tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71687195901367250992024-03-13T12:29:40.479-07:00Trust Without BordersAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-86151370266771719642017-06-19T18:55:00.000-07:002017-06-19T18:55:22.110-07:00El Centro y Mas Aventuras<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">SO much has happened since my last post. I wish I had had time to post again earlier, but I guess it's a good thing that I've been busy! There has been so much going on and with me only being in Bolivia for 15 days, I have been wanting to use EVERY minute to explore, spend time with the ones I love down here, and soak it all in. I will try to pack everything I've done in the past week into one (probaby long) post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Tuesday, it was the first day I was able to visit El Centro. I showed up and was told "you're subbing for 3rd grade today!" Ooook! Here we go! </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because David was in La Paz with Mama Toti to get their stuff figured out to be able to visit Joana in England, I was going to teach his class. He had told me I might be helping in that class, but I wasn't exactly aware that I was in charge. ;) </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't know what they do in 3rd grade, who the kids are, there is a language barrier, and it is only my first day but let's do this! Luckily there is a 6th grade helper in the 3rd grade (Paola) and she helped me figure out a little bit of what they do. However, the 3rd grade class at the center is quite a bit naughtier than any of the other classes. I winged it a little bit, and we made do. :) Besides the kids being quite naughty, we read a Bible story which is how I was told they start, and then I was told to do homework with them. When all the kids got there, they told me they didn't have homework as they had a test tomorrow. OH BOY. So NOW what do we do?! I put together a quick review game to review multiplication for their test and we made it work! They seemed to have a lot of fun, and I hope at least they got some good reviewing in for their test the next day. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The next day, I was told again that I would be helping sub as the 2nd grade teacher would be arriving a little bit late. These students however were MUCH more behaved, and they were a fun crew. The teacher arrived after about 20 minutes, but I was able to read a couple of stories to them and spend the rest of the day in their class as well. It was a lot of fun because it was 2 of the boys' birthdays that week, and so the teacher had brought a cake to celebrate their birthdays together. I was able to stay for the celebration. We went around the tables and shared one thing each about what we appreciated or liked about the boys and then wished them happy birthday before all sharing the birthday cake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The last day at the center this past week, I helped in 3rd grade again. It was much easier with David there as well. The students acted out a Bible story they had been learning about and then we worked on multiplication again. I sat with a couple of boys and helped them complete their multiplication problems. It has been a long time since I've done multiplication like this! The center is such a blast, even though I don't know many of the kids because the majority of the students I had 3 years ago already have graduated from the program. The center is grades Kinder-5th. (Last time when I was here, they served grades 1st-6th). I am getting to know them, and I worked really hard at learning all the names of the 2nd and 3rd graders. After a few (actually many) mistakes, by Friday I could say I learned them all. Some of the names are very different from any names in the US, so it's a lot harder to remember them. There are a couple students there that I do remember from my time here three years ago. I was able to see Veronica, who is the sister to Arminda, who I will share about later! I was also able to see the siblings Gabriel and Mariana. I remember those 3 students, and even though they didn't remember me as they were quite young when I was here three years ago, I was able to show them photos of us 3 years ago as proof that I truly was here and remember them! They were pretty surprised!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One day this past week was a holiday. (There seems to be lots of holidays in Bolivia, as there is one this week, too!) That means there is no school and no Center. Instead, David accompanied Kate and I to Parque Tunari!! I went to Parque Tunari last time as well, and it is BEAUTIFUL. We were only going to climb to kilometer 5, but decided to keep going..and keep going... and it ended up being quite a long hike. Most of the time we stuck to the road that winds back and forth up the mountain. But after some time, we decided to take the "stairs" that are carved into the mountain to sort of make it go faster. However, at this elevation (we started at about 10,000 ft elevation) it is VERY difficult to climb stairs when you're up that high. It's a lot harder to breathe and I am not exactly in great shape! It is safe to say my legs were KILLING me (and still are!) after that long hike. After getting to about kilometer 8 or 9, we decided to turn back home. We didn't bring any food with us and we wanted to get back somewhat at a decent time to eat lunch. We got home around 2:30, so we hiked for a total of about 4 hours. It was a wonderful time spent with David, though. We were able to talk, hear more about him and his life, and just have some good quality time together. He is a great dad, and I love spending time here with him! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One night last week, we sat at the kitchen table after supper and talked with Mama Toti for about 3 hours! She shared her life story, more about her family and the Quiroga family, and just lots of different things about her life. It was a special time to be able to sit and have time with just her and Kate. It is also great practice for my Spanish! The next night, we did the same but with Papa David. He shared more of his story, more about his family, etc. I really appreciate that time to sit and share and hear more about their stories, their lives, their work at the Center, and more about Bolivia. I am glad I am getting that time with them while I am here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Saturday morning, Isaac took us to El Cristo de la Concorida!! This is the largest Christ statue in the western hemisphere. (Yes, it is larger than the famous one in Brazil!) We went on the "teleferico" to the top and then decided to walk down. Yes, this was a bad choice, after our legs were still KILLING after walking so far up and down Tunari just a couple days prior. But, going down we figured was better than going up. No joke, my legs felt like jello after and wouldn't stop shaking! There are so many steps down! But when you're up there, the views are incredible! The statue opened to be able to climb up inside while we were up there as well, so climbed up until the point of the statue's arms. It is really dark inside, but so fun to look out through the small holes over all the city. It is a special experience, and something I am glad I was able to experience again! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sunday we went to church again. Church is quite long on Sundays. We go by taxi and arrive at about 9, but don't get out of there til close to 12:00 probably. The church is held at El Centro. In the middle of the service, after singing, prayer time, and communion, everyone goes to different rooms for "Bible Study". I went with the young people's group that is basically middle and high schoolers. We went through a chapter of a Bible Study book they have been using. After that, everyone gets back together in the main room for more singing and THEN a message. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They asked me to come to the front so that they could pray for me as it was my last Sunday with them. I will be leaving next Sunday, but SUPER early in the morning. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is a long morning, but it goes quite quickly with all the moving around and everything. It is a different church experience, and I really enjoy it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, Monday, I have been not feeling super great. My stomach has been a little off since Sunday night, so please be praying that I don't get MORE sick and that I get over this little bug quickly. Despite me not feeling well, I was able to go to la cancha (the market) with Mama Toti and Kate to buy some souvenirs and do a little shopping. I wanted to buy a little treat for all the kids to give them my last day at the center. After that, I took a nap and felt a little better. We had lunch and then Kate and I ventured off to a park. We took the trufi and David and Toti went along but just dropped us off and explained how to get back. It was a beautiful park. We walked around a little bit then took the trufi back home. We decided we didn't want to sit home all night, so then we took the microbus G down to Avenida America, found a place to sit down and decided to order some pizza. It was delicious. After that, we walked to the supermarket and looked around some and bought a couple things. Then we successfully found the microbus G to return home. Everything was going great, right?! Until the bus broke down in the middle of the road.... oh great. It sounded AWFUL but then we saw another one coming down the road so we quick ran off the bus to catch the other one. That one was almost full and as people were trying to pile on, the driver started driving away!! So we had to wait another 10 minutes or so for another bus G to show up to bring us home. What an adventure! We made it, though. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be praying that my stomach would start feeling better and that I could enjoy my last couple of days here! I will be flying back to the states super early in the morning on Sunday. I am ready to go home, but also ready to soak in these last Bolivian moments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Breanna</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-56339368623798836772017-06-12T18:03:00.001-07:002017-06-12T18:13:23.705-07:00Bolivia: la misma y diferente<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have been back in Bolivia now for 3 days. When thinking about what I wanted to title this post, I was thinking about all that seems so familiar and the same as the previous time I was here and what all has changed since my time here three years ago. Hence, the title -- Bolivia: la misma (the same) y diferente (and different). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I stepped off the plane into the Santa Cruz airport, I could already tell that it was the same old Bolivia. The smell was the same, the people appeared the same, and all the sights were so similar. It felt a little bit like coming "home" in that way. I missed so many things about this place so much!! I definitely missed the laid back culture, but also the busyness of the city. I missed the sights and sounds (and only some of the smells๐). I missed this culture and all that it has to offer. There are always people out and about during the day walking around in the streets and going about their work and chores. It is so hard to describe unless you have experienced and seen all of the craziness around me each day here in Cochabamba! It truly is different than anything I have ever seen. The cars and buses are always going SO fast, there seem to be no rules of the road other than "I'm bigger so get out of my way". Everyone walks places or takes "trufis" (public transportation like a taxi or bus) or public "microbuses". The hustle and bustle of the city is something I definitely missed, but I also missed the quiet up at the Quiroga house where we are further away from the busy city and more up in the mountains. The view from the rooftop is AMAZING, and you can just hear the sounds of dogs barking in the distance, construction workers working, and the cars and buses that occasionally go past. It is nice going "home" to a place that is a little away from all the craziness and busyness of the city, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another thing that was more familiar for me was the Spanish. I really was surprised how quickly I could pick up on the Spanish here. It is SO much easier than when I was in Spain, and I remember it taking a bit while I was here to be able to understand David and Mama Toti and the boys but I am doing really well! Only occasionally if one of them mumbles or says something that I don't understand will I have to ask them to repeat, but most of the time I can pick up on at least 90% of the conversation. I also could pick up on everything that was said at church!! I remember it being so hard to stay focused and actually pick up on everything they were saying in the church services when I was here three years ago, but that just shows me how much my Spanish has gotten better and improved over the last years! I was worried I was going to need a major refresher after not speaking it largely for 2+ years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The one thing that has changed so much is El Centro. They have done SO much work to the center since I was here last. There is play equipment for the kids, a new kitchen is under construction, they have "finished" a lot more of the yard and that is so cool to see all the progress that has been made!! During church and in the middle of the church service when there is a moment for "refreshments" of pastries and coffee, the kids were even enjoying the large ramp that serves as a sort of slide and all the play equipment. It was so fun to see all the children. I even recognized two kiddos that I helped at the center three years ago: Gabriel and Mariana! They clearly didn't remember me, as they were quite little when I was here, but I showed them pictures to prove that I remembered them from years back. ๐ It looks like they have changed the "programming" of what they do there a lot as well. They added a class of kindergarten and now they only go up until 6th grade. It will be fun to go to the center and actually work tomorrow to see all the changes and improvements to the classrooms. I am only sad that a lot of the students that I met during my time at the center are now old enough that they don't come. ๐ข I really hope that there is an opportunity for me to see a few of them that I was closer with. I am excited to see the rest of the kiddos tomorrow at the center, though!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now for a quick recap of what we've done so far since being here...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I said earlier, we went to church on Sunday morning at the Center. It is always great enjoying a church service there. Multiple times they welcomed us and David spoke about me returning to them after a few years and how special that is to them. I am so very blessed that they invited me to return, and I am thankful that they are so happy to have me here with them again. They truly seem very excited that I returned to see all the changes and to visit with everyone and help at the Center. When I arrived at the airport and they came and picked me up, Papa David and Mama Toti also hugged and kissed me multiple times saying how good it was to see me and how they were so happy I came to see them again. The are the kindest, most wonderful people, and I am so excited to get to spend a couple weeks with them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After church, we relaxed. I definitely hit a wall yesterday and could feel the fatigue kicking in after so much traveling. I took a three hour nap and then we all watched a movie together. This morning (Monday) we went with Mama Toti to the Cancha. When I say we I mean Kate and I. Kate is another volunteer staying here for four weeks. It is nice to have a roommate here and someone to accompany me and do things with. The cancha is the super huge market here. It is fun, but super crazy. You just have to watch out for cars and people, hope not to get run over, and definitely not to get lost from Toti. After that, I was exhausted once again and fell asleep in the trufi even, which is absolutely crazy for how rough the roads are and how wild the drivers are. There are people constantly getting on and off the buses and trufis, too. Many times people are standing because there isn't enough room for everyone to sit. We got home, I took a power nap, we ate lunch, and then David and Toti were off to La Paz. Which means, the rest of the day we have been on our own and we will be tonight and tomorrow as well. We convinced/begged Isaac to take us to get ice cream so that we could get out of the house today and not sit at home all afternoon and night. We went to "Globos" which has super good ice cream and then walked and did a little shopping around the downtown area and saw Plaza Colon and Plaza Principal. We walked a TON. I was exhausted when we returned home. It will be nice to have David and Toti home again tomorrow night. We hope everything goes well with their visit to La Paz to (hopefully!) get a VISA to visit Joana in England. We are praying that works out PERFECTO for them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That is all for now! We have done a lot in three days, but I can't wait for the time at the Centro to begin this week! I only have 2 weeks with the kiddos which will go so fast!! Tomorrow because David is gone, I will be helping out in his 3rd grade classroom!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Breanna</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brother Isaac and Howard playing guitar and singing at church</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the NEW play equipment at El Centro</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">selfie by Isaac on the microbus :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a parade going on while we were walking downtown to go to the market</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the cancha (the market)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ice cream at Globos with my roommate Kate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl774mtqCcG9PART_NYndIhpFceIHD4by5tpizbRzojhyphenhyphenfYr4hqPSqYEmJRh0mjyXkkVq6NtiSVCus8YtWm3MXHDQbmDgOm7B8iXjJkdMajwHrribbasQECDdYFI7MMb0Y_bHdd3cY6xw/s1600/IMG_2179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl774mtqCcG9PART_NYndIhpFceIHD4by5tpizbRzojhyphenhyphenfYr4hqPSqYEmJRh0mjyXkkVq6NtiSVCus8YtWm3MXHDQbmDgOm7B8iXjJkdMajwHrribbasQECDdYFI7MMb0Y_bHdd3cY6xw/s400/IMG_2179.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">during our Monday afternoon walk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99XxLm15aAK9dD0023yYwkD5VpgFDFKJpmzPyXUywCTKOeN6a7N6I7k_4BIpIjePwjJ41CsqSMNzYlcrYH55TwrOd3fcGXtdvTRViR96hfli39DNYCUU0Z3tz3kTIEL51BoB3jI8wNbo/s1600/IMG_2184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99XxLm15aAK9dD0023yYwkD5VpgFDFKJpmzPyXUywCTKOeN6a7N6I7k_4BIpIjePwjJ41CsqSMNzYlcrYH55TwrOd3fcGXtdvTRViR96hfli39DNYCUU0Z3tz3kTIEL51BoB3jI8wNbo/s400/IMG_2184.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza Principal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB4Wv6gMUSmykXWzNofXqDM9QDSxL1Yt0Ko_QzJO_1Q6JJoOh4YTMqcQ8Uc2k1poJAgkEM5TX0tSoFLxyDTyQk_PHh-nX-wse35hUzHXwe10jWnNxU9NX_6ZvXKcdSGjIjbkPrNg4lUY/s1600/IMG_2197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB4Wv6gMUSmykXWzNofXqDM9QDSxL1Yt0Ko_QzJO_1Q6JJoOh4YTMqcQ8Uc2k1poJAgkEM5TX0tSoFLxyDTyQk_PHh-nX-wse35hUzHXwe10jWnNxU9NX_6ZvXKcdSGjIjbkPrNg4lUY/s640/IMG_2197.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nighttime from the top of the Quiroga house where I am staying</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-44807246807290666172017-06-09T13:41:00.000-07:002017-06-09T13:41:05.935-07:00Returning home to Bolivia.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm sitting in the Chicago O'Hare airport currently waiting for my flight to Miami. I am already this far on my journey, and I still can't believe I am returning to the country that I fell in love with three summers ago. Three summers ago I was already a couple weeks into my stay in Cochabamba with the Quiroga family and working with International Teams at the children's center there. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I left Cochabamba three years ago, I just KNEW that I would be back. I fell in love with it there and the relationships I formed with the Quiroga family and others down in Bolivia would not be something I would forget about. I at some point in my life wanted to return and experience that place again and all of the things that made me fall in love with the country. There are SO many things I am looking forward to... watching the sunset on the roof of the Quiroga house, sitting up on the roof and drinking my morning coffee while enjoying the sites and sounds around me, the incredible mountain views, the culture that is so different from ours but so wonderful, etc. but the thing I am most excited for is hugging those that I have missed since leaving that place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I CAN'T wait to see the kiddos' smiling faces and to see how much they've grown!! I know I won't possibly be able to remember all of their names, but I know I will recognize their faces and smiles. It will be incredible to see how much they've grown and changed. I can't wait to see how El Centro has changed as well. I've seen some pictures of things they've added to El Centro de Amistad and can't wait to see all of it and how the ministry has grown and changed in the past three years. It will be such an exciting time of reunions and fun and adventures I'm sure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, I will MISS those I left in Iowa. I CRIED the past two nights when saying goodbye to Luke, and it was hard to say goodbye to the rest of my family as well. It makes it a LITTLE easier that I know I'm gone for only 2 and a half weeks rather than close to 7 like last time. It will go SO fast, but I'm so excited for all this adventure will have to offer me. Plus, I was just getting bored staying in Iowa so long. :) It was time for something fun and exciting!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pray for me and the rest of my trip!! I have a full 24 hours yet of traveling, and I know I will be EXHAUSTED upon arrival. It is different traveling by myself. I arranged all of my flights by myself, so I am just praying everything goes smoothly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Adios,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Breanna</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-22438085010618900742014-12-06T10:04:00.001-08:002014-12-06T10:04:06.210-08:00Nearing the end...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have one week until I am home. This has by far been the longest time I have been away from my home and my family. This has also been one of the hardest semesters of my life in so many ways! Yet, I think I will come away in the end grateful to have had the experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been starting to experience some of the first of the lasts. It's a bittersweet feeling because I hate change and I hate saying good-bye, especially to a place that I really love and appreciate. But the past few weeks, I have more and more SO ready to be home. I think about my sweet nephews who are growing so much without me there often. I want to just be HOME. I'm ready for Christmas as well! I've been getting so excited for Christmas, and it makes me so anxious to be home and spend the holidays with my family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanksgiving didn't even really feel like Thanksgiving this year. We had a rainy Thanksgiving weekend, but it was enjoyable. We had a large Thanksgiving meal with the rest of the program students and teachers and faculty in a restaurant. They prepared us a "traditional" American Thanksgiving meal, and it was delicious! (Especially because we haven't really had American food in so long!) It was delicious and a lot of fun to celebrate the holiday together. We played some games and even did a Secret Santa gift exchange. I did better than I thought being away from my family for the holiday. It probably helped that it wasn't my first Thanksgiving holiday away from my immediate family. (I have spent it with Derrick & Sandy in Chicago before.) And it really didn't feel like Thanksgiving at all since they don't celebrate the holiday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will miss a few things from Spain, though, so I just wanted to share a few of the things that I feel like I'm going to miss shortly after leaving this place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Speaking Spanish. It truly is one of my passions, and I've learned so much! Yet I know I have so much more to learn, and I keep desiring to speak better and keep learning! That is a lot harder not being in Spain, so I will miss the opportunity to speak and practice my Spanish all of the time!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-The professors. I love my professors here and everyone at Acento. I will miss them all so much and miss the experiences and fun class times! It also is beginning to hit me that I am DONE with classes for my undergraduate career! Woo-hoo! (But also scary! I feel so old!) On to student teaching next semester! (which I am also getting anxious and excited about!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Seville. This city is beautiful and old. I will miss walking around and seeing beautiful, old buildings and exploring the city!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Rosa. My sweet Rosa who I've stayed with all semester is so great, and I will miss her so much! It has been a blessing to be able to stay in her home and for her to open her home up to us in the way she has! She is a blessing for sure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-The lifestyle here. There is always things to do in the city, but yet it still feels like a smaller city in so many ways. I will miss being able to go out late at night and see so many people in the streets and walking around, etc. It is a great part of the culture here, and it has made living here a lot of fun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For now, though, I am ultimately looking towards being home. And when I think about it, I don't think I will miss being in Seville more than I will appreciate being home with those I love! Pray for my transition, as this week will be hard. We have lots of good-byes, packing, and tests before I head out on Saturday morning at 4 AM from my home here! I have an anxious heart about a lot of things, so I'm hoping that I continue to enjoy my last days and really feel like I just use my time well & don't get too antsy to be home! I will be home sooo soon! I can't wait to see everyone. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Breanna</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-87237908069905270682014-11-11T12:21:00.001-08:002014-11-11T12:58:45.513-08:00Mi viaje a Amsterdam<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been almost a month since I traveled to Amsterdam with one of my dearest friends--and I'm dying to go back some day! Sara and I have been dreaming about going to The Netherlands for as long as I can remember. Ever since we knew we were going to be studying abroad in Spain, we have talked about making a trip to Holland. We would talk about it and dream about visiting the MOTHERLAND often! So when we got here, we quickly got to planning our trip of a lifetime--which it truly was! I absolutely adored Holland, and so hope to return some day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We decided to go a long weekend when we had a day off from class here in Spain. We ended up missing one day of classes, but which is something totally do-able here. Sara and I ended up finding some pretty cheap tickets--especially for flying to The Netherlands from Spain--and snatched them up. We booked a hostel for the four nights. We ended up staying at the Christian Youth Hostel that Northwestern's Spring Service Project students visit each spring. It was fun to see where so many of our friends and fellow Northwestern students have been! It was also a wonderful hostel where people were so welcoming and friendly! We ended up attending one of the Bible studies they have each night because a worker invited us. It was enjoyable and fun to converse with people from all over the world. It even fell on Sara and I to translate parts of it to a Spanish-speaking fellow there!! Crazy the opportunities that are placed in front of you daily when you know a second language...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We flew to Eindhoven, because the airplane tickets were much cheaper, which is only about an hour and a half by bus to Amsterdam. We arrived at the airport--which was filled with souvenirs of wooden shoes & all things Dutch and even had a tulip stand! I loved Holland already! As soon as we arrived and saw everything, I just felt like I had arrived at home! It was a crazy weird feeling. When we rode on the bus to Amsterdam, we rode past farm fields and terrain that seemed more "Iowa" than I have seen in a long time! It was a welcoming sight!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As soon as we got to Amsterdam, I was in awe of all of the Dutch fronts on the houses and the things that just so reminded me of my home in little Orange City, IA. It is truly crazy how similar Orange City is to Dutch-land when you are actually there seeing it all! I constantly would see things and be like "Ooh! That's why they have that in Orange City! Or.. that's why that looks like that in Orange City!" etc. I felt almost so torn--because things felt so familiar--but yet I had to keep telling myself I was still in Europe!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As soon as we arrived at the train/bus station, we decided to buy train tickets and go immediately to Haarlem to see the Corrie Ten Boom house. We were very glad we decided to do that! The Corrie Ten Boom House/Museum was an amazing experience. We waited outside the door of the house (that is still standing in its original position) and were able to take a free tour throughout the house. We were able to see the place where Corrie and her family hid men during the Second World War and hear about Corrie's life and her experiences. It was a very cool experience & educational! Definitely a must-see if you go to Holland.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Haarlem was beautiful & small and felt like a small town like Orange City (granted it was still a lot bigger I believe). We also visited a windmill right along the water and were able to take a tour through it and see how it works & go up to the top and look over Haarlem. We ended up being the only ones in the English tour, so we sort of had a private tour to ourselves with a very sweet, old Dutch man. We had fun walking around a little bit and just enjoying being in Holland! Then we took the train back to Amsterdam and found our way to our Hostel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Over the next few days, we did so much in Amsterdam and had a beautiful, fun time together! Some of the things we did in summary:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ate poffertjes at a small "fair" that was set up right in front of the Royal Palace (seriously RIGHT in front!) with rides and everything!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">visited the famous Rijksmuseum where we were able to see lots of famous art from Dutch history & from around the world. I have been to a few art museums since being in Europe, but I think this was definitely my favorite!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ate traditional Dutch pancakes at Sara's Pancake House-- they tasted and looked more like crepes! We also figured out quickly that Dutch syrup is definitely not the same as American syrup.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">went on a boat tour through the canals of Amsterdam. A fun, relaxing way to take in the city during our last day in Amsterdam! The canals were one of my favorite parts of Amsterdam--they added a lot of character to the city, and I of course love being in the city, but also right on the water! They showed us lots of famous houses & sites along the tour.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">walked through the Bloemenmarkt (flower market) where there are lots of souvenirs..and of course TULIPS! (Unfortunately we didn't get to visit Holland during Tulip season) :( I loved all the little gift shops & tulips, wooden shoes, etc. (all things DUTCH!) throughout the city!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">toured the Royal Palace. This was a lot of fun. They shared lots of Dutch history through the audio guides & there was lots of cool art, VERY decorated rooms, etc.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">walked by the Heineken factory & museum. We decided not to take a tour inside, but it was fun to see.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ate at the Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">walked through the small Amsterdam Cheese Museum & tried out free samples of cheese!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">took a small tour through the Amsterdam Tulip Museum and learned a lot about the history of tulips!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">visited the Anne Frank House...WOW. This was a cool experience. It made learning about the event in school and reading her book that much more real. It was a cool experience and well worth the wait in line. Very different experience from the Corrie Ten Boom House, but equally interested & very neat & special to see.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">visited Westerkerk (church)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">found the "smallest house in Amsterdam"-- it literally is only as wide as my armspan! And it wasn't nearly as tall as the other houses/buildings on the block! Crazy!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had so much fun!! It was a packed four days, and like I said before, a trip of a lifetime!! I still can't believe that I have been to Holland! I have to pinch myself sometimes!! I felt like I was living a dream the entire time! However, it did me quite homesick for my little Dutch town on the other side of the world! I seriously felt heartbroken when I had to leave such a quaint, cute place that reminded my soul so much of my real home in Iowa!! It was crazy how much I fell in love with a place in just four days..but I guess that love for it had been growing for many, many years back in Orange City. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Soon soon SOON I will be blogging about my week-long break & trip to four more wonderful places: Barcelona, Rome, Paris, and London! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Breanna</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LCfI6vAEQVfeoG61J4jIHeIDHh5NA9NORKxRS2QrmueKwM1D8Jw7jZKEdrYIz2K_8L2dvYYA7PaG4xIwyJ2WvfpgG5DxWif6LPuXOwZuKI7BLiiIGLyZ4XYoWnw49R_rBWj0DlOD0pE/s1600/IMG_1697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LCfI6vAEQVfeoG61J4jIHeIDHh5NA9NORKxRS2QrmueKwM1D8Jw7jZKEdrYIz2K_8L2dvYYA7PaG4xIwyJ2WvfpgG5DxWif6LPuXOwZuKI7BLiiIGLyZ4XYoWnw49R_rBWj0DlOD0pE/s640/IMG_1697.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From on top of the windmill... our cute tour guide took our picture :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftVoRN6HBOylUFMazbbog6qQtC3uKgN0vdi2hRbWoFL98fWTrVHNmtVUhYxz_SiuMDjLB9WL7VuIKpc7rBK7ySre6c8Pg-3WTUqRUaft-_kRhUeUV24R8a8Iut3QeScpPwjG_cNc5wo0/s1600/IMG_4174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftVoRN6HBOylUFMazbbog6qQtC3uKgN0vdi2hRbWoFL98fWTrVHNmtVUhYxz_SiuMDjLB9WL7VuIKpc7rBK7ySre6c8Pg-3WTUqRUaft-_kRhUeUV24R8a8Iut3QeScpPwjG_cNc5wo0/s320/IMG_4174.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poffertjes :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of one of the canals</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3T3rP8vfrZw9tAHrWGETlQ9ccInWBzfVYc404MDhja3pEDyrHjkVyf2fWrQY0f542Ne0PhkcZ7rMsAlodTTOQNZHx91wXovNndsATv64jejY_uOzd97S1kI0ELeDyj9lcPYGfiQLU7NI/s1600/IMG_1729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3T3rP8vfrZw9tAHrWGETlQ9ccInWBzfVYc404MDhja3pEDyrHjkVyf2fWrQY0f542Ne0PhkcZ7rMsAlodTTOQNZHx91wXovNndsATv64jejY_uOzd97S1kI0ELeDyj9lcPYGfiQLU7NI/s640/IMG_1729.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bloemenmarkt</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-87459613988999629372014-11-03T13:02:00.001-08:002014-11-03T13:10:29.025-08:00ICYMI: Life is NOT a piece of cake<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The last couple of weeks have been some of the craziest of my life. The memories I've made, the adventures I've taken, and the people I've spent my time with have really made these past weeks unforgettable. (More posts to come about those adventures!) I've gotten to see and experience so much. Yet, those weeks have also held some of the darkest, most uncomfortable, and hardest moments of my life as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Like I've probably mentioned before, this study abroad thing hasn't exactly been a piece of cake for me. Lots of it has been really hard. As of a few weeks ago, I was probably in the worst place I've been so far on this adventure. I was feeling very lonely, very lost, and very angry. A lot has changed since then (thank goodness!), and I've learned to appreciate a lot even though those hard feelings and emotions were very real to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What do you do when you feel very lonely & everything & everyone you know and love seems so far away? I have had to struggle and wrestle with those feelings. Many times I've had to cry out & say "God, why does this hurt so much? Why does this suck? Why do I feel as if I have no one to talk to/hang out with/be with, etc?" It has been hard to ask those questions, but I also am realizing that these questions (along with moments of praise and thankfulness!) have really formed part of my experience in Spain and can be just as rewarding as those more lovely thoughts!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not everything is easy in life. Not everything is a piece of cake. Not everything gives you instant gratification. We live in a world that very much looks for those things. Yes, I want to LOVE my experience in Spain. Yes, I want to be so glad I came & praise God for all the wonderful experiences and friends He gave me while here. But if that isn't the case, that's okay, too. I can still praise God for THE experiences He gave me, good or bad. No matter what, He is good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No, I'm not saying that this experience just stinks. No, I'm not saying I absolutely hate it here and I just want to go home. That's not the case! {Don't get me wrong, there have been moments I've said those things to myself & to people such as my mom!} There is SO much to truly be thankful for here! I am in a wonderful place with wonderful people, and I'm so glad I have gotten this experience! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Times have somewhat gotten better as well. I have learned to cope with my homesickness little by little & get used to the fact that "my people" aren't here with me and I miss them because of it. But I know that I can make the most of my time here and learn a lot! My Spanish has been greatly improving & I love the professors & the school I'm at here. The city is beautiful and the people are wonderful & kind. Rather than days of feeling especially lonely, I just have moments where I feel so. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I'm learning daily to look to God for friendship. Jesus is the best friend I will ever have, so why not take advantage of this time to grow closer to Him & learn and grow as a person! Because when it comes down to it, people let you down. People hurt you. Experiences hurt you. But God is my forever & always. Of course, this thought makes me think of one of my favorite country songs. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>"I could stand to lose my faith in</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>friends that come and go;</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>yeah they'll be there when you need them,</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>they say that when you don't.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>I could give up on my heroes, </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>could let myself down too,</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>but what would I do</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>if I lost my faith in You?"</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/gilbert-brantley/my-faith-in-you-40718.html"><b>My Faith in You- Brantley Gilbert</b></a></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That song has been one of my favorites for a long while now. I remember the lyrics striking me at one point when I was hurt and upset over the way I was feeling beaten down by relationships with others. And I've thought of the lyrics from this song often when I've felt as if everything around me is falling apart. Just like it says at a different point in the song (the link is above if you want to check out all the lyrics), God's got our back. We don't know why and we don't deserve it. We WILL find ourselves up against walls in this life, but we have NOTHING to worry about. God has it ALL in His hands. Isn't that oh so wonderful? </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-82721575142739426802014-10-07T13:59:00.003-07:002014-10-07T14:03:37.823-07:00Un Mes en Europa<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yikes. It has been a month in this place. Some days it feels like it's been forever. Others it seems like I just got here and I'm still adjusting. Yet my time here is almost a third of the way over!! Even worse is that this is my first blog post since being in Spain..oops! Sorry to all of those I promised that I would be blogging often..so far I have not kept to my promise! (Now I will definitely be trying harder to stick to my promise!) Once a couple weeks go by, so much happens that it's just so hard to know what to say! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well today I decided it is time to share some of my story since being Europe..what I've been up to, what I've been feeling, some of the things I've seeing and experiencing here in Spain! I will try to recap the last month as best and efficiently as possible!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been living in Seville now for over a month. It is my new home (and yes, it still feels new even though I've been here now for about 5-6 weeks. This is crazy to me because I was in Bolivia for 7 weeks about and my time here feels like 1/10 of the time I had in Bolivia, yet Bolivia felt like it went so fast as well! Time just really flies and it is hard to keep track of it. I have been living with a lovely older lady who we call our "senora" here in Spain with my roommate Michelle. I absolutely adore Rosa. She is sweet, funny, and she is constantly doting on us and wanting us to feel completely at home in her tiny apartment. And when I say tiny, I mean tiny. I have never lived so "on top of" other people in my life. It has taken some getting used to--living with a completely new roommate, in a tiny room with a bunk bed, and sharing one tiny bathroom among the three of us. I will definitely be happy to have my own space again when I'm back in the States! It has really been going well though, and I'm thankful for that. Rosa is also an amazing cook, which is great!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second weekend we were here, a large group of us went to the beach in Cadiz. It was a couple hour bus ride, and it was well worth the trip! I laid on the beach for 8 hours, got fried (& didn't even care!), and had a relaxing time. It was great after our first full week of classes. Classes have been going great. I have class from 9:55 until 1:30 with one break in the middle. I only have three classes daily, which is nice. I made it through my first round of tests, which went well also! School feels a little bit like I'm back in high school-- going to the same classes every day, etc. But I generally enjoy my classes and my professors especially.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have taken two school excursions as well since I've been here! One of the first weeks we went to Cordoba! We had a day trip where we were able to visit the Mezquita which we had been learning about in my art class. We also were able to have free time and walk around the city and across a bridge that was built in the 1st century! The history here is amazing, and I love it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This past weekend we had our only school excursion that was overnight. We took a bus to Toledo, which was about 6 hours away. We stopped on the way and saw the windmills from the famous Spanish literature piece "Don Quijote". Some people were quite thrilled with the windmills!- me: "I've seen a few windmills in my day.." ha We stayed overnight in a hotel, which was amazing! We were all thrilled to be sleeping in comfy hotel beds and to be able to take an actual shower with a showerhead attached to the wall! (Yep, our showerhead at our house is not attached to the wall) Oh the little things. In Toledo we walked around the tiny, winding streets and explored the many shops. Toledo is known for all of the swords and weapons they make (Toledo was actually where all of the swords and things were made for Lord of the Rings!). As a class we visited the large cathedral there and spent a lot of time admiring the architecture we have learned about in art class. We also took in an amazing view of the city from a spot outside of the city. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From Toledo, a group of me and 7 other friends traveled by train to Madrid. We spent the weekend in Madrid at a hostel. It was my first train and first hostel experience, and it was a blast! We took in tons of amazing art at the Reina Sofia and El Prado art museums. Paintings by Picasso, Dali, and El Greco we really enjoyed. It was cool to see some famous works of art that for many years I've only heard about in school or in books actually in person! We also visited the Palacio Real (a royal palace) where kings and queens of Spain have lived. It was very ornately decorated, and I really enjoyed it! We had a great time exploring the city. When the rest of the group went to the soccer game, I was able to wander around the large Buen Retiro Park and some of the city near our hostel some more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This past month has been crazy. I have gone through a large range of emotions. I have had really good weeks, and I have had some not so good weeks. Overall, I'm having a great time, enjoying this city, and the experience. But also overall things have been hard (harder than expected). Some things haven't been so easy for me--finding my place, making new friends, etc. and that can make the experience difficult, confusing, and overwhelming. I have had some definite days of homesickness in the past here. That was very hard as I have never dealt with that before-- I was never homesick in Bolivia! It made me miss Iowa (and even Bolivia a lot), and it has made the experience a difficult and overwhelming one in many ways. But I'm trying to trust in my God who knows why I'm here and that I'm meant to be here, and I'm learning to take it day by day and find the good in each day. I have been working to make the absolute best out of my experience. Pray that I can continue to do just that each and every day! More updates to come.. I promise. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Breanna</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-91719858734750632462014-09-01T08:50:00.002-07:002014-09-01T08:58:53.741-07:00Los primeros dias en ESPANA!!!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Am I really in Spain?? Is Seville my home for the next 4 months?! Is this for real???</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those are just a few of the questions I have been asking myself in the last few days. I simply cannot believe I am here. I don't know if that is a good thing or not yet! I am just waiting for the day when I am like--oh crap!! what did I get myself into?! I can't go home! I can't see my family!...-- but for now I am really enjoying & trying to take in all of the new sights, smells, and tastes of this beautiful city that I now am able to call home! Seville is GORGEOUS. That makes the transition all the more easier! I really didn't want to leave home. The night before leaving, I was a straight-up mess. The last few weeks at home I wasn't excited AT ALL to come to this place. I would've packed up in 2 hours and got on a plane and been fine going to Bolivia, that's for sure!! But another new place? A place so far away from home where I know next to no one again and have to stay for 4 months? No way. Not excited at all. But I did really quite well the day I had to leave! I was very impressed with myself if you ask me. ;) Barely any tears were shed the day of my departure! (which wasn't the case the night before! ha)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I am here! It is always quite the transition when you are in such a new place. It's a completely different thing trying to get accustomed to a place where you know you are staying for quite a while & it needs to start feeling like home. It takes time. And I'm totally aware of that. I've been telling myself to just continue to be patient & rest in the fact that this is where I need to be right now..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of our flights and everything went so smoothly, which was seriously so nice. I was absolutely exhausted upon our arrival, though. We lost hours and I was completely lost as to what day it was when we arrived. The jet lag really wasn't as bad as I expected, though! I guess the daily, short siestas help with that. :) As soon as we got here, Leslie, the program director, and Jenna, the Student Ministries Coordinator, met us at the airport. From there we got on a bus and drove through the city to our individual homes where our Senoras met us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me and my roommate (Michelle) live with a sweet older lady named Rosa. She is just the greatest. I have so enjoyed living with her so far! She is an amazing cook, which has been such a blessing! She is retired, so she spends her day pretty much taking care of us! Anything we need, she helps us with & she is always so willing and wanting to make us comfortable in her home. We live in a tiny apartment (I mean TINY). Me and my roomie share a small room, and then all three of us share a bathroom. There is a small living area where there is a couch, tv, and our dining room table & then there is a seriously tiny kitchen that can really only fit like one person at a time! It is definitely hard to get used to being in such confined space! We live on the second floor of an apartment building. Unfortunately, our home is the farthest from the school, so it is a good half hour walk to school. It has been in the 100 degree range all week-- it is HOT HOT HOT here. I was not expecting that all! There's no air conditioning, so we have fans on just to try to keep us cool! I don't think I have ever sweated so much. Hopefully it will cool down soon, so it's more comfortable & we are WANTING to be out and about doing things! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first few days we had a lot of orientation stuff--getting to know other students, the program, etc. It has been good to get to know other students in the program and get to know the city. We have spent quite a bit of time already just walking around, exploring, and getting to know the city. I feel so lost here and can't wait til I know my way around and how to use public transportation--especially since live so far away from the school & the center of the action. I thought Cochabamban transportation was tricky!--that seems like a breeze now! It'll get easier I'm sure. I'm already learning so much. I have a bike pass, so I have spent some time getting to know the different bike stations where I can rent out a bike and ride around town a little easier. There are just so many people out and about all the time, which I love, but it can make biking tricky sometimes too! I will definitely be sharing more about this city and all the great things about it that I am learning to love! It is a completely new culture, and I love it! This was kind of a random post, but I wanted everyone to know that I've made it safe and sound & am really doing well! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breanna</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kcv6QP7jczAxrrc8h6-YFcnlhiTruTpw7UA8o2qNmlNBLIzPs_jDUJmDprLxUdF7vfZEg5GKY9FB9ayynWxeJPyPVL-nyqmpxhcW4ixJWAlZhRz0iO28k1gQ-uu5pxKmVYLPkz0RkC4/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kcv6QP7jczAxrrc8h6-YFcnlhiTruTpw7UA8o2qNmlNBLIzPs_jDUJmDprLxUdF7vfZEg5GKY9FB9ayynWxeJPyPVL-nyqmpxhcW4ixJWAlZhRz0iO28k1gQ-uu5pxKmVYLPkz0RkC4/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Plaza de Espana-- one of the places we visited on our tour and photo scavenger hunt throughout the city!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QMTtFhNZFyM1AwvY6hgYyRNL5kHIW2JgDuWmTCm2YA7EigZV_CO1FY40LiLJL8FaKhuFyJIGgGh8AkJmTBXfdCLNBZkm3s888YQKhiX-96tcL5uKHef-tizZJud-YRJVBY_pj31qSgc/s1600/IMG_0936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QMTtFhNZFyM1AwvY6hgYyRNL5kHIW2JgDuWmTCm2YA7EigZV_CO1FY40LiLJL8FaKhuFyJIGgGh8AkJmTBXfdCLNBZkm3s888YQKhiX-96tcL5uKHef-tizZJud-YRJVBY_pj31qSgc/s1600/IMG_0936.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful mural of a sleeping child in the Plaza de Armas-- another site we visited during the scavenger hunt.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-24657620415912557582014-07-22T20:30:00.002-07:002014-07-22T20:30:29.239-07:00Despues de una semana..<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been home from Bolivia now for a little over a week. It seems crazy and it has gone so fast, yet at the same time it seems like weeks since I've seen my beautiful Bolivian family. I miss them. A lot. I miss Bolivia. I miss Cochabamba. I miss the kids at El Centro. I miss my simple, beautiful South American life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm just now blogging since my departure and last week in Cochabamba. Mostly because I'm finding this really hard. Nothing has been easy about coming home-- saying good-bye, not knowing when or if I will return, & re-adjusting to American life. I think for the most part, I've just tried not to think about it. That really stinks. But I've found it to be easiest when I just enjoy my time here and don't actually think about how much I miss Bolivia and the Quiroga family especially.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know that not thinking about it is not the way to deal with my re-entry and culture shock of being back in the States. I know that I need to face my time there and the after-effects and thoughts about it head on. I really wish in some ways I had right away. But I think I needed time too; a lot of things have been really hard since being back and I've wanted to ease myself in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've never experienced anything quite like this. I have experienced going to other countries--especially Haiti-- and coming back and missing it and everything. But nothing can compare to the large range of emotions--strong emotions-- I've felt since being back from Bolivia. A large part of it is my lack of understanding of them-- I feel like I don't even know or understand my own feelings & emotions-- so how am I supposed to explain them to somebody else? That's another large part of my pushing all of my feelings to the side...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel like a large part of me is just broken. Or missing. I loved what I felt in Bolivia. I loved where my heart was. I loved my experience. But right now I find myself confused. Asking questions. And unsure why I'm here-- in Iowa. If people ask me about my time, I usually just share that it was an incredible experience, I wouldn't trade it for anything, and I made some amazing friends. But I don't even know how to go deeper-- how to share my heart-- how to explain what I'm feeling and what I felt in that place. I really haven't shared with anyone how much my experience has impacted me. Part of me feels bad about that. I feel like I should be able to use this experience and share it with people, etc.. I know that I just need time, though. It will take time to process my emotions, thoughts, feelings..and I need to do that. I need to face those things and deal with them rather than push them aside. Because that is where I will really be blessed and learn so much from my experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would love to talk about Bolivia. Really. With anyone. I would love to share my stories, what I've learned, the things I saw, and the many ways I was blessed and am continuing to be blessed by my once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve, learn, and grow in Cochabamba. If you would like to talk about my time there, I would love to talk with you! It may be hard to form the words to truly describe my experience, but I would love to try. And with that being said, I will continue to process and learn from my time there. My prayer is that I would continue to be able to do that and that it wouldn't be painful, hard, etc. I miss Bolivia so much, but I know that only means that I had such an amazing, blessed experience there and can't wait to return!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My last days in Bolivia were so bittersweet. I got the flu in the night and was sick for an entire day on my second to last day there. I was upset that I couldn't enjoy one of my last days there. My sweet mother took such great care of me and I was feeling very humbled! We spent a lot of precious family time together in our last days. My heart was just sick thinking about having to leave. My last morning I was all packed up and anxious to leave. Joana and Leah prepared Joana's famous chocolate cake. We ate it before my departure together. I was able to give everyone the gifts I had for them, and many of the family members were able to say a few words to me. I will never forget those words Mama Toty shared with me and the tears we both cried around the kitchen table. After that was the hard good-byes. I had to hug Joana, Jorge, and Isaac and the other girls good-bye. Many tears were shed! After that David took me and Mama Toty to a taxi. We took a long, mostly silent taxi ride to the airport. Mama sat with me in the airport for a long time because we were there quite early. She never wastes a moment to teach a lesson, tell a story, and we talked quite a bit before my departure. Saying good-bye to her was just so hard. Saying good-bye to everyone was so very hard. I can't say I've felt a heartbreak quite like that before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I flew that day to Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Me and another girl who was serving in Cochabamba stayed in a hotel that night. It was a lot of fun to be able to explore a bigger city and see a different Bolivian city! We got some supper and found their Plaza Principal. We woke up early the next morning and were in a taxi to the airport by 6:30. We were able to see a beautiful sunrise on the way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seeing my family was so bittersweet as well, though. I was so thankful to be back in my mother's arms after a very long day of travel. Seeing my nephews the next day and the rest of my family was just so great! But I was exhausted--mentally, emotionally. Like I said, none of it has been easy. It was most definitely much harder to be back than to originally go! That was probably the most surprising part of my entire experience! But looking back, I can just think about how thankful and blessed I am. Thankful that I was given the opportunity. Thankful for the many people who blessed me by giving towards my trip and making it possible. Thankful to have met a wonderful family in Bolivia who quickly became true second family. Thankful for my friendships at El Centro. Thankful for the many ways in which God touched my heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, thank you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you, thank you, thank you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for giving, praying, and blessing me on this journey! <br />I am one very blessed child of God. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Breanna</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-65840939234649070412014-07-08T11:05:00.004-07:002014-07-08T15:59:32.372-07:00La escuela Biblica de vacaciones y el comienzo del fin...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My final week here in Cochabamba has begun, and it is very
bittersweet. I am ready to see my family, but I will miss the people who
have become my 2nd family here so very much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last week we had VBS. We ended up not being able to have it
on Thursday because of the protests and everything. However, we didn't
have to drop anything because we made it all fit into Friday's schedule
miraculously! Friday was another really great day at VBS. I was
able to share the gospel with Leah's help using the Gospel Soccer Ball.
It is basically another version of the wordless book, where colors
represent the different parts of the Gospel story. We thought with the
World Cup going on and all the kiddos that really love soccer, it would really
help them remember the important Gospel story! I think it went really
well, and the kids really showed that they knew God's story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the end of our time that day at VBS, Joana led a time where the
kids could say good-bye for us. It was a really bittersweet but special
time. The kids got in a big circle around us volunteers. They got
in close so some of them could lay their hands on us. And then Joana led
them in an echo prayer where they prayed over us, thanked us for coming, and
wished us well. Then after the prayer some of the kids took the
microphone and said a few words for us if they wished. Some of them said
they would miss, others that they wished we would be safe in our travels, and
that God would care for us. It was so very sweet of all them. It
was such a special time to say good-bye to those kiddos that have stolen my
heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Saturday we had our last morning of experiments. We did
experiments with water with the 4th-6th graders. It went well once again,
and it has been such a blessing to be able to teach them and interact with the
older students at the center. Saturday afternoon we went to the Cancha
and did some shopping with Toty and Joana. We then went down to El Prado
and ended up getting ice cream at our favorite place and watching the very
ending of the World Cup game. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunday I had my last day of church. I have been so very
blessed to be a part of this church family while here. Everyone has been
so welcoming. I will really miss the intimate worship setting and seeing
everyone each week. Before preaching, David spoke some words to me and
then prayed for me as it was my last week with them. At the end of the
service, everyone got in a circle around me and laid hands on me while Mama
Toty prayed for me. As my sweet Bolivian mother was praying and choking
up, I couldn't help but really tear up. It will be so hard to leave these
people that I love and that love me so well! Her prayer will always be
very special to me, as she prayed for my time with them and for my future.
One of the hardest parts of Sunday is that I was expecting my dear friend
Arminda to come to church. She always asks me if I'll be there and this
week was no exception. I kept waiting and waiting, but she never showed
up. I was expecting to say good-bye to her that day.. I feel very sad
that I never really got the chance to say good-bye, as that was my last chance.
It is really hard not feeling that finality.... I will miss her so.
She is a sweet, sweet girl who has loved on me so much this trip. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunday was a day for fiestas!! We were invited to two parties that
day, so we had quite the busy day. First, we had one of the teachers at
the center, Laura's, baby shower. It was so fun that she invited us.
We went with Toty and Joana. There was lots of good food and games.
We had picked out a gift for her from all of us volunteers the day before
at the Cancha. We could only stay for a short time, but it was so fun to
be a part of a celebration like that here in Bolivia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then we headed straight over to the Porter's house for Natasha's
QUINCEANERA!! I have always wanted to experience a quinceanera so I
finally got to! It wasn't quite the extravagant event that they sometimes
can be, but it was such a special time and we were so glad we could help
Natasha celebrate! She is truly a special girl, with such a beautiful
smile and her joy for the Lord radiates! The quinceanera is really a time
to celebrate a girl becoming a woman. We ate some really good food (my
first amazing burger in a long time! yum!) and laughed a lot playing games with
everyone. Everyone was asked to bring a few words to say to Natasha.
We spent time all sharing what she means to us and got to hear letters
read to her that were sent from family all around the world. It was so
special, and I am so glad I could be a part of that special celebration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yesterday, Monday, we ended up going to Parque Tunari. It is
a national park where you can hike. We were expecting to find a lake or
something, but we ended up not being able to make it far enough. We had
to turn around in order to make it down in time before sunset. We started
from the house walking at 10:15. We didn't make it home til after 5:30.
Man, we were exhausted!! We walked pretty much the entire way. Just
up the mountain it was about 13 kilometers! We figured we walked about 17
miles in total that day. My legs are feeling it today! The views
were beautiful, though, and I was thankful I was smart and brought my nice
camera this time! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My days are coming to an end here. I'm beginning to recognize
that so many things are my "lasts". I'm treasuring my last
moments with the Quiroga family and the new friends I have made here. I
will miss this place so much, and will always treasure it. I hope to be
back!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prayer requests:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That
I would be able to really cherish and take in these last days. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For
safety and good travels as I travel to Santa Cruz on Saturday and then
have to spend the night in a hotel before flying out to the USA on Sunday
morning.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That
I would feel peace as I have to leave this place and am able to say
good-byes and feel some sort of finality..<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That
God would not stop working in me, but that I would continue to learn and
grow in these last moments and days, and also as I return home and have to
adjust to home once again.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pray
for our work at the center this week. The kids are still on
vacation, so we are deep cleaning this week! </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Breanna</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB7LZnIsn4E5upsyAZqDADrV6jVmggqAvIBf16mRLGyqlabl1tTODBX_guxjxpRtTQF_ikmjKVqYhhoCg9eXmipfZd0KBH51MfJJ-8jz2UtJmNh2THyznF6r0TKMNaN_Y4gM-6BTWbSU/s1600/IMG_0759.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB7LZnIsn4E5upsyAZqDADrV6jVmggqAvIBf16mRLGyqlabl1tTODBX_guxjxpRtTQF_ikmjKVqYhhoCg9eXmipfZd0KBH51MfJJ-8jz2UtJmNh2THyznF6r0TKMNaN_Y4gM-6BTWbSU/s1600/IMG_0759.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzfMI3uGpjLfzKx1W8isAzsYRxtibE8_thxPYFslU1BWf1jtT0vaB2e2SiFFzm2MdEHgqZcUi3clyrAdxY8UWzBHUbsPN9PQ6NbLvnmvIlqcCAjxkLEMk7u3DeEYesN18RaFjRqIvbMY/s1600/IMG_3346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzfMI3uGpjLfzKx1W8isAzsYRxtibE8_thxPYFslU1BWf1jtT0vaB2e2SiFFzm2MdEHgqZcUi3clyrAdxY8UWzBHUbsPN9PQ6NbLvnmvIlqcCAjxkLEMk7u3DeEYesN18RaFjRqIvbMY/s1600/IMG_3346.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama Toty dominating one of the games at the baby shower! You can tell she's had some experience ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9-uGJ3tjGTNdVmADK6rIXBRXm6YSfO7wMfT3pT8H_7687Auj3oso4lGSUDWUwYKQAVMpiDOIJA2PHSMRWGp_7DrWCjOL0czj4kZVgevMPqn8amtG6DMEjd1MEDOlQAK8UqYvHJ48_M8/s1600/IMG_3288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9-uGJ3tjGTNdVmADK6rIXBRXm6YSfO7wMfT3pT8H_7687Auj3oso4lGSUDWUwYKQAVMpiDOIJA2PHSMRWGp_7DrWCjOL0czj4kZVgevMPqn8amtG6DMEjd1MEDOlQAK8UqYvHJ48_M8/s1600/IMG_3288.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kiddos singing one day at VBS!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCJew1nN5dhUij8KSLmcqPti14wMFNQ36_l4TfbivrJndRvpFukpMSMjRbBQEIDdJDO_t8GbIz6nJrQTIVKzPuRYmBA9n5BxC27RJTCAY-burP2JfePiQWWH4FRyg1GRDOe-L-RQDa5Y/s1600/IMG_3368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCJew1nN5dhUij8KSLmcqPti14wMFNQ36_l4TfbivrJndRvpFukpMSMjRbBQEIDdJDO_t8GbIz6nJrQTIVKzPuRYmBA9n5BxC27RJTCAY-burP2JfePiQWWH4FRyg1GRDOe-L-RQDa5Y/s1600/IMG_3368.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Natasha at her quince!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Wh5XBtBEgr2CR8xepm1zQzN-GJgltCEaY35_leDoQUXepcbXBnzig7XqghI6-nPpDl9rGrIX0gPI9B2G97G-B6NTgksZJXKJUexi48Ec-ZfDl9AyHT5GG9Fdus-oEeCh17KlgL6bDAk/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Wh5XBtBEgr2CR8xepm1zQzN-GJgltCEaY35_leDoQUXepcbXBnzig7XqghI6-nPpDl9rGrIX0gPI9B2G97G-B6NTgksZJXKJUexi48Ec-ZfDl9AyHT5GG9Fdus-oEeCh17KlgL6bDAk/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At one of the highest points we made it to on our hike....overlooking the beautiful city of Cochabamba.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-24965501337856397782014-07-03T09:28:00.001-07:002014-07-03T09:29:57.993-07:00"Porque para Dios no hay nada imposible"...Lucas 1:37<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Trust in God... Nothing is impossible for God. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That is the theme we have been focusing this week's VBS for the kiddos at the center on. Luke 1:37 is the verse they have been memorizing. It has been a great first two days of VBS. Tuesday and Wednesday we shared the stories of God calling Abraham and Daniel and the Lion's Den. The kids have really seemed to enjoy it so far! The kids have learned a lot about what it means to truly trust God, follow Him even when you don't know where He may be leading you, and that His plan is the best plan for our lives. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But I have also had to take that verse and those words to heart. Yesterday we heard news that there was going to be protests and blockades today. Those happen occasionally here. Basically, the trufi drivers or bus drivers are protesting for something. It often has to do with the transportation. Well, that means there is no transportation today. They usually last just 24 hours, unless they come to an agreement before then. None of the trufis or buses are running on these days because they are on strike and/or because of the large amount of blockades set up around the city. Taxis and personal cars are the only means of transportation, but that is if they can get around. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, we knew what that meant for us. We would not be able to get up to the center. That means no construction in the morning. And possibly no VBS in the afternoon. Bummer. That was hard news to hear. After all our hard work to prepare a 4-day VBS, we would have to cut out one day if the protests continued through the afternoon... And that also means for me 1 less day with the kiddos. As of now, we haven't heard any news of them coming to an agreement and it's close to noon here. We usually leave around 1:30 for the center. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last night I had to come to terms with the fact that all I can do about it is pray. And trust. Just like the kids have been learning.. Anything is possible with God. If I'm standing in front of them every day preaching that, I need to believe it myself, right? I knew that all I could do is pray, wait, and pray some more. And trust that God will work it out for the best. If it isn't possible to have VBS this afternoon, we will just adjust. We will rearrange the schedule for tomorrow and just make it work. And it will all come together. Because I trust that God will work it out for the best. Not that this was an easy realization to come to at all. It does really stink that we probably will be having one less day of VBS. And I will probably only have one more day with all the kiddos at the center...and then a morning of experiments with the older students. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">VBS has been so fun so far, though. It has definitely been stressful. And it hasn't all been easy. Arranging everything, preparing everything, and making it all come together was difficult and trying at times. Before we began Tuesday, I didn't know how it was going to all go down. And again, all I could do about it was pray and hope for the best! God definitely blessed our plans, and it went really well! We adjusted and learned from our first day (like all great teachers do!) and the second day went well, also! We have a time of singing at the beginning. After that we split the kids into age-level groups. They go through centers of games, a drama story, and a craft. They also get a snack in one of the centers. I have been in the drama center, so I have been part of preparing and being a part of the story we share with them about the Bible each day. It has been a lot of fun to see them learning and participating! I can't wait to see how the next day(s) go! I am confident that they will walk away learning a lot about trusting God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some prayer requests:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have definitely had some of my hardest days while here in this past week. I think the mix of starting to miss people at home more, the stress of preparing VBS, and the anxiety of looking forward to having to leave the people here have really taken a toll on me.. Prayers for strength, perseverance, and that I would really finish out my last week and a half strong!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It looks like I picked up pink eye somehow... I woke up this morning with a nasty, pink eye. Not fun, so pray that it would go away soon!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pray for the protests and blockades going on. Pray that they would be peaceful. Pray that they would be able to find an agreement...and God-willing before VBS so that we are able to have it this afternoon!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pray that God would continue to work on my heart and teach me things and open my eyes. I have really been trying to dig into His word and use these last two weeks fully, so that I am able to come away with a deeper relationship with Him and a better understanding of this world. He has been doing some great things in me so far!</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Trust in Him! Anything is possible with God on your side!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Breanna</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-36986304148619759222014-06-29T15:32:00.003-07:002014-07-03T08:34:51.763-07:00Mi horario, Experimentos y Pairumani...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What a week it has been! I think every week just goes by faster and faster. I can't believe that I only have 1 more Sunday left in this place! First off, I wanted to share a little bit about our daily life here and my schedule.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Mondays</b> we don't have classes at the center. So, it's considered our day off. 2 of the other interns go to The Cancha with Joana. That means that I really have all morning to relax, do devotions, catch up on anything that needs to be done or prepared for the center that week, do laundry, etc. In the afternoons, all of us are around so generally we go do something or explore some part of the city if we have a chance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Tuesdays</b> me and Leah take turns going with Kathryn generally to the Cancha to help her carry all of the things she needs to buy for her women's cooking classes. It really can depend, though, on if she is feeling well. We have gone with Gustavo instead or cancelled before as well. Then we either eat with Kathryn at her house or head back to our house for lunch. Classes start at the center at 2:30. We take turns heading there early, so we either leave the house at 1:30 or 2:00. If we go early, we have to get glasses of water ready for the kids for those that want it when they come and clean the tables from the day before. On Tuesdays, I'm in charge of preparing el refrigerio (the snack). It usually consists of preparing a grain drink (api..purple corn drink! is one of the regulars and one of the kids' favorites) and opening up packages of some type of crackers/cookies/etc. for the kids. One day this week I had to peel 80 oranges and 80 bananas for the kiddos! Wow, my fingers hurt after that one for a few days!! There are about 80 kids that attend the center each day from 1st-6th grade. After preparing snack, we all help serve snack shortly after 4:00. After snack, I help out in Creatividad (crafts) class. When the kids are finished with their homework in their regular classrooms, they can get a pass to go to Creatividad. I generally help prepare the different projects, or at least a couple of them a week. The center time is finished at 5:30. At that point, we clean up and head home and generally get home by 6:30. Then we eat supper, get anything prepared for the coming days, hang out, watch movies, etc.!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Wednesdays </b></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">we have construction in the morning. So right after breakfast, we head to the center by trufi. Sometimes Howard and/or Gustavo are there to help us, but other days it's just us girls getting dirty and getting down to work! We work for a good 2 1/2 hours or so and then head home for lunch around 11:30. We clean up, eat, and then have to head back to the center already.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Construction in the mornings & El Centro in the afternoon. Wednesdays I don't prepare snack, but I help out in the 4th grade classroom. The 4th graders are so full of energy and quite a fun bunch! The room is generally crazy, but I do my best to help the kids out with their homework (which usually consists of a lot of math). It took me a bit to figure out how to help them with their long division, because it is completely backwards from the way we do it! Sometimes I just have to tell them, sorry I have no clue how to help you with this...and they just look at me like "what?! You don't know this?!" It can be quite humbling. :) After refrigerio, I help out with the washing of the dishes from the snack and then any time left over help out in Creatividad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Thursdays </b>are very similar to Wednesdays. We do construction at the center in the morning. Then we go to the center for classes in the afternoon. On Thursdays I again prepare refrigerio and then help out in Creatividad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Fridays </b>we have the morning for Spanish lessons. My lesson is at 11 AM with Toni. I sometimes head down to Av. America early to get coffee or walk around or visit the supermarket, though. I just have to take the bus down to Toni's house, and it's super easy to get there by myself. Toni has a gorgeous backyard and beautiful house. Her lessons have been so wonderful for me. I have learned SO much, and it has been a huge blessing for my time here! She is a wonderful Christian woman, so nice to just have conversations with every week, and I can't begin to explain how much I have learned over those 1-hour private lessons!! I can bring any questions I have to her, and she right away could pick up on my ability level and has tailored the sessions to what I really need to improve my Spanish. I will miss having access to such amazing lessons! She is a GREAT teacher. After my lesson, I head back for lunch and then we head to the center for the afternoon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Saturdays</b> have been a little different the last couple of weeks because we have started experiments at the center. We invited the 5th-6th graders to El Centro on Saturday mornings for a couple of hours to do fun science experiments and another learning opportunity for them. I think the kids have really been enjoying it! They say that they haven't really done anything like it before. It has been fun to find experiments they will enjoy and have an opportunity to actually teach and interact more with the older students. We did experiments all with eggs this past week. We did the classic egg drop experiment and had them create something to protect an egg. They thought it was so cool that they could drop them from the 2nd story of El Centro! In the afternoons, we have time off to do whatever and explore again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Sunday </b>mornings we head to church. After church, we all go out to lunch together. We usually go to some type of food court where everyone can order what they want or a more authentic Bolivian restaurant. Sunday afternoons we either rest or sometimes do some exploring as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As you can see, our days are pretty packed! It has been so fun, though! This week on Saturday afternoon, we went straight from experiments on a little adventure! We packed some bread, fruit, and snacks and left straight from the center. We took a trufi to Plaza Norte and ended up just buying some food there and taking it to-go. We got on a different trufi which took us to a Quillacollo, which is pretty much a suburb of Cochabamba. We basically had to do a lot of asking around to figure out exactly what trufis to take and everything. From there, we found a different trufi to take us to Pairumani, a national park with hiking trails. We went hiking up the mountain. We had no idea how long it would take us or what it was going to be like! It wasn't as long as we thought it would be, but it was a good hike! Especially doing something more strenuous like that, you can sure feel the altitude difference! We came to this lookout area and some amazing views of a huge canyon! It was breathtaking! Then we finally kept going, had to go through a gate, and then got to a narrow path that took us right alongside the side of a mountain. We walked a way and came to the waterfall! The waterfall wasn't much because it's so dry right now. There was barely even a river in the canyon even. Then we could walk up some steps right next to the waterfall and see the river flowing over all of the rocks! It was amazing to hear the flowing water and dip our feet in the water! It was cold, but so refreshing after our hike! We relaxed for a while, ate some of our snacks, and then headed back down! We made it up and down in just a couple hours really! It was such an amazing experience, and really reminded me how GREAT, how MARVELOUS, and how WONDERFUL our Maker is! His creation takes my breath away all the time here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prayer requests:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That I would take advantage of my last weeks here.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That our VBS would go great this week! We have definitely been feeling the stress with all the things to get done before then! Pray that we might teach just a few kids even who have never heard about Jesus and that we would make an impact on their lives.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Health: I have been dealing with bad allergies this week (I think largely due to the pollution...Cochabamba was under a red alert for pollution/smog this week) and Joana has been very down with a bad cold this week! Pray that we all continue to stay as healthy as possible and get over anything we have soon.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pray that God would really use me this week and that I would be open to Him and what He has to teach me and show me these last few weeks. I want to keep the focus on Him and really soak in this opportunity while I can!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Continued safety!</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blessings from Cochabamba! I am LOVING my South American life, though at times it can be difficult and trying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Breanna</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRayXsCpiHDGfdrNCaHY-N0Sw5ybH3i1_5rD4jXSA5tnN4vzct1KyZSEpjU5vtEI70JhEhhSstRHvQuka8_oRDquQ3u3yKld3dlgJ0rB3zDRU9a7LHSbJzaTvvzU8tAApfLuP4sawfOQ/s1600/IMG_2698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRayXsCpiHDGfdrNCaHY-N0Sw5ybH3i1_5rD4jXSA5tnN4vzct1KyZSEpjU5vtEI70JhEhhSstRHvQuka8_oRDquQ3u3yKld3dlgJ0rB3zDRU9a7LHSbJzaTvvzU8tAApfLuP4sawfOQ/s1600/IMG_2698.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This girl is the sweetest... Arminda, I will miss sitting next to you at church, you braiding my hair whenever you can, <br />
and seeing your joy-filled smile in the 4th-grade classroom!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNwwjwv9XoHDv4dx3cjCLyTCZZ-CZrvKqSNcNgn0WyeGQnrrgwOrekNQNdSgpZr2lvysy0OBKljaw2b9wxZ5AI7iPxBQKvXAyVr0My17DTXgBaH98j8qh_XwNHW80Qgn4m9InzEkglu4/s1600/IMG_3096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNwwjwv9XoHDv4dx3cjCLyTCZZ-CZrvKqSNcNgn0WyeGQnrrgwOrekNQNdSgpZr2lvysy0OBKljaw2b9wxZ5AI7iPxBQKvXAyVr0My17DTXgBaH98j8qh_XwNHW80Qgn4m9InzEkglu4/s1600/IMG_3096.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teaching experiments on Saturday morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6m72npfL-bNyoVf2dU2AOiv4O10aJ9N_e54l9z_dKxTUvpJT3Rx0LvFyFEKa2dpxgkQLS0FGvvUhjWCHNajBYw-XJSjOVqezHsxwzpEm58ojGckkLBa_WSB0fBCismFPC77ZTehsnBA/s1600/IMG_3206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6m72npfL-bNyoVf2dU2AOiv4O10aJ9N_e54l9z_dKxTUvpJT3Rx0LvFyFEKa2dpxgkQLS0FGvvUhjWCHNajBYw-XJSjOVqezHsxwzpEm58ojGckkLBa_WSB0fBCismFPC77ZTehsnBA/s1600/IMG_3206.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting on the rocks in the river above the waterfall!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8NjkY35XYCy7FlHPGPW3MDgiyI1CmCe09OMHpzrTgUSHUoHgh_1M8ZEgCm_ccc1Qhh5OA_WZtwg_AbYMJZxTJXlHAj0My6xeWaBNN8ijtI1jfngP9gnhYV5SD0gBJam4lOvP1FJnlpM/s1600/IMG_2818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8NjkY35XYCy7FlHPGPW3MDgiyI1CmCe09OMHpzrTgUSHUoHgh_1M8ZEgCm_ccc1Qhh5OA_WZtwg_AbYMJZxTJXlHAj0My6xeWaBNN8ijtI1jfngP9gnhYV5SD0gBJam4lOvP1FJnlpM/s1600/IMG_2818.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my sweet, funny, & crazy buddy Gabriel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwngnB6Td1t7gsakNe8VERFnbQCJU9ksnTcp2tPHZjwwi8r2HBFBvAnkRgTiEGKPQbw-XATz2QLklPXQxKynSe3dBJQnT9VnQHTl8T2HsGRUFz6zDU0zD00ij-2fwZCQ3aX85raLNm2VE/s1600/IMG_3246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwngnB6Td1t7gsakNe8VERFnbQCJU9ksnTcp2tPHZjwwi8r2HBFBvAnkRgTiEGKPQbw-XATz2QLklPXQxKynSe3dBJQnT9VnQHTl8T2HsGRUFz6zDU0zD00ij-2fwZCQ3aX85raLNm2VE/s1600/IMG_3246.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving the mountains at Pairumani!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-25983038745922309162014-06-24T19:19:00.003-07:002014-06-24T19:19:32.477-07:00La Feria...y mucho mas!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can now say that I've hit the halfway point. My trip is halfway over. My time with the kiddos is halfway spent. My Cochabamba adventure is over halfway done...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">WOAH.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Am I ready to be done? Absolutely not. Does the idea of leaving this place that I've fallen in love with in 2 and a half weeks scare me? Absolutely. I'm not ready. Not in the least. I feel like I'm finally getting to know the kiddos at El Centro really well and know where I belong and what my job is here...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And now I have to think about leaving. I'm just not ready to think about that yet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The last week here has definitely been my favorite I think, or at least held a lot of the highlights of this trip. But it was also the week where certain things popped up and I started to miss my family more, my friends, and my home. It was hard to see all that was going on in NW Iowa and not be there to be help or at least to be a support... This week it really started to sink in how much I love this place, adore the children, and am going to miss being a part of this culture and community. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This week we were able to celebrate Emily's birthday!! It was such a fun day being able to do that with the Quiroga family. Any time spent with them is really cherished, and I have absolutely LOVED getting to know them and be a part of their family! This family is WONDERFUL. We went out for supper for Emily's birthday (where we were all able to try anticucho... cow heart!!). It was a fun time at an outdoor food court-type area. After that, we returned home to the most delicious chocolate cake I think I have EVER eaten, prepared by the wonderful Joana! We even celebrated with Barbie birthday hats to make the occasion extra-special, and all the boys even joined in on the fun! ;) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thursday was Corpus Christi here in Bolivia, a Catholic holiday that is celebrated. On most holidays most people don't work, therefore schools were closed and we didn't have to work at El Centro. We instead went and worked construction at the Center in the morning and then spent the afternoon relaxing and preparing for La Feria. On Friday we had La Feria (the fair) for the kiddos at El Centro. This was by far my favorite day at the center so far. The fair is something they hold twice a year for the kiddos. The kids receive fake money/tickets for a certain amount. They earn their money throughout the year by attendance, good behavior, and hard work in their classes at the center. It is such a neat idea, and I love that the kids have to earn what they want to spend at the fair. The kids each received their money and a card around their neck that showed all the stations. They had to go in order to each station and could proceed through the stations as many times as they wanted until all of their money was gone. There were four stations--food, games, clothing, and toys. The kids could spend their money on whatever they wanted in each station! The kids were SO excited, and I absolutely loved seeing the joy on their faces as they could pick out what they wanted and just have a fun day off from homework! I helped out in the toy station, so I was able to help a lot of kids find fun toys to take home with them. We also helped out by going to the Cancha and buying a lot of the toys that week, so it was fun to see who all of the toys went home with. One thing that really stuck with me was how selfless some of the kids were. Many of the kids would come in the toy room the second time and instead of picking out a toy for themselves would pick out a toy for their younger sister or brother at home---so precious!! La feria was a success, thanks to so many people who donated and helped out at it! The kids clearly had a blast, and I loved being a part of it! Before even beginning, Joana led the kids in a prayer to thank the One who made the entire thing possible--I love that they kept the entire thing in perspective and really put the focus on what God has done, what He is doing, and what He has provided. They said at one point throughout the year, they also hold a smaller Feria for the parents. It really is a great idea to give the kids the opportunity to earn through positive behavior--and therefore be able to buy things with dignity and pride!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Friday was just such an awesome, packed day because at night we were able to join Kathryn, one of the missionaries here, and go downtown to see a local music festival. There were bands playing in various locations, so we decided to check it out! We went out and ate some pizza, ordered coffee at a coffee shop and listened to a band there, and then headed to Plaza Principal where some local indigenous bands were playing. It was so cool! We kind of described it as a "battle of the bands" because one band would be playing and then another band would just start forming and march on up to the "stage" and start playing over top of the sound of the first band! It was really interesting to see the dress of the people and see their different instruments and hear the music. Saturday we were able to go La Cancha with Mama Toty, Joana, & Isaac (we dragged the poor boy along..he's such a good sport!). We were able to do some shopping and finally get a few souvenirs! We also did some good shopping Monday afternoon. The things you can buy here are so cool, and I love just looking even in all the stores!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunday we went to church, which I absolutely love here. Every week I am so blessed to be a part of this church community located at the center. Gustavo preached this week. I was reminded through his lesson how all we need is the Bread of Life. We got to be little kids and play with balloons in the sermon, which signified how we are nothing without the life God can only breathe into us--then we are like a fully blown-up balloon that doesn't just fall to the ground. God really is the Life that we need--ALL that we need. I have recognized that over & over again during this experience. Daily I ask him for what I need to get me through the day, to help me overcome a struggle--& He provides. Every time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunday afternoon we were invited to Shari & Juan Carlos's home to watch a movie. We headed there after lunch. After that, Jorge, Isaac, & Natasha went with us girls to the Plaza where they have the "Futbol Fest" set up. It is a huge screen where they are always showing the World Cup games. We were able to watch the USA vs. Portugal game out in the middle of the city under the stars with hundreds of other people! It was one of the coolest things I have ever done! It was packed so we had to stand the entire game, but it was worth it! The atmosphere was crazy awesome! The fact that USA was ahead and in the last thirty seconds lost the lead to end the game in a tie was disappointing, but we couldn't have asked for a better night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yesterday, since it was Monday we again had the day off. I enjoyed the day by drinking my morning coffee and reading on the roof, cooking lunch (goulash & jello!) for the family, and then we all went downtown to shop (& of course eat ice cream!). At night we watched a movie with the entire family-- which is becoming an almost daily occurrence for us! We love to all sit down and watch a World Cup game or a movie and eat popcorn. It has been some great bonding time/relaxation time for us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few prayer requests for the week:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-I had a few misshaps/"injuries" this week-- Funny story, but I ripped my pants getting out of a trufi on a very sharp object sticking out of the seat. However, I got a deep scratch on my backside at the same time. I was thankful I am up to date on my tetanus shot, and it seems to be healing up nicely! ha.. I also got bit by something at the Cancha--we are thinking at least-- My foot just strangely started to swell up by my toe and throb and I was like missing some skin... It was so strange! But that seems to slowly be healing up as well! So I am thankful for some non-serious injuries, but pray we will continue to be healthy and injury-free. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-That I wouldn't think too much about the upcoming good-byes, but would live in the moment and use all of the time we have here to the fullest! (We really only have this week left of a "normal" week at El Centro.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-For VBS.. We are working on planning and preparing for VBS, which is already next week! The kids are starting to get excited! Pray that we would be able to share the Gospel with them and hopefully teach some of them who don't even go to church more about the God who loves them more than any of us do! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">-Continued safety</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanks so much for all of your support, prayers, and love from all over to where I am in Cochabamba. It means the world to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Breanna</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-10557259051726416472014-06-16T11:22:00.000-07:002014-06-16T11:23:17.261-07:00El Cristo de la Concordia<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What a GREAT weekend! I had a lot of fun this past weekend. It was a relaxing, rejuvenating time after our first long, busy week! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Sunday, I was asked to share my testimony in church, as each of us interns will have a chance to share one Sunday while we are here. They asked me to go first, as I am the first intern to leave! Sharing my testimony in front of our church in Spanish seemed a little daunting to me! But, this was when I really was very thankful for the many times my Spanish professors have had us share our testimonies in class during my time at NWC. :) I thought it went well, and it was a neat experience. After sharing, people laid hands on me and Gustavo prayed for me. I am so thankful to be a part of this church community while I am here. It's a neat experience being able to worship each week with such a small, intimate group of people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After church, we went out to eat like we do each Sunday with the Quiroga's, Porter's, and Gustavo. The World Cup was even being projected on a big screen at the restaurant! At the restaurant we discussed going up to El Cristo shortly after going home. Isaac, my 15-year-old brother, and Natasha, their cousin and the Porter's daughter, said that they would come with us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">El Cristo de la Concordia is the largest statue of Jesus Christ in the world! It sits on San Pedro Hill and is in the center of the city, so from up by the statue, you get to see all four parts of the city to each side of the statue! So cool! I definitely was excited I took my good camera all the way up because the views were amazing!! The statue is over 860 feet above the city of Cochabamba and is over 9,000 ft above sea level! I can still definitely feel the altitude difference here no matter where I am, and it was really crazy that high up! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We took the cable car up to El Cristo, which was so much fun, yet so scary!! Swinging back and forth on a cable car way up above the city was absolutely breathtaking! I, being not such a fan of heights, was a little freaked out but I made it! Once we got to the top, we walked up some steps to El Cristo. Then we were able to pay a couple Bolivianos to go up inside of El Cristo. The first staircase was so narrow one person could barely make their way up it! After that it wasn't as narrow, but we took about 8 or so more spiral staircases up. On each level there were small holes cut out of the cement so you could look out of the statue at the city on each side. The only light inside of the statue was the light shining in from those holes to the outside! As we kept going up, the view just kept getting better and better. We could walk all the way to the point of Jesus's arms and then you could walk a little ways in the arms. Such a neat experience and probably one of the coolest things I have ever done/seen! After coming back down on the staircases, we made our way outside where we walked around the statue some more and took lots of pictures and admired the view. I can now say I've been to El Cristo! They really are proud of it here, as you can see the statue from pretty much anywhere in the city! Anywhere you go at night, you can see it lit up all pretty and we can even see it from the roof of the Quiroga's house. So I'm glad I could finally go and see it up close for myself! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After spending some time up there, we decided we should probably climb down before it gets dark, as we hear the trail can be dangerous at dark. We got some ice cream and ate it as we walked down. We decided to take the stairs down. So crazy! It's apparently 3,333 steps to come down, and by the end of it our legs were definitely shaking. We do a lot of walking here so on a normal day our legs can be quite tired, but that was quite the trek! We made it before it got dark, though. It was really such a fun day with Isaac and Natasha and the other 3 interns! We are already making plans to go back and walk UP all the way on the steps! I don't know if we are making a death wish, but we so wanna say we accomplished such a task! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yesterday I was able to Skype and FaceTime my family for the first time since coming, which was such a blessing! It was just so great to be able to hear their voices and speak with them for a little bit and see a few different people who were around for Father's Day! This morning I was able to sit on the roof and relax a little bit while reading and doing my devotions. Spending my free mornings on the roof is probably one of my favorite things to do here. I love breathing in the fresh air, looking at the amazing view of the city, and taking in God's creation. It is just so peaceful up there, in the morning especially. I am looking forward to another amazing week here!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prayer requests:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Continued good health and safety for us here</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Our time at El Centro this week (only Tuesday and Wednesday this week as Thursday is a holiday)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. The "fair" we will be having at El Centro for the kids on Friday! Not quite sure what this is all about, but pray that preparations would go well and it would be a great day for the kids!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. We are looking forward to VBS the first week of July, so prayers that our preparations and planning would go well and that we can really bless the children that week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. That I would continue to feel God's love and peace in my life here, and that I would continue to learn so much and see what He wants me to see in my time here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanks again for all of your prayers and support! I really feel them. God is GOOD!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Breanna</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJrXTCI7KXn4lBr1BWghTd_bFJwwqvrSOX3TUJPyOOAYoiVBU37X921_QwIyP4A2FVbuEfkszPAmNNyumFBJkpT-bbKPO5-CIPzttl4OW9pjrDUfOfluUzimBbVBli3PKk_TJoDo3Ry0/s1600/IMG_0644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJrXTCI7KXn4lBr1BWghTd_bFJwwqvrSOX3TUJPyOOAYoiVBU37X921_QwIyP4A2FVbuEfkszPAmNNyumFBJkpT-bbKPO5-CIPzttl4OW9pjrDUfOfluUzimBbVBli3PKk_TJoDo3Ry0/s1600/IMG_0644.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Emily, & Bekah in the cable car</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 4 Center Interns :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhRao8Kvs-0fWop1RkdAbVpVz58ASB_ilz6DpCT1jcHMq-pF4BV2BJOpN6WHs_li96x-uHbFxpxbkkGkJJWIud_35R61glbv0eIR9IgFsrMcfOaQHCpzghiUB7X6clQAf8agwe5kinLI/s1600/IMG_0697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhRao8Kvs-0fWop1RkdAbVpVz58ASB_ilz6DpCT1jcHMq-pF4BV2BJOpN6WHs_li96x-uHbFxpxbkkGkJJWIud_35R61glbv0eIR9IgFsrMcfOaQHCpzghiUB7X6clQAf8agwe5kinLI/s1600/IMG_0697.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leah, Bekah, Emily, Me, & Natasha in the statue</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-9327489333413681282014-06-13T17:54:00.000-07:002014-06-13T17:54:13.067-07:0013 de Junio<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How to begin describing all the emotions I have experienced today...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today is a hard day. June 13 is always a hard day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Years go by, and it doesn't get easier. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I miss my family, yes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I miss my friends, yes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I miss my darling nephews, yes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I miss "home".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But today I had to experience missing those things in the midst of really MISSING someone who I've missed for 7 years. And it isn't any easier when you have to miss someone without the comfort of your family around you. Today, I woulda given a lot to be able to hug my mom. That was my one big selfish desire for the day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yes, I miss my family and the many comforts of home. But more than that, today was a day where I really deeply missed Uncle Dave. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's not a fun day, and I'm definitely ready for it to be over. But God sustained me through a day that could have been a lot worse. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A verse that came to my mind and I saw on multiple occasions today was this... <i>"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." {2 Corinithians 12:9} </i>I have liked this verse for a while and held onto it as I was preparing to go on this adventure. I love the idea that God uses us in our weaknesses. I am weak. Today, I was especially weak. My heart hurt, and I was longing for things that I couldn't have. But God still used me. And God used my day for His glory. Today was a day when I definitely needed God's grace to get me through the day, and that is exactly what He did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Standing on the rooftop tonight looking out at the full moon and the immense sky full of stars, I was reminded of how great and how vast God's love is for us. And how His grace got me here and continues to sustain me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So in a day that could have been overtaken by the sadness in my heart, I was able to have a one-on-one Spanish lesson with an amazing and caring woman and teacher, hand out snack to 80 eager and joy-filled children, and hear countless happy voices calling out my name "Hola Profe Breanna! Hola! Hola!" God's grace is definitely sufficient for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I could do it all knowing someone was up in heaven smiling down on me, keeping a protective eye on me, and teasing me for every misstep along the way. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-59631047608263472952014-06-12T18:43:00.002-07:002014-06-12T18:43:33.956-07:00Dia de la Copa Mundial!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today is World Cup Day (the first day of the World Cup), and so many of the kids at El Centro (especially the boys) couldn't control their excitement! "Who do you want to win?! Who do you think is going to win! Brazil! Brazil!" It was fun to see the excitement and joy on their faces. It is a big deal here, since the World Cup is just taking place right next door in Brazil. Most of the kiddos here are cheering for Brazil (since Bolivia doesn't have a team competing), but if you ask mi hermanito Isaac who is going to win-- Espana! Espana! He is definitely cheering for Spain. It's a lot of fun to be in South America as this is going on. People here are selling things with World Cup stuff on them and there are Brazil World Cup 2014 advertisements everywhere! The boys in this house definitely love soccer and so I am sure we will be kept up to speed on everything going on with the World Cup.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What a crazy, hectic, tiring, FUN week it has been. We are in the midst of our first really full, normal week here in Cochabamba. We had last weekend to relax some more after our Thursday and Friday off. Saturday we went downtown, walked around the parks and the city a lot, got some amazing ice cream at Dumbo's, and had a fun day together. Saturday night we went to Kathryn's (another missionary/team member) apartment. She went to culinary school before coming to Bolivia to serve, so she offered us homemade brownies and ice cream. :) We had a GREAT night of playing games (Evopolio...Bolivian version of Monopoly!). It was fun to be able to laugh and relax with some good friends here in Bolivia. Sunday we went to church again, which was great as usual, and then we returned for a day of relaxation and rest. We had another great night of conversation with our host family. I'm continually blessed by the Quiroga's.. what a wonderful, funny family to be a part of during this summer. I couldn't have asked for better people to spend my summer with! David, the father, is always joking with us about trying to set us up with people and that we need to get married (especially since we know how to cook!). We have had plenty-a-good laughs with Isaac, the 15-year-old, as well. He is HILARIOUS and always keeps us on our toes. (We do tease him a little bit, too) ;) I am sure he just LOVES living with four 20-something ladies. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our newest (and last) team member arrived just yesterday morning! Emily is a college student from Minnesota who attends Wheaton (in Illinois). She is a sweetheart, and she fits in well with the rest of us and we are so glad to have her! It has been fun getting to know yet another girl here in Bolivia. I have been blessed by the friendships and unity that has already been forming amongst the team of people we have here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Monday we went on a little adventure to a park...really shouldn't have been much of an adventure, but it sure turned into one! A little boy told us we couldn't go in.."umm, okkk, it's a park? why not?" Turns out he had reason! A teenage girl was like "yeah, go for it.." So we entered. It was a beautiful park that was recently built. The park had a large grassy section full of exercise equipment..yes, actual exercise equipment! Outside! So cool! When Joana said there was a "gym" there, I didn't actually think there was a "gym" in the park! What a great idea to get your exercise done right outside! I mean, the weather here couldn't be more gorgeous. There is NEVER any humidity. It is really dry and each day gets up to probably lower 80s..just GORGEOUS weather. At night it can get down to 50s probably I'd say, but it is expected to get colder as the winter goes on. Anyways, we played around on the exercise equipment, explored the park for a good 20 minutes when we started walking past the pool that was there and everything. A man then approached us and said that the park was closed and we needed to get out...OOPS. So, yes, the little boy was correct when he said we couldn't go in. However, it wasn't REALLY our fault because there was no signs and the gate had been left unlocked and even open. The lady who escorted us out wasn't <i>quite</i> as friendly as the nice man who told us we need to leave and return on a day that isn't Monday. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tuesday was my day to go with Kathryn to the Cancha (the market) to help her shop for her women's cooking classes at El Centro. It was a fun morning with her! We did a lot of walking (especially since finding a trufi home was difficult when a random parade that was blocks long popped up!). It is interesting being two blonde, American girls walking around the Cancha. We had to be especially careful as to not get robbed and got a lot of unnecessary attention from people. We survived, though! After, we ran some more errands and had lunch at her house. It was great getting to know her more on a one-to-one basis as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The past two days we have spent the mornings at El Centro doing construction. They have been LONG days, and we are very exhausted by the end of them! We are cleaning up the grounds a lot to make it look nicer and so that eventually maybe the kids will have more space to actually run around and play. For the most part, they handed us shovels and pickaxes, set us on top of a dirt/rock pile, and we got to work! (I couldn't help but think..RyderBoy would be in HEAVEN here....he coulda been busy "stoopin" all day!!!) It was hard work, but it felt good to get some good physical labor in and work up a sweat! By the end of the morning, we were tired and very dirty and ready for lunch. We would head back to the house, which is a trek in itself, shower up or clean up, eat lunch, and then on back to El Centro it is for teaching/working with the kiddos! I will explain what we do at El Centro more in another post and hopefully share some photos..this one is unfortunately getting quite long..sorry!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As for me now... my muscles are sore, my mind is tired, and I need some rest before my first Spanish lesson tomorrow!! A few prayer requests before I go..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Continued safety</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Health...that we stay healthy; I have also been struggling a lot lately with my allergies here..a lot I think because of the amount of dust here and everything..but it would be nice if I could get some relief from that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Sleep..I haven't been sleeping SUPER well..mostly because of the insane amount of bad/weird dreams I have been having. I know that my malaria pills are to blame, and I have been seriously considering stopping taking my malaria pills so I will have to decide what to do about that exactly.. (there are NO bugs here, so really there is no need for them..)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Continued relationships at El Centro. I feel as if the kids are super eager to meet us, get to know us, etc. but at first it still was hard to get to know them/remember their names/feel a part of The Center/etc. So pray that relationships would form, we would continue to get to know kids/remember their names, etc. Those relationships are why I am here..to spread Jesus's love to these kiddos and love on them while I can!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sorrrry for the super long post :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Breanna</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-71580714120280127772014-06-06T13:23:00.002-07:002014-06-06T13:45:28.541-07:00El Dia de la Maestra<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have a little time to blog today because it happens to be "Dia de los maestros" in Bolivia, which is the national day to celebrate teachers!! What a fun day it is for us teachers in Bolivia. :) Many kids bring their teachers flowers or other small gifts before the holiday. All the schools are pretty much closed on this day, so we as well have the day off as no kids will be coming to El Centro for classes. We also took yesterday off for the holiday and everyone who works at The Center went out to supper last night. I think we should have a holiday like this in the States! It is always a fun time getting together with all the other teachers and getting to know them further.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It has been a crazy last couple of days here in Cochabamba. We are starting to feel very settled and were excited to begin our work at El Centro this week (although it was only a 2-day work week for us at The Center). I want to update you on all the great things that have been happening here this week! I have finally been in Bolivia for a full week, and that week sure has gone fast! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First off, a few of the things that have made me smile this week.. :)</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Waking up Tuesday morning to mi hermana, Joana, frying me an egg. The food here has probably been the hardest thing to get used to...so one of my favorite foods (that she remembered I liked from a previous conversation) was a very pleasant surprise! Since that day, I have had eggs two other days for breakfast as well. :)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Playing Scrabble last night with mi hermano, Isaac... Leah and I had a fun time playing Scrabble in both English and Spanish (just to make it fair for everyone ;) ). We always have fun teaching Isaac new English words and answering any questions about English he has. He is SO eager to learn... even if it is just words so that he can do better on his English videogames. :)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Having good ole MASHED POTATOES for lunch today... homemade and all. YUM!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last night like I said, we went out to eat with the other team members. We ate at a sort of food court--there seems to be a lot of places to eat like that around here. I had a hamburger and french fries. (Let me just note, I realized how blessed we are with Iowa beef. Can't say it was the best burger I've ever eaten.;) ) And at this food court there was COLDSTONE ice cream....we had seen this place a couple days previously and were like WHAT?! Coldstone ice cream in Bolivia?! That's our first place to go when we get homesick..! Well, when we got there we found out it wasn't <i>quite actual </i>Coldstone Creamery...just had the same name. haha. But they did have some dandy ice cream, and I was definitely very satisfied after being able to eat a dish of rich chocolate ice cream! Delicious! We will definitely be returning there. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Conversations with my sweet family here-- they are so great! I especially enjoyed sitting with mama Toty on the way home from supper last night on the microbus. (It was our first trip taking the bus and it was an experience for sure!) She is just so sweet, and I love having conversation with her. I think she worries about me as much as my own mother does--so don't worry Mom, there is someone else here doing it for you! ;) Every time we are out alone and return home, she says she is so thankful we returned home and that she had worried about us. :)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All the kids running around at the center calling me "Profe Breanna"... fun to be called "profe" for once! :) The kids are so sweet and were excited to meet their new teachers!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It has been a week of a lot of firsts. I'm excited to say we are getting used to getting around here, though. Right away Tuesday Joana took me to the bank to get US cash to pay for my housing and everything here. After getting my cash she said, "Ok. So can you get yourself home now? I will meet you at home because I have to run to the store." Uhhhh.... sure?! So there I was finding my way back to the house on a trufi for the first time with $500 cash in my pocket and all alone! But I did it! I felt very proud of myself after that achievement. :) The transportation here is just crazy. But we are slowly getting used to it, and getting quite good at it, too! So far, so good..we haven't gotten lost yet! Just to get to El Centro we have to catch three different trufis (taxis), get on the correct number/color, and get off at the right place! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tuesday we went to El Centro for the first time for our first actual day with the kiddos! It was wonderful! Tuesday and Wednesday we spent preparing snack for the kiddos and then helping out in Joana's Creatividad class (arts/crafts class) that the kids get to do after all of their other work is done. This week I helped Joana prepare the activities for the class. It was a lot of fun interacting with the kids and being able to get to know them a little bit. I am slowly picking up on some of the names of the kiddos, but we'll see how many I actually remember after this long weekend! The past couple mornings we have spent at El Centro as well, just cleaning things good for church and all the kiddos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our teammate Rebekah arrived Tuesday night. It has been great getting to know her and having another pair of hands! She is a preschool teacher from Kansas three years out of college. Wednesday morning Joana took the three of us downtown, we walked around, and ran some errands. One of the funnier stories of this week is that during that time she took us to the Plaza Principal, which Leah and I had adventured to on Monday by ourselves. Well, turns out we actually never made it to the Plaza Principal on Monday. When the trufi dropped us off, he had said "the Plaza is up there" and pointed.. Turns out we didn't walk <i>quite </i>far enough and never even made it to the Plaza! We had found a good shopping location and we just assumed we were at the Plaza Principal! So when Joana said, "of course this is the Plaza Principal, where you came Monday...", Leah and I looked at each other and then at Joana and were like "Uhhh we've never seen this before." Joana was a little scared for a bit!.. Like, "Where did that trufi driver take you?! Where were you all alone on Monday?!" haha Well, we kept walking a little further and showed Joana where we actually had been on Monday. We all thought it was pretty funny that we didn't even go to the place she sent us to. When she had given us directions, she never told us what to expect or what it was like when we got there, so we had no idea what to look for!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few prayer requests:</span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Continued safety: for us on the roads and when we are taking trufis/microbuses, when we are crossing super busy streets to catch trufis, etc.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Health: both me and Leah have had a little bout of being sick this week-- probably mostly from things we had eaten. So pray that we would have good health.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For relationships to blossom at El Centro... with the other teachers and with the children especially. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That I would continue to do well here and not miss home! I have been doing well but now that I've been gone a full week I expect to start missing home and the many things and people that come with it more. Having a couple days off is a blessing, but they can also get long which makes missing home more possible!</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanks so much for your prayers and support thus far!! I love it here in Cochabamba and am so blessed to be in this place at this time. It is a beautiful place with beautiful people! Feel free to email me (breanna.mars@nwciowa.edu) or message me as I love hearing from friends and family back home. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Breanna</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLTl8EqVgEBjr4rrXaDp7gX9F4HQ-ibkA26QL8rN38rb-78IznioleyN_H04r-KtLMONlgcjKbeWq6Y63uwPUy8pHIiBSWdP5egjoHe-mgAzcJOJzFfXxEHDJRq1QKT_A7AZACqdpPWY/s1600/IMG_2594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLTl8EqVgEBjr4rrXaDp7gX9F4HQ-ibkA26QL8rN38rb-78IznioleyN_H04r-KtLMONlgcjKbeWq6Y63uwPUy8pHIiBSWdP5egjoHe-mgAzcJOJzFfXxEHDJRq1QKT_A7AZACqdpPWY/s1600/IMG_2594.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mi querida Joana--so thankful for her. Such a beautiful woman inside & out!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKroMP9tGNQg34CZ9iSA_K8RsmCIHkgcIltjaGsqptcEFDzF_CfmECF32T1RI10VjohLt_EtYxgrkGpMYIJUh7zWxjkPt973ssgmjlaod-7q6XaeQVDvUXhNI37K9sYcrgMP1I-3glAo/s1600/IMG_2593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKroMP9tGNQg34CZ9iSA_K8RsmCIHkgcIltjaGsqptcEFDzF_CfmECF32T1RI10VjohLt_EtYxgrkGpMYIJUh7zWxjkPt973ssgmjlaod-7q6XaeQVDvUXhNI37K9sYcrgMP1I-3glAo/s1600/IMG_2593.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama Toty & Matias</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XJqWo5ebHKdHoFZc8RHIpwwZc37yTkyjPl_L2PEViawuX-w9F70euFqZaR4qTLb46PdtJIgYm8nL4FPTOupMXJvPKCq5zzeToB05S9QVafoF6Wg55ivYmNqUvfOzwyoBmZtFW_oB36o/s1600/IMG_0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XJqWo5ebHKdHoFZc8RHIpwwZc37yTkyjPl_L2PEViawuX-w9F70euFqZaR4qTLb46PdtJIgYm8nL4FPTOupMXJvPKCq5zzeToB05S9QVafoF6Wg55ivYmNqUvfOzwyoBmZtFW_oB36o/s1600/IMG_0617.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from the roof of our house..one of my favorite places to be here! <br />
Cochabama sure is one beautiful city.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-65754463761392158022014-06-01T13:05:00.003-07:002014-06-01T13:05:31.929-07:00Los primeros dias en Cochabamba<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wow! What a crazy past couple days it has been. We have been slowly getting accustomed to Cochabamba and are starting to get the hang of a few things here... but there's still so much to learn! I will try to keep what has happened the last couple of days short and sweet but there's just so much to tell!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Saturday morning we went to La Cancha (the large market here in Cochabamba) with Joana. We helped her buy a few things such as meat, pasta, herbs, etc... It was LOCA. Absolutely crazy... I have never seen anything like it. I thought Haitian markets were crazy..absolutely NOTHING compares to La Cancha. ha! It consisted of holding tight onto my purse so nothing was stolen, staying as close to Joana as I could so I didn't get lost, and making our way through crowds of people, vendors, food stands, and random meat products, and not trying to get run over by any vehicles. It was crazy, but so much fun, too! There were so many sights and sounds, and it was a little overwhelming but a lot of fun, too. I honestly don't know how we will ever be expected to get around there by ourselves. It is blocks and blocks of just packed chaos. We also went to our first ATM there and figured all that out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After La Cancha, we were a bit exhausted and came back to the house and rested. Last night, we went to the oldest daughter of the Quiroga family Shari's house. She was married last year and has a 6-month-old son Matias. He is SO CUTE! Her husband was gone working all night, so she invited us over for movies. She lives in a condo in a different part of town on the 9th floor. There was an amazing view of the Cristo statue in the distance and you could look out over the entire city---the views here continue to amaze me! It was a lot of fun watching movies, eating, and just getting to know the family better. I showed them a picture of Tate because he is about Matias's age, and they finally understood why I call him my chunky little nephew. :) They kept saying how "gordito" he is and giggled, saying he was so cute. I also got to share with them a little bit about Ryder and his story, which was a blessing to share how God has worked in his life and our family's. They agreed that GOD IS GOOD. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A little more about the Quiroga family, just so you have an idea of who I am staying with this summer! They are GREAT people, and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful host family. David: the father; Toty: the mother; Shari: oldest daughter (with son Matias); Joana: daughter in her 20's/teacher at El Centro; Jorge: 21-year-old son; Isaac: 15-year-old son. I have enjoyed getting to know them all individually through conversations and time spent with them! Best of all, they all are SO patient with our Spanish and willing to teach us and correct us. They all know pretty good English as well! I am definitely impressed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This morning, Sunday, we went to church at El Centro (the center where me and Leah will be serving). It was our first trip there. Joana kind of showed us the ropes of how to get there so soon we will be able to do it ourselves. We have to take three different trufis (like a taxi) and stop at different places. It might take a bit to figure out exactly where we are going here. Everything looks so similar and is very confusing to me! Once the trufi drops us off as far as it goes, we have to walk up a pretty steep hill to El Centro. That was the first time I've really noticed the altitude change here! It is a good walk, and I am expecting strong calf muscles by the end of this. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Church was so great. They have church at El Centro with a small group. It was about 5x more kids than it was adults, as a lot of the kids who go to El Centro attend without their parents even. There first is a "Communion Service" where we sang songs, had a very short message, and then took communion. They also had the kiddos greet us, which was really cute. I can't wait to get to know them better. Then there is a short break where someone provides a light "snack": cafe con leche and cookies (OREOS!:)) Then we had another service all together. Everyone sang together, prayed, some people share, etc. and then the kids go to their own little church/Sunday School. Then the 15 or so adults/older kids that were left got into a circle and the rest of church was set up much like a Bible Study. We studied John 6 and Gustavo led us through a way to study the Bible. It was a great experience-- being able to worship in a more intimate setting, with people of all ages participating, and studying the Bible with a group of brothers and sisters in Christ. Gustavo (or Gus) is a great guy. We met him today at El Centro. He is probably in his 20's and is such a genuine man. He clearly has joy for the Lord and loves the kiddos there and serving God. We talked to him for some time after church as well. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A couple of my highlights from church were singing a song we sang with kiddos in Nicaragua and singing "10,000 Reasons" in Spanish, which happens to be one of my favorites at home. Before singing, they asked the kids all the things we should be thankful for. It reminded me of how many reasons we really do have to serve and praise our God. No matter where we are in the world-- we ALL have 10,000 reasons! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After church, they generally go out to eat. So, we went to this supermarket which had a sort of food court (looked very similar to America!) and ate. I had some pizza-- couldn't pass up some good American(ish) food for once. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It has been a VERY good couple of days! I haven't been dealing with really any homesickness, which is such an answer to prayer. I have been adjusting well and slowly getting used to life here. The last days have been busy with getting to know the Quiroga family better and getting to know Cochabamba, so I am excited to finally start serving and working at El Centro this week! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prayer requests:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Safety in travel: There really are no rules of the road here. The driving is absolutely crazy! It is fun, but please pray for safety as we are often taking a car or many trufis to get to and from where we need to go each day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Pray that I continue to adjust and learn how to get places, how to do things here, etc. It will be nice to finally be able to do some things "on our own". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Pray that our first week at El Centro will be great and that we will start forming wonderful relationships with the kiddos there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Communication: Complete immersion in another language is difficult. There are times when I'm feeling so proud of myself and all I can say in Spanish and there are moments where it is frustrating, I can't get the right words out, and I just struggle with it. Pray for perseverance in learning and that I won't always feel so drained from all the Spanish each day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, that was kind of long, so that will be it for today. :) There is just so much to tell and so many great experiences to share! I hope everyone is doing well and finding beauty in each day like I am learning to find here in Cochabamba. :) GOD IS GOOD!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Breanna</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-753997396022454122014-05-30T18:00:00.005-07:002014-05-30T18:00:59.929-07:00FINALLY here... Hola from Cochabamba!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have finally made it!! We have arrived at our new home for the summer, and I couldn't be happier!! It was definitely a very long journey and after a day and a half of traveling, it feels so good to unpack the bags and say I am staying a while. We flew overnight last night from Miami to La Paz. We had an hour to sit on the plane in La Paz at like 4 AM while others deplaned and others got on. At that point, we were all a little overly tired, in a state of wishing we could have just slept longer so we could get an actual night's rest. I thankfully slept the entire overnight trip once they shut the cabin lights off and don't remember anything of that flight! Then we flew about an hour from La Paz to Santa Cruz. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We got into Santa Cruz at about 7 AM and went through immigration. Immigration couldn't have gone smoother. It really was so simple and we were so thankful for that. We had from that time until our flight left at 2 PM in the Santa Cruz airport then. I wasn't expecting that long delay, but we realized it once we looked at our flight time. That was quite the long layover, but we made it! Had a little Cinnabon in the airport (nothing like comfort food ;) ). Then we luckily found this really nice skydeck on the roof of the airport. We sat up there and were able to watch the planes come and go for a couple hours. It felt SOO good to finally breathe some fresh air after being stuck in an airport and on planes for over 24 hours. It was windy, sunny, and warm with an occasional mist but so nice! That was our first glimpse of the beautiful creation here in Bolivia! I laid down for a couple hours on one of the benches up there and got some sleep (and a very nice farmer's tan.... oh well, I'll take any sun at this point). It felt SO nice!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then we finally got on our plane to Cochabamba! The flight was only like 45 minutes after that super long layover so that was nice. We got off the plane, got our luggage, and immediately met Joana who was there to pick us up! She is so nice and immediately put us at ease. We didn't really even get a chance to say good-bye to Arianne and Emily, Arianne's teammate we met up with in Miami, as they went off with whoever picked them up as well. We took a taxi back to the Quiroga's house, which is where we are staying. I will hopefully share more about them as I get to know them more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Me and Leah have our own room at the Quiroga's. Their place is beautiful with lots of space! The doors all lead to outside and there is four levels to the house. The top level is on the roof with an AMAZING view of the mountains and Cochabamba. I can't wait to spend more time up there during the day and at night. We spent a lot of time this afternoon in the kitchen just talking with members of the family we are staying with and getting completely immersed in Spanish from the get-go! I can officially say I think my Spanish brain is getting warmed back up. :) We talked a lot about our families and got to know each other. They have a 7-month old grandson, so he is comparable in age to Tate. (And they think the name "Tate" is just the funniest/cutest thing!) They love hearing about my nephews and I don't mind sharing. ;) It's amazing how much you can have in common with people from halfway across the world. It helps me feel very at home here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So far, so good! I really have been doing well. The only moment any "sadness" or "nervousness" hit me was when we took off from Miami, and it was like well here we go! Next stop=South America! But other than that, I think everything is going remarkably well. Praise God for the very smooth travel we had! Pray that we get some rest tonight as we haven't had much but glorified naps the past couple of days. And pray we continue to get settled here in our new home! THANK YOU for all of your prayers thus far!! I will hopefully be able to update often with what's going on here and what it's like!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Breanna</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05587626599462870168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168719590136725099.post-78410842815086488382014-05-22T08:33:00.001-07:002014-05-22T08:33:30.721-07:001 week...7 days...168 hours...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I leave on my Summer of Service to Cochabamba, Bolivia, in one week. ONE week. I really can't believe it. I really don't know how I feel about that! Some days I feel really scared, anxious, nervous, unsure... But most of the time these days I've been feeling an overwhelming feeling of being blessed. I really am excited to go, and I don't know if it will really feel like it's happening until I'm on an airplane and leaving my family at the Omaha airport next Thursday morning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When people ask why I signed up for an SOS, it's really hard for me to give an answer to them. I don't really know! I just kept feeling called to fill out the application, keep going with the process, and now I guess I am going to Bolivia! There was a little bit more to it. ;) But for the most part, I really just felt a tug on my heart always that this is what God wants me to do and the direction I am supposed to be going this summer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A song that was in my head a lot during my time of deciding what to do and whether this was something I was supposed to do was "Oceans" by Hillsong UNITED. A lot of you probably know this song. One line really stuck with me and gave me peace about my decision. It goes like this...</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters, wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander. And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The hardest part about me going is clearly having to leave home. But that song reminded me that I need to have the trust in Him to go wherever He needs me and wants me to go. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That's why I decided to call my blog "Trust Without Borders". I will be crossing borders, and I will be far from home. But I will be in good hands, because I will be in God's hands.. the ENTIRE time. I love that. I know this will be a transformational opportunity for me. I can't wait to see what God has in store since I'm following His lead. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyways, I leave next week Thursday morning! I will be flying with two SOS teammates, Arianne and Leah, from Omaha to Cochabamba. We will be leaving the Omaha airport shortly after 10 AM. I will be with Leah the entire time working at El Centro de Amistad y Apoyo. We will be tutoring kids, doing small construction projects, and just forming relationships with all the kiddos and people there. I can't wait to see the ways in which God will use us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me thus far! I was brought to tears many times seeing the many gifts people have given to get me to this place and fully fund my trip. Now, I am asking for your prayer! Which is just as important, if not more important! PRAY...</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">alongside me as I make the final preparations to go;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">that any anxiety and nervousness would go away and in its place would be more excitement and peace;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">that Leah and I and the 2 other interns we will be working with would really grow close, have unity, and work well together;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">for my heart, that I would be ready to soak in anything God is trying to teach me while I'm gone.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">that I am not homesick... as this is probably my biggest fear right now;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">for my entire well-being... physically, mentally, spiritually. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I will hopefully be writing a blog post every week while I am there, so check back in often! :) And meanwhile, be PRAYING! I am so thankful for each and every person in my life and the countless ways they have blessed me and gotten me to this point. So, THANK YOU again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adios y vaya con Dios, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Breanna </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.kateandneil.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Bolivia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.kateandneil.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Bolivia.jpg" height="313" width="400" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">{You can see Cochabamba is right in the center of Bolivia, which is where I will be!}</span></blockquote>
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