Well, I am home once again. Or, to put it more precisely, I am with my family once again. I was home for a few days, but now I am skiing with my family in Utah for the week that my sisters have spring break. It's pretty sweet. Day one of skiing went really well.
How did I get here? Just a week ago I had such a crammed schedule of farewells that I had to turn people's meal or snack or outing offers down. I was sadly torn between leaving and staying. Even in the plane, the moment the wheels left the ground and I could see that beautiful Colombia from the air, the tears came. It's such a lovely country. I'll never be able to stay away for long.
Now to explain the silence of the last few days in Colombia. Friday, after round one of farewells to the kids at the Foundation, I had a sleepover with LB and we laughed and slept well.
Saturday, I ventured down south again to meet up with G and his family for the afternoon. His dear, Colombianly generous parents welcomed me to a Colombian food lunch--cocido boyacense (a yummy meat and potato varieties stew from a region called Boyaca). This with rice, chicharron, and lulo juice on the side. SO TASTY. :)
After second helpings, G and I set to viewing photos. Seeing pictures of our time and friends in Argentina gave us lots to laugh and smile about. It's just such a blessing to have had the chance to really, truly get more time with some of those great friends I made in Buenos Aires. G is one of them.
Then, G's sister K arrived with her cool boyfriend E. K decided she would give me a manicure. Wow, best manicure of my LIFE. Check out the photo. Uh huh. :)
After the manicure and obligatory photo taking that followed, we all piled into the car as it poured down rain and headed to the mall. We looked at window displays, took pictures, laughed. I caught sight of a shop called Totto, and wanted to go in. I had been wanting to have a Totto backpack for college...and with K's help, I found it. It's beautiful, and will remind me of it's beautiful country every time I see it.
When we had finished in Totto, we went up tot the food court for ice cream. I got tasty maracuya, G got avellana (hazelnut), K got pineapple, E got coco (coconut), and the parents got rum raisin and guanabana. After the ice cream had been fully enjoyed, we started for the car again. G got distracted by some (I'll admit) fantastic looking/smelling arepas, and so we stopped to get some. Mmm.
Piling in the car once more, we headed to the apartment of their son and his family. There was a birthday celebration for their mother-in-law, and I was allowed to tag along. I love the Colombian sense of family, and inclusion. It's beautiful!
We left the celebration after 9:30, cutting it close Transmi-wise, from a standpoint of the assumed truth that G would be accompanying me home and then returning home again. I love Transmi rides with friends, especially at the end of a good day with them. And carrying an awesome new backpack from Totto. :) We both got home safely, and slept well.
Sunday. The day to bid farewell to the great community of Puerta Abierta Church. Marv and Judy went to PA too, and I sat with them and with Diego, his mom, and his grandma. Pastor E asked me up front for a sending prayer--along with my "parents from Bogota", Marv and Judy--and they prayed for me in English and in Spanish. Then I told them all "thank you" for the way they had accepted and blessed me even in such a short stay; for the beautiful community that they are. Then they gave me a purse from one of their church friends in Guatemala as a parting gift to remember them. Is it likely I'll forget them, or be able to go long without being back with them? Not on your life. :)
They were selling empanadas for a fundraiser after the service, but with so many goodbyes to say, I missed out. Then the V family and Diego and his mom and I went out to a mall called Floresta for the afternoon. I had ajiaco for the last time this trip. Mmm.
Then, they took me to some artisan shops to get some remaining gifts for friends. Success! When we had finished perusing, choosing, bargaining, and purchasing, we all sat down for a little break. That was when they surprised me with gifts: Diego's mom a Colombian cowboy hat keychain, J (youngest V daughter) a plaque explaining the meaning of my name/personality, S (the eldest V daughter) fabulous Bible verse fridge magnets, and Mr. and Mrs. V the outfit I had worn for a "mamacita" photo in our parody at ECA. :) Those lovely goofs. So dear.
We did some more shopping and some more eating--Crepes & Waffles ice cream, to be exact. That was a beautiful time of thanking each other and sharing how we had learned from one another--I and them--and how we would miss each other.
Then we headed home, and Diego and I went to Marv & Judy's to hang out and say our goodbyes. He is such a good friend. I will miss him a lot.
That was the night I packed. I did not want to waste anymore daytime hours in Bogota on packing, so I just stayed up and got it done.
Monday morning, I slept in and then went to the grocery store for Colombian goodies to take home. I met NG (fellow TA at school) for lunch--bandeja paisa, mmm--and we talked about life and laughed. Then I went to meet my friends K and N (from the Prado trip) and we went to a mall by the Portal 80 for a movie. "Esto Es Guerra"--This is War, about two spies with the same girlfriend. Very funny! It was in English with Spanish subtitles.
After that, we had some frozen yogurt and talked about everything, and we each traveled home.
Thus, against my will, we had arrived at Tuesday: the last day in Bogota, for now. I woke up, made a quick check that I had packed enough, got ready, and went to school to say my very last goodbyes. When I arrived (just in time for first recess) the kids were thrilled, and mobbed me like a celebrity. I have definitely been missing them.
I got through as many farewells as I could, and then I headed to the Foundation. On the way, I treasured the last bus ride, the last Transmi ticket purchased, the penultimate Transmi ride, and the last time being caught off guard by Bogota rain. When I got to Fundacion Internacional Maranata, I ate a yummy lunch and chatted with J and Mr. A a while. Then the kids presented me with a goodbye poster they had prepared with the help of their teacher. We all had some really amazing cake he Foundation had spotted in farewell, from funds that I know it does not have to give. Such a blessing. Then each kid said some words in farewell. Lovely!
After that, it was pretty much time to get back up north for dinner at Crepes & Waffles with Marv and Judy.
Marv had some salmon dish, Judy had a bread bowl with fondue cheese and mushrooms, and I had the crepes Ghandi--some delicious sort of Indian spiced crepe with cheese, veggies, and other tastiness. We were all very content. Then, during various excessively tasty desserts, we said our thank yous, farewells, and blessings. A nice time to tie things up.
We all walked home together and enjoyed a chill evening. Mr. and Mrs. A stopped by to say goodbye, and then I went to check on my packing and sleep.
Wednesday I woke up at 4, got to the airport, saw my friend A, who works at the airport, almost saw G for a final farewell (he flew to Buenos Aires the same day), and then got on the plane against my will. ;) I took pictures of Colombia from the air, listened to music, watched the movie, and lost my cell phone. Royal bummer. But, as I told my family (using a kind crew member's cell phone to let them know), I believe God is fully capable of bringing the phone back to me if he sees fit. Plus I got home safe and sound, so I am not the least bit worried. :)
I had plans Thursday and Friday to see some friends, and I will see more when I am home after "spring break". It's nice to be in my family again. As much as I've grown in all this time away, as much as I've learned, as many adventures as I've had--that first embrace with my sisters and parents will never know an equal.
xox
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Un día colombiano para llevar, porfis.
Best: getting to go to Barrio Egipto today after hearing all the stories and being a part of a group that got the chance to change the way progress is being made in the neighborhood...just, wow.
Worst: goodbyes to the first graders. uuuuuuush.
___________________________________________________________
Well, yesterday I woke up at the leisurely hour of days on which I go to the Foundation. I ate my breakfast, and then called Mr. A to see if we could travel downtown together. Ah, bummer, he'd left five minutes before. Still, he very kindly told me he'd be back to get me pronto. :)
So, I spent the morning being delivery and secretary en route to the Foundation. He had invitations to deliver to various folks for his latest event--March 27. And also many call-in invitations to make. I dialed, and he made me laugh. Just with his manner of addressing and greeting and talking to people. He has a gift.
Upon arrival at the International Maranatha Foundation, I continued to work on my video transcription/translation of the testimony of a man named Carlos Alonso Lucio. Ask for the incredible story sometime. I'm loving spending so much time digesting it and thinking about it.
I had lunch with J, who somehow has been able to remain in the employ of the crazy Mr. A. for quite some time. :) We laughed a lot about Colombian food, and chicken feet, and other crazy things.
In the afternoon I continued at my translation work, after snitching some hugs from the busy, hardworking kids down below. Dang, I'll miss them.
In the evening it was once again Quality Time with Mr. A. on the long trafficky drive home. I played assistant again, dialing phone calls.
Let me just say that Bogotá skies are insanely hermosos always. Especially at about 5:30 in the afternoon. Just incredibly lucent and colorful and beautifully clouded.
Also, Mr. A's a generous boss who buys us roscones, sweet breads, as snacks on the way home.
When I got home, I walked in the door just in time for homemade mac and cheese. :) Thanks, host-mom Judy. Love the goodness you set on the table! After dinner, I chilled and cleaned and went on Facebook and started a great endeavor of making farewell cards for each first grader, complete with a portrait of the two of us on each. I will miss them intensely.
_ _ _ _ _
Today, I went to school for the last morning on duty. Deeeeeep breath.
I savored my last moments of supervision at my post in the morning by the front entry. I greeted the kids as warmly as ever, helped with Juanes (who'd gotten carsick in the bus ride, pobrecito), and then normal TA duties. We read, we prayed, we ate snack, we played at recess, we did Bible activities, we went to gym and they did trampoline stunts, and then we went to the computer lab to work on powerpoints of the Ancient World and El Salvador. No relation. :)
One by one, I pulled them out of the lab to take a photo with them, and give them each their letter and a heart shaped chocolate (thanks Mama!!). They give the best hugs, those precious ones.
I then whizzed throughout the elementary building bidding farewells, giving out contact info and heart chocolates to my adoptive mother figures--the other teacher aides, who are incredible, amazing, Christ-following, motherly gifted ladies with great big hearts and who ended up appreciating my cooperation and impact a lot. What a blessing.
Also, a summary and farewell conversation with the Elementary Principal to see how things lay. I thanked her profusely for the blessing of an experience she gave me in my short two months here. I learned a montón about how I feel and do in educational occupations, and now have further direction as to decisions about majors and careers. That's no small thing. And her incredible willingness to work with me on those things and give insight and flexibility to give me time in other age groups--just wonderful. She then informed me that I, too, have been a blessing to her. Such an encouragement! I had been concerned, and hoping that entering in midway through the year, and leaving before it's over, and shifting around the days I came...I wondered if it would be any benefit to the students or the school as a whole. Apparently I was--good news. :)
After a mountain of goodbyes, I headed out the gates. I'll be back to chill a bit on Tuesday before I leave, but it was the last day on duty.
I headed down south to meet with Pastor E, who runs the ministry of Buena Semilla in the neighborhood that is called Egipto (Egypt). This is a story well worth telling. That's why I'm going to wait until I'm experiencing reverse culture shock, missing all the Spanish speaking friends, missing the mountains, the skies, the ajiaco, arepas, mazorca, guanabana, mango, papaya, arequipe, café, chocolate, and my work...yeah, until I'm lonely at home sometime. I'll post the whole shpeal.
But, I distracted myself, sorry.
I got to the Las Aguas station of the Transmilenio not too much later than I'd hoped. Pastor E met me in the station, and then we took a quick bus up the mountain a ways, and in a jiffy I was walking on the very plaza that my group had been dropped off at nine months and one day ago, and from there had made the fateful climb up the hill and right into God's plan for that day.
I cannot convey the sensation of climbing that hill with Pastor E, under completely different circumstances. And getting into that foundation's doors, meeting the kids, playing basketball for over an hour, drawing pictures, spinning kids, speaking in English for them, and seeing the mural on the wall that moved me to tears and quickened my pulse with sheer joy.
Worst: goodbyes to the first graders. uuuuuuush.
___________________________________________________________
Well, yesterday I woke up at the leisurely hour of days on which I go to the Foundation. I ate my breakfast, and then called Mr. A to see if we could travel downtown together. Ah, bummer, he'd left five minutes before. Still, he very kindly told me he'd be back to get me pronto. :)
So, I spent the morning being delivery and secretary en route to the Foundation. He had invitations to deliver to various folks for his latest event--March 27. And also many call-in invitations to make. I dialed, and he made me laugh. Just with his manner of addressing and greeting and talking to people. He has a gift.
Upon arrival at the International Maranatha Foundation, I continued to work on my video transcription/translation of the testimony of a man named Carlos Alonso Lucio. Ask for the incredible story sometime. I'm loving spending so much time digesting it and thinking about it.
I had lunch with J, who somehow has been able to remain in the employ of the crazy Mr. A. for quite some time. :) We laughed a lot about Colombian food, and chicken feet, and other crazy things.
(I'm so cool)
In the afternoon I continued at my translation work, after snitching some hugs from the busy, hardworking kids down below. Dang, I'll miss them.
In the evening it was once again Quality Time with Mr. A. on the long trafficky drive home. I played assistant again, dialing phone calls.
Let me just say that Bogotá skies are insanely hermosos always. Especially at about 5:30 in the afternoon. Just incredibly lucent and colorful and beautifully clouded.
Also, Mr. A's a generous boss who buys us roscones, sweet breads, as snacks on the way home.
When I got home, I walked in the door just in time for homemade mac and cheese. :) Thanks, host-mom Judy. Love the goodness you set on the table! After dinner, I chilled and cleaned and went on Facebook and started a great endeavor of making farewell cards for each first grader, complete with a portrait of the two of us on each. I will miss them intensely.
_ _ _ _ _
Today, I went to school for the last morning on duty. Deeeeeep breath.
I savored my last moments of supervision at my post in the morning by the front entry. I greeted the kids as warmly as ever, helped with Juanes (who'd gotten carsick in the bus ride, pobrecito), and then normal TA duties. We read, we prayed, we ate snack, we played at recess, we did Bible activities, we went to gym and they did trampoline stunts, and then we went to the computer lab to work on powerpoints of the Ancient World and El Salvador. No relation. :)
One by one, I pulled them out of the lab to take a photo with them, and give them each their letter and a heart shaped chocolate (thanks Mama!!). They give the best hugs, those precious ones.
I then whizzed throughout the elementary building bidding farewells, giving out contact info and heart chocolates to my adoptive mother figures--the other teacher aides, who are incredible, amazing, Christ-following, motherly gifted ladies with great big hearts and who ended up appreciating my cooperation and impact a lot. What a blessing.
Also, a summary and farewell conversation with the Elementary Principal to see how things lay. I thanked her profusely for the blessing of an experience she gave me in my short two months here. I learned a montón about how I feel and do in educational occupations, and now have further direction as to decisions about majors and careers. That's no small thing. And her incredible willingness to work with me on those things and give insight and flexibility to give me time in other age groups--just wonderful. She then informed me that I, too, have been a blessing to her. Such an encouragement! I had been concerned, and hoping that entering in midway through the year, and leaving before it's over, and shifting around the days I came...I wondered if it would be any benefit to the students or the school as a whole. Apparently I was--good news. :)
After a mountain of goodbyes, I headed out the gates. I'll be back to chill a bit on Tuesday before I leave, but it was the last day on duty.
I headed down south to meet with Pastor E, who runs the ministry of Buena Semilla in the neighborhood that is called Egipto (Egypt). This is a story well worth telling. That's why I'm going to wait until I'm experiencing reverse culture shock, missing all the Spanish speaking friends, missing the mountains, the skies, the ajiaco, arepas, mazorca, guanabana, mango, papaya, arequipe, café, chocolate, and my work...yeah, until I'm lonely at home sometime. I'll post the whole shpeal.
But, I distracted myself, sorry.
I got to the Las Aguas station of the Transmilenio not too much later than I'd hoped. Pastor E met me in the station, and then we took a quick bus up the mountain a ways, and in a jiffy I was walking on the very plaza that my group had been dropped off at nine months and one day ago, and from there had made the fateful climb up the hill and right into God's plan for that day.
I cannot convey the sensation of climbing that hill with Pastor E, under completely different circumstances. And getting into that foundation's doors, meeting the kids, playing basketball for over an hour, drawing pictures, spinning kids, speaking in English for them, and seeing the mural on the wall that moved me to tears and quickened my pulse with sheer joy.
Then I was able to see the lot they are hoping to buy nearby in order to start what would basically be a center for occupations, and getting the ex-convicts, ex- or current-drug addicts, and people from other strugglesome situations back to reputable and consistent work. See a video here made in tandem with the Buena Semilla ministry by these guys a year or so ago. And here is the video promoting the purchase of the lot. Big stuff, real stuff. Stuff that changes lives forever.
After that, I went back down the mountain, walking with Pastor E and a missionary couple from Canada that have been here my whole life--18 years. I was literally SHOCKED at how only a two-way road separates this Barrio Egipto from the classic, colonial constructions of the Candelaria district--a culturally rich and heavily touristy site. Just...wow. Two worlds so completely different. So close!
Then I came home for the evening, and have been thinking about the amazing day I had, the cool day tomorrow at the Foundation, and about how I will be able to handle saying goodbyes tomorrow to the Foundation kids. Oh gracious...
Peace. xox
Monday, March 12, 2012
woah. not long now.
Beep beep beep beep.
Golly, jeepers, is the morning really this cruel to come so early? Hmm... So tempting to just roll over and fling the phone at the wall.
No, no. I only have 9 more days here. I can sleep in Chicago. Up we go...
Shower. Clothes. SOCKS--floor's freezing.
To the table for breakfast. I'm totally a fan of cream of wheat now. Why'd I have to come to Bogotá, Colombia to get to know such a US breakfast food? Warm things in cold mornings are the best.
Quick walk towards the bridge with D--Marv and Judy behind. Lost in thought. Lots to ponder. Lots to decide. Lots to regret. Lots to expect. Lots to enjoy.
Bought a cookie at the bakery by the teacher bus pickup spot. Oatmeal raisin. Yes, in the napkin's fine, thanks. Gracias. Que estés muy bien.
Missed the first teacher bus, see it pull away, wait for the second to appear in a few seconds. Eat the cookie. Drink in Bogotá.
Get on the bus, talk weekends with teachers until it fills. Then lose myself in the mountains and thoughts again. Such beauty, I am such a fallen, confused, undirected little thing.
On to supervision, filling water bottles, caring for my good friend (student) T, who somehow ended up with dog poo all over him, poor child. Cleaning up for T--I really do love these kids.
Talk to 11th and 12th graders about Gap Year. Promote the idea, when done right. Share contact info. Smile. Take a bow.
Help with 9th grade's research paper process. Wow, I don't have to tell them to sit down, wait to go to the bathroom, share, or talk quietly. Huh. Not in first grade anymore.
Lunch with NG. Good company. Good rice, sopita, salad, carne molida, curuba juice, pasta. Good conversation.
Back to first--math time. Cutting up miniature dollar bills makes me feel rich. Fleetingly. :)
Love farewell hugs from the kids. Heads not usually reaching above my hip--all shades of hair color--all of the kinds of beauties--all of them full of love to give.
Hilarious ride home with LF, a missionary who works at the school and with whom I interact often. Walk home with D. No Mirandela arepa lady today. Getting home feels as good as putting on sweatpants.
Getting-ready-to-leave thoughts and conversations suck. Bring pain. Bring opportunities to grow, learn, be stretched, remember it's a gift even to learn the hard stuff. God has a reason for it all. I'll see it eventually.
Comfort of a sister, "I miss you"s, kisses and hugs; Sara Groves and clean, warm sweats. Shove my latest efforts at cleaning the room onto the floor again. Bedtime.
Que Dios sea tu paz y tu alegría esta noche. May God be your peace and your happiness tonight. xox
Golly, jeepers, is the morning really this cruel to come so early? Hmm... So tempting to just roll over and fling the phone at the wall.
No, no. I only have 9 more days here. I can sleep in Chicago. Up we go...
Shower. Clothes. SOCKS--floor's freezing.
To the table for breakfast. I'm totally a fan of cream of wheat now. Why'd I have to come to Bogotá, Colombia to get to know such a US breakfast food? Warm things in cold mornings are the best.
Quick walk towards the bridge with D--Marv and Judy behind. Lost in thought. Lots to ponder. Lots to decide. Lots to regret. Lots to expect. Lots to enjoy.
Bought a cookie at the bakery by the teacher bus pickup spot. Oatmeal raisin. Yes, in the napkin's fine, thanks. Gracias. Que estés muy bien.
Missed the first teacher bus, see it pull away, wait for the second to appear in a few seconds. Eat the cookie. Drink in Bogotá.
Get on the bus, talk weekends with teachers until it fills. Then lose myself in the mountains and thoughts again. Such beauty, I am such a fallen, confused, undirected little thing.
On to supervision, filling water bottles, caring for my good friend (student) T, who somehow ended up with dog poo all over him, poor child. Cleaning up for T--I really do love these kids.
Talk to 11th and 12th graders about Gap Year. Promote the idea, when done right. Share contact info. Smile. Take a bow.
Help with 9th grade's research paper process. Wow, I don't have to tell them to sit down, wait to go to the bathroom, share, or talk quietly. Huh. Not in first grade anymore.
Lunch with NG. Good company. Good rice, sopita, salad, carne molida, curuba juice, pasta. Good conversation.
Back to first--math time. Cutting up miniature dollar bills makes me feel rich. Fleetingly. :)
Love farewell hugs from the kids. Heads not usually reaching above my hip--all shades of hair color--all of the kinds of beauties--all of them full of love to give.
Hilarious ride home with LF, a missionary who works at the school and with whom I interact often. Walk home with D. No Mirandela arepa lady today. Getting home feels as good as putting on sweatpants.
Getting-ready-to-leave thoughts and conversations suck. Bring pain. Bring opportunities to grow, learn, be stretched, remember it's a gift even to learn the hard stuff. God has a reason for it all. I'll see it eventually.
Comfort of a sister, "I miss you"s, kisses and hugs; Sara Groves and clean, warm sweats. Shove my latest efforts at cleaning the room onto the floor again. Bedtime.
Que Dios sea tu paz y tu alegría esta noche. May God be your peace and your happiness tonight. xox
Saturday, March 10, 2012
I skipped Friday...
So, on Friday I went to the Foundation again. I got told I have a "miradita divina" in the street--basically like "gaze of a goddess". Hey, I'll take it. :) I made it safely, despite a morning protest and afternoon bit of mob craziness in the Transmilenio. I worked on translating a video, and then in the afternoon worked with the kids a bit and with the A family a bit. Then we all had a truly thrilling ride home--due to the Transmi being out, traffic was even worse, and we were riding (illegally) seated on the floor of a bus. Very exciting. 20 blocks in the first hour. :)
Then I got myself an arepa on the walk home, and then relaxed and chatted friends and watched some Planet Earth, and then I slept.
xox
Then I got myself an arepa on the walk home, and then relaxed and chatted friends and watched some Planet Earth, and then I slept.
xox
Mirandela Arepa Lady and Other Miracles
Best and worst does not apply to this day. What a day!
I was able to sleep in this morning, and then I had a leisurely time of getting ready for the day and enjoying my breakfast in the company of Marv and Judy.
I skyped with my little sister for a bit before I headed out the door for the day's adventure.
And, boy, adventure it was. :)
I had made arrangements with a Venezuelan friend to go to a street kids ministry he helps with, and so I had to meet him at his house. I had no idea where it was. Thankfully, the city of Bogotá is really well organized, and it's relatively intuitive the way the street systems are gridded. So, I hopped on the Transmi--back in service today after a little bit of craziness yesterday--and made it to the Calle 127 stop.
Miracle #1: I walked about thirty blocks in Bogotá all by myself, completely unmolested. I was never really in fear of the walk, but in the moment, I realized how vulnerable I was, even though it was morning. Also how easily I could have gotten lost or been misdirected by my ideas. But, nope.
Miracle #2: I found the friend with whom I was to meet and travel to la Jungla--the Jungle. This is a really cool building in one of the hardest hit neighborhoods in Bogotá, where there is basically an indoor playground that opens Saturdays for the street children--children of prostitutes, drug dealers, recyclers, and other less than ideal professions for parents (for the hours and the difficulty of the tasks required). It's beautiful for them to at least have those two hours, warm, away from the influences of the street, and with people who genuinely want to teach them principles and morals and habits that will bring them a more hopeful life.
Miracle #3: In the apartment where my friend lives, a family from the US had just come today to stay there a night on their family mission trip--and they're from Wheaton, from GEBC. They had not been properly prepared for the time at the Jungle, as far as explanations of who the kids are, how they work, how their status doesn't allow them the easiest access to cleanliness and lice-lessness...nor about how tough the lives they lead really are. So...Miracle #4: Today was the Saturday that I was led to go to the ministry, not any of the past few--just in time to help ease their time here, explain, translate, and encourage. It was really a hard time for the mom, who is struggling with recurring memories of recent health difficulties her daughter had due to lice--therefore, the fear of that happening again is very real, with the fresh memories. I got to share about my gap year with them, and all the cool things I am learning, and how much I love Bogotá. I filled them in on the place we were going, and the "what-to-expects". Then, once we got there, I was upstairs at the zipline and little playhouse monitoring station. It was fun to interact with these kids, knowing that it might be perhaps the only healthy and caring interaction they've had all week. They are such powerful personalities, the majority of them, and very independent. They have to be; how else do they get remembered? get fed? get necessities? On the street, more often than not, they are on their own for growing up. Nice to offer them a place to just be kids for a little while.
Miracle #5: There were no accidents, major fights, lost kids, or other incidents during the time with the kids. It's always a valid possibility, my friend E says. But we were all safe.
After they had all had their snack and been sent out the door, I noticed that the family from the States wasn't with us and the other leaders. I asked E where they'd gone, and he said he didn't know. They were upstairs, encouraging each other and dealing with the toughness of the situation they'd just finished experiencing. I extended comfort as best I could, and then encouraged them to come downstairs and join us for the farewell and closing prayer.
We all eventually got everything cleaned up and then got on the bus to go home. On the bus ride home, Miracle #6: I got the opportunity to share with this family the encouraging story of Anna's Amazing Ankle Adventure, also known as my testimony. :) I just felt it to be very suited to their needs in the moment, and the words just flowed. Any chance to encourage anyone brings me joy. It was beautiful.
Upon arriving at the apartment, we all got out and chilled around a while, laughing and talking, while we figured out all our plans for the travels home. I got to play with the family's son, S, who is a riot, and talk and laugh along with the others. Then, Miracle #7: E accompanied me home. It was so fun to talk through the day with him, explain the parts that had gotten lost in the whole language barrier thing for him (with the US family), and talked about how good life is. It was just so neat to be able to laugh with him--a friend I had made the first time I came to Bogotá. More and more, I am finding immense joy in the extended possibilities of returning to a place that I had already fallen in love with.
Miracle #8: The Mirandela arepa lady was at the bus stop again tonight. Mmmm. :)
Now, here I am on the couch, hoping to get a jacket soon...brr...listening to the quasi-raging party next door, pondering tomorrow's insanely-far-south adventure to church. I will be visiting the church of GN, a Colombian friend made in Buenos Aires, and eating at his house for lunch. I like the adventuring and navigating I am getting in here. It's good.
Love from Colombia! xox
I was able to sleep in this morning, and then I had a leisurely time of getting ready for the day and enjoying my breakfast in the company of Marv and Judy.
I skyped with my little sister for a bit before I headed out the door for the day's adventure.
And, boy, adventure it was. :)
I had made arrangements with a Venezuelan friend to go to a street kids ministry he helps with, and so I had to meet him at his house. I had no idea where it was. Thankfully, the city of Bogotá is really well organized, and it's relatively intuitive the way the street systems are gridded. So, I hopped on the Transmi--back in service today after a little bit of craziness yesterday--and made it to the Calle 127 stop.
Miracle #1: I walked about thirty blocks in Bogotá all by myself, completely unmolested. I was never really in fear of the walk, but in the moment, I realized how vulnerable I was, even though it was morning. Also how easily I could have gotten lost or been misdirected by my ideas. But, nope.
Miracle #2: I found the friend with whom I was to meet and travel to la Jungla--the Jungle. This is a really cool building in one of the hardest hit neighborhoods in Bogotá, where there is basically an indoor playground that opens Saturdays for the street children--children of prostitutes, drug dealers, recyclers, and other less than ideal professions for parents (for the hours and the difficulty of the tasks required). It's beautiful for them to at least have those two hours, warm, away from the influences of the street, and with people who genuinely want to teach them principles and morals and habits that will bring them a more hopeful life.
Miracle #3: In the apartment where my friend lives, a family from the US had just come today to stay there a night on their family mission trip--and they're from Wheaton, from GEBC. They had not been properly prepared for the time at the Jungle, as far as explanations of who the kids are, how they work, how their status doesn't allow them the easiest access to cleanliness and lice-lessness...nor about how tough the lives they lead really are. So...Miracle #4: Today was the Saturday that I was led to go to the ministry, not any of the past few--just in time to help ease their time here, explain, translate, and encourage. It was really a hard time for the mom, who is struggling with recurring memories of recent health difficulties her daughter had due to lice--therefore, the fear of that happening again is very real, with the fresh memories. I got to share about my gap year with them, and all the cool things I am learning, and how much I love Bogotá. I filled them in on the place we were going, and the "what-to-expects". Then, once we got there, I was upstairs at the zipline and little playhouse monitoring station. It was fun to interact with these kids, knowing that it might be perhaps the only healthy and caring interaction they've had all week. They are such powerful personalities, the majority of them, and very independent. They have to be; how else do they get remembered? get fed? get necessities? On the street, more often than not, they are on their own for growing up. Nice to offer them a place to just be kids for a little while.
Miracle #5: There were no accidents, major fights, lost kids, or other incidents during the time with the kids. It's always a valid possibility, my friend E says. But we were all safe.
After they had all had their snack and been sent out the door, I noticed that the family from the States wasn't with us and the other leaders. I asked E where they'd gone, and he said he didn't know. They were upstairs, encouraging each other and dealing with the toughness of the situation they'd just finished experiencing. I extended comfort as best I could, and then encouraged them to come downstairs and join us for the farewell and closing prayer.
We all eventually got everything cleaned up and then got on the bus to go home. On the bus ride home, Miracle #6: I got the opportunity to share with this family the encouraging story of Anna's Amazing Ankle Adventure, also known as my testimony. :) I just felt it to be very suited to their needs in the moment, and the words just flowed. Any chance to encourage anyone brings me joy. It was beautiful.
Upon arriving at the apartment, we all got out and chilled around a while, laughing and talking, while we figured out all our plans for the travels home. I got to play with the family's son, S, who is a riot, and talk and laugh along with the others. Then, Miracle #7: E accompanied me home. It was so fun to talk through the day with him, explain the parts that had gotten lost in the whole language barrier thing for him (with the US family), and talked about how good life is. It was just so neat to be able to laugh with him--a friend I had made the first time I came to Bogotá. More and more, I am finding immense joy in the extended possibilities of returning to a place that I had already fallen in love with.
Miracle #8: The Mirandela arepa lady was at the bus stop again tonight. Mmmm. :)
Now, here I am on the couch, hoping to get a jacket soon...brr...listening to the quasi-raging party next door, pondering tomorrow's insanely-far-south adventure to church. I will be visiting the church of GN, a Colombian friend made in Buenos Aires, and eating at his house for lunch. I like the adventuring and navigating I am getting in here. It's good.
Love from Colombia! xox
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Stirring and Storytelling
Best: time in the kitchen with N all morning.
Worst: looking at these kids and knowing now way more fully what they are going through.
______________________________________________________________________________
This morning I hopped on the Transmi to get to the Foundation. I love riding the Transmi, it's such a very Colombian experience. Sure, people look at me like, "Hmm. She's not Colombian," but meantime, I'm observing everyone else for their fashion, their accents, their interactions with each other.
When I got to the Foundation, only N was there, getting ready to cook lunch for all the kids. The official beginning of the school year with the teacher at the Foundation was this Monday, so now the kids are back to the typical routine.
So, anyways, that means N is back to making lunches for all the kids. So, I thought I'd take advantage of the opportunity to talk with her, and learn to cook. It was wonderful. She prepared ground beef and potatoes, rice, salad, and maracuyá juice. We talked about how not to make rice, and how TO make rice. I also asked her about the stories of the children of the Hogar de Paz. Wow. Ask for them in person sometime, please. Suffice it to say that each child has so much suffering to process, to try to overcome, and to grow through.
After finishing preparing the lunch meal, N and her three-year-old daughter and I walked to the school to pick up the kids. THAT was a really high point of my day. All the kids of the Foundation go to the same school, so they were all there. As soon as two or three caught sight of me through the schoolyard fence, they reached out to me through the bars, screaming "PROFE!!!" with the biggest smiles, and jumping up and down. Then shortly afterwards, they called the others over and one by one they greeted me with "Happy Women's Day!" They were leaping up and down, with grins as wide as Nebraska. I have never felt so loved. Then we all walked home together from the school, drinking juices, eating snacks, and laughing the whole way as a big, beautiful group.
Throughout the afternoon, I played with the kids, lunched with Mr. A and a business partner of his. Then I translated and played through till the time the kids went home. Then I rode my way home with Mr. A, his sister-in-law, and his niece and their translator for the day, a great ECA student, M. I told the stories I'd heard, and I was teased ruthlessly and hilariously by Mr. A, and I heard the family's plans for the rest of their time here. Then M and I got out at a Transmi stop, as the others were no longer headed our way. A really nice ride with a companion. Transmi again. I even got rebuked by an older señora in front of me for pushing her...really? It's my fault, not the 10,000 people behind me all pushing at once. Sorry. WOOOT, Transmi in rush hour!
I opened the apartment door at home to the overwhelmingly delectable scent of hot chocolate on the stove. I was hungry, grabbed leftovers, and ate while Marv, Judy, and D started up "To Save a Life". What a sensational film. I suggest it to everyone.
I just...I love what I am learning here. What I am learning in this time. I talked with Mr. A at lunch about possibilities of returning here to work in the Foundation someday. I'd absolutely love to study my four years of college, and meanwhile visit here during summers, and then graduate and come back to join in the challenging, developing, and important work of the International Maranatha Foundation. We shall all see, but I would love for things to happen like that.
That's all my thoughts tonight. Bedtime. Be blessed!
xox
Worst: looking at these kids and knowing now way more fully what they are going through.
______________________________________________________________________________
This morning I hopped on the Transmi to get to the Foundation. I love riding the Transmi, it's such a very Colombian experience. Sure, people look at me like, "Hmm. She's not Colombian," but meantime, I'm observing everyone else for their fashion, their accents, their interactions with each other.
When I got to the Foundation, only N was there, getting ready to cook lunch for all the kids. The official beginning of the school year with the teacher at the Foundation was this Monday, so now the kids are back to the typical routine.
So, anyways, that means N is back to making lunches for all the kids. So, I thought I'd take advantage of the opportunity to talk with her, and learn to cook. It was wonderful. She prepared ground beef and potatoes, rice, salad, and maracuyá juice. We talked about how not to make rice, and how TO make rice. I also asked her about the stories of the children of the Hogar de Paz. Wow. Ask for them in person sometime, please. Suffice it to say that each child has so much suffering to process, to try to overcome, and to grow through.
After finishing preparing the lunch meal, N and her three-year-old daughter and I walked to the school to pick up the kids. THAT was a really high point of my day. All the kids of the Foundation go to the same school, so they were all there. As soon as two or three caught sight of me through the schoolyard fence, they reached out to me through the bars, screaming "PROFE!!!" with the biggest smiles, and jumping up and down. Then shortly afterwards, they called the others over and one by one they greeted me with "Happy Women's Day!" They were leaping up and down, with grins as wide as Nebraska. I have never felt so loved. Then we all walked home together from the school, drinking juices, eating snacks, and laughing the whole way as a big, beautiful group.
Throughout the afternoon, I played with the kids, lunched with Mr. A and a business partner of his. Then I translated and played through till the time the kids went home. Then I rode my way home with Mr. A, his sister-in-law, and his niece and their translator for the day, a great ECA student, M. I told the stories I'd heard, and I was teased ruthlessly and hilariously by Mr. A, and I heard the family's plans for the rest of their time here. Then M and I got out at a Transmi stop, as the others were no longer headed our way. A really nice ride with a companion. Transmi again. I even got rebuked by an older señora in front of me for pushing her...really? It's my fault, not the 10,000 people behind me all pushing at once. Sorry. WOOOT, Transmi in rush hour!
I opened the apartment door at home to the overwhelmingly delectable scent of hot chocolate on the stove. I was hungry, grabbed leftovers, and ate while Marv, Judy, and D started up "To Save a Life". What a sensational film. I suggest it to everyone.
I just...I love what I am learning here. What I am learning in this time. I talked with Mr. A at lunch about possibilities of returning here to work in the Foundation someday. I'd absolutely love to study my four years of college, and meanwhile visit here during summers, and then graduate and come back to join in the challenging, developing, and important work of the International Maranatha Foundation. We shall all see, but I would love for things to happen like that.
That's all my thoughts tonight. Bedtime. Be blessed!
xox
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Why is sleep necessary? I don't want to miss an instant :)
Best: the arepas con queso from La Mazorca (restaurant) on the mountainside, in the As' company, this Sunday for lunch.
Worst: treasuring the embraces of first graders, fellow teacher aides (really more like a few extra adopted moms :) ), planning my two final weekends in Bogotá.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Good grief, my hands are chilly as I write this. I have on my teddy bear jacket--zipped all the way up to my chin--and my sweatpants and my lobster socks. Comfy is international and universal. :)
On Sunday, I went to Puerta Abierta church again, but this time Marv and Judy (my host parents) came along as well. It was so nice to have them at the service, for I really love the worship songs, the scriptures, and the preachers they have at Puerta Abierta, and am glad to share. Also I was able to introduce them during the beginning of the service as "my here parents". :)
After church, I went to the Pepe Sierra Transmi station to meet up with the A family. Some relatives are in town this week from the States, and so they were headed up the mountain to one of my favorite Bogotá restaurants for lunch, and then to a YWAM ministry up the mountain for the afternoon. They graciously let me tag along!
Lunch was marvelous. I enjoyed the chicken (when I put guacamole on top), the little yellow bite-sized potatoes, the larger tan-skinned potatoes, the platano, and the best--the AREPAS CON QUESO! These are the most earth-shakingly delectable arepas I have ever eaten. And thus far, I have only ever seen them at this restaurant. Mmm. Plus conversation with V, Mr., and Mrs. A and the relatives was really interesting and hilarious.
After getting full, we drove further up the mountain to the home of a couple that runs a ministry tied to YWAM. The B's, they are, are a couple that started off with their own five (biological) children. Now their kids are all out of the house, grown up. However, they currently have eight adopted children under their roof, and before these eight there were others who have now grown. These current eight were street children in one of the worst neighborhoods in Bogotá, now given a home with two of the most inspirational and incredible parents in Bogotá. They raise these children with so much love and faithfulness, helping each kid to overcome their own tremendously scarring and damaging story. After a bit of conversation with the Bs, several of us (minus the kids, who were doing homework), went on a walk I did the last time I was here to a cross on a hilltop, a lookout point with views of the mountains around us. I came to this ministry house the last time I was in Bogotá, and I had remembered the A) beauty and B) toughness of this walk, both due to the steep hillside roads.
Upon returning to the house, Mrs. A shifted into dinner production mode. Dinner providing for almost 30 mouths is no small task--their family, the As and their family and I, and some friends invited over for the event. I was happy to serve on kitchen duty, chopping vegetables and making guacamole.
Dinner was tasty mexican tacos, and very well enjoyed by all. When we had stuffed ourselves enough, we said many goodbyes, and headed back down the mountain to go home. When I arrived home, I chilled and soon went to sleep.
Monday I was once again at ECA, spending the day with the first graders. I really am of the mind that first graders, in whatever country, speaking whatever language, should be capable of walking in lines--and staying in lines as we walk. Therefore, this has been the week we are cracking down on the expectations of walking in line. Other than the line struggles, yesterday was a relatively good day of theirs, behavior-wise. I love the interactions I get with the kids at the most random of moments--a chance to celebrate news of a relative's baby being born, a chance to walk a teary-eyed but dreadfully brave child with a hurt knee from recess to the nurse, a chance to encourage a student to finish "at least the chicken" on his plate. A chance to love these kids in a way that can only lead to growth and security and joy and discernment.
Today has been another wonderful day. Waking up to the mountains that surround me, the cool of the morning air, the jerky trafficky ride to school, the morning supervision duty full of mainly greeting everyone as they pass the front door entrance, the morning classroom tasks (filling water bottles, checking planners, delivering library books), the snacktime and recess with the kids, the classwork, the lunchtime fights over who still has to eat what, the glory of the best fútbol game I have seen them play yet--ten of the 21 first graders, including two girls...and the end of the day packup and farewell hugs. I then got the satisfaction and joy of hanging out on supervision with the other teachers' aides, who are some wonderful mothers of the school who really have a fantastic heart for the children and know what's best for them and exactly how to teach me to take authority. They are mothering me, in the most beautiful comforting way, as they simultaneously take command of their entire classes and make sure everything runs smoothly in a day. They are amazing women. I will miss them immensely, two weeks from right now.
After school, my friend K (from the weekend in Prado) picked me up at school, and after touring ECA (his alma mater) for its new constructions for a while, we headed out--on his motorcycle. So fun! The short ride home was even shorter on such a small vehicle. Of course, he is an extremely responsible driver and had helmets for us both, so don't any of you worry.
What should make you worry, perhaps, is the motorcycle driving lesson I received! :) I have never appreciated my dad's teaching of driving stick shift cars more. It was so simple, conceptually, to get the hang of. The hard part is understanding the leaning to turn instead of turning the handle bars. I don't generally like the feeling of falling...but, oh well. I passed.
Dinner was a delicious personal pizza, and then once at home I quickly put on warm layers and sat down to blog.
I am also thinking a lot these days about impending decisions about college courses and major selection as I mentally prepare for university in the fall. Leaning towards business at this point, having seen various sectors of an educational environment, and realizing it's not really all-encompassing with my inclinations, strengths, and desires. But, baby steps. I am only asking for daily-bread sized revelations, here.
And I keep on receiving them. Dios es fiel.
xox
Worst: treasuring the embraces of first graders, fellow teacher aides (really more like a few extra adopted moms :) ), planning my two final weekends in Bogotá.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Good grief, my hands are chilly as I write this. I have on my teddy bear jacket--zipped all the way up to my chin--and my sweatpants and my lobster socks. Comfy is international and universal. :)
On Sunday, I went to Puerta Abierta church again, but this time Marv and Judy (my host parents) came along as well. It was so nice to have them at the service, for I really love the worship songs, the scriptures, and the preachers they have at Puerta Abierta, and am glad to share. Also I was able to introduce them during the beginning of the service as "my here parents". :)
After church, I went to the Pepe Sierra Transmi station to meet up with the A family. Some relatives are in town this week from the States, and so they were headed up the mountain to one of my favorite Bogotá restaurants for lunch, and then to a YWAM ministry up the mountain for the afternoon. They graciously let me tag along!
Lunch on the grill!
After getting full, we drove further up the mountain to the home of a couple that runs a ministry tied to YWAM. The B's, they are, are a couple that started off with their own five (biological) children. Now their kids are all out of the house, grown up. However, they currently have eight adopted children under their roof, and before these eight there were others who have now grown. These current eight were street children in one of the worst neighborhoods in Bogotá, now given a home with two of the most inspirational and incredible parents in Bogotá. They raise these children with so much love and faithfulness, helping each kid to overcome their own tremendously scarring and damaging story. After a bit of conversation with the Bs, several of us (minus the kids, who were doing homework), went on a walk I did the last time I was here to a cross on a hilltop, a lookout point with views of the mountains around us. I came to this ministry house the last time I was in Bogotá, and I had remembered the A) beauty and B) toughness of this walk, both due to the steep hillside roads.
Upon returning to the house, Mrs. A shifted into dinner production mode. Dinner providing for almost 30 mouths is no small task--their family, the As and their family and I, and some friends invited over for the event. I was happy to serve on kitchen duty, chopping vegetables and making guacamole.
Dinner was tasty mexican tacos, and very well enjoyed by all. When we had stuffed ourselves enough, we said many goodbyes, and headed back down the mountain to go home. When I arrived home, I chilled and soon went to sleep.
Monday I was once again at ECA, spending the day with the first graders. I really am of the mind that first graders, in whatever country, speaking whatever language, should be capable of walking in lines--and staying in lines as we walk. Therefore, this has been the week we are cracking down on the expectations of walking in line. Other than the line struggles, yesterday was a relatively good day of theirs, behavior-wise. I love the interactions I get with the kids at the most random of moments--a chance to celebrate news of a relative's baby being born, a chance to walk a teary-eyed but dreadfully brave child with a hurt knee from recess to the nurse, a chance to encourage a student to finish "at least the chicken" on his plate. A chance to love these kids in a way that can only lead to growth and security and joy and discernment.
Today has been another wonderful day. Waking up to the mountains that surround me, the cool of the morning air, the jerky trafficky ride to school, the morning supervision duty full of mainly greeting everyone as they pass the front door entrance, the morning classroom tasks (filling water bottles, checking planners, delivering library books), the snacktime and recess with the kids, the classwork, the lunchtime fights over who still has to eat what, the glory of the best fútbol game I have seen them play yet--ten of the 21 first graders, including two girls...and the end of the day packup and farewell hugs. I then got the satisfaction and joy of hanging out on supervision with the other teachers' aides, who are some wonderful mothers of the school who really have a fantastic heart for the children and know what's best for them and exactly how to teach me to take authority. They are mothering me, in the most beautiful comforting way, as they simultaneously take command of their entire classes and make sure everything runs smoothly in a day. They are amazing women. I will miss them immensely, two weeks from right now.
After school, my friend K (from the weekend in Prado) picked me up at school, and after touring ECA (his alma mater) for its new constructions for a while, we headed out--on his motorcycle. So fun! The short ride home was even shorter on such a small vehicle. Of course, he is an extremely responsible driver and had helmets for us both, so don't any of you worry.
What should make you worry, perhaps, is the motorcycle driving lesson I received! :) I have never appreciated my dad's teaching of driving stick shift cars more. It was so simple, conceptually, to get the hang of. The hard part is understanding the leaning to turn instead of turning the handle bars. I don't generally like the feeling of falling...but, oh well. I passed.
Dinner was a delicious personal pizza, and then once at home I quickly put on warm layers and sat down to blog.
I am also thinking a lot these days about impending decisions about college courses and major selection as I mentally prepare for university in the fall. Leaning towards business at this point, having seen various sectors of an educational environment, and realizing it's not really all-encompassing with my inclinations, strengths, and desires. But, baby steps. I am only asking for daily-bread sized revelations, here.
And I keep on receiving them. Dios es fiel.
xox
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Colombian avocado for dessert
Best: girls night and sleepover with the lovely LB and her sisters!
Worst: it's been cold this week in Bogotá. That's the worst I can think of. :)
_____________________________________________________________________________
On Thursday and Friday, I was working at the Foundation again. I love those days! I spent the mornings translating a kind of informational summary document for all that the Foundation manages and achieves and dreams. Golly, would I love to graduate college and head right back down here to work with the Fundación Internacional Maranata for the rest of my life...so chevere! So cool!
Anywho...in the afternoon on Thursday, I was back up help in their session with the volunteer math tutor from a nearby university. Boys versus girls in division, multiplication, addition, and subtraction problems. Tough stuff. Then they had their homework to do, and I dictated and drew and colored with the best of them. When they weren't doing homework, I got to read aloud. I love to read aloud in Spanish. It's super fun!
Then I went back home, where I had banana chocolate chip pancakes for dinner. Mmm. Then, Marv, Judy, Daniela, and Diego and I played Aggravation. What a fun game. Surely aggravating, however. :)
Friday I went to the Foundation, and then had a scrumptious lunch with J (administrative asst at FIM), Mr. A, and H (basically the caretaker of the Hogar de Paz). In the afternoon, we did homework with the kids, and I gave some mini English lessons to a few of the mothers I've gotten close with, and then we took the niños to the park. Man, they love that park. They love the soccer field, the slide, the little kids playground equipment, and the space to really run.
I love just being with those kids and showing them real love. And shamelessly scoring goals on them in scrimmages. :)
Friday evening I went with LB up to Chía, which is outside the city of Bogotá, to sleepover at her house. We made arepas, watched some chick flicks, and genuinely enjoyed ourselves. It made me miss my sisters, however! Rats. Well...only eighteen days...uuuush. Heart feel like it's in some sort of contortionist act? Uh huh.
Today has been a lovely social day. I woke up at LB's house, had a breakfast date with her, and then rode the bus with her back into the city. We parted ways, and I headed home for some time before meeting up with Miss W, the first grade teacher. We and NG, the teacher aide in first, went to a student's house for lunch with their family. It was so fun! The people here really are the coolest.
Tonight was a quiet night in with Judy and Marv, watching movies and keeping up to date on my social networking. Tomorrow Marv and Judy will be going to Puerta Abierta church with me, so that'll be cool!
Goodnight, wherever you are. Que estés muy bien. xox
Worst: it's been cold this week in Bogotá. That's the worst I can think of. :)
_____________________________________________________________________________
On Thursday and Friday, I was working at the Foundation again. I love those days! I spent the mornings translating a kind of informational summary document for all that the Foundation manages and achieves and dreams. Golly, would I love to graduate college and head right back down here to work with the Fundación Internacional Maranata for the rest of my life...so chevere! So cool!
Anywho...in the afternoon on Thursday, I was back up help in their session with the volunteer math tutor from a nearby university. Boys versus girls in division, multiplication, addition, and subtraction problems. Tough stuff. Then they had their homework to do, and I dictated and drew and colored with the best of them. When they weren't doing homework, I got to read aloud. I love to read aloud in Spanish. It's super fun!
Then I went back home, where I had banana chocolate chip pancakes for dinner. Mmm. Then, Marv, Judy, Daniela, and Diego and I played Aggravation. What a fun game. Surely aggravating, however. :)
Friday I went to the Foundation, and then had a scrumptious lunch with J (administrative asst at FIM), Mr. A, and H (basically the caretaker of the Hogar de Paz). In the afternoon, we did homework with the kids, and I gave some mini English lessons to a few of the mothers I've gotten close with, and then we took the niños to the park. Man, they love that park. They love the soccer field, the slide, the little kids playground equipment, and the space to really run.
I love just being with those kids and showing them real love. And shamelessly scoring goals on them in scrimmages. :)
Friday evening I went with LB up to Chía, which is outside the city of Bogotá, to sleepover at her house. We made arepas, watched some chick flicks, and genuinely enjoyed ourselves. It made me miss my sisters, however! Rats. Well...only eighteen days...uuuush. Heart feel like it's in some sort of contortionist act? Uh huh.
Today has been a lovely social day. I woke up at LB's house, had a breakfast date with her, and then rode the bus with her back into the city. We parted ways, and I headed home for some time before meeting up with Miss W, the first grade teacher. We and NG, the teacher aide in first, went to a student's house for lunch with their family. It was so fun! The people here really are the coolest.
Tonight was a quiet night in with Judy and Marv, watching movies and keeping up to date on my social networking. Tomorrow Marv and Judy will be going to Puerta Abierta church with me, so that'll be cool!
Goodnight, wherever you are. Que estés muy bien. xox
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