Dia De Santa Cruz!

Dia De Santa Cruz is basically fourth of July for this City. Every city has their own celebration for their anniversary...this 24th of September was Santa Cruz' 200 year anniversary!

Needless to say the city gets pretty excited for this...they all wear Santa Cruz colors (Green and White)...and there are many many nights filled with ENDLESS fireworks. :/ Not always enjoyable especially for our very cowardly dog Dudley...yeah, Dudley's had a rough week.

Another highlight of this anniversary celebration is EXPO CRUZ!  This was SO fun for us because neither Andy or I had ever been to the Expo...Usually Andy has been everywhere and he just tollerates things on my behalf. But this time we both were experiencing something new. It was fascinating. We were able to go the second night it was open (Sept 18)...at about 7:30pm and didn't leave till about 10:30. How I would describe it is kinda like a Worlds fair...every country or even big business has its own booth/tent at the fair grounds and you just go and see what there is to see. We saw the new Samsung 3D televisions, the Argentinians new tourist plan, the award winning cattle of this country(MASSIVE COWS), the newest cars (I'm guessing Toyota...I forget...) and so much more. Probably the most ehem...memorable of the things we saw were Latin Americas most BEAUTIFUL women! I'm not kidding. Expo Cruz is famous for all the models they have there. Each business probably had at least 5 gorgeous girls advertising outside for them.  The models have nothing to do with the product necessarily...they just are there to attract customers...  I was really in shock at first that that little of clothing could be ALLOWED out in public...but hey, this sure isn't america. :)   Three hours was definitely long enough for me to decide that I probably wouldn't want Andy to ever come back. =) Or even me for that matter...too many pretty girls.  BUT, Expo Cruz was definitely a memorable experience! We ate some great food and had some great times with friends!!

Wow...you know its big when ANDY is dwarfed by it. :)

Andy was excited to see all the new toys with wheels

Andy and I shared the BIGGEST steak I've ever seen!!!

The Browns and us... :)

After... I think we did pretty good. Ate the all the yucca, most of the steak...and the potato salad. YUM

Other news is that Spring has officially arrived bringing its 95 degree temperatures and scorching sun...oh my goodness I can't even imagine what summer will be like. Right now we are praying for rain...all our plants are dying. Rainy season begins mid October. :) NOT TOO MUCH LONGER!

Thats about it I guess...things are good. We go to take the finance office our books for the month tomorrow! I can't believe we are nearing our third month in this country. I still feel like there is much adjusting to do. Andy's Mom and Dad come back home this weekend! We are so anxious to see them!

Viva SANTA CRUZ!!!

Our first get away!

Here at the mission home, our main job is to BE HERE! Answering phones and welcoming guests involves our presence obviously...so we don't get much if any time during the week to just pick up and leave. Well, needless to say, cabin fever does set in sometimes and we were so thankful for a slow weekend so that we could take our first real trip away from Santa Cruz and the Guest Home! We went with two veteran missionaries along with a single lady from Canada who was visiting to see if Bolivia is the place for her. (I hope she comes here!!) We went to visit an Ayore tribe that is about an hour by car from Santa Cruz. After growing up in the Philippines and having to fly into tribal locations because there were no roads, I sort of laughed at the idea of DRIVING to a tribe that was only about an hour away!!!

We started the drive and I realized very soon that driving here is move like...maneuvering. Haha I was SO THANKFUL for a driver who knew what he was doing. We definitely had to be ready for anything. We drove on pavement for awhile, but then on a dirt road the rest of the way. Andy drank his terere (Paraguayan drink kind of like a cold tea) and I was shocked that it didn't fly out the window...the road was mostly pot holes!!

Andy drinkin his terere.

We made a quick stop to get cheese and yucca flour to make Cunape. Cunape is the main cheese bread here in Bolivia...made from Yucca flour(what we use to make tapioca), cheese (very "real" cheese made by the Mennonites in the area), milk, salt, a little sugar, eggs, and pig fat. (I'm sure I forgot some ingredients...) Anyway, so we get the the village, meet the missionary family, and then they begin teaching me and Julie how to make Cunape! It was FASCINATING to watch them. My only real contribution was grating the cheese...I definitely want to try this on my own sometime. SO YUMMY! :)

Kids welcoming us to the tribe! =) Or maybe just excited to jump on the truck...

Learning how to make Cunape

Our lovely teachers!

We had a quick tour of the village...and man, I wasn't laughing at calling this a tribe anymore. The people there live in such pagan beliefs...even with being so close to a major city. A couple of the beliefs really got to me. The members of the tribe make their houses out of clay and wood...very flimsy...and this is because if a member of that household dies, they MUST tear down that house and build another one to live in. Also, the young women of the tribe are taught to "gain experience" before marriage by exercising prostitution in the nearby towns. It was so very sad to me to see normal looking people, living in such a corrupted way. The missionary in that village said that it was a struggle for him to know how to lead the people in some areas. He told us of some young ladies who came to him with money as an offering to the church...but he KNEW that money had come to them by prostitution! ITs just such a sad situation...such a harsh people group. They only have about fifteen members of the church. I know Church is not measured in numbers, but I couldn't help but be saddened by all the people I saw who were still living without a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. So often you hear the stories of missionaries who go to the tribe and within months have a church with hundreds of members and they all get saved and start growing and put off all their sinful beliefs. And here we have a tribe thats had missionaries in it for years and years and yet has only fifteen tribal members and still has such awful sin amongst them! I was heartbroken and really challenged not to "judge" a tribe by its accessibility. I can't believe I did that. Just because those people aren't in the middle of the Bolivian Jungle doesn't mean they aren't lost.

The red building is the church. In the Background is the missionaries house.

houses...

 

You can be the poorest of the poor...but you'll still have a basketball court! :)

We so enjoyed our day away and are proud to be a part of the work that goes on here in Bolivia. I think it made our job a little easier...seeing a little bit of what the "real" missionary deals with...I see why they would need a break from it and even room to get things done...and that's exactly the purpose of the mission home here! To provide a sort of haven for the ones out in the tribe that need a break, a cheap travel in-between, or even get some dreaded paper work done. :) This trip really energized us with our task at hand!

Taking a break...

Hey guys-

I thought I would take a quick break from my Spanish studies to tell you that...WE FINALLY HAVE A CHURCH!!!! Last week was our second week and since no major "problems" have arose, we are pretty confident we'll be staying there. :) I guess I should take some time and explain...

I told you we were getting involved in a BOlivian church and had three options...We loved option number one!!!! Then, after visiting option number two, a smaller baptist church, we decided to opt for option one without even LOOKING at option three. This reason was because of the closeness of the church as well as how it "fit" us... Well, we found out three weeks into church going that this church "Templo Cristiano" was part of some movement that we (as missionaries) probably shouldn't be a part of...so, here came option number three, a small Brethren church that is still in walking distance from home! The Brethren church is sweet, and we have already made friends...the only "problem" is that I have to wear a head covering...It is basically a doily on my head. And I really don't have any spiritual problems with this...I mean, I don't believe women should have to cover their heads in church...but I am not opposed to wearing one if its for the sake of making the other Bolivians comfortable. The only discomfort I have with it is simply that I am vain...I always take time to look my best for church...and I feel like an old lady when I have to put a doily on my head. So there. The truth is out and I am a very worldly, vain woman. :/ Sorry.

But anyway, after surveying the crowd last Sunday, we're not really sure WHO wears the head coverings. Not all the women do, at least not in this church. We're thinking its just the older generation? Does anybody know anything about brethren churches who could offer some advice?? We will eventually make good enough friends where we can ASK them...but for now, I feel a little funny. I hope wearing one is the better option than NOT wearing one. :) Either way its a funny situation to be in. I have decided to study the Brethren doctrine/head covering beliefs...This week I plan to read up on Paul's teaching in the Bible on such things. :) Let me know if any of you guys have a vast knowledge of the Brethren Church!!! =) We are definitely not put off by this difference and are VERY anxious to get involved with these believers!! Yay for fellowship... :)

Ok, back to my Spanish...

Two REALLY BIG THINGS!!!

So, basically the SAME day that I posted that last post, God totally dropped two really huge things on our laps!

The first thing was that we got a call from a lady named Lori Esteel...she is Bolivian but was adopted by an American missionary lady when she was very young...and now she lives here! She called and said that she would be willing to tutor me Spanish!!! And get this...only 20 Bolivianos an hour!!! Which is like...not even three dollars! She's giving us a special price because we are missionaries with New Tribes. :) SO WOW! I had my first Spanish lesson Monday and my second yesterday. We are doing three days a week for an hour and a half! I have probably doubled my language learning time every day and so now my head continually feels FULL...

The second thing was that I went to the grocery store all by myself!!!!! Praise the Lord! Andy was busy so i just did it...and it wasn't that awful. I picked the worst night to go...they were having samples given out...so people kept asking me if I wanted this and that. One lady actually cornered me in the tooth paste isle and so instead of getting the "Crest" brand that I was intending, I got a cheap Bolivian brand...that I'm not even sure is tooth paste. :/ Oops. I didn't know how say (in Spanish) anything but "no thank you"...and she wasn't taking my "no thank you" for an answer...so, I just said. "Ok, thank you." Oh well, better next time. Minus the tooth paste tragedy it was a success...and Andy was quite proud of me! :)

So those are my two big things!!! Praise the Lord! He blesses us every day with something unexpected and wonderful!

Here's some pictures of life lately:

We got a kitty cat stuck in our avacado tree... :/ Andy climbed up there to get it...but it was too high...


We go out to the Bolivian Bible School (Etnos) almost once a week...Andy plays volleyball with the students and staff...he is literally two times bigger than most of them! Its so funny...


Getting the mail...it scares me every time. We wind through a maze of P.O. boxes, down really dimly lit isles...a good place for mugging if you ask me. :/

Blessings-

So, I have SO MUCH to write about...I've been trying to prioritize what to write about first...SO, I decided to take this time and just tell all of you how the Lord has blessed us and all the prayers that have been answered!

-Probably the number one blessing has been the overwhelming amount of financial support that has come in!! We have honestly been in complete shock over how many people chose to give to us. For the month of July we received the entire amount that we had hoped to receive. This money has helped us to FEEL so secure. We now have money for rent, food, other necessities as well as some minor niceties. We still are hoping to jump right back into school in a year and therefore need to save for initial fees as well. This of course, is only for the month of July...but we know the Lord will supply for all our needs!

- Another huge blessing is our health! We have not had any problems with the food or water here, which is very uncommon. The first few days we were here, we realized we had been using tap water to brush our teeth...oops. :) From then on we just decided to go with it and not worry about every little bit of unfiltered water we drink or about every questionable thing we might happen to eat. We're still careful, but learned that our immune systems can take it.

- The Lord has really worked in our hearts within the month that we've been here. We are so blessed to be a part of reaching the unreached people groups here and now I believe we have a greater understanding of the work that goes into that. I'll write more about that in the near future. We see the huge need that Bolivia has within New Tribes Mission... It will be so very hard to leave, knowing how much they need people here!!!

- We are building friendships!!! We have met some amazing missionary families who have blessed us beyond belief!! A few ladies have gone out of their way to make sure I feel welcome...taking me out for coffee...helping me buy curtains...(Yes, I have curtains now)...just being my friend. And I have realized that I still do need friends. :)

- I feel as if we came on this journey knowing we would be stretched, but not really knowing in what specific way that would be. Andy and I have really been learning so much about each other...this job is very self-disciplined... and it has been fun to decide our day together, plan for projects, and then follow through with them. I'm very thankful for this time we have together!

There is so much more, but that is just a few of the highlights...Please continue to pray for our Church situation...I still havn't caught you all up on that either, there is a kinda sticky situation we are in. :/ When I know more I'll tell you guys more! Also, along with this whole self-disciplined thing...pray that we continue to keep our focus and serve these missionaries as unto the Lord. Pray that we continue to work as a team. I am so thankful for the prayers and support of all of you! I'll leave you with pictures of our decorating project. I told you we were going to do it..and we DID!!!!! A whole week later and we are finished for now. We found the frame place, found the paint store, and found curtains! All of this with help from our friends of course...so here are some pictures!

Before-


After-

CULTURE SHOCK!!!

Ok...so things aren't always wonderful and happy go lucky, even if you are EXACTLY where the Lord wants you to be... I know this...and yet I still get into funks.

These last few days have been...frustrating... I was so independent in the states. I would go shopping within the budget, put it all away in the house, fix dinner, and still have time to bake something yummy before Andy got home from work. He would always commend me for my abilities and proceed to shovel the meal down at lightening speed.

In Bolivia, things are a bit different. I can't go shopping by myself. Therefore, Andy and I go shopping in the evenings, after things have slowed down here. He has to read me the names of cans on the shelves so I know what to buy. I can only purchase half of what is on my list because the other half well,... doesn't EXIST in this country...Its always frustrating to spend more at the grocery store than I thought we would...Without knowing exactly where to get things cheaper, its hard to stay in budget right now...After checking out, we pay the little door guy to push our cart to our gate, and hand him five Bolivianos in return. We then unload practically everything in the fridge so it won't spoil. Then I begin the often times TWO hour process of making dinner. This process usually involves me breaking down in hysterical sobs because the macaroni has turned to mush or I CANNOT manage the flour tortillas I am trying to roll out. The meal is, just barely edible and Andy...still shovels it in at lightening speed...but I feel silly when he commends me on a "job well done" because to me, it is a COMPLETE AND TOTAL DISASTER!!!!!! I hate that I can't go shopping by myself, I hate that I can't even READ labels...I hate that none of my meals turn out...and I HATE that I have to rely on Andy for domestic type jobs. He does so much for me. I love the time we have together, but I know that Andy would much rather be doing other things...I am mostly just completely humbled...and realize that I'm going to have to suck in my pride while learning to do things here. I might cling closely to Andy for a little while yet, and I'm going to have to be ok with that. Shopping and cooking are just a FEW examples of things I can't do alone here...don't even get me STARTED on decorating... Exactly WHERE do I get things framed in this country??? And are you serious ALL the walls are CEMENT????!!!

Anyway, this is my culture shock. Bolivia is still where I KNOW we are supposed to be, I'll just have to learn a little better how exactly to...be here in a functional way... The hinge that all this depends on is Spanish. I am learning Spanish and determined to continue to learn. Pray for me as I try to accomplish tasks by myself here in this maze of a city. This next week begins my decorating task...Oh yikes!! :/ Pray for patience for Andy as he deals with his inept wife. =)

Driving...

So, after about three weeks of being here Andy FINALLY let me drive!!! We had to make an airport run at 4 a.m. and so on the way out there, I convinced him to let me be the driver! Now, the ONLY reason he agreed was because it was, like I said, 4 a.m. and there were maybe a total of ten cars out and about that early! =) So...off we went...all the while arguing about what I was doing wrong. (I never have done very well with constructive criticism)... :/ Driving in Bolivia is hard to describe. People basically are always prepared for the unexpected, honk their horn just simply to let their presence be known, make up their own rules as they go... try to avoid pot holes (or craters)...and above all else, try to get to their destination as quickly as humanly possible! So, off we went and as I was going through every intersection that was unmarked with a stop sign or light, I would honk to let people know I was coming...pretty soon we started getting looks from the few people who were already setting up shop downtown...so that was awkward. But, at least we didn't get hit right? A few highlights of the trip were that I remembered my way there!!!! Also, I ran my FIRST RED LIGHT...and then I did it three more times!!! haha Like I said, the rules are kind of optional down here. I thought I did a pretty good job getting all the way to Viru Viru (the ariport)...but Andy hasn't let me drive since then. :/ So...I'm guessing I did worse than I thought. It is quite a difference to be driving for a living as a school bus driver...and then go to being banned to the passenger seat! Oh well...I'm thankful that he is willing to be the designated driver though.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my driving story with you and show you a few pictures that I've captured of the experience so far. Non of these do it justice. You'll have to come visit to see for yourself!

Our one lane suddenly became three...very crooked ones.


He does so well...



This is the point where I laughed and then got REALLY scared! :)