Wow...I'm coming home in 5 days.
I'm wondering what the change will be like. I remember coming home from Asbury for the first time and almost feeling like where I was wasn't home...not because I really felt that Lexington was not my home, but just because it was so strange. So it will be interesting to see what it will be like after three months in another country.
Right now I'm kind of swinging back and forth in terms of my...well, I guess I could say, "emotions," but I don't know if that's the right word. I am very ready to come home. But I also do not want to leave these boys. The past few weeks haven't really been filled with a bunch of major events to write about, but rather simply an increasing development in our relationships...I've started to feel very close to some them. I've been asked by a quite a few boys if I can take them back to the states with me. Believe me, when it comes down to it, I wouldn't hesitate...it's just pretty much impossible (and in some cases just wouldn't be the right thing to do) considering a vast amount of circumstances.
English has been going well with the boys I've been working with, although there has hardly been any structure. The original plan was for there to be an arranged time for me to teach that, along with piano, in the afternoon, but right after that was decided, I left the farm for two weeks (the first week because I was sick; the second week due to the eye surgery...which, btw, I just had my last follow-up appointment today, and everything is great). So I think those plans were kind of forgotten. Basically, what I've been doing in the afternoons is, besides quiet time, writing, etc., is developing a relationship with the boys and teaching English frequently, but very randomly (although there have been a few planned classes here and there, but I've had to figure out the boys' schedules for myself in order to do them). But the thing that makes me the happiest is that I have seen a vast amount of progress in Carlos and Yilmar's English over the past few months. I've even learned a lot about my own language...mainly how ridiculous it is, haha (not that I didn't already know that, but I didn't fully realize it until I tried to teach it). Spanish is an easy language to read and spell...I've found myself correcting native speakers' spelling on several occasions. I've tried to stop correcting people in English, but since I had never corrected people in Spanish before this trip, the temptation was just too difficult to resist.
Anyway, I think that teaching English as a second/foreign language is going to play a part in my future. I'm not going into detail about that.
Katherine is pregnant! About 6-7 weeks by this point, actually. I suppose there's nothing else major to say about that except to pray for her fatigue and nausea. I wasn't there when Katherine told her family for the first time, but Brian filmed their reaction, which was very "Latin" (which is like a synonym for "loud", haha). Katherine herself is not a very touchy person, so it's driving her crazy that everyone feels entitled to touching/pushing her belly without even asking...and it's pretty entertaining to hear her talk about it.
My Gollum/Smeagol impression has been revealed to the boys at the farm, and for any of you who were in Jamaica when I revealed my Spongebob impressions to the kids there, you can probably imagine what that is like. I showed it to a few boys one morning (I can't remember why...I think it's because we were having a "Senor de los Anillos" discussion...many of the boys are fans). Then, the next night after dinner, one of them was trying to get me to do it again and show some of the other boys, but I didn't really want to, because there were so many people there (and I don't like the pressure...I prefer to be spontaneous with my impressions). But finally, he pushed me over the edge, and I, without warning, pulled off my shirt and threw it to the side, and then proceeded to do the whole scene from The Two Towers when Gollum/Smeagol have the big argument with each other. By the time I was done, there were probably 15-20 boys standing around watching, and it ended in a wild round of applause. It was fun, but now some of the kids won't stop asking me to do the impression. One of the boys, Miguel, has given me a new nickname: Smeagolas. I like it.
I have had some major internal struggles while I've been here, some of which I have hinted at in past blogs...but I know that God has been using those struggles to strengthen and teach me, and I think even to show me part of what he has for me in the future...but I must continue to pray in those areas. My beliefs clash with many that I have heard and seen displayed among the Foundation (one of the smaller ones of which I have been writing about here and there, and may post something about before I leave), but I have mostly kept silent for reasons about which I will not go into detail, but I have felt like God has wanted me silent, and, as I just mentioned, to be taught...and, as I have mentioned in past blogs, to humble me.
This is most likely the last blog I will post here about what's actually going on in Medellin (although, as I mentioned earlier, I may post that other blog if I get the chance). I wish I could have posted more about the trip, and in more depth. I have left out much about the struggles I have felt here, mainly because I don't like my life being a completely open book online. Also, I have left out a few things that have occurred which I did not feel were suitable to post publicly for whatever reason. I'm sure that I will share with some of you more in depth when I return...hopefully many of those "sharings" will be over a plate of Don Juan's.
This week, I hope to have a party for the boys before I leave: Brian told me that most of the boys' favorite foods are pizza, lasagna, and pinto beans, haha. So I'm going to try to get the ingredients for the cook to make some lasagna (which would be a big-time aberration, believe me...I've never eaten so much rice in my lifetime...not that I'm complaining...I love rice).
I also doubt I will have time to post any more pictures before I come home, but I can once I get there. Yep.
I love you guys...see (most of) you within a week!!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
"I SEE!!!" said the near-sighted man.
So...I had my eye surgery Tuesday...and I now have 20/20 vision! Just thought that you would all like to know. God's pretty awesome.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
3 weeks later...
Wow. It's been a long time since I've written on this thing. Earlier this week I got sick with fevers and diarrhea and had to come home from the farm, and next week I will be here as well because my eye surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday (if the second exam on Monday goes okay), so I've been having/will have a lot of opportunities to use the Internet (not that that's necessarily a good thing).
I suppose a few updates are in order...
Most importantly, although some of you with whom I've communicated privately already know, Andres Felipe has returned!! He actually returned quite a while back, so this isn't new news, but that doesn't make it any less exciting. A very big THANK YOU goes to everyone who prayed, because I'm certain that prayer played a part in his return.
I have actually been starting to feel a little homesick of late. I still love it here, but I'm also eager to get back home, see people, fix up the camper, move to the Hunsuckers' land :-), work at Oak Forest, be with my small group, and get started on what God's got planned for us/me! Oh, and I've been having some major Don Juan's withdrawals...that will be the first thing on the agenda when I get back in NC, so my flight(s) better not be late. But anyway, pray that I will stay focused on what God wants me to do here even though I'm also looking toward the future.
As you read earlier, I have decided to do the eye surgery! I've been to the doctor for one exam, and felt completely safe and secure. The doctor who performs the surgery studied in the US, speaks English, and has performed thousands of surgeries over the past twelve years. I have another exam on Monday, and if everything is okay, I will have the surgery Tuesday. No, I'm not nervous (yet...I imagine that won't be until the morning of).
There are three new boys at the farm!!!! *joy*
Now, a few "highlights" from the past few weeks...
The first weekend I was at the farm after I wrote the last blog, I spent a lot of time painting (I think I might refuse to ever pick up a paintbrush again after this trip). That's actually why I went over the weekend...they had some kind of inspection coming up and a lot of painting had to be done ahead of that. I went up with Fernando, Sergio (a guy that works for the Foundation), and Montes (a guy around my age who volunteers a lot with the Foundation and is hard of hearing). There's not really much to say about the painting part, but other great things happened that weekend. There's a girl my age (no, it’s not going to happen) who just recently started working with the foundation (about the time I arrived in Colombia) whose name is Bibiana, and she, along with Veronica, were at the farm that weekend. We hung out together, prayed together, shared the Word together, etc. One night, Veronica wasn’t there and something ridiculous yet entertaining (and parts of it full of happiness) happened, but before I share that, I need to share something about Colombian culture that I find quite disagreeable.
People are obsessed with romantic relationships here. Everyone is expected to get married. Everyone needs to have a “novio” or “novia” (boyfriend or girlfriend). When I tell people that I am happy single, I’m not looking for a girlfriend, and that I might be like Paul and not get married, they don’t understand why (and sometimes bombard me with questions). It’s fine for them…if they want to get married, then God can give them a great gift with that. I just wish they would quit bugging me about it (although a few cases of this, like the one I’m getting ready to share, are somewhat entertaining).
Bibiana is a pretty girl (again, like I said, it’s NOT going to happen), and the fact that she’s my age makes matters worse. Veronica is 36 (yes, I know she doesn’t look it at all), so there haven’t really been any problems there. Anyway, it started when I was painting with Montes and he asked me if I was in love with her (as though I could be after having barely talked with someone). I told him no, that we were just friends, and then he kept talking about how beautiful she was, blah blah (it got slightly annoying, yet still entertaining). Anyway, Bibiana wasn’t there then. In the evening, Bibiana and I were sitting on one of the benches outside at the farm, and about four or five of the younger boys were with us, some sitting on our laps, some beside us, etc. They started asking if we were boyfriend/girlfriend, if we wanted to get married, etc. and Bibiana started to get really embarrassed. I wasn’t embarrassed; I just thought it was funny. Marlon was like, “He’s a rich gringo, you need to marry him” (except with his speech impediment, he said “glingo,” which made it even funnier/cuter). Then some of them were trying to touch my mouth and then touch her mouth. Marlon (and I think maybe one or two others) started calling us Mama and Papa. She continually got more embarrassed, I was mainly laughing. I got most of it to end finally when I told them I’m going to be single forever…not that I necessarily plan on that, but it shut them up. My favorite part of the whole evening (not because it was funny, but because it made me extremely happy/sad at the same time) was when David (Marlon’s older brother) told me he didn’t really have a father and asked if I would be his “padrino” (godfather). I told him that I would be happy to.
Friday the 24th was a really good day, minus the fact that I got a monkey (their name for a pulled muscle in the neck) when I was lying back down in bed in the morning. It was Yerson’s birthday, and I was able to take him to the store nearby and let him pick out some junk food to eat. He seemed kind of overwhelmed when I told him twice that he could pick something else too. On the way there and back, we talked a lot. He tries to use the few English words he knows whenever possible. He told me that his dream was to learn English, go to the US and become a pilot, and to bring his family out of poverty. He lives in a neighborhood called “Popular 2,” where, according to him, there is a lot of *makes an impression of a machine gun* and drugs. I asked Katherine about the neighborhood, and she told me that she went there once with YWAM, and that in the short time she was there, there was shooting (and that she feared for her life). Of course, I want all of these kids to come back to the states with me, but I think the best thing I can do for them now is to pray for them, be an example to them, and support the Foundation.
On that same day, most of the boys, a few tutors, and I went on a long walk/hike...through hills, across creeks and bridges…some of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. It was a blast. You can see a few of the pictures from it on my Photobucket page, before my memory card became full. One of the tutors loaned me his memory card, but now nobody can seem to get the pictures off of it…which is extremely frustrating, because there are some GREAT pictures on there. If anyone has any suggestions for what to do let me know…I’m wondering if it’s because we switched the card from one camera to another. Anyway, even if we never get the pictures off, I suppose I will still have the memories to dwell on.
I’ve now officially started English classes with Carlos and Yilmar, and I think they are going very well. They’re already learning English from other sources, so I’m kind of just supplementing them. The first week we learned the parts of the body (I learned them all in Spanish as well), and they’re learning the scripture Matthew 5:38-39 in English, because it has “eye,” “tooth,” and “cheek” in it. The next lesson will be about clothing, and we will do verse 40, which has “shirt” and “coat”…and then finally distances, measurements, and movement verbs, with verse 41, talking about going “1” or “2” miles. After that, besides a week where I’m going to do some miscellaneous grammar and let them try to translate a letter that a friend of mine sent to the boys at the farm, it will be time for me to come home! I regret not being able to do more to help with English, but fortunately, Laurie (the American woman who came earlier on in the trip) is planning on coming down here to live, and her work with the Foundation is basically going to be just to teach English, which will be awesome. It will help the boys so much in the future with jobs if they are bilingual.
Oh, and I also think I’ll be teaching a little bit of piano to some boys as well. Ummm…yeah. Short paragraph.
Anyway, after this VERY long blog, which I hope makes up for my long absence, I think it’s time for me to end. Like I’ve said before, I wish I had the time/capacity to write more about details and my interactions with the boys, but I just simply am not able.
If anyone wants to know how specifically to pray…first, give thanks that my sickness has all but gone away. It was pretty rough, but it gave me time to relax, so there were plenty of reasons to praise God in the midst of the cold chills and diarrhea, haha. The things for which I’ve asked for prayer in previous blogs, please continue. Also, as I mentioned earlier, pray that my focus will not be diverted as I begin to look forward to coming home (four weeks from today). Pray for my eye surgery on Tuesday, for the financial situation of the foundation, and, obviously, for the boys at the farm…that they would come to a real knowledge of the Truth…that they would really understand what it means to love God and others (particularly their fellow farmmates).
Thanks for reading!
I suppose a few updates are in order...
Most importantly, although some of you with whom I've communicated privately already know, Andres Felipe has returned!! He actually returned quite a while back, so this isn't new news, but that doesn't make it any less exciting. A very big THANK YOU goes to everyone who prayed, because I'm certain that prayer played a part in his return.
I have actually been starting to feel a little homesick of late. I still love it here, but I'm also eager to get back home, see people, fix up the camper, move to the Hunsuckers' land :-), work at Oak Forest, be with my small group, and get started on what God's got planned for us/me! Oh, and I've been having some major Don Juan's withdrawals...that will be the first thing on the agenda when I get back in NC, so my flight(s) better not be late. But anyway, pray that I will stay focused on what God wants me to do here even though I'm also looking toward the future.
As you read earlier, I have decided to do the eye surgery! I've been to the doctor for one exam, and felt completely safe and secure. The doctor who performs the surgery studied in the US, speaks English, and has performed thousands of surgeries over the past twelve years. I have another exam on Monday, and if everything is okay, I will have the surgery Tuesday. No, I'm not nervous (yet...I imagine that won't be until the morning of).
There are three new boys at the farm!!!! *joy*
Now, a few "highlights" from the past few weeks...
The first weekend I was at the farm after I wrote the last blog, I spent a lot of time painting (I think I might refuse to ever pick up a paintbrush again after this trip). That's actually why I went over the weekend...they had some kind of inspection coming up and a lot of painting had to be done ahead of that. I went up with Fernando, Sergio (a guy that works for the Foundation), and Montes (a guy around my age who volunteers a lot with the Foundation and is hard of hearing). There's not really much to say about the painting part, but other great things happened that weekend. There's a girl my age (no, it’s not going to happen) who just recently started working with the foundation (about the time I arrived in Colombia) whose name is Bibiana, and she, along with Veronica, were at the farm that weekend. We hung out together, prayed together, shared the Word together, etc. One night, Veronica wasn’t there and something ridiculous yet entertaining (and parts of it full of happiness) happened, but before I share that, I need to share something about Colombian culture that I find quite disagreeable.
People are obsessed with romantic relationships here. Everyone is expected to get married. Everyone needs to have a “novio” or “novia” (boyfriend or girlfriend). When I tell people that I am happy single, I’m not looking for a girlfriend, and that I might be like Paul and not get married, they don’t understand why (and sometimes bombard me with questions). It’s fine for them…if they want to get married, then God can give them a great gift with that. I just wish they would quit bugging me about it (although a few cases of this, like the one I’m getting ready to share, are somewhat entertaining).
Bibiana is a pretty girl (again, like I said, it’s NOT going to happen), and the fact that she’s my age makes matters worse. Veronica is 36 (yes, I know she doesn’t look it at all), so there haven’t really been any problems there. Anyway, it started when I was painting with Montes and he asked me if I was in love with her (as though I could be after having barely talked with someone). I told him no, that we were just friends, and then he kept talking about how beautiful she was, blah blah (it got slightly annoying, yet still entertaining). Anyway, Bibiana wasn’t there then. In the evening, Bibiana and I were sitting on one of the benches outside at the farm, and about four or five of the younger boys were with us, some sitting on our laps, some beside us, etc. They started asking if we were boyfriend/girlfriend, if we wanted to get married, etc. and Bibiana started to get really embarrassed. I wasn’t embarrassed; I just thought it was funny. Marlon was like, “He’s a rich gringo, you need to marry him” (except with his speech impediment, he said “glingo,” which made it even funnier/cuter). Then some of them were trying to touch my mouth and then touch her mouth. Marlon (and I think maybe one or two others) started calling us Mama and Papa. She continually got more embarrassed, I was mainly laughing. I got most of it to end finally when I told them I’m going to be single forever…not that I necessarily plan on that, but it shut them up. My favorite part of the whole evening (not because it was funny, but because it made me extremely happy/sad at the same time) was when David (Marlon’s older brother) told me he didn’t really have a father and asked if I would be his “padrino” (godfather). I told him that I would be happy to.
Friday the 24th was a really good day, minus the fact that I got a monkey (their name for a pulled muscle in the neck) when I was lying back down in bed in the morning. It was Yerson’s birthday, and I was able to take him to the store nearby and let him pick out some junk food to eat. He seemed kind of overwhelmed when I told him twice that he could pick something else too. On the way there and back, we talked a lot. He tries to use the few English words he knows whenever possible. He told me that his dream was to learn English, go to the US and become a pilot, and to bring his family out of poverty. He lives in a neighborhood called “Popular 2,” where, according to him, there is a lot of *makes an impression of a machine gun* and drugs. I asked Katherine about the neighborhood, and she told me that she went there once with YWAM, and that in the short time she was there, there was shooting (and that she feared for her life). Of course, I want all of these kids to come back to the states with me, but I think the best thing I can do for them now is to pray for them, be an example to them, and support the Foundation.
On that same day, most of the boys, a few tutors, and I went on a long walk/hike...through hills, across creeks and bridges…some of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. It was a blast. You can see a few of the pictures from it on my Photobucket page, before my memory card became full. One of the tutors loaned me his memory card, but now nobody can seem to get the pictures off of it…which is extremely frustrating, because there are some GREAT pictures on there. If anyone has any suggestions for what to do let me know…I’m wondering if it’s because we switched the card from one camera to another. Anyway, even if we never get the pictures off, I suppose I will still have the memories to dwell on.
I’ve now officially started English classes with Carlos and Yilmar, and I think they are going very well. They’re already learning English from other sources, so I’m kind of just supplementing them. The first week we learned the parts of the body (I learned them all in Spanish as well), and they’re learning the scripture Matthew 5:38-39 in English, because it has “eye,” “tooth,” and “cheek” in it. The next lesson will be about clothing, and we will do verse 40, which has “shirt” and “coat”…and then finally distances, measurements, and movement verbs, with verse 41, talking about going “1” or “2” miles. After that, besides a week where I’m going to do some miscellaneous grammar and let them try to translate a letter that a friend of mine sent to the boys at the farm, it will be time for me to come home! I regret not being able to do more to help with English, but fortunately, Laurie (the American woman who came earlier on in the trip) is planning on coming down here to live, and her work with the Foundation is basically going to be just to teach English, which will be awesome. It will help the boys so much in the future with jobs if they are bilingual.
Oh, and I also think I’ll be teaching a little bit of piano to some boys as well. Ummm…yeah. Short paragraph.
Anyway, after this VERY long blog, which I hope makes up for my long absence, I think it’s time for me to end. Like I’ve said before, I wish I had the time/capacity to write more about details and my interactions with the boys, but I just simply am not able.
If anyone wants to know how specifically to pray…first, give thanks that my sickness has all but gone away. It was pretty rough, but it gave me time to relax, so there were plenty of reasons to praise God in the midst of the cold chills and diarrhea, haha. The things for which I’ve asked for prayer in previous blogs, please continue. Also, as I mentioned earlier, pray that my focus will not be diverted as I begin to look forward to coming home (four weeks from today). Pray for my eye surgery on Tuesday, for the financial situation of the foundation, and, obviously, for the boys at the farm…that they would come to a real knowledge of the Truth…that they would really understand what it means to love God and others (particularly their fellow farmmates).
Thanks for reading!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Midget blog
New (but few) pictures.
Thanks for emails.
Pray for humility for me.
Also, keep praying for Andres Felipe.
Leaving for the farm tomorrow, won't be back until next Friday (but that, like everything else here, is subject to change, haha...).
Will be sending postcards soon (found a way to get them to the US quickly...woot).
Thanks for emails.
Pray for humility for me.
Also, keep praying for Andres Felipe.
Leaving for the farm tomorrow, won't be back until next Friday (but that, like everything else here, is subject to change, haha...).
Will be sending postcards soon (found a way to get them to the US quickly...woot).
Friday, April 10, 2009
Semi-farewell
"But the Lord answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered by so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.'"
~Luke 10:41-42
I'm assuming that most of you reading know the context of that verse. Well, I've felt like a Martha of late. I want to be more of a Mary. I've expressed this frustration in previous blogs, in different wording. Well, I'm going to do something about it...I'm going to cut down on what I feel are my "obligations," but really aren't, one of which is this blog. I no longer plan on writing a regular summary of the week's events. I probably won't stop writing altogether (probably), but it will be very sporadic and short when I do, and will mostly include things like major events, random thoughts/convictions, or prayer requests.
Speaking of prayer requests...one of the boys from the farm has gone missing. His name is Andres Felipe. From what I've understood, he went to the city last week for a doctor's appointment, then no one knew where he was, then he showed up at his house (although he and his mother have a poor relationship), and afterwards disappeared. There are many temptations on the street for him to return to his former lifestyle, so please, please pray for him. Pray for his protection, for resistance to temptation, and for reconciliation...with God, foremost, but also with his mother. And pray that he will return to the Foundation.
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Also, I have posted more pictures (see how ridiculous this all seems in light of the previous paragraph)...hopefully you will be able to find them from the link in a blog or two back. I don't know how often I will be posting pictures in the future either...probably also more sporadically (or maybe regularly, but without titles & descriptions, because they take up time)
I'm sorry for those who have enjoyed reading my "adventures" (not so sure why, haha), but I need to try to keep both feet in Christ and in Colombia.
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Oh, another quick thing. I know this is going to sound crazy, but I'm considering getting laser eye surgery while I'm down here. It only costs $500, for BOTH eyes. In the states it can range from $2-3000, I think. Brian told me about all of this, and that it's completely safe. I normally wouldn't spend my money on such things, but I after thinking about it, I realized I would be saving thousands of dollars over the course of my life, without having to buy glasses/contacts every few years or pay for eye doctor appointments. It seems like a reasonable investment to me...what do you guys think?
BTW, for those of you who may wonder, understandably, if I would be using the money you so generously gave to me for this trip for eye surgery, I wouldn't be...this money is from elsewhere.
~Luke 10:41-42
I'm assuming that most of you reading know the context of that verse. Well, I've felt like a Martha of late. I want to be more of a Mary. I've expressed this frustration in previous blogs, in different wording. Well, I'm going to do something about it...I'm going to cut down on what I feel are my "obligations," but really aren't, one of which is this blog. I no longer plan on writing a regular summary of the week's events. I probably won't stop writing altogether (probably), but it will be very sporadic and short when I do, and will mostly include things like major events, random thoughts/convictions, or prayer requests.
Speaking of prayer requests...one of the boys from the farm has gone missing. His name is Andres Felipe. From what I've understood, he went to the city last week for a doctor's appointment, then no one knew where he was, then he showed up at his house (although he and his mother have a poor relationship), and afterwards disappeared. There are many temptations on the street for him to return to his former lifestyle, so please, please pray for him. Pray for his protection, for resistance to temptation, and for reconciliation...with God, foremost, but also with his mother. And pray that he will return to the Foundation.
-------
Also, I have posted more pictures (see how ridiculous this all seems in light of the previous paragraph)...hopefully you will be able to find them from the link in a blog or two back. I don't know how often I will be posting pictures in the future either...probably also more sporadically (or maybe regularly, but without titles & descriptions, because they take up time)
I'm sorry for those who have enjoyed reading my "adventures" (not so sure why, haha), but I need to try to keep both feet in Christ and in Colombia.
-------
Oh, another quick thing. I know this is going to sound crazy, but I'm considering getting laser eye surgery while I'm down here. It only costs $500, for BOTH eyes. In the states it can range from $2-3000, I think. Brian told me about all of this, and that it's completely safe. I normally wouldn't spend my money on such things, but I after thinking about it, I realized I would be saving thousands of dollars over the course of my life, without having to buy glasses/contacts every few years or pay for eye doctor appointments. It seems like a reasonable investment to me...what do you guys think?
BTW, for those of you who may wonder, understandably, if I would be using the money you so generously gave to me for this trip for eye surgery, I wouldn't be...this money is from elsewhere.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Bloggity blog blog
To be honest, I'm not really in a blogging mood right now (I'm somewhat exhausted), but I decided it would be better to go ahead and do it now while I have the time rather than wait until I AM in a blogging mood. So, if I don't sound very enthusiatic about my awesome week, I do apologize.
It's hard to believe I've been here three weeks already! Time flies...etc, etc. This week, as I told you in the last blog, I was at the boys' farm this whole week. I am surprised at how well my relationships are developing despite the language barrier (which, btw, is being torn down rapidly...only two people at the farm speak English, so I have learned a LOT). I can already see that it's going to rip me apart when I have to leave in June. One kid has already asked for my mailing address, so I'm pretty pumped about keeping that up. It will be so much cooler than Facebook.
I've been doing a lot of English instruction this week. Two of the boys, Yilmar and Carlos, who have both been taking English lessons from others, are very eager to learn. They can speak a little bit in complete sentences, but not much...mostly a mix of words...but they've improved a lot even over this past week! I've told them that when I'm talking with them, I'll try to speak in English the whole time unless they absolutely can't understand, in which case I will speak in Spanish. I'm also becoming good friends with Veronica, who I mentioned in my last blog, and we're helping each other out a lot with English and Spanish (we call each other profesor/a). (Oh, and for those of you who will raise your eyebrows at me mentioning a girl...no, it's not going to happen.)
A lot of what I've been doing this week has been working with the construction/maintenance man at the farm, whose name is Fernando. The reason for this is because it's a good position for one who is still in the process of learning Spanish, but it gives me a chance to develop relationships with the boys as well. I did a lot of grunt work (where Fernando did the main stuff and I just helped here and there), plus a few things with the boys...painting, digging post holes, cleaning cement mess, mixing cement, installing a door, etc. etc. I'm not a big fan of manual labor, and I don't feel guilty saying that, but it has been a good experience for me (something I think everyone should do here and there). The cement messes were a humbling experience (there were probably about 10 of them).
I was asked the other day if I had experienced culture shock yet...I haven't. This person told me it would probably be soon...that it normally takes about a month. Supposedly a girl who stayed here for about six months (and just recently left), after about a month of being here, went through a phase where she pretty much didn't want anything to do with anybody and wanted to go home. I really don't think that's going to happen to me...I think I'm going to rebuke culture shock, haha. I've hardly had any frustrations down here thus far in terms of just being a different culture/context...I've gotten over the whole Spanish thing...other than that, unless you count ice-cold showers in 50-something degree weather (which has been humbling and a good experience regardless) and the lack of drinking water (a problem which has now been fixed, as there is a store within walking distance of the farm which sells gallons of water), I've been fine.
I plan on leaving the worship team at the foundation. There are a few reasons for this, the main one being that the weekend needs to be a time of rest and prayer for me, along with getting some things done that I can't do at the farm, and having that 2-3 hour practice on Saturdays (plus the 40 minutes-1 hour time span it takes to get both there and back on a bus/taxi) does not allow for it. I might still do a "special" song on occasion (which I'm supposed to be doing this coming Sunday), and I would love to help teach one of the boys there who's learning to play piano (so that he can start playing with the group)...so hopefully I can help out in those aspects. I have yet to break all of this to the leader, so pray that it won't be too much of a struggle when I do (I've already spoken of the persistence of the people here).
I want to take one of the boys at the farm home with me. His name is Marlon, he's 9 years old (though he looks more like 7), and is probably the cutest kid I have ever seen. It's funny, because I have a hard enough time understanding some of the kids as it is, but he also has a speech impediment to go on top of it (he pronounces his "R's" like "L's"). Hopefully I will get my new pictures posted online this weekend, which include some of him. I also got a video of him singing a song, but I doubt I'll have any way to post that. The boys here call me, along with all of the other adults, tutors, etc., "tío" and "tía," which mean uncle and aunt. For me, it's very endearing. Also, a lot of people have been calling me "Nico," their version of Nick, which is short for "Nicolas." I think I like it better than Nick (it's actually what I've wanted to call my first son, if I ever end up having kids).
With all that has been going on here, I had completely forgotten that next week is Holy Week. Supposedly, most of the kids won't be at the farm next week, but will be on vacation. Veronica asked me if I could pay some special attention to two of the kids who will be there, because if I understood her correctly, they don't have anyone to go home to. So I look forward to getting to know them and encouraging them.
There are many other details, but I'm actually going to spare them this time. I have other things I need to get done, plus two of the boys from the farm are staying here at B&K's this weekend.
So, ciao.
It's hard to believe I've been here three weeks already! Time flies...etc, etc. This week, as I told you in the last blog, I was at the boys' farm this whole week. I am surprised at how well my relationships are developing despite the language barrier (which, btw, is being torn down rapidly...only two people at the farm speak English, so I have learned a LOT). I can already see that it's going to rip me apart when I have to leave in June. One kid has already asked for my mailing address, so I'm pretty pumped about keeping that up. It will be so much cooler than Facebook.
I've been doing a lot of English instruction this week. Two of the boys, Yilmar and Carlos, who have both been taking English lessons from others, are very eager to learn. They can speak a little bit in complete sentences, but not much...mostly a mix of words...but they've improved a lot even over this past week! I've told them that when I'm talking with them, I'll try to speak in English the whole time unless they absolutely can't understand, in which case I will speak in Spanish. I'm also becoming good friends with Veronica, who I mentioned in my last blog, and we're helping each other out a lot with English and Spanish (we call each other profesor/a). (Oh, and for those of you who will raise your eyebrows at me mentioning a girl...no, it's not going to happen.)
A lot of what I've been doing this week has been working with the construction/maintenance man at the farm, whose name is Fernando. The reason for this is because it's a good position for one who is still in the process of learning Spanish, but it gives me a chance to develop relationships with the boys as well. I did a lot of grunt work (where Fernando did the main stuff and I just helped here and there), plus a few things with the boys...painting, digging post holes, cleaning cement mess, mixing cement, installing a door, etc. etc. I'm not a big fan of manual labor, and I don't feel guilty saying that, but it has been a good experience for me (something I think everyone should do here and there). The cement messes were a humbling experience (there were probably about 10 of them).
I was asked the other day if I had experienced culture shock yet...I haven't. This person told me it would probably be soon...that it normally takes about a month. Supposedly a girl who stayed here for about six months (and just recently left), after about a month of being here, went through a phase where she pretty much didn't want anything to do with anybody and wanted to go home. I really don't think that's going to happen to me...I think I'm going to rebuke culture shock, haha. I've hardly had any frustrations down here thus far in terms of just being a different culture/context...I've gotten over the whole Spanish thing...other than that, unless you count ice-cold showers in 50-something degree weather (which has been humbling and a good experience regardless) and the lack of drinking water (a problem which has now been fixed, as there is a store within walking distance of the farm which sells gallons of water), I've been fine.
I plan on leaving the worship team at the foundation. There are a few reasons for this, the main one being that the weekend needs to be a time of rest and prayer for me, along with getting some things done that I can't do at the farm, and having that 2-3 hour practice on Saturdays (plus the 40 minutes-1 hour time span it takes to get both there and back on a bus/taxi) does not allow for it. I might still do a "special" song on occasion (which I'm supposed to be doing this coming Sunday), and I would love to help teach one of the boys there who's learning to play piano (so that he can start playing with the group)...so hopefully I can help out in those aspects. I have yet to break all of this to the leader, so pray that it won't be too much of a struggle when I do (I've already spoken of the persistence of the people here).
I want to take one of the boys at the farm home with me. His name is Marlon, he's 9 years old (though he looks more like 7), and is probably the cutest kid I have ever seen. It's funny, because I have a hard enough time understanding some of the kids as it is, but he also has a speech impediment to go on top of it (he pronounces his "R's" like "L's"). Hopefully I will get my new pictures posted online this weekend, which include some of him. I also got a video of him singing a song, but I doubt I'll have any way to post that. The boys here call me, along with all of the other adults, tutors, etc., "tío" and "tía," which mean uncle and aunt. For me, it's very endearing. Also, a lot of people have been calling me "Nico," their version of Nick, which is short for "Nicolas." I think I like it better than Nick (it's actually what I've wanted to call my first son, if I ever end up having kids).
With all that has been going on here, I had completely forgotten that next week is Holy Week. Supposedly, most of the kids won't be at the farm next week, but will be on vacation. Veronica asked me if I could pay some special attention to two of the kids who will be there, because if I understood her correctly, they don't have anyone to go home to. So I look forward to getting to know them and encouraging them.
There are many other details, but I'm actually going to spare them this time. I have other things I need to get done, plus two of the boys from the farm are staying here at B&K's this weekend.
So, ciao.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Plan
Okay, I really need to get to bed right now, so I'm going to try to type all of this very quickly.
I will be leaving for the boys' farm again tomorrow morning and will be there until this Friday evening (as far as I know...things change a lot here). I will not have Internet access during the week. This may end up being a regular routine...farm during the week, B&K's on the weekend.
I played today at the church service and it went pretty well (we got to practice yesterday). However, I probably will not be continuing with the group. More on that later.
Brian, Jonathan, and Isaac have left. Laurie will be here until April 6th.
The water park with the girls on Friday was fun times.
I have posted my first round of pictures on Photobucket. I'm really ticked off right now because the pictures are all out of order....you'll just have to try and figure them out (I think they're more backwards in terms of date taken right now, with a few randomly strewn out.) Hopefully I will get it fixed next weekend. Here's the link: http://s728.photobucket.com/albums/ww282/8BrickNady8/Colombia%201/
I'm sorry for being slow to respond to emails and comments, but I assure you that I have read them all, and appreciate them very much. I will do my best to respond, but know that if I don't, it's only because my time is limited.
Hmmm...that was a lot easier. Maybe I should do this kind of blog more often...
I will be leaving for the boys' farm again tomorrow morning and will be there until this Friday evening (as far as I know...things change a lot here). I will not have Internet access during the week. This may end up being a regular routine...farm during the week, B&K's on the weekend.
I played today at the church service and it went pretty well (we got to practice yesterday). However, I probably will not be continuing with the group. More on that later.
Brian, Jonathan, and Isaac have left. Laurie will be here until April 6th.
The water park with the girls on Friday was fun times.
I have posted my first round of pictures on Photobucket. I'm really ticked off right now because the pictures are all out of order....you'll just have to try and figure them out (I think they're more backwards in terms of date taken right now, with a few randomly strewn out.) Hopefully I will get it fixed next weekend. Here's the link: http://s728.photobucket.com/albums/ww282/8BrickNady8/Colombia%201/
I'm sorry for being slow to respond to emails and comments, but I assure you that I have read them all, and appreciate them very much. I will do my best to respond, but know that if I don't, it's only because my time is limited.
Hmmm...that was a lot easier. Maybe I should do this kind of blog more often...
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