Can't sleep...

Hey everyone,

My apologies for not updating the blog this past week...different times, I sat down to do it but my mind would go blank and I couldn't figure out what I wanted to say (no comments about my brain power! :)

So, it's close to 3am and I haven't been able to sleep so I thought I would get up and try this again. Life has settled back down again with classes and team...honestly nothing too exciting...just life. In a couple of weeks I'll be heading to La Paz to attend my first adolescentes (teens) camp with Vida Joven. This will be my first opportunity to meet with the jovenes leaders and get a better idea of how to shape my work with them. From having been at the Tarija Jovenes Camp, I'm very curious about what this camp with the teens will be like; the differences and the similarities.

Thinking of the Tarija camp, I forgot to tell you my story about how some of the girls tried to straighten my hair for a special dinner on the last night. They also asked if they could do my make-up. For those of you who don't know me, I have naturally curly hair (really curly hair and a lot of it) and although I like wearing make-up, I typically like the natural look. Well, Tarija is near the Argentina border and there's more humidity which can have an unfortunate affect on hair. There ended up being 4 girls who worked on my hair but unfortunately for all involved, it wouldn't fully straighten...it didn't look awful, just....different. I found out that hair products for curly hair that will stop friz don't work too well on hair that's been straightened :)

So, once my hair was done I touched up my make-up (even used a "heavier hand" for the night look) but as I was passing the girls to leave, they asked me if they could do my make-up because they wanted to make my eyes "pop". Another little aside...I don't need any help in making my eyes pop - they're big enough as are! Plus, I had already done my make-up and thought I looked pretty good :) Well, I thought, "why not?? It's called girl-bonding and building relationships". We only had a tiny mirror so I wasn't able to see the full effect until later that night - well, it was actually 3 in the morning. Words cannot describe how I looked except to say...throughout the evening, my hair had gotten even bigger and frizzier (I can't think of any other way to describe it) and my make-up??? Well, the term "drag queen" comes to mind.

Even thinking about it now, I can't help but laugh. And no, I do not have a foto of it and I will not be hunting one down to share with you all :) But even though I was waaaay out of my comfort zone, it was a great time with the girls and we've already talked about them coming over for a girls night at my place (I think I'll only let them do my nails :)

Anyway, it's now 4am so I'm going to close for now and try to get some zzz's...

'til next time,
rebecca

Foto Friday

These nature fotos are from around Tarija...

'til next time,

rebecca

Celebrating one year with friends

I'm not sure if you were aware but I celebrated my one year anniversary here in Bolivia while I was at the Jovenes Camp in Tarija. I still find it hard to believe that I've been here for a year already. It's been a time of both joys and excitement along with challenges.

I had invited the Guthries over for supper last night (Sunday) thinking it would be an evening of catching up on what had happened while I was away at camp and just having a good time with friends but when I opened my gate door, I was in for quite a surprise...

I've become good friends with 4 families in particular: the Guthries, the Whittles, the Hathaways, and the Collins. Between all of us, we represent Canada, the U.S., and Britian. Around a couple of months ago, the Hathaways also celebrated their one year anniversary in Bolivia and we held a surprise anniversary party for them...at their place :) Dan Collins' wife, Darryl, was back in the States for a couple of weeks so he was taking care of their 3 children. Initially the party was supposed to be at his place but the Hathaways wanted to have them over to help out with the children and since Dan couldn't think of any way out of it without giving away the surprise, everyone showed up with food and festive spirits at the Hathaways. And so began a fun tradition :)

Back to last night, when I opened up my gate door, there were not only the Guthries, but the Whittles, Hathaways and Collins as well...about 21 of us in total including the children! Once I got over my surprise, oh, we had a wonderful evening of fun, laughter, and remembering! Thankfully, they had also brought some food because I definitely didn't have enough to go around :)

I can't thank them enough for helping make this year passing one of joy, togetherness and a time of blessing. I'm excited about this upcoming year even though it will be a difficult one of learning and figuring things out. And a big reason for that is the feeling of family and support that I have found in the friendships here. Both family and friends here and in Canada are a big reason why I'm able to be here. It's a gift from God.

Here's to friendship and making it through the first year!!!

'til next time,

rebecca

Foto Friday

The following pictures are of various jovenes during the week of the National Camp including during the 18hr bus drive to Tarija, mealtimes, and games time.

It was an incredible time of being together.

More to come :)

And I'm Back...

Overlooking a vineyard in Tarija

Well, I got back yesterday afternoon from an incredible week in Tarija with over 400 jovenes! I've been trying to think of ways to descibe everything but I think it's going to take a bit of time to process it all. So, I'm going to start with giving thanks and then throughout the week, I'll share more thoughts and stories...

- safe journey there and back

- breathtaking scenery...Tarija and the surrounding area are absolutely beautiful

- deepened friendships and trust with the jovenes I already knew and new friendships with more from around the country

- unbelievable trust shown by the girls in talking with me about problems/questions in their lives

- good conversations with the leaders of the jovenes and adolescentes

- connections made with some of the pastors in Tarija and surrounding area and Burmejo (on the border of Argentina)

- made it through a week of almost entire spanish, gave my testimony and helped with another session, was part of a board meeting and a couple of other leadership meetings still with my brain kind of semi-intact :)

- am starting to get caught up on a bit of sleep considering it was definitely in short supply each night :)

- and finally...many, many thanks to all of you have been praying for me and thinking of me during this time

More to come...

The lunch line and "cafeteria"