Jaclyn's Blog: Livin' to LOVE!

HEY.

2009-06-17T20:43:00.000-07:00

Yup...I am a slacker alright. I have not blogged in a looooong long time, oops! Life has just been busy. Its not that I don't have PLENTY to write about, I just don't have the time to sit down and do it. I should not even be writing now because I have so much school work to do. Yeah, that's right...doing the summer school deal too, it never ends! I am a full-time mom this week. No, I did not have children of my own in the last few months. I am nannying while the parents are out of town. Talk about some R-E-S-P-E-C-T for all those stay at home moms, wowzas! I am staying this entire week with 4 kids under the age of 7, just a little exhausted. This past Saturday I just returned from my 3 weeks stay in San Antone. IT was good, just a bit long.

Hopefully I will do more blogging when I got to Costa Rica. Yeah, you heard that right! I am going to Costa Rica for the month of July. When I tell people this, the majority seem to ask..."Are you going on another mission?" Yup, that's exactly what it is. I just have to define mission in this sense for them. It's a personal mission. Vacation. Enhance my spanish speaking abilities. Travel. Do some self reflection. Oh YEAH. Ok, well off to get some reading done:)

PURA VIDA!

Oxford, Mississippi

2009-02-27T21:14:00.001-08:00

I sure wish I had new pictures to post on here. Two dilemmas stand in the fore front...first off I have lost my camera battery charger, thus I have no pictures to put on my computer. Plus, I have a new computer because my other one died and so I have no access to my old photos. Bummer.

Tonight I am taking a little personal retreat. Love it. The past few weeks have been slightly crazy. This past weekend I got to go back to my roots (ok, semi)! I went to Oxford, Mississippi. I had not been back there since I graduated, so I was for sure over-due for a visit. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!! It was so refreshing to be back in the South, in Oxford, and with my peeps. It was a weekend full of friends, love, laughter, and fellowship. Oh, and my dear friend Mr. Jonathan Rainey proposed to his lovely Cynthia...and she said YES! I have yet to meet this beautiful woman, but I sure cannot wait. Anyways...I had the opportunity to catch up with a number of beautiful friends. I also ventured back into the athletic arena to say hello to all of those who were of great assistance throughout my 4 years there. All to say...the time I had there was delightful.

Lately I have been thinking about what the summer holds for me. I want to do something. Something that will transform me and make a difference in my life...but more importantly that the Kingdom will be impacted for Christ. Options. Taking classes and working? Coaching summer volleyball camps? If I had money going to Bolivia? Working at summer camps? Traveling overseas with a bunch of teenagers? What shall it be Lord? I will wait...

Exchanging ashes for BEAUTY.

2009-02-08T20:44:00.000-08:00

Prayer. What a powerful thing. I believe that we make prayer more complicated than God wants it to be. It's just coming to the Father, and communicating with Him. Why is it that we find it so difficult to communicate with someone that is constant and all knowing? But, we do. I admit it, I do too. The cool thing about God is that you can talk to Him where ever the heck you are! I mean in the shower, in the car, doing cartwheels, swimming, in another country, or in a culture that doesn't worship the same God that you do. God is an AWESOME God. Do we really understand what we say, when we say God is an AWESOME God? Hmmm...what it really means is...extremely impressive or inspiring awe! We should stand in AWE of who God is! I mean come on now, let's pick up the Bible and see what outrageous things He has done for us...but the thing is is that it doesn't stop there! God is STILL doing beautiful things, and He so desperately wants us to deny ourselves and pick up the cross and follow THE Beloved! So cool. How does God impress you? Well, for me...obviously prayer and the communion with God is one way He is currently impressing me! In Romans 12, we are told to be faithful in prayer, are you? As this chapter continues, we see that God wants us to share with His people who are in need, to practice hospitality! And my favorite part about this chapter is God wants us TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH ONE ANOTHER!! Wowzas. How beautiful of a God we serve. He wants such beautiful things for our life, yet we choose to see things not of Him or on our own personal terms. I guess these thoughts and revelations have developed because finally some true and much needed fellowship took place tonight. It is pretty profound when you sit in a place where you can truly experience God's dwelling. God wants to exchange our ashes for BEAUTY! Let Him. Man, I sure have plenty of areas for that transformation to take place. But, HE is Almighty and can give me Beauty for Ashes!

And the journey only continues...be blessed!

After 9 months without blogging...

2009-02-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

Obviously it has been quite some time since I have blogged...oops! My attempt is to start consistently blogging again. I don't really know what I will have to blog about. Maybe some thoughts, experiences, revelations, or life in general? Who really knows! I am not even quite sure why I stopped blogging when I did and why I all of a sudden decided to pick it back up! hmm...

It was very interesting to go back through my previous blogs from Bolivia. It actually brought back a lot of spectacular memories as well as some sadness since I deeply miss the country, the beautiful children, thrilling culture, and wonderful people! There is not anyone that I think will really go about reading this other than those who randomly search through blogs to read Which is quite alright with me! My hope is to just be able to share about life here in Colorado just as I shared life in Bolivia.

Well, I just wanted to write a little "buffer" blog to lead the way into a new journey of blogging. Now I am going to get ready to head over to a little Super Bowl Party. Would it be completely sad news if I confessed that I don't even know who is playing? Yikes...well it sure is unfortunate so I guess I am just going for the fellowship:)

Traveling back...

2008-05-31T17:24:00.000-07:00

After crying my whole flight from Cochabamba to La Paz, I am here in La Paz so that means I am in transit back to the states! It is just so bizarre to think that I will be back in San Antonio roughly at this time tomorrow night...with God´s protection and grace of course! Let me just say that La Paz is beautiful and I wish I would of had more time here. My flight got delayed so I only had like an hour in daylight and then took a walk around town looking at all the buildings and various squares. But, I am also enjoying just resting in my hotel room watching tv (because I have not done that in awhile)...and yes I am about to take a HOT bath and then get my butt in bed since I have to be up at 3:30 am, that´s right folks...I said A.M.!! Tomorrow is going to be a looooong day! I think once I leave Bolivia I am going to be a little bit more excited about returning home! I am in a really sad place right now, today and yesterday was not easy saying bye to all of my lovely friends and family in Bolivia!

Instead of all of the sad things, let me share a little bit about all the fun I had my last week! Well, as I shared earlier we went to Chapare to go White Water Rafting and it was a blast! I just loved it! The rapids were probably only a level 3, but we had a quite a few sections of rapids so it made it a lot of fun! After that we went and ate lunch and then traveled to another town in the Chapare to visit the cocaine museum...yeah that´s right who knew there was a cocaine museum, well I can say I have been to the cocaine museum in the cocaine capital of the world! I thought it was so fascinating and I am glad that our guide was so eager to take us there! Then at about 5:50 the next morning Adrian came to my door and woke me up to tell me that the poor thing had been throwing up all night...to be exact he threw up and had diarrhea (hope you don´t mind I share this Adrian) about 10 stinking times! So, I ended up taking him to the clinic to be checked out. They said they were going to put him on a drip for about 45 minutes which turned into over 2 hours. So, during that 2 hours I started feeling bad and ended up throwing up a few times at the clinic too! Man, I was fighting it and praying against it, but I lost! Finally he got his results back and we discovered that he had a stomach infection. I mentioned to the doctor that I thought I had something too, but they pretty much ignored me so we just left. When I got home I ended up throwing up a few more times and trying to sleep it off the whole day. I had things planned with friends and defintely errands to run, but unfortunately didn´t get to do most of it! Later that day we had a little surprise belated birthday partay for our teacher Tina, and I got my butt out of bed to go, still not feeling great! But, my friends from the church were having a going away get together for me that night so I had to get myself together. After I drank some sprite and ate some crackers, I started feeling a whole lot better! The night with my friends was awesome and so full of love! Praise God because I woke up Friday morning feeling wonderful...although I woke up starving and felt like I had a hole in my stomach! I was able to get myself together and go to lunch with Nate and Kate, go to La Cancha, visit and say chao to the kids at Villa Israel, visit with some friends, pack, and go to a delicious dinner with the Johnson´s and Spies´(probably the latest dinner I have ever eater...we got done at 11:30). Oh, I finally was able to pick my passport up yesterday after she told me to come by Thursday and it wasn´t ready!

Welp, I have a long day of traveling ahead of me so I think I am going to go send an email out to everyone, go take a bath, and then get in bed! Thanks for your many prayers and for all of you that have kept up with reading my blogs...you guys rock! I hope to update you about my return to the states some time this week! Wow, this is all so stinking surreal to me after Bolivia has been home to me for the last how many months!

The fun is not over!

2008-05-26T08:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we got to watch a fútbol (soccer) game! I just love watching fútbol, it is such a blast. It was a big game…the Cochabamba team (Wilsterman) and San Jose (from Orruro) played and the opposing team ended up winning. One thing is for sure that Latin Americans love their fútbol! When we were leaving the game we were going to walk up the street to go get something to eat and all of a sudden everyone started running our direction….so what do I do, I just stand there and try to figure out what is going on. I thought maybe someone got carried away and was armed and dangerous. Then we soon discovered that the police had let out some tear gas to control some of the crazy fans, but they ended up losing control of it…as our eyes and throats started burning we soon began running too! It was the weirdest thing…I can’t say that I have ever experienced tear gas before yesterday!

(Here are the 4 new interns...Elaina, Kim, Tiffany, and Andrea!)
We had a meeting with Mike yesterday and he was telling us how grateful he was for the work we have done here. In saying that he said they wanted to show their gratitude by taking us White Water Rafting, but he wasn’t sure if my last busy week could permit that. And I said hold up, yes I am for sure very busy, but I can definitely squeeze in White Water Rafting! So, we are going and I am super pumped! I think we are going to go on Wednesday. It’s actually out in Chapare (the jungle). It will be a day trip and I cannot wait for it! Then Thursday night some of my Bolivian friends are having a little get together so I can say my hasta pronto’s! Then of course there is still more to look forward to! Oh, and I have the pleasure of picking up my passport only 2 days before I leave, I am a little bit nervous about that! The travel agency has had my passport ever since I got here because they have been working on my visa, and she told me I could pick it up on Thursday…I am trusting in Jesus (not her) that it will all go according to plan! I am pretty sure I covered all the bases for now, especially since this is an extra long blog posting! Don’t you worry there will be more to come….

(This precious little one is from babywashing...it was my last one this past Saturday, not an easy thing to leave!)

1 week to go...

2008-05-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

I am left with only a week here in Bolivia and I feel like there is just so much to share…yeah that’s right I have a few lovely stories to share with you fine readers! Just when I thought all the fun was coming to an end. Well, first off I am feeling a lot better after I was just sick for awhile. I had a bad cold for a solid week that led into something else. I made it just about eight months without visiting the clinic until my last few weeks here. So, yes I went to the clinic to see if there was something wrong with me. What a process! The first day I went in there they gave me a shot in the butt for the nausea and achy body…I don’t know that it really helped because I continued to feel nauseous for a few days after. Then I needed to give a stool sample right after so they could see if I had a parasite or something rumbling around in my stomach. Go figure I had nothing to give that day and so the next day I was able to give them a fun little sample. Then that day was a “ferriada,” where people don’t usually work, so nobody could give me any results until the following morning. So, we came back the next morning to get my results and meet with the doctor after he told me that everything looks normal, but I told him that I sure didn’t feel normal. He said that it must have been something I ate that made me feel bad or some kind of virus that had a relation with my serious cold! Praise God that I didn’t have anything…it was probably good that I got tested to know if there was anything at all, so if there was something I could get treated here, because one they know what they are dealing with and two it would be a whole heck of a lot cheaper here! Thank you for Kate too (my awesome Australian friend) that drove me around every where and helped with just about anything…she kinda rocks!

This past Friday I took a few of the new girls down to the post office area and on our way back we wanted to stop at the internet cafe. We of course were stuck on a super packed Trufi, to the point where people were literally hanging off the door! When I went to go sit down at internet I noticed there was a rip in my purse. Let me just tell you that I had just bought this purse for about $5 and had only been carrying it for about 3 days…I was super bummed because I really liked it! I thought to myself, how on earth did I manage to rip it like that. I went to go pay for my internet time and just could not find my wallet anywhere in my purse. We were just convinced that I stuck it in one of my shopping bags or something crazy like that, so I waited to search my bags until we got back to the hacienda. Yeah, silly me….as we examined my purse and the previous situation, someone definitely took a razor or knife to my purse. The cut was just way too perfect for a rip…plus it was cut through two layers and a perfect opening to slip out my wallet. Unfortunately this kind of thing happens all the time. I had taken my wallet out on the Trufi to pay and someone was probably watching me the whole entire time. And it makes sense because the Trufi was completely packed and I couldn’t feel a thing! Bummer! The some what fortunate thing is that I have two wallets…one wallet is for my support money and the other one is my personal money with my credit card. The wallet with just the support money got taken…I had 300 Bolivianos in there, which amounts to about $45 (which is a good amount of money here) along with my driver’s license, so I won’t be driving for awhile when I return! Ya know this kind of stuff happens so what can you do? Then the following day the same thing happened to one of the new interns when we were walking down a street to the Saturday market…but I feel bad for her because her new camera got taken and that is not as easy to replace, because instead of it being 300 B’s your talking $300! And here is a photo of my beautifully razor cut purse...

2 more weeks to go...

2008-05-20T06:18:00.001-07:00

Blog posting…

Nothing like spending my last few weeks feeling sick. All last week I had a terrible cold and it never got better. On Saturday I started getting body aches and feeling just awful…on top of being emotionally down and sad because my dear friend Michelle left us to head back to the states. So, here Sunday rolls around and I still feel bad…let’s just say we should all know its bad when I don’t feel like making coffee in the morning or even drinking it! Hmmm… Instead of going to church I was stuck in my bed all day long still feeling achy and weak. Who really knows what’s wrong with me.

Yes, as I already mentioned Michelle left us on Saturday afternoon. One word: surreal! I was trying to imagine myself in her same position in exactly two weeks and it was hard! Plus, just seeing her go was so difficult because she has been in Bolivia my whole entire time here. We got to experience so much together and when you live with someone is such close proximity you grow closer in more ways than you realize. Our relationship was one of a sister relationship, something definitely special. The difference in our departures from Bolivia is that in the next few years I see my returns only being for visiting purposes when Michelle just might be coming back to live as a full-time missionary (and maybe for some other things as well)!

Here I am with only two weeks left in my time here! I know I was saying at three weeks that it was crazy how little time I had left, but it seems really weird that I will be leaving what has been home to be for the past how many months. Well, I hate to keep this short, but I have to roll on out to Spanish class...I have to try and perfect my Spanish my last few weeks here, hah;-)

3 more weeks to go...

2008-05-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

Yup, here we are at the 3 week marker! First of all, my dear Michelle takes off in about 4 days...now let me just say that is completely nuts! I cannot fathom Bolivia without my dear roommate and close friend Michelle Anthony! We have shared and experienced a lot together her in Bolivia. She is currently in prayer about returning to this lovely country. Things look like they will be busy once I return. With a beloved friend (Miss Jamie Abraham) getting married the weekend after I return, I will be hanging out with her and doing all sorts of wedding things. Then on top of that I get to see my little pumpkin...Eli Srp, yes..most definitely cannot wait for that reunion! Folks, the list surely goes on!

Another team from North Park University (Chicago area) arrived yesterday and will be here for 10 days! Apparently we will be doing all sorts of things with them...new adventures await us. There are 16 people on this team, and of course they are all living with us. Two of these young people are new interns...Andrea and Tiffany. Then during this team´s travel we will have 2 more interns joining us. Full of ladies, how about that? Poor Adrian! Today I just believe that we are visiting the orphanages and then tomorrow we will start building a wall in one of the homes. This is a great idea because it will seperate the girls and boys after having one huge room for all to share! Then we will just take one day at a time and see what else comes our way! Oh sweetness. Well, I better get going so I can go meet them at rockin´ Panchita´s for lunch:-) Until the next lovely update...

Here we have some more photos...enjoy!

2008-05-11T16:31:00.000-07:00

4 weeks remaining...

2008-05-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

Just as the title says, I only have 4 more weeks here in Bolivia, crazy huh? And I am afraid these next 4 weeks is just going to fly by! Well, as I shared the news with some people I have been accepted to Denver Seminary into their Counseling Program. Now it´s just about getting the absolute affirmative from the BIG MAN upstairs! I, of course want to be there and feel like everything fits, but ultimately it´s His path I want to take and before I say okay, I want to be very sure! So, we will see!

Poor Kristen went in to get her wisdom teeth (all 4) taken out yesterday (by one of our dentist friends) and she only got one taken out because she passed out! She has a history of doing that. So, she has to get sedated for the other 3, but that may not take place until after the next team comes....they come around May 12th or so! She gets to eat a bunch of ice cream, yogurt, pudding, and juice. Oh, and we are having a movie marathon so she can just chill!

Tomorrow the big ol´ vote is suppose to take place. I am not even going to try and explain to you the purpose of it because I really am not even for sure. But, in one way or another there are rumors that the country is going to have some problems. We are not suppose to leave our houses tomorrow, even go to church! Church was cancelled so I guess we will have our own little service and the movie marathon will continue! Be praying about this pretty please. If you want to know more I suggest you go look at some online news! Well, I just bought some pretty flowers at the market, so I am going to go get them in water and go eat some lunch! Have yourself a blessed day:-)

Here are some more pictures:-)

2008-04-28T04:45:00.000-07:00

Ya know...

2008-04-25T13:21:00.000-07:00

We are housesitting this weekend...and the duty sadly enough comes with wireless internet.

The team from Bedford Community Church leaves tonight...for sure a tear will be shed.

I am fasting from sweet, until Jamie's wedding cake...need a little challenge and more devotion to my Father!

I really like Coca-Cola Zero...but might have to give that up too.

I love my fellow friends/intern pals/and just real cool people...Michelle, Kristen, and our new friend Adrian from Australia! They make me happy, and we are going to watch a movie tonight, chill, and have a glass of red wine...yeah I'm pumped!

Yeah, I have 5 weeks left here in Bolivia...

I have eaten too much yummy food.

And...GOD IS SOOO GOOD TO ME!

More postings to come...Oh don't you worry:-)

2008-04-23T08:49:00.000-07:00

And more pictures! These were all taken when the World Racers were here! Once again I hope you enjoy:-)

MOUNT TUNARI PHOTOS....OUTSIDE OF COCHABAMBA! THE HIGHEST PEAK IN CENTRAL BOLIVIA.

This was taken from the top of Mount Tunari at approximately 17,000 feet! Yeah, that´s right I hiked that puppy! So stinking hard, but so awesome and worth it!

This was the small village we stopped out to give food items on our way up to Mount Tunari.

Now, here are some of the members of the World Racers. In total there were 25 people, but not all of them were able to hike up the mountain that day! I have to admit that they are some of the greatest people!

Silly Kristen has her eyes closed. I think she was just exhausted after we had hiked up about 4,000 feet! (Yeah, if you haven´t noticed I am pretty proud of this accomplishment). This is one of my new life long friend and sister...Miss Rachel Hunt. Part of the World Racers! All I can say is Praise God for her, and she rocks!

Represent International Teams...we are the ones that conquered the hike! Mike Timmer, Matt and Elsa Johnson, Kristen, and myself!

Pictures!

2008-04-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

Yes, finally some new pictures are up! They are a bit random and out of sorts because I just figured out how to post pictures this way...yes I know LAME! Hope you enjoy them as I continue to add more:-)

Here is a little bit of an Inca Ruin...just so you can maybe get a slight idea:-)

Landscape photo...nada más!

Ok, now is this not a catalog picture or what!? I happen to think it is a smokin´picture! This was taken after we had gone up to the Cristo! Matt and Elsa Johnson, Jaclyn (that´s me!), Michelle, and Kristen!

Kristen, Jaclyn, Elsa, and Michelle in the gondala on the way down from the Cristo! I love my roommates and sweet Elsa!

This was another time that I hiked up the Cristo with a bunch of my awesome Bolivian friends. We are a tad bit exhausted because we had just made it to the top, but I am still smiling BIG!

Yup, that´s me alright! I am pretending that I was scared out of my mind because I was stuck in a cave. This was taken on top of the Inca Ruins! What can I say?

And of course we have the Cristo here...this is what we hiked up to, and HE is the man you can see from just about any point in Cochabamaba!!

A new team is here...

2008-04-21T06:28:00.000-07:00

The team from Bedford Community Church located in New Hampshire arrived on Saturday night. Ya´ know it really is fun seeing the different dynamic of all the teams that come to stay with us. So far, the three have all been completely different. This team is very refreshing. The past two teams have been college age kids and this team are all married, have kids, and on average around the age of my parents. Their presence and mindset is so different from the other teams. They are a blast and believe it or not they have the tendency to be a lot louder than the past young adults we have had.

Yesterday I got the chance to experience a Bolivian fútbol game! I loved it. It doesn´t compare to the fútbol game that I saw when I was in Costa Rica (that was insane and by far the coolest sporting event I have been to), but it was still a blast because of the great soccer we got to see as well as so many cultural observations. We will be doing more maintenance work at the orphanages this week as well as getting the chance to play with the kiddos. The schedule also lists the opportunity to go the the children´s hospital in the malnourished wing. I have been wanting to go there for some time now, so I am pretty psyched about this opportunity. Then other than that we will be busy with the team doing other tourist things and also making a bread run! They are really not here for that long...they fly out of here on Friday night, so short and sweet, but I am already thoroughly enjoying this week with them.

It has been something else because I have really been fired up about Proverbs 31. God has been giving me this huge burning desire to be more of a P31 woman. The cool thing is is to see how HE has been molding me already to some day be that wife of noble character. I cannot help but read that passage on a regular basis and it just excites me like none other. So, if you think about it join me by praying that I can continue to honor God by being and desiring to be that Proverbs 31 woman (one day wife) HE so wants me to be! Until next time...

The lovely craziness...

2008-04-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I sure didn´t realize that it has been a whole month since I last posted on here...oops, sorry guys. Well I surely have plenty to fill you all in on, so just sit tight. Oh, and the computer I am using is not that great and so the exclamation mark is not working, and that is a hard concept for Jaclyn to accept because we all know how I just love using the exclamation mark.

The World Racers, aka... the AIM team left this past Tuesday, so things have gotten to be some what boring without them here. You would think that living with about 25 other people would be overwhelming, but to be quite honest I loved every mintue of it. I cannot even explain to all of you what incredible people they all are. I am still so flabbergasted that Jesus introduced them to me, because I am confident that I have made some life long friends. The cool thing too is that God drew me to so many different verses in God´s Word that allowed me to see that each one of them individually and as the body of Christ were living in light of where Jesus is guiding and calling them. There is no doubt about that. I can´t express how awesome they were and are...there is no doubt that I have changed in ways because God purposely used them in my life. I desire to pick back up with them in Africa, just to go visit once I return to the states. But, money could possibly be a factor, but God will surely provide if He wants me to go meet those fine folks. We shall see about that one. I am starting to get more accustomed to it, but it has been a little strange waking up in the mornings and not seeing a ton of people around, no coffee already made, no one to fight over the bathroom with or learning to go to the bathroom while someone is in the shower or vice versa, and I am just missing the love and community of my new brothers and sisters. Sad day...but then I am so glad because they are doing one incredible thing in service of the Lord, I mean they are traveling the world to further the beautiful gospel, can´t get much cooler than that....PRAISE JESUS.

No worries though we have another team arriving today, but piece of cake because they will only be here for a week with about 8 members. So, we will for sure be busy with these guys for the next week. But, from the last few weeks I feel there is so much to catch you all up on. To be honest I did not realize how many people have been reading my blogs until I got a bunch of emails asking what is up there have been no new updates on your blog Miss Jaclyn, and I was like well crap I better get on top of this.

We got to do a ton of cool and exhausting things while the last group was here. One of them being closest to one of the hardest things I have ever accomplished. We hiked Mount Tunari which happens to be the highest peak in Central Bolivia...now keep in mind that we are talking about the Andes here, they ain´t small little peaks...these are some monster mountains. We started hiking from about 13,000 feet and went up to the very stinking top at about 17,000. Yeah, that´s right I was one of those fine people that made it to the top to touch that cross and look out to the rest of the mountains. Oh man, it was so thrilling. When we went down I felt as though I was on something because I got a little altitude sickness and I was so ¨giddy¨ and loopy...it was almost as if I was slightly intoxicated. It was the weirdest state to be in. But, all of it was so worth it. We were also part of the finishing crew in the Chapare by helping in completing one of the orphanages. We spent about 8 days there where we also got to bath in the river every day, deal with eating bugs in your soup, worked our tails off in the humid and hot weather, and just having a blast with little worries. I could seriously go on about our adventures in the jungle, but I don´t have enough time or even room here on my blog...plus most of you already received my emails about it. I will have to post pictures another day too because of course my flash drive does not want to work on this computer, oh shucks.

We have another intern to add to the mix as we are about to subtract one tomorrow since Justin is heading back to the states. Justin is heading back about 2 weeks earlier than planned because there is suspicion of some heavy political issues arising at the end of this month, so its best he leaves now. The new addition is Adrian and he is from Australia...Tasmania. It has been a blast getting to know him and learn about his country. We have been exchanging our vocab differences, which is bizarre to me since we all speak english, but there are still common every day words that are different from one another. I have to admit that I am quite the sinner because I envy him when the Bible stricly commands us not to envy one another....but after he leaves Bolivia he will be traveling to 17 other countries, holy cow can you believe that? I have already asked him a number of times to add me to his will so I can take over his traveling excursion if anything might happen while he is here in Bolivia. All to say he really is a great addition to the team and it will be fun sharing ideas and doing ministry with him. I have to say that this might be all for now and I will come back soon to add more so I can share with all of you what I might have forgotten...which I know is probably a lot. Chaocito...

Eater alive!

2008-03-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

Yeah, pretty much I gotten eaten alive by mosquitoes because we went to the jungle this past week and I have officially become la princesa de la selva! I am able to conquer all now, hah! But, we had a short term team in from North Park University in Chicago so we had the opportunity to do many things and going to the Chapare (the jungle) was one of those excursions! We only stayed there for 2 days, but I sure look as though I was there for weeks and have chicken pox or some sort of disease! It´s awful, and I pray daily for strength to not itch! I hope to get some pictures up shortly for proof of the attack! The team left this morning and it was bittersweet! It was so nice having them around because they were fun and it just changed the pace of things, but it is nice to get back to our routine and have the house to ourselves! But, that is only going to last about 4 days, because we have another team arriving on Friday! You won´t believe it, this team has 30 people in their group! So, that means we will have 34 people living in our hacienda, with only 3 bathrooms! Two of those weeks will be spent back out in the Chapare! This team is traveling to 11 different countries in 11 months doing various sorts of mission work! It is pretty cool! We have a lot of preparation to do this coming week! So, back to another busy busy week!

Other than that...I am waiting waiting waiting for my lovely friend to have her baby so I can be an auntie! Mrs. Laura Srp is just waiting for her stubborn (already carrying the genes of her mama) baby to enter the world, come Tuesday she will be getting induced since she is past her due date! It is still a toss up of what it will be...but, we are pretty certain there is a 50/50 chance, a boy or a girl! HAH! Well, I am going to be playing on the church bowling league and I am super excited! We are going to practice tonight and then we have our first match (or whatever you call it) tomorrow night, I am so stoked! Off to call the parentals!

Termites and anticuchos!

2008-03-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

This past week we were very busy with putting diesel gas on all of the bunks in the hacienda because we have little termites enjoying the wood. Apparently, here in Bolivia diesel gas is the treatment for termites. I had never heard of this before. In the states we just go to Wal-mart or some place and pick up a specific chemical to help treat the termites. Here in Bolivia, diesel gas is the way to go! Interesting, no vé?

A young couple from Chicago joined us on Friday. They plan on staying here for two years. They are currently living with us while they look for housing and get a little acclimated with the city. Michelle and I knew them before because we all we are the same training session with International Teams. I fancy them because they are sweet as can be and easy going! I am looking forward to working with them and getting to know them even better.

Have you ever thought about how many languages God created in the whole entire world? Umm…I don’t even know the exact number, but I believe it ranges some where in the thousands, and isn’t so awesome that God knows and can speak ALL of them! So, I say that because He gave me the golden opportunity to share my testimony, in Spanish! Yeah, that’s right, I said it…I gave me testimony in Spanish this past week! If that is not an example of God speaking through me, then I don’t know what is! It was nothing more than humbling for me and a pure example of God’s grace!

Every Saturday night we go to a young professionals group with our church (where I have made all of my awesome friends), and after it is tradition to go to this place called Islas. Islas is an area where every night a bunch of food stands (or kiosks thingys) set up specific kind of yummy food to serve. The advantages are that it is super delicious and cheap. The food there is mostly typical delicious food of Bolivia. We had a friend that wanted to take us there to try “anticuchos.” This is known to be very tasty and a traditional type food here in Bolivia. I was pumped about it. Let me just say that it was absolutely delicious too! Oh, did I mention the translation of “anticuchos?” These are literal cow hearts! Not too common in the states. But, hey I will definitely go back for more!

This coming Friday or Saturday we have a team from the states coming down on a mission trip. So, this next we will continue preparing for this 10 person team, which is only the beginning since we have a 30 person team coming in the middle of this month! It should be fun though and will change the pace of things for us here! This might also entail us taking a trip to Chapare (the jungle) with the teams. I am definitely stoked about it and want to go, but 2 things provide a lot of anxiety! Spiders and the fact that I have a really bad back and we have to sleep on the hard floors or in hammocks! But, I will just continue to pray about this, because I have a relationship with the Comforter of all!

Coffee roasting!

2008-02-10T12:30:00.000-08:00

Yeah, that is right we sure went coffee roasting yesterday here in Bolivia! Oh, I was totally in my element! It makes perfectly good sense for a lover of coffee to know the specific process of how coffee gets roasted, right? So, we had the opportunity to go with Mike to roast coffee for the ministry. The name of the coffee is Bolivia´s Best, and it´s pretty delicious, if I might say so! For our hard labor, he donated 2 bags of coffee...you can all imagine how excited I probably got! I posted a few pictures of the product and to show you that we were actually working too. If you are interested in purchasing this coffee to help fund the ministry they are currently selling the coffee in bulk, but I believe they plan on selling it in individual bags on the internet next month! I will for sure let you know, because it is worth it...and a bag is actually cheaper than Starbuck´s coffee!

There is also a picture of a monkey holding my hand! That is Chi-chi, the Timmer´s pet monkey. I had to take a picture of that because that is actually a big deal he is holding my hand because usually he just wants to pee on anyone that comes close to his cage! So, we are getting to be friends, and I am so pumped about it! Pray for that friendship to further and that God will work in a mighty way...hehe! A friend also snapped a picture of me at work...I was reading a book with a few of the kids at the orphanage! It is so fun because they absolutely love to read and love it when I bring a new book to read! So, in our tutor sessions I always like to bring books because of their excitement for reading!

This Tuesday I plan to make a trip out to Chapare (the jungle) with Mike and the rest of the interns! Oh yeah, a new intern arrived this past Thursday! Her name is Kristen and she is from Ohio, and oddly enough her family just moved to Seguin, which most of you know is right outside of San Antonio! She is surely inspiring me because she is 1 of 13 kids in her family...that plants a bigger seed in my heart to have more kids, of course after I get married...gosh guys, you should know me better then that! Anyways...I will not be staying with them in Chapare because I have prior arrangements and other things to get done this week! So, this will be a time of solitude for me as I celebrate Single´s Awareness Day on Thursday;-) No really... I am looking forward to this time alone because I am always in need of alone time with Jesus! Plus, I wish to celebrate another great day right here in Cochabamaba:-) But, I am excited because I finally get to go visit the jungle! Well, that is all for now folks! May God fill you with His abundant and magnificent grace....peace and love to you all!

Holy cow...It´s February!

2008-02-01T10:57:00.000-08:00

As the title already says: Holy cow...It´s February! That means that leaves me with about 4 months to go Bolivia bound! Ok, I don´t think I like thinking about that too much! Beginning of February also means when the crazy CARNIVAL festivities set in....they actually begin tomorrow and goes until Tuesday. We are still debating whether or not to go with our friends from the church on a retreat or just deal with the chaos of the Festival and being soaking wet anywhere we desire to go! Yeah...apparently it only gets worse with the balloons...they actually start switching to buckets of water and super soaker water guns, fun huh? We will see what happens.

We continue to stay busy with all sorts of things. Actually I got slowed down a bit this past week because the beginning of the week I got really sick. I was spewing from both ends...oops is that too graphic? Sorry, I think I have just learned to be a lot more open in this culture especially when you are exposed to some of the things here or are sick very often... it´s life in Bolivia and nice try Satan! But, I am back to good and up for those balloons coming my way...NOT! The kids at the orphanages are all doing really well. They will start back to school on February 11th...this will actually be the first time for the Villa Israel home to go to school, so that is exciting for us. They are excited too, but a little nervous as I can imagine because they probably don´t really know what to expect, since they have never been to school! The little girl Jhocelyn that ran away from the Villa Israel home is doing well and is temporarily in a girls home in town until they decide what is best for her! They are considering putting her in the other orphanage (Zona Frutillar). This may be a good thing because there are a few girls her age that I can really see her getting a long with and she will also have some good role models to look up to. If they choose to do that they have to find a psychologist especially for her! This continues to be a huge area of prayer...so please prayer for guidance from Christ for the right thing to be done for this precious one!

Being called by God to serve where He wants you is such a blessing, but for sure a challenge! I continue to discover more about my sin which turns me to how faithful and loving God is. I daily have to give up anything I want for the day...His will is perfect and pleasing, and mine only screws up the beautiful things He wants to do for His children! I feel as though my heart continues to cry out and be stretched more for Him. This leaves me to keep seeking Him and ask Him if He will continue to speak...that means I must let go and listen! So, here we go...

Water balloons...

2008-01-20T12:35:00.000-08:00

This past week we got back into our regular schedule of tutoring, babywashing, and going to the Center! I found this week to be busy because for a while we were not doing nearly as much due to the holidays. I am glad though we are staying busy again because although the rest was nice I am one to work better and enjoy my time when I am a busy bee!

So, for about 2-3 weeks now we have had to dodge water balloons! Yes, I know! They are absolutely everywhere! As far as I know, much of South America celebrates a big festival called Carnival! It´s kind of like a Mardi Gras celebration here in South America. It is a very big deal here. Well, the actual festival and stuff is not until the beginning of February, but we have learned that they have started the celebration over a month early! The water balloons come out later in the afternoon, and females happen to be a bigger target than anyone! And I guess too as a gringo, you have it even worse, yay! Certain streets we have learned not to go down because there will be boys just lined up ready to nail you with absolute no mercy...or woman preparing and selling what balloons! I have a welt on my leg (STILL) from about 3 weeks ago, I am not over-exaggerating about this either! So, taxi´s are my new friend, which is kind of a bummer because I really enjoy walking everywhere! But, I am reminded of safety first! From what I hear the water balloons are to have some significance to end the rainy season, and there is more to it, but I don´t know the details I just know I don´t care for water balloons! Soon we have to be sure we watch second story buildings because they will pour buckets of water on you as you walk by! I don´t care too much for Carnival! That would have to be the one exciting thing going on that we are battling and experiencing daily! Pray for us...

It´s 2008...

2008-01-06T11:45:00.000-08:00

It´s a little late and I have been a big slacker about posting on her so I apologize, but I also wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR´S! Man, unbelievable that we are already in 2008!! I am sure excited for this new year though! God blessed 2007, so I am confident in Him for an even more exciting and learning year!

Tomorrow I am heading to a summer camp at a site by the name of La Palabra de Vida! I am pretty pumped about it and also aware that it won´t be like any other camp that I have been too. I know for sure that I will be strectching and challenging my knowledge and ability to speak Spanish as we will be fellowshipping with about 500 other young Bolivians for 5 days! This will be our form of vacation since we really won´t have the opportunity for anything else while we are serving here in Bolivia! I hope to post more about my experience and what is going on here once I return! But, there are a lot of people to email before I depart so I need to get back to that! Hope all is well and GO with GOD because GOD goes with you!

Tis´ the season

2007-12-16T10:20:00.000-08:00

It´s been pretty chilly and rainy here so as CHRISTmas approaches quicker than I realize it is feeling more like the holiday season...tis´the season! Then again I have discovered what a heavy emphasis (especially in the states) is put on all the commerical and festive things for Christmas. Of course I too love certain festive things, but the over-exaggeration is kind of sickening when we have so much more to invest our joy and time in! Through all the chaos and material things of Christmas, it is so easy to lose sight of the true and beautiful meaning of this celebration...the birth and life of JESUS!! It is such a beautiful and wonderful thing when you take the time to reflect on that rather then all the other hoop-la! Maybe it is just easier for me to do since I am in a 3rd world country where things seem to be a little bit different.

We continue to stay busy here. This past week I had the privelege of taking little Vivianna (the burn victim from the Zone Frutillar home) to the hospital in the mornings for her physical therapy. I had fun just hanging out with her and getting to do something like that! I got to see all of where she had been burned, and as joyful as that child is, it just breaks my heart to see that she had to go through that! She sure challenges me when I think I am having a bad day or things just aren´t going my way!

Lastnight the kids at the center had their Christmas presentation! It was the cutest darn thing. I took pictures and hope to add them some time soon. As one group was changing into their costumes and getting ready, a sweet little boy threw up everywhere. They were holding bottles with their candles inside them, and he just took care of business all inside his prop...which was good actually cause not as much went on the floor! I took it upon myself to clean him up, cater to his needs, and clean the ¨goop¨ up. I was totally fine with it because throw up does not bother me and someone had to do it! My prayer now is that I don´t get sick from whatever he had, but if I do it´s all in the service of the Lord! Alrighty well I am going to get myself back up to the hacienda and get some stuff done!! I pray that all my family and friends find the peace of God through this emaculate celebration!

So much for my delicious ice cream...

2007-12-05T13:49:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Michelle and I stopped at this place called the Cine Center. We were coming back from Villa Israel and we had to get off the 35 Trufi and catch the ¨M¨ up to la hacienda. So, we went in to go to the restroom and then I decided to splurge and buy an ice cream. As I ate my ice cream we walked out to this sidewalk where we waited for the right Trufi to come by. All of a sudden this man came up asking us for stuff in Spanish and we simply tried to ignore him. As we did he grabbed on to my ice cream, I tried to pull it away, but instead he held on to it and I just let him have it. He just walked off enjoying my ice cream that I before was totally digging! By the way, the ice cream is super delicious here! Not that I like to pass judgement, but I believe that he was extremely poor and either on some kind of drug (which is very common here) or drunk. Instead of fighting him...I am truly convinced that the Holy Spirit allowed me to let go of it and give it to him! Because... if you know Jaclyn, you know that you don´t mess with her and her sweets! He obviously needed and/or wanted it more than I did, so I am fine with that. It just took me by complete surprise, that is for sure! Never a dull moment, nové?

Justin returned from Chapare, which took us by surprise because we thought he wasn´t suppose to come back until Thursday/Friday! Apparently, there is going to be another huge march/protest in town tomorrow for political reasons, so it was probably best he came back when he did since they can be some what dangerous! Tonight Michelle and I are headed to dinner with some of the students from the University that attend the church we go to. The ladies at the bible study invited us, so we figured it would be a great way to get to know people, work on Spanish, and fellowship! Plus, we are going to a very delicious restaurant. Instead of going all the way back up to la hacienda we are burning some time at the Internet cafe before we meet our soon to be friends for dinner! ¡Nos vemos!

Bolivian style

2007-11-29T08:05:00.000-08:00

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!

2007-11-22T12:18:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-11-18T13:17:00.000-08:00

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!

2007-11-15T08:29:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-11-11T11:34:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-08T07:40:00.000-08:00

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...

2007-11-04T11:19:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-11-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

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...

Here´s a story for you...

2007-10-28T12:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I sure have story that I am sure many of you will get a kick out of! The other day I came back to our La Hacienda and went straight to the bathroom. Right as I was about to walk out I saw the BIGGEST spider I think I have seen in a long time. I can imagine all of you enjoying the thought of this if you know how much I adore these little critters, hah! For your information you could say that I am pretty darn fearful of spiders. I can handle all other bugs and snakes before spiders! We just don´t seem to get along very well. My first day here I specifically asked the other 2 if they have seen any spiders, and they said no you don´t have to worry! Riiiiight!! The encounter in the bathroom was not pleasant.... I asked the Lord why was He doing this to me? Still haven´t figured out that one. The spider was right at the door where I couldn´t get out. So I threw toilet paper, soap, a brush, and than he finally moved when I threw a bottle of lotion! I just went into a panic. I yelled for Michelle and she immediately came to my rescue and stomped on him! UGH! Did I mention that he was probably 3 inches long? THEN get this...... we went to the orphanage on Saturday to get on our hands and knees like Cinderella and scrub all of the paint off the tiles that the high school kids had dripped. I was working in the corner and was just in my own little world and than all of a sudden I saw another stinking spider about 2 inches from my hand! I mean what´s up with that!? Nothing like a big BIENVENIDOS to Cochabamba!!

Real quick before I have to go up to La Hacienda and HAND wash my clothes... I want to share with you about the other orphanage close to our house that we got to visit and tutor with the kids. This is the house where the little burn victim I told you about lives! She just melts my heart every time I see her! Here in Bolivia the kids call you hermana/o out of respect. So, they call me hermana Jackleen (that is how they say my name here). By the way, did you know you are not suppose to use adios here? Yeah, I learned that real quick. You only use that when you are at a funeral! These kids just crave your love and attention. I am working on tutoring a few of them in addition, it´s even a learning experience and review for me in spanish! It always takes about 5 minutes to say goodbye because they climb all over you and try to get you to stay! I think they are teaching me more than I am teaching them! If I don´t know something they act it out, draw it, or compare it to something else in spanish! I will provide more details later on this week about what God is doing through me and these beautiful kids I get to hang out with! Hopefully some time this week I will add pics too!! Have a very enjoyable Sunday!

In Him,

Jackleen

The first days in Bolivia....

2007-10-25T15:19:00.000-07:00

It is already Thursday. I cannot believe that I have already been here in Bolivia for about 5 days! Time has already flown by. At the end of the day I am pretty exhausted but excited to wake up for the next day! I know that I just sent an email out updating everyone on my first few adventures in Bolivia, but I wanted to post something on here as well.

Does anyone read Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest?? Well you should definitely read the one for today....October 25th! I was blessed to have read it this morning in my quiet time. God not only used it for where I am, but I believe that it could make a profound impact for a lot of you. You can go check it out at www.rbc.com. The title was ¨Submitting to God´s Purpose.¨ It starts out talking about how you need to learn to be God´s man or woman of great worth and excellence. We are made extraordinary by the purpose He has given us. We are right where God wants us and needs us, so embrace it. A few scriptures that he referred to were 1 Cor. 9:22 and John 15:16. God has chosen us and He wants us to seek the work before us. We are not workers by choice, it is ultimately our calling! Praise God, yeah? It of course provided a lot of encouragement for where God has me right now and gave me a boost. I am right in the exact place He needs me! It doesn´t matter if you are in Cochabamba, Holland, San Antonio area, Wisconsin, South Carolina, or Mississippi. God needs you to follow Him. You can´t just sit still and expect it to be done for you and straight through you. We as children have got to do our part!

Well, although I didn´t share much about the adventures here I felt like I needed to share what I just shared! Tomorrow we are going back to the Villa Israel orphanage because there are a bunch of high school kids doing their service project. They are painting the whole house in and out. They need some supervision and assistance because there is a lot to do. Than we will go to the center to tutor and play with another group of adorable Bolivian kids! It is possible that in a week me and 2 others will be going out to the jungle to work for about a week or 2. Two orphanages are under construction out there. Ok, now I must go because we are going over to a missionary couples house for dinner who are from Australia! Hope you are seeing the hand of Christ in all you do! You can never praise Him enough!

Hasta luego,

Jaclyn

I am a blogger!

2007-10-15T19:44:00.000-07:00

I finally decided to buckle and create a blog even though I lack any kind of computer knowledge. The more I thought about it the more I realized that this may be a really cool way to share the many adventures that await me in Cochabamba, Bolivia! So, here is my first entry and I am not too certain what to share. Come to think of it though my adventures have already begun! Oh, one cool thing I could share is about the way the Lord completely blessed me yesterday through a church service at Faith Bible Church. I happened to be introduced at church to let everyone know who I was, where I was going to serve, what I would be doing, and how they could pray and be a part of the ministry. From email correspondence the Timmers (the family I will be working with in Cochabamba) said there is a short supply of underwear and socks for the orphans. I have passed that memo on to friends and family and extended it to my supporting church yesterday at the service. Well my little expectations turned into so much more than I was able to show gratitude for! I was a witness to God using His children to provide for the orphans of Bolivia. People were handing me checks and cash left and right. Let's just say after the fact I had $480 in my hand to go and purchase underwear and socks for the kiddos! WOW! We serve a God that is faithful and good. So, God shared a piece of Scripture with me....And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor, his righteousness endures forever...2 Cor. 9:8-9!! And I was totally a witness to Him fulfilling this Scripture yesterday! His righteousness, goodness, and faithfulness does endure forever! That is about the only thing that remains constant in our lives.

Ok, so I went to Target today and thought I had put a good amount of socks and underwear in the cart for the kiddos, and I only spent 60 bucks on them! What I am going to have to do is go buy some more and than save the rest and take it with me so when I see a need arise in Bolivia I will use that money to purchase items for the children.

I leave in about 5 days and I am surely experiencing a variety of emotions! Ready? Yeah sure... ok maybe not, but it is inevitable that my departure is right around the corner!