Things here in Colombia have been really relaxed.
Gamaliel and Amanda have been gone for a little while visiting family in the southern part of Colombia. Amanda has been gone for a about two and a half weeks and Gamaliel left this passed Monday. So, when Gamaliel left he thought it would be better for me to stay at a family from the church's house. It has been nice being in a family setting, but I can't help but to feel like I am intruding sometimes haha. I know that they don't mind I am there, they actually invited me to come, but I do feel bad sometimes haha.
Today, I needed to get some work done at my apartment though so I came over here and actually got a decent amount done! I also walked to Exito and bought some snacks for tonight, the second youth meeting (whoooooop whoop!). I also decided that I was REALLY craving some american food. So... I splurged and spent 4,000 pesos (about 2 dollars) on some mac and cheese. Was is delicious? Well, yes it was. Did I eat the whole dang box? I don't know that I want to answer that question.
Tonight is the second youth meeting! I am so excited! I am also going to have my first English lessons this week! I am a little nervous about that. I really need to get cracking on my lesson plan!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Day Seventeen - A Day of First Youth Events and Meetings
Today started out pretty basically. Gamaliel and I went to a meeting that lasted a little longer than I was expecting. But it was nice to be included in the metting. I think that I actually understood about 50 to 60 percent of what was being talked about. There were times when they would go off on a tangent or start talking very very fast or if there was more than one person talking I would get completely confused and just have to wait until the normal paced conversation started again haha. But I felt very accomplished knowing that I knew what was being talked about the majority of the time! I also learned a couple new words so that was very helpful!
After the meeting (which was from about 10 to almost 4:30) I had to rush home and then take a cab back to the church to get all of my things. We were originally at the church for the meeting but I thought that we were going to be coming back to the apartment after lunchtime so I did not think to bring the things that I would need for the youth event.
This was really the first "cultural" surprise that I got. I think this day was when I really realized that I was not in the United States anymore. I was literally running at points trying to get to the church on time and I was being incredibly furstrated because things were not moving fast enough for me. I finally got back to the church about 10 minutes after 5 which was ten minutes after we were supposed to start. Luckily, I was only the second person there. It will definitely be an adjustment remembering that things usually start between 15 and 20 minutes later than they are scheduled to start here haha. But I feel like that will be a nice adjustment to be honest.
The youth evening was a GREAT success! The kids seemed to really enjoy it and they were all very engaging. It was nice being able to laugh at myself when I said something a little wrong in Spanish but the kids were all very forgiving with that haha. I kept calling the "ball" a "bowl" while we were playing a game. There were a couple of other small things but luckily nothing too embarrassing! I am so excited to get this ball rolling and to now have plans every Saturday evening too lol! Now I just need to come up with good ideas every week for things to talk about. I think that will be the tough part haha.
I am also really excited abou the fact that I have two friends from CMU who are currently traveling in Central America and might be making their way to Colombia in the beginning of February. It would be incredible crossing paths with them so I am going to cross my fingers and hope that something will work out! It would be so great to see a familiar face!
I want to send a HUGE thank you too all of you who were covering me and the church in prayer on Saturday! I really honestly felt the covering of prayer while we had our first youth event. It went more smoothly than I could have asked for!
PS I may be out of touch for the next little while. I am currently living with a different family while Gamaliel and Amanda are taking some time away. I will have internet access but not as easily accessible as at the apartment so my posts may be a bit more sparatic.
After the meeting (which was from about 10 to almost 4:30) I had to rush home and then take a cab back to the church to get all of my things. We were originally at the church for the meeting but I thought that we were going to be coming back to the apartment after lunchtime so I did not think to bring the things that I would need for the youth event.
This was really the first "cultural" surprise that I got. I think this day was when I really realized that I was not in the United States anymore. I was literally running at points trying to get to the church on time and I was being incredibly furstrated because things were not moving fast enough for me. I finally got back to the church about 10 minutes after 5 which was ten minutes after we were supposed to start. Luckily, I was only the second person there. It will definitely be an adjustment remembering that things usually start between 15 and 20 minutes later than they are scheduled to start here haha. But I feel like that will be a nice adjustment to be honest.
The youth evening was a GREAT success! The kids seemed to really enjoy it and they were all very engaging. It was nice being able to laugh at myself when I said something a little wrong in Spanish but the kids were all very forgiving with that haha. I kept calling the "ball" a "bowl" while we were playing a game. There were a couple of other small things but luckily nothing too embarrassing! I am so excited to get this ball rolling and to now have plans every Saturday evening too lol! Now I just need to come up with good ideas every week for things to talk about. I think that will be the tough part haha.
I am also really excited abou the fact that I have two friends from CMU who are currently traveling in Central America and might be making their way to Colombia in the beginning of February. It would be incredible crossing paths with them so I am going to cross my fingers and hope that something will work out! It would be so great to see a familiar face!
I want to send a HUGE thank you too all of you who were covering me and the church in prayer on Saturday! I really honestly felt the covering of prayer while we had our first youth event. It went more smoothly than I could have asked for!
PS I may be out of touch for the next little while. I am currently living with a different family while Gamaliel and Amanda are taking some time away. I will have internet access but not as easily accessible as at the apartment so my posts may be a bit more sparatic.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Day Sixteen - A Day of English Classes and Watermelon
Today was an excellent day!
I went over to a friend's house and helped her teach her English class! She has about 5 little kids over 3 times a week and she teaches them English. Oh man was it FUN! It was an hour and a half but it went by SO quickly! The little kids were adorable.
Then, we made brownies for my FIRST youth event tomorrow!
After brownies and a delicious lunch she had an English lesson with her daughters and two daughters of another family in the church. I got to help with them as well. It made me so excited to start up my own English lessons! I think that I could really enjoy teaching.
After all of this fun excitement we went to the church for the Friday evening service. I love the Friday evening service because I get to watch the worship team practice, they are so talented! Then, we have a very informal service that is mostly worship and singing. I love it!
Today was a great day :) I also learned some great words today! Win.
I went over to a friend's house and helped her teach her English class! She has about 5 little kids over 3 times a week and she teaches them English. Oh man was it FUN! It was an hour and a half but it went by SO quickly! The little kids were adorable.
Then, we made brownies for my FIRST youth event tomorrow!
After brownies and a delicious lunch she had an English lesson with her daughters and two daughters of another family in the church. I got to help with them as well. It made me so excited to start up my own English lessons! I think that I could really enjoy teaching.
After all of this fun excitement we went to the church for the Friday evening service. I love the Friday evening service because I get to watch the worship team practice, they are so talented! Then, we have a very informal service that is mostly worship and singing. I love it!
Today was a great day :) I also learned some great words today! Win.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Day Fifteen - A Day of Zoos and Talks with Friends.
To be 100% honest this week has seemed very unproductive.
However, I suppose that you could say that that would only be a surface level thought. I have had many opportunities to build relationships with people and see parts of the city that I wouldn't have thought to go to and to have a pretty good time doing it as well!
I can't believe that I have been here for over two weeks now. A part of me feels like I have been here forever and another part feels like it has only been a day.
Today started out great, with a Skype date with two of my good friends from back home and I also talked for a bit with a lady who is going to be helping me to teach the English classes! It made me even more excited about them. I am very excited to get started with them in February. I took a class in teaching English as a second language almost a year ago, so we will see how much I remember and how good I am at teaching.
Also, our first youth event is this coming Saturday from 5-6pm (or 4-5pm Central Time). I am just beside myself with excitement and anticipation! I have planned out a lesson that has been written in Spanish and will hopefully be delivered well :P. I was talking with a friend from the church and she mentioned how important it will be that I speak only in Spanish for this one hour (with obvious grace periods for mess ups haha) because it will add to my approachability with the kids and also help us all to connect easier. I am just hoping that God will grant me the grace to remember all the words!
Thought for the day - I have a love hate relationship with zoos. I think it is incredible seeing animals that I would never have the chance to see in the wild! I love them. I also know that they do a lot of good with animals that have been injured/could not make it in the wild on their own. However, it makes me sad seeing animals pacing in areas that are much smaller than their intended habitat...
I did have a very nice time at the zoo today with a friend from the church and their niece and friend's son. Talking with little kids in another language is surprisingly helpful! They were also ridiculously adorable. I have missed being around little kids.
However, I suppose that you could say that that would only be a surface level thought. I have had many opportunities to build relationships with people and see parts of the city that I wouldn't have thought to go to and to have a pretty good time doing it as well!
I can't believe that I have been here for over two weeks now. A part of me feels like I have been here forever and another part feels like it has only been a day.
Today started out great, with a Skype date with two of my good friends from back home and I also talked for a bit with a lady who is going to be helping me to teach the English classes! It made me even more excited about them. I am very excited to get started with them in February. I took a class in teaching English as a second language almost a year ago, so we will see how much I remember and how good I am at teaching.
Also, our first youth event is this coming Saturday from 5-6pm (or 4-5pm Central Time). I am just beside myself with excitement and anticipation! I have planned out a lesson that has been written in Spanish and will hopefully be delivered well :P. I was talking with a friend from the church and she mentioned how important it will be that I speak only in Spanish for this one hour (with obvious grace periods for mess ups haha) because it will add to my approachability with the kids and also help us all to connect easier. I am just hoping that God will grant me the grace to remember all the words!
Thought for the day - I have a love hate relationship with zoos. I think it is incredible seeing animals that I would never have the chance to see in the wild! I love them. I also know that they do a lot of good with animals that have been injured/could not make it in the wild on their own. However, it makes me sad seeing animals pacing in areas that are much smaller than their intended habitat...
I did have a very nice time at the zoo today with a friend from the church and their niece and friend's son. Talking with little kids in another language is surprisingly helpful! They were also ridiculously adorable. I have missed being around little kids.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Day Ten - A Day of Fire Jugglers and Window Washers
Because of many reasons there has been a very large number of Colombian people in the central and southern parts of the country who have lost their homes and forced to move from the places that have been familiar to them for their entire lives. They may have moved because of guerilla activity or government problems or drug trafficking or many other reasons. For these reasons people many have left their country of origin with very few possessions and have tried to find a new home in Ecuador, to the south of Colombia. However, a few of them have also made their way north. Some have even come all the way to Barranquilla.
There are people everywhere in Barranquilla. It is a city of nearly 2 million people. It also really isn't that large of a city. Don't get me wrong, it is huge to this country kid who grew up in a small town of less than 2,000. Barranquilla, Colombia, is about 64 square miles (166 km) in area. To put that in in perspective Winnipeg is 179 square miles (464 km) and Peoria, IL is 46 square miles (120 km). However, Winnipeg has approximately 633,000 and Peoria has about 115,000 people. Anyway, many of these people in Barranquilla have taken up (from an American standpoint) weird jobs to survive.
One job that I have noticed that is very popular in the Barranquilla area is the parking area attendant. Part of what they do it watch your car while you do your shopping or dining. I should be more specific when I say parking area. Most of the city roads in Barranquilla that I have been on are two lane roads, some are more, some are less. When you are in a commercial area the parking for the stores and restaurants is angle parking on the side of the street. It is much different from the States (saying that, different is by no means bad! Just... different). If your car fits, the you can park there. Back to the attendants. They help you park by waving you into your spot, watch your car, and also help you back out onto the street. I never would have realized just important this job really is! Traffic is pretty heavy here in the city, and many of the attendants have little hand held stop signs and they will stop a lane so that you can get back on it and help you out! It is great! They will graciously accept a tip (I think this is the only way they are paid but don't quote me on that), usually of just a couple hundred pesos. The smallest bill is 1,000 pesos so I can't even imagine how heavy their pockets are at the end of the day.
No to the window washers. This is another interesting job. While you are stopped at a stop light, why not get your windows washed? This saves time and energy and really, why not? PS. About half of the traffic lights here have timers on them! Incredible! Have you ever though to yourself, "this is the LONGEST light ever!" Well... here you know exactly how long you are going to be there because it counts down for you right there by the light. But yes, window washers. I would guess that at about every major intersection, and some minor ones as well, there are between one and seven people standing there with a squeegee and a bottle of water with soap. They cut a hole in the lid of the bottle and when they squeeze it it shoots out. It actually goes surprisingly far. Then, while you wait they will wash your windows for you. They actually do a pretty good job. Also, gives a great use to old plastic soda bottles which I greatly appreciate. They will also accept a tip of a couple hundred pesos, or whatever you have.
Now my favorite! I just saw one person doing this tonight for the first time. There was a guy at a stop light with a fire baton! He was throwing it SO high up in the air! Crazy sauce. He could also spin it ridiculously fast. It was so cool! Then, thanks to the timers on the stop light (again, ingenious) when there was about ten seconds left on the clock he went in between cars down the line and accepted some tips. Bien, cool.
I have also seen a tight rope walker and various other little odd and end jobs.
The point of this rant is that I spent a bit of time thinking just now, what would I do if I lost my job and my home? Would I have anything of value or worth to offer society to be able to get by? Would I be able to humble myself enough to wash windows in the street for money to by myself and my family food? Or even to beg?
It also got me thinking about the people that I have encountered every day since I have been here. Everyone that we come into contact with has a story. Maybe they have been displaced because their farm was taken over by a drug trafficker. Maybe the government decided that their house would be the new headquarters for the time. Perhaps because everyone else had to move they had to close down their business because there was no business. Maybe the moved to the city thinking things would be better. Maybe they are. But I was thinking about how important it really is to treat those that we come into contact with with love and respect because lets face it, we don't know their story. We don't know why they are living in the street, or how they got that corporate corner office (I tend to judge these people a little more harshly and it is something that God has brought to my attention lately). The most important thing is to remember that they are people who need to be loved and respected as well. Maybe I don't need my windshield washed. But they certainly need that 500 pesos that I have sitting in my cup holder more than I do.
There are people everywhere in Barranquilla. It is a city of nearly 2 million people. It also really isn't that large of a city. Don't get me wrong, it is huge to this country kid who grew up in a small town of less than 2,000. Barranquilla, Colombia, is about 64 square miles (166 km) in area. To put that in in perspective Winnipeg is 179 square miles (464 km) and Peoria, IL is 46 square miles (120 km). However, Winnipeg has approximately 633,000 and Peoria has about 115,000 people. Anyway, many of these people in Barranquilla have taken up (from an American standpoint) weird jobs to survive.
One job that I have noticed that is very popular in the Barranquilla area is the parking area attendant. Part of what they do it watch your car while you do your shopping or dining. I should be more specific when I say parking area. Most of the city roads in Barranquilla that I have been on are two lane roads, some are more, some are less. When you are in a commercial area the parking for the stores and restaurants is angle parking on the side of the street. It is much different from the States (saying that, different is by no means bad! Just... different). If your car fits, the you can park there. Back to the attendants. They help you park by waving you into your spot, watch your car, and also help you back out onto the street. I never would have realized just important this job really is! Traffic is pretty heavy here in the city, and many of the attendants have little hand held stop signs and they will stop a lane so that you can get back on it and help you out! It is great! They will graciously accept a tip (I think this is the only way they are paid but don't quote me on that), usually of just a couple hundred pesos. The smallest bill is 1,000 pesos so I can't even imagine how heavy their pockets are at the end of the day.
No to the window washers. This is another interesting job. While you are stopped at a stop light, why not get your windows washed? This saves time and energy and really, why not? PS. About half of the traffic lights here have timers on them! Incredible! Have you ever though to yourself, "this is the LONGEST light ever!" Well... here you know exactly how long you are going to be there because it counts down for you right there by the light. But yes, window washers. I would guess that at about every major intersection, and some minor ones as well, there are between one and seven people standing there with a squeegee and a bottle of water with soap. They cut a hole in the lid of the bottle and when they squeeze it it shoots out. It actually goes surprisingly far. Then, while you wait they will wash your windows for you. They actually do a pretty good job. Also, gives a great use to old plastic soda bottles which I greatly appreciate. They will also accept a tip of a couple hundred pesos, or whatever you have.
Now my favorite! I just saw one person doing this tonight for the first time. There was a guy at a stop light with a fire baton! He was throwing it SO high up in the air! Crazy sauce. He could also spin it ridiculously fast. It was so cool! Then, thanks to the timers on the stop light (again, ingenious) when there was about ten seconds left on the clock he went in between cars down the line and accepted some tips. Bien, cool.
I have also seen a tight rope walker and various other little odd and end jobs.
The point of this rant is that I spent a bit of time thinking just now, what would I do if I lost my job and my home? Would I have anything of value or worth to offer society to be able to get by? Would I be able to humble myself enough to wash windows in the street for money to by myself and my family food? Or even to beg?
It also got me thinking about the people that I have encountered every day since I have been here. Everyone that we come into contact with has a story. Maybe they have been displaced because their farm was taken over by a drug trafficker. Maybe the government decided that their house would be the new headquarters for the time. Perhaps because everyone else had to move they had to close down their business because there was no business. Maybe the moved to the city thinking things would be better. Maybe they are. But I was thinking about how important it really is to treat those that we come into contact with with love and respect because lets face it, we don't know their story. We don't know why they are living in the street, or how they got that corporate corner office (I tend to judge these people a little more harshly and it is something that God has brought to my attention lately). The most important thing is to remember that they are people who need to be loved and respected as well. Maybe I don't need my windshield washed. But they certainly need that 500 pesos that I have sitting in my cup holder more than I do.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Day 7 - A Day of Facetime and Family
Technology amazes me. I have this thin small black hand-held machine that has a screen and a camera and all I have to push maybe two buttons and I can be talking to my family that lives thousands of miles away! The internet is just incredible for long-distance relationships! I love it! I was able to talk to my family this evening. We talked for about an hour or so and it was just splendid. It was like we were all in the same room!
Today was a pretty casual day. I was able to venture out of the dark cave like cocoon that I locked myself in yesterday. So that was nice. I ran some errands with Gamaliel and we went to the church for a little prayer meeting so that was exciting. The caretaker of the church has the CUTEST little girl ever so it was fun to also play with her a bit as well. :)
Other than that today was pretty basic, errands, reading (Gamaliel is letting me borrow a book by the former President of the Canadian Mennonite church [written in Spanish!] so that is pretty exciting!), and eating pizza :P
I was also introduced to some Christian spoken words youtube videos today and I REALLY enjoyed them! This guy, Jefferson Bethke, just really knows how to talk to the younger generation of today and I really liked what he had to say. So, needless to say, after watching his first video I had to go through and watch almost all of the other ones haha.
Today was a pretty casual day. I was able to venture out of the dark cave like cocoon that I locked myself in yesterday. So that was nice. I ran some errands with Gamaliel and we went to the church for a little prayer meeting so that was exciting. The caretaker of the church has the CUTEST little girl ever so it was fun to also play with her a bit as well. :)
Other than that today was pretty basic, errands, reading (Gamaliel is letting me borrow a book by the former President of the Canadian Mennonite church [written in Spanish!] so that is pretty exciting!), and eating pizza :P
I was also introduced to some Christian spoken words youtube videos today and I REALLY enjoyed them! This guy, Jefferson Bethke, just really knows how to talk to the younger generation of today and I really liked what he had to say. So, needless to say, after watching his first video I had to go through and watch almost all of the other ones haha.
Day 6 - A Day of Amoebas and Catching up on TV shows
So... I realized the other day that I counted wrong. This is actually the 6th day's post. Oops.
My regional director told me before I left that some people were more susceptible to amoebas than others, when I asked about the water quality and things like that. I found out this day, on Tuesday morning, that I am one of those lucky susceptible people! :)... :(
I spent the majority day in bed, which was nice because I was able to rest. But it was not nice because I missed out on spending lots of time with new friends! I was sad to miss out on that. However, I am telling myself that I am just building up immunities so in the long run it was better to get sick on Tuesday within the first couple of days than down the road farther when I would be actually working rather than familiarizing myself with the area and the church.
ALSO! My medicine tastes like melted red freezies! Everyone knows that the only way to eat freezies is when they are melted anyway.
My regional director told me before I left that some people were more susceptible to amoebas than others, when I asked about the water quality and things like that. I found out this day, on Tuesday morning, that I am one of those lucky susceptible people! :)... :(
I spent the majority day in bed, which was nice because I was able to rest. But it was not nice because I missed out on spending lots of time with new friends! I was sad to miss out on that. However, I am telling myself that I am just building up immunities so in the long run it was better to get sick on Tuesday within the first couple of days than down the road farther when I would be actually working rather than familiarizing myself with the area and the church.
ALSO! My medicine tastes like melted red freezies! Everyone knows that the only way to eat freezies is when they are melted anyway.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Day Six - A Day of The Ocean and Evening Strolls
Today had a pretty nice start. We went to the ocean in Puerto Colombia. It was so nice out today! There was a nice breeze and it was just cloudy enough that the sun wasn't crazy but it was also nice and warm. So nice. We didn't go swimming because Puerto Colombia is where the mouth of Rio Magdelena meets the ocean so it is super silty and dirty and kinda sketchy. But it was beautiful nonetheless, as you can see below... I love the little fishing huts with the thatch roofs right on the water!
Then, we went to this nice restaurant that was back in the shrubery a bit. It had such a nice coastal feel to it. I guess you could say that that is because it was a restaurant on the coast...
These are some sweet parrots were at a site where we sat and watched the waves for a bit. I felt kinda sorry for them though because one was molting pretty badly. But, it was really need to get to see them.
I am pretty much a big deal, I was walking around with 1,000 2,000 and 5,000 dollar bills in my pocket. No worries... Actually, the USD to Colombian Peso is about 1,800 pesos to ever dollar. It has been super confusing trying to figure out... so I usually just divide by two and subtract a bit... Anything in the hundred thousands though and I just give up. My brain wasn't made for math.
I do really enjoy the bills here quite a lot though so I thought I would share them with you! These are the smaller ones. I have also had a 20,000 and a 50,000 bill. The 1,000 and 2,000 bills are a big smaller which is interesting as well.
Then, we went to this nice restaurant that was back in the shrubery a bit. It had such a nice coastal feel to it. I guess you could say that that is because it was a restaurant on the coast...
These are some sweet parrots were at a site where we sat and watched the waves for a bit. I felt kinda sorry for them though because one was molting pretty badly. But, it was really need to get to see them.
I am pretty much a big deal, I was walking around with 1,000 2,000 and 5,000 dollar bills in my pocket. No worries... Actually, the USD to Colombian Peso is about 1,800 pesos to ever dollar. It has been super confusing trying to figure out... so I usually just divide by two and subtract a bit... Anything in the hundred thousands though and I just give up. My brain wasn't made for math.
I do really enjoy the bills here quite a lot though so I thought I would share them with you! These are the smaller ones. I have also had a 20,000 and a 50,000 bill. The 1,000 and 2,000 bills are a big smaller which is interesting as well.
Day Five - A Day of Church and Pizza
Sunday was an incredible day!
We woke up early and went to my first church service at Iglesia Menonita Encuentro de Renovación! I feel like this is the day that I have been waiting for since I set my departure date! It was so nice to be able to finally meet the last couple of people that I will be working with for the next two years, all of whom are just wonderful.
I met another lady who speaks quite a bit of English, which is always great! Everyone at church wanted my phone number so that they could invite me over sometime. I felt so welcomed and I have just loved getting to know the people.
I have already found a new friend who has agreed to trade guitar lessons for English lessons so I am for sure going to snatch up that offer! I love this bartering system idea. I love that I actually have a skill that I can barter with right now!
After church two of the families and I went out for pizza and sat around and chatted for hours! The restaurant that we went to had a game room with some old early 90's arcade games for FREE!! We played so many of them! It was the coolest thing ever!
Then I went over to one of the families houses and we talked some more and I got to watch the video of their daughter's quinceañera (which is like a Sweet 16 or a debutante type of party for girls who are turning 15. However, they are just as important and big as weddings! I feel bad for parents who have multiple daughters around the same age!). It was so cool to get to see that! They had choreographed dances and they were all dressed up so nicely! I hope that I get to go to one while I am down here!
Overall, I would say that it was a pretty spectacular day.
We woke up early and went to my first church service at Iglesia Menonita Encuentro de Renovación! I feel like this is the day that I have been waiting for since I set my departure date! It was so nice to be able to finally meet the last couple of people that I will be working with for the next two years, all of whom are just wonderful.
I met another lady who speaks quite a bit of English, which is always great! Everyone at church wanted my phone number so that they could invite me over sometime. I felt so welcomed and I have just loved getting to know the people.
I have already found a new friend who has agreed to trade guitar lessons for English lessons so I am for sure going to snatch up that offer! I love this bartering system idea. I love that I actually have a skill that I can barter with right now!
After church two of the families and I went out for pizza and sat around and chatted for hours! The restaurant that we went to had a game room with some old early 90's arcade games for FREE!! We played so many of them! It was the coolest thing ever!
Then I went over to one of the families houses and we talked some more and I got to watch the video of their daughter's quinceañera (which is like a Sweet 16 or a debutante type of party for girls who are turning 15. However, they are just as important and big as weddings! I feel bad for parents who have multiple daughters around the same age!). It was so cool to get to see that! They had choreographed dances and they were all dressed up so nicely! I hope that I get to go to one while I am down here!
Overall, I would say that it was a pretty spectacular day.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Day Four - A day of bus rides and new friends.
Today was a pretty awesome day! I had the chance to go and see the city a bit. One of the young people that I will be working with and a friend of his took me to the Centro Commercial, basically a big mall, and we got to walk around and see a bunch of the different stores that they had. This was probably the BIGGEST mall I have ever seen! It was 5 stories high and was two buildings, Buenva Vista 1 and Buena Vista 2, they were connected by a pretty sweet walk way on the third floor. I was quite impressed!
I had a great time getting to know Carlos and Gabriel. They are two very awesome guys! I am really looking forward to getting to know them and hanging out with them in the future!
Afterwards, we went to the church so that Carlos could practice for the worship band. It was so awesome being able to watch them practice! Wow! There are some incredibly talented singers, drummers, and guitar players in this church! It was also nice to get a feel for the music before the church service as well :) They even emailed me the songs so that I could look over them and get familiar with them. Oh how I have missed Spanish worship songs! Lol.
There is a lady in the church who is an English teacher. She is an incredible lady and I have really enjoyed getting to know her! It has also been awesome having someone who speaking English to talk to and to help me communicate with people better and to correct me. However, I realized today that when she speaks in Spanish I can not understand her at all. I couldn't figure it out because she speaks Spanish very well and doesn't have a thick accent at all (she will always speak to me in Spanish first because she says it is very important [and it for sure is!] that I learn Spanish! But when I have problems or need help she will switch to English). So, today I realized it is just because I am incredibly lazy and when I see her I am able to just switch off the Spanish and go straight to English and when she talks to me my brain just automatically does that. ... even when she says '¿como se va?' which means, 'how's it going?' Whoopsies.
I had a great time getting to know Carlos and Gabriel. They are two very awesome guys! I am really looking forward to getting to know them and hanging out with them in the future!
Afterwards, we went to the church so that Carlos could practice for the worship band. It was so awesome being able to watch them practice! Wow! There are some incredibly talented singers, drummers, and guitar players in this church! It was also nice to get a feel for the music before the church service as well :) They even emailed me the songs so that I could look over them and get familiar with them. Oh how I have missed Spanish worship songs! Lol.
There is a lady in the church who is an English teacher. She is an incredible lady and I have really enjoyed getting to know her! It has also been awesome having someone who speaking English to talk to and to help me communicate with people better and to correct me. However, I realized today that when she speaks in Spanish I can not understand her at all. I couldn't figure it out because she speaks Spanish very well and doesn't have a thick accent at all (she will always speak to me in Spanish first because she says it is very important [and it for sure is!] that I learn Spanish! But when I have problems or need help she will switch to English). So, today I realized it is just because I am incredibly lazy and when I see her I am able to just switch off the Spanish and go straight to English and when she talks to me my brain just automatically does that. ... even when she says '¿como se va?' which means, 'how's it going?' Whoopsies.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Day Three - A day of cellphones and new foods
Today started out like any other day. I slept longer than I meant to... whoopsies.
Gamaliel took me out to get my very own Colombian cellphone! I actually ended up getting his old one and he got a new one. But, I can not contact people in Colombia which is super exciting!
Then, we went for almuerzo (lunch/the big meal of the day in Colombia) at a couple's house from one of the churches. It was delicious. I had a whole bottom half of a fish... it was weird at first but it was actually one of the best pieces of fish I have ever had! I am glad that I tried it. Also, avocado and this DELICIOUS juice made from a fruit called lulo. Oh my goodness! I don't know what a lulo is but I could drink the juice all day everyday! It is a fruit that is native to coastal Colombia, so I am very happy to be here even just for that haha.
Then, in the evening we went to one of the churches for a weekly church get together. There are five Mennonite churches (as well as two house churches) in Barranquilla. Each church sends a representative (usually a family) to these meetings and they just get together and compartir (one of my favorite Spanish words that really doesn't have a direct English translation but it basically means spend time together... but is a little deeper than that). They had a little meal as well after the meeting. A new local word that I learned that is one of my favorites is liso. I have never heard it before, from what I understand it is a coastal word. It basically means OVER-friendly. So they were all saying that they were liso and I would have to deal with it haha. I LOVE that!
At the meeting a man named Edwin read the story of when Jesus renounced his family and said that the world, and the church, was his family. Then they went around and a couple of the people said a little something about how I had come a long way away from my family and since we were all a part of the body of Christ that I was with family! They all told me that if I needed absolutely anything not to hesitate, and so many other wonderful things. Oh my goodness, I almost cried. They were all so open and warm and inviting and made me feel so included and they are just incredible people. I can't believe that I am lucky enough to be here working and compartir-ing with them!
After the little meal we all sat around and chatted a bunch and I had some awesome opportunities to practice my Spanish! This was a great experience because earlier in the day I was getting a little down on myself because my Spanish hasn't been improving as quickly as I would like for it to. There was also an English teach there so it was SO nice to able to talk to someone in English, she was so helpful in helping me to understand what was going on, but she didn't just give me the answer the majority of the time which was awesome!
From what I understand, tomorrow I am going on a tour of the city with some of the young people from the church. I am really excited! It will be so nice to get out and actually get to see the city!
Gamaliel took me out to get my very own Colombian cellphone! I actually ended up getting his old one and he got a new one. But, I can not contact people in Colombia which is super exciting!
Then, we went for almuerzo (lunch/the big meal of the day in Colombia) at a couple's house from one of the churches. It was delicious. I had a whole bottom half of a fish... it was weird at first but it was actually one of the best pieces of fish I have ever had! I am glad that I tried it. Also, avocado and this DELICIOUS juice made from a fruit called lulo. Oh my goodness! I don't know what a lulo is but I could drink the juice all day everyday! It is a fruit that is native to coastal Colombia, so I am very happy to be here even just for that haha.
Then, in the evening we went to one of the churches for a weekly church get together. There are five Mennonite churches (as well as two house churches) in Barranquilla. Each church sends a representative (usually a family) to these meetings and they just get together and compartir (one of my favorite Spanish words that really doesn't have a direct English translation but it basically means spend time together... but is a little deeper than that). They had a little meal as well after the meeting. A new local word that I learned that is one of my favorites is liso. I have never heard it before, from what I understand it is a coastal word. It basically means OVER-friendly. So they were all saying that they were liso and I would have to deal with it haha. I LOVE that!
At the meeting a man named Edwin read the story of when Jesus renounced his family and said that the world, and the church, was his family. Then they went around and a couple of the people said a little something about how I had come a long way away from my family and since we were all a part of the body of Christ that I was with family! They all told me that if I needed absolutely anything not to hesitate, and so many other wonderful things. Oh my goodness, I almost cried. They were all so open and warm and inviting and made me feel so included and they are just incredible people. I can't believe that I am lucky enough to be here working and compartir-ing with them!
After the little meal we all sat around and chatted a bunch and I had some awesome opportunities to practice my Spanish! This was a great experience because earlier in the day I was getting a little down on myself because my Spanish hasn't been improving as quickly as I would like for it to. There was also an English teach there so it was SO nice to able to talk to someone in English, she was so helpful in helping me to understand what was going on, but she didn't just give me the answer the majority of the time which was awesome!
From what I understand, tomorrow I am going on a tour of the city with some of the young people from the church. I am really excited! It will be so nice to get out and actually get to see the city!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Day One - A day of rest and first meetings
Today was a great day!
I got the chance to sleep in and just kind of vegged for the morning/early afternoon. I got some reading done and was able to get one facebook and talk to a couple of friends, so it was really great! I have started a book that a good friend of mine recommended to me a while back. It is called Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue by Neale Donald Walsch. It is definitely and interesting read and it also really challenges the way that you look at things and forces you to open yourself up to new views as well.
Then, Gamaliel took me with him while he ran some errands and I got to see a bit of the city which was awesome! It has such a small town feel to it which I appreciate immensely. But you can also tell that it is a big city. There are about 2,000,000 people living in the metropolitan area that consists of 5 cities (I really hope that is right, otherwise I will feel a little foolish). Barranquilla accounts for about 1,000,000 of those people. Also, this city to me just seems like the perfect mix between Puerto Rico and Ecuador. It has the tropical, coastal culture and feeling of Puerto Rico, but also the South American feel with the architecture and culture as well! I just love it. I think it is the best of both worlds.
Gamaliel and Amanda have been so patient and helpful with my Spanish speaking abilities! Also, the fact that very few people speak very little English has really helped to jump start my Spanish. But, the Fallas also know enough that when we get to a point where I get stuck they can help me out. It was great to talk to them also about my job and what all that will look like so that I have a little clearer of an idea of what I will be doing! I am quite excited to mention that I will be starting up some English classes in February and also having a meeting with some of the youth of the church in the near future to talk about what they are hoping for as well!
Tonight Gamaliel and I went to a family's house and met with them. Edwin, the husband, is really wanting to start helping with the youth so that was incredibly encouraging. He also has a son that will be about the age that I will be working with so that was exciting! He agreed to show me around the city a little better this Saturday and also to teach me to play guitar when I bring mine in April. This family was just incredible! Meeting with them tonight took away all of the reservations that I had previously had about being here! I am so glad that worked out!
These are some pictures of my new living quarters!
I found out today that what I thought was hanging on the wall was actually a hammock! So I had to get it out and see what it was all about! I couldn't be more excited about this!
I have a tv and internet and a nice desk as well! I am really roughing it!
I got the chance to sleep in and just kind of vegged for the morning/early afternoon. I got some reading done and was able to get one facebook and talk to a couple of friends, so it was really great! I have started a book that a good friend of mine recommended to me a while back. It is called Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue by Neale Donald Walsch. It is definitely and interesting read and it also really challenges the way that you look at things and forces you to open yourself up to new views as well.
Then, Gamaliel took me with him while he ran some errands and I got to see a bit of the city which was awesome! It has such a small town feel to it which I appreciate immensely. But you can also tell that it is a big city. There are about 2,000,000 people living in the metropolitan area that consists of 5 cities (I really hope that is right, otherwise I will feel a little foolish). Barranquilla accounts for about 1,000,000 of those people. Also, this city to me just seems like the perfect mix between Puerto Rico and Ecuador. It has the tropical, coastal culture and feeling of Puerto Rico, but also the South American feel with the architecture and culture as well! I just love it. I think it is the best of both worlds.
Gamaliel and Amanda have been so patient and helpful with my Spanish speaking abilities! Also, the fact that very few people speak very little English has really helped to jump start my Spanish. But, the Fallas also know enough that when we get to a point where I get stuck they can help me out. It was great to talk to them also about my job and what all that will look like so that I have a little clearer of an idea of what I will be doing! I am quite excited to mention that I will be starting up some English classes in February and also having a meeting with some of the youth of the church in the near future to talk about what they are hoping for as well!
Tonight Gamaliel and I went to a family's house and met with them. Edwin, the husband, is really wanting to start helping with the youth so that was incredibly encouraging. He also has a son that will be about the age that I will be working with so that was exciting! He agreed to show me around the city a little better this Saturday and also to teach me to play guitar when I bring mine in April. This family was just incredible! Meeting with them tonight took away all of the reservations that I had previously had about being here! I am so glad that worked out!
These are some pictures of my new living quarters!
This is my section of the closest! it has shelves and nice drawers for my crunchy peanut butter and peach penguins! ... I guess for my other clothes too :P
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Arrival Date
Well...
After a very boring trip I have safely arrived in Barranquilla Colombia. I had very few bumps in my travel plans which was a happy surprise! I seem to attract problems while traveling. However, this time, other than misplacing my plane ticket for about 5 minutes in the food court I was bump free!
Gamaliel and Amanda (the MMN workers who I will be living with for the next little while) were there to meet me at the airport and show me around the city a bit. They took me out to a wonderful little restaurant called Medioriente (I think) and I had a delicious chicken dish. Then to my new temporary home! I got all of my bags unpacked in no time and made my little room feel like home :). I found out that I luckily have only forgotten one thing, my contact case. Luckily those are very easy to come by and fairly inexpensive, so I will be heading to the store at some point in the near future to purchase one of those.
I was also able to call home and talk to my parents which was wonderful! It was so nice to hear their voices, even though I just saw them this morning. I have never really been one to be home sick, but I definitely miss home tonight. I am excited to have Barranquilla begin to feel like home very soon! Also, to meet the kids that I will be working with!
Thank you all so much for your prayers! I definitely felt them while I was traveling today, I felt covered in the protection of our heavenly father.
Side note - I have remembered more Spanish than I thought that I would have. However... that is still not much! I need to practice practice practice! Good thing I am surrounded by it :)
Miss and love you all
Dios les bendiga!
After a very boring trip I have safely arrived in Barranquilla Colombia. I had very few bumps in my travel plans which was a happy surprise! I seem to attract problems while traveling. However, this time, other than misplacing my plane ticket for about 5 minutes in the food court I was bump free!
Gamaliel and Amanda (the MMN workers who I will be living with for the next little while) were there to meet me at the airport and show me around the city a bit. They took me out to a wonderful little restaurant called Medioriente (I think) and I had a delicious chicken dish. Then to my new temporary home! I got all of my bags unpacked in no time and made my little room feel like home :). I found out that I luckily have only forgotten one thing, my contact case. Luckily those are very easy to come by and fairly inexpensive, so I will be heading to the store at some point in the near future to purchase one of those.
I was also able to call home and talk to my parents which was wonderful! It was so nice to hear their voices, even though I just saw them this morning. I have never really been one to be home sick, but I definitely miss home tonight. I am excited to have Barranquilla begin to feel like home very soon! Also, to meet the kids that I will be working with!
Thank you all so much for your prayers! I definitely felt them while I was traveling today, I felt covered in the protection of our heavenly father.
Side note - I have remembered more Spanish than I thought that I would have. However... that is still not much! I need to practice practice practice! Good thing I am surrounded by it :)
Miss and love you all
Dios les bendiga!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)