I'm not sure how this has morphed into four parts... but I figured I needed to do one more post, for those of you who've been asking about some of what I did/experienced while I was there.
The Saturday of my arrival, I got to hit the ground running and attend a birthday party that afternoon. In my different travels to Latin America, this was my first experience of a birthday celebration Latin American style. There was the familiar - cake, games, and a piñata - and the new - the birthday girl had a beautiful new dress on that the lady they'd asked to be the madrina bought for her. Madrina being like a godmother/patroness type person. During the game time, I actually got to spend some time chatting with a girl named Wendy and I believe it was her boyfriend. They didn't really know people at the party, but her mom was somehow friends with someone (I can't remember if it was the birthday girl's mother, or what), and since her mom couldn't come, she asked Wendy to come in her place. They were college students, so closer in age to me. Our conversation was in Spanglish - part English and part Spanish. But that was nice too, as they helped me with my Spanish and learning some new words. I wish I'd had more opportunity to talk with them though; we had some interesting conversation about why I was in Bolivia, what I'd studied in college, and explaining about sharing my Jesus with others.
One of my biggest desires growing up was to learn three instruments and be able to speak three languages. My Sundays in Sucre, I got to see three languages in action: English, Spanish, and sign. And I also realized how much I still have to go before mastering language number two (let alone getting a third language down). I taught Sunday School both Sundays, and I was excited that first week to teach in Spanish. But sitting there, trying to teach and simultaneously recall both words and correct grammar, revealed a lack. I'm glad God can work through us, even when we are struggling for the words we need! I also felt the barrier keenly because I only know a couple signs, and before/after the service, I'd be standing there with people, basically only able to smile and give a thumbs up to them, until I had someone right there who could interpret/sign for me.
Friday was a day trip to Icla - a couple hours through the mountains and curvy roads to a small village down in the valley. I was excited to get to meet another missionary family, see their pueblo and just have time to talk with them. I also got to see where my friend Jillian is going to live when she gets to Bolivia next year!
So there you have it... at least a little bit more about my trip. Thank you for those of you who prayed for me and for those of you who still continue to do so! A lot has been happening in the last few weeks since I returned, namely with regards to emailing mission boards and trying to process things as the reality of what I'm pursuing starts to sink in. I'll probably save that for another post for another day, when I have a little more information to share.
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