The Lord gave me a beautiful day on Monday. I spent a couple of hours soaking in the sun, reading the book of John, listening to worship music, and praying. I felt so encouraged and rested! It was beautiful.
In the midst of this rest, the Lord prompted me that the week was going to be difficult. I wasn't really sure what that meant, though I kind of thought it might have something to do with relationships on the team...and I was right.
Beginning Monday night and into Tuesday the Holy Spirit started working. I didn't sleep much as I thought about some issues we were having as a team. I looked at what we were doing and felt strongly that something was missing. I didn't just come here to learn how to cook meals, or to work hard mowing lawns, or to take good classes...I came here to grow as a person and I felt that our team was doing well at all the things I listed, except really authenticaly living together (Col. 3:12-17). The Lord wouldn't let me think on anything else...and for two nights and a siesta in the afternoon I couldn't sleep. I knew what the Lord wanted me to do...and a part of me was fighting it...why me?....why me, the one with the language barrier, why do I have to speak? But again, he wouldn't let me go. So finally on Wednesday night I shared my heart with the students. It went very well...but it is only the beginning of what God is teaching me.
If I don't speak, if I don't share what I observe or feel, I am robbing the other person of my giftings...robbing them of the opportunity to grow....and vise versa, if I don't allow them to share with me then I am robbing myself of potential growth and blessing.
Its a hard lesson to learn...and its uncomfortable...but may the Lord be glorified as we continue to seek His higher purpose in our lives and work through our difficulties and our pain so that we might be able to experience growth and healing.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
las arañas, las naranjas, la cosina, y evangelismo
Language is a funny thing. There are many times it is challenging and brings me to tears, but then there are other times that it makes me laugh.
Last Saturday my friend Heather and I were given the job of moving a pile of wood and rocks from one location to another. In the process we saw a scorpion and some massive spiders! Now, in Spanish the name for a spider is araña...and in an effort to practice my Spanish I kept repeating what I thought was the Spanish word for spider, but instead found that I was saying naranja (the word for orange). Needless to say Heather (who is fluent in Spanish) was practicaly on the floor laughing...and as soon as I figured out what I was saying, I was laughing too. Kinda strange to hear someone say that there are some VERY big oranges out there...imagine the confusion on people's faces when I repeated these words later...sigh. :p
This week I have been helping in the kitchen. I think its my least favorite place to be. I am getting to be quite good at peeling and cutting potatoes and carrots. Its a pretty demanding job, but thankfully I'm not the leader...so all I do is follow directions. We eat a lot of potatoes and rice around here. Can I say I'm getting just a little tired of potatoes and rice? The reason for this is because of our limited budget, so we have to be creative with what we've got....I'm really missing a lot of our foods at home :s...yesterday I was craving a grilled cheese sandwich.
Each week we have a certain country's dish (a country that is represented in our group). So far we've had Bolivian, Peruvian, and Argentine. I'm trying to think of a meal we could do "on the cheap" with potatoes and rice :s...I keep dreaming of a big Pancake breakfast ... or something for a dinner. BUt I'm not very good at this stuff....and cooking is just a little different here, with some of the ingrediants that are most common in the States being more expensive or almost non-existent (we have to make some things by scratch). Any ideas?? I'd be so appreciative of some good ones :)
For the last two Saturdays our team has split into two groups of four to explore the community surrounding the mission training center and basically work on getting to know our neighbors. My group has focused primarily on the neighborhood right near where we are. We are out in the country, so it is a lot of farmland, with the houses set back off the dirt road. Some homes are obviously of the wealthy farmers, and others of the workers. Making contact with people is a challenge, but we've made headway :). Yesterday we met a worker and his wife who imigrated here from Bolivia (Jesus and Paula, with a little six month old baby girl). They work in the brick factory next to us and are believers. There isn't a church close by, and having no car or form of transportation they are unable to go to church. They seemed very happy to meet us. I desperately wanted to be able to talk to Paula, but with the language barrier all I could do was smile at her. They seemed rather young...he was probably 24 or 25 and she couldn't have been more than 20 years old. We hope to chat with them again next Saturday :).
The weather has really changed around here. The days and nights are cold. I have finally pulled out my sweaters and other layers and jackets to help with the cold. It is definitely fall! I am enjoying the coolness, but am definitely not looking forward to the winter...I hope my clothes are warm enough.
...on to more adventures :)
Last Saturday my friend Heather and I were given the job of moving a pile of wood and rocks from one location to another. In the process we saw a scorpion and some massive spiders! Now, in Spanish the name for a spider is araña...and in an effort to practice my Spanish I kept repeating what I thought was the Spanish word for spider, but instead found that I was saying naranja (the word for orange). Needless to say Heather (who is fluent in Spanish) was practicaly on the floor laughing...and as soon as I figured out what I was saying, I was laughing too. Kinda strange to hear someone say that there are some VERY big oranges out there...imagine the confusion on people's faces when I repeated these words later...sigh. :p
This week I have been helping in the kitchen. I think its my least favorite place to be. I am getting to be quite good at peeling and cutting potatoes and carrots. Its a pretty demanding job, but thankfully I'm not the leader...so all I do is follow directions. We eat a lot of potatoes and rice around here. Can I say I'm getting just a little tired of potatoes and rice? The reason for this is because of our limited budget, so we have to be creative with what we've got....I'm really missing a lot of our foods at home :s...yesterday I was craving a grilled cheese sandwich.
Each week we have a certain country's dish (a country that is represented in our group). So far we've had Bolivian, Peruvian, and Argentine. I'm trying to think of a meal we could do "on the cheap" with potatoes and rice :s...I keep dreaming of a big Pancake breakfast ... or something for a dinner. BUt I'm not very good at this stuff....and cooking is just a little different here, with some of the ingrediants that are most common in the States being more expensive or almost non-existent (we have to make some things by scratch). Any ideas?? I'd be so appreciative of some good ones :)
For the last two Saturdays our team has split into two groups of four to explore the community surrounding the mission training center and basically work on getting to know our neighbors. My group has focused primarily on the neighborhood right near where we are. We are out in the country, so it is a lot of farmland, with the houses set back off the dirt road. Some homes are obviously of the wealthy farmers, and others of the workers. Making contact with people is a challenge, but we've made headway :). Yesterday we met a worker and his wife who imigrated here from Bolivia (Jesus and Paula, with a little six month old baby girl). They work in the brick factory next to us and are believers. There isn't a church close by, and having no car or form of transportation they are unable to go to church. They seemed very happy to meet us. I desperately wanted to be able to talk to Paula, but with the language barrier all I could do was smile at her. They seemed rather young...he was probably 24 or 25 and she couldn't have been more than 20 years old. We hope to chat with them again next Saturday :).
The weather has really changed around here. The days and nights are cold. I have finally pulled out my sweaters and other layers and jackets to help with the cold. It is definitely fall! I am enjoying the coolness, but am definitely not looking forward to the winter...I hope my clothes are warm enough.
...on to more adventures :)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
I am NOT a Princess
Our schedule here at the CCMT has changed in the last couple weeks. Each day is full full full...I'm finding it pretty demanding, and a little challenging to fit in all the language learning I can (especially cuz I get so tired!).
From 8-10am I am in classes with the students, then from 10-12p I am studying on my own Spanish. Then from 12-12:30p or 1pm I have Spanish tutoring. Then lunch and any chores I might have (dishes, cleaning, cooking, etc.). Then Siesta (oh blessed Siesta...my favorite time of day). From 3-7pm the 9 of us students have been doing physical labor around the campus. After a shower and some rest, I sometimes have another tutoring time...but usually its a time to prepare for dinner and relax. Curfew is at 11pm.
This schedule is only for Tuesday - Friday, Saturday and Sunday are another story .... we haven't had our full weekend schedule yet, but in the next weeks we will be doing evangelistic activities on Saturday afternoons and visiting various churches on Sundays.
Apparently in this time, as the students have been getting to know me, I've been breaking their stereo types of women from the United States. First, I eat everything that is given to me...without complaint. Second, I work hard. The boys made some comments of surprise when I would clean (frustrating me)....but after a week of hard work their comments changed :).
So, what exactly have I been doing? Well, lets start with today...I helped mow some of the lawn here and helped make cement, carrying buckets of sand to the mixers. Yesterday I sanded and painted doors. Last week I spent four hours mowing a field, another day painting doors, another day clearing out the bases of some of the trees and weeding flower beds. All of this has also increased my small appetite...yes, to many of your amazement I am eating a lot more than I used to...I can finish an entire plate of food...and sometimes more :p.
So I guess I'm proving to the students here, and to myself that I'm not a princess and that I can handle quite a bit :). Now, of course I haven't cooked yet for the group...that is my next challenge - and one I'm not really looking forward to ... all of this is new and if I can mow an entire field...then I can for sure cook a meal for 8 hungry students (6 of which are hungry boys).
Well...I'm off to have some maté...the evenings are so nice these days! Fall is in the air :)
From 8-10am I am in classes with the students, then from 10-12p I am studying on my own Spanish. Then from 12-12:30p or 1pm I have Spanish tutoring. Then lunch and any chores I might have (dishes, cleaning, cooking, etc.). Then Siesta (oh blessed Siesta...my favorite time of day). From 3-7pm the 9 of us students have been doing physical labor around the campus. After a shower and some rest, I sometimes have another tutoring time...but usually its a time to prepare for dinner and relax. Curfew is at 11pm.
This schedule is only for Tuesday - Friday, Saturday and Sunday are another story .... we haven't had our full weekend schedule yet, but in the next weeks we will be doing evangelistic activities on Saturday afternoons and visiting various churches on Sundays.
Apparently in this time, as the students have been getting to know me, I've been breaking their stereo types of women from the United States. First, I eat everything that is given to me...without complaint. Second, I work hard. The boys made some comments of surprise when I would clean (frustrating me)....but after a week of hard work their comments changed :).
So, what exactly have I been doing? Well, lets start with today...I helped mow some of the lawn here and helped make cement, carrying buckets of sand to the mixers. Yesterday I sanded and painted doors. Last week I spent four hours mowing a field, another day painting doors, another day clearing out the bases of some of the trees and weeding flower beds. All of this has also increased my small appetite...yes, to many of your amazement I am eating a lot more than I used to...I can finish an entire plate of food...and sometimes more :p.
So I guess I'm proving to the students here, and to myself that I'm not a princess and that I can handle quite a bit :). Now, of course I haven't cooked yet for the group...that is my next challenge - and one I'm not really looking forward to ... all of this is new and if I can mow an entire field...then I can for sure cook a meal for 8 hungry students (6 of which are hungry boys).
Well...I'm off to have some maté...the evenings are so nice these days! Fall is in the air :)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Someday I'll look back and laugh...maybe today is that day
Each day has its own challenges, like having cold showers, or mosquitoes that are the size of flies eating you alive, or realizing that you need to learn the days of the week better because you've almost missed your laundry day twice.
Its the joys of being in a new place, as well as knowing you can't understand a lot of things. Someday I'll laugh about those little encounters...maybe today...it is kinda humorous. Its so great, because every day that I cry (which is just about every day) the Lord provides something that totally blesses me beyond words.
Monday my wonderful friend Sabrina surprised me with a two day visit. I was feeling so lonely, cuz my roommates can't really talk with me, so we often just pass each other in the room...and meals can often be quiet for me too (I'm really becoming a very thoughtful person with all that time to think and process :p haha).
Tuesday and Wednesday we talked about culture shock in the classes. Boy could I identify!! We did this stress test, and I found that I'm at the highest stress level...and should be careful cuz I could get sick. hmmm...
Thursday the laundry machine was down, but I didn't think it was a problem...cuz I thought my day was on Friday. Overall a fairly good day I think - besides not being able to take a shower cuz it was cold.
Friday, had a really cold shower in the morning because someone forgot to light the gas lighter again...and I really need to take a shower. I realized my laundry day was the day before - I cried. Took a deep breath and tried to put things in perspective. Then, I was invited for an outing on the town on Saturday - things were looking up :). This was also a work day...cleaning the facility and having fun together.
Saturday...went downtown!! It was fun, until...sigh yep...I started cramping really bad. Later I was told that the juice I'd had in the morning wasn't good. Aparently some of the ice from the freezer that was being defrosted ended up in the juice. Making me and another guy sick. I was sick for several hours.
Sunday ..praise the Lord I'm well!! No need for antibiotics or anything ... I feel rested and I think that I can face the new week.
God is SO good!! Each challenge has been frustrating and painful, but I know that I am making it through...and I don't want to complain, because I know overall my days are really good. God is teaching me so much about himself. He cares about me and I know that through all of this I'm getting stronger. I am "catching" the language...and soon I hope I can start forming sentences. I just need to be more brave in speaking :).
Someday I'll laugh about these struggles ... maybe today...maybe tomorrow...but someday I will definitely laugh.
Its the joys of being in a new place, as well as knowing you can't understand a lot of things. Someday I'll laugh about those little encounters...maybe today...it is kinda humorous. Its so great, because every day that I cry (which is just about every day) the Lord provides something that totally blesses me beyond words.
Monday my wonderful friend Sabrina surprised me with a two day visit. I was feeling so lonely, cuz my roommates can't really talk with me, so we often just pass each other in the room...and meals can often be quiet for me too (I'm really becoming a very thoughtful person with all that time to think and process :p haha).
Tuesday and Wednesday we talked about culture shock in the classes. Boy could I identify!! We did this stress test, and I found that I'm at the highest stress level...and should be careful cuz I could get sick. hmmm...
Thursday the laundry machine was down, but I didn't think it was a problem...cuz I thought my day was on Friday. Overall a fairly good day I think - besides not being able to take a shower cuz it was cold.
Friday, had a really cold shower in the morning because someone forgot to light the gas lighter again...and I really need to take a shower. I realized my laundry day was the day before - I cried. Took a deep breath and tried to put things in perspective. Then, I was invited for an outing on the town on Saturday - things were looking up :). This was also a work day...cleaning the facility and having fun together.
Saturday...went downtown!! It was fun, until...sigh yep...I started cramping really bad. Later I was told that the juice I'd had in the morning wasn't good. Aparently some of the ice from the freezer that was being defrosted ended up in the juice. Making me and another guy sick. I was sick for several hours.
Sunday ..praise the Lord I'm well!! No need for antibiotics or anything ... I feel rested and I think that I can face the new week.
God is SO good!! Each challenge has been frustrating and painful, but I know that I am making it through...and I don't want to complain, because I know overall my days are really good. God is teaching me so much about himself. He cares about me and I know that through all of this I'm getting stronger. I am "catching" the language...and soon I hope I can start forming sentences. I just need to be more brave in speaking :).
Someday I'll laugh about these struggles ... maybe today...maybe tomorrow...but someday I will definitely laugh.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
just some thoughts
Two days ago it rained buckets...almost literally. We had a crazy thunder and lightning storm that was not expected at all...it rained for three hours. During the storm we tried to measure the water, in 15 minutes our bucket was full! crazy! The roads were turned into rivers and there was rivers flowing through the property. The next day the sun came out nice and clear, almost as though the storm hadn't been there at all (which was good because my mom was to leave that afternoon...and to have another delay would've been pretty discouraging).
Now I'm here on my own trying to get into the swing of things. I've moved into a room with two other young women. Neither of them speak much English so I'm hoping that this will encourage me to speak Spanish more. The other students are also quite helpful in asking me what I know...and are pretty nice about the fact that I can only stare at them most of the time :p.
I am considered a student here, so whatever the students do I'm supposed to do. Today I sat in on an Anthropology class...lets just say my head hurt like crazy afterwards as my brain tried desperately to understand what was being said. Overall it was a good experience. I'm attempting to set goals and now have a "bench mark" to work with and am hoping to begin making great progress. The students already say that I'm learning quickly (most of that is because I only really have one thing to focus on - language learning - so its a little easier). I still struggle with loneliness as I can't enjoy the jokes or the laughter as much during meals or cleaning, etc. But that just motivates me to learn fast :).
Its been really warm the last couple days, but fall is in the air. (sigh) I'm really not looking forward to winter...but I am looking forward to the adventures that I will be having in the next few months. (Praying that the Lord will show favor on my desires to go and visit friends around Argentina).
well...nos vemos (see you later)...not sure when I'll get on again....hopefully next time I can upload pictures, the internet connection is too slow right now :(
Now I'm here on my own trying to get into the swing of things. I've moved into a room with two other young women. Neither of them speak much English so I'm hoping that this will encourage me to speak Spanish more. The other students are also quite helpful in asking me what I know...and are pretty nice about the fact that I can only stare at them most of the time :p.
I am considered a student here, so whatever the students do I'm supposed to do. Today I sat in on an Anthropology class...lets just say my head hurt like crazy afterwards as my brain tried desperately to understand what was being said. Overall it was a good experience. I'm attempting to set goals and now have a "bench mark" to work with and am hoping to begin making great progress. The students already say that I'm learning quickly (most of that is because I only really have one thing to focus on - language learning - so its a little easier). I still struggle with loneliness as I can't enjoy the jokes or the laughter as much during meals or cleaning, etc. But that just motivates me to learn fast :).
Its been really warm the last couple days, but fall is in the air. (sigh) I'm really not looking forward to winter...but I am looking forward to the adventures that I will be having in the next few months. (Praying that the Lord will show favor on my desires to go and visit friends around Argentina).
well...nos vemos (see you later)...not sure when I'll get on again....hopefully next time I can upload pictures, the internet connection is too slow right now :(
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