Bolivian style

This past Sunday the other interns and I were invited over to our Spanish tutor´s house for a Bolivian dinner! We were so excited about it and at the end so thankful for the invite, the hospitality, the Spanish conversation, and the tasty food! Unfortunately, I am convinced that Michelle and I are still having difficulties from that tasty food, if you know what I mean! We don´t care, we would do it again any day! Our Spanish tutor lives with her brother, his wife, their two daughters, and one of their daughters 2 kids.... there are 8 that live in the house now because Kim (a long term missionary) lives there with them! Tina (our tutor) is like our Bolivian mother! She takes very good care of us! We always enjoy the time we have over there.

Justin left for Chapare (the jungle) on Tuesday to work out at the construction sites for the other 2 orphanages in process! He thinks he will be done until next Friday. So, it is just Michelle and I at la hacienda now! Guess what? We got a washer machine the other day!!! YAY! So, that is exciting news for us. We are still trying to figure out the whole drainage part of it because it is in one of the bathrooms, but hey it works!

Yesterday Cochabamba had another paro civico, where everything pretty much shut down, especially transportation! Apparently there were protests and blockades all over the town. This time it has to do with the political problems brewing between the president and the people! Something about a new constitution (I forget what it is all about) that he is wanting to pass and of course a lot of other complications! Anyways, it makes the people extremely upset and so all things come to a halt! So, we stayed at the hacienda all day long because we couldn´t get where we needed to go and also it can be dangerous in some areas! We could hear all sorts of noises down in the city since we kind of live on a mountain. I won´t share the specifics, just so I don´t freak any of you out! I don´t share this so you can worry, only to keep you informed! We just have to continue to pray daily for God to work in a mighty way through this country and all of the people! As I have been studying in Matthew, Jesus is constantly saying to his disciples, you of little of faith...and sometimes (definitely myself included) we tend to think that God can´t take control of a problem like this, and that´s when we lack faith, because God is the Almighty and bigger than anything we can imagine, and as He promises, what ever we ask in the name of Christ, shall be given! So, I ask you to be praying about these political problems here with faith that God can do ALL things!

The other night I went to a Spanish bible study and absolutely loved it! I figured it would be a great way to get plugged in, make some Bolivian friends, work on my Spanish, have fellowship, and hear the Word of God! It was a blast and I cannot wait to go back next week! I understood a lot of what was being said, with many exceptions... its just the whole talking back in Spanish and trying to relay your feelings, that is the bigger struggle for me! But, it continues to be an area I ask God for patience, boldness, and opportunities to speak and study! It´s so fantastic! Well, off to do our usual Thursday tutoring at Villa Israel!

¡HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I sure hope that everyone has a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING! This holiday is a little bit different for me this year! I just got to talk to my family and imagine as if I was there with them as they are hottubbing, watching football, cooking, and relaxing, but ya know I am not, and that is the way things are! It doesn´t take away from the fact that I miss them a ton and wish I was there! Then again it helps that today just feels like another day here in Bolivia since they do not celebrate Thanksgiving! We are going over to the Timmers house this evening to indulge in what I anticipate...a mighty feast! I sure hope I will be able to enjoy it as much as I want to! Tuesday afternoon I came down with a strong and pretty fun (ok what sickness is fun?) virus! Well, we are suspecting that it was virus since it only lasted about 24 hours! Plus, Michelle and Justin didn´t get sick and we had all eaten the same things! But, man did it knock me out or what! Initially I thought I was coming down with a cold, but my boat got rocked when I had to run to the toilet and take care of business! I think I am also coming down with a cold too, that is the unfortunate thing! So, these past 2 days were my much needed days of rest and time to empty my stomach to get ready for the big feast, ¿nové? (right?)! We were also given this afternoon to kind of relax, get some things done, get ready for the feast, and talk to family members! Which was totally needed for all of us! Thank you Lord! We are off shortly to celebrate Día de acción de gracias!! ¡Chao mi familia and mis amigos!

Baby washing...

I got to experience the joy of baby washing in Plaza Principal yesterday! It was my first time because the last 3 Saturdays it was canceled because the ministry leader was out of town. This is something that we will be serving in every Saturday in downtown at one of the plazas at about 4:30-6:30. Many women who either live on the streets or are extremely poor come, where their babies and children get a bath, a new change of clothes, milk and bread for everyone, and the women wash their hair. Majority of women that come are Quechan, which are a native group of people that have a whole different language and way of dress. So, unfortunately it can be difficult to talk to them because we either speak Spanish or English. It was quite a beautiful experience! It kind of felt like a little party to me, like the kind of celebration Jesus desires for us to have. At one point, there were about 6 kids hanging on me and then I had to go to the ground so they wouldn´t knock me over, and then they were crawling all over me... it was great! The children ranged anywhere from about 3 months to 8 years old. These kids were filthy, you wouldn´t believe it... I did not care one bit about having them climb all over me or holding them, of course until I got back to la hacienda and took a steaming shower and just scrubbed! There were babies that had these sores all over their body and just screamed when they were bathed. Children who were loving every bit of clean, soapy, and warm water being poured all over them and their various cuts and knotty hair. I have had quite a few joyful experiences and I don´t know that I can say it was my favorite, but baby washing sure was up there:-)

Thanksgiving is approaching a lot sooner then I probably can get ready for! This holiday is going to look a lot different for me and the other interns. We will be celebrating with the Timmers the day of, but it will still be different since Bolivia does not celebrate this holiday and also because we won´t be with our families! This is the first Thanksgiving I will not be with my family. Yes, it will be sad, but I am also comforted by our gracious Father who is always with me and reminds me this is where He needs me right now! I am looking forward to the feast though because Bonnie Timmer is quite the cook. Even when we go over to eat during the week and after church on Sundays, she always has a feast prepared, I can´t imagine what Thanksgiving will be like! In the past they have bought their own turkey´s to raise and then they butcher and pluck them, but this year they decided to just buy a turkey and freeze it until Thursday! I am not that sad I am missing out on that experience! I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you get to eat all the good stuff, but remember to share the goods with others too;-)

¡Aprendido la ciudad!

I officially got turned around for the first time on Tuesday! I was on my way to Spanish lessons and I got off the Trufe bus kind of early, and when I did I saw the other trufe that I needed and got really excited! I got in and we started driving in the opposite direction I needed to go!! Ooops! I waited for a good stopping point, got off, crossed the street got on another Trufe, had to get off where I got on the first time, and then walked over to catch the Trufe going the right direction!! I finally got to my lesson, but 10 minutes late! My Spanish teacher got a little worried, but comforted me with some delicious hot chocolate! Yet another experience for me here in Cochabamba!

On Monday we were on our way to the center to hang with the kids over there and we decided to stop by the Zona Frutillar orphanage to say ¨hi¨ while we waited for a Trufe. Unfortunately, Michelle wasn´t with us that day because she was not feeling well so she stayed at la hacienda to rest. But, Justin and I decided to take 2 of the kids with us to the center so they could get out of the house! We took a pair of siblings, Dahlia and Frankie. You would not believe the excitement they got out of a taxi ride, it just overjoyed me like nothing else! It not only gave them an opportunity to get out of the house, but they also get to hang out with some other kids and make new friends! We also have the opportunity to have more hang out time with them! I had a blast! And I thought I got some stares before, wow! People were looking at us like, what the heck are these gringos doing with these Bolivian kids? It was pretty funny! So, whenever we have the opportunity or have little errands to run we are going to try and take 2-3 kids with us. They are in their summer break now until I believe January. So, any opportunity to get them out we are going to take it!

The kids at the other orphanage seem to be a lot different than the ones at Zona Frutillar. I ask that you be praying about it if you get the chance. The kids up at Villa Israel can be a lot more challenging for us at times. It is of course a combination of things. Those kids were brought to the home at a much older age than the others and carry different pasts, so that can make quite a difference. Pray for patience and guidance as we continue to pour into these little ones and share the love of Christ with them!

Yesterday there was a paro civico in the city. Pretty much the whole city shuts down, including public transportation. It was my mom´s birthday and I couldn´t even get to a phone to wish her a happy birthday, but when I called her this morning to wish a belated one she totally understood! We had to take a taxi to where we needed to go, and even then it was a lot more expensive and in certain areas there were blockades. Apparently these happen very often for many reasons. They are announced a head of time, and yesterday´s was because there has been no diesel gas available. So you know...all of the Trufe´s and many other vehicles run on diesel here! So, the city looked a lot different yesterday. And don´t freak out, they are typically not dangerous, but quite interesting to have experienced! Alrighty, off to lunch and then to do some tutoring...

This past week we tried to finish up some painting at the Villa Israel orphanage. We got it all done except for the high corners and some edging....we do have a ladder, but it is still difficult to get where we need to! We will see what this weeks schedule holds as far as completing our project.

Sundays are so nice here. A lot of things are closed and there is not as nearly as much traffic as there is during the week and on Saturdays. I walked down to the Internet cafe from la hacienda and it took me about 30 minutes. I think I will find myself walking it more. Justin and Michelle are at drama practice for the Christmas play so usually Sunday afternoons I am on my own. It is also a beautiful (HOT) day here!

So, we got to take part in another cultural experience last night. The Zona Frutillar orphanage (the one closer to la hacienda) has a big room that is used for a church. I believe it is a Baptist church, but not too postitive. They put on a Bolivian Christian folklore concert all weekend long at night down in la concha (the court) near the orphanage. We went last night and took all the kids (but the two younger ones) and went to the concert to jam out and experience some spanish music. I am so glad that we went! Although I probably didn´t understand all of the music, the prayers, and the message it was so fun to be a part of! There was a Bolivian group and then a Quechan group that played on their flutes and crazy looking instruments! Ok, here is some Latin American culture for ya....the concert was suppose to start at 7:30 but it didn´t start until about 8:15! We were told to be on time, so we got there early and ended up waiting! That is just how things are.

Let´s just say that I have only been here three weeks and I already know that when it will be time to leave I am going to have a very difficult time leaving these kids! I have already fallen in love with them and gotten so attached! Some more then others, but every single one of them just crawl all over you, give you hugs, come up and just hold your hand, and never want you to leave! Now tell me you wouldn´t have a difficult time leaving them? God is continually giving me the energy to be the goofy and crazy Jaclyn He created, and it sure is a daily request as we go to play and tutor these kids! Hope all of you are doing great and enjoyed your weekend! Please continue to update me on your lives! I will be back on Thursday...

It´s already Thursday in Week #3

I just realized it´s already Thursday, wow! This week we are back at the Villa Israel orphanage painting some of the areas that were not finished and areas that need to be done again! It is quite the trip to get there, especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays because those are market days. Yesterday it took us 2 hours to get there, to have only 2 hours of work, and then take a 2 hour ride back. And it usually only takes about 30 minutes to an hour to get there! Days like those can be pretty exhausting. Today we are going back out there, but we are only doing tutoring with the kids. Tomorrow we will resume some more painting and then hope to get some errands done!

Alright, so I am reading an absolutely awesome, challenging, convicting, but impactful book! I recommend all of you to read it, but you have to be ready for your boat to be rocked a bit. The author writes in a very unique way and I love it! His hope is to share some stories, thoughts, Scripture, and experiences to challenge Christians to live out an authentic faith. He says, ¨this book will comfort the disturbed, disturb the comfortable, and invite believers to change the world with Christ´s radical love!¨ The name of the book is...The Irresistible Revolution: living as an ordinary radical, by Shane Claiborne! His stories are something else and so inspiring! This book was given to all of us to read when a couple came in last week on a vision trip. They so graciously let us have this book, and I am so unbelievably thankful for them. I am for sure going to be buying my own copy because it´s one to be read more then once! If you need a good and fast read...pick this up at your local Barnes & Noble or Christian bookstore! That is all I have for now. Hasta proxímo tiempo...

Just making a simple post...

Today is a more relaxing day for us. We go to church, have lunch with the Timmers, usually have some internet time, and than head back to la hacienda to do laundry, clean, and relax. Then tomorrow we jump back into it!

There are 2 things I wish I would of brought with me... my blanket and some peanut butter!! I finally decided to buy some PB at the store yesterday. It is pretty good. It sure is a little interesting and different, but I will make do with it! I realized that I do not miss TV one bit. I can totally do with out it. We are pretty busy here so we don´t have a lot of extra time. The time we do have is usually spent relaxing, cleaning, reading, and doing laundry. And I am loving every bit of it!

Well, I really do not have much else to say because I want to be sure I don´t constantly repeat myself once I send out an email to everyone. I plan to send an informative one out this week, hopefully! I hope every one had a good weekend. I hope that you are hearing the voice of God and spending the quality time with Him that He so badly wants with you!

Getting around Cochabamba

I don´t want to toot my own horn, but I am finding that my good sense of direction is sure paying off in this city. I am learning my way around town. It is a lot more difficult here because a lot of things are not marked. So, you have to find your own markings for where you need to get off. Like in the states, there are not direct bus stops. You can get off where ever you need to, you just better hope you know where you are and that you are on the right bus! Let´s knock on wood.... but, I have not gotten lost yet! I have been enjoying exploring the area a little bit on my own. Some people are a little weary that I want and try to go on my own, but then again I really haven´t had a lot of opportunities to travel alone because we are constantly having to go places together.

Slowly, but surely I am getting into some what of a routine. Waking up pretty early every morning, getting some precious time with the Lord, taking my super cold or steaming hot shower, doing the dishes, some mornings handwashing my clothes, then walking to catch a bus, and than off to what we need to do for the day! Keep in mind that that is it in a nutshell.

This morning we had to run a few errands. Errands here take a lot longer than you may be use to. Things just are not as convenient, oh and the whole language barrier some times comes into play. It is all quite the experience! Today we are going to the Muyurina (also called Zona Frutillar) orphanage that is in walking distance to our hacienda, where we will tutor the kids! Yesterday we went and played with them. It gives the house parents the opportunity to get some stuff done around the house. We took them to the park to play for over an hour and of course had a blast! Here is a fact for you... the sun is a lot hotter here because the ozone layer is thinner which is making Bolivia a more dangerous place. Well, Miss Jaclyn sure discovered that sun yesterday! I coat my face in 45, but forgot to put it on my arms and chest! Let´s just say that it will become my daily ritual to put sunscreen on any skin exposed to the sun! The bottle of aloe vera and I will be real tight for the next few days!

Now, I must go meet the others at the hacienda for some lunch and then we will be on our way to do some tutoring! Hope that your weekend is treating you well! I love all of you!

It´s already November!

WOW! Today is already November. Last night was Halloween for those of you in the states. I can´t lie....I actually missed dressing up and going trick or treating! But, they do not celebrate Halloween here in Bolivia. Unfortunately, they do sell masks and some costumes in la Concha (the HUGE market place where they sell everything you can imagine, quite the thing to see) on some street corners. I am pretty sure it is frowned upon for many. The day of the dead (Día de los Muertos) is taken very seriously here. And I am pretty sure they start celebrating it tomorrow and it continues for a some days! We have to stock up on our bread today because there will be a shortage after the holiday.

Usually I find myself having a difficult time waking up in the mornings. I am trying to figure out how and why I keep waking up before my alarm clock goes off. The factors I am currently contemplating include: the multiple dogs that bark every morning, the sun peeking through much earlier than I am use to, going to bed between 9 and 10 most nights, or I am just excited to wake up and have my time with the Lord out on the hammock! Come to think of it I believe that all of those things play a part! By no means am I complaining. I just sit in that hammock and smile because I can feel God smiling at me and getting me in a place where I feel so in tune with Him. I am aware that one day this could change, but I am not even worrying about that. I am indulging in the here and now!

I feel like I am adjusting pretty well. I also have to remember that the adjustment period could last quite awhile. But, for some crazy reason I seem to be adjusting a lot better compared to the stories I have heard about other people adjusting here. I am learning about being on a team again, and I of course love the dynamics of a team. Some small conflicts have arose. God quickly gave us boldness to confront and communicate those conflicts, and I am assured that He will use that in some way as we continue to work as a team.

As I continue to pray for God to show me how to love these kids, I came across some very evident Scripture the other day. In 1 John 16, John writes to us saying... So we know and rely on the love God has for us. GOD IS LOVE! Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in Him. Verse 17 continues...In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement because in this world we are like Him! Ok, pretty sweet deal! Why is God love? Because He only displayed the deepest meaning of love to us by sending His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him! God created love, He showed the absolute deepest love there is and so in turn... GOD IS LOVE! There are no objections! That is the way it is. This is what God did for us so we might follow Him and be free from the ugliness of this world! This isn´t some tall tale or just something that was put down in history-- it happened and is revealed by God through His beautiful Word and is totally living among us today! It doesn´t get much better than this! AMEN! I thought I would pass on what God revealed to me!

I am continuing to learn what life is like here and the life of an intern/short-term missionary! You come to find out that some things you are asked to do are not what you always get super excited about or have any desire to do. But, when things are put in perspective of why and who you are doing this for, I quickly ask God to change the attitude of my heart. And that continues to be my prayer when I wake up. Lord, give me the necessary attitude of the heart to carry out the work you have planned for us today! This week we have been on our hands and knees at one of the orphanages scrubbing the paint off the ceramic tile. It is every where. When the high school kids painted last week there was no plastic or tape used to protect the floor, doors, or panels on the wall. You probably ask why? Well, there just aren´t those sorts of tools needed to work on a project like this one. Plus, there was so much area to cover in painting so we couldn´t possibly find and pay for all the necessary tools. It is going to take us while to finish scrubbing all of the tiny dots of paint off the floor. May God continue to renew our attitudes as we do this necessary work. All I can say is...Let Him have His way! Hasta luego...