I still haven't processed yet where in the world I am

You will never guess what I ate for dinner... Ramon Noodles! That's right, Cochabamba has them too - and I still can't cook..yet. I arrived in Bolivia this morning around 6:30 a.m. and in Cochabamba at 9. I understood that things would be different, but it still hasn't hit home how different. The air smells different, and it's dry and dusty. I am going to have to figure out how to take photos without being obvious or robbed. People get robbed here and apparently it's real tricky, you don't even know you're being robbed when it happens. Upon arrival I met an intern named Lindsey and Katherine. They took me around Cochabamba to visit some places. In order to get around here we use things called trufis...which are basically jammed packed vans or cars that you pay 1.75 bolivianos to ride (25 cents). They drive fast and are kind of intimidating, you have to speak up and say "baja a la esquina" whenever you want to get dropped off. As a directionally challenged human being - this may be difficult because the roads are not gridlocked and are all crazy. Our first stop was at the Nutrition Center where infants stay to gain proper nutrition and be cared after. Some of the babies have parents who leave the babies at the center and visit them as often (or not) as they can and others were abandoned shortly after birth. This was crazy to see - the babies are lying in cribs in rooms on their backs barely moving. I'm assuming they are latent due to their lack of nutrition. I was able to pick them up and try and make them smile sometimes. I am a horrible baby holder - and it was awkward - I will gain practice though. A woman there was with her baby and introduced me to her son, bellmar, kind of like a beautiful ocean, if you translate it. Her baby had issues at birth and she was referred to this place where she has to leave him to gain proper care. She visits everyday to hold her baby boy and was really sweet. I think the shocker for me was when I was talking to her and she just kind of...exposed her breast completely and proceeded to baby feed. My eyes were locked so intensly on her face the entire time, she probably noticed. We stopped more places after but I don't want to make this super long. In the afternoon a group of people from Michigan returned to the guest house, where I am currently staying. 15 people from HOLLAND (weird that's where I went to college) are here until next Friday. I went along with them to see a ministry that serves street kids who sniff glue. I will get back to yall with more on the ministry as I learn more. Basically medical people go and give medications or stitch up wounds that occur. The kids have been described as rough and generally get into fist fights or end up falling from being so high. I am still processing everything. I tried to have conversations with some of the teens in Spanish but it was a little hard to do because they were giggly and spacy. It feels so out of place walking to a group of people with glue bottles up to their nose and to try and talk with them...as a foreigner..from a group of a bunch of foreigners. Out of my comfort zone. There is a bit of a transition occurring here from what I understand. Everything is up in the air. I am an adaptable person...but this is MEGA adaptable/flexible. Please....please....please...I"m not begging or anything...but really please...pray for the team here, and for me. A lot of stuff is happening - if this seems ambiguous to you - it's just as ambiguous to me. I'm gong to steal what Lindsey said she's asked for prayer in...discernment for the team as big decisions are made. Also, will be living out of my suitcases for the next couple days as we have guest here..it's laying in the hallway right now. You have to throw your toilet paper in the trash. I decided to suck up my fear and empty the trashcan...almost gagged but I did it. BRAVE. I'll update more as I can. Can't believe I"m here. I am at peace about being here, but there is so much uncertainty. Thank you for your prayers. Ciao, Alison Garza

IM LEAVVVVINNNNNG.... worst seats ever. Middle the whole way - that's what I get for forgetting to update. BYES

One More Full Day

Tonight I am blogging fron my droid phone. I am currently laying in bed next to a floor full of clothes and an open suitcase. My dresser is full of purchases to be packed andmy mnd is full of anticipation and bewilderment. "this is really happrning? I am gping for real? What is it going to be like? When I return, how will things be different.? gosh golly gee the stars were awesome tonight..ouuuu i wonder how thll look ineBolivia.. you know those kinds of thoughts. ive been asked a lot what exactly Ill be doing therr, its a tough question to answer because even I dont. know yet. There are many different ministries and it will be interesting to see how lil ole Alison G fits into all this. please excuse the spelling mistakes; it is 2 a.m. so Im going to sleep. :)

Proof of your love

1 week and 2 days.

Crazy.  Crazy.  Crazy.  In an hour I'll be on my way to Orozco Academy in Chicago to say goodbye to some teachers and staff.  Goodbyes are weird.

This past weekend I went on a retreat with some people from Willow Creek - it was very laid back and we canoed and I'm getting buff!

Jessica - amazon woman

 I went with my friend Jessica to the Indiana Dunes.  We went off the trail and ended up along a stream for a while, that was probably my favorite part of our hike.  We ended up crossing logs over streams and just went wherever we wanted without any idea of where we were.  Turns out we didn't go very far - but it was cool.


This song is amazing - and I will be listening to it on repeat until I leave next week.  I am ready for the next 6 months.  I have no idea what in the world will happen, what I will see or experience, and how things will be when I come back; all I know is I'm going with the support of friends and family and a God who loves me.  I have never felt so loved by friends and family these past few weeks - I'm going to use that love I've received to share it with others.  Thank yous.

The Proof Of Your Love

Alison Garza

What Ep!?

I am procrastinating again - taking a break?  Not wanting to study.

My Grandpa told me today that procrastination runs in our family, but that it saves stress.  Instead of thinking about something for a long time and worrying about it, you only have to work hard and think about it for less time!  Here are some quick Updates.

1.  It's mothers day!

My mother is awesome.  I have a big example to live up to and am very grateful for all the hard work and love she has poured into our family.  Just as my mother is awesome, so is my grandma.  :)  Grandma Margaret is on it!  She is really organized and basically everything I want to be.  If I could be a laid back version of Grandma Margaret, my mother, and ... mother teresa - that would be insane.  That's ok though, I like how God made me and continues to work in my life.







2. Lisie's home!

Lisie came home last week.  She is currently sharing a room with me, this morning I filmed her snoring and than woke her up so I could show her the evidence that she snores (sorry lisie!) good times!  Also, at church today the speaker talked about hard ware goggles and choosing someone to share the joys and trials in life. Lisie grabbed the notecard and wrote her name and my name by the goggles.  Now we are "goggle buddies."  She likes to sit close to me because we are "goggle buddies" and demand I"m extra nice to her because we are "goggle buddies," and give into her peer pressure for anything because we are "goggle buddies." She also likes to make goggle sign language whenever I'm in the room.  It's nice having Lisie home.

3. Grandpa is preparing me for the mission field!

My Uncle Nate (above) and Grandpa are working on a mobile chicken coop house with free range prototype for the orphanage in Africa. They are building/designing it in the garage.  Grandpa was drilling holes with these cool tools and than called me over - he said "Hey, Alison, come over here let me teach you this stuff since you're going to be a missionary." Basically, they taught me how to drill holes and than place the screws in!  It is a lot of fun and I got the hang of it over time.



Found this music video this week - LECRAE dum dum

Also - for the detail oriented...The flight time on the previous post is wrong.  I think it's at 4:15 - minor detail.
Happy Mothers Day!!!

Alison

#boughttickettoboliviaitsofficialicantbelieveitwowza

I BOUGHT THE TICKET!!!

It is officially official

I leave: June 14th, 2012 5:40 p.m.

I return: December 21, 2012 8:25 p.m.

In other news, this past weekend I went to a peace rally with some kids from Orozco.  I will be adding photos soon! but until than, I have this one.

song of the day : Float on - Modest Mouse.  Heard it in the car and was singing to it all blasted.

Later dayz :)

Wake Up

Missed the train.  More like, I ran to the pay slots at the station, only to realize I didn't have money with me, so naturally had to turn around and walk back to my truck as the train pulled away.  But it's all good!  It gave extra time to pack lunch for today, and discover this youtube video. I highly suggest you watch it.

Sons and Daughters - wake up

Here we stand,
Our hearts are yours,
Not our will,
But yours be done.


Alison Garza