584 (from Sunday) - Youth Venture Part 1

As I sit here typing out this blog post there are a great deal of thoughts and memories going through my mind.  One, is that my poor 5-year old Macbook is nearing the end of it's life.  For the last 5 years it has served me quite well!  Even after spilling an entire glass of water on it 4 years ago, it has given me minimal problems.  About 6 months ago out of no where the attached keyboard and trackpad decided that they didn't want to work any more.  So, I went out and found a good deal on an external set of both and they have served me well.  I used these for about 2 1/2 months before my computer magically fixed itself (that is after going to the Mac store in the mall here and having them look at it twice and telling me that they had no way of fixing it because the part that it needs is no longer in stock, because my computer is so old, and they can't order it).  I was beyond excited at this point!  I was cleaning the dust off the trackpad one day and I saw my little cursor move!  Excitement doesn't begin to express the emotions that I felt.  It worked great again for about 3 months or so, then out of no where it stopped again.  So, I'm back to the external ones.  But, that's alright with me!

I'm reminded of the humidity here and how electronics are said to have half the amount of life that they would normally have in other circumstances.  Which is very surprising to me, because cell phones, tablets, and laptops here are a MUST for all people.  It might be because I left the US right as tablets were really taking off, but I would say that more people here in Barranquilla have tablets than other places that I've been!

My current second thought is that there must be a soccer game going on right now.  Outside there is hardly any traffic and there seems to be a small party going on in my neighbor's apartment and I hear them cheering for something!  I just heard the famous "Goooooooooooooool!!" scream that can only mean one thing!  We're doing well!  I should be wearing my jersey...

The third, more important, memory that I am reflecting on is my time with Mennonite Mission Network's Youth Venture team that was here recently (Did you see that?!  My first hyperlink, I didn't even know I could do that... now I feel silly).

Youth Venture is a learning tour between 2 and 3 weeks, either international or State-side that is put on by Mennonite Mission Network.  This year there were 8 locations to choose from, 4 international (Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, and South Africa) and 4 North American (Anchorage, Brownsville, Fort Myers, and Seattle).  Four lucky applicants and their two leaders had the good fortune to come and spend three weeks with me here in Barranquilla!

Firstly, I have to say that I love it when groups come to visit.  Not only is it a great opportunity to speak in English and catch up on what is going on in North America, it's a nice time to meet new people and also to show the visitors around Barranquilla and the work that the church and I do here.

When a group visits I see a whole new side of the church and it's members.  There is a newfound hospitality that emerges in the congregation that just fills my heart with joy and excitement.  As a whole the people of this church are generally quite hospitable, but when there are newcomers, it is exponentially greater!  We are blessed by seeing people open up their homes for people who they have never met, invitations to dinner, birthday parties, activities, and coffee are extended.  It is incredible.

Since there is not a lot of "physical" work that takes place in my position here, we were able to explore the more relational and learning aspects of what I do here in Barranquilla.  By far my favorite things that I do here is learn.  I learn about the culture, I learn about the people in the congregation, I learn about the situation here in Colombia.  I love to learn.  When groups are here, something that I am able to do is truly think about what all I've learned since being here.  It's a great time for me to process my experience and put it into words, rather than pictures, experiences, and emotions in my mind.  So, I string together words and thoughts and hope for the best!

One of our very first activities was going on a retreat to a little cabin on the beach with the church's youth group.  We had planned on trying to make this a city wide (for the churches in the city) retreat, but unfortunately that didn't work out as planned.

While there, we relaxed in hammocks...

Found crabs in our camp... Aldo is the brave one who caught our intruder! Although I suppose we were more intruding on his turf than he was ours.

We sang some songs... (top) Jean Carlos is playing a few songs and (bottom) Aldo and Isaías are here showing us how it's done!

We also played bi-lingual telephone pictionary, which was hilarious!

We also of course played on the beach that was just a 30 second walk from the cabin!

One of our next activities, possibly my favorite activity, was learning to cook with pastora Mitzi! 

Here, Mitzi is showing Graham how to make patacones (or tostones in most other Spanish speaking places).  They are cut up and twice-fried green plantains.  They are DELICIOUS!

Leah, Rachel and I are also taking a stab at the patacones.

Natalia (Mitzi's oldest daughter) is also learning!

Making arepas is sticky business!

Haley's doing a great job balling!

Anya's got some delicious arepas all balled up and ready to be fried!

Samuel, Mitzi's son, and third child, had a new found best friend while the group was here!  Even though he and Graham didn't speak much of each other's native languages they built a pretty meaningful relationship!

All together we made arepas (a fried Colombian bread that is to die for), lentils, rice, and patacones!  We got made fun of for wanting to make those all together as one meal, but I thought it was delicious!


Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Youth Venture updates!  I'm hoping to get the second part out later today, or soon thereafter!

Thanks for reading!

537 - Symbolism

I mentioned in my previous post I mentioned that I ran a 10k.  It was the first one that I've ever run and I was actually a little nervous, if I can be honest.

But, one of my favorite things is finding symbolism in situations, and being able to connect stories to real life, so I just want to quickly elaborate on a few things that I found while running this race.

Waiting in line I was sitting there thinking...

I had not prepared for this race like I should have.  I used to run.  I used to have good endurance.  But I haven't run in... probably a month and a half... maybe two months.

But, I had committed, I paid the 15 dollars, I had the shirt, I made my playlist...

Let's do this.

So, I started out and had a nice stride, I kept up with my friend, an avid runner, for about a mile and a half, maybe 2 miles!  That made me feel nice!  But then we got separated *cough* I had to walk *cough* so I was all alone.

The thing about Barranquilla is... even at 7:00 in the morning... it's hot, it's humid, and I sweat at LEAST 60% of that track was up hill.  Maybe that isn't correct, or possible, but that's what it felt like.  It was a solid 35-40% uphill if we're being realistic.

Anyway, as I was about halfway through the race I saw this

 "Power is overcoming your limits"

I saw that and I had to take a picture.  It's true.  Sometimes there are hardships, sometimes things are rough, but having real power... being able to do and accomplish something means overcoming your limits!

When I passed the 9th K on the side of the track I thought... It's so close!  I'm almost done!  But, that 10th K was still too far away for comfort.

With only about half a kilometer left I had a new found energy.  I was hot and sweaty, I was tired, my running shoes were more shot than I thought they were and because of that I was developing a blister.  But darn it... I could see that finish line and I was going to cross it even if I was out of breath looking like a hot mess for the video camera at the end.

For the last half a the some of the people who had already finished were cheering for the people coming up behind them on the track, people were yelling out "go go go!"  "You can do it!"  "You're so close!" "Don't give up!"  It so was encouraging!  

So, with sweat dripping down my face, and my right foot hating me a little bit, I took off running even faster.  I finished that race and I kicked it's butt.  It's probably not going to be my best road race, but it was my first.  I ran the best that I could, and I enjoyed it, even though it was hard.  Even though I wanted to give up (Exercise and I are not friends)... I was done.

This is a pretty accurate showing of how I felt (only on the inside)

This is more accurate for the outside ^^

So... the symbolism.

I've been described as Peter the disciple.  I love to lead people.  I get excited about new opportunities and adventures, I love to help and all you have to do is ask me and I'm THERE!  If I see you walking on that water I will jump out of the boat and join you.

But... then there's that sudden realization of... what was I thinking?!

Did I just tell someone that I would go and live in another country for TWO YEARS?!

So, back to right before that timer sounded... I was excited about the idea, but when I realized that I had to actually RUN that 10k... all I could think was, how did I get myself into this?!

Things started out great, it was hot and sticky and it took a lot of work, but it was great.

Then the up hill.  I'll admit that my time here has seemed like more uphill than downhill.  I'll admit that it's been hot and sticky and I've just wanted to give up, or jump the median and go to the other half of the route... but I am also quite stubborn.

Now, I can see the finish line.  I have a new found strength and excitement.  I'm a little bruised and sore, I'm tired, I'm hot and sweaty.  But I'm encouraged.  I'm uplifted because of my experience.  I'm inspired because of what I've seen, I feel like a new person.  I've changed.

With only 3 months left that finish line is there.  It's going to be scary crossing it and entering into a new chapter and leaving this one behind!  But I have more energy, I have people yelling "go go go"  "you can do it!" guiding me on this last leg of my race.

God is good.

535 (June 23rd) - Birthdays and 10Ks

There are still many things to update everyone on, but I thought that I would start with a birthday update!

My birthday, Sunday June 23rd, started bright and early at 4:20am.  Why on Earth would you torture yourself and wake up that early you ask?  That was my exact thought when my alarm clock went off only 5 short hours after I was able to get to sleep.  Especially since this is my exact response to mornings most days...

However, this was different circumstance.  I didn't have to work, I didn't have to do anything for anyone else... I was doing something for myself.  I set out to do something for me!

Bright and early Sunday morning, I ran a 10k.  I met up with my ex-pat friend Courtenay and we headed over to the local mall and we stretched and got in line and then took off!

Here we are waiting!

The crowd ahead of us

The crowd behind (excuse me being a creeper)

I did not finish quickly.  My time was about average, if not a little lower.  But I finished!  I was pleased with my time and I did it!  They even gave participation medals!  I'm going to treasure that puppy!

I don't have a mirror so I take selfies in the elevator

Then, after a shower and an all too short nap, I went to church.  Mitzi had a nice sermon and they sang to me and to another church member who had a birthday last week.

After church, I went with my good friend Wendy to her place, her mom invited me over lunch.  I always love going there, the only problem is that it is an hour by bus!  When you're tired being on a bus can be dangerous.  You run the risk of falling asleep and people taking your picture of you with your head bobbing...

When I got home, I was able to chat with some friends and then I made my way over to Gio and Courtenay's place.  I was told to be there at 7:30, but I wasn't sure what to expect...

They, and my good friend Michele, and her husband Alberto were all there and surprised me!  They had the apartment decorated in smiley face balloons and streamers!  What a wonderful surprise!!  I just loved it!

Courtenay prepared a DELICIOUS thai red curry... one of my all time favorite meals!  It was super spicy (something that is not common here and that I miss a lot! haha) and wonderful.

Check that presentation!

Then we had cake and we chatted until very late in the evening!

I even fell for the "just bite the corner of the cake, it's tradition" bit :P

I think one of the best moments though, was Courtenay, Michele, and me all getting the bejebus scared out of us right after one another.  We had been talking about ghosts and hauntings and scary things for some reason... then we didn't realize that someone was coming into the apartment.  Courtenay saw the door open first (she was facing the door) and got startled and jumped.  Then I (I had my right side to the door) saw her jump out of one corner of my eye, and the door open out of the other, so I gasped and nearly fell out of my chair.  Then, Michele, seeing us both, turned around (she had her back to the door) and she jumped and let out a scream.  It was just one right after the other, bam bam bam.  Hilarious.  Then we of course died laughing.  The person coming in the apartment was so confused...

Anyway, that's what I did on Sunday.  

It was so nice to be reminded of the incredible people that I'm surrounded by here.  I've met some incredible people that I'm going to miss so much when I leave in a few months!  All in all... I'd say it was one of my favorite birthdays!  Thanks to all those who were a part of it!

487 - A Big 'Ol Update

Well... this blog update is LONG overdue.

It's times like this that I don't even know where to start.  I would like to share everything that I've done with you guys, but I know that would turn into a novel, and that wouldn't be fun.

Today, I find myself at the home of some good friends.  I think that I've mentioned before my two good friends from the States that I met on an ex-pat website.  They've been allowing me to do my laundry here!  I really enjoy that, because not only do I get clean laundry, but, I also am able to spend some time outside of my apartment and that makes me feel more motivated to actually get things done!  It's also nice to be able to hang out with them, even though they are working.

The last place that we left off, it was November and I was anticipating going home!

Well... I can just let you know that home was GREAT!  I had such a good time, I was able to see family, friends, stand up for on of my very best friends in his wedding, visit a church that is supporting me, and so many other things!  I was home for a whole month, and it was just what I needed.

Upon returning to Barranquilla, I was rested and rejuvenated and ready to start my second, year here in Barranquilla, Colombia.

One of the first things that happened after getting back to Barranquilla, was a visit from Mennonite Mission Network's worker care people.  Their visit was so wonderful!  We spent time going around the city, and visiting new, and familiar, places.  They shared their experiences, and I shared mine!  I loved just sitting and talking with them, it was so wonderful.  It wasn't long through the Mennonite game, that we realized that we did in fact have some connections.  Wayne was my great-granparents' (on my father's mother's side) pastor, and the man that performed my great-grandfather's funeral (as his first funeral performed).  After my great-grandfather got very sick, Wayne was one of the few people that he trusted to help him out.  He and Lois shared many stories about their time with my great-grandparents, and also my grandparents, and that time was very very special to me!

While they were here, we were able to attend one of the famous Barranquilla Carnaval parades!  Carnaval is a HUGE deal here in Barranquilla, it is their claim to fame!  It is the second largest cultural carnival (second only to the one in Rio) in the world!  I do have to admit that the parades were incredible!  The festivities began the first week of the new year and then lasted until the second weekend in February, which is when the actual Carnival part is.  The Carnival really is a huge cultural part of life in Barranquilla, so I am glad that I was able to experience it, even if it was only two parades.  It was also a wonderful experience to be able to have some shared experiences with some fellow MMN workers :)

I think that will be all for now, I'll plan on updating either tomorrow or Wednesday with some more of my activities since January!  I don't want to bore you all with too much information all at once. :)

307

This was SUPPOSED to say...

I have passed over the 300 day mark.  I am very close to being here for a year!  So crazy.

291 - Short Anniversaries

So, yesterday (Monday) and today were two recent anniversaries of mine.  One of them is a good one and one of them is a not so good one.

Monday marks 2 weeks that I have been running on a regular basis!  I have always been the person that "runs" and will run once every couple of months.  But, never enough to accomplish anything or to actually be worth the exercise.

One of the ex-pats that is living here in Barranquilla is a marathon runner (*gulp*) and she mentioned that she has run quite a bit since getting to Barranquilla.  So, I thought that it would be fun to join her sometime and see how that was.  Well... I absolutely wont be running any marathons ANY time soon.  But, the two of us have been running with another person and I really enjoy the company, I enjoy that they push me farther and harder than I ever thought I would be able to actually be able to run.  They are really encouraging and helpful and full of tips and advice.  I really enjoy them.  We usually run together 2 evenings a week, and then I will go on my own 4 days a week.

So here are some things about running in Barranquilla:

1.  It is HOT!  Oh my goodness is it hot here.  It is regularly in the mid-90's here everyday.  But, not only that, the humidity is generally well up in the 60-70% if not more.  So, it is a really wet, hot, sticky HOT, hot.  I almost always go running in the evening (around 8:00 or so) and even then it is still pretty hot and humid.  The heat is kind of a motivation though, you create your own wind, and you almost don't want to stop running because as soon as you do you lose the breeze that you previously had!

2.  The roads and sidewalks aren't quite as nice as they are in North America.  They aren't horrible, but there are random obstacles, such as super high sidewalks (because of the flash floods, or arroyos), there are sometimes cracks, and also street venders and the notoriously slow walking people of the city.  I am and always have been a power walker.  This is something that I just can not get used to unfortunately.

3.  Flash floods/Arroyos.  The first Saturday that I went running alone there were some darkish clouds, but there are often clouds so I didn't think anything of it.  Well... needless to say, I made it for about 15 minutes before there was an absolute DOWNPOUR!  I had to walk all the way back to my apartment (I couldn't home run because a lot of the sidewalks here are made with tile, so as soon as there is even the tiniest bit of water they are ridiculously slippery).  It was about a 10 minute walk home and in that time there was already a miniature arroyo on my street.  It is crazy, and kind of scary.

So, that is the good, or exciting anniversary that I wanted to share with everyone!  It is something that I have been really excited about.  It feels nice to be active.

The sadder one is that 4 weeks ago today I was pick pocketed on the bus on my way to the school where I volunteer.  I was really disappointed because they got my iPod.  I used that stupid thing for just about EVERYTHING!  I had so many helpful apps and dictionaries and games and so many things.  I used it to talk to friends and family and to also keep a schedule and for my alarm clock.  Just everything.  It has been a big adjustment getting used to not having it.

It really was my own fault that I lost it.  I absolutely never carry it with me while on the bus, and very rarely while outside of my apartment.  But, after 8 1/2 months of never having anything happen, I thought that it would be fine to take it and with me so that I could listen to a podcast that I had downloaded, while walking home.

Luckily for me, the two people who took it were VERY good at what the do, so although I knew that something was funky in the situation while I was trying to get off the bus before the bus passed my stop, I didn't realize that I was being robbed.  So I appreciate that.  However, unluckily for me, the two people robbing me were very good at what they do so they got my iPod, haha.

It has actually been a surprisingly great conversation starter!  So many people here have experienced losing their cell phones, both expensive and inexpensive, to the "ladrones or ratas."  Apparently, black market cell phones are in VERY high demand here.  Because the unemployment rate here is so high, people are desperately looking for ways to provide for their families.  So, one way to do that is to come upon a cell phone and get a pretty good deal on it from a pawn shop.  From what I hear they pay a pretty nice fee.  I was talking to a friend who was telling me that most people who are stealing and selling these phones hate what they are doing.  They never thought that they would ever do something like this, but that they lost their jobs, or are sadly unable to pay their bills.

So, in short, although I am very very sad that my iPod is gone, I have learned a very valuable lesson and I will never again carry anything, even slightly of value, on the bus.  But, I do also hope that the person who took my iPod was able to get a good deal on it to provide for their family.

Also, on a happier note!  Running is great!

280 - Seas of yellow

Today was a very important game in Colombian soccer!

Today, I learned that each region (South American being a region) only has a certain number of spots that are open for the World Cup.  So... it is really really tough to get one of those spots.  Also, since the World Cup is being held in Brazil, they get an automatic in!  Super lucky for the country that the game is being held in, not so lucky for every other country in the region who has one less spot that is open for them.

So, great news for Colombia is that they beat Paraguay 2 to 0!  Oh my goodness... let me just tell you all about what it is like when a goal is scored by the Colombian team.  First of all, even when the team that you are rooting for here gains control of the ball people are up on their feet and screaming and yelling and cheering and it is hilarious.  There were women, and possibly men, who were screaming and it sounded like they were being murdered.  I was a little afraid for a while.  So, you can just imagine what it is like when the team actually scores.  Up roar is the only word that I can think of to describe what it is like.  EVERYONE is up on their feet screaming and clapping and cheering for a good two or three minutes, if not more.  People are hugging and laughing and it is just a great site to see.

Today is actually the first day that I have ventured out of my apartment on a game day.  I have heard horror stories, so I usually just stay inside.  I went to a restaurant with some fellow ex-pats that I have recently met.  They are a great couple from Miami who are working and living in Barranquilla.  They have a 17 month old little boy and I love hanging out with them.  It has been a real blessing knowing them.  Anyway, as I was walking to meet up with them, I noticed that there were restaurants where I had NO idea there were restaurants before.  It was crazy.  They just popped up out of no where to accommodate for all of the people watching the game.  It was great.  There were people everywhere.  Also, the Colombian jersey is bright highlighter yellow and everyone is most certainly all decked out!  I think that I may have to purchase one very soon.

But yes, there are so many people out on the streets and in bars and restaurants that are all wearing yellow and it is almost overwhelming!  It is just a sea of yellow.

I also started running very recently.  That has been something that I have really enjoyed.  One of the ex-pats is a hard core runner and she let me tag along.  Hopefully she wasn't disappointed when she realized that I don't have much endurance!  I am hoping to change that though.  It has been really nice to have some activity to really look forward to.

So yes, sorry that I haven't been updating very frequently, I haven't been doing much that is blog-worthy.  The school where I volunteer has been on fall break for the last week, so my excitement of the week was when I FINALLY (after 2 months of calling and asking and asking my landlord) got my oven fixed!  Oh man, I was exciting!  I made cookies, and they were delicious.