pic for Dad

Feliz Cumpleanos Mami!