Hi Everybody! I bet ya'll wish you were here where it's warm! very warm!
Wow, one week of the school is finished. I'm so tired, but it has been good. They sure do pack a lot of things into one week. Yesterday (saturday) we had cleaning in the morning and then much of the afternoon I worked on this diary we have to add to every week (I can't remember whether or not I have told you about this). It's rather like a scrapbook, I suppose. It's a lot of work, but I think it's a good thing to do because it provides us some time of reflection as to what even happened during the crazy week! We also have to read a book by Feb. 9th and do a book report, and we are periodically tested on our notes. Yikes!
Before arriving here, I was under the impression that latinos were a bit more laid back than Americans, ya know, they have siestas every afternoon and they move at a slower pace, etc. Well, boy was I wrong! They might take naps and do everything slowly, but they have no concept of resting! For me, this is difficult because I feel like, wow, I give you all of my attention and energy from 5:30am-10pm every day so can I please have some time to myself on the weekend?? But latinos are so communal. Even on the weekend they are doing stuff together. I feel rude if I just want to spend time alone--or spend time talking to family. Here all of the students are on their phones during the day talking to friends and family all week long. But I cannot do that. So, not really having time to rest and talk with ya'll back home during the weekend is frusterating to me. And often there isn't internet available if I do have some free minutes.
But, I'm learning to talk with God about these things that irritate me. He is blessing me over and over for having a thankful heart and for waiting on Him and His perfect timing for everything. We serve a BIG God and He is in control of everything! So, I'm learning that it's essential that I trust Him with even the little things like whether or not I'll be able to talk to my family this week.
Last night, a group of us walked downtown to an authentic Italian restaurant and had some real Italian pizza! The crust was super thin! I liked it a lot. I enjoy when we take little trips like these, because every time God provides opportunities for me to take risks and get to know people, to converse in Spanish. And everyday I am able to connect a little more. It's quite a task, learning this language. For every English word they have like three or four Spanish words! So, even if I learned one of them, they might not say the word I actually know! So, I have this journal where I write down new words..and let's just say, it's filling up fast!
Oh and last time I wrote I forgot to tell you about the water situation! Oh goodness. Apparently here it's a common thing for the entire city to go without water for 24 hours. I don't know the reason or when this occurs (and neither do the other people). Well, this happened with about 20 minutes warning earlier this week. So we had twenty minutes to fill up big pots and pans full of water to function for 24 hours! And that day was the day of the scavenger hunt where we had to stick our faces in buckets of flour and we were running and sweating ---and then no shower!! I still feel like there's flour caked into my face! BLEH!
Well, times up! Off to my next gathering... :)
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
wow
Goodness gracious where to begin! I only have a tiny bit of time so I'll just rabble and you can sort it out.
Today is Thursday and we have almost completed our first week of school! This week with all of the new people and the strict schedule has been difficult in many ways but also very good.
At times it's frusterating because I feel as if I'm being left behind during this 'get-to-know-everyone' phase because it's difficult for everyone to include me and Jesse, the other American girl, in when we don't really get what's going on. But, slowly we are getting to know other people through different groups we are put in and things like that. Many of the students are eager for us to teach them English so that's fun!!
yesterday we had a scavenger hunt all over the city basically. It was so crazy and fun! We ran most of the way, and now I'm sore. Because I also ran yesterday morning. Oh. I just have to tell you about the bay. Everyone has been talking about how beautiful it is, and yesterday I finally got to see it for myself! Absolutely one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen. Just before dawn it's still dark and brisk. A city landscape in the background of a harbor full of little boats strewn about, all with little glowing lights. And off in the distance huge cargo ships and cruise ships with lights popping on as everyone wakes up and begins their duties. It's by far the best place I've ever went for a jog!
Okay about the school, our daily schedule is pretty hectic. We wake up at 5:30 (5am if you want to run), devotions at 6:30, breakfast at 7:30, class from 9-12:30 and then I have clean up after lunch which lasts till about 2pm then we have another art activity at 2:30 then dinner at 5:30 and class again from 7-9pm and bed at 10pm. Jesse and I have a translator..it's a different person more often than not. Not gonna lie, it's really difficult for me because I can understand quite a bit in Spanish, and so I get caught up listening to the speaker. But then I get lost and start listening to the translator, but most of the translators have pretty strong accents, so they aren't real clear either. Anyway, it's all good stuff, but requires a lot of focus and energy just to listen.
God is teaching me all sorts of things...difficult things to learn! But I'm excited that He is working in my life through these classes and this school, because that means that He will be able to use me even more as I become more like Him. Many times I find myself getting frusterated with the rules here and the way this particular base operates. But today I learned that even though there are things that I don't agree with..it's okay because by dealing with them and working through those things it will make me stronger.
It has been a huge blessing to have another American girl here to talk with. We get each other's funny reactions to things, and this makes me laugh. Today she told me that she was in the laundry room, listening to worship music with her eyes closed, when she suddenly felt something bite her foot. She opened her eyes to see a nasty rat crawling away!! AHHHHHH!!!! there's a rat in the house!!!! And so I told her how today when I was walking with some people to the mall, I heard this huge crash and saw something massive fall out of a tree. I looked over and saw this massive thing. It looked like a mini dinasaur!!! and all the people were like..oh that's an iguana. They are everywhere. Give me a break! That was a mini T-REX! Anyway, lots of funny stuff like that.
But anyway, overall things are going well. There are so many weird things here, but it's kinda fun to watch myself adapt to them. :) I love and miss you all so much! Hope you are well!
Today is Thursday and we have almost completed our first week of school! This week with all of the new people and the strict schedule has been difficult in many ways but also very good.
At times it's frusterating because I feel as if I'm being left behind during this 'get-to-know-everyone' phase because it's difficult for everyone to include me and Jesse, the other American girl, in when we don't really get what's going on. But, slowly we are getting to know other people through different groups we are put in and things like that. Many of the students are eager for us to teach them English so that's fun!!
yesterday we had a scavenger hunt all over the city basically. It was so crazy and fun! We ran most of the way, and now I'm sore. Because I also ran yesterday morning. Oh. I just have to tell you about the bay. Everyone has been talking about how beautiful it is, and yesterday I finally got to see it for myself! Absolutely one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen. Just before dawn it's still dark and brisk. A city landscape in the background of a harbor full of little boats strewn about, all with little glowing lights. And off in the distance huge cargo ships and cruise ships with lights popping on as everyone wakes up and begins their duties. It's by far the best place I've ever went for a jog!
Okay about the school, our daily schedule is pretty hectic. We wake up at 5:30 (5am if you want to run), devotions at 6:30, breakfast at 7:30, class from 9-12:30 and then I have clean up after lunch which lasts till about 2pm then we have another art activity at 2:30 then dinner at 5:30 and class again from 7-9pm and bed at 10pm. Jesse and I have a translator..it's a different person more often than not. Not gonna lie, it's really difficult for me because I can understand quite a bit in Spanish, and so I get caught up listening to the speaker. But then I get lost and start listening to the translator, but most of the translators have pretty strong accents, so they aren't real clear either. Anyway, it's all good stuff, but requires a lot of focus and energy just to listen.
God is teaching me all sorts of things...difficult things to learn! But I'm excited that He is working in my life through these classes and this school, because that means that He will be able to use me even more as I become more like Him. Many times I find myself getting frusterated with the rules here and the way this particular base operates. But today I learned that even though there are things that I don't agree with..it's okay because by dealing with them and working through those things it will make me stronger.
It has been a huge blessing to have another American girl here to talk with. We get each other's funny reactions to things, and this makes me laugh. Today she told me that she was in the laundry room, listening to worship music with her eyes closed, when she suddenly felt something bite her foot. She opened her eyes to see a nasty rat crawling away!! AHHHHHH!!!! there's a rat in the house!!!! And so I told her how today when I was walking with some people to the mall, I heard this huge crash and saw something massive fall out of a tree. I looked over and saw this massive thing. It looked like a mini dinasaur!!! and all the people were like..oh that's an iguana. They are everywhere. Give me a break! That was a mini T-REX! Anyway, lots of funny stuff like that.
But anyway, overall things are going well. There are so many weird things here, but it's kinda fun to watch myself adapt to them. :) I love and miss you all so much! Hope you are well!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Faithful God
Hello everybody!
Things are going very well here. The students for the DTS school are arriving today and tomorrow, so there's people everywhere!
God has asked for my complete attention and focus here during this school, and since then I have been enjoying getting to know the people here more and more. I actually understood two jokes in Spanish..that's big news people!! There's another girl from the US here now, which is great! She's from Oregon. I've been helping translate for her some, which I love.
During the past couple of days we have been working hard to prepare the houses for the students. So, scraping paint off of walls, painting, cleaning, moving an entire kitchen to another location...ya know, everyday stuff. :) We are blessed to have the opportunity to rent a beautiful yellow house for YWAM right now. This new place is where we will now have the kitchen and laundry. And its where I live now too! We have coconut palm trees, mango trees and banana trees in the back yard!! This is all good except the matresses are rather thin, and there are more mosquitos here, I swear! Six new bites in one night!
But anyway, I'm learning so much about relying completely on God, about trusting Him entirely with the perfect plan He has for my life. There have been times recently when I just wanted to go home with no desire to be here at all. But, God has made it clear that the best place for me to be is smack-dab in the middle of His will. And right now, Cartagena, Colombia is His will for my life. Since this is the case, I'm ready to do this school 100%! I'm very excited for what God has in the coming months.... Not so excited about waking up at 5am every day to share my shower with seven girls :).
Things are going very well here. The students for the DTS school are arriving today and tomorrow, so there's people everywhere!
God has asked for my complete attention and focus here during this school, and since then I have been enjoying getting to know the people here more and more. I actually understood two jokes in Spanish..that's big news people!! There's another girl from the US here now, which is great! She's from Oregon. I've been helping translate for her some, which I love.
During the past couple of days we have been working hard to prepare the houses for the students. So, scraping paint off of walls, painting, cleaning, moving an entire kitchen to another location...ya know, everyday stuff. :) We are blessed to have the opportunity to rent a beautiful yellow house for YWAM right now. This new place is where we will now have the kitchen and laundry. And its where I live now too! We have coconut palm trees, mango trees and banana trees in the back yard!! This is all good except the matresses are rather thin, and there are more mosquitos here, I swear! Six new bites in one night!
But anyway, I'm learning so much about relying completely on God, about trusting Him entirely with the perfect plan He has for my life. There have been times recently when I just wanted to go home with no desire to be here at all. But, God has made it clear that the best place for me to be is smack-dab in the middle of His will. And right now, Cartagena, Colombia is His will for my life. Since this is the case, I'm ready to do this school 100%! I'm very excited for what God has in the coming months.... Not so excited about waking up at 5am every day to share my shower with seven girls :).
Monday, January 17, 2011
So much!
Wow. I have "so much" to say! The past couple days have been very full, but very good.
During the day on Friday we traveled in these safari Jeep things to a poorer, more dangerous neighborhood of Cartagena for a get together with another YWAM site. What a different world over there! I was mesmerized by all of the people in the streets and the little shacks squished together on the hilltops. I remember seeing this from the plane when I first arrived. It is an incredible site. No wonder Latin America is like one big family. Everyone lives on top of one another!
We had a worship service and played games and ate yummy food. It all was very refreshing for me because I understood much of what was said and how to play the games. I enjoyed meeting another German girl there..she is simpathetic to my situation as she recently went through this stage of being new and learning the language, etc. I have now been added to the list of people who help in the kitchen and so my first time doing so was at this other YWAM location in a kitchen I had never even seen before! This was very frusterating because I didn't know what needed to be done or where things belonged or even how to ask! This is a common problem and then I get looks like "uhh why are you just standing there?" Its complicated though because often times when I ask questions to get clarification on something no one knows the answers to my questions. Its also a cultural thing--so I'm learning to watch and learn and go with the flow!
Friday night I spent the night with the German girls at an English teacher's house. It was nice to be away from all the crazy spanish speakers for a couple hours. HOWEVER, when I went to use the bathroom I had my first encounter, a very close one indeed, with a cockroach. He was as gross as I imagined and was chilling inside the toilet paper roll!! How does a person function in the bathroom with a cockroach??
Saturday was a challenging day. We did "aseo profundo" as they say. Which is basically deep cleaning at its very deepest. I was entirely overwhelmed by all of the latino people running around like crazy people babbling in Spanish to me and telling me what to do. Many times I had no idea what they wanted me to do, and that was frusterating. And other times I knew exactly what they wanted but didn't understand why they would ask me to do that. And then there were times when I had already done what they asked and they would just keep telling me to do the same thing! Whew. I'm discovering a new level of humility here. It's difficult for me to be in submission to these people I don't even know who speak a different language and live in an entirely different culture, especially when I don't agree with them on something. But, God has been teaching me through it--that I work for Him ultimately and to have an attitude of service and love.
On Sunday we went to a really big church called Rivers of Life. When I walked in there were thousands of dark-haired, dark-skinned people worshipping the Lord, not a blonde in the bunch. very beautiful!! The worship and the message were very good and the overall workings of the church were similar to Valley Family Church so I felt at home :).
Later on that day I was invited by a new couple from Switzerland (they will be students like me) to go to the beach with them. So I decided, "heck yes! get me out of this house for a while!" It was definitely an adventure. We went to a wind-surfing school and the couple was reunited with a guy they met several years ago. Since then, he has become a Christian and has a wonderful vision of using this surfing school as a ministry. He talked and talked about what God has done in His life. Praise God for giving me grace to understand almost everything he said in Spanish!! We hung out there and played paddle ball on the beach (the closest thing to tennis that I've played so far)---LOVED IT. When we started playing the guy I was playing against was like "just let me know when you get tired because I will just keep playing and playing!" So we played for quite a while and then I could tell he was getting so tired and so I asked him if he wanted to quit and he was like "YES you win." Haha!! Anyways, it was very fun and I got a lottt of sun. We then went to a restaurant and had some yummy food and pina con leche (a pinapple/milk drink).
Okay I think that's all for now. God is good!!
During the day on Friday we traveled in these safari Jeep things to a poorer, more dangerous neighborhood of Cartagena for a get together with another YWAM site. What a different world over there! I was mesmerized by all of the people in the streets and the little shacks squished together on the hilltops. I remember seeing this from the plane when I first arrived. It is an incredible site. No wonder Latin America is like one big family. Everyone lives on top of one another!
We had a worship service and played games and ate yummy food. It all was very refreshing for me because I understood much of what was said and how to play the games. I enjoyed meeting another German girl there..she is simpathetic to my situation as she recently went through this stage of being new and learning the language, etc. I have now been added to the list of people who help in the kitchen and so my first time doing so was at this other YWAM location in a kitchen I had never even seen before! This was very frusterating because I didn't know what needed to be done or where things belonged or even how to ask! This is a common problem and then I get looks like "uhh why are you just standing there?" Its complicated though because often times when I ask questions to get clarification on something no one knows the answers to my questions. Its also a cultural thing--so I'm learning to watch and learn and go with the flow!
Friday night I spent the night with the German girls at an English teacher's house. It was nice to be away from all the crazy spanish speakers for a couple hours. HOWEVER, when I went to use the bathroom I had my first encounter, a very close one indeed, with a cockroach. He was as gross as I imagined and was chilling inside the toilet paper roll!! How does a person function in the bathroom with a cockroach??
Saturday was a challenging day. We did "aseo profundo" as they say. Which is basically deep cleaning at its very deepest. I was entirely overwhelmed by all of the latino people running around like crazy people babbling in Spanish to me and telling me what to do. Many times I had no idea what they wanted me to do, and that was frusterating. And other times I knew exactly what they wanted but didn't understand why they would ask me to do that. And then there were times when I had already done what they asked and they would just keep telling me to do the same thing! Whew. I'm discovering a new level of humility here. It's difficult for me to be in submission to these people I don't even know who speak a different language and live in an entirely different culture, especially when I don't agree with them on something. But, God has been teaching me through it--that I work for Him ultimately and to have an attitude of service and love.
On Sunday we went to a really big church called Rivers of Life. When I walked in there were thousands of dark-haired, dark-skinned people worshipping the Lord, not a blonde in the bunch. very beautiful!! The worship and the message were very good and the overall workings of the church were similar to Valley Family Church so I felt at home :).
Later on that day I was invited by a new couple from Switzerland (they will be students like me) to go to the beach with them. So I decided, "heck yes! get me out of this house for a while!" It was definitely an adventure. We went to a wind-surfing school and the couple was reunited with a guy they met several years ago. Since then, he has become a Christian and has a wonderful vision of using this surfing school as a ministry. He talked and talked about what God has done in His life. Praise God for giving me grace to understand almost everything he said in Spanish!! We hung out there and played paddle ball on the beach (the closest thing to tennis that I've played so far)---LOVED IT. When we started playing the guy I was playing against was like "just let me know when you get tired because I will just keep playing and playing!" So we played for quite a while and then I could tell he was getting so tired and so I asked him if he wanted to quit and he was like "YES you win." Haha!! Anyways, it was very fun and I got a lottt of sun. We then went to a restaurant and had some yummy food and pina con leche (a pinapple/milk drink).
Okay I think that's all for now. God is good!!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Sucio Pero Muy Contenta
The title of this post in English says "Dirty but very happy/content". I just got back from working many hours at another YWAM house scrubbing chairs and powerwashing them. It was so fun! But I'm covered in dirt and paint chips.
It's such an interesting thing now that I have been here for about a week and a half. People are slowly getting to know me and I them. I thoroughly enjoy watching their personalities emerge! God definitely knew what He was doing when making us all so different. Everyone has their own way of doing things and their own way of thinking.
Today we studied Ephesians 5 with small groups. I understood most of what was discussed, but I just wanted to sit back and observe the group. Some people were focused on writing down every word and highlighting it with a coordinating color. Others just wanted to get the task accomplished quickly and efficiently. haha..we are funny aren't we?
Anyway, I have enjoyed being myself more today.. Laughing and joking around...that's hard to do in a new place with a new language. But it's coming.
Thank you for your prayers!!
It's such an interesting thing now that I have been here for about a week and a half. People are slowly getting to know me and I them. I thoroughly enjoy watching their personalities emerge! God definitely knew what He was doing when making us all so different. Everyone has their own way of doing things and their own way of thinking.
Today we studied Ephesians 5 with small groups. I understood most of what was discussed, but I just wanted to sit back and observe the group. Some people were focused on writing down every word and highlighting it with a coordinating color. Others just wanted to get the task accomplished quickly and efficiently. haha..we are funny aren't we?
Anyway, I have enjoyed being myself more today.. Laughing and joking around...that's hard to do in a new place with a new language. But it's coming.
Thank you for your prayers!!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Only God
Buenas Tardes everyone!
I was just thinking about what I've learned during my first week here in Colombia. Many Many things are new to me, of course. But recently the main lesson God has been laying on my heart is simply this: He is my only guarantee.
In the Latin American culture everyone is more laid back, more communal and social, less organized and scheduled. So, as a "gringo" as they call us... this is very difficult to get used to. For example: there is no guarantee here that I will have internet when I want it. There is no guarantee that I will have a fan that works at night or toilet paper when I need it. There's no guarantee that I will have purified water or that I will go to the bank on the day that I planned to go there. There's no guarantee that church will start at the scheduled time or even within the hour.
Although these things are frusterating to me at times, they are also God's way of teaching me to rely on Him for consistency and reliability. It helps me to relax and to learn patience.
Anyway, things are going very well here. Everyone is gracious to me as I continue to learn Spanish.
We visited the beach for the first time last night. How absolutely beautiful!! Counting the people there would be nearly impossible. It was packed! And along the beach they have these little shack/huts that you can rent out. It was like renting a little room on the beach! The water was so warm and the waves were huge! But I hated the salt stinging in my eyes. That's something we don't have in Lake Michigan!
I was just thinking about what I've learned during my first week here in Colombia. Many Many things are new to me, of course. But recently the main lesson God has been laying on my heart is simply this: He is my only guarantee.
In the Latin American culture everyone is more laid back, more communal and social, less organized and scheduled. So, as a "gringo" as they call us... this is very difficult to get used to. For example: there is no guarantee here that I will have internet when I want it. There is no guarantee that I will have a fan that works at night or toilet paper when I need it. There's no guarantee that I will have purified water or that I will go to the bank on the day that I planned to go there. There's no guarantee that church will start at the scheduled time or even within the hour.
Although these things are frusterating to me at times, they are also God's way of teaching me to rely on Him for consistency and reliability. It helps me to relax and to learn patience.
Anyway, things are going very well here. Everyone is gracious to me as I continue to learn Spanish.
We visited the beach for the first time last night. How absolutely beautiful!! Counting the people there would be nearly impossible. It was packed! And along the beach they have these little shack/huts that you can rent out. It was like renting a little room on the beach! The water was so warm and the waves were huge! But I hated the salt stinging in my eyes. That's something we don't have in Lake Michigan!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
God Is Good!
Last night I went downtown again with many staff members. It was an incredible time of relationship building! Yesterday was a huge breakthrough for me and the language barrier. Many of the staff members realized that I am actually able to communicate in Spanish just slowly and with help! So I talked openly in Spanish with one person all the way downtown, another person all the way back and many people in between. I was so excited to connect with people!
It's was wonderful to be able to talk about what God has done in my life, how I got here, what I want to do after...you know, real conversation, in another language. This is what I mean by "La Fruta". My heart's desire is to be able to connect with these people on a deep level, to be able to understand what God is doing in their lives and to be able to easily speak about His work in my life as well. I want to bless them and get to know them. So, I'm incredibly thankful as God has stirred up the Spanish language in my heart and He goes before me in all situations. :)
This morning was a bit more difficult...
I attended church with a Swiss girl and a Venezuelan girl. As many of you know, the latinos are very passionate and long-winded in their worship services. I love this, but it was frusterating because I had a very difficult time understanding what was being said and sung,etc. It was a bit discouraging; however, God is faithful in encouraging me and helping me to lean on Him during times of frusteration.
He showed me some really good scriptures today:
Psalm 20: 1-5 says "May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests."
Also, I spent some time reading over Psalm 107 which really speaks to my prayer for this city and country in Colombia. I believe God is doing some incredible things here.
Psalm 107: 28-31 "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a shisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men." verse 36-38 says "there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle. They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruiful harvest; he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish." AMEN!!
Hey, good news I'm now at the point in my Spanish speaking that I am forgetting English words!! Haha! Sometimes people will ask me in spanish how to say something in English and I simply cannot remember the word for the life of me! how funny is that?!
Love you all :)
It's was wonderful to be able to talk about what God has done in my life, how I got here, what I want to do after...you know, real conversation, in another language. This is what I mean by "La Fruta". My heart's desire is to be able to connect with these people on a deep level, to be able to understand what God is doing in their lives and to be able to easily speak about His work in my life as well. I want to bless them and get to know them. So, I'm incredibly thankful as God has stirred up the Spanish language in my heart and He goes before me in all situations. :)
This morning was a bit more difficult...
I attended church with a Swiss girl and a Venezuelan girl. As many of you know, the latinos are very passionate and long-winded in their worship services. I love this, but it was frusterating because I had a very difficult time understanding what was being said and sung,etc. It was a bit discouraging; however, God is faithful in encouraging me and helping me to lean on Him during times of frusteration.
He showed me some really good scriptures today:
Psalm 20: 1-5 says "May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests."
Also, I spent some time reading over Psalm 107 which really speaks to my prayer for this city and country in Colombia. I believe God is doing some incredible things here.
Psalm 107: 28-31 "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a shisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men." verse 36-38 says "there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle. They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruiful harvest; he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish." AMEN!!
Hey, good news I'm now at the point in my Spanish speaking that I am forgetting English words!! Haha! Sometimes people will ask me in spanish how to say something in English and I simply cannot remember the word for the life of me! how funny is that?!
Love you all :)
Friday, January 7, 2011
Day 4
Goodness goodness goodness..the things I am learning!
I love to think about all the new connections my brain is making by simply living in a different culture and learning a new language.
Last night and today was the start of the staff training here which I am included in for now. Markus has been preaching about the new year and our upcoming goals, the things God is calling us to, the negative attributes we must leave behind. Spending two and a half hours listening and speaking Spanish today has completely wiped me out. The people here say I am doing really well with the langauge...thank You, God! Every day I learn some new words, and my mind adjusts to listening more and more. Today I learned the word for peanut butter, which is a very important word in my life! :)
Before I forget I have to complain about this one thing: When I first arrived I was under the impression that they really weren't many mosquitos, because, in fact, I saw my first one just as I was typing this to you! The problem I have learned is that the mosquitos here do not make the buzzing sound!! So instead of having some sort of warning, the nasty little guy gets ya every time!! I'm not happy about this at all.
Okay here are a few photos of the place I'm staying at for those of you who don't have facebook!
Most of these are pretty self explanatory I'd say...
I don't have much time, but please pray for me because I am having some stomach problems right now. Thanking God for His goodness, healing and protection, I'll be just fine!! Thank you! !Chao!
I love to think about all the new connections my brain is making by simply living in a different culture and learning a new language.
Last night and today was the start of the staff training here which I am included in for now. Markus has been preaching about the new year and our upcoming goals, the things God is calling us to, the negative attributes we must leave behind. Spending two and a half hours listening and speaking Spanish today has completely wiped me out. The people here say I am doing really well with the langauge...thank You, God! Every day I learn some new words, and my mind adjusts to listening more and more. Today I learned the word for peanut butter, which is a very important word in my life! :)
Before I forget I have to complain about this one thing: When I first arrived I was under the impression that they really weren't many mosquitos, because, in fact, I saw my first one just as I was typing this to you! The problem I have learned is that the mosquitos here do not make the buzzing sound!! So instead of having some sort of warning, the nasty little guy gets ya every time!! I'm not happy about this at all.
Okay here are a few photos of the place I'm staying at for those of you who don't have facebook!
I don't have much time, but please pray for me because I am having some stomach problems right now. Thanking God for His goodness, healing and protection, I'll be just fine!! Thank you! !Chao!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Day 2 and 3
!Hola Hola!
Having just finished sweeping the apartment and helping with laundry, I have time now to update you all!
Wow, already so much has happened. Things are always changing and getting easier for me! Praise God!
Yesterday, I did a whole lot of nothing really, during the day at least. Visiting a little tienda (store) was the highlight of the day. Many more staff members came yesterday and they all tak so extremely fast! So for a while I was homesick and a bit overwhelmed with all of the Spanish. Last night, however, I ventured out with many of the staff members to the older, Spanish part of the city. I spent most of this time walking and talking with Jonathon who works with Markus, the director here. He is very friendly and speaks pretty good English. So, it was good to establish a connection with him as we help each other learn the other's native language.
What a perfectly breezy, cool night it was to walk downtown! Sorry about the massive pictures everywhere, but I haven't yet figured out how to make a gallery on the side of my blog, so here they are! :) Anyway, the first picture above is of the streets near el centro (the center). There are many tiny, old houses packed into these streets...a very poor area but beautiful! The second picture is of some sort of abolitionist church that helped house slaves...it was likely built in the 1600s some time.
Here is one of many pictures of the center area. The guys standing near the bottom left corner are police (la policia). They have these big bats or rods that they have attached to their belts--quite alarming I would say. They are literally everywhere too. We were often walking with them or passing by them the whole night.
This area attracts many tourists, mostly from Europe I think. So the restaurants and stores are very elegant.
Okay, I'm officially in love with this city. You might be as well after seeing these pictures. It reminds me of Italy sort of. Jonathon was painting a mental picture for me of what it's like in these tiny streets during Christmas time: the streets and houses are decorated with lights. Everyone leaves their doors open and all of the adults and children and dogs and cats move in the streets like a big dancing party. Everyone is like one big family. I love it!
Well, that's all for now, I'll continue this later. Almuerzo esta listo. (lunch is ready) :))
Having just finished sweeping the apartment and helping with laundry, I have time now to update you all!
Wow, already so much has happened. Things are always changing and getting easier for me! Praise God!
Yesterday, I did a whole lot of nothing really, during the day at least. Visiting a little tienda (store) was the highlight of the day. Many more staff members came yesterday and they all tak so extremely fast! So for a while I was homesick and a bit overwhelmed with all of the Spanish. Last night, however, I ventured out with many of the staff members to the older, Spanish part of the city. I spent most of this time walking and talking with Jonathon who works with Markus, the director here. He is very friendly and speaks pretty good English. So, it was good to establish a connection with him as we help each other learn the other's native language.
Here is one of many pictures of the center area. The guys standing near the bottom left corner are police (la policia). They have these big bats or rods that they have attached to their belts--quite alarming I would say. They are literally everywhere too. We were often walking with them or passing by them the whole night. 
Hahaha! This was funny...I was walking with Jonathon and I looked over at these statues. Now, you must understand that the city has many figures, looking similar to these ones, that are clearly not real. Well, I looked at them again and I was like, they almost look real, and then one blinked!! It was so surprising! Jonathon put a coin in his bucket and that's him holding his hand out to shake mine in the second picture...so great :)..
Well, that's all for now, I'll continue this later. Almuerzo esta listo. (lunch is ready) :))
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Day 1
Okay, I need to set the scene for you:
This apartment I am staying in is right on the corner of two busy streets, on an island, in the city of Cartagena. So, pretty much all day long I hear cars, loud music, dogs barking, construction workers, the lady below us washing dishes...
Especially wonderful is the location of my bed and the shower. :) My bunk bed is located right near a window which of course is completely open with no shades all day every day. Conveniently, the building across the street from ours is currently under construction with workers on various stories of the building all day long. It is as if they are perched on my windowsill hollering from 6am until late at night. The better part of this story is the shower. Cold water. A bold, skinny water stream. Open window. a waffle-like shade covering it which blows away in the wind. Now, lets remember: there are worker men in the building across the street. Needless to say I did not spend a lot of time standing up in the shower. :)
Anyway, today I swept the whole apartment and helped one of the German girls, Regina, clean the lavanderia (laundry room). I'm working on my first blister actually...what a wimp I am! Just kidding, it was actually quite fun because since the humidity is so high here, the dirt sort of clumps together and does whatever you want it to do! So sweeping was a piece of cake.
Then I met Diana and Markus (the directors) and we all ate lunch with the cook (Marie). This was when all of the Spanish speaking began. I haven't done a ton of speaking, but my comprehension has been really good! yay!! After lunch, which included this awful tasting salad, we walked to el centro comercial (the mall). There we stopped at Waffles and Crepes and had these beautiful desserts! ...I forgot my camera :(... Then Julienne, the other German girl, and I toured the mall and attempted to get some money for me from the ATM which didn't work.
Also, Julienne was explaining to me that the area we live in is the richer area of town and so the mall we visited had mostly light-skinned Colombians. If we were in a poorer area they all have dark skin. 30% of the population has all of the wealth, but you cannot tell who is wealthy and who is not. This is because Colombians value what they look like even more than food. So the poorest of the poor will buy clothing over putting food on the table. How sad!
I was informed today that Colombia is just coming out of the rainy season, hence the flooding, and will be moving into the hottest time of the year. I think it's plenty warm now, but Regina said by April it will be so hot you can't even breathe!
Truly amazing is God's timing as I continue this journey. Today is the only day at the base without a bunch of people. 20 staff members will be moving back in starting tomorrow and from then we will add 25-40 students for the DTS. Right now there are only 3 people living here! Hardly any Colombians know English, so I will have to hit it hard when they arrive. I'm so thankful that God planned it so I could have a day to ease into things and get settled before the chaos begins!
That's all for now! Hasta Luegoo
This apartment I am staying in is right on the corner of two busy streets, on an island, in the city of Cartagena. So, pretty much all day long I hear cars, loud music, dogs barking, construction workers, the lady below us washing dishes...
Especially wonderful is the location of my bed and the shower. :) My bunk bed is located right near a window which of course is completely open with no shades all day every day. Conveniently, the building across the street from ours is currently under construction with workers on various stories of the building all day long. It is as if they are perched on my windowsill hollering from 6am until late at night. The better part of this story is the shower. Cold water. A bold, skinny water stream. Open window. a waffle-like shade covering it which blows away in the wind. Now, lets remember: there are worker men in the building across the street. Needless to say I did not spend a lot of time standing up in the shower. :)
Anyway, today I swept the whole apartment and helped one of the German girls, Regina, clean the lavanderia (laundry room). I'm working on my first blister actually...what a wimp I am! Just kidding, it was actually quite fun because since the humidity is so high here, the dirt sort of clumps together and does whatever you want it to do! So sweeping was a piece of cake.
Then I met Diana and Markus (the directors) and we all ate lunch with the cook (Marie). This was when all of the Spanish speaking began. I haven't done a ton of speaking, but my comprehension has been really good! yay!! After lunch, which included this awful tasting salad, we walked to el centro comercial (the mall). There we stopped at Waffles and Crepes and had these beautiful desserts! ...I forgot my camera :(... Then Julienne, the other German girl, and I toured the mall and attempted to get some money for me from the ATM which didn't work.
Also, Julienne was explaining to me that the area we live in is the richer area of town and so the mall we visited had mostly light-skinned Colombians. If we were in a poorer area they all have dark skin. 30% of the population has all of the wealth, but you cannot tell who is wealthy and who is not. This is because Colombians value what they look like even more than food. So the poorest of the poor will buy clothing over putting food on the table. How sad!
I was informed today that Colombia is just coming out of the rainy season, hence the flooding, and will be moving into the hottest time of the year. I think it's plenty warm now, but Regina said by April it will be so hot you can't even breathe!
Truly amazing is God's timing as I continue this journey. Today is the only day at the base without a bunch of people. 20 staff members will be moving back in starting tomorrow and from then we will add 25-40 students for the DTS. Right now there are only 3 people living here! Hardly any Colombians know English, so I will have to hit it hard when they arrive. I'm so thankful that God planned it so I could have a day to ease into things and get settled before the chaos begins!
That's all for now! Hasta Luegoo
Monday, January 3, 2011
Here!
Hola from Cartagena, Colombia! To all who have been praying and thinking of me as I travel, I am safely on the YWAM base here. Already God has worked in my heart tremendously! During my flight down here, I read a book called Supernatural Acceleration by Tim Rogers. It blessed me so much!
He talked about learning a language quickly and efficiently by faith in the Power of God. As we are obedient to God's call on our lives, he will grant us the desires of our hearts and equip us to fullfill His call. The author explains how important it is for God to find people who are willing to go all out for Him in these end times. The Father is looking to do radical things quickly as our time here on earth runs out. The author encouraged his readers to believe God for big things and for help in doing His will, in this case, learning Spanish quickly!
So, I'm looking forward to watching God work through my further learning of Espanol!!
Anyway, just wanted to give a quick update, and now I'm off to bed in this hot, muggy weather!
He talked about learning a language quickly and efficiently by faith in the Power of God. As we are obedient to God's call on our lives, he will grant us the desires of our hearts and equip us to fullfill His call. The author explains how important it is for God to find people who are willing to go all out for Him in these end times. The Father is looking to do radical things quickly as our time here on earth runs out. The author encouraged his readers to believe God for big things and for help in doing His will, in this case, learning Spanish quickly!
So, I'm looking forward to watching God work through my further learning of Espanol!!
Anyway, just wanted to give a quick update, and now I'm off to bed in this hot, muggy weather!
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