2 months done....

Well it’s been quite some time since I visited this page….sorry about that. There have clearly been lots of things going on in Bolivia in the last three weeks. We have had to filter the things we have been hearing about the political state of Bolivia, as well as the the rumors of sending all US citizens home. There have been many people evacuated as of now, but we have been safe and have not felt threatened at all. Today is my two month anniversary! It would be way too soon to go home right now, so I’m praying that the Lord would calm things down here and bring peace again.

There have been lots of things going on at the Hacienda as well. In three weeks we got three new people (volunteers/missionaries). Bryan came for about 8 days to take a break from his world travels. He’s been traveling since last august and decided to stop here to see what we do and to help. He was great to have around for laughs, encouragement, and security (its nice having a guy’s presence in the house). He is currently wandering around Argentina right now. Jeff flew in on the same day as me and has been staying with his brother since he arrived. He was supposed to head back to the states 2 days ago, but extended his ticket and will be staying with us for the month of October. Bethany just got here last Friday and will be here with us until December. We were expecting her to come in October; surprise, she’s came early! She lived here for a year in 2005, so she knows her way around. It’s nice having another person to help with everyday activities and ministry. Thank God for continuing to bring people here to do his work.

So enough about us….the kids are so great! The more I get to know them, the more I never want to leave! One of my fondest memories of the center kids will be the feria (fair) we held for the kids and their parents. Each class did a bible skit for the parents, which went really well. After that there were games, music, food and prizes. The kids absolutely loved it and had so much fun. As usual, it was a crazy and hectic day, but that’s a normal day at the center. Katie (my roommate) and I have taken over the youngest class and have agreed to teach class every Wednesday. I wish you all could observe these kids even for a minute. Once they are all packed into the small room, it’s a free for all. I have never worked with a more rowdy, naughty, and mean group of 3’s, 4’s and 5’s. They do not listen, unless they are bribed with candy, they mock me and Katie, they are mean to each other and are just crazy (running around the room, climbing the shelves, hitting each other, and crying.) We have managed to get through both bilbe stories in hopes they heard and will retain some of the truth we shared. Despite how stressed and exhausted I feel after Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I leave that place loving the kids more than the day before. God definitely gives me the strength for these two days and makes my heart hurt for them and love them more. Here are some of the kiddos from the center...haha so cute!

At the orphanages, i have continued beginning with a bible story and the boys at Villa Israel love that part. They would rather read bible stories the entire time, than learn English or any other activities I have planned. We have grown very close simply from our hour spent together each week. While the other kiddies are running around, we are able to escape and do our own thing for a small amount of uninterrupted time. They seem to be stuck on long multiplication problems, so that is one thing we’ve been focusing on a lot. It’s also been amazing to see how they take care of the younger kids. Jhoel has three younger brothers in the orphanage, so he is used to playing the father figure, but I continue to be amazed as he helps them, guides them, and is so patient with them. He is mature for his age and I have seen growth in both of my boys since I got here. I can’t imagine how I’m going to feel about these kids 8 months from now. Heres Roberto and Jhoel again....

Well personally, I’m doing well. I’ve agreed to teach ESL every week, because one of the volunteers had to return to the states. I actually had to teach last week, which was a very stretching experience. I’m glad for these experiences because I know God wants to challenge me and use me in ways I would not have imagined. I’m excited to be committed to this ministry and get to know more Bolivian people.

One area of prayer right now is a trip to Potosi that my roommates and I are all going on this weekend. On Saturday we are leaving for a 10 day trip to the antiplano, where Potosi is located. We will be stopping at 7 villages throughout the week to deliver packages and to spend time with the people and their children. The bus ride is a full day and we are going up to about 13, 000 feet, so I’m sure I will be feeling the effects. It is the worlds highest city, yikes!

I continue to learn and see new things everyday here and God continues to be faithful and ever present! This verse has reminded me of His love for me and more importantly for all people. Psalm 90:14 says, “Satisfy me in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Amen! I miss you all lots!!!

Spring in Cochabamba

So winter is over here and it’s getting warmer by the day. I say warm and I mean it’s about 85 degrees in the sun, but the minute you step into the shade, you could easily freeze. So the flowers are beginning to bloom and Cochabamba is becoming more and more beautiful! It will be this way until November when the rainy season begins.

Well things have been busy these past couple weeks, but have been fun none the less. Now that there are four of us living at the hacienda, we spend most of our nights together. I feel as if I’m back in college; its kinda fun.

In the last two weeks, we have celebrated five birthdays at the two orphanages. It has been one of the sweetest things I have experienced since I’ve arrived here. Each birthday party has consisted of a cake and a small gift, usually from the house parents. It’s amazing how happy these kids are to receive one gift and a piece of cake! They especially love the attention from the “gringos”, all the white volunteers. So here are some pictures of the many bday parties we have celebrated this month.

Here is Arlan sporting his new clothes...he loved them!

Tutoring has been going well. I have begun to memorize some bible verses with some of the kids, in Spanish! They do such a great job and it’s good practice for my Spanish, as well. This weeks verse was Isaiah 40:31, my favorite verse in the bible. We spent four hours on Thursday at the “Villa Isreal” orphanage and had so much fun with the kids. There are now only three interns so tutoring can be tricky at times. I work with two boys, Jhoel and Roberto. They are the oldest boys in the house. I have found that “chicle” or candy motivates them. We spent an hour and a half reading a bible story in Spanish and working on multiplication problems. This also has been very good for my Spanish. I hope to do so much with them during my time here…they make my heart smile! Here is a pic of them...

Every Wednesday we help with an organization called “Food for the Hungry”. There is a couple here from the states who have agreed to help us build bunk beds for one of the orphanages. So last week I learned how to use a heavy duty electronic sanding machine. By the end of three hours, my hand was tingling. We have four out of ten bunk beds completed. This week was different because instead of building, we helped move Nate to a new shop. The way people “move” from one place to another in quite different here than in the states. Here is a picture of what we had to ride on for 30 minutes to get to the new shop.

It was very dangerous to say the least, but sooooo fun! We’re used to Bolivians’ staring at us, but this time they had a reason to stare….it was quite a sight. The Lord kept us safe and we successfully moved all the machinery and things to the new shop.

The kids at the community center continue to be bad, but are a blast to be around. It almost feels like I’m back at work in the states, because I constantly have to put up with negative behaviors. The only problem is that here there are no rules or disciplinary actions in place, so it’s a crazy three hours for me! On Wednesday, a mini swimming pool was brought in and the kids loved it. They stripped down to their underwear and dove right in.

This is Christian, he is a tough tough kid, but will smile when you tickle his belly. He wasn’t too sure about the pool, so he sat out and threw the balls at the girls.

We also spent a day making “kites” with the kids. These consisted of tissue paper, pieces of broom thistles, string, tape and a water bottle. The process of making the kites was very stressful, but the end result was more than I could have imagined. When they were ready to be flown, we took all the kids to the top of this huge hill and they actually flew very well in the wind. The kids absolutely loved the activity and had soooo much fun! Here is a pic, check out the mountains (God’s creation) in the background. This is where I live!

One thing to be thankful for is that our team leaders (the Timmers) made it back safely. They were on furlough in the states for the last four months and returned on Monday. I had never met them and had the pleasure of sitting down with them on Thursday. It’s a comfort to have them back here in Cochabamba, so praise God for their safe return.

I miss you all lots! Until next week....