"My" Kids

Here are some pictures of them finally :)

Lucas- 1 year and 7 months

Diego- 1 year and 6 months

Esperanza- 11 months

I left the home yesterday for two hours and we got a new arrival in my absence! Cute little Diego. But he's having a rough time, since his mom dropped him off at the government office and they then brought him straight here, as they didn't really have anywhere else to put him. I can't begin to imagine how the little guys must feel!

As for right now I kind of feel like the boys see me as "the mean lady that gives them medicine", but I'm looking forward to getting to know them better and having them get comfortable here! Day one at a new place would be hard for anyone I think. Thanks for praying for me and them!

Finally Here!

     Boy, has it been a long week!! We were supposed to have a number of babies arrive last week, by Friday, but none actually came when they were supposed to. This was fairly frustrating, but then again not too surprising, since things are just run differently down here. And it was nice to have just a little bit more time to spend getting everything ready at the home- buying a few last minute supplies and making some baby food.      However, we did get our first little girl Monday!! She's really quite adorable. Her name is Esperanza, and she is 11 months old. And now today, we have a new arrival- Lucas! Who is probably one of the cutest little boys I've ever seen in my life.  He is a year and seven months, and absolutely adorable! I'll have to upload pictures soon of the two of them.
     So, why are these little ones here. Well, let's start with Esperanza. This little girl, as I said, is 11 months old and weighs just 7 pounds. Basically she's the size of a newborn, which is absolutely heartbreaking. She was born with a cleft pallate and also has a hole in her heart. Her heart has to work way more than it should and is therefore consuming nearly all the calories she takes in to keep it pumping. Then she isn't putting any weight on because of that, and therefore isn't growing.  We've been to a number of doctors, and we're hoping to get her in for surgery soon to fix her heart defect, but it may take a while. To do the surgery here in Santa Cruz it will cost roughly 10 thousand dollars. There is a clinic in town called Mission of Hope which gives free health care, and this April will probably be having a team come that could perform the surgery for free, but it's really not a surgery we want to put off with her being in the condition she's in. However, at the clinic they told us that there's a place in Cochabamba, a city that's an hour flight or day's drive from here, that would possibly do it at a smaller price, or another place in La Paz that does surgeries for free but we don't know if they would perform this one specifically. So, a number of options, but right now we're just taking it day by day, praying that she will continue to get better little by little and that God would be watching over her and helping her to grow, despite her condition. And it's great to see how she's improved even in the four days she's been here! She was very quiet and her eyes seemed a bit glazed over and already she is livening up a bit, which is encouraging to all of us! But please do pray for her... she's in rough shape!
     Lucas isn't doing quite so bad. He has HIV, but isn't sick at all. There has been Hep A going around where he was last, so they wanted to transfer him here to protect him from getting sick from that. He just arrived a few hours ago and is pretty shy, but he's slowly warming up to us. It's a lot of changes for the little tike I'm sure, so he's a bit quiet, but I look forward to seeing him break out of his shell a little. Again, I just have to say it, he is sooo cute! I'll do my best to put on some pics tomorrow.
    We were also told that there's another girl they'd like to bring, who is a year and six months. She also has HIV but we don't know whether she's sick or not, so whether we take her or not is going to depend on that a lot I think. It would be hard to take her in if she is because of all the attention we are already having to give Esperanza. However, if she's not sick, it could be nice to have a little playmate for Lucas. So, time will tell I suppose.
    Thanks so much for praying! It's exciting to see things finally coming together like we've been waiting for! For right now I'm working 24 hour shifts every other day with a 2 hour break at 2:30, and then I'm covering for another worker on my days off as she has classes from about 6:30 to 10:30. It's been quite exciting to see God bring things together. I'm so thankful to be here and get to be a part of this during such an exciting time of getting everything up and going. Please pray for us that we would have wisdom as we try to decide how to provide care for these little ones, and also that we would depend on His strength to get us through the tougher days. God is good. I'm thankful to be a part of what He is doing here and am excited to see where this road will go for these little ones.

The Babies are Coming! The Babies are Coming!

EEEEeeeeeeeek!!! Two babies are arriving Friday!!!! And then another should be coming in a week or two as well.  Thanks all who have been praying and I hope you will continue! This is sure to take some transitioning! Praise the Lord!

My New World

     While living in Santa Cruz Bolivia is not like living out in the jungle without running water or electricity or cars or internet, it is definitely a bit different from the States. I've been here before, but there are still a number of things that suprise me, and I can remember a number of differences that at first were quite different, and would like to share them with you so you might get a better glimpse into my new world here.
     First off, they have an increasingly impressive amount of candy here generally found in the States, but peanut butter mm's isn't among them, which makes me sad as I'm nearing the end of my bag. But seriously... The city here is set up in a ring system that branches off of the center plaza, and then the roads are radials shooting out from the center (and also the main rings of course).  Something that caught my attention shortly after arriving was that people don't tend to stay within the lines as they do in the states.  Most main roads that are one-way will have three lanes, but it's not at all uncommon to see four cars lined up side by side waiting at the stop light. That is, if they even wait... it seems that red lights are mostly optional here, especially if the intersection is not a busy one. People may stop for a moment, but it's not surprising if when they see no one around they simply continue on there way.
     Another thing I noticed after a few days was the feeling for being trapped, in a sense. All the houses here are surrounded by high walls, often covered with barbs or broken glass, and the way of entrance is through a gate usually covered with points as well.  On the other hand, I've rarely experienced a more inviting culture. I met a girl last Friday night at a small group and saw her again on Sunday and she invited me over to have lunch with her family that she could get to know me better. I enjoyed a home cooked meal of chicken and rice (a staple in the Bolivian diet) and sat and talked religion and politics- in my less-than-wonderful Spanish and their poor anunciation haha. But I can't tell you how touched I was to receive this invite from someone I hardly knew, that certainly didn't know me; and to be shown so much love just because.
     Something else that one from the states might find quite different is the level of sanitation (this isn't so much Bolivia in general so much as the city of Santa Cruz).  Words can't begin to tell the amount of trash in the streets here. There are baskets in front of the gates of people's homes in which they put there trash, which is clearly not a very effective system, because there is literally trash everywhere. Plastic bags, used diapers, rotting food scraps- all causing mountains of flies! Not to mention the scavengers, mostly dogs, who tear open the bags looking for food only to cause more of a mess. On the other side, again, however, you can speak of the Bolivian greeting here, which is a kiss on the cheek. Clearly less "hygenic" than in the states, but it also speaks of their love for others. I can't imagine going in to my church at home and seeing everyone greeting this way- we have hand sanitizer in the back so we don't spread to many germs by shaking hands! (Not trying to rip on my church, just pointing out the cultural difference :) it's ok, I'm a bit of a germophobe myself!)  
    I think, perhaps, that one of the greatest thing for an american to adjust to, is how they do time here. Nothing starts on time, ever. And the bigger the event the later it starts. For whatever reason; I'm still trying to figure this one out, but that's how it is. I've been used to church starting 20 minutes late, but I was in for a shock when I went to a church's conference that was held two weekends ago- we were told that it started at 7:30, and my friend/coworker Gabby, and her son and I showed up pretty much right at 7:30. There were two musicians there, other than that we were the first to arrive. So we waited, and we waited, and we waited some more. It finally started at 8:30. I was relatively stunned. And there were still people coming long after it started. (Yes, there were people from a ways away, but still, I was surprised even!) But part of this slowness, I think, branches out from that fact that it is more important to just "be" with people than to be doing something or going somewhere. It's more important to stay and finish that conversation with a friend than it is to be on time to church. I appreciate the way they enjoy and live there life. They'd rather spend time with people, living life with one another, than be working that second job trying to get a newer bigger tv and car and house that they may finally obtain the happiness that is always just out of reach. (Again, not trying to offend anyone or point fingers at anyone in general, just pointing out a difference in the cultures I see here and at home.)
    Not all the differences are good or bad, just, well, different. I'm guessing there's much more I could say, and your picture of this place isn't nearly as clear as I would like it to be, but it's hard to picture it completely without actually being here for yourself.  It's taken a while to adjust, but I'm exited to set aside some of these differences and continue to learn about this world myself and see the beauty amidst the mess. Although, in light of this now empty bag, I do hope they start selling peanut butter mm's soon...

Something I've been Pondering

    "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:1-5.
    Take a moment to chew on that.  "More than that, we rejoice in sufferings..."  I've read through Romans many times but that verse had never caught my attention before.  It reminded me of another verse that I find fascinating- Philippians 1:29, which says, "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake..." The use of the word "granted" makes it sound as though this is a desirable, coveted thing, to suffer for Christ.
    In light of this, is it strange that my desire this year is to suffer for Christ? I have been pondering it a lot, and while I have no idea what this means or looks like specifically, it is my hope and prayer that in some way I may suffer on His behalf, that I may better understand who He is and become more like Him.  And I am confident that I need not worry about seeking/hoping for this, as it says in the verse above, suffering will ultimately produce hope, which "does not put us to shame."  And what more do we need to know than that?

I Made It!

Hey Guys!
   Sorry I didn't give an update sooner- I was hoping to last night but my computer plug in is three prongs and the plug in only has two, so my computer died and I didn't get a chance to find an adapter till tonight. Anyways... I just wanted to give a little update on how my trip went and how my first couple days have gone!
   Well, I made it! Praise God I had three great flights with almost no problems.  The only time I was a little nervous was when I checked in for my flight out of Miami.  They said I was supposed to have return tickets booked, but I showed them an intro letter from Pastor Eldon and an invitation letter from the Hoffmans and they were content with that.  I was nervous also that I may have trouble gettinjg throu customs but they stamped my passport without hesitation and didn't even bother to look through my bags but sent me right through the doors.  I was also a bit surprised but quite thankful to see both my bags there! What a blessing for everything to have gone so well! 
   My first two days here have been tiring, but also quite fun.  My flight arrived on time at 3am, so by the time I got home and somewhat settled and into bed it was just after 5. I slept in till about noon and got ready and joined the Hoffmans for lunch- celebrating the birthday of the daughter of one of the staff memebers.  It was slightly intimidating b ut also exciting to meet a number of the people I will be living and working with this year.  I was aple to grasp just how rusty my Spanish is as I tried to converse with Gabby, who lives in the room next door to mine above the orphanage.  That evening I was able to have dinner with Heather and Kayleen Mickelson, and also their cousin who is visiting from the states. What joy this brought me! And after supper we went to Cristo Viene Girls home, where I spent much time last time I was here. It was exciting to see the new location of the home, as I knew they had been hoping to move for sometime, but it was also a little sad as I only recognized a few girls and they didn't remember me, since they were so young last time I saw them.
  Today was another fun but tiring day.  I slept in a little again and then spent the majority of the afternoon playing with three of the Hoffman children- Ella, Manny, and Willi. They are adorable, and it was so fun to get to know them a bit. Later this evening we went to the seminary where they were holding a conference for the vineyard church.  I got to sing a few songs and listen to the speaker (who was from the states) all in Spanish, which was good practice for me. I've always found gringos (people from the states) are much easier to understand, even in spanish, than native speakers. Probably because we share the same accent.  Afterwards, while waiting for the kids to get out, I was able to have a good chat with Gabby (the girl that lives next to me) about a variety of different things. She is so great and I very much look forward to getting to know her better as I work here!
    I really miss being home but it's also so exciting to finally be back! I've forgotten how much I love this city and the people here. Thanks so much for your support and prayers! If you get a chance, here are a few requests I have- that my Spanish would improve quickly that I would be able to understand and speak it well. - for the Judah Quy home, we are hoping the first baby will arrive by the end of January sometime, and we are hoping to eventually get up to 6 babies at the home. -and one last thing, just that I would be able to develop meaningful, lasting relationships with people, both Bolivians and other missionaries that are here. It's been a blessing to meet many people I hadn't before, and I'm excited to get to know some of them better.
Sending Blessings and Warm Weather Your Way!

25 Days to Departure

    "I know those dreams you're trying to chase, you want'em now but they won't wait. Last thing you're thinking about is slowing it down and the ones you left behind. I'm always thinking of you 'cause when somebody loves you that's what they do, all of the time. So keep in mind..."
    These are the lyrics to a newer song out on the radio, and I can imagine they come from a dad like mine.
     I can't tell you how excited I am to return to Bolivia and how thrilled I am that it's finally almost time for me to head south.  But that doesn't take away from the fact that I'm going to be quite sad to leave!  It's crazy to think about being so far away for so long. Apart from the time I spent 10 weeks in Bolivia, I've always lived within 45 minutes or so of home. While I'm excited to go see what God has for me, I also know that this will likely be one of the most difficult years of my life.  If my departure is just under a month away, and I'm already sad about saying goodbye, I can only imagine what it will be like at the airport when my family drops me off. Foget tissues, I'm gonna need a beach towell to dry those tears! haha
    Mom, Dad, Ben, Trevor, Cassie, Christopher and Michelle, and all my other dear friends and relatives- I love you a ton and am going to miss each of you sooo much!