Since the last blog I have slowly been meeting Bolivians - some amazing people

Here are the two teams competing in a food competition.

Last night was a celebration day for Bolivia - they burned fires and partied hard.  I partied hard with the church.  We played games that I have never ever seen before and ate hot dogs.  One of the games I participated in included finding bible passages.  There were two teams of four and we had to find a passage and run to the microphone to read it before the other team.  The losing team would get hit in the head with pillows and have shaving cream sprayed all over them.  We lost quite a bit so I got a lot of shaving cream sprayed on me.  It  took a while to catch on to why in the world people with gorrilla masks were spraying me with white foamie stuff.

We got a ride home last night in an awesome jeep

At this event I met two awesome girls, Nidia and Eliana.  Nidia is from Sucre, Bolivia - from what I've heard a BEAUTIFUL place.  She moved here about a year ago and ..basically...is going to be my new best friend...maybe.  We clicked - it was awesome.  Eliana is her friend from the Amazon - Eliana comes from deep in the Amazon where there are paranas and I forgot all the other animals but basically a ton of wild animals.  She said that a lot of people get really sick there.  Eliana met Nidia through her Uncle, Jorge (of the jungle as he told me) who is a Bolivian doctor.  From what I understood - he has traveled all over to small communities as a doctor.  I am super excited to get to know their stories - so stay tuned for more of that.

The kids showing their photos

Yesterday we visited the orphanage that houses 11 kids.  A group from Michigan was visiting last week and gave each child a backpack with a coloring sheet inside with an "about me" section to send to their church in the States.  The kids completed the coloring sheet while we were there and spent so much time making sure the coloring was good and beautiful.  It was so touching to see how much care they were putting into these colorings.  Every Friday and Saturday we visit the kids and before we leave they have a snack of crackers and pop.  Before eating, they all pray in whispers at the same time.  I can overhear small things in their prayers and it is precious.  Each one of these kids has a different story of how they ended up at the hacienda - and to see God working in their lives is such a blessing. It's the truth.  :)

The kids coloring the pictures

Small things that have happened that deserve a small note.  1.  When I leave the country - my absent mindedness/memory does not improve as I would have hoped.  Yesterday forgot the key so when I got dropped off, almost attempted to climb the wall in but after many rings to the house- someone answered.  I felt so bad.  Yesterday we also took a special trip to buy a cell phone - I forgot my passport/identification so it was a wasted trip.  At least I know where to go.  2. my roommate went to culinary school!!! I think it's God's way of telling me I need to learn how to cook.  I already helped (a little) in making a chicken dish - and by a little - I mean I helped with shopping.  Small steps.  I now know ingredients.
3) Thank you for being my friends...and family.  Before I left I was given a scrapbook with a page completed by friends and family and it really means a lot to me.  I have the scrapbook next to my bed and sometimes at night I'll just go through it before bed.  Thank you.

palm trees everywhere. srange

I'm leaving right now to play soccer!!  Someone at church said he found me a team to play on and so at 5 I am meeting him at the church to go over to play.  It's so weird not having a cell phone and just having to meet people places without having a clue where to go.  Don't worry mom - I"M SAFE! :) hahaha  I"m so nervous about soccer in this high altitude.  We'll see!

I hope this Sunday goes well for everyone.  You're all in my thoughts - that's no lie.

Alison Garza