Recently I have really taken a liking to early morning runs. The sun is not to hot yet. The city is beginning to grumble. And I find myself up and at 'em early any way, why not take advantage of the fact that I am able to enjoy this time alone. I'm usually alone.
Monday through Friday mornings are quite uneventful. As I pass by the bars on the plaza I find the aroma of stale beer and cigarettes still in the air. Generally, this stikes a whole thought process for me about the tasks that still lie ahead for missionaries in this city. Which only seems to be the beginning. Eryn-May came with me this morning as I ran down the plaza toward the prado. We passed the bars as we usually do, only two stumble upon three men.
Now, don't worry, they were passed out drunk. And harmless. This is a new concept to me. Never in the city of Chicago would police allow men to passout outside a bar near the middle of the street. In fact, I find myself thinking that this action is likley illegal. My first thought CPR, Rescue breathing, and are they alive? The smell of beer quickly overwhelms me and I realize they are simply napping after a long evening.
Not quite sure why, but hours later, these men lay heavy on my heart. Several things come to mind. Where are their friends and family? Are they worried? Will they be okay? Will someone less kind come across their path? And goodness, what can we do?
Right now, I ask for prayer. Prayer for my heart and mind as I continue to digest things like this day in and day out. Prayer for these three men. That they are safe, find a warm meal this morning/afternoon, and that the Lord would move in the hearts and souls upon waking up in the street. And prayer for this city. May missionaries continue to feel called to be here and may the Lord continue to use imperfect servants to reach imperfect souls perfectly.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Paper Mache gets a wee bit messy.
Darina is in 6th grade and she makes me laugh. Usually very hard.
Rhadassa is in 3rd grade and speaks three languages.
Benji and Pablo love working together. They are in 2nd grade.
Third grade having a ball.
What was this teacher thinking?!With each of my classes this week we did paper mache. Although it was a bit messy, the children had a ball. I think its good for them to get a bit messy, to be creative, and to love doing it.
Sometimes I think I was born to do this.
Día del acción de gracias
My plate. Well, the first one.
Jenny needed to hold herself up after a great meal.
Me, Julie, and Jenny. We played sand volley ball, went swimming, and wore tank tops. Its hot in this country.
The Vargas'. Our hosts.
Eating.Thanksgiving!
Spending my first 'major holiday', as the mission field calls it, away from home was a bit tricky for me. I woke up feeling much more homesick than I imagined. Yet by dinner time with close friends, I felt more embraced than I imagined. There are a number of North American families here, but also a number of international families that have adopted this fun tradition of being Thankful.
We had great food and great fun with so many people.
What a blessing it was to be able to talk to a lot of my family that evening. It was wonderful to hear my little cousins growing up so quickly and so interested in this work that their cousin is doing. Very fun to hear that they look here at my blog and enjoy photos I send. It is always a joy to hear from my grandparents and of their life. And of course to my Aunt's and Uncle's who have very much kept me as strong here as I would have liked.
In morning devotionals I had everyone go around the room and say something they were thankful for. I am thankful that I am missed and that I have some people to miss. What a joy that is.
Spending my first 'major holiday', as the mission field calls it, away from home was a bit tricky for me. I woke up feeling much more homesick than I imagined. Yet by dinner time with close friends, I felt more embraced than I imagined. There are a number of North American families here, but also a number of international families that have adopted this fun tradition of being Thankful.
We had great food and great fun with so many people.
What a blessing it was to be able to talk to a lot of my family that evening. It was wonderful to hear my little cousins growing up so quickly and so interested in this work that their cousin is doing. Very fun to hear that they look here at my blog and enjoy photos I send. It is always a joy to hear from my grandparents and of their life. And of course to my Aunt's and Uncle's who have very much kept me as strong here as I would have liked.
In morning devotionals I had everyone go around the room and say something they were thankful for. I am thankful that I am missed and that I have some people to miss. What a joy that is.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Prayer for a dear friend
I would like to ask for prayer for my friend Virginia. A few weeks ago, her grandfather became unexpectantly ill. This weekend he passed away.
Having a loss at home for a young woman who is very close with her family, would be a struggle, but having to stay here is that much more difficult. May you pray for her family, for her mother in her loss of her father, and for Virginia herself. May the Lord guide her these next weeks as she struggles through this loss at a distance from her family.
I cannot imagine, nor would I chose to, to know the pain of dealing with loss from here. As these are our first years away from home, this is a young woman´s biggest fear. May God give her strength that she does not even realize. And courage to push on.
Thank you for your continued prayers for this community.
Having a loss at home for a young woman who is very close with her family, would be a struggle, but having to stay here is that much more difficult. May you pray for her family, for her mother in her loss of her father, and for Virginia herself. May the Lord guide her these next weeks as she struggles through this loss at a distance from her family.
I cannot imagine, nor would I chose to, to know the pain of dealing with loss from here. As these are our first years away from home, this is a young woman´s biggest fear. May God give her strength that she does not even realize. And courage to push on.
Thank you for your continued prayers for this community.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Enjoy some photos from Vacation!
I have a million and one photos from vacation but here are a few to get you started. It was beautiful, amazing, and an incredible experience without water or electricity. Good thing I have such a great friends.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Happy 6 Month Anniversary!
Where in the world has the time gone? (Stephanie and Andrea were correct, Time is flying)
After many Spanish classes, when I landed in Bolivia 6 months ago, I was unable to hold a meaningful conversation in Spanish. Speaking Spanish has been one of my biggest battles over the last 6 months.
I have learned that we all have different gifts and different abilities, but mine, I couldn't use because I could not speak Spanish. I could not speak to my orphans or to my students or to people on the street in the way that I wanted to. I wanted to love them and appreciate them in the way that I could in English. Gosh, how frustrating.
Recently, I have been able to spend a lot more time with Spanish speaking friends and I have seen such a drastic change in my ability to communicate. On Sunday Ezmay and I went out into the country (El Campo) to a village that is about an hour a way to visit a friend's church. What an incredible experience. We spent all morning and afternoon with our friends John, Johnny, and Ledi. It was not until we were on our way home that we realized that we spoke in Spanish all afternoon without skipping a beat. It was not always correct or even very pretty, but it was love and it was in Spanish. We were not holding two conversations or needing a translator. We were communicating. Something I had wanted since May 12th, the day I arrived.
However, let me end on a funny note. I have not perfected this language at all. I have so many stories of me thinking a word is one thing or meaning something else and being is understood. At dinner the other night I asked the waiter to pack up my food 'to go'. This is not always available, but it was here and I had some tasty food I wanted for lunch. Well long story short, my food went into the trash. Ha. When I asked him, in Spanish, what happened, he reply "No entiendo" (I did not understand) Oh what and evening.
Happy 6 months.
After many Spanish classes, when I landed in Bolivia 6 months ago, I was unable to hold a meaningful conversation in Spanish. Speaking Spanish has been one of my biggest battles over the last 6 months.
I have learned that we all have different gifts and different abilities, but mine, I couldn't use because I could not speak Spanish. I could not speak to my orphans or to my students or to people on the street in the way that I wanted to. I wanted to love them and appreciate them in the way that I could in English. Gosh, how frustrating.
Recently, I have been able to spend a lot more time with Spanish speaking friends and I have seen such a drastic change in my ability to communicate. On Sunday Ezmay and I went out into the country (El Campo) to a village that is about an hour a way to visit a friend's church. What an incredible experience. We spent all morning and afternoon with our friends John, Johnny, and Ledi. It was not until we were on our way home that we realized that we spoke in Spanish all afternoon without skipping a beat. It was not always correct or even very pretty, but it was love and it was in Spanish. We were not holding two conversations or needing a translator. We were communicating. Something I had wanted since May 12th, the day I arrived.
However, let me end on a funny note. I have not perfected this language at all. I have so many stories of me thinking a word is one thing or meaning something else and being is understood. At dinner the other night I asked the waiter to pack up my food 'to go'. This is not always available, but it was here and I had some tasty food I wanted for lunch. Well long story short, my food went into the trash. Ha. When I asked him, in Spanish, what happened, he reply "No entiendo" (I did not understand) Oh what and evening.
Happy 6 months.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Leaving again....
Today some friends and I are heading to the Salt Flats of Bolivia. If you get a chance look it up on Google or better yet Google Earth. It is absolutely beautiful and I can hardly wait to document some fun with friends.
Keep our travels in your thoughts and prayers.
I expect to return late on Thursday. With wonderful blogs and tons of photos! Be sure to check back :)
Keep our travels in your thoughts and prayers.
I expect to return late on Thursday. With wonderful blogs and tons of photos! Be sure to check back :)
CAMP! These photos are worth more than my words
I do not have favorites. But if I did..... Christian, Jed, David, and Will
Andy, Me, Virginia, and Tim. Often times wondering if we were loving camp more than the students
Camp.
What is camp without marshmellows?
CHICKEN FIGHTS!
Virginia (Miss Krukeburg) and I. We joined the students in a game of ghost in the graveyard. Needless to say, we were unable to be found. So perhaps were a little competitive.
Some of our 6th grade cabin girls rapping a little tune for us. My abdominal muscles are still sore from the amount of laughter that took place that night.
Everyone has to get through the force field... What are you going to do?
Campfire love.
Beautiful girls.
Isabella creating a friendship bracelet
Sardines!
Valentina, Carolina, and Paulina. Very sweet girls.
Blindfolded puzzle for teambuilding. Each team was given strict restrictions and a set amount of time to complete the puzzle. It was very challenging, but the teams did great!
Orlando doing what he can, without words, to guide is blind friend.
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