Unashamed

   Before reading, I have decided that this song is the theme song of my trip. I can't stop listening to it. If you would like, go ahead and listen while you read!

   

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 In the three other trips I've taken to Bolivia before, I've never seen God move so much within the church. It started Saturday night, at the youth service.

     Beginning with some games, a song, and a short message... The next thing I know, everyone goes running toward the altar. On their knees. On their faces. Jumping in the air. Raising their hands. Yelling. Crying. Standing still and silent. Dancing. Pacing.

     Seeking God and to be filled with His Holy Spirit. 

     I was completely and utterly amazed. I would have never expected it to happen. And it went on for so long, I had to get home and go to sleep, only to find out that it went on until two in the morning. It was so loud, I could hear it from inside the car when we pulled out. Wow. 

     Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me (fail), but Sunday night, it happened again. In the picture below, you will see BHC kids, truly seeking after their Heavenly Father. Something that we should all be doing, and we should be doing it like they are. Unashamed. 

     Tuesday night, the same thing happened again. This time, I went forward to the altar with two girls that I am becoming attached to: Marioly and Alison. I had to leave the room after a little while. I stepped outside and took a walk around the property. I looked at the building that I helped build for the children, who were once living in prison, and now pouring their heart out in ways that I'm not sure I know how to do. And that was the first time I cried.

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     Today was quite eventful as well. 

     I went to the BHC in the morning, as usual. Around 10:30 a.m., I found out that there were people marching and blocking the main roads. They do this for several different reasons. Some people are against certain laws, some want more money, some just want attention from the government. Either way, Rich and Sandee were at the house, and I was at the BHC with only a few granola bars to spare and no way to get back to the house since the roads were blocked with the protesters. The women I was with at the time were talking about how I may have to stay overnight at the Hope Center. I wasn't scared at all, though. In fact, it was a little exciting to me. More adventure!

     Pami blessed me today by making me a hamburger, french fries, and plantains. If you don't know about Pami, she has quite an amazing story. Trying to help her family, she came from the Philippines, smuggling drugs for money. She was caught in Bolivia and put into the women's prison. There at the prison, she met Rich and Sandee. Long story short, she is a Christian now. Miraculously, she is out of the prison and now works with Rich and Sandee. She is an amazing woman, and I really look up to her.

The little adventure ended after lunch because the silly people blocking the streets like to take lunch breaks, so they unblock the streets and go eat. Rich and Sandee made it to the Hope Center, picked me up, and I didn't end up staying overnight.

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This is about all for today! :]

Remember to be unashamed.

Thanks for reading.

     

Learning

     It's been two weeks now since I've arrived. On my second trip here, I spent two weeks also. Even though it's been the same amount of time, I have learned so much more about Bolivian culture and the lives of missionaries....and more Spanish, too.

     NO, I'm not going around like a Spanish machine--yet. But I've found myself piecing together sentences little by little, and the girls at the Bolivian Hope Center tell me every day that I've learned more. Thank God for that because language barriers are so frustrating.

     Besides the language, I've seen a lot more of everyday life here. We are always having to check the news because of blockades that could prevent us from going to the BHC, the grocery store, etc. Sometimes things can get pretty violent, so we stay away. Right now, there are several groups blocking. Lately, they have been marching in the streets instead. I've never seen anything like this.

     Another thing that I'm not used to is the fact that they hardly discipline their children here. I have a very hard time dealing with the First Steps kids sometimes because no one has disciplined them, and obviously, I'm not their parent. You'd be incredibly surprised to see how many times they will hit each other in one day. I've been slapped by them several times a day as well. I guess I'm still figuring out what to do with all of that. 

     I've never realized before how helpful teams are to missionaries. People have said before that sending money is better, but I'm not so sure of that now. Yes, money is great and needed.... But paying to come and help work for a week is very effective as well. There are projects, such as building buildings, that need workers. Here in Bolivia, it's hard to find a volunteer. Everyone wants to know what they'll be paid. So, next time you think that going doesn't help as much, think again.

I know this isn't a very long and exciting post, but I'm going to end it with a link the the BHC website. I really encourage you to think about making a donation. This ministry is changing lives. Neglected children now have a home, a bed, and food in their stomachs every day because of what's going on over here. Wouldn't you like to be a part?  Click: Bolivian Hope Center

As always, thanks for reading.

"Chau"

(Yes, that's the way they spell it here..)

Tia Raquelly

I've been spending most of my days at the Hope Center with the kids from the First Steps program.

If you didn't know, the kids from the First Steps program are too young to stay at the Home of Hope. 

Instead of being in the prison all day, lacking the care that they need, they are picked up every morning and brought to the center, then taken back in the late afternoon. 

These kids are six and under,

and I absolutely adore them.

They call all of the adults that are helping either Tio or Tia (Uncle or Aunt).

One of the girls there, Beba (pronounced Beh-Bah, not Bee-bah), who is three (I think), randomly spat out the name "Tia Raquelly!" while the other kids were also trying to get my attention by simply yelling, "Tia!" 

It got kind of quiet, and the other women looked at her and then me. We all laughed, and then suddenly, all of the kids were yelling it. 

That's how they all are in there: loud and they copy each other. I'll have to take a video of when they bless the food before eating. It makes me laugh every time.

So, I guess I'm Tia Raquelly now. Thanks, Beba.

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In other news,

Today, Sandee and I took Marioly (13) and Daniel (10) to the concha. 

The concha is almost like a flea market, except packed, and it smells. Bad. You can get really nice clothes there cheap. Nice jeans for around ten dollars. Cute tops for less than ten. Nice shoes for around ten. Shopaholic paradise, basically. 

Since their birthdays have recently passed, we took them shopping for their own clothes. In this culture, even teenagers don't pick their own clothing. They wear what they are told to wear. So, it was exciting to watch them be able to pick their own clothes to create a style for themselves. 

As each day goes by, I realize more and more how blessed US citizens are, and also how ignorant we are about the rest of the world. We need to be thankful, and we need to be aware. 

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Tomorrow we'll celebrate their birthdays with a party at the Hope Center. The clothes they picked, we will wrap. Even though they know what it is, everything about the presents is very special to them--down to the wrapping paper. See what I mean?

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Just Smile & Nod

Today was my first day at the BHC, but first, I will tell you what happened leading up to that point.

I spent all day Saturday with Sandee and Pami, shopping at the Saturday open  market and various grocery stores to stock up the kitchen. It was cool getting to see the city.

Saturday night, we visited the Hope Center. It was the first time that the kids saw Rich and Sandee again after being gone for a year. Seeing the kids reaction to having them back nearly brought me to tears. They love them so much. A few of them cried because they were so happy.

Sandee said to me, "This is why we come back."

It's why I come back too.

Sunday, before church (because it doesn't start until eleven a.m.), I made a chocolate cake for us to have as a dessert this week. The middle sunk in because of the altitude. :/

At church, it was just a normal service. They don't really have Easter here. It's too complicated to explain why, even I don't understand. Sandee did tell me that they asked Pastor Freddy about it one time, and he replied, "But it already happened over 2000 years ago!" I thought that was funny.

So, now I'll tell you about my first day.

I spent the first half of the day with the First Steps toddlers from the prison. It was fun, and I was completely in my element. The only downside is the language barrier. No matter how many times that I tell people that I don't understand what they are saying, they wait for me to respond. I usually just smile and nod; what else am I supposed to do?

All of the children here are precious to me, though. I feel bad when they try to talk to me, and I can't respond. I'm praying that I will learn fast.

I spent the rest of the day with kids from the Hope Center. Even when we can't talk, having each other's company seems to be enough.

This week is going to be very busy because we are celebrating two birthdays at the Hope Center. We have to buy presents, make two cakes, and we are also having a pizza and ice cream party for them. On Saturday, we'll take them shopping. Sounds like my kind of birthday; I'm excited.

Well, that's pretty much it for the past few days.

Thanks for reading.

Rosita. 3 years old.

Game-Changer

     Have you ever known that you were supposed to do something, even when it didn't seem possible? That's how I felt after my first trip to Cochabamba, Bolivia, in December 2008. At fourteen years old, I left Bolivia changed. My life as I knew it--changed. But it wasn't until a couple days ago that I was really shown how much plans could change, and how that change could be something even better than what I had in store for myself.

     I was set to leave April 3rd.

     Game-Plan: fly to Miami International Airport to meet the missionaries I would be living with, Rich and Sandee Farthing, to then finish the trip to Cochabamba together. Absolutely, under no circumstances, should I be leaving the country alone.

     Game-Changer: Missionaries make it to Miami and are ready to leave the country.....My flight to Miami cancelled. 


     You can imagine the emotional eruption that took place when I found out.

     Guess who's flyin' solo? Yep.. A seventeen year old, non Spanish-speaking girl.

     After a lot of praying, I knew I could do it. After all, God's plan is the best plan. I knew I was supposed to take this trip, and if this was how I had to take it, I'd walk in faith.

     Long story short, I had a blast. Best trip I've ever taken, besides the 8 hours in La Paz, in which I COULD NOT close my eyes for a mere second...just in case. Stealing luggage from a sleeping person is common in the airports here.

     I found that in each step through the airports, I became even more confident in myself. I feel like an adult!

     Anyway, this is just a brief post about where I've been these past few days. Just traveling internationally by myself, no biggie. :]

    The picture below is a glimpse of the beauty I witnessed today. Tomorrow, I'll post more about what I'll be doing here and such. For now, I have some sleep to catch up on.

     Thanks for reading.