In the caves.
Yikes, it was windy!
Hotel made of salt!Sunday, November 16, 2008
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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