Peru Year Three?

New post on emily's blog

2011-01-23T00:20:00.001-06:00

www.leinbacker.com

Thanks!

New post on emily's blog

2011-01-18T11:04:00.002-06:00

http://leinbacker.blogspot.com/2011/01/weather-still-exists.html

new post on leinbacker.com

2010-09-26T22:25:00.002-05:00

click the title to go read the new entry. http://leinbacker.blogspot.com/

I forget about my blog, and it's all Facebook's fault!

2010-08-14T20:04:00.001-05:00

Yes, I am guilty! I forget to write real content sometimes, because I am caught up writing bit by bit content and interacting (albeit long distance) in the daily lives of my friends via facebook. But I really do feel that Blogs DO still have a place in this world. (Cue really old Michael W. Smith music...)

I think that the art of composing thoughts and writing them coherently is being lost in the world of "soundbytes" and texting shorthand. (LOL) And I am guilty of using those things, too. I enjoy using them. But again, they help me forget that true communication, true 'communion' with friends and family, even students, can rarely be accomplished in an abbreviated fashion. And so, I have finally come up with a good idea to help myself actually blog: I have remembered that I can send a blog entry as an email and it will post on my blog. This is good, because I am logged onto my email everyday. I frequently can write a quick paragraph to the world while I'm checking other things. And while that won't exactly be high quality, thoughtful, in-depth ponderings, it will at least be something more than the status update on my Facebook account. So, I am writing this email now to both blogs that I'm a part of: mine (Life of Leinbacker) and the one Cindy and I created 2.5 years ago when we both came to Lima, Peru (Leinbach Sisters In Peru -- right now called Peru, Year Three). I will post for now simultaneously. I have been thinking that Cindy and I should consider the future of that combined blog... since it was created mostly as a way to help people connect with us as we raised support together to be missionaries here in Peru. Now, Cindy is back home in Indiana, and I am here in Peru sans soeur. (without sister)

What do you think? Should we can the combined one? Put it on hiatus for awhile? Cindy has her own blog, too. And really, hardly anyone reads these anyway, right? ;)

Is there a way that I can notify my facebook account when my blog posts? So that my fb folks can also partake in my more lengthy ponderings, should they so desire?

I don't have any deep ponderings tonight. Except that I haven't been focused very well recently. Not on what truly counts. And that's God. I've been focused on a lot of things, but shying away from digging deep with God in recent months. Why? not sure. but most likely for the same reasons that I also do when I find myself doing this: it's easier to drift away than to dig deeper; it's easier to stay at status quo than to continue to seek without knowing what one will find; it's safer to float merrily along than to catch a wave of faith, and so if i'm not talking to God about my life, then I' won't ever notice the wave of faith passing by, and won't have to make the decision to jump on.

So, instead, the waves crash over me, and I will one day come to my spiritual senses and realize that I am now under fathoms of water and am mostly drowned. And I will yank on that life vest's cord that is supposed to release an inflatable buoy and start the strobe emergency light flashing, and it won't do much good so far underwater... I'll be slowly pulled upwards through the churning current, trying NOT to take gulps of water, and all the while wondering to myself: HOW did I sink this deep without noticing?

close your eyes, count to ten, click your heels, start again... doesn't really work outside of Oz.

There are new people living with me now. One new roommate came to teach fifth grade about 6 weeks ago. The other new teacher/roommate moved in this week. They are both filled with that "new arrival" spirit of energy and strength... unpolluted by the quagmires of daily logistics that have pulled on the spirits of the "veteran" teachers. I am hopeful that having "new blood" around me will be a challenge in a GOOD and POSITIVE way- to lift me back up to where I need to be, and want to be with my Savior every day. I know that as always Satan will be waiting to use the "new" interactions for negative purposes.

So, I guess my current prayer requests would be: for unity and community to be knit around the five women living in this apartment, ranging in ages from newly graduated from college to me (now the ripe age of 36! *gasp*). That we may be blessings to each other, even when it is hard to be that. (I have forgotten, I think, what it means to be a blessing to the people I live with...) I spent a lot of time in this apartment alone for the first three months of this school year, and so having a "full house" feels a little stiffling sometimes...

And pray for a renewed sense of desire to draw near to the almighty God who has given me SO much. I read my Bible, I go to church, but I'm not putting that extra effort into inviting the Spirit to do His work in me and through me, and although I'm thanking Him daily and publicly for every way He provides for me, I'm finding myself becoming very fearful of the "Next Step" - that next thing that I will be doing in January. That thing which is as yet unknown to me. But, (and here's the kicker) I haven't spent much time asking God to show me His plan! Why not? Anxiety. Fear. What if I don't like what He shows me? Or, worse yet, and my biggest fear: what if I don't hear/see/sense/receive His plan for me at all, and end up clueless?

You'd think I'd be calmer than this, after the rest of my life. Guess this is part of the whole picking up my cross daily and following Him, eh? Faithful following of Jesus never gets easier, you just get better at choosing to trust and trusting in the "daily" part of "daily bread". *grin* Yeah, God is good, all the time. It's just all HIS time, and not ours.

Gee, so much for no big ponderings, eh? Can I just say that I LOVE youtube! (That seems very random, I know, but really it's not.) I spent an hour before starting this message going through videos of music from my past: songs I've not heard for years because they are on cassette tape (*gasp!) and they are all sitting in a shed in my parent's backyard, being alternately superheated and supercooled in the northern Indiana weather and (I'm certain) completely losing any audio integrity they had left three years ago. And it was so wonderful to here some of those songs from my middle school and high school and college spiritual life: Amy Grant's Age to Age Album, old Smitty... Rich Mullins... some early third day, jars of clay, etc etc. Since I can't bring those cassettes with me, I am thanking God for the inventions of digital media. And for people who make really awesome videos to accompany those 'old' songs!

I have a YouTube channel, btw (oops, look at that, I just did it! the shorthand!!!) BY THE WAY... I didn't actually save any of those songs to a playlist on that channel though. Oh well. I will probably go back and do that over the next couple of hours. If you so desire, you can see other blurbs of my life by visiting http://www.youtube.com/user/leinbacker and also http://www.youtube.com/user/MissLeinbach (which I use for my third graders).

Well, if you've made it through this entire blog entry, congratulations! Please feel free to comment so I know you visited. Otherwise, I will probably just envision me writing to myself... which isn't all bad, either. Since I've also slacked off in journalling, too.

Share a comment of what you thank God for when you realize you're sinking. God bless you all and thank you for your support.
Emily

Mid-June? Really? Already?

2010-06-14T20:36:00.001-05:00

Well, it's June. Which means it's winter. sigh. gray skies, hazy mountainsides, almost-drizzling precipitation that they call "rain" which serves to make everything wet and slippery, but has none of the pleasant side effects of the lovely smells and sounds I have always associated with rain. And colds and flu. Bronchitis and asthma. Thankfully, this year, no swine flu. My job has been much harder the last week with an average of three children absent every day. I'm drinking lots of OJ. And I think surviving on the prayers of the people 'out there'. So far have managed not to get anything 'full out'. Just sorta halfway... oh well.

I would appreciate prayers for my intestinal health. Thanks. And mental health.

If you're my friend on Facebook, I've got new pictures up. If you're not my friend, click this link anyway and ask to be my friend! IF you're not on facebook, GOOD FOR YOU! sigh. not really, but sometimes.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=52692&id=1616110756&l=86b93d15fe

But seriously, I'll try to get them up on Picasa, too. Thanks everyone out there for your support!

Third Grade starts second quarter....

2010-05-23T20:45:00.001-05:00

...and Emily and Dana have some fun in Lima before Dana heads home May 23.

Click to go to my picasa page for more pics!

Click to go to new message from Emily -there's a picture too!

2010-04-25T22:06:00.002-05:00

Praise God: Fundraiser Final Total is $2200. Speechless.

2010-04-23T02:50:00.000-05:00

Click here to visit Life of Linebacker for a note from Emily!

2010-04-20T21:28:00.001-05:00

Prayer card

2010-04-16T13:41:00.003-05:00

If you would like one of Emily's Prayer cards please contact Cindy @ cynthiamleinbach@yahoo.com
Include your address in the email and one will be sent out to you.
OR
Simply copy the picture above and print one yourself. Whatever works! :)
Any and all donations are GREATLY valued, it matters not the amount.
God Bless!

Back to Peru on Tuesday!!!

2010-02-11T18:51:00.000-06:00

From Emily's blog (www.leinbacker.com):
My return ticket to Peru is this Tuesday, and school starts the first week of March. Pledges and donations are beginning to come in, and I am once again humbled by the generosity of God's people. I am also anxious since I still have a LONG way to go before meeting my $600-$700 per month goal. To those of you have committed for the next year, THANK you and please feel free to send donations immediately.

Quite a bit of my current financial "AAAAHHHHHH!!!!" factor is simply a result of not having the "nest egg" funds we thought we'd have at the end of last year. God has taken care of us and provided miraculously for Cindy's medical care, but we're still waiting on a (large) insurance check and came back with less than we hoped. There are a lot of needs that I was planning on purchasing while home in the States (shoes, some clothing, special supplies, etc) that I'm not able to afford right now. I'm having to pick and choose what is TRULY needed right now and what can be put off and sent later somehow.

I know God will take care of me, and I'm hoping that part of that care will include being able to get things in Lima for less than I'm budgeting so that I may not need as much as is my goal. We'll see. I am fighting the feeling of panic, though. Why is it so hard to KEEP trusting God?

PRAISE: I was able to go to the dentist and was told that what I was sure was a rotting root was NOT! No decay at all!!! WHO HOO!

Ways to pray: Obviously, continued financial commitments through January 2011. And,

Before returning to Peru: provision for: new computer cord, one pair new shoes, some specific toiletries and underwear (very hard to find in Peru the way many U.S. women like to have them), new drivers license, and a small pocket chart that I wanted to buy for my classroom.
On Tuesday: safe travel from South Bend to Atlanta and then Lima, no problems getting a full 180 day tourist visa, and no problems in customs.
Peace of mind and energy to get everything done!

I love you and will try to post MUCH more often this year!

Back home again, in Indiana!

2010-01-18T19:31:00.003-06:00

Well, Year Two in Peru is officially over. We have returned safely to Elkhart. Cindy will not be returning to Peru due to her need for stronger medication for her Rheumatoid Arthritis. Emily will be returning to Lima on February 16 (we bought round-trip tickets to come back to the U.S. because it was cheaper than one way).

We hope that Emily will be able to stay in Lima to teach for one more year, for several reasons. The previous third grade teacher thought she'd be in the States for two years, but now will not return to Lima for one more year. After two years of teaching the third grade curriculum, Emily is just finally starting to feel like she's got the hang of it, and could really do a great job. And with one more year of exposure and one year of tutoring, Emily could really get the hang of Spanish, too!

We hope to send a summary letter with pictures out to everyone soon. We thank EVERYONE for their prayers and financial support over the last year. God used you greatly.

Here are our prayer requests now:

Cindy: provision of work, medical care, and medicines. She will be pursuing the possibility of getting Disability status in order to help with the medical issues of RA. She is also desiring to begin work on Early Childhood Education classes as she feels she has finally found her vocation in teaching pre-k. (YEAH!) Also, the miraculous provision of a vehicle for her use (since we both sold our cars before leaving for Peru).
Emily: provision of financial support of $600 per month in order to return to MCS for one last year of teaching in Lima (and to be able to make student loan payments). Also, prayer for provision of the next step after this year: Emily is open to Mennonite Missions opportunities (especially in Peru), or in various programs in the States of teaching while getting her education degree.

We cannot thank you all enough for your support through our trials. Living and teaching in a foreign country has made a big impact on both of us, and we hope to be able to share more about our experiences with all of you!

What's new in Peru?

2009-12-22T01:28:00.000-06:00

Well, folks, Year Two in Peru is drawing to a close. I can't quite believe it!

I sent 15 more third graders off into summer vacation last Thursday. We had a bit of a roller coaster last week of school as we practiced feverishly for our Christmas Program and then had to cancel it Thursday an hour before school let out: we had a confirmed case of the swine flu, and per health regulations, suspended all activities for 8 days. Oh well.

I'm writing at this late hour before heading off into the Andes for nine days of vacation with Mom and Dad and Cindy! Yes, Cindy's back has healed so she is nearly back to where she was before her horrific herniated disk- she is still doing daily exercises but the fact that she CAN do them is a PRAISE to God! She will not be able to go on a couple of hikes, but she's able to do most. Your prayers for her and for all of us during the next nine days would be appreciated.

After returning to Lima on the 30th, I will have to make a decision regarding next year: Cindy will NOT be able to return to Peru due to her rheumatoid arthritis (RA) becoming more severe and medication needs changing. However, I have realized that I would like to have one more year of teaching third grade here, one more year of getting more involved in different ministries in areas around Lima and beyond Lima, one more year of truly studying Spanish and using it more fluently.

I've been agonizing about making a decision, and I realized recently it's not my decision, it's God's. Just like it was last February.So, after much prayer, we're doing what we did then: laying out a fleece and waiting for God's answer.

I am asking two things: 1) prayer concerning a possible way to get some support through an organization called Go World Ministries and 2) your prayerful consideration of any further financial support you could give in 2010.

I know the economy and job situation in the States is pretty terrible. If I stay, Cindy will also be trying to find ways to speak at churches, etc to help raise support for me. We do not want anyone to feel pressured to support me financially. However, God provides blessings in surprising ways, so even though I feel unbelievably unworthy to ask, I also know that God's answer to "seek and you will find" can't come if I never ask at all.

Please reply by email any of your thoughts regarding this, including any thoughts you might have on options in the States, should Peru Year Three not be in God's plan for me. I am often surprised and blessed by the insights you all have shared with me in the past.

Thank you and Merry Christmas,
Emily

Plans for the Future

2009-12-06T21:41:00.002-06:00

God tells us not to make them. He tells us that He knows the plans He's made for us. He tells us not to worry about tomorrow, let alone the days after tomorrow. He tells us that He will provide for us even more than He provides for the lilies of the field and the birds singing in the trees outside.

And yet, we are human, and so much of our time is spent making plans. Thinking about the future. Worrying about what will happen tomorrow and in the days after tomorrow. Ensuring that my obligations are met (paying bills, etc) isn't anti-God, at least I don't think it is. God wants my testimony to be one of integrity. So of course, I should plan ahead enough to use what God has given me wisely.

The planning He doesn't want us to do is the kind that causes us anxiety, angst, and even anger. The kind that is always paired with worry. The kind of planning that we allow to lock us up, and then locked into that schedule of plans, we stop listening for the breath of Life in our lives, and we stop responding to the calling of His Spirit.

So, I've been thinking a lot about the future. Trying to make plans, to make decisions, to "know God's will" for me.

We came two years ago to Peru, committed to two years. Last year, it looked like maybe we wouldn't be able to return. God answered us in a mighty way: He provided $14,000 pledged commitments in one week. We had our direction: God provides, we go.

Now we are at the end of Peru Year Two. And Cindy is at the end of her Peru possibilities. Due to the severity of her rheumatoid arthritis, she needs different medication. The cost of obtaining these medications in Peru is prohibitive. (She received a long-awaited phone call from assistance programs on the day that our whole school was doing a special day of prayer: for the current teachers at MCS and God's plans for them. Again, God answers.) So, Cindy will be boarding a plane on January 17 and leaving to return home "for good".

Which leaves me. The principal made it very clear months ago that she was praying for miraculous provision of funds for both of us to stay. She's "accepted Cindy's departure" but isn't ready to concede yet that I won't be back. :)

For the last week or two I've been "trying to decide" what I should do: should I pursue some new avenues of financial support, should I ask the opinion of the friends and family who have already sacrificed so much to support us thus far?

And last night I went to the church of a man who works as part of the cleaning crew at the school. He asked me and several others to come to his church to speak to his young people's group about missions. I live in one of the nicest areas of Lima. His church was not. I loved it. And sitting there, singing and listening to the sharing of the "other missionaries" I realized several things.

I have always been, am now, and will always be a missionary. It's just a matter of where God puts me: close to "home" or far away, I live to be a witness to Jesus Christ, wherever He puts me and however He provides for me- jobs, gifts, lottery, whatever. My life is a mission for Christ, and I have no idea where that will take me.
I don't have to "decide what to do" because I already know what to do: go where He tells me to go. I just have to know how to hear where He tells me to go. Two years ago it was an email from a dear friend, and being laid off three days later. One year ago it was incredible provision of seemingly insurmountable financial needs. This year, it's whether God will provide $600 a month for me to return to Peru to teach the third grade class at Monterrico Christian School one more year.
I don't have to worry. God already provided a way back to Peru for me (for the first time, it was cheaper for us to get round-trip tickets, so I have a return flight already paid for). If God doesn't provide the funding support, then He doesn't want me here in Lima, He wants me somewhere else, and I'll promise to keep listening, and to go when I do hear.
I've learned this all before! Why do I forget these things?

So, here is our end of the year status: Cindy stays in the States for sure, Emily is praying a lot, and waiting a lot, and relearning to trust a lot.

Will you please pray for us?

The last two weeks of school are always hectic and stressful: tests, grades, Christmas program, packing up classrooms, etc.
MOM AND DAD ARE COMING!!!!! In one week I will be waiting at the airport for my parents! Pray for safe travels.
We have nothing solid planned for my parents, and this is also stressful: pray for provision of affordable travel on short-notice, and that God would make clear where we can also be useful to others- we want to do some "missions trip" kind of things too, not just play tourist.
Cindy's body during our travels, specifically Machu Picchu and Puno, which are mountainous.

We love you all and thank you for your prayers and support!
In Him-
Emily

God is a God of provision

2009-11-07T20:48:00.003-06:00

Thank you so much for your prayers. I was surprised by the number of people who replied with a written prayer... and how much comfort I've gotten out of them... thank you!

And there were definite answers- we have found the perfect treatment- Intervertebral Decompression Device therapy, a machine called the Accu-Spina, and with Cindy's RA, it's a gift from God, because she would NOT be able to do the standard exercises usually done for herniated discs, and even laying on her stomach for the deep heat therapy and electro-therapy is incredibly difficult, and so I cannot imagine what she would be enduring without this machine.

Our chiropractor that we were introduced to last year is from the US so speaks English. He got the machine in January of this year- it's one of two in South America, the only one in Peru, and it's ten minutes from us! It has given us hope as we see improvement little by little after every therapy. Also, since Tuesday Cindy has been able to do the machine without pain so unbearable it reduced her to tears, since she went for a cortisone shot in her left knee (the one most affected by RA) and is experiencing some temporary relief.

She has not returned to school, and will not until at least Thursday, when she will perhaps go in for an hour or two. Friday is a big day in P-4 (Cindy's class) because it marks the end of studying the entire alphabet (one letter per week all year long). Cindy really wants to be able to attend school for this big party day of celebration. Prayers for this are appreciated.

And it's been good for me, to be self-sacrificial and caring for a person bedridden- I am not by nature a nurturing person. I have discovered satisfaction and happiness in being able to make meals or remember to do all the things for her that she needs. Don't get me wrong- I'll be very happy as she is slowly able to actually walk to the kitchen to get her own sandwich, but it's been good for me.

Thanks so much again for your prayers. We know and feel the prayers of all our friends and family.

Update on Cindy

2009-10-24T22:59:00.000-05:00

Hello dear friends and family. Here is an update from the Land of Peru!

Well, it's been an interesting day, to say the least. Other adjectives would include: frustrating, boring, stressful, tearful (on my part, breaking down under some stress), angering, humbling, successful, and informative. Oh, and did I mention exhausting?

Learned a lot about the WAY communication is different in the medical setting of a different country OTHER than the actual spoken language. Yes, a lot in US health care needs fixing. But man, we've got some stuff right, too.

Diagnosis definitivemente is herniated disc between the L5 and S1 vertebrae in her lower back. That's the bottom lumbar vertebra and the top sacral (better known as "tailbone") vertebra. Treatment: painkillers for the next week, learn some exercises, do these exercises pretty much forever, and lose weight. Exercising and losing weight complicated by the Rheumatoid Arthritis, since movement on a daily basis is painful, and steroids generally cause weight GAIN.

She will be discharged tomorrow morning. We will be looking into finding a pool that she can go to regularly to exercise (best option for RA). She will probably also need to be on bed rest for another day or two, so please pray for her class of four-year-olds. Prayer for our mental peace of mind (mine more than hers) is also welcome!

Here is a pretty good explanation of herniated discs, and a picture of an MRI and illustration of a herniated disc in the place Cindy's is. http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-HLDisc.htm

On a different note: will you please join us in prayer this week for our future beyond December? And also for the school's future overall. There is a man coming to visit this week who is the president of an organization that financially supports missionary endeavors and missionaries. He happened to meet in the airport the husband of one of our Peruvian teachers several months ago and has asked to come to the school and to talk to me and Cindy.

Thank you all for your prayers and concern. The responses we have received have been so encouraging. I need to be at the hospital at 7:30 tomorrow, so I'm not replying to all of them individually, but I am so grateful for them. Thank you!

Emily and Cindy

2009-10-23T20:59:00.004-05:00

Hello everyone.

I am really not a very good missionary as far as updating the people who have played a part in my life. Here's the low-down on the situation this evening in Peru.

What I wrote on Facebook:

Most of you know that a year ago Cindy was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. It has been difficult watching her body fink out on her over the past sixteen months, even with the RA meds that she's been taking, she is in near-constant pain. This past week, a different kind of pain started coming off and on and then pretty much on starting last night. This morning she was in tears and in pain no matter what position she was in: standing, sitting, lying down, etc. It's pain deep inside her left leg.

This morning she went with a Peruvian friend to clinic, which is what they call hospital. They wanted to admit her overnight; we were told at first because they thought it was sciatic nerve issue and since she was on so many other meds for the RA, they wanted her in clinic overnight. So she was admitted. AFTER paying a sizable deposit.

Well, after a very frustrating four hours spent with her at clinic, and another spanish-speaking-friend's help, we have discovered that really, they haven't decided what's wrong with her, they need to do an MRI, and the MRI isn't in the clinic (usually in Peru the MRI is not at the actual hospital, it's in an MRI center) and so we have to go to another place to get the MRI and WHY on EARTH they didn't send her this afternoon to get an MRI?????? is beyond me...

Anyway. Her RA doctor was there with the other doctor, and neither one thinks this pain has anything to do with the RA. Like she needs anything else wrong with her body.

PLEASE PRAY for both of us, for the people around us, and for the doctors and medical staff we encounter. I am scared, because not only do I have NO IDEA what's wrong but also because I cannot be effective in advocating for her treatment with my very limited Spanish.

Thank you.

And now how I really feel: absolutely scared out of my wits. and angry. Like cindy doesn't have enough to deal with???? Is her middle name Job??? I'm really not at all confident in this situation- we've never had a problem with the RA doctor at Tezza, but I have little peace with the situation she's in now. I know part of that is just because I'm worried about her and I can't communicate in Medical Spanish. But it's more than that- it's the whole vibe of the place, of the way the nurses reacted or did NOT react.... I understand now why no one ever wants to leave their sick folks alone at a clinic here in Peru... Hearing that "we don't know" what's wrong didn't help either. And now she called to say they can't take her to do the MRI until tomorrow morning, which means another day staying at the hospital, and my cynical side says "yeah, another day in the clinic, more money for them, so of course they won't do it until tomorrow..." She has insurance, but it reimburses after the fact, so it's also the stress of making sure we've always got access to cash for whatever they need to do next...

Until today, our big prayer request would have been "guidance for what on earth we're supposed to do after December" and "miraculous provision of the next-level RA drugs that Cindy needs but that are exorbitantly expensive". And really, those both still apply. The school would love to have us another year (my third grade class wants to have a garage sale to help "pay for me") and we've got nothing job-wise looking good for us in the States. But we can NOT ask our friends and family alone to support us for another year. So, we're unsure of what our next move will be.

Cindy's RA is so severe that all of the drugs available to her now are no longer inhibiting the disease at all. It's barely controlling the pain. But affording the next-level of drugs is WAY beyond our ability, even here in lower-cost Peru. Only God can provide that. We are currently pursing several assistance options through the drug companies and through the Peru ministry of health and hoping God will use that option in a miraculous way.

It's tough living with a loved one in chronic pain. I am trusting God to provide for both of us. (I believe, help my unbelief, ya know?) (I miss my parents and family tonight!)

A happy note: I had to leave school early today, and left a sub with my class. When I told them why I was leaving (Miss Cindy's in the clinica), every one of their faces showed sincere concern and two of them said "we should pray for her". And as I left the room, that's what they were doing. (When I asked who would like to pray, seven hands went up! My class this year has truly been a blessing.

I just talked to Cindy- she told me not to come back, that she's just going to sleep with all the pain killers, and when she heard the tears in my voice actually said to me "Emily, call me if you need anything- God is a loving and faithful God." SHE is comforting ME! So, I suppose I shall go to bed since I've got to be at the clinic in the morning at 8.

Love to you all,
Emily Leinbach (and Cindy)

WOW!

2009-10-14T14:26:00.002-05:00

Wow it the first week of 4th Quarter!!!! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!?!?!?!

The days just seem to go faster and faster and faster! We have A LOT to post within the week but I wanted to share a prayer request with y'all...

The medicine I am taking for my Rhuematoid Artritis is no longer working. It is barely suppressing any of the symptoms of the disease and it is not doing ANYTHING to prevent the progress of the disease. It has been deemed necessary to move up to the biological level of meds. This is scary because these meds are more than $15,000 per year. I have contacted the company for possible financial assistance. I am in the midst of see if I can be classified as a resident in Peru which is the only way I would be able to recieve the financial help. The South America director of the pharacutical company that makes Enbrel replied VERY promptly and has been a great help to me. God is great and God is good! He continually places people in my life just when I need them. Mr. Durstein (the SA dicertor) is a fellow brother in Christ, and in his last email to me ended it with the following scripture...

..."Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"

Matthew 6:25

Yes God is good, and He WILL take care of me AND of my body! So if you all can pray that I am able to work this out SOON, to know if I can become a resident or not that would be great. We are considering coming back for one more year to LIma, but if I am unable to procure assistance in Peru I will not have to option of returning to a job I LOVE! Thank you for your prayer support.

Cindy

2009-10-04T17:41:00.004-05:00

Here is a video of some of Cindy's class as rabbits... one of them apparently needing to visit the little bunny's room...

From Peru Year Two!

Here is a rather delayed picture of Emily's birthday. In the picture are Cindy, Emily, Katie Brink-Guerrero, Heidi Copeland, and Ivone (Peruvian teacher assistant). The cake was very good... lots and lot of chocolate!

I am a terrible missionary...

2009-10-04T17:08:00.000-05:00

Oh, wait, that sounds like i'm a terrible missionary because I'm not sharing the Gospel- I'm doing THAT. I'm just not sharing anything else! Like, I'm not sharing my experiences with anyone through any of the multiple ways open and available to me through modern technology. Facebook, email, my blogs, the Internet phone we can use just like we're in the States...

I am a terrible communicator, and for that I am truly sorry. I tend to think this way: I want to share all this stuff with people, but i'm really tired or don't have very much time, and i won't be able to write it all, so i will just wait til later...

BUT LATER NEVER HAPPENS. Yes, I realize the complete silliness of this. I am going to try something new: tidbits.

Today's tidbits:
-How did I ever think that sweet potato was yucky????
-THE SUN IS OUT TODAY! cindy and i went out and sat in the park for more than half and hour just to BE in the sunshine...
-I should have brought that gorgeous purple formal dress I bought for $2.50 at Goodwill two years ago... Peruvian women DRESS UP for weddings!
-I really really don't like the whole "grading" part of being a teacher...
-It's sad when you're left speechless after watching the "in memory" montage of the Emmy's (repeated here a few days after the event) because you had NO IDEA that all those people were dead! Bea Arthur?!? (I'm so sorry, Meg!) Ed McMahon? I can't even remember the rest, because there were so many!

My goal is to do tidbits on a regular basis. Nothing deep or profound, but at least it's something!
Love you all!
Emily

Third Grade Farewell...

2009-06-07T23:22:00.000-05:00

I had to say goodbye to one of my students last Friday- his family is moving to Canada! I really and truly will miss him- I loved his attitude and smile and sense of humor and work. We had a big ole party for him at the end of the day, which we'd planned for all week (mothers involved and everything) and STILL managed to keep a secret from Patrick! It was so much fun. We had a cake, and one of the mothers took last year's class picture, photoshopped me into it with his second grade teacher, and got it framed with a mat that we could all sign. All the kids had made cards or letters at home for him and brought them in and then we took a picture of all of us in the classroom. And then we prayed for him. I started, and told the kids that if they wanted to say a short prayer for him, to raise their hands and I'd say their name. About six kids did that, including one boy that is new this year and not from a believing background, but had become good friends with Patrick. It was so beautiful to be able to do that, to encourage them to pray for each other, and to hear Patrick say "It doesn't matter where we are, God is still with us."

It's been one week without him, and we said several times every day "I miss Patrick".

The only good thing about it is that now i have 16 students, which (unlike 17) CAN be evenly divided into rows, or work groups, etc. *grin*

Pictures of the Farm Trip and Emily's kids...

2009-04-26T21:22:00.003-05:00

As promised here are some pictures of my P-4 field trip to the Farm and some of Emily's kids as well. Just click on the picture below to view all of the photos. Enjoy!

Farm adventures

Emily's Third Graders

First Month of P-4.

2009-04-04T21:47:00.004-05:00

Well we have made it through the first five weeks of school.

All is going well, so I thought I would post just a few pictures of P-4 thus far. Just click on the picture below to link to the album I hope you enjoy them.

We have a three day week this coming week due to Easter Break.

I hope you all have wonder-filled Easters and remember..."Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15" That was this past weeks Memory verse...every one of my kids can tell you that verse....how cool is that!

Blessing to you all

Cindy (and Emily too!)

P-4 2009 March snaps

Please visit Emily's blog for a new post...

2009-03-22T12:35:00.000-05:00

http://leinbacker.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-year-ago-today.html

Back home in Peru

2009-03-11T17:37:00.003-05:00

We arrived safely in Lima of Feb. 24 and have been on the go ever since.

We had just two short days to get our classroom and lesson plans ready for this year. It was a whirlwind of activity and stress but we both accomplished the goal with lots of help from our co-workers.

We have had a much better start to the year this year than last, the staff is ready to support each other. Pray that language and culture differences do not change the camaraderie that is just beginning to grow within MCS staff.

Pray also for the administration and the relationship between them and the rest of the Staff. Anyone who has spent any time teaching in schools understands the inherent tension between administration and teachers. Both sides are trying to help the children to the best of their abilities but often do not see eye to eye. While there are no huge problems at this point in time if we have many people praying I am hoping that we will never have the problems of last year.

I am still in the process of contacting the pharmaceutical company that makes the medicine that my Doctor would like to switch me to, it is extremely costly and I cannot afford to switch to it without financial assistance. I was told that it was good I was in Peru and I will probably get better assistance with the international branch of the aid...apparently they are better funded. It would be SO nice to be able to switch...ya know beyond actually controlling the disease and preventing bone deformity in me, it would also mean instead of taking five pills a day I would take one injection once a week!!!! Just think of it....once a week, one shot....sounds like heaven to me! It makes me very sad that thinking about getting a shot once a week now sounds really good to me, when a year ago I didn't need anything.

It has been good reconnecting with friends and extend "family" here in Peru and we thank you all who have helped us and supported us in any way to make this happen.

We will be updating this blog once a month at the least so check back here on a regular basis to know what's up with the Leinbach Sisters.

God's Blessing to each of you.

Cindy and Emily

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!!

2009-02-16T08:08:00.002-06:00

We are going back to PERU!!!!!!

We booked Airfare for Feb 24.

We would like all those in the area who can to come to an Open House Feb 22 (Sun) from 3-7 p.m. We will be looking at pictures of this past year in Peru, video and eating snacks, it should be fun.

We are so thankful to all of you for supporting us, not just with money but prayer. We can NOT do what we need to do with our ministry without the prayers.

Thank you and we hope to see you on Sunday Feb. 22.

Another step of faith

2009-02-03T19:18:00.007-06:00

Well, as of now, we are planning to go back to Lima for a second year of teaching!

No, we haven't raised the full amount of support we need (a little less than $14000), but in seven days we received commitments for a little less than HALF of it. We're taking that as a confirmation of God's provision and direction for the next eleven months (to go back).

If you are one of the people who have generously pledged to support us, THANK YOU. Please go ahead and fulfill those pledges at this time; make checks out to either Emily OR Cindy and mail them to us at our parents' address.

Please check back often for support updates and information on our return trip to Lima.

Love to you all!

2009-02-01T21:01:00.000-06:00

The "problem": Peruvian laws changed; the school cannot pay us like last year. We can return only if we come as fully supported missionaries.

The Goal:
We need $500/month per person; $1000 monthly total.
Big picture: $11,000 for the 2009 school year.
Also needed in Feb: airfare & health insurance ($2000 total)
Also also needed in Feb: Emily's meds for the year ($500)

The Result:
In seven days, we received commitments for $6600 support. This is almost half of the total amount we need. We are taking this overwhelming support as confirmation for us to return to Lima for our second year of teaching at MCS.

If you still want to pledge a future amount or give a gift now, PLEASE do so; our race is not yet completed!

The Final Countdown...

2009-01-30T19:25:00.003-06:00

...More than just a rockin' 80's song, it's an accurate description of what my life feels like this week. This week we are collecting pledges. (I feel like a public radio station.) We're not asking for money (yet), we're asking for amounts of how much money people could give if we did go back to Lima. We need $11,000 dollars for the next eleven months, and also some airfare and insurance amounts. It seems overwhelming. Completely and entirely overwhelming, especially in this economy!

And yet, we're throwing it out to our friends and family- "laying out a fleece" as our pastor put it. So far, we have more than $4500 pledged. In about five days. And I am realizing that what is truly overwhelming is the generosity of people who love the Lord, and believe in us as teachers. It is overwhelming. Completely and entirely overwhelming, especially in this economy! So, to all of you who are supporting us through prayer or financial gifts, THANK YOU for your love and faith. We value every cent that is being pledged to us and understand the value that every one of those cents has to the people gifting it to us. It is a testament to God- and to the faith of all of you who are acting out of love for God and the gospel.

Please check back for frequent updates...

We love you!

Trying to remember that God IS in control...

2009-01-26T23:15:00.003-06:00

So, we've sent out 200 update letters. 200 pages of oh-so-brief summary of what the last nine months of 2008 were like. 200 pages of photographs giving a brief glimpse into our life in Peru. 200 postcards asking people to consider how they might be able to support us financially so that we can go back to Peru for our second year of teaching.

I hate asking people for money; especially NOW, with such turmoil in the economic lives of those around us. Elkhart County, where we live in Indiana, is apparently one of the hardest hit counties in the nation, with a current unemployment rate of 12%! The newspaper is filled with story after story of factory and plant closings, lay-offs, relocations, etc. And in all this, God wants us to start asking people for money???

It has been a very difficult adjustment for me (Emily) to accept the idea that human plans have once again fallen down in shambles, and that God's plan apparently is for me to ask people for their money. It's not hard to accept that human plans have been changed; I know that already. The difficulty is in the whole asking people for money thing. It seems SO presumptuous. Yes, I know that we're not really asking for "just us"; we are asking people to support a ministry that God has led us into... but here's the thing: i'm enjoying that ministry so much more than i've enjoyed almost anything else i've ever done as a career/job/employment it just seems somehow wrong to ask people to give me money to keep doing something i love so much. i can't get a job in the States teaching like i can in Peru- i'd need to go back to school. and some day i plan on doing that. Teaching in Lima has completely solidified that teaching is where i am supposed to be in life. And I love teaching hand in hand with God and the Holy Spirit.

I guess I've spent so long gearing myself up every day to go to jobs i don't really enjoy at all (or even despise) so that I can fulfill my financial obligations and needs for living, that having a daily employment that i enjoy so much is a bit miraculous for me. and I guess part of me says, how can i ask other people to pay for my happiness? I have to keep reminding myself: I'm not asking them to pay for my great job, i'm asking them to make it possible for me to serve God by doing exactly what He created me to love doing.

It's still humbling and more than a tad bit overwhelming to get notes from one unexpected source after another committing to give us hundreds of dollars. We were humbled last year at several large gifts (lap top computer, a $2000 and a $1000 gift) that made it possible for us to meet all the financial needs we had. I cannot thank people enough for their support: not just in material matters, but also in the prayers that we felt lefiting us up through the toughest moments. I cannot thank you, except to promise to go back and do my best as a teacher, a woman following God, a sister, and an ambassador of Christ from the United States.

Thank you. We love you all.

Peru comes to US

2009-01-04T20:37:00.008-06:00

There's a double meaning to the title of this post: I was going to write Peru comes to Chicago, but the events didn't all happen in Chicago. Then I thought Michigan, but not all in michigan either. So I just decided to say that Peru comes to us (as in the plural pronoun) and realized (hee hee) is can capitalize that and give it double meaning!

Last weekend, our roommate in Peru (and veteran missionary teacher that really really helped us survive) Katie Brink arrived at O'Hare with her fiance, Jose Manuel (who is Peruvian). Cindy and I had so much fun meeting them at the airport and shuttling them around city until her parents got into town SUnday afternoon. We stayed the night in the apartmnet of friends of ours from church who were out of town, went to our chicago church on sunday, took them down to the HAncock center adn then sent them UP to the observation deck as a wedding surprise gift. We ran out of time, but KAtie's parents arrived (driving on their way from Colorado) to pick them up nad take them to Grand Rapids, where the wedding was to be held.

So, yesterday, Cindy, me, Mom and Dad, and Heidi (our other roommate from PEru who came down to Indiana from Chicago to drive to the wedding with us) drove a nice 2 hours to the church where KAtie's long-distance wedding came together in wonderful style! Our head principal, NAncy Miller, was also there, up from Ohio where she's spending the last of her furlough time. It was a little of our Peru life here in the States, and what a pleasure to share some of those people with our parents! And what an honor to be there to support Katie, and even MORE importantly, Jose Manuel, whose family will not celebrate with him until the wedding celebration in Peru on January 24. I was so thankful that NAncy and the rest of us could provide at least four familiar faces from his life in Peru.

I will try posting some pictures tomorrow- it's not letting me tonight!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

2008-11-27T06:53:00.006-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Yesterday I (Cindy) had my Thanksgiving day festivities in part with Kindergarten. Here are a few pictures....

....The first is of the entire group. We started in the morning cutting up apples (all 40 kids) with plastic knives. They did a FANTASTIC job! Then we did our own thing as seperate classes and came together again near the end of the day. We had decided that Kinder would be Indians and that P-4 would be the Pilgrims. So we wanted a group shot of our little Indians and Pilgrims coming together in peace...well mostly...they ARE 5 and 6 year olds so there can never be total peace. Grin. The second picture is at the end of the apple cobbler making time. I had a "cooking class" to make the crumb part of the cobbler. They had fun (I hope.) I did even if they didn't. At the end of the day we ate the apple cobbler, then we went into the Kindergarten room to read The Very Hungry Catipillar. This is a picture from Katy Mejia's (the kinder teacher) point of view as she read the book. We had a great time and they did a great job throughout the day, but MAN and I glad it is over. 40 small children in one room with knives (even if they are plastic) is reather stress inducing. Emily is having her feista on Friday I will make sure we get some pictures of her class on here as well. (Even if mine are cuter!)

I promise we will post a blog soon about our trip to Paracas. We need to upload the pictures onto the computer first.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Cindy and Emily Leinbach

update, long overdue...

2008-11-09T08:37:00.012-06:00

Hello all! Today I will be sharing with you some pictures from the last couple of semesters and telling you about them.

This first picture is of my (Cindy's) classroom. We did Noah's Ark for Bible time. We started by putting up the ark part. Then the next day we talked about and added the 'water'. Then on Wednesday we talked about the dove being sent out, and we made our own doves and added them. Then on Thursday we colored and added the rainbow and talked about what the rainbow means. In the States when you see a rainbow flag it is a symbol of the Gay and Lesbian movement, here in Peru when you see it, it is the flag of the Inca Empire. But we Christians know what it REALLY means! God is faithful and merciful.

The next several pictures are from Family Day at MCS. We had a lot of fun. There were games, prizes, inflatables, a trampoline, bowling, and lots of yummy food. We had a great time. The idea behind Family Day is that the parents take control of the event and plan and execute it. All the teachers were given jobs to do throughout out the day but that was it. I had three hours of supervisory duty at the trampoline. It was actualy a lot of fun. Here is a picture from the trampoline on Family Day...this group happens to all be my P-4's. From left to right we have: Daniela in the pink, Ximena (Pronouned He-mana) in yellow, Luciana in white and blue, and Samara in Pink facing the camera. I think that head in the foreground is Carla. They had such fun jumping together. Most of the time we had a mix of grades in together but it just happened that the next seven people (that was my limit 7 in at a time) were all P-4's so they were happy to be jumping with their friends.

While at Family Day I finally found a clown that I am not afraid of! His name is Caleb and he is the youngest child of Kristie and Ivan Ashby. Ivan is the Elemetary Principal, and has four kids, three gilrs and then Caleb (no he isn't doted upon at all). Not only that but he is also the cute little blonde haired blue eyed fair skinned baby that is so revered and loved here in Peru. Sometimes the poor kid can't even walk across the patio without being accosted by a mob of students wanting to fawn over him. He was so cute that day that both Emily and I posed with him. Here is Emilys... Aren't they cute????

Okay so here are just some other pictures of the day for you to enjoy I am not going to detail these so just enjoy as is...

Hello from kinda sunny Lima...

2008-11-06T16:49:00.000-06:00

Hello from Lima.

With just a little over a month left of out first year here life is going fairly well.

I am feeling pretty good. I have my good days and my bad days, I am having more good days than bad days so that is good. I continue to work through finding the right meds in the right dosages with my doctor (Dr. Harrison) but I feel good about things. I am able to teach my class and do most of what I plan. Whereas three months ago I had so much I wanted to do but was unable to physically move enough to do those things. I also feel that I need to receive some positive affirmation that I have less than 30 days of school left and ALL my children are alive and I have not even maimed any of them! (Some days this is a major miracle...sigh)

We are gearing up for the Christmas program...here in Peru there are two big things each school year that have to be BIG. They are: Mother's Day, and Christmas. It should be fun.

Well I need to go and cash a check so I can go replenish my meds for the next month.

Hope all of those who read this are well and that God blesses you.

Fiestas Patrias (aka Independence Day Festival!)

2008-07-28T00:15:00.004-05:00

The last day of first semester was Friday, July 18. We then have our Winter Break for two weeks, not returning to school until August 4. BUT, Peruvian Independence Day is on July 28. So, Monterrico Christian School put on a Independence Day Program on the last day before break.

so, all afternoon on the 18th, we had our Fiestas Patrias, and what an event it was! All of Peru seems to start decorating for 28 de julio as soon as julio (July) starts, and the red and white satin decorations, banners, bunting, and flags go up EVERYWHERE. The people in the grocery stores have special outfits, red and white and more traditional, and everywhere you see 'Vive el Peru' and red and white and red and white and red and white!

We had no idea what this program was going to be; we knew that each class was a different part or group of people in Peru's history, but we didn't truly know hwat to expect. We were told that all of our kids would dress up as the people their class was assigned. Okay, great. What I didn't realize until about a week before, is that dressing up means going and renting costumes. This is just expected by the parents and children. After seeing all of the costumes, I've gotta say, I would have loved to get dressed up this way!

The program was a success and exactly what all the Peruvian parents were expecting and wanting; I was glad when it was over! It was a long afternoon with lots of waiting as each class walked to the program site only when it was their turn to perform. So, until it was our turn, everyone was waiting in the Temple (church sanctuary) until we were called out into the bright sunshine (unusual for this time of year) to walk about fifty yards across two patios to the lower patio where the awnings and seating were set up. It was interesting. Especially for Cindy, who was in a wheelchair and without her wonderful Peruvian assistant, Carmen. (Carmen's father was admitted to hospital that morning.) But we survived, and have 200 pictures to show it!

Here is a link to some of them. (Just the best ones)

Fiestas Patrias: Independence Day Celebration!

Here are some more pictures!

2008-06-21T22:51:00.002-05:00

Emily here: Please see my blog for a brief written update on the weather here in Lima.
www.leinbacker.com

here is a link to some recent pics:

Hello all this is Cindy

2008-06-14T18:30:00.003-05:00

Hello all!

This is Cindy as you prolly figured by the title...you guys are SO smart! Good Job! Good English words! Er...sorry. For a minute I thought I was in my P-4 Class.

I have been having a lot of pain. From head to toe my muscles have been on fire, my joints ache, and my foot has been so painfully I can hardly walk. Thursday I broke down in morning devotions and just cried telling everyone how much pain I have been living in over the past three weeks especially. I was gently sent home to rest. That evening Ivan called and asked if I wanted to go to the Chiropractor. I said "heck yeah when!" So we went that night, Emily came along as well to get a massage. I got a massage, it hurt really badly, but I knew that it was needed. Same with the adjustment, it hurt and he hardly did much because it hurt me so badly. Friday was NOT fun. I hurt so much I didn't even want to get out of bed. I got up and took a muscle relaxer and went back to bed (after calling Nancy and telling her I could not come in.) Moving hurt so intensely. So I slept a LOT because of the meds.

This morning I woke up and glory be it didn't hurt to open my eyes! I could get up and walk to the bathroom and not want to cry!!!! It was amazing! I could raise my hands up over my head and not cry out in pain. I could bend down and touch my toes and not want to crumple into a ball and cry. It has been wonderful to feel like myself for the first time in weeks! So I am going back to the Chiropractor on Monday and I know that it will be little steps forward but I again have hope that I will be able to live my life with out constant pain, and being on constant meds everyday all day.

So I am very relieved. I am very happy that I have a faithful God. I will try to writ emore later this week.

Cindy

Hello, we're still here.

2008-05-31T21:46:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone. Just a quick note to say we're still alive and kicking.

School is going pretty well, and last week we both survivied our first ever experience with parent-teacher conferences. cindy's were definately much harder than mine, due to an ongoing behavioral issue is one of her boys that adversely affects a great deal of the rest of the class. It wasn't easy, but we got through. The week before that we were trying to get through our first-ever experience with report cards. wow. what an experience. but we survived that too!

i've been encouraged recently by the occurrance of several conversations during the day in class that have been true spiritual moments of revelation of the gospel. it's pretty cool to (right in the middle of math or science or english or reading) be able to explain the Book of Life and Christ's blood covering all our sin when God judges us. it's also cool to be able to ask every morning and afternoon "would anyone like to pray or shall i?" sigh. prayer in school. neat. and i've had four different kids volunteer to pray so far. and offer prayer requests.

on friday, i shared a prayer request with them, and we talked about death, and salvation and how people grieve and say goodbye. my prayer request was for my family, and for me, because my dad's cousin (Mike Ramer) died unexpectedly this week. they had sort of "met" Mike because they'd seen a picture he'd taken of me and cindy and Dad outside of Soldier Field in Chicago. Mike came with us last November to the Bears/Broncos game. It helped me get through the day, being able to share about my feelings of sadness and anger and feeling like i can't be there to be with the family, and then having an eight-year-old pray for our class, for us to have a good day, and for God to "protect Miss Leinbach's family and also Mike who died and believed in you". For the full story of my thoughts on the day of Mike's death being discovered, please read my last blog entry at http://www.linebacker.com/ or click on the link to "Life of Leinbacker" on the right.

Please pray for the Leinbach and Ramer families, especially Mike's siblings: Janet, Doris, and Jim and his nieces and nephews and their children. also for my grandparents, who have lost a niece or nephew to death for the first time. The younger generation is not supposed to die before their elders, ya know?

Thanks for all your prayers. we love and miss you all. a lot. God bless.

Even the moon looks different!?!

2008-05-05T19:41:00.002-05:00

The moon is different. Well, it looks different. It's, like, sorta sideways. There's no man in the moon unless you tilt your head sidways. (we tried it...) why? well, last friday night i woke up at 1:23 and was up until 5 a.m. due to intestinal unrest. So, i logged on and did a search for Southern Hemisphere star charts and why the moon looks different. Below is a link that shows the differences in what the moon looks like very well. You should click on the minus sign under the "speed" button on the bottom because it loads with the sun and the moon just whizzing by...

http://www.math.nus.edu.sg/aslaksen/applets/equatorialmoon/equatorialmoon.html

make sure you change the location to the equator and then to about 13 degrees south, because that's where Lima's at...

it's all about location location location!
Here's an even simpler picture, and it uses happy little moose to show you!
http://www.wundermoosen.com/WunderMoosenWeb-why-southern-hemiphere-moon-phases-are-different.aspx

now that our astronomy lesson is over, please pray this week for both cindy and i in our mental and physical health. the seasons are changing (winter has started, meaning it's not warm anymore, it's acutally chilly all day) and colds are going around. and, as i noted in teh first paragraph, i've been dealing iwth intestinal unease since early Saturday morning, continuing to today. Cindy was feeling better after a virus last monday and tuesday, but then this afternoon suddenly (and i mean SUDDENLY) became violently ill at school, vomiting and running to the bathroom. This is the last week of the first quarter, so student evaluations and report card grades are due, and this is the first time either of us have ever done anything like this, so it's a tad bit stressful to begin with, not to mention when you feel so horrible. When we were finally able to walk the three blocks home from school (it took about and hour and a half after her initial attack before she was NOT in so much pain and could walk home), cindy went straight to bed. i went straight to the restroom myself. ah, the loveliness of new and exotic bugs.

We are realizing more and more each day that this really is a case of "I can't do this, but God in me can." Our prayer is that we can stay connected to God and allow his spirit to do that work and give us strength and discipline.

Speaking of discipline, i've got lesson plans to finish! see you later! love you all!
-emily

Pictures here!

2008-05-02T20:04:00.003-05:00

Go to www.picasaweb.google.com/leinbacker for some great pics of our new life in Peru. Also, a few notes have been added to the individual blogs we both have; see the links at right or click on http://www.leinbacker.com/ and http://www.zeeblebop.com/ for the scoop.

We miss you all and know that we will only start missing you more as time continues and it sinks in that we're not going to see you all for many more months. So far, it doesn't feel much different than the longer stretches of living in Chicago without a visit to Indiana. As the weeks continue here in Lima, we know we will start to actually feel the separation in a very keen way.

We're still working on the Vonage phone. Please pray about that. BUT you can call and leave messages. Email one of us for the number(s) if you don't have them. We LOVE getting the messages!!!

I have added my own blogger account name as an author to this blog, so you should see that this was posted by "mle" down at the bottom. Anytime you see that, it means that I am posting. (Oh, in case you couldn't tell, "I" am Emily.)

It's 8:10 and I haven't been home from school yet, so i'm going to pack up and go home now.

With much thanks for your prayers and much love to you all,
mle

Technical Difficulties...

2008-04-06T22:22:00.002-05:00

We are experiencing them. Normally, we'd have blogged much much more in the past week. And normally, we'd have been emailing people a lot. but instead, we ask for your prayers regarding the realm of the technological. Our computer doesn't seem to really *like* the internet very much, especially wireless systems, and cindy and i know just enough to be frustrated with our uselessness. We also thought we'd have a telephone in a week, max. Again, technical difficulties.

Apart from causing us frustration and inconvenience, without the internet and the Vonage phone, we are also entirely cut off from our friends and family in the states. This has been very very hard the last couple of days.

So, for no reason that we can see, our computer connected this evening (while we weren't doing anything internet related...) and so while i can, i'm just letting everyone know that we ARE still here, we HAVE survived our first week of teaching, and are somewhat prepared for our second week. God really helped each of us this weekend in that respect. if you'd asked us Friday afternoon how we'd be feeling Sunday night, it wouldn't have been "somewhat positive". it would have been something like "running screaming in stress and overwhelmed shock".

So please, continue praying for both of us, mentally and physically (we had the "runs" this morning and couldn't go to church or to the beach afterwards...) and please pray specifically that God would provide for us regarding our technology problems. (as Cindy says, we are SCREAMING for help but Kris, Roger, and Kevin can't help us now!)

I have so many cool pics and things to share with you all- hopefully, our connection will also work tomorrow, and i'll be able to post some of them here.

Thanks for all of your prayers and support. We love you all.

Emily

Pictures vs. video

2008-03-29T09:20:00.005-05:00

Okay so I got a youtube account to upload video to share with you all but am currently having...how shall we say it...problems...difficulties...frustrations...actually uploading video. I really want our Vonage up and running so I can call Kevin for some tech support! :) So plain old pictures will have to do.
This is the view after we took off from FLL on the way to LIM. It was cool because this was the first time we had ever flown over the ocean. So it looked the same as looking at the sky...white puffy clouds with bright blue 'sky' behind them. No wonder pilots in WWII got so disoriented! It was really beautiful. We have an INCREDIBLE video of take-off: seeing the water, going through clouds and seeing the ocean below them. That will have to wait until later when I have reached my tech support!

Okay so I finally got smart and noticed a little icon up at the top of the blogging space that looked like a little film strip...go figure Blogger has it's own video up loader! how exciting. Now all I have to do is get the silly sight to upload my video. I am coming to the conclusion that I need to make smaller videos, or change the resolution on my videos...I wonder if I can do that on my camera...I will have to go and see. I will be right back.

Of course, Cindy didn't actually go and get the camera to see if she could do that- Seeing as how the camera was in my room and she hasn't come in to get it or asked me for it. She must have gotten distracted. Big surprise there. When I (Emily) came out into the room to ask to log on, she was watching an episode of X-Files. hee hee. I love my sister.

I don't know what she wrote about up there- all i read was the last paragraph right before the video (which is still loading... 24 of 31 somethings), and i'm sure she already mentioned it, but i will again anyway: i have now experienced the phenomenon of earthquakes. These were merely called tremors, but to wake up at 1:44 a.m. to movement and sound that you KNOW shouldn't be happening is pretty earth-moving to uninitiated me. The sound is what got me- the rattling of the windows but also another sound underlying everything else. For a person raised in Denver and then Indiana, even "tremors" are unsettling. no pun intended.

Then we woke up at just before 7:00 to another "tremor"- this time bigger. I think the internet said 5.4 for this one. Katie taught us a lot about how earthquake damage truly occurs and the best way to survive. (which is NOT getting under anything or standing in doorways or running out of the building.)

Well, the video is almost done, and Kristy is here with her van to pick up me and Cindy and Katie to go shopping at a "Wal-Martish" store to get what we need. So I am going to go.

Well hello again it is Cindy. We went to the store bought stuff we needed, and actually nothing we did not need (go us!) It was interesting. It was like a mix of IKEA, Walmart, Loews, and Dominicks. This silly video is still processing....it was uploaded and now it is "Processing" what does that even mean???? I think that it is not doing anything and just WANTS me to think it is doing something! Sigh if it takes too much longer I am going to give up and post this without the video.

So I hadn't mentioned the earthquakes. For those of you who know me you know that I can sleep through nearly anything. The one at
1:4o-something a.m. did actually wake me up but only for long enough to hear Katie (our third roomie who has been here for two years) say that it was just a tremor and that it shouldn't happen again. I thought "Alright then I will go back to sleep." The one this morning really annoyed me. See while unpacking I discovered that some of my knick-knacks had been damaged by the evil TSA employees. They are no longer my friends and they will NOT be getting a Christmas card from me. Anyway I woke up to things moving and one of my picture frames falling. It did not break and by-golly nothing else was going to either! So while Emily and Katie sat in the living room telling me to come out and join them I took time to lay all my frames flat and move a few elephants to safer ground. THEN I went out and joined them. I am more concerned that I am not concerned about the earthquakes than anything else. Katie had already told us about the possibility of quakes and told us what to do so I was not fearful, just annoyed. Apparently every thirty years or so they have a "big one" and we shouldn't worry because that happened November of last year! Now we want tremors because they help reduce the pressure building in the plates and will help make the time between "big ones" longer. So that was how our third morning in Lima started out. Okay I am just plain tired of this...I am going to save this blog and come back and see if the video is good or not. It will be posted this evening with or without the video!

Okay so it didn't happen last night but it is happening this morning...without the video. Sorry all I will try to figure things out and get back to y'all.

Wow.

2008-03-28T11:17:00.002-05:00

Today we were asked to come to devotions in the morning to meet all the staff and then stay for an hour or two to see how things work and to meet the students. That is fine and good, however it turned into staying all day. I am at the apartment (a three minute walk from school) to grab a bite to eat then go back for the last part of class.

That is not the "wow" part. Before I left I wanted to let Em know that I was leaving so if she wanted to come eat as well she could. So I walk upstairs and as I am approaching her classroom I think to myself.."Huh, that sounds like Emily's voice...not just her voice but her teaching voice..." I come within sight of the room and YUP Emily is at the front of the classroom smiling and writing spelling words up on the board as the kids take turns telling her what they are how they are spelled. She looked completely at ease and relaxed. THAT is the "wow" part.

All this time I have been telling everyone that I have the easy class and Emily has the hard class...I was SO wrong. My kids know NO English, this is the first year that they are learning English...sigh...a lot of 'sign language' is being used by myself and the other teachers. This is going to be a trip!

I will post another blog tomorrow. This evening there is a welcome potluck at the Ashby's (Ivan and Kristie) and then something else I can't remember....OH yeah the young adult group at church would like to welcome us at a place near the beach...or is that tomorrow night??? I can't recall, I think it is the heat!

It is currently 77.9 F but out in the sun it gets hot quick because of the humidity! :)

Much love to all I have to get back to the school now.

Cindy

Lima, Peru

2008-03-27T11:19:00.000-05:00

Hello all!

After all the stress packing and constant moving, I woke up in Lima, Peru this morning.

Travel went very well there was no problem in customs or finding Ivan and Kristie (Our new boss and his wife) who came to pick us up at the airport. Let me tell you that was the weirdest thing about the trip. The airport up to that point was any normal airport, get off go through immigration get your baggage and go to customs then...you turn the corner and BAM! There is this MASS of people many holding signs. It was weird. Anyway Ivan and Kristie got us to the van and to our new apartment.

The apartment is great, very very great! It is much better than many of the apartments we were looking at in Chicago. Lots of windows (Mom how I long for my plants so much great light for them here) and we both have amazing views from our windows. (Which will be posted on the blog a bit later.) Now all we have to do is unpack and learn spanish and we are good to go! :)

Thank you all for the massive amounts of prayer I know have been said on our behalf. God has answered them and I know He will continue to do so.

More later.

Cindy

Florida

2008-03-26T13:00:00.002-05:00

Well, here we are in Florida. The flight was fine and our time here has been nice. We ate we relaxed and then we got very upset at our new laptop. Technology does not seem to be our friend. We leave here at 5:15 p.m. for Lima, Peru and many new adventures (we hope.) Thanks for all your prayers and we will update soon on our first reflections, but prolly not until Saturday.

Weary

2008-03-25T10:28:00.001-05:00

Please click here. This takes you to Cindy's Blog, the post has the same title as this one and I am too tried to write anything else.

http://www.zeeblebop.com/

thanks

Prayer is good

2008-03-20T20:38:00.004-05:00

We need prayer. We are stressed, and unsure how we are going to be ready to start loading a moving truck by Saturday @ 8:30 a.m. We know it will happen (mainly because we have no other choice) but it is daunting. Please pray that we have the focus, the energy and positive attitudes while we are in this last leg of our packing/moving journey. Blessings to you all.

P.s. do you like the countdown clock I put on the Blog?

Our Daddy

2008-03-15T14:00:00.000-05:00

Today is Saturday. (Seven days and counting...)

Yesterday was Friday, and my last day at RELC. I was sad and happy to be leaving. The job was mind numbing but the people were great and I will miss them greatly. I will also miss the children as well. That said, MAN AM I GLAD TO BE DONE! Now I can focus on what lies ahead.

Today that is massive amounts of sorting, rearranging and culling. Now I know that so far this has nothing to do with our father. I am getting to that.

Dad come up last night to switch cars with us. Our car need a little work done before we can sell it to a guy in our church. So dad offered to drive the van up and take the car back with him so that saves us A LOT of time. He also is giving us a large part of his day today helping us. Mom would have loved to come too but seeing as how she is recovering from knee replacement surgery that isn't happening! Dad has been wonderful! He is giving us support, encouragement and hope. He is also giving us manual labor! Mom told us yesterday that he was coming to do whatever we told him to do. My first thought was "Great! I need a hug!" I got my hug. :)

Last night after we talked to mom and she told us when Dad had left and when we could expect him, Emily and I were talking. I told her I have come to the realization that no matter how old you get your daddy is still the rock when life gets chaotic. You never out grow your Daddy. Emily smiled and agreed. I can't imagine not having a good relationship with my Papa, and I hurt for those who don't have a daddy to come back too in hard times. I thank God for both my parents, I could not have done much without their support. We love you both. (And yes mom I know you are crying right now...even without the medications messing with your system I think you may have cried!) :)

I guess I will now go back to culling, and moving crap! Wish me luck!

~Cindy

Overwhelming...

2008-03-11T21:54:00.000-05:00

First off, we went on Monday to apply for passports and are picking them up tomorrow (Wednesday) Praise the Lord!

It also does not look like we need a tourist visa to go but we will have to apply for a religious visa once we are down there.

Now for the Overwhelming part...packing, moving, not killing each other during this time. I (Cindy) am a morning person. I like getting up eating and then getting down to business, I expire for useful work around 8 p.m. It is just how I am wired.

Emily...sigh...Emily is NOT a morning person and comes alive for useful work around 7 p.m. Does anyone else see the problem here...yeah so do we. Please pray that we are able to get what we need to get done done. Huh that sounded odd, please pray that we are able to get everything done that we need to do, there that sounds better.

We have a week and 1/2 to have all of our belongings packed and outta the apartment, and I am panicking. I know it will all come right, it always does with God. I gotta go now. I love you all and am so thankful I have you all out there to pray for us.

~Cindy

Welcome!

2008-03-10T07:50:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Leinbach Sisters Adventures in Peru!We actually aren't in Peru yet so I guess this is the prequel! :) We will be using this space to keep in contact with you all and give you regular updates about our time in South America. Well I have to go fiddle with the html of the template now see ya later!
~Cindy (and Emily by proxy)