Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Home Sweet Home
Can two weeks already have passed so quickly? We made it back home safely today. Thanks to everyone for their well wishes and prayers. Our mission trip was amazing, God's awesome creations in nature so inspiring and home is so appreciated after being away for 2 weeks. Many blessed memories, the people of Cochabamba have so much to share with us. I'm grateful to have met some of our brothers and sisters in Christ living in South America. They are working to be the face of Christ and it is a very humbling experience to have been allowed to work with them. Vickie
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Machu Picchu here we come!
We have made it to Cusco! And with only a little change in the plans.
Originally we were going to be flying this AM straight from Cochabamba to Cusco but Aero Sur, being the trustworthy airline that they are, made a change in our plans. Instead we left last night and stayed in La Paz, but it definitely could have been worse. Since Aero Sur changed our plans, they accomodated us with a 5 star hotel..aka the Radisson, cab fare to and from the hotel and a delicious dinner and breakfast. Needless to say, their mess up was a blessing for us. Plus Bolivian Independence Day is coming up and there were lots of people out practicing their dances for the parades.
Another bonus was that we actually got to see a little of La Paz, last year we drove around the outskirts on our way to Puno, Peru. La Paz is breath-takingly beautiful at night, it looks kind of like a big bowl and with all of the lights at night, its just great.
We were off this morning at the early time of 6:30 and back to the airport for a quick flight over to Cusco. We did a city tour today...which really meant we went out of the city and saw lots of the different archeological ruins. Very interesting but we did get a little tired.
Tonight is going to be a very early night for us because tomorrow morning we leave for Machu Piccu, and when I say early I actually mean early. We have to leave our hotel at 4:30 in the morning, yep that is right, 4:30. We have to catch a train at a certain time that will take us to another train, that will take us to a bus, that will take us up to the top of a mountain where Machu Piccu is. But let me tell you it will definitely be worth it.
As always, prayers are always welcome!
Michelle
Originally we were going to be flying this AM straight from Cochabamba to Cusco but Aero Sur, being the trustworthy airline that they are, made a change in our plans. Instead we left last night and stayed in La Paz, but it definitely could have been worse. Since Aero Sur changed our plans, they accomodated us with a 5 star hotel..aka the Radisson, cab fare to and from the hotel and a delicious dinner and breakfast. Needless to say, their mess up was a blessing for us. Plus Bolivian Independence Day is coming up and there were lots of people out practicing their dances for the parades.
Another bonus was that we actually got to see a little of La Paz, last year we drove around the outskirts on our way to Puno, Peru. La Paz is breath-takingly beautiful at night, it looks kind of like a big bowl and with all of the lights at night, its just great.
We were off this morning at the early time of 6:30 and back to the airport for a quick flight over to Cusco. We did a city tour today...which really meant we went out of the city and saw lots of the different archeological ruins. Very interesting but we did get a little tired.
Tonight is going to be a very early night for us because tomorrow morning we leave for Machu Piccu, and when I say early I actually mean early. We have to leave our hotel at 4:30 in the morning, yep that is right, 4:30. We have to catch a train at a certain time that will take us to another train, that will take us to a bus, that will take us up to the top of a mountain where Machu Piccu is. But let me tell you it will definitely be worth it.
As always, prayers are always welcome!
Michelle
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Reconnecting
Well, i have not had access to a computer or cell phone for one entire week. I know that our younger and more connected team members have updated you faithfully. Personally, I have enjoyed being unplugged. Coming to Bolivia calls you to release yourself into a way of living and being that truly restores one´s soul. Our work has been challenging! We have moved rocks. Lots of rocks! We have mixed concrete. We have carried concrete in wheelbarrows (which is heavy) and shoveled and poured concrete into wooden forms to create a concrete fence. We built what will be forever known at Luz de Vida as THE WOMENS WALL. The foreman Adon, was skeptical...but we proved we were hard workers and STRONG! We surprised them all with our strength and tenacity!
Christie, Ruth Ann and Angie also built a much needed bridge that linked the church work site to the neighborhood. Janet Graves ( I mean Janet Childs) taught the women of Luz de Vida how to bake brownies, sugar cookies and brownies! Ruth Ann, Michelle and Sarah prepared and taught 3 vacation bible school lessons that were well received. We ministered to 50 children in 2 days with Vacation Bible School and Vickie and Michelle set up a brand new laptop computer for Emmanuel Church.
I was invited to preach this past Sunday at Luz de Vida by Pastor Juan. We worshipped together in a house...a REAL HOUSE CHURCH...just like in the Apostle Paul´s day! I am so thankful to our team members and to the member of FIRST UMC LA PORTE for supporting our work in Bolivia. We have many stories to tell!
I want to send a construction team in January or February for a 7 day trip. 5 work days and 2 travel days...it will be much less expensive and only for a week. The church needs crews to continue year round in order to finish the church as soon as possible. I hope each of you will consider coming for a construction only trip this winter (which will be summer in Bolivia!)
I will close for now. Blessings to each of you. I look forward to returning and sharing more of our trip.
Pastorita Kelly
Christie, Ruth Ann and Angie also built a much needed bridge that linked the church work site to the neighborhood. Janet Graves ( I mean Janet Childs) taught the women of Luz de Vida how to bake brownies, sugar cookies and brownies! Ruth Ann, Michelle and Sarah prepared and taught 3 vacation bible school lessons that were well received. We ministered to 50 children in 2 days with Vacation Bible School and Vickie and Michelle set up a brand new laptop computer for Emmanuel Church.
I was invited to preach this past Sunday at Luz de Vida by Pastor Juan. We worshipped together in a house...a REAL HOUSE CHURCH...just like in the Apostle Paul´s day! I am so thankful to our team members and to the member of FIRST UMC LA PORTE for supporting our work in Bolivia. We have many stories to tell!
I want to send a construction team in January or February for a 7 day trip. 5 work days and 2 travel days...it will be much less expensive and only for a week. The church needs crews to continue year round in order to finish the church as soon as possible. I hope each of you will consider coming for a construction only trip this winter (which will be summer in Bolivia!)
I will close for now. Blessings to each of you. I look forward to returning and sharing more of our trip.
Pastorita Kelly
The Power of Jesus through 8 Women
Finally, I am able to get to the Internet cafe to give a small report on our trip.
WOW! The 8 of us have really accomplished a lot this last week.
Ruth Ann, Angie and I built a bridge to replace these old planks that were very unsturdy over the ditch that connects one neighborhood to the new church of Luz de Vida in another neighborhood.This was very important to me as I hated walking those planks last year. The neat thing was that right after we placed it, an older couple came walking down the road and they were the first to use the bridge. They were very grateful for the new safe way to get from one side to another.
Then we were all able to help build the concrete walls for the front of the church. Lots of lifting and mixing...but all worth it to see this building come to life. The really cool thing is that we work side by side with the members of Luz de Vida to build this building.
Next we just finished VBS afternoons with about 27 children. They acted out the stories of Noah, Moses, and Daniel. The time spent with them has to be my favorite. They are so excited to see us everyday and it will be hard to say "Good-bye" tomorrow.
The people who take care of us are VERY amazing! The love that pours out of them is a perfect example of the love of Jesus! I am already sadden to leave them as well. But I know God wants me to take what I have learned and experienced back to my church family in La Porte...
Well I better sign off for now!
In His Grip,
Christie
WOW! The 8 of us have really accomplished a lot this last week.
Ruth Ann, Angie and I built a bridge to replace these old planks that were very unsturdy over the ditch that connects one neighborhood to the new church of Luz de Vida in another neighborhood.This was very important to me as I hated walking those planks last year. The neat thing was that right after we placed it, an older couple came walking down the road and they were the first to use the bridge. They were very grateful for the new safe way to get from one side to another.
Then we were all able to help build the concrete walls for the front of the church. Lots of lifting and mixing...but all worth it to see this building come to life. The really cool thing is that we work side by side with the members of Luz de Vida to build this building.
Next we just finished VBS afternoons with about 27 children. They acted out the stories of Noah, Moses, and Daniel. The time spent with them has to be my favorite. They are so excited to see us everyday and it will be hard to say "Good-bye" tomorrow.
The people who take care of us are VERY amazing! The love that pours out of them is a perfect example of the love of Jesus! I am already sadden to leave them as well. But I know God wants me to take what I have learned and experienced back to my church family in La Porte...
Well I better sign off for now!
In His Grip,
Christie
Monday, July 26, 2010
Hello from Nora's apt!
My mom and I had to make a pit stop at Nora and Wilson's to borrow their internet. Nora had informed my mom that Emmanuel church was in need of a computer because theirs had just gone kupuht.. we found one and brought it but...it is all in English, so while my mom is diligently working on setting the computer to Spanish I thought I would update everyone.
I saw a comment about our "change of locations". I am sorry that I didn't explain more before, we were at a fun little internet cafe and the keyboard was Bolivian style, and lets just say things got a little confusing. We originally believed that we were going to be staying at the Instituto de Americano which is where our group stayed last year. Upon arriving in Cochabamba, Nora informed us that 3 days before arriving the bishop gave the dorms to a conference of pastors and we were instead going to be staying in the parsonage of the very first Methodist Church in Cochabamba, Iglesia Metodista El Salvador. Being fairly against change I wasn't too excited to not know where we were going...but it was really a blessing. It's a beautiful 2 story house with hard wood floors and a nice yard. A pro is that Dehlia lives right next door, so it is easy for her to come and cook and we have gotten to know her and her family (Betzabeth, Priscila, Ruth, and Samuel) extremely well. They have been great guides for us, Priscila and Ruth have been great translators as well. Another would be the awesome shower situation..other than having 8 women and only 2 bathrooms. I got really used to taking ice cold showers last year and I was looking forward to having a nice chuckle after the "newbies" took their firsts. But, alas, the bathrooms were equiped with nice new shower heads that sprayed out nice hot water for everyone. Be jealous Chris, Ted, and John because you sure would have liked it last year. The con's of staying at El Salvador are that it is a little secluded. We don't get to see as many of our friends from last year, and definitely don't get to spend as much time with them when we see them, and we can't walk to E.C. Norte (only the coolest little grocery store in Cochabamba), but...we do get to walk around the plazas and see the nightlife more.
We have been diligently working these past few days at Luz de Vida and it has definitely been an experience. I will try and post some pictures of all the hard work. Basically what we do everyday is go out to the site and then Adan (the mason) has us move this HUGE pile of rocks out of the way. We normally set up a beaver line and pass them down. Kelly keeps us entertained by singing "Jesus is the rock and He rolls my sins away!" or by giving us small challenges to see who can throw the rocks the furthest or with the best style, etc. Needless to say it is hard work but it is still fun. We will also be able to find great work when we come home in the cement making department, I don't know how many wheelbarrows we have filled with cement...but it is a LOT. The steps are. 1/2 a bucket of water, 2 buckets of gravel, 1 bucket of sand/dirt, 1 bucket of cement, 1 more bucket of sand/dirt and then maybe some more water depending on how much it sticks inside the mixer. (see, I told we were good, I remembered that all on my own!) Sometimes in the afternoon Janet goes over to the house where Luz de Vida is currently meeting and helps them with their baking. They have started a bread (or pan in espanol) business and they are great, people line up outside to buy it. Janet Childes (as we so fondly refer to her as) is teaching them how to make cookies and brownies. They LOVE them. We had a trial run...soooo good. Fun Fact: they don't have brown sugar here.
Yesterday was church day and boy did we have church. We first went to Luz de Vida and met with their group. Kelly preached and did a fantastic job comparing a rock with our foundation to God and bread to the body of life. The rock came from our worksite and Nancy (program coordinator of Luz de Vida) said she was going to keep it forever. The bread came from the church, and Nancy made sure everyone knew that she wasn't going to keep it, she would just probably eat it, and we all had a good laugh. As you all should know by now, it was Friend day or "Feliz dia de la Amistad", the children of Luz de Vida wanted to do something special for us, so while outside during sunday school, they made us little cards. They were very cute and much appreicated. Another fun fact: kids have the same "issues" worldwide...my card was spelled perfectly, just from right to left. From there, we loaded back into Nora and Wilson's awesome Bolivian jeep and took off for Emmanuel. Talk about a long service -we got there at 10:30 and left at 12:30.. It was a great service though, I think part of the problem was that they kept having to pause in their sermon so that Nora could translate for us. I hate to admit this to everyone out there reading...but I kind of cant remember a lot of what was preached about at Emmanuel, but I do remember that it was from Luke (which they call San Lucas) and that I really enjoyed it at the time and that I felt it was a very moving sermon.
Yesterday we also got to do a little sight-seeing.
We went to the Cristo! After climbing up the 10 flights of stairs, one of which is entirely too sketchy for most, I found that we could only get to the armpits of Jesus again. I was slight crushed...I was really hoping to at least get to the shoulders if not His head... the climbers of the group were Sarah B., Vickie, Ruth (Delhia's daughter) and myself. We took some great photos out of the little "peep holes" and inside as well..hopefully I can post some of those as well.
The next stop was La Cancha, well, it wasn't really a stop..we could only drive through. La Cancha is a market, or really, THE market and it isn't necessarily the safest part of town espeically for the Americans who stand out by height and skin color. Nora breifed us before we went, on keeping our windows rolled up and not laying stuff in our laps because people could walk by our cars and steal them. Needless to say, we had no problems and got to see what the true Bolivia is like. Probably one of my favorites that we have done so far.
To end the night on a good note we all went to Globos Ice Cream and had a nice tasty treat. I was really adventurous and got...chocolate, but others got Maracuya (a Bolivian fruit that is citrus-y) or Lima (lime).
Sarah and I made a detour from the group last night and attended the youth group meeting. Wilson (not Nora's Wilson) the youth group leader had invited us (Ruth Ann as well, but she still wasn't feeling up to par) to join them for their evening gathering. I am so glad that we went, it was such a great experience. We recorded one of their songs, if it turned out, I will maybe pass it along. The dynamic of the group is fantastic, they love being there and they love being around each other. Last fun fact: they have a youth president, someone that the youth voted for to represent them at the church.
Today we all went to Emmanuel to play with the little kids. It was a much needed break from the worksite and I enjoyed seeing all the babies. You can't help but smile when you look at them. They are so full of life and they just love you. It's so great to see them run up to you (a complete stranger) and give you a hug and yell "HOLA!!!" Today will be a day that we will look back on later for motivation. My mom and I had to "skip out" a little early though so that we could work on the computer and get it working in tip-top shape. Hopefully, the others enjoyed it for us though.
Sorry for the long post, but I felt like I should give you guys a real update this time. This afternoon we start Vacation Bible School, so hopefully all goes well!
As always, prayers are always welcome!
Michelle
I saw a comment about our "change of locations". I am sorry that I didn't explain more before, we were at a fun little internet cafe and the keyboard was Bolivian style, and lets just say things got a little confusing. We originally believed that we were going to be staying at the Instituto de Americano which is where our group stayed last year. Upon arriving in Cochabamba, Nora informed us that 3 days before arriving the bishop gave the dorms to a conference of pastors and we were instead going to be staying in the parsonage of the very first Methodist Church in Cochabamba, Iglesia Metodista El Salvador. Being fairly against change I wasn't too excited to not know where we were going...but it was really a blessing. It's a beautiful 2 story house with hard wood floors and a nice yard. A pro is that Dehlia lives right next door, so it is easy for her to come and cook and we have gotten to know her and her family (Betzabeth, Priscila, Ruth, and Samuel) extremely well. They have been great guides for us, Priscila and Ruth have been great translators as well. Another would be the awesome shower situation..other than having 8 women and only 2 bathrooms. I got really used to taking ice cold showers last year and I was looking forward to having a nice chuckle after the "newbies" took their firsts. But, alas, the bathrooms were equiped with nice new shower heads that sprayed out nice hot water for everyone. Be jealous Chris, Ted, and John because you sure would have liked it last year. The con's of staying at El Salvador are that it is a little secluded. We don't get to see as many of our friends from last year, and definitely don't get to spend as much time with them when we see them, and we can't walk to E.C. Norte (only the coolest little grocery store in Cochabamba), but...we do get to walk around the plazas and see the nightlife more.
We have been diligently working these past few days at Luz de Vida and it has definitely been an experience. I will try and post some pictures of all the hard work. Basically what we do everyday is go out to the site and then Adan (the mason) has us move this HUGE pile of rocks out of the way. We normally set up a beaver line and pass them down. Kelly keeps us entertained by singing "Jesus is the rock and He rolls my sins away!" or by giving us small challenges to see who can throw the rocks the furthest or with the best style, etc. Needless to say it is hard work but it is still fun. We will also be able to find great work when we come home in the cement making department, I don't know how many wheelbarrows we have filled with cement...but it is a LOT. The steps are. 1/2 a bucket of water, 2 buckets of gravel, 1 bucket of sand/dirt, 1 bucket of cement, 1 more bucket of sand/dirt and then maybe some more water depending on how much it sticks inside the mixer. (see, I told we were good, I remembered that all on my own!) Sometimes in the afternoon Janet goes over to the house where Luz de Vida is currently meeting and helps them with their baking. They have started a bread (or pan in espanol) business and they are great, people line up outside to buy it. Janet Childes (as we so fondly refer to her as) is teaching them how to make cookies and brownies. They LOVE them. We had a trial run...soooo good. Fun Fact: they don't have brown sugar here.
Yesterday was church day and boy did we have church. We first went to Luz de Vida and met with their group. Kelly preached and did a fantastic job comparing a rock with our foundation to God and bread to the body of life. The rock came from our worksite and Nancy (program coordinator of Luz de Vida) said she was going to keep it forever. The bread came from the church, and Nancy made sure everyone knew that she wasn't going to keep it, she would just probably eat it, and we all had a good laugh. As you all should know by now, it was Friend day or "Feliz dia de la Amistad", the children of Luz de Vida wanted to do something special for us, so while outside during sunday school, they made us little cards. They were very cute and much appreicated. Another fun fact: kids have the same "issues" worldwide...my card was spelled perfectly, just from right to left. From there, we loaded back into Nora and Wilson's awesome Bolivian jeep and took off for Emmanuel. Talk about a long service -we got there at 10:30 and left at 12:30.. It was a great service though, I think part of the problem was that they kept having to pause in their sermon so that Nora could translate for us. I hate to admit this to everyone out there reading...but I kind of cant remember a lot of what was preached about at Emmanuel, but I do remember that it was from Luke (which they call San Lucas) and that I really enjoyed it at the time and that I felt it was a very moving sermon.
Yesterday we also got to do a little sight-seeing.
We went to the Cristo! After climbing up the 10 flights of stairs, one of which is entirely too sketchy for most, I found that we could only get to the armpits of Jesus again. I was slight crushed...I was really hoping to at least get to the shoulders if not His head... the climbers of the group were Sarah B., Vickie, Ruth (Delhia's daughter) and myself. We took some great photos out of the little "peep holes" and inside as well..hopefully I can post some of those as well.
The next stop was La Cancha, well, it wasn't really a stop..we could only drive through. La Cancha is a market, or really, THE market and it isn't necessarily the safest part of town espeically for the Americans who stand out by height and skin color. Nora breifed us before we went, on keeping our windows rolled up and not laying stuff in our laps because people could walk by our cars and steal them. Needless to say, we had no problems and got to see what the true Bolivia is like. Probably one of my favorites that we have done so far.
To end the night on a good note we all went to Globos Ice Cream and had a nice tasty treat. I was really adventurous and got...chocolate, but others got Maracuya (a Bolivian fruit that is citrus-y) or Lima (lime).
Sarah and I made a detour from the group last night and attended the youth group meeting. Wilson (not Nora's Wilson) the youth group leader had invited us (Ruth Ann as well, but she still wasn't feeling up to par) to join them for their evening gathering. I am so glad that we went, it was such a great experience. We recorded one of their songs, if it turned out, I will maybe pass it along. The dynamic of the group is fantastic, they love being there and they love being around each other. Last fun fact: they have a youth president, someone that the youth voted for to represent them at the church.
Today we all went to Emmanuel to play with the little kids. It was a much needed break from the worksite and I enjoyed seeing all the babies. You can't help but smile when you look at them. They are so full of life and they just love you. It's so great to see them run up to you (a complete stranger) and give you a hug and yell "HOLA!!!" Today will be a day that we will look back on later for motivation. My mom and I had to "skip out" a little early though so that we could work on the computer and get it working in tip-top shape. Hopefully, the others enjoyed it for us though.
Sorry for the long post, but I felt like I should give you guys a real update this time. This afternoon we start Vacation Bible School, so hopefully all goes well!
As always, prayers are always welcome!
Michelle
Friday, July 23, 2010
Cochabamba!
We made it, I am sure there are others explaining everything that happened with the change of locations and what not...
I wanted to explain that today is Friendship day in Bolivia...basically it just means that people write little notes or do things that would show their appreciation to the friends today. I think it´s a great idea and that the U.S. should adopt it immediately! If I knew how to do a smiley face on this weird keyboard I would...
Anyways we have made it safe to Cochabamba, we are working hard, and tomorrow we get to go shopping! More posts soon hopefully!
Michelle
I wanted to explain that today is Friendship day in Bolivia...basically it just means that people write little notes or do things that would show their appreciation to the friends today. I think it´s a great idea and that the U.S. should adopt it immediately! If I knew how to do a smiley face on this weird keyboard I would...
Anyways we have made it safe to Cochabamba, we are working hard, and tomorrow we get to go shopping! More posts soon hopefully!
Michelle
Friday night in Cochabamba
WOW, where to begin, WE MADE IT! The people here are awesome, the food that Delhia cooks for us is fantastic. The Luce de Vida ladies are all so happy to see us. We have worked for two days and the work is hard. Everything is done manually. We have mixed concrete, 2 buckets sand, 2 buckets rock, 1 bucket water, 1 bucket cement. We moved two massive rock piles, a new wooden foot bridge over a drainage ditch was built. I think everyone is tired and sore. We have no internet access, except tonight Sarah and Michelle, lead by Priscilla and Ruth, Delhia´s daughters have walked us 3 blocks away to a local internet spot. There are 30 computers here and they are all full. Almost no one has internet in their home. We are staying in the parsonage of the El Salvadore Methodist church. The preacher has his own home so the parsonage was empty. At the last minute they could not accomodate us at the American Institute due to 80 pastors coming to town for a conference. It has worked out very well for us to be where we are, the rooms are much warmer and we have a little shorter distance to travel to our work site. Sunday we will go to worship at 8:30 am at Luce de Vida and then at 11:00 at Emmanual. We have so much to accomplish and such a short time to finish everything. Don´t know when we will be able to post again. Vickie
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Sleepy in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
We arrived in Bolivia this afternoon, with an expected 4 1/2 hour layover that has turned into an extra hour due to a plane delay. Of course, we don't know why the plane is delayed because no one here speaks English. Sarah has been helpful in translating the announcements for us and when there is disagreement I can always reference my handy pocket dictionary. Everyone seems to be napping, or fading fast but in the next 1/2 hour we should be on our last leg - 50 minute flight and be greeted by some of the worshipers at Emmanuel Church. We can't wait to get there! Vickie
Lima!
We made it to Lima!...and now we are almost on our way to Bolivia (sitting in the airport to be exact). Just you know, another 2 hour flight to Santa Cruz, a layover there for 4 hours, and another 1 hour flight to Cochabamba. This basically means another long day of travel for us. We should get to Cochabamba at about 8 o'clock tonight, and here's hoping we get a grand welcome from our Bolivian extended family. I know I can't wait for Delia's home cooked meal!
The flight to Lima was fairly uneventful..Kelly made friends with the leader of a large group of teenage kids coming to Lima to do some mission work, some of the group got an eye full when a lady started feeding her child the "natural" way, some slept, some watched movies (i.e. me) and then my favorite..played Bejeweled! I think it should be a requirement to have electronic games and onDemand tv on all flights anywhere. I personally didn't think the plane ride seemed that long! But I did watch 2 movies, play 4 different games for long periods of time, and read my book! What did take forever was everything after the actual flight, deboarding, going through customs, getting our bags, traveling to the hotel on our speedy bus, and getting up to the room.
We awoke refreshed from our 4 hours of sleep, had a lovely breakfast...I ate 2 biscuits with butter and had a cup of tea (see Dad I can make my own breakfast!) and then got back in our speedy bus and headed back to the airport, where we started the process all over again.
Here's to another safe few flights and our speedy arrival in Cochabamba!
Prayers are always welcome!
Michelle
The flight to Lima was fairly uneventful..Kelly made friends with the leader of a large group of teenage kids coming to Lima to do some mission work, some of the group got an eye full when a lady started feeding her child the "natural" way, some slept, some watched movies (i.e. me) and then my favorite..played Bejeweled! I think it should be a requirement to have electronic games and onDemand tv on all flights anywhere. I personally didn't think the plane ride seemed that long! But I did watch 2 movies, play 4 different games for long periods of time, and read my book! What did take forever was everything after the actual flight, deboarding, going through customs, getting our bags, traveling to the hotel on our speedy bus, and getting up to the room.
We awoke refreshed from our 4 hours of sleep, had a lovely breakfast...I ate 2 biscuits with butter and had a cup of tea (see Dad I can make my own breakfast!) and then got back in our speedy bus and headed back to the airport, where we started the process all over again.
Here's to another safe few flights and our speedy arrival in Cochabamba!
Prayers are always welcome!
Michelle
Lima, Peru
Well folks we´ve made it to Lima, Peru! One more day of travel and our team will be in Cochabamba, Bolivia! I found the business center of our hotel and decided to blog a quick update!
The plane ride was long (6 1/2 hours) and with immigration, baggage claim, customs, and the bus to the hotel we didn´t get to our rooms until about 1am.
We enjoyed a delicious (and healthy) breakfast this morning at our hotel and are slowly waking up for this beautiful brand new day!
Funny Moment: A team member was observing a bus boy cleaning off our breakfast table and noticed he ran out of water...what did he do? Used water from the flower vase of course! Ha! What resourceful people!
Thank you for your continued prayers and we hope to update you again soon!
-Ruth Ann
The plane ride was long (6 1/2 hours) and with immigration, baggage claim, customs, and the bus to the hotel we didn´t get to our rooms until about 1am.
We enjoyed a delicious (and healthy) breakfast this morning at our hotel and are slowly waking up for this beautiful brand new day!
Funny Moment: A team member was observing a bus boy cleaning off our breakfast table and noticed he ran out of water...what did he do? Used water from the flower vase of course! Ha! What resourceful people!
Thank you for your continued prayers and we hope to update you again soon!
-Ruth Ann
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Viva mi Patria Bolivia!
I can finally sing the Bolivian national anthem again! Well...not really, I still only know the one verse. I'm sure everyone will love to help me practice memorizing it!
It finally sort of "sunk in" with me today that we are actually going to Bolivia tomorrow! (well, today I guess) I can't wait to share my experience with my mom and the other "new" people going on the trip! All the hard stuff is done (i.e. packing, gathering, packing, and packing) and it's now time to breathe a sigh of relief and sit back and enjoy the ride, all 2 days of it..
Shout out to Continental, crossing my fingers this trip down South doesn't have too many complications!
Time for a little rest before the big day!
Michelle
It finally sort of "sunk in" with me today that we are actually going to Bolivia tomorrow! (well, today I guess) I can't wait to share my experience with my mom and the other "new" people going on the trip! All the hard stuff is done (i.e. packing, gathering, packing, and packing) and it's now time to breathe a sigh of relief and sit back and enjoy the ride, all 2 days of it..
Shout out to Continental, crossing my fingers this trip down South doesn't have too many complications!
Time for a little rest before the big day!
Michelle
I envy the early packers..........
Ok, it is officially the day we are leaving, and I'm finally finished packing (I hope). I'm exicted that Andrew set up a blog spot for us! Thanks Andrew! Now for a little sleep. Vickie
Monday, July 19, 2010
"¡La unión es la fuerza!"
Being a packing enthusiast, and anxious for my first venture out of the country, I had my suitcase ready last Wednesday!
The title of my blog is the Bolivia motto, which translates as "Unity is strength!" This sums up my prayer for our group as we go to serve as a team. Working together, communicating, and encouraging each other will not only be a strong witness to those we're surrounded by but will also bring joy!
I have seen the following passage several times very recently and found encouragement in it concerning my relationships with others. I encourage you to pray for us to have this type of attitude not only for this mission trip but daily living.
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4
Thank you friends and family for your prayers and support! I'm looking forward to returning with amazing stories and pictures to share.
Blessings,
Ruth Ann
The title of my blog is the Bolivia motto, which translates as "Unity is strength!" This sums up my prayer for our group as we go to serve as a team. Working together, communicating, and encouraging each other will not only be a strong witness to those we're surrounded by but will also bring joy!
I have seen the following passage several times very recently and found encouragement in it concerning my relationships with others. I encourage you to pray for us to have this type of attitude not only for this mission trip but daily living.
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4
Thank you friends and family for your prayers and support! I'm looking forward to returning with amazing stories and pictures to share.
Blessings,
Ruth Ann
South America. It's like America, but south.
Well...it's almost 10pm the night before we leave for Bolivia, South America and I feel a little like that young spirited girl named Ellie in the movie UP.
I'm pretty much packed and ready, as much as one can be for a trip like this and I'm kind of wiped out from all the other camps and mission trips this summer with the youth...but, as Andrew said, "You can sleep on the plane." I wouldn't miss this trip for anything...and I'm grateful for the opportunity. Thanks to Andrew, we can send updates and share this experience - during our experience!
Thank you for all the support y'all have given us and keep us in your prayers!
In His Grip,
Christie
I'm pretty much packed and ready, as much as one can be for a trip like this and I'm kind of wiped out from all the other camps and mission trips this summer with the youth...but, as Andrew said, "You can sleep on the plane." I wouldn't miss this trip for anything...and I'm grateful for the opportunity. Thanks to Andrew, we can send updates and share this experience - during our experience!
Thank you for all the support y'all have given us and keep us in your prayers!
In His Grip,
Christie
The night before
I am about to pack...kind of late....8:39 p.m. I got sidetracked purchasing some gifts for Delia (our cook) and her daughters. I am excited and ready to see what all God has in store. Thanks be to God for a church that supports their pastor and church members being gone on the other side of the equator for mission! We could not do it without your support and prayers. Pray for our team and for Luz de Vida (the church we will be serving and building)
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