So, we are almost at the end of month 5. Crazy. How did that happen? We are definitely approaching a big transition point as we have been in Latin America for 5 months and shortly we will be moving on to Asia and Africa. So as it is a transition point, I thought it only appropriate to write a reflective blog, an overview if you will. So, here is a look back over the first 5 months and a little glimpse into each country:
I liked: Having free time and eating lots of ice cream. Walking to our ministry site every day. Drinking delicious coffee out in a nearby village
I loathed: Having the kids play with/pull my hair every day. Getting stung by a jellyfish.
I loved: Yelling in the field and watching the sun rise over the mountains
I learned: That I have a lot of things to express and work through
I laughed: When we had a dance party in the kitchen
I liked: The beautiful landscape, playing soccer at the really nice outdoor fields, puting on galloshes and jumping in puddles while it rained, pulverizing rocks with a sledge hammer.
I loathed: Constantly doing the “hurry up and wait.” Packing and unpacking 10 times throughout the month.
I loved: Learning how to suture from David, the families we stayed with, and the people at the churches.
I learned: That I really can speak Spanish. Being the weakest one is difficult and humbling. That God really does come through and gives you miracles.
I liked: All the amazing food and juices our pastor’s wife made us. The sweet mototaxis that were everywhere in Chepen
I loathed: Dulce the attention seeking, yippy dog that would expell excrement wherever he was in the house when the need arose.
I learned: To have more confidence when interacting with people.
I liked: volcano surfing, zip lining, playing sports with the kids, playing on the church softball team, napping in hammocks
I loathed: The fact that all activities started at least an hour late; needing to go to the funeral of a 16 year old
I learned: To have more patience, that growth comes through difficult times, that I can be a good communicator
I laughed: When all the girls got dressed up in Granada and then the guys met us at the restaurant dressed up in short jean shorts, snug little shirts and trucker hats. When squealing pigs were loaded on to the top of the school bus we were riding on. When there was a thunderstorm while we were sleeping in a rancho (tiki hut). The door to the rancho wouldn’t really stay shut, so I got a little misted through my mosquito netting, and I remember looking up at the straw roof and realizing that that was the only thing seperating me from the torrential downpour.
