I counted the Stars......

Where can words even begin with today? The Timmer’s decided we deserved a much needed day off and for that, they treated us to white water rafting in the Chapare jungle. Our day started at 7am and is just now ending at 10p. But what a day it was.

Our tour guide, James Bond, drove us 4 hours into the Chapare jungle where we would begin our adventure. After long travels and an early morning we were ready to hit the water. We carried the boat down, exactly what you are picturing a yellow raft, through an ant hill –where we were then given instructions (in Spanish) on what to do once we were in the water.

It was amazing. Well, that hardly covers it. We started in category 3 (out of 6) waves and we almost lost Jacklyn. Okay, not really, but it was the most difficult part of our journey. For the next 3 hours we battle some rapids while we also enjoyed smooth glass like water. At one point, our tour guide allowed us to jump out of the boat. Picture this: floating down a river between huge mountains that are lush with forest and filled with colorful wild life. The sun was shinning and the water felt wonderful. I could not even believe the things I was seeing. I was determined not to allow this day to go by to quickly. I took it all in.

I felt the sand between my toes. The water on my skin. The sun was in my eyes. I heard the roar of the water and the calm of the forest. I took note of the beautifully fresh air I was breathing. The trees, bushes, and flowers went on for miles and miles. It was a scene out of my dreams. Again, words hardly will express the beauty, but I was truly living my dream.

We even took a break for some ‘pi pok a’ (popcorn) and coca cola (sorry Karen Pepsi is unheard of down here). During our break our guide showed us a cliff we could jump from into the rapids (don’t worry Grandma I had on a life vest and a helmet) –it was so much fun!

A heavy note for the day: As we took the break we saw much of the poverished culture that we were invading. It was not that I was unaware, for we have seen this before, but gosh did it strike me. Here I am, enjoying the beauty of God’s country all around me, when there were a number of naked children coming to the river just to watch us play. It was surreal. I wanted so much to speak my bit of Spanish to them, but it was so much more than that. Much of this, I imagine I am still processing.

After lunch, we began our long journey home. Andrea and I cuddled and watched a few office episodes J It felt so good for both of us to just laugh and enjoy our day and finally feel less homesick then we have in the last few weeks. Once the dark came it was the high point of my night came. Through out the day I made sure to touch, hear, see, feel, taste, and notice everything as this is an adventure I likely will not do again here in Bolivia. Okay one more image for you:

All seven of us are in this van, loving life and headed back to our home. A few are sleeping, others listening to Ipods, but each of us enjoying the beauty we have seen. I was gazing out the window loving the mountains that surrounded us looking into the beautiful skies. Loving life and enjoying the music on my Ipod when the Chris Tomlin version of “Indescribable” came on. For those of you unfamiliar: “You placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name. You are amazing God. All powerful.” I really do enjoy the whole song, but as this lyric came on I was noticing the 6 billion stars filling the sky. Hair blowing in the wind, good friends to my side, awesome scenes of nature, and a wonderfully powerful God.

That’s it. That’s why I am here. It seemed so clear in that moment.

Day to day and the Cost of Life

Rate of exchange:

Currently, but always changing, $7.16/1 Boliviano.

Transportation:

Getting from place to place is pretty easy. We generally have two options (Unless Matt & Elsa or Nate & Kate and their cars are around): Taxi’s or Truffies. Taxi’s a little bit more expensive (10Bs or so), but generally less of a walk. Truffies (1.50 Bs) are public transportation like the CTA. A bit different because although there is a route, there are not designated stops. This is very convenient.

Shopping:

Andrea went on our first solo grocery shopping experience here in Bolivia. It was a lot of fun and a pretty basic grocery store. Although they prefer us to shop at La Concha (huge open air market) sometimes this becomes a bit inconvenient and we are willing to pay a bit more at IC Norte. Here are a few differences we found interesting:

-Ramen Noodles were about .60 (U.S.)

-Fruitloops were $60 Bs

-Ragu pasta sauce was $42Bs

Spanish:

Tina is a Bolivian woman that many of the interns are taking Spanish classes from. I was not really wanting to do this as I have struggled in Spanish classes before and selfishly was hoping to not have to take classes for awhile as I have just graduated J but also realize it will greatly help my ministry. Although it is cheap, it is an added ministry cost I had not considered. ($50Bs/$7 US)

Altitude:

We are much higher in Bolivia that any where in the US this effects a number of

things.

-Constant nose blowing

-Frequent lose of breath

-Cooking is very tricky

-Headaches seem to be a frequent

MORE TO THIS SOOOON....

Everything runs on Bolivian time

Schedule

A lot of people have asked what we do day to day. This is sort of it. I mean, really things change everyday, nearly every hour as Bolivians do everything behind schedule. I love being spontaneous and learning to be flexable.

Monday:

Meeting with Staff and Timmer Family

Grocery shopping

Tutoring at Center

Intern Bible study and Dinner at Matt & Elsa’s

Tuesday:

Spanish class

Villa Israel Turtoring (Erlan)

Women’s bible study (In Spanish)

Wednesday:

Tutoring at the Center

Thursday:

Communication Day

Friday:

Villa Israel Tutoring (Erlan)

Fruitllar Tutoring (Maria & Ebelyn)

Saturday:

Market (We get fresh veggies, bread, flowers ect)

Play with Fruitllar Children

Baby Washing

Young Professionals (Bible study in Spanish)

Sunday

Chruch

Sabbath: the Timmer’s do not allow us to work J

Currently we are working with the two orphanages that have children in them each week. Villa Israel is about an hour bus ride away and Fruitllar is about a three minute walk away. Erlan is five years old and learning the alphabet, numbers 1-10, and to write his name is both English and Spanish. Maria & Ebelyn are three and two years old, and learning their colors in both English and Spanish.

So the most obvious response to this is that I am working with very young children who are likely teaching me more than I am teaching them. Not true. Well, not 100% true. They teach me so much each time we meet, but they love getting one on one attention and by teaching me they too are learning. I see it as win/win. J

I also have volunteered to help out at the International Church. More on this as I find what I will be doing.

What is our duty?

Social Responsibilities

This is an interesting concept I have been throwing around: social responsibilities. Currently I am reading both Three Cups of Tea and Jesus with Dirty Feet. Both of which dance around this idea.
“All citizens of God’s nation mess up, and so all citizens of God’s nation must pick up the rag and water basin to serve and give and lead.” Everts from Jesus with Dirty Feet writes.

Here are a few things that we do currently that I will begin to do regularly:
Bread Runs:
This simple concept brought me to tears (I know, not a big feet…) within minutes. We, International Orphanage Union (IOU), to a mountain town that is torn by extreme poverty and bring them bread. We bring chocolate milk, bread, fruits, cereal, & warm smiles. As we did this the other day, we simply walked the streets of Sipe Sipe looking for hungry families. Although this is only a small snack and by no means is curing the malnutrition that is wiping this town, we are trying to make a small difference by showing Christ’s love through actions.

Baby Washing:
We do this each Saturday evening. Today, when we arrived, mothers and children were wrapped around the plaza. When Mickey (missionary in charge of this, but not from International Teams) arrives, the children go crazy. Its beautiful to watch. Each child and parent receives warm milk and fresh bread. While enjoying that the rest of us are preparing to begin the wash. We set up a tent and warm some (lots) of water. After washing the children from their heads to their toes, they receive one new-to-them outfit. Pink, blue, spider-man, floral print –it truly does not matter to these children. They are so grateful to be clean for the first time since last Saturday and to have new clothes on. After they are clean and dry the little girls can get their hair done with brand new hair clips (they love this!!) and the boys play ‘futbol’ with the older boys.
This is one of my favorite (if not my favorite) activities. What a humbling experience to literally wash the feet of others who see things day to day that I could only dream of.

Helping out at the Malnutrition Hospital:
There is only one malnutrition hospital in all of Bolivia like this. It is beautiful! Children who are malnourished for any number of reasons are brought here. Sometimes by parents, often by the government. The children stay in the hospital for 6 months to be nursed back to health. COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE! Although with programs like St. Jude’s and Ronald McDonald, this is an idea we are familiar with, this is not familiar by any means in Bolivia. So much so, that often times parents will simply walk by the hospital after arriving thinking they cannot afford it.
We go and help feed the children at lunch time, put them down for naps, and play with others. There children literally jump and cry for joy when we walk in. The hospital is not yet at capacity, but they know that when we come they will get much more one on one attention. The hospital is doing a wonderful job, we are simply there to offer more hands. This is another difficult task for a number of reasons. The children are simply tiny and so fragile. It breaks my heart to think that there are so many more children in Bolivia, Chicago, and the world who face similar problems. And although we are only there a few hours, the children are very upset to see us leave. This too is hard. We are often reminded that we are doing all that we can and by focusing this attention on them, the children know they are loved.

Along with a number of other ‘smaller’ ministries that we do throughout the week. Recently, Andrea and I have found ourselves comparing much of what we do day to day with things that occur in Chicago. Although this, Bolivia, is currently my calling, I am grateful for this opportunity to have my eyes opened to issues that still need to be addressed at home.

Love and Blessings

Sending me something? Send it here!

Mailing:
Nathan and Kate Spies
PO BOX 376
Cochabamba, Bolivia** Put my name on the back of the envelope so Nate and Kate know its for me

´The team just left -sad day

5/19/08
Once again I thank you for being diligent partners in prayer and apologize for my lack of communication. The team left today, so we will be getting onto a schedule pretty quick here. Although it will be nice to be in a routine, I am very sad to see the team leaving already. Many of the team members have become close friends that I will miss greatly until December. Let us keep them in our thoughts in prayers as they travel over the next two days.
Our two newest interns arrive the other day as well, Elaina and Kim. They are from Bedford Community Church in New Hampshire. They will be here until June 9. Although it is a short time, many big things have already happened and we are so excited to have them here. Finally, Andrea and I feel ownership over some of the projects we are taking on which is a blessing. For a while there we wondered where our place was.
This week has been about finishing up projects around the Timmer’s home and the hacienda (our home) before the Timmer’s leave on June 20th for furlough (for two months). We have also spent time getting to know Elsa & Matt and Nate & Kate who will be here while theTimmer’s are gone. All have been preparing for the Timmer’s to leave this summer for a few months now to make sure that tasks are still being completed and our mission continues to run smoothly while they are away. Although I will miss the Timmer’s very much, as I have spent a great deal of time already bonding with them, I feel confident in others and in myself that things will continue to run smoothly.
Michelle left earlier this week, which was difficult for all of the interns. She was a great part of the team, but it was her time to go. Left in the hacienda is Andrea, Elaina, Kim, Kristen, Jacklyn, Adrian, and I.
Alright, well just trying to get everything straight so that you can get some sort of idea of what is going on here in Bolivia. Ill write the schedule soon, then just put weekly updates about anything new and exciting as we continue to further His kingdom.

Im here and smiling!

May 16th, 2008
Hola mi Familia y mis amigos
First let me apologize for the lack of communication thus far. Although on a different flight, I arrived the same day as the North Park team which created a bit of distraction from my regular scheduling. I do not yet have my schedule, but I will post that information as soon as I get it. There are times that we will spend a few nights in the Chaparae (jungle) but other than that, I expect to be able to be near email weekly. I will update my blog a few times a month, I imagine. This of course is not a promise, only my expectations. The work I am doing currently is not something too big, but we have realized even in these little things God’s work can continue to be done. (I’ll write about the updates on all the orphanages at a later point) Even the work behind the scenes needs to get done.
Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes through out that first week. Missed my flight (due to another flight running late), lost baggage, and flying alone left me feeling rested after a great deal of time to relax in the La Paz airport. It was wonderful. God was very good to me through out the day, lifting my spirits just when I needed them to be so.
Arriving felt good and right. Having the team here has been a huge blessing to me. Feeling like a bit of home came with to see me off. Of course, this is a selfish thought, but Andrea and I have allowed ourselves to continue to feel this way J. Andrea, is another huge blessing to me. She will be here for the next six weeks. She is my roommate and friend from last year. Words can hardly begin to describe how wonderful it has been to have her here. Tomorrow we will get two more interns, who will share a room with us. (There are four other interns here currently all leaving at different times).
Because the team is here, I do not quite know where things stand with what my ministry will look like. I continue to work hard on my Spanish, but also continue to struggle. I have prayed a few times looking for a ministry I can work with in English. I know that I did not fly this many miles to speak English, but there are a number of students who want to learn English and students who are children of missionaries that I would love to work with. Playing with the orphans is a great deal of fun, but I cannot do that everyday for the next 7 months (at least that what Mike Timmers thinks –more on this later).
I’ll try to wrap this up soon, let me just highlight a few things:
My Birthday:
Thank you very much for the kind letters, cards, emails, and facebook messages. My birthday was a tough day, but I was surrounded by love. The interns bought me cake and the team sang Happy Birthday. It was wonderful & a great surprise.

Things that have made me smile:
-Peanut butter
-Hannah Schultz made me a beautiful book with letters and poems from friends. It was so thoughtful and I love reading it.
-I appreciate the skirted women on the doors of bathrooms. The word for girl or woman seems to change a lot.
-I have been given a great deal of grace for my lack of Spanish.
-Customs was a breeze. Yes Paul, you were right.
-Light switches are opposite
-I am giant and overweight here J

Timmer Family:
They are absolutely wonderful to us. Emily, their second to youngest one, let Andrea and I play American Girl dolls with her. Really, this was such a treat. Its nice to have moments like this that are simple that are not such a struggle. The Timmer Family is made up of:
Mike and Bonnie
Tiffany who is getting married this summer and goes to Hope College in
Michigan
Ashley who goes to Colombia in Chicago
Mallory who graduates high school in a few weeks and will be attending Hope
Sydney who will be a junior in high school in a few weeks
Emily who just turned 10 year a few weeks ago
Gracie who is 3 years old and adopted, although very very very much an equal part of
the family.

Well, I apologize for the length of this, I imagine though they wont get any shorter. Sorry about that. But let me conclude with a few prayers requests: Andrea and I have been very blessed to not have gotten sick from food or from water. A number of those on the team are sick or have been sick, so we pray for continued strength and health. I also ask for continued grace with my lack of Spanish and ability to continue learning.
Thank you for your faithfulness,
Love and Blessings

Tomorrows the big day & I am so blessed

Forgive me, I am not very good at this 'blogging' thing yet, but I imagine I'll be a pro by December.

I leave tomorrow -crazy huh? The good news is that I can hardly wait. After all this preparation (mental, physical, spiritual) I am ready to begin this journey. Saying goodbye this week has been a difficult part of the process, but thank you everyone for all of your kind words.

I have been overwhelmed with beautiful letters, encouraging books, and really thoughtful gifts to keep me in touch with life back here. Thank you for the love, the support, and of course the prayers. Not only most recently, but through out this process. One more big step: Travel.

My flight leaves at 4pm Central time. I will arrive in Cochabamba, Bolivia in the arms of the Timmer family (& the NP team I think) at 9a on May the 12th. This will be the highest point thus far. Although I know that there will be points that I miss home and miss things about here, there is purpose in what I am doing: I can hardly wait to become a servant in furthering the kingdom of God.
THANK YOU!

See you soon Kristen & Timmer Family!