Just moments before my alarm went off I woke up. Today was the first day I felt like I did not want to get out of bed and like I got a really good night sleep. Then I had a piece of bread for breakfast and came back upstairs to do my morning devotion. After my devotion I took basically the whole morning to reflect on my time here so far because I know that today is a free day for me because my meeting to figure out my schedule is not until tomorrow morning. While I was reflecting several of thoughts came to my mind. The first one was the fact in all the sermons I have heard here so far is that the focus is try and live out the gospel with our actions and not just internalize Biblical knowledge. Almost every time I am walking around I have noticed that the ladies here seem to always like to wear high heels. It is quite an experience to get used to the greeting with a kiss, but it as help me be integrated with the culture and make relationships. Everyone here seems to only need to hear a name one time and they remember it, because everyone who knows me seems to always greet me by name. The way laundry is done here, it amazes me that my shirts do not get crusty in the armpits like they do in the United States. I have been amazed at the way that God has provided money for me because it has been difficult raising money to come here, but I made it here. Also, I have been grateful that I have been able to experience outings with Susana, Shawnee and Bishop Frank, and Larry and Betty without having to pay for meals or activities. When speaking Spanish a person really needs to move their mouths along with express words with emotion – in the United States we are often lazy when speaking. Yesterday was the first day since I have been here that when I saw how many days I have left here I was upset. Taxis or truffis will honk or flash their lights when they are available and they want to provide service to a person. Common phrases are “fe-fe” which means snobbish. “Eso o es” which means that is it. “No va” which can mean you know, no way, you see, it all depends on what context it is used in. The question I am most frequently asked is, “aren’t you cold?” I am getting used to the fact that stop signs and traffic lights are a suggestion and getting rid of the feeling like I am going to die when taking public transportation anywhere. Even though I was content with doing things on my own in the United States; here I feel the need to do things with other people. I have realized have encapsulated I have been in the United States and that I take a lot of things for granted. The hardest part of this trip is when I am not with other people or doing something. It is in the stillness and quietness that I think that God is trying to speak to me, but the enemy seems to overtake me. I also realize how important communication and organization is when working with other people. I think today is also the first day that I have not had major problems with my stomach and so I hope this means that my system has adjusted to the food in Cochabamba. Before lunch I was able to do my noon time devotion. For lunch I had fried llama I think, with pasta, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers. After lunch, I thought that it would be a good idea to go over the Spanish I learned and go over some new material so that I can expand my vocabulary. While I was studying Larry called me to give me an attentive schedule for tomorrow. Also, David, the other student here, left so I said farewell to him. I then helped out the family by changing a light bulb since I am tall than all the people in the family. Before I knew it was time for dinner. Tonight’s dinner was like beef hamburger helper with rice and potatoes. After dinner, I did my evening devotion and then continued to work on my Spanish by doing practice exercises from my book. Later on in the evening I took a break to use the internet. Then I decided to do my night time devotion, shower, and went to bed anticipating what tomorrow will bring.
No comments:
Post a Comment