Frutillar & Villa Israel

FRUTILLAR
Viviana, Ariel, Dahlia, Maria, Johnny, Veronica, Frankie
VILLA ISRAEL
Anna, Erlon, Roberto, Brandon, Joel, Miguel, Samuel,

Camp UnLiMiTeD

That was the theme for the Cochabamba International Church summer camp.

We, five leaders and twenty-four 12-17 year olds, went to La Cabana hotel about an hour away from our home in Coch. The leaders and I spent a great deal of time planning fun, messy, wet, and competitive games to last four days. The four days is to take the students minds off of difficult lives as missionary kids (Although not all the youth were MK’s many were. This is a very difficult life to live).

Beyond that, Joe Holeman (one of my fav. Speakers) came each night to speak and challenge the faith of the youth. In my eyes, this is one of the few times that speakers spend time just with them. So much of their home life is focused on the community around them, that sometimes they are brushed aside. I took at whole ton of pictures and will post a couple soon as I get to a place with wireless internet.

We played games like Ultimate Frisbee with a raw chicken or Water-Balloon Volleyball with beach towels. It was a good time. I, along with the other four leaders, am completely exhausted. However, there was not a moment that was not worth it.

Not only did I really enjoy hearing Joe each night (He reminds me a great deal of Pastor Judy) but breaking out into smaller groups was very beneficial for the girls I was able to work with. Those who wanted to be stretched were stretched and convicted. Others were left behind –for now. It is my mission to carry those in need.

They had to build boats with materials we gave them. Each team built one boat and raced. It is pretty obvious which boat one.
The tree house and all of the youth group.
Alejandra and I at one of our lunches. I've since showered!

TUG-O-WAR!

Our Newest Member

Matt and Elsa have become an important part of my life here in Bolivia. Coincidentally, they both went to CBC and North Park. How funny is that. I move to Bolivia and meet people from a place I was not quite ready to leave. Recently they have a new addition to their family.

Meet beautiful, fun, lovable Lucca. She is easily in my top ten things I love about Bolivia.

Overflowing Blessings

Having Andrea was a huge blessing to me. Having her leave was a bit of a struggle. Since we arrived the same day I had a hard time understanding why she was able to leave, yet I was still in ministry. However, it seemed God was preparing me for this feeling. Although it was difficult to watch her leave, I am not ready. I have just gotten used to life in Bolivia. I have just gotten to know my ministries. I have just begun really looking into myself.

In the process of grieving the goodbyes of both Stephanie and Andrea Cochabamba was really embracing me knowing how hurt I was. Stephanie made me a wonderful scavenger hunt of goodbyes all over our home. Not only was it a blast, she had wonderful parting words. I laughed the whole time. Andrea wrote me a beautiful letter as well. I know that I have two wonderful friends at ‘home’ who are praying for me in a way that few can. Whether I like it or not, it is difficult for me to convey what I see in this blog. I thank you for being so faithful in reading it, but it is hardly able to convey my truest heartfelt feelings. They’ve seen it. They get it. God is good for brining me them.

The day that my sweet friends left Kristen and I stayed at a friends house. The Youngblood family works for the D.E.A. and attends the same church as us. The government is very grateful for the sacrifice they are willing to make by leaving home and moving to Bolivia; in turn the government is very generous to them. Mrs. Youngblood has taken it upon herself to make it her mission to take care of the missionaries. They take such wonderful care of us. They have a phone with Vonage, which means the cost is very cheap and the reception is excellent. I hope over the next few months to be able to call more. They practically beg us to use their phone and to take warm showers! I was able to talk to Lins and Lisa. It was wonderful. I took a wonderful shower and just about burned myself. It was great.

Kristen and I woke up to Mr. Youngblood’s famous chocolate chip pancakes. But I also must explain to you how rare and expensive chocolate chips are here in Bolivia. It was such a delightful treat. The Youngblood’s have six children. Three of them are back in the states and Rebecca (11), Thomas (5), and Eoin (2) live with them here in Coch. They are so wonderful and great to play with.

Not to even mention the fact that upon returning home from our little get away, Elsa and bought Sex and the City!!! I was so excited. (Obviously I hated the ending, but such is life). But it too was a wonderful blessing.

I have begun receiving mail from people. First, I thank you for your patience in waiting for it to arrive. It does take about 3 weeks. But Second, Thank you. Getting mail is such a simple concept, but I cannot express my pure and utter joy. If you get a free minute, drop a few lines in the mail. I will write back. Thank you so much for those who are taking such good care of me at home.

Having Steph and Rea leave was very difficult for me. But God is so faithful to me. Each day he is putting people in my life to continue to build me up and challenge me. I miss you both already, but thank you so much for all you have done for me and continue to do. I’ll see you in December.

Working with the Youth: The English Version

Since arriving I have been hoping and praying that an English ministry will need me as much as I felt I needed them. I am aware that I did not come all the way to Bolivia to do English ministry, but let me explain. I am working seven days a week in Spanish ministries and I love it! However, in order for me to truly connect I feel like speaking my first language and explain my thoughts and feelings in my language, is easiest. So this ministry is above and beyond our ministries here.

Now that I have justified my actions: Youth Group! I attend the International Church of Cochabamba and I enjoy it very much. The Youth Pastor and the youth group as a whole was very much in need of help. Although nearly all of the seventy youth are missionary kids, that does not mean that their needs are met. In fact, it nearly means quite the opposite. Monte (the Youth Pastor) finds that often many shy away from helping with the youth of the church while here because of the liability of leaving. Yes, I leave in December, but I have come to believe that change happens in moments.

Although I will see great change over my eight months here, it will be in moments, not necessarily in the eight months in entirety. Until December I will give the youth all I can and assume that others will pick up where I left off.

Bible Study is on Wednesday nights and actual Youth Group is on Friday nights. It is wonderful and the students have already taken to me very well. It is very easy for me because I am young and just arrived from the states (a place they miss very much).

Youth Camp is June 24^th-27^th. Youth will be attending to take a break from the ministries they do day in and day out and be able to relax and have fun. Of course, ministry of a different sort will occur while we are away at camp, but the focus is on the youth and on their needs. Finally. Because the Church is a missionary church, there is zero budget. There are six leaders, including myself, and we each have to pay our own way through camp. The cost is $450 Bs (about $70). This is not something I planned on doing or budgeted for, but if you would like to support this, please email me and let me know.

It is odd almost how quickly the youth have taken to having me as a mentor, but I adore this time. I love being a person who has undivided attention to them, with even the smallest issue, and I love building close relationships here in Bolivia. As I watched several of the interns leave, very upset to say goodbye, I prayed that come December I, too, would struggle when it came to leave. Each day reminds me how difficult it will be.

The Bread run while the NP team was here.
National Futbol games are all business.
Erlon all tuckered out.
Groundbreaking on the 5th site. (of 6! LEFT TO RIGHT and TOP TO BOTTOM
Kristen And Adrian
Me, Andrea, Jaclyn, Elaina, Kim

HAPPY ONE MONTH ANNIVERSARY!

Thursday June 12^th, 2008

It’s our One Month Anniversary (Bolivia and I). Although one month is only thirty days, this journey is anything, but ‘only.’

Being here has been an absolutely wonderful journey, yet I hardly know where to begin. I have learned so much about this country and of course about myself. Everything in Bolivia is late. Absolutely everything. I wish I were exaggerating.

My biggest pet peeve of course is: being late. However, I love it here. I love that everything from transportation to checking-out at the local supermarket takes thirty more minutes than you planned. Everyone knows everything is late, so grace is given and expected. Although it was difficult at first coming from the culture we do, surrounded by fast-paced life and at the very least a cell phone –now I wonder the disaster I’ll be at my first job interview post college.

Post college huh? Well, that has not really sunk in yet. I imagine that it will not until December, but I of course I think it’s pretty great to not be going to classes everyday (for now)

As for me, I’ve learned a ton and grown even more. I know that this process is never done, but I greatly appreciate where I am at right now and the person I am today. Wonderful feeling really. Furthering this kingdom does not, should not, and will not always look like what you expect. Day in and day out I am shocked by things I see that are positive and truly making a difference in the world. Ministries that take place here are not always organized and never are perfect, but change is being done.

I am simply a worker bee, not the queen bee.

Happy One Month Anniversary!

Prayer Requests

Faithful followers,
Yesterday at our International Teams BBQ one of our interns, Stephanie was burned with a chemical while trying to light a lantern. Thankfully Andrea and I took Chemistry (years ago) and knew to throw her eyes and face under running water.

When we got to the hospital our prayers were answered in the fact that the burns on her retinas and cheeks were only temporary. Her eyes were covered for the next tweleve hours which were very painful for her (and for us to watch).

Every 3 hours and again every 6 hours Andrea and I put in painful creams into her eyes to help moisturize the dry burns.

As of now, her vision is only blurry and we are very grateful. Although we expect a full recovery, I ask you to keep her in your thoughts and prayers this week.

Stephanie has had such a wonderful spirit the entire trip, esspecially now. She is light hearted and just a joy to have gotten to know. She sees this as a learning experience in depending on others and on God. Please know what a rock she has been to both me and to the team as a whole. She leaves on Saturday so we pray that the most difficult of this process will be over and she will have safe travels.


ALSO:
Tomorrow Kristen is having her last three wisdom teeth taken out. We have stocked up on movies and ice cream to aid this process. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as well because she will be under a deep anthistic and is very nervous.

Thank you very much for your continued love and support.

I plan on updating about my last week early this week and about my One Month Anniversary with Bolivia (which was Thursday) soon.
Its been a busy week.

So there´s this guy and he´s dark and handsome

Only kidding. Sort of. My last blogs have been about life here in Bolivia. I imagine many are wondering how the ministry is going. On Tuesdays and Fridays I ride an hour and a half (minimum) to Villa Israel, one of our two orphanages that are complete. I tutor there for at least an hour, but hopefully more. Tutoring is just what it sounds like. Villa Israel is in a very poor area, so each child gets one on one attention with different basic concepts.

Anna was working on her multiplication tables with Jaclyn and now is working on them with Andrea. Samuel is working on memorizing Bible verses with Kristen. Each child is working on something in particular with one of us. The children LOVE this time. They love getting to spend time where they are the center of attention and they love to learn. This is such a privilege to them (and of course to me).

Currently in Villa Israel I am working with Erlon. He happens to be the orphanage heart throb. Erlon is five years old and will melt your heart upon first meeting. He is so kind, so sweet, and very energetic. In order to even get one solid hour of attention I like to have things planned out before I get there. These last few weeks we have been working very hard on writing the numbers 1-5 and his name. Literally each week I see improvement. As we learn how to write the numbers we are also learning how to say them in English. We always are hoping that the children become bilingual. Not because we think they should be able to speak English to communcate with us, but because speaking English is very much a sign of status. We are always encouraging each of the children to grow to their full potential, which we hope is something strong within the town.

Because Erlon is five years old, he continually gives me such grace. I know that often the sentences I am saying to him are not grammatically correct, but we play charades and get things done. Usually I come with a few ‘worksheets’ made to begin with our numbers. Then we like to play Uno. Uno is a perfect came of colors and numbers. It is so wonderful for all the children! Then we like to relax, he is still very young, and read a story. This of course is in Spanish. Generally, I practice the book and figure it out before I get there. But sometimes he laughs. And I laugh. Its wonderful.

Your winter has nothing on my Chicago winter

As life begins to fall into a routine things become less chaotic, but that does not mean that things are less noticeable or in reality less humorous. Each day, at least once a day, I do something that reminds me that I am American.

-It is Winter in Bolivia. The mornings are very chilly, I will you give you that. But there is not a day that I do not come home sweaty after a long day of work and travel. Bolivians are currently wearing sweaters and mittens. I think they are doing this because they want to know what winter feels like. They have no idea.

-My ant bites still itch over a week later.

-Andrea and I are beginning to get better at cooking. Fruits and veggies are absolutely delightful to eat here in Bolivia so that is a staple. It just seems to take hours upon hours to cook. There is nothing quick at all here. I think we are getting the hang of this slowly but surely.

-Everything is an hour late. Having this knowledge is helpful. Having patience is better.

-Cheese is incredibly expensive. For those who know how much I love cheese, this is an issue. Wish I would have added that to the budget.

-Playing futbol (American Soccer) at the Center is all business. The Center is a little bit like a YMCA, but much different. I think Andrea sprained her toe yesterday.

-I wear flip flops everyday. My feet are black.

-Bolivia is pronounced Bolibia.

These are the people in my neighborhood... Just like Mr. Rogers

Finally, I am able to function nearly on my own here in Cochabamba, Bolivia. It feels so liberating to run to the grocery store or to Spanish class on my own. I think I have even made some friends. Let me tell you about them:

(Please give me grace as I still have not yet gotten names, but am beginning to build relationships)

Woman at the Internet:

Generally speaking, I like to go to the same internet place. Now, please know that what little Spanish I do speak, although I am learning everyday, does not include computer technical problems. She has given me such wonderful grace. We have begun to chat as I come in and when I see her through out the town.

Money Changer:

We try to go to the same person to exchange our money. He is always in the same place and I pass him on my way to nearly anything. He is always warm and kind. He asked about being missionaries in Bolivia. And he gives us a good rate. J

Locker Guy at IC Norte:

IC Norte is our grocery store. When you walk in you have to check your purse into a locker. I have no idea what to say to him except thank you. Or when I forget my list in my purse which is now in my locker. Its always a good time.

Lady who Sells Art on Corner:

I do not know her. At all. But she smiles every morning I pass her.

Alright well I think that about covers it. And, I know at this point you maybe thinking that I have wasted your time. But when you are in a country that you do not know a single soul, when people begin to recognize you, it is wonderful. I love walking through our part of town into people I know.

Just a quick thought

“It helps now and then to step back and take the long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. Nthing to we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us:

No statement says all that could be said

No prayer fully expresses our faith

No confession brings perfection

No pastoral visit brings wholeness

No program accomplishes the churches mission

No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about:

We plant seeds that one day will grow.

We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise

We lay foundations that will need further development

We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capability

We cannot do everything there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something and to do it very well! It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way and opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest. We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are the workers, not the master builder; ministers, no the messiah;. We are prophets of a future not our own. Amen”

Arch Bishop Oscar Romerou

Hola Mis Amigos y Mi Familia

Somedays, it seems a struggle to completely understand the work that I am doing. Somedays, the tasks seem so little or so huge that I wonder the difference that I am making. Somedays, it is plain frustrating to watch destruction as I work to build up this country. But it’s bigger than that.

Hannah sent me this quote last week and I have really enjoyed reading it each morning. I thought that I would share it with you, my supporters, to begin to understand the enormity of the little or big things that are done to further the kingdom.