Bolivia is incredible.  There aren't really any other words for it.  The race honestly just keeps getting better and better as we enter each new country which means by the time we get to Asia I'll be in this constant state of euphoria!  But this blog's about Cochabamba, Bolivia so let's get to it!

The view from the orphanage!  BEAUTIFUL!
 
Living Situation
I am living in an orphanage!  That's right!  Remember that blog where I talked about wondering where the orphans and widows were?  Well I found the orphans!  And they are adorable!  Seriously adorable!  There are about 30 kids here ranging in age between 4 and 18.  The majority are girls and all of them are pretty great!  (also almost all of them have runny noses all.the.time. so I need to start carrying tissues in my pockets!).  We are sleeping in one room by ourselves in cute little beds with cute little sheets and what I assume are handmade quilts. 
 

Playing games today.  The boy in front is Rodriggo and he ALWAYS has a runny nose!  I kind of love him.

 
We eat breakfast and lunch with them every day, we help them get ready in the morning for school, we drive and pick them up from school, we help them with their homework and hang out the rest of the time with them.  My hand is almost never without another little hand in it, if I'm sitting my lap is almost never without another little body on it, my mouth is almost never without a smile on it and my brain is almost never without a prayer going through it that they will grow up knowing love, that God will always be enough for them.  I could not be happier here. 

Oh wait…THERE'S HOT WATER IN MY SHOWER!!!  I had come to accept that I would have cold showers for the 11 months except for random travel days so this is incredible and huge.  I no longer dread showering and will actually be the clean kid this month!  And there's a closest so I got to unpack my pack for the first time and it was wonderful!


 
Contacts
So let's just all agree that the assumption that people who want to run/work with orphans because they love Jesus means they are incredible beyond words is a true statement.  Because it is!  We are kind of working with the whole staff and they have just been so great.  They are letting us make up our own ministry this month and have been super supportive and helpful.  Another awesome part is one of the staff, Edgar, is super passionate about us really learning about Bolivia so he's going to take us sightseeing and out for traditional meals.  That's something I missed in Ecuador and Peru–I only knew about the churches we were with not more cultural things
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So if when I come back I have two Bolivian children with me don't be surprised.  Moses and Elizabeth have absolutely stolen my heart and I just want to hug them and love them all day, every day!


This is Moses.  Isn't he adorable beyond words?!!?  He totally rocks those footie pajamas!  He was abandoned and I can't figure out why because he is the sweetest, cutest boy in all of Bolivia!

 

This is Elizabeth and that smile…always.on.her.face.  She is one of the most joyful children I have ever met!  I haven't learned her story yet and I kind of don't because I know it'll break my heart.  Every night she asks for a good night kiss and I could cry with happiness and love!

So hopefully now you can see why there may be an addition to my family when I get back 🙂  I'm sure I'll have more stories and pictures of these cute kids!  Seriously, adorable beyond words!

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*One of my squadmates Kelly is AWESOME and she's not fully funded yet 🙁  She only has until Oct. 1st!  Could you please pray for her?  And read her blog and you'll see right away why she needs to stay on the race!