May 20th 2008

Even though my alarm was set for ten in the morning, I woke up at nine fifteen. I took the extra time I had this morning to do my morning devotional and take it easy while getting ready for my second day of classes. During my free time someone called the home where I was staying and only spoke English so Andelina asked me if I would take the phone call since she does not understand English. Before I left at quarter of eleven for classes, I had two cups of water and two pieces of bread for breakfast. I then set out on my journey to get to the language school. When I went to go get change, the lady told me that she did not have any so I got on the bus I needed to with too much money. Since, I had too much money the bus driver would not let me off to go get change so I went a little bit out of my way when I went to the language school. However, once again today a lady paid for me so I could finally get off the bus. After I got off the bus I walked towards the language school. However, I took a wrong turn and ended walking about four blocks in the wrong direction. I realized my mistake and turn around and finally made it on time to the language school. My first class today with Angelica, I worked on descriptions of people and having the right sentence structure when describing people and places. While I was describing my work place, I mispronounced a word and instead of saying that people paying for their groceries, I said they smack people for their groceries. So there was a lot of laughter after that comment. In my second class with Susana, I worked on talking about people in the Bible. Today, I talked about David and Goliath. I had to describe their characteristics, this was a stepping stone from my previous class. For my third class with Mauge, I had to describe my work with the youth that I do in the United States in a daily schedule format. During this time, I described that my favorite part of youth group was the fellowship and socialization time while preparing dinner. She said that she works with the youth of her church as well and would like to try this aspect with her group. My final class with Maite, I had to describe members of my family. I have noticed through out the classes that my mistakes are becoming fewer and that I am catching myself most of the time before I make any mistakes. I then caught the bus home and looked for the markers that I was given yesterday and I made it back to the house without any problems. On my way back to the house today, I really felt the altitude because I had to walk up a steep hill to get to the house and it took my breath away. Also, I felt the dryness because when I arrived at both the language school and the house I was thirsty. When I returned to the house, I took sometime to relax and reflect on my day so far. I was thankful to God that once again someone was accepting of me and willing to pay for me. It was also a gorgeous day that I enjoyed the walk and I am starting to feel more comfortable with public transportation. Also, I was invited to Mauge’s, the head of the language school, house for dinner tomorrow night. I was thankful that she is going to give me a ride to her house and help me take a taxi back home. In addition, she is helping me to get something to bring to the dinner since I do not know where places are to buy something for this dinner. Another task I was able to complete today was to upload photos to my blog. While I was reviewing what I had learned today in class, I was told that it was time for dinner. For dinner I had chicken with rice and some lemonade. During dinner, I was able to understand and participate in some of the conversation. After dinner, I took some more time to review my Spanish and reflect on the day some more with all of God’s blessings. While reflecting it hit me that today, I have been done with my junior year of college. Also, I realized that Larry and Betty will be arriving back in Cochabamba in two weeks which makes me feel better since I will know some more people when I go to church. Today, I felt like I made some good progress with my Spanish and that it is flowing and that my mistakes are minor, but one of the goals that was made for me at the language school was to eradicate these mistakes. I think it is a matter of me continuing to work on my vocabulary so I have the right words to say. While I am working on my Spanish, I have a sense that I will be able to achieve the goals I set for myself about being able to tell stories, talk about the Bible and the Christian faith, and to be able to communicate overall in Spanish. I was only frustrated a little bit in Mauge’s class when I was describing the events of the youth group because I did not know the words for the activities. It also gives me great pleasure to report that I used less English today than I have used in my time in Cochabamba thus far. Before going to bed, I did my night time devotional and took a shower. While doing my devotional, I realized that today is the first day that I have not had the feeling of wanting to go home and sensing that this is a place that God wants me to be. I do not know what He has in store for me, but the preparation with the language school and my progress with my Spanish thus far amazes me. Once again, I went to bed tonight looking forward to what God has in store for me tomorrow.