tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21474870110518486322024-03-13T00:23:07.521-04:00Bolivia Bound BexThis is a blog about my journey, both physical and spiritual, in Cochabamba, Bolivia.Bexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245774248185336366noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147487011051848632.post-23289512858123226642012-01-31T15:48:00.000-04:002012-01-31T15:48:52.597-04:00January Update!<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So for 2012, I'm going to start doing a monthly update on here. I didn't want to start your hopes too high by posting this too early in the month. It now being the 31st, I thought it was perfect timing! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A lot has happened this month and I'm freaked out that tomorrow is February! I had a great ending to my Christmas break including my first NYE with Bolivian friends and playing games with them until 6am, lunches and coffees with friends that I don't get to see very often and of course, lesson planning. I'm seriously so excited for next year when I have all these lessons, ideas, worksheets, projects and assignments ready to dish out and not have to do a lot of research. It will be a big load off my shoulders! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What am I teaching right now, you ask? Well my 7th grade Geography class is learning the ins-and-outs of Canada while my 8th grade history students are delving into Ancient Greece. My 9th graders are in the middle of a 6-week long unit on the Middle Ages, including cooking Medieval food and learning Gregorian chants. And my 10th grade Sociology/Psychology class is doing a unit on conformity where they've done some fun video projects testing the "Bystander Effect" and we're wrapping up the unit by learning about cults. If that's not a diverse group of topics, I don't know what is! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Something that has taken up a ton of time and energy, but I'm loving every minute of it, is our school musical. I've taken on the role of director, but I'm getting tons of help from other teachers at the school. We've been blessed with the help of a musical director who is amazing and our vice principal is helping me with the delights of blocking and non-verbal acting. In case you didn't see on Facebook, I chose Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" and the kids are ecstatic, which makes it all the more fun for me! I've got "The Secret Garden" and "Anne of Green Gables" in my back pocket for next year, :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Many of you have been asking how you can pray for me, so I've put together a list below of ways that it would really bless me if you prayed specifically for:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 - Improved health! Please pray that I can start eating again and get to a doctor to find out what's wrong with me. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Unfortunately, I've fallen sick again. I guess amoebas and giardia are the gift that keeps on giving down here... I'm hoping to be back at 100% sooner than later. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 - Stamina with all the hats I am wearing: teaching four subjects, student council adviser, drama director, mentor, friend, future wife (?). Just kidding on that last one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 - Working with a couple very difficult students, both 10th grade boys. Please pray for me to have patience with them and show them Christ's love in a new way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 - For some reason, homesickness has reared its ugly head after months of not being here. Please pray that I will focus on my ministry here and be able to hang on until I'm home this summer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thank you all for your support, emails, FB comments, FB "likes", FB messages, prayers and continued love for me while I'm down here. It means more to me than I can say.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Love you all and miss you tons ~ B</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are some pictures of me at the Cristo statue in town. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All props go to my friend Maria for taking these great shots. Enjoy!</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2_OUHNhLbuB-dLkl3GmD50NfNVdpkGr8zqY5DK8VwWYBerHTAzWnQ_sgTRbsJvmPz092IlS0ubv1fd40IBPCixj_HzPYtzDRxP8rin49ibPMG6lQS0f0EUdMdfrSw6JawyQULkSRBaaA/s1600/me+and+cristo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2_OUHNhLbuB-dLkl3GmD50NfNVdpkGr8zqY5DK8VwWYBerHTAzWnQ_sgTRbsJvmPz092IlS0ubv1fd40IBPCixj_HzPYtzDRxP8rin49ibPMG6lQS0f0EUdMdfrSw6JawyQULkSRBaaA/s320/me+and+cristo.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was a perfect day to head up to the Cristo!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGW7cywFMAuUeXGBoqaQCebQYNYGTkkw168uNfYhm8fcNjJ-3s8SXgVap88oP4Y6mmLot4iZTg_4g5TFHNfyaike8dpTfYBhyphenhyphenVlBlWtnO2twSXNFzgd2tY6YHKSli-f1fu4xa-DFPuwoJX/s1600/on+the+ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGW7cywFMAuUeXGBoqaQCebQYNYGTkkw168uNfYhm8fcNjJ-3s8SXgVap88oP4Y6mmLot4iZTg_4g5TFHNfyaike8dpTfYBhyphenhyphenVlBlWtnO2twSXNFzgd2tY6YHKSli-f1fu4xa-DFPuwoJX/s320/on+the+ride.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On the gondola ride with Maria and our tutor/friend, Roxana</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BUl0JRHvWOn4G1qsyDY8QjEDDPj04AkRtY3wpp3WjcvT2jS5z0fSCZDvCIhFpz7-zPVoY5J6Td0LKxIIwElSlmlxpoTUuWZ0sScpdt0ukcY0Bjlpl3oZRaJv1UZZaeAtTjtdgjJvsACf/s1600/cristo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BUl0JRHvWOn4G1qsyDY8QjEDDPj04AkRtY3wpp3WjcvT2jS5z0fSCZDvCIhFpz7-zPVoY5J6Td0LKxIIwElSlmlxpoTUuWZ0sScpdt0ukcY0Bjlpl3oZRaJv1UZZaeAtTjtdgjJvsACf/s320/cristo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tallest statue of Cristo in the world and He's right in my backyard!</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span id="goog_1276675008"></span><span id="goog_1276675009"></span></span>Bexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245774248185336366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147487011051848632.post-68825231315230449482011-12-26T21:00:00.002-04:002011-12-26T21:00:21.704-04:00<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d6a6b774e5445324d44513d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="303" alt="Click to play this Smilebox greeting" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d6a6b774e5445324d44513d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=smilebox&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="386" height="46" alt="Create your own greeting - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/ecards.html" target="_blank">Free digital greeting</a> made with Smilebox</td></tr></table>Bexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245774248185336366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147487011051848632.post-5765032674406596762011-12-24T16:46:00.000-04:002011-12-24T16:46:28.781-04:00Decisions, Decisions...<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Before I left Minnesota in August I thought to myself "Self, it'd be great if you knew soonish if you were going to stay in Bolivia for more than a year. And it'd be great if you knew that information before Christmas. And then you could blog about it when the time comes and post it on Facebook around Christmas time". Good thing that decision was soooooo far in the distance. Oh... wait... it's here!</span><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My mom has forever told me to not give myself false deadlines. I do it all the time. But I know I'm a procrastinator so I kind of have to. This is one of those false deadlines that I followed through with. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">I'VE DECIDED TO COME BACK FOR A SECOND YEAR IN COCHABAMBA, BOLIVIA!!!!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For those of you who have kept up with my blog or my FB posts since I got here, you probably noticed a trend in that I LOVE IT HERE. I have such a love for my students, I respect my admin so much, the country and its people have grown on my big time and I have a sense of purpose and peace here. That last part is such a difference from the feeling of despondence and uselessness that I felt my last year in Minnesota. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To answer some of the questions I've received from others when I told them the news:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 - I will still be coming home in the summer! I have about 7-8 weeks to drink in the humidity, lakes, people and Starbucks in my home state</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 - I don't know if there will be another year after these two. It's possible, but I might be done and ready to come home after two.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 - This was not an easy decision to make, believe-you-me! I am still struggling with the same emotions I did before I left (excitement, sadness, overwhelmedness, peacefulness) along with a new one "How long is God going to keep me here??" The name of my blog (Bolivia Bound Bex) has a new meaning these days - I'm bound in this country! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I would adore your prayers. There's a lot of things to put into account for a second year, along with raising more support and the emotions mentioned in #3. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks for sharing my news with me. Encouragement is appreciated! And any feedback is welcomed. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">FELIZ NAVIDAD, y'all! :) </span></div>Bexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245774248185336366noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147487011051848632.post-68254968171791735252011-12-03T10:05:00.000-04:002011-12-03T10:05:24.608-04:0025 Days of Christmas<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Whether I believe it or not, Christmas is around the corner. The constant, sunny days down here are really messing with my head; I've never worn t-shirts and had fans on in December! But the calendar says December 3rd and it's been a mighty long time since I've posted on here, so I figured I'd write a list of what I'm thankful for this Christmas. Maybe it will help remind me of all of God's blessings and how He's kept me these past few months in Bolivia and take my mind off of not being home for a White Christmas - the song, movie and actual event.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. Great friends that I've made here that feel like family; God's covenant family is going strong in Cochabamba!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. Relatively decent health. After that bout with Giardia and Lord knows what else, I've been healthy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. Our Saturday market with its amazing veggies, fruits and flowers on the cheap. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. Boiled water to keep away the amoebas.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. My students. I am challenged by them on a daily basis. I love those kids!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. Friends back home who regularly tell me how they miss me and are praying for me. Thanks, guys :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7. My apartment is perfect for me. And I'm so glad to have friends a few steps away when I need to cry or laugh or watch a chick flick.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8. Skype. I can't imagine being abroad without it. Nobel Peace Prize to the guy who invented that!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">9. My Kindle. It has staved off many a lonely night (thanks again, Stephanie Hansen!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">10. A washer and drying line close by. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">11. The dog and cat that live at our guest house. I heart pets.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">12. Weight loss - 40 pounds and counting!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">13. A van that brings me to and from school every day. I can't imagine taking public transportation or having to drive in this city!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">14. Letters, cards and packages! You guys have <i>no idea </i>how much it means to me to get mail! And I'm the envy of all the other missionaries here. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15. That I learned how to cook last year (although it was forced upon me) cause now I can cook for myself. Stop smirking, Michelle. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">16. The admin at my school. After having some not-so-lovely principals in my life, having godly men who are servant-hearted really blesses me.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">17. Being able to travel to the jungle (Yungas) over Christmas. Adventure, here we come!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">18. Pirated DVDs. No, seriously, they're amazing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">19. Facebook - I love keeping up with all of you and being able to post quick updates on my time down here.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">20. That my language seems to be coming along. Praise God, no more crying in my lessons! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">21. A supportive family and a mom that Skypes me whenever she darn well pleases :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">22. The church that I attend and am going to get involved in. Another singles group to help with? Yes, please! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">23. SGF sermons online. I love having Rick, Steve or Jon's voice in my living room while I'm snuggled up with some hot chocolate, my Bible and a notebook. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">24. MY SUPPORT TEAM - both prayer and financial support are so important to me! THANK YOU!!!! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">25. Jesus Christ's birth, death and resurrection. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Below is one of my favorite, new Christmas songs. Click the link and enjoy!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">MeRrY cHrIsTmAs!!!!!!! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtuEDoTPPTQ" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Winter Snow by Audrey Assad</span></a></span></div><div><br />
</div>Bexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245774248185336366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147487011051848632.post-45798371058466809862011-10-15T14:03:00.000-04:002011-10-15T14:03:50.155-04:00Campy McCampertons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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/AVvXsEimNhvgmki6SUIpYd-R2FJd6cbwBgkENTKMduuFn_FQbGAJxp8LFgHlsfnMso1v43x-Cz0ukxNY3Rg3BQ5JlrF991cIYVxRzVdYOoRsQg1zHAfZfLJ1zed619OZgxivuwo5BvkLf4P_6H4r/s1600/IMG_6989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNhvgmki6SUIpYd-R2FJd6cbwBgkENTKMduuFn_FQbGAJxp8LFgHlsfnMso1v43x-Cz0ukxNY3Rg3BQ5JlrF991cIYVxRzVdYOoRsQg1zHAfZfLJ1zed619OZgxivuwo5BvkLf4P_6H4r/s320/IMG_6989.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Me and my WINNING team, Los Tigrecitos (the little tigers). We accumulated the most points over the week. I talked a lot of smack to the teachers on the other teams. So much fun!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every year, my school has a mandatory "outdoor education week" which we just call Camps. I knew about said week before coming down here and was a little apprehensive about it (if you know me at all, you know I'm not super outdoorsy). But, I still bought $100 hiking boots and came with the intention of having fun. And fun was had by all!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I had the honor, nay, the priviledge of being in a cabin with 15 ninth and tenth grade girls. Apart from a cat fight in Spanish over who got to take a shower first that I had to break up, it was a blast. We played "truth or truth" every night and I asked many insightful questions. I know my girlfriends from college know what I'm talking about.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFm9KYGFDqrqtl_TABLB1OKRpm0Ih7c0vgVdskMXpPDs_g4KtmUtZ49opBM9X8YIZ9njwOd2ZyDpyDgCG-DXbc41w-jkSfvPquf-rVgRUtJWRf-WXQFpNtGoVKmkusaIilwSXROqe3I9s/s1600/IMG_6840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFm9KYGFDqrqtl_TABLB1OKRpm0Ih7c0vgVdskMXpPDs_g4KtmUtZ49opBM9X8YIZ9njwOd2ZyDpyDgCG-DXbc41w-jkSfvPquf-rVgRUtJWRf-WXQFpNtGoVKmkusaIilwSXROqe3I9s/s320/IMG_6840.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me after three late nights of "truth or truth"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was super encouraged and challenged by some of the students' hearts for Christ. Worship time was awesome (I was on projector duty, thanks to my days as a Projector Girl at SGF) and the kids got really into some amazing songs. I am going to continue to pray for revival at this school, but it's good to know that there is some spiritual maturity and leadership in the upper classmen. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Overall, I was felt very blessed to be a part of this school and these students' lives. I'm glad they got to see me outside of the classroom and not just as the teacher who tells them to "can it" when they're being too loud.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Below is a picture montage of random things throughout the week. Now, I must nap. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYr7JYO4OTF5rNBx3XTF_IB_HkH2dwmMXUWTgbxP9MbXh6w7jAuraojLt3-JeLazFZ5KE8jlnij6O08U3h2_tNikj-6tl6oiq0CnpmeX5iIcYDzX9P_woCjxctLDPstYdVHRYJNgzIq_f/s1600/IMG_6824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYr7JYO4OTF5rNBx3XTF_IB_HkH2dwmMXUWTgbxP9MbXh6w7jAuraojLt3-JeLazFZ5KE8jlnij6O08U3h2_tNikj-6tl6oiq0CnpmeX5iIcYDzX9P_woCjxctLDPstYdVHRYJNgzIq_f/s320/IMG_6824.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and a few of my 10th grade girls. Love them!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt5N8GL-TxbcXWMt-5KxXi4jYFNqDEuzeD4BouUuVhT_gkBm5DBFUKesSTXjCvOljVIArkcmmZUHxZYBVskTyTm5C2BiBwr4ZE9Fk7m6TpmH5yW8K7ACfv-x1oNUUOR9vDkXmWYPzj-Hl/s1600/IMG_6806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt5N8GL-TxbcXWMt-5KxXi4jYFNqDEuzeD4BouUuVhT_gkBm5DBFUKesSTXjCvOljVIArkcmmZUHxZYBVskTyTm5C2BiBwr4ZE9Fk7m6TpmH5yW8K7ACfv-x1oNUUOR9vDkXmWYPzj-Hl/s320/IMG_6806.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A chance to act like an idiot: this is during a skit called "Moving People" where I was a Russian dance instructor, trying to help Scott learn how to dance. The students put us in random poses and we had to improvise our lines.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlRM-DT6LbFonSayn5oJJ8VIOmCCMbHB_5TwX7MVcDe3ijM_72oZRxkUS3JTU-5qCShnWY-nivbhulpIulNYLJf_YWnWvKDC78lgu4mrHpUgUGmpLmEl7AFi5x1WJxGpKDZuYbu0SSzLi/s1600/IMG_6876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlRM-DT6LbFonSayn5oJJ8VIOmCCMbHB_5TwX7MVcDe3ijM_72oZRxkUS3JTU-5qCShnWY-nivbhulpIulNYLJf_YWnWvKDC78lgu4mrHpUgUGmpLmEl7AFi5x1WJxGpKDZuYbu0SSzLi/s320/IMG_6876.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole camp - 7th through 12th grade. I think there were close to 100 of us. And 2 dogs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsaQ8kdkUTGRNB74vOw_G_avY4Vahv-8-yvY6lKgBlNm0VWoPbHa3jvdUwzKUNTtphtka_pkSkdT9alXUrdamsddTfxrZuuQyjIKojxWZ4YdGnNUZCeWwSz2_G8uZ_Td8EQeY5teNf2xp/s1600/IMG_6543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsaQ8kdkUTGRNB74vOw_G_avY4Vahv-8-yvY6lKgBlNm0VWoPbHa3jvdUwzKUNTtphtka_pkSkdT9alXUrdamsddTfxrZuuQyjIKojxWZ4YdGnNUZCeWwSz2_G8uZ_Td8EQeY5teNf2xp/s400/IMG_6543.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There were ample opportunities to make and idiot of myself. Here's one showing: me and the other teachers making a human pyramid and the students threw water balloons at us with a potato launcher. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPD6Bb77fYWKMtTPShGAHfKB9_xuga2kcJhW2YcnEiYYUHwSsC5TRhcl781hdOWahfgSItXdE3FYE6mErfAI7wjrwqTOTTyywb9T2k1R0wj1-s5Qvc9AHqcc9crRMR4BXyVlYqgFCMcxQO/s1600/IMG_6731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPD6Bb77fYWKMtTPShGAHfKB9_xuga2kcJhW2YcnEiYYUHwSsC5TRhcl781hdOWahfgSItXdE3FYE6mErfAI7wjrwqTOTTyywb9T2k1R0wj1-s5Qvc9AHqcc9crRMR4BXyVlYqgFCMcxQO/s320/IMG_6731.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Me schooling the kids in Dutch Blitz. That's me with the bandana on my greasy hair.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kZH99ZWGyANjYPZJ9lwiKlcvdq3RLPRuTXDFffQBKaPFOgSzxqg6_mlBK-gSomU8c8JQjKhp_WTm6CoHqGBKrxH1sqxZQ1HqkwDdn-TVuooZ1WROLdln5G403t4muoShVQ9THvQJUy0e/s1600/DSCF2131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kZH99ZWGyANjYPZJ9lwiKlcvdq3RLPRuTXDFffQBKaPFOgSzxqg6_mlBK-gSomU8c8JQjKhp_WTm6CoHqGBKrxH1sqxZQ1HqkwDdn-TVuooZ1WROLdln5G403t4muoShVQ9THvQJUy0e/s320/DSCF2131.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Missing 3 of my cabin's girls - they were so much fun!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Bexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245774248185336366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147487011051848632.post-53366765710181969072011-10-02T15:10:00.000-04:002011-10-02T15:10:48.245-04:00"Whatever You Do for the Least of These...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">... You Do Unto Me". ~Matthew 25:40</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This was my high school history teacher's favorite verse. To this day, when someone quotes it, I think of her. I used to roll my eyes (internally, externally or both) when she launched into her mantra about taking care of the poor. "Isn't Christianity about grace and faith and not works?" I would think to myself. I think this was and still is a cop out for me to not be moved to help those less fortunate than me. I live on $10 a day here in Bolivia (take that, Rachael Ray!) and sometimes think that I am needy somehow. But then I go to an outreach like I did yesterday and God kicks me in the pants and shows me that I have so much to give - if not money, than time and love.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gHp0pLrKYrdwoIfWaML_UuMs22Fa0GhcUQ5aP1rHgghTj0I_hljFItmDGTt9-u4fr4-XYHbjbWbOGn3SftJEEFQEwKg3ZKwJfT7RiP_y7rw3V-B3-5aVXRn3RpSkuIWOvhoBM1G89yD_/s1600/DSCF2084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gHp0pLrKYrdwoIfWaML_UuMs22Fa0GhcUQ5aP1rHgghTj0I_hljFItmDGTt9-u4fr4-XYHbjbWbOGn3SftJEEFQEwKg3ZKwJfT7RiP_y7rw3V-B3-5aVXRn3RpSkuIWOvhoBM1G89yD_/s400/DSCF2084.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some cinnamon water, a Bolivian treat. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The area we went to is in the southern part of Cochabamba, adjacent to the airport that I flew into 6 weeks ago. As we were driving there, the desolate looking "houses" and lack of any conveniences and stores reminded me of "Slumdog Millionaire". They don't even have indoor plumbing yet. The kids were all starving, both for food and attention, and we gave them both. A simple meal of chicken, rice and salad will give them more nutrients than they'll probably get for the rest of the week. They were dirty. They were needy. And they were who Christ died for. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcSfKCYGNLq-3lQb8F_Z4pdEQGsrIWRvAvGmnRaCUFhIa2s0a-G4Yi3u92W5r9WAk9TJR7MIMJi6RuN3ndZhmEB4eXEU6ji3YciTsXeJAwQvfTEjC6mWTvfir5NFcPgfrxG4jmP-N7ayd/s1600/DSCF2087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcSfKCYGNLq-3lQb8F_Z4pdEQGsrIWRvAvGmnRaCUFhIa2s0a-G4Yi3u92W5r9WAk9TJR7MIMJi6RuN3ndZhmEB4eXEU6ji3YciTsXeJAwQvfTEjC6mWTvfir5NFcPgfrxG4jmP-N7ayd/s400/DSCF2087.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little girl in the striped sweater and pink pants hit her head on the ground - <br />
I swooped her up and soothed her with my broken Spanish. Poor kid. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Apparently, making an idiot of yourself wins the love of Bolivian children. We'll just say I was loved by the time I left that afternoon. I was dirty and dusty and thirsty and wanted to wash my hands, but I was happy when I left. I was also very encouraged by the work one of the local churches is doing with these kids, week in and week out. Some of the guys who are now in seminary, grew up in very similar conditions. They were "wheelbarrow boys". The boys who I ignore when I go to the market and want you to pay for them to wheel your purchases around. There's a ministry here that reaches out to wheelbarrow boys and the fruits of that ministry's labor were so apparent yesterday. These young men know what it's like to live at home with an alcoholic dad who beats you when you make eye-contact with him. And yet they're able to speak truth and love into this next generation's lives that God is their true Father and He loves them and cares for them and wants to do good for them. It was really beautiful. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB54nPR2YNpgVui8mjclp5Ay1GQkVdV25PsDqPrR6TPuFM3iN6zYZleWLGtxcDjgrTOxW5zpO96N43S4VdSD_NntbZr7XtFdpolugY2Mu7-SwDBkbWyfT-bDD6A3ed2XaBpoUuGd-wBarW/s1600/DSCF2091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB54nPR2YNpgVui8mjclp5Ay1GQkVdV25PsDqPrR6TPuFM3iN6zYZleWLGtxcDjgrTOxW5zpO96N43S4VdSD_NntbZr7XtFdpolugY2Mu7-SwDBkbWyfT-bDD6A3ed2XaBpoUuGd-wBarW/s400/DSCF2091.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting their worship on - I forgot how fun hand motions can be!</td></tr>
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</span>Bexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245774248185336366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147487011051848632.post-70164431614158488482011-09-25T12:59:00.000-04:002011-09-25T12:59:40.423-04:00Lists Are Fun!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm going to be honest: I'm stealing the idea for this blog post from my friend Maria, who's also new down here in Bolivia. She was telling me the things she's thought of that she hasn't done since she's arrived here and it got me to thinking, what haven't <i>I </i>done since I arrived? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u>Here's the list, thus far</u>:</span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Worn a seatbelt - they just don't have them!</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Eaten a hamburger, or any fast food for that matter</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Driven a car</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Used my cell phone. At all.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gotten my eyebrows waxed/hair cut/highlighted</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gone to the mall/gone clothes shopping</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gotten a pedicure; most of you know how important that is to me</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Watched TV. Seriously. Not a single minute. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Used a dishwasher -<i> I</i> am now the dish washer</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gone to a movie</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Used a dryer, which is becoming more of a problem as my clothes get bigger on me</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sang karaoke :(</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Flushed toilet paper</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gone to Target!!!</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Used any kind of dairy substitute/soy - it tastes nasty down here</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u>And here's a list of things I've done here that never happen in the States</u>:</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Talked to my students openly and freely about Jesus Christ!</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Found cockroaches in my bedroom</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Had a fireworks show outside my window 3-5 times a week, much to our guard dog's chagrin</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Had to soak veggies in disinfectant before eating them</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Get whistled at/hit on wherever I go; I could get used to this!</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stay plugged into the wall to get internet - my wifi stinks!</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Had fresh flowers at my place every week; huge bouquets cost about $1.50</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Boil water in order to drink it</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Walk to go EVERYWHERE!</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm sure there will be more "I've Nevers" to add to this list. We're going camping with the 7-12th graders in a couple weeks and I'll get to add "I've never gone camping with 80 students in the ANDES MOUNTAINS before" Pictures to come, I'm sure :)</span></div></div>Bexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245774248185336366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147487011051848632.post-31389364320571312042011-09-08T13:20:00.000-04:002011-09-08T13:20:58.874-04:00A Day in a Bolivian Hospital<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Apparently in Bolivia, you don't make a doctor's appointment because the doctor's don't follow a schedule. That's why me and my tranlator/friend Amalia sat at the Emergency Room for an hour and a half, waiting to see a doctor. I still don't know exactly what's wrong with me (see the last bullet point under "Similarities"), but they treated me for dehydration and General Funkiness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I noticed some definite differences and similarities. Here are my findings:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><u>Differences</u>:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">No one uses gloves: I saw a nurse wipe the spittle from an old man with a tissue and didn't even wash her hands afterwards!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lots of hospital staff walking around in stilleto heels.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">HIPAA would've had a field day with the amount of personal papers with people's names, ID numbers and other information just floating around.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">General cleanliness: while I didn't feel like I was in any danger of getting an infection from the place being dirty (cause it was really, quite nice), I definitely saw a bunch of wrappers on the E.R. floor and quite possibly some blood splatter on the curtain that separarted my space from the next one over. Yummy.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The bill! I got out of there with a doctor's exam, an IV and fluids and lab work done for about $58. Maybe there is something to this socialized medicine thing...</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><u>Similarities</u>:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Nurses (infermerias) work hard. No matter what country you're in, they're the ones doing the majority of the work, chatting you up with their bedside manner (which you may or may not understand) and just generally busting thier butts to help you.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Doctors work kinda hard. My doctor was great, but I saw him sitting at the desk a lot more than I saw him working with patients.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">IVs hurt. I'll be honest, I was kind of proud that it took me 30 years to need my first IV. All that pride melted away as they put that bad boy in my hand. Yowza!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I can sleep anywhere, as proven today when I took a snooze while hooked up to my IV even though there were flourescent lights in my eyes, cell phones ringing incessantly and a very tenacious person using the paging system over and over and over. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you need to give a sample, it won't come. Nuff said.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All in all, my experience with Bolivian medicine was good today. I already feel better and less dehydrated and am looking forward to starting on the medicine my doctor prescribed me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God has proved himself, once again.</span>Bexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245774248185336366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147487011051848632.post-15801784279882248192011-09-08T08:05:00.000-04:002011-09-08T08:05:58.420-04:00Why Did the Amoeba Cross the Road?<div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was time to split.</span></div><div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Maybe someday I'll see the humor in that joke. For now, it's a little too close to home. </span></div><div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I write this as I'm waiting to go to the hospital to figure out what in the world is wrong with me. I mean, I've had stomach bugs before, heck, I've been allergic to dairy for the past few years, but this, THIS is something entirely different. Without going into details, I will just let you know that I'm taking two, perhaps three, days off of work. And while I'm not one of those "I've been to work every day for the past 10 years and have never taken a sick day" people, I still feel badly doing it down here. We don't have a big, plushy substitute teacher system. We just have our already stretched teachers who fill in for me during their prep hours. So, while I'm laying here on my couch and intermittently running to the bathroom, they're teaching my classes. </span></div><div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sickness aside, things have been going great here. Really! I love having my own apartment. My friends, Beth and Maria live about 100 feet away so I can drop in on them or have a movie night whenever we want. But coming back to my laptop and Skype and making meals for one has a certain je na sais quoi to it. My classes are going well, too. My 7th graders are learning latitude and longitude and making paper mache globes, my 8th graders are starting Mesopotamia, 9th grade is digging into Ancient Greek culture and my 10th graders are dealing with the age old question of nature versus nurture. Even on days like yesterday, when I was completely whipped and my head was on my desk at 3 o'clock, I remembered how much I love to teach! I'm also helping with the girls volleyball team, which has stirred the unused muscles in my right arm and reminded me how much I love the game! There's no softball team here (boo!) but I may help out with girls basketball when the time comes. I'm also looking at being the student council advisor. When I found out that their main goal is to plan events, I perked right up!</span></div><div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">So, all that to say that God is faithful; even in an amoeba-infested country. I can feel so many of your prayers and God is sustaining me through them. Keep 'em coming! </span></div>Bexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245774248185336366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147487011051848632.post-34395373360874699812011-08-20T20:08:00.001-04:002011-09-08T07:46:31.848-04:00A Whirlwind!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I cannot believe I have only been in Bolivia for a week. It feels like so long ago that I was hustling through and napping in airports in North and South America on my way down here, yet I’ve only been here 6 days! Because school started on Wednesday, we only had one day to really prep and get ready for our students. Some of the other teachers did my bulletin boards (every teacher’s most-hated task) and my room was ready to go for me, which was a blessing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Another great thing they’ve done since we arrived is make sure that we had a dinner meal, so we’ve either been to people’s houses for dinner or have had a prepared meal every night this week and it will continue into next week. Talk about God’s covenant family!</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I posted pictures of my apartment and the grounds on Facebook, but let me just tell you how happily surprised I was when I saw my new place! It’s far nicer than I thought it would be – cockroaches and all! (So far, the count is only at 2.) There’s so much storage that the piddly amount of clothes I bought look sad in my big closet. I love being able to have my windows and doors open and have the delicious, Bolivian air streaming into my place. Well, mostly delicious air. They burn trash around here a lot and I swear it smells like marijuana. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here are some things that are causing me the most culture shock over the past couple days:</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>The constant barking of dogs. And it’s not like I can call the cops to tell them to go to the dog’s house and get it to shut up cause they’re all street dogs without owners.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>The driving! I can’t believe I ever complained about Minnesota drivers. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to when people move from lane to lane and which lane they turn from. So glad I won’t be driving here – I’ll leave that to my school van and taxi drivers. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Although it’s super sunny and warm during the day (probably about 75-80 degrees this week), I forget that we’re technically in “winter” so when it gets pitch black at 6:30pm, I get cornfused.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>People staring at us. Just blatantly staring. I’m so used to Norwegian Minnesota where no one makes eye contact. </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>I’m already so used to hearing Spanish wherever I go that I almost don’t recognize when I hear someone speaking English. </span></div>Bexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245774248185336366noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147487011051848632.post-44972146696615555052011-06-30T22:25:00.000-04:002011-06-30T22:25:59.939-04:00Random Meanderings<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I haven't posted on here in a while and part of that is because life has just taken off over the last few weeks! I went from the waiting game of hearing back from SIM if I (somehow) passed my psych evaluations and all that jazz to switching gears and going into full-blown fundraising mode. Needless to say, it's been a whirlwind and I need to process it. That is what I will do. Here on this blog. Come along with me. Right now.</span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hGB-XesEuII/Tg0vAvW7ktI/AAAAAAAAABk/oowYuPvJn9c/s1600/SIM+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hGB-XesEuII/Tg0vAvW7ktI/AAAAAAAAABk/oowYuPvJn9c/s320/SIM+group.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><u><strong>SIM: By Prayer</strong></u> - One of the main things I've done since I wrote on here was go to Charlotte, NC for a 3-day orientation with some other short-term missionaries. Most of them were going for a few months and were young and spry. I was so blessed by their tenacity and wide-eyed wonder; so much so that I wondered when I got so old that college students were so much more energetic than me? I also got to meet a new friend, Maria, who will be teaching with me down in Bolivia next year. It was great to be able to hang out with her before we get down there later this month (DID YOU HEAR ME??? I SAID "LATER THIS MONTH"!!!) The highlight of the trip was getting to meet my school's principal and his wife. It was so great to make a connection with them before I get there. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But the thing that I was most excited/impressed by was SIM as an organization. For all you regular readers of this blog (all 8 of you) you may remember that I visited SIM back in April and got a quick tour when all of this monkey business was beginning. Going back as an official Short Term Associate was so great because I got to see how they do everything according to their byline "By Prayer". You know how some organizations have a byline and you don't really understand why? I didn't feel that way <em>once </em>when I was down there. Everything was soaked in prayer. And that shows such complete dependence on God, it's remarkable. </span></div><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><u>Putting the "Fun" in Fundraising</u> </strong>- So it turns out God wants me to go to Bolivia next year. How do I know this? He's raised over $11,000 in the past month and more is steadily coming in! I have been humbled again and again by people coming along side me and sacrificially giving in a crappy economy like this. And it hasn't just been my "rich friends", it's also recent high school grads, unemployed people, fellow missionaries and other people who are on tight budgets. It makes the passage of Scripture where Jesus blesses the woman who gives a tiny amount which is also the majority of what she has over the large amounts the stupid Pharisees give cause they're loaded. It also shows people's kingdom-mindedness. Yes, it hurts to give to someone on a monthly or one-time basis; it might mean less Starbucks (and I love my Starbucks!) or not as many cute, new clothes (another downfall of mine), but it shows how important the Gospel is to you. And that is sweet to Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><u>Single and Ready to Mingle?</u></strong> So if you meet a single person who is going on the mission field, here's something <em>not </em>to say to them: "Oh my goodness! What if you meet someone down/over there? What if you MARRY someone on the mission field and <em>never come back</em>???" Here is why that's not helpful: 1) What if I <em>don't </em>meet someone over there? What if I go to a third world country and no one shows any remote signs of interest in me? Then I come back next year and am like "Yup, not even guys who live in dirt houses were interested in me and my green card". 2) Some of us missionaries, yours truly included, are rather freaked out by the idea of not coming back. We know that it's a possibility and it haunts us. So to put us in a country with an imaginary spouse for the rest of our lives is overwhelming. So, you've been warned. The next person that says either of those things to me will get punched in the jugular. No questions asked. I know, I know, that wasn't a very "missionary thing" to say. I'm working on it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><u>Another Way to Help:</u></strong> I covet your prayers, folks! In fact, that's the next step in this process is finding people who will commit to regularly praying for me while I'm gone next year. If you're interested in taking a day/topic a week and lifting me up to our Father, please let me know. If you can't be one of those "rich friends" I mentioned above, I would love it if you could support me in this ultra important way. Let me know if that's you. </span>Bexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245774248185336366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147487011051848632.post-30677204962515864792011-05-23T20:48:00.000-04:002011-05-23T20:48:37.782-04:00I Get So Emotional, Bolivia, Everytime I Think of You!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The past few months in this journery to the mission field have been a lot of waiting. Waiting for lab results, waiting for references, waiting for approval. You would thing being almost 30 and single, I'd be comfortable with waiting and that patience would be one of my virtures. Well, I'm no where close to being patient and it ain't one of my virtues, either! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But last week everything went through - BAM, I was officially an SIM missionary! And now it begins - the fundraising, the visa and passport applications, the selling off of my stuff to raise money, the loooong Minnesota goodbye that's always annoyed me</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. And instead of feeling a rush of relief, I felt... well... a lot of things. I felt nervous that this was <em>really happening</em>. I felt anxious about raising support in such a short amount of time. I felt sad about leaving my friends and family for a year. I felt inadequete to do what God wants me to do. And then I felt excited about this new chapter in my life! I got pumped to be back in the classroom, doing what I love! And I felt loved by all the people around me who are encouraging me through all of this! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Books about missionaries, even if they're written by missionaries, don't really talk about this emotional roller coaster. And maybe it's because once you get on the field or get back from the field, you forget about these preliminary feelings. Like childbirth or something. I don't think that God would be displeased with me and the fact that I'm being real with my feelings. He talks about emotions and how they can change on a dime:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Your turned my mourning into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy!" Psalm 30:11<br />
"Change your laugther to mourning, your joy to gloom" James 4:9</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">While I don't think that God would be disappointed in me in any way for processing this, I also think that he would want me to focus on Him more - on His truths and promises and that He has only good for me. I guess this is where my confusion over my stoic, Presbyterian upbringing and my new-found Charismatic leanings really meet up and clash a bit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">All I know is this: God has grace for me. He's been gracious and merciful to me throughout this process and will continue to do so as I head to Bolivia in two short months. And he has the same for you, dear friends! Whatever circumstance you are going through right now, no matter how distant you feel from your Heavenly Father, He is gracious and wants to love you. Turn to Him. He's waiting with open arms.</span>Bexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245774248185336366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147487011051848632.post-49901177765227175182011-05-06T12:09:00.000-04:002011-05-06T12:09:44.160-04:00What Does a Missionary Smell Like?<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In my last post, I talked about not feeling like I was a good enough Christian to become a missionary. And I eluded to God working on convicting me of that attitude. I want to tell you how I got from point A to point B.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2bUNKD9OddKqISrpPvEovB9Fz-kYrM5lXsSSNoz-gdAliRfRMyITDUVe3hBLvIK4nd6-EE9AosANyJ521foq4YytfjhUDtrPG_aI6IsSPxmCgw4PLwkt-TvNTYbzI1L1vAIFx_zj96n2/s1600/missionary+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2bUNKD9OddKqISrpPvEovB9Fz-kYrM5lXsSSNoz-gdAliRfRMyITDUVe3hBLvIK4nd6-EE9AosANyJ521foq4YytfjhUDtrPG_aI6IsSPxmCgw4PLwkt-TvNTYbzI1L1vAIFx_zj96n2/s320/missionary+1.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">FUNDIES ARE FUN! I never attended a Fundamentalist church, in the true sense of the word. But I did attend a very missions-minded church for over 15 years. This church was amazing in it's preaching and teaching ministry and loved to send missionaries out. I watched these missionaries prepare for the field and come back on furlough from the time I was in 7th grade until about 4 years ago. And it was from this watching that I knew I could never be one of them. One of the main things I saw in these women is that they were v</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">ery pious. These are women who think before speaking. These are women who spend 18 hours a day in the Word. These are women who are married to Jesus and have 6-8 children (or want 6-8 children). These are women who've stub their toe and don't even <em>think </em>of swearing. These women were simply better Christian than I am. Also, they look good in long skirts. At 5' 2", I do not. Even when you Google the word "missionary" (which I wouldn't suggest doing - there are some mighty raunchy results!) you get pictures like the one to the right. And most of them are Mormon. Don't even get me started on Mormon underwear!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">REALITY CHECK I know missionaries that don't fit this mold that I have in my head. I know that they're not perfect Christians and that they struggle with very similar things that I do. But wouldn't it be easier for me to keep that preconceived notion alive so that I wouldn't ever have to worry about being called into the mission field? It'd be better for everyone if I just kept my walls up in this area and stayed in comfortable, albeit cold, Burnsville, Minnesota. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">PREACH IT, BROTHER These were some of the things I was struggling with in the first month or so of my journey. I remember asking, demanding, God to give me some help in this area. It was a Saturday night in my devotions in Philippians, the missionary-sending book, and I needed God to make Himself real to me. Now, I'm not a proponent of setting out fleece to see if it's dry over and over again, but I did need to hear from God. And he spoke, alright! The next day at church, my pastor preached a sermon titled "Called To, Send Out" on Mark 3:13-19. He admitted that he wasn't super excited to preach that section because all it really is, is the naming for the 12 apostles. But he was faithful to preach it and talk about those apostles in a way that challenged my thinking in so many ways. Here's the passage:</span></div><span class="verse-num" id="v41003013-1"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br />
<blockquote><div id="p41003013.04-1"><strong><span class="verse-num" id="v41003013-1"><span style="font-size: x-small;">13 </span></span>And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. <span class="verse-num" id="v41003014-1"><span style="font-size: x-small;">14 </span></span>And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach <span class="verse-num" id="v41003015-1"><span style="font-size: x-small;">15 </span></span>and have authority to cast out demons. <span class="verse-num" id="v41003016-1"><span style="font-size: x-small;">16 </span></span>He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); <span class="verse-num" id="v41003017-1"><span style="font-size: x-small;">17 </span></span>James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); <span class="verse-num" id="v41003018-1"><span style="font-size: x-small;">18 </span></span>Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, <span class="verse-num" id="v41003019-1"><span style="font-size: x-small;">19 </span></span>and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.</strong></div></blockquote><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">About half way through the sermon he broke down the significance of each of these men and the fact that Jesus chose them to be his disciples. (You can listen to the sermon for yourself - the part I'm speaking of happens around 17:09 -<a href="http://audio.sovgracemn.org/2011/04/03/servant-savior-called-to-sent-out/">http://audio.sovgracemn.org/2011/04/03/servant-savior-called-to-sent-out/</a>). Pastor Rick went through each of the apostles and why they could have been disqualified due to their behavior and antics. Yet, God chose to build His church on these "blue collar blokes". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Here are a couple of the quotes from the sermon that really struck me - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">"There's one word comes to my mind regarding these 12 apostles: Ordinary. What stands out most about these guys is that there's nothing that stands out about them!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">"God delights in using orindiary people... to accomplish extraordinary things! Our weaknesses become the stage on which God demonstrates his strength! Our usefulness as disciples is not determined by who we are, but by who has called us. And it's God Almighty who's called us."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">OKAY, I GET IT After this service I was convinced - hook line and sinker convinced - that God was speaking directly to me. I don't know that I've ever sat in a sermon that felt more crafted specifically to me. How gracious and amazing and personal is our God that he answered my prayer, that I probably fell asleep while praying, just like the disciples did in Gethsemane, in such a real, tangible and immediate way? When He wants to get your attention, he will.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">CHALLENGE So I want to challenge you in your ideas and ways of thinking about missionaries. Do you look down on them like I did? Do you find yourself unable to identify with people who go on the mission field? Do you think yourself too lowly a sinner or to important a person to entertain the idea of mission work? I'm not saying that we should all go down to Bolivia and start a Christian commune together (although, that does sound fun, doesn't it? Have I mentioned that it has <em>never snows </em>in Cochabamba??) But perhaps there's a chance for you to volunteer some of your time at a local ministry, like a crisis pregnancy center. Maybe you've been putting off getting involved at your church, but God will use your gifts mightily if you do. I'm just sayin... </span>Bexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245774248185336366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147487011051848632.post-70858719419095062512011-05-04T18:05:00.000-04:002011-05-04T18:05:21.817-04:00The Back StoryDISCLAIMER: I don't like blogs. I find them to be self-serving for the most part. Although, I do have some friends and blogs in general that I find interesting and get a kick out of, I think they're overall really annoying. With that said, I want to use this blog to inform people of what's going on in my life and I hope to keep it updated regularly if/when I get to Bolivia. I have friends all over the country and, unfortunately, I can't call them all and tell them this long story of how I got where I am. This post is super long. I promise they won't all be like this. I'm not <em>that </em>self-involved, people! :)<br />
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ROBBING THE CRADLE! I had coffee with a 19-year-old boy. I asked him out. Yes, there's 10 years between us and yes he attended the school where I taught last year and many of my coworkers were his teachers in junior high. But this guy is cool, interesting and I wanted to get to know him better. <em><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN EACH</strong></span></em> <em><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>OTHER</strong></span></em>. But as God would have it, His Holy Spirit was going to speak through this young lad. Let's name him Giuseppe.<br />
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WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? So Giuseppe and I grab coffee and he asks me all sorts of discerning and probing questions that I haven't asked myself. Things like: what have you done with the last year of unemployment? and have you ever thought of doing missions? My water almost came out of my nose with that last question - ME? Missions? Haha! This kid so doesn't know me! I told him that the reason I have never thought of missions (and never even done a short-term trip) is three-fold: 1) I don't look good in long skirts 2) I swear sometimes 3) I have been known to make fun of missionaries or MKs. He didn't laugh. This kid was <em>serious! </em><br />
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WHATEVER, GIUSEPPE. I left coffee time with G thinking "wow, that was bizarre. I'm totally putting that crap (see, potty mouth) out of my mind." But God wouldn't let me. He was incessant about it. He put my devotion time into Philippians, which is pretty much all about doing missions. He convicted me of my mocking attitude towards missionaries. And He challenged me in why I felt like I couldn't be a missionary.<br />
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THE JONAH RESPONSE. These are the things I struggled with for the coming weeks. I cried out to God - literally - during my quiet times! "God! Are you kidding me? I have FINALLY found a church that feels like home! I've FINALLY made good, Christian friends in Minnesota! I'm not going. You've got the wrong girl". I will call this time in my journey The Jonah Response.<br />
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BOLIVIA? HOW'D WE GET <em>THERE?</em>! So I figured I could throw God a bone and go on a short-term trip this summer. I can do that. I can go to Mexico and help with a VBS for a couple of weeks this summer. Maybe <em>that </em>will get God off my back, I thought. I went on my denomination's website (<a data-mce-href="http://www.sovereigngraceministries.com/" href="http://www.sovereigngraceministries.com/">http://www.sovereigngraceministries.com/</a>) to see where they have churches planted in Spanish-speaking countries. I figured I could at least learn some more Spanish while I'm doing this crazy thing. SGM has churches in Mexico, but not in the safest places. And then I saw there is one in La Paz, Bolivia. Bolivia? Well it's a country below Peru and I've been there. Hmm... I wonder if they need anyone for their VBS. So I shot an email to one of my pastors to dig a little bit. In the meantime. I looked up some mission agencies that I know of to see if anyone has a short-term trip to Bolivia this summer. No one did. So I Googled "missions organizations" and the top hit was SIM - Serving in Mission. Hmm... I've heard of them... I wonder if they have anything?<br />
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SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER NEEDED. Turns out, they did have something. Something so specific and lined up with my education and desires, I couldn't turn away from the post. I read it once, I read it three times, and then I clicked on it. (<a data-mce-href="http://sim.org/index.php/opportunity/7220" href="http://sim.org/index.php/opportunity/7220">http://sim.org/index.php/opportunity/7220</a>) A Christian school for MKs and Bolivian nationals needed a junior high/senior high social studies teacher? Seriously? I couldn't believe it. So, you're saying I could fulfill this new-found desire to do missions through teaching in my content area? I could gain experience, fluency in a language I have been wanting to learn more of and follow God, all in one?? But wait... can I really do this? Am I serious about this? I feel like I need some back-up.<br />
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BACK-UP NEEDED. I emailed the women in my small group. The email was titled "But I Don't Wanna Go..." I should've signed it "Jonah". I asked for their feedback, their prayers, their counsel. And then I sent it. I made this month's long journey REAL by actually putting it into words and telling people who are close to me about it. What was I thinking? Is there an"unsend" button on this thing? Oh no, and here come their responses. They're going to say "here are the top 10, nay, the top 100 reasons why you're not a good enough Christian to become a missionary" and they'd all be true! Oh no, this girl has been my prayer partner for the last year and <em>really </em>knows my sin - she's going to rip me apart! But here's the thing - they didn't. They encouraged me. They said it would be bittersweet to see me go, but that I should do it. They said it was an evidence of God's grace in my life that I was even considering going. They loved me. I'll be honest, I kind of wanted them to talk me out of it. To give me that top 100 list so I could wave it at God and say "See? You've got the wrong girl!" Now what?<br />
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PARENTAL ADVISORY: Now I need to tell my parents. So I told my mom that I wanted to talk to just her and dad that night. In retrospect, and knowing what she does for a living (a counselor at a crisis pregnancy center) she probably thought I was going to tell her I was knocked up. Yup, another immaculate conception, I guess. So I told them and then even <em>they </em>were excited for me. What? Why is no one giving pause to this? Why is no one shooting up big, red flags? Who is going to stop this madness? I went on SIM's site and did the preliminary application. The wheels were in motion - in motion, people! And then I saw where SIM was headquartered - Charlotte, North Carolina. The very same Charlotte that I would be in a week and a half from that day, visiting a friend and doing a Premier jewelry show. Seriously, God?<br />
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FAST FORWARD. In a nutshell, this is where I'm at and what has happened since the application:<br />
1 - I met with my recruiter while I was in Charlotte and we talked about whether this would be a 1 or 2 year commitment. We decided to do 1 year and see how it goes; if great then I could sign up for a second year, if not so great, I could come home and curl up with the basset (Lord willing. She's getting so old, people!)<br />
2 - I told more people, mostly from church, about it. And, not surprisingly at this point, they were excited for me. They were sad about me leaving, but encouraged me to move forward. And that's what I've been doing - walking forward in faith.<br />
3 - I talked with the school's principal on Skype for an hour one night to find out more about the actual position. I'd be teaching 7-10 grade social studies (my favorite ages!) and one of the courses would be sociology/psychology, which is what my undergraduate degree was in. The school sounds amazing - you can check it out at <a data-mce-href="http://www.carachipampa.org/welcome-to-ccs" href="http://www.carachipampa.org/welcome-to-ccs">http://www.carachipampa.org/welcome-to-ccs</a><br />
4 - Now we're waiting for all my references to get their paperwork back, for me to take the MMPI psych evaluation (dying to see what that says about me!) and then a portfolio of all my information will be made up and given to a committee at SIM. If they approve me, I'll be set to start fund-raising. The cost to be there for the year isn't cheap. But it's nothing to God. I have seen him provide financially so many times in my life, over and over, so I'm not worried about that part of it. Yes, it's a big leap of faith to live off of people's generosity each and every day, but I have a feeling He's going to teach me a lot about stewardship and trust this next year.<br />
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Thanks for reading all of this. I'm sure I left details out. Please pray for me - the evil one likes to attack those who are moving toward God's work. Pray that I don't start to doubt myself or get anxious about raising funds. Pray that I keep GOD the focus and not myself. Pray that I stay strong in my devos and prayer life.<br />
Excited to take this new adventure with you guys! Feel free to email or call if you have any questions or concerns. <a data-mce-href="mailto:bex813@hotmail.com" href="mailto:bex813@hotmail.com">bex813@hotmail.com</a> 952.239.0750<br />
Love yas ~<br />
BexBexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09245774248185336366noreply@blogger.com1