Thankfulness continued...

- spring on the way

- physiotherapy

- all of your prayers and support

- grace & understanding

- my family and friends both here and in Canada (and other countries)

- emotions

- sleep

- friendship and laughter over a shared piece of cake


'til next time,
rebecca

The Race is On

I was looking at the calendar yesterday and realized that I've got about 6 weeks left before heading back to Canada for home assignment. I can't believe it's coming up so quick! I don't think it'll really hit until I'm on the plane. But before I leave, there are things that I need to be concentrating on now.

I could be going to Santa Cruz this coming weekend to meet with the Vida Joven leaders in that area but that will depend on my back (I have my first physiotherapy session tonight - thank goodness!). I'll then be attending the national jovenes convention which takes place August 6-8 in El Alto with a few days afterward to visit the Guthries in La Paz. I also need to move out of my place by August 28th because of heading to Canada and then Tarija in January. I also want to have the girls (young jovenes leaders) over again for another sleepover at least once and have some good conversations and visits over coffee with various jovenes. Plus, I'm starting to go through Horizons myself to be better prepared for when I return in January for the start-up of Horizons.

The next six weeks will certainly not be boring but I need to stay focused and it would also certainly help if I could keep myself from falling down anymore stairs or getting sick, etc. :)
So...I ask that you be praying for me in these upcoming weeks - for my focus and energy, wisdom & good conversations (especially with the young women), my health (a return to gracefulness and coordination would be great :), and that I finish well and can leave for home assignment in peace.

Thanks so much for your support and encouragement!

'til next time,
rebecca

Foto Friday

A few Sundays ago, I had a group of jovenes (young adults) from the Sacaba church where I attend, over to my place to teach me how to make "Pique" from scratch and just basically hang out. Pique is a Bolivian dish that involves french fries, a type of hot dog, another type of beef & it's juice (I learned that soy sauce is a key ingredient to making the juice so good), topped with onions and green peppers and then a hard-boiled egg. Mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup can be added as well at the end if you wish.

There was much joking, games, and good conversation in general and also a great time of being together with everyone pitching in to help with both the prep and clean-up (I fully admit that the guys weren't given a choice in the matter :)

The following pics give you an idea of the process.
The menu consisted of pique and fresh homemade orange juice.

The tasty result of all our hard work!

'til next time,
rebecca

Oh, to be Graceful :)

So, I'm starting to question my feet or my coordination - I'm not sure which...on the last night of the teen camp, there was a special gala dinner for the teens during which the leaders served the food, etc. I helped out in the kitchen. After, the leaders were able to get some food however, while I was crossing the floor of the outer room of the kitchen with my food to talk to someone, I forgot about the hole in the middle of the floor and proceeded to pretty much fall on my face. Amazingly enough, I didn't hurt self (except for my pride) and didn't drop my food.

Well, then on Thursday, I was going down the stairs in my place, and fell at the bottom and landed on my back. Thankfully, there was no fracture but I must say that I thought having a broken foot was bad...that was nothing to the pain of the last few days.

So, I ask for your prayers...for a full recovery with my back and that it's quick. As well, that somehow I become graceful and less accident-prone because I'd really like to make it back to Canada for home assignment in one piece and at the rate I'm going, I won't last the month! :):) And yes, its okay to be laughing at me right now...I have been :)

'til next time,
rebecca

Foto Friday II

Here are some general pics from the camp along with a second video from Saturday night's worship time. To watch the video, just click on play and adjust the sound...enjoy :)

'til next time,
rebecca

Foto Friday

Here are a few of the Vida Joven leaders that were at the camp...
please be praying for them as they continue their work with the teens.

'til next time,
rebecca

Sobrenatural - National Vida Joven Camp 2010

I got back from the national teen camp in the outlying area of Sucre early Monday. Sobrenatural was the theme/name of the camp which means "super natural". There were about 160 teens from Sucre, Santa Cruz, Potosi, La Paz, El Alto, Oruro, Cochabamba, Tarija, and Villazon and with all the leaders, kitchen staff, etc., we were 200 strong. It was a great weekend, very crazy as you'd expect with teens and little sleep was to be found but I was really pleased with it all. I did my first workshop on ways to draw closer to God both traditionally and not so traditionally and felt pleased both with my Spanish as well as being able to keep their attention....thanks for the prayers! It was also a fantastic opportunity to meet some more of the leaders and learn some of their thoughts regarding the youth ministry.

I'm including a couple of pics along with a video of a few seconds of the worship time on the last night but will post more on Friday. I fully admit that I'm getting caught up on some much needed sleep and am trying to get rid of the head cold that I got as a going away present from the camp :) The weather was crazy - freezing cold at night and unbelievably hot during the day.

If you want to see the video, just click on the play button...you can also adjust the volume.
Please note: this is not a professional video :)




'til next time,
rebecca