It has been a wonderful time in Chile so far! Our first week or so included a lot of helping with the family and home, and building relationships, as well as teaching English, and helping with Iglesia Bautista–our church. I have loved living in community, and I’ve laughed so much lately talking with my team! Also, speaking Spanglish is awesome and all–glad I know as much as a I do, but I want to be fluent, I’m eager to learn more more!! The people of Chile are very welcoming and kind. Here’s a look at how the first week went.
The first day in Chile, we arrived and had a lovely meal with our host family and then rode to town to get a SIM card for our team phones and hit up the ATM.
It was decided that half of the team will be going to the elementary and middle school during the day to teach English and the other half will go to adult night school and eventually to the high school during the day. Me, Cristina, and Wendy are in the latter group. Prior to the English Institute, we helped clear out some brush. I asked Elvirita our host if prisoners here wear orange suits because in America they do. She though this was funny and told the construction worker I thought he was a prisoner. He thought that was funny and wanted to be in our picture.
Here’s a couple shots from the English Institute. Being there is absolutely one for my very favorite parts of being in Chile! The environment is very friendly, and I adore getting to know these great people. We laugh so much together. We made plans to hike together this weekend and there’s a BBQ at the end of the month!
I love how in Chile we all eat together at the table! The food here is quite good as well. Eating in the backyard is a beautiful time together! Check out the video at the bottom of the screen to see fun times joking at the table and to hear our mealtime song.
Fridays are our day for adventures. Our good friend Fernando is the best at showing us around and translating for us. So thankful for this friendship!! He spent six years in Houston, TX so his English is great!! He took us to San Felipe to see a beautiful popular church and the monestary. We lived like locals this day, hung out in parks, ate at authentic Chilean restaurants–I ordered the seafood soup–had no clue it would be a big bowl of clams! New experiences are certainly happening here–and when I was getting a beaded wire thing sewn into my hair, I just heard a snip and was handed a bunch of my hair… such spontaneity happening! I met some fun twelve year olds on the bus (we took six this day) and the kids played American music for me on their phones. I joined some kids for some volleyball for a moment (video below). All these little moments just brighten my day so much! 
Saturday is our day of rest! We went to the park in town–the main square and enjoyed the beauty all around. The other pictures were taken on the walk home. This place is NOT boring. One moment that was beautiful and enjoyable was watching a father and daughter laugh and play in the park for about an hour. They rolled around in the grass and ate ice cream and it was so lovely to see, there were many parents there with their children.
On Sundays, church is in the evening and there is a dinner beforehand. I led worship on the guitar and the team sang with me! We actually did a song in Spanish and in English. The church members really enjoyed us being there which was so sweet. (video was lost) but we shall take another this Sunday! check out us being ridiculo! 😛
Monday was a holiday for teachers so we went with the whole family to a beautiful place that honors the first woman in Chile to be named a saint. We picnicked with BBQ meat we cooked overnight in the crockpot and I sewed my dress for two hours. Very relaxing day. Went to the English institute that night as well.
On Tuesdays, there is a big market down our street. We set up shop selling clothes! Also we tried authentic Chilean mote! Made with fruit juice, fruit, and mote which I think is barley.
Wednesday–me, Wendy, and Cristina went to pray for people with Fernando to translate! It was a great day! People were encouraged and God’s timing for us was good because it seemed we were right on time to pray for people’s needs. We brought lots of smiles to the faces of others. Also pictured is us picking up trash. I LOVE the street dogs but unfortunately the spread a lot of basura.
