Barrio Bolivar Early Childhood Stimulation Center

Below is a slideshow of pictures I took today in Barrio Bolivar, an Ayoré Indian "neighborhood" in Santa Cruz. The construction you see is of an early childhood stimulation center that we (South America Mission) are building in the neighborhood. This is an important project. It will create an opportunity for nourishing the good health of those most vulnerable to disease and sickness. It will also provide the setting for loving the children well and nourishing their spiritual needs. Two government organizations are helping provide equipment and food to stock the facility. SAM is raising the money to build the facility. The total cost is $35,000. So far about $14,000 has been raised.

Culture Shock

When one speaks of culture shock, usually it's with a negative connotation. To be sure, we've had our negative experiences of culture shock. But we've also had some positive ones, some really good expierences of culture shock. One was last week when I (Angela) went out for coffee and dessert with our teammate Laura and one of her Bolivian friends. I was really full from a large lunch and dinner due to mission activities, so only wanted a coffee. But I was also really hot. So I ordered a "cafe frio", or cold coffee. Imagine my surprise when they brought me a coffee milkshake topped with a mountain of whipped cream! Any other time, I would have been delighted, but I was so stuffed that I was dissappointed. But it tasted much like a Starbucks frappuccino, and only for $1.50. So next time I go out for coffee, I'm going to be sure to save room and order a cafe frio! My other pleasant experience with culture shock came today. Some of you know about all the bad haircuts I got in Costa Rica, so needless to say I was a little nervous about getting my haircut here. But I was really in need of one. I sought out a really really nice salon, got a good haircut, and paid top dollar - ELEVEN DOLLARS!

Pressing On For Now

Things are calm here for the time being, but we never know what might happen when. SO, we're pressing on, making plans, living day to day, and trusting the Lord that all is in His hands. The English class that our teammates have been hosting has switched to our house now, and Bubba has begun teaching it. The girl who was teaching is now back in the states, so....Bubba has taught twice now, the first time getting a standing ovation! He is really enjoying it. And I'm glad to host it at our house, as I can easily be a part of the group without having to get a babysitter. I really enjoying opening our home, preparing snacks, and making our home a welcoming place. We meet every Monday night at 7:30, and it's a great, very informal, relaxed setting for getting to know Bolivians. Anywhere from 5 - 12 people show up and it's a basic conversational class. Bubba has also gotten together with one of the guys who comes, and they are each practicing the other language (Bubba -Spanish, friend - English). I (Angela) am continuing tutoring twice a week with a Bolivian woman who teaches Spanish at the kids' school. I enjoy my time with her, and am continuing to improve with my language abilities. On Fridays I meet her at the school, and then stay afterwards to help out in Sam and Georgia's classes for a few hours. I really have enjoyed this. Last week I helped 4 Bolivian boys in Georgia's class, who are a littel farther behind, catch up on some reading and social studies. English is a second language for all of them, and the school is an all English speaking school, so I could empathize with them! But I'd whole lot rather learn a new language at their age than at mine!! Thanks for being interested in our lives. We miss you all terribly, but are confident that this is where the Lord has us. Thank you for your continued prayers.