I’m finding it harder to blog as the “World Race life” is more and more becoming my normal.
After 10 months of new culture, new faces, new friendships, new ministries, new ways of doing life (like putting the toilet paper in a trash can, or taking a “shower” from a pitcher, or spending 40+ hours on a bus every month watching Taken 2), it’s become easy for me to forget that maybe these things are still new to you.
So here is the rundown on my month in Chile so far…
- We crossed the border from Bolivia to Chile at sunset, and were greeted with a most breathtaking view.
- At 4:30am we arrived in Iquique where we waited 8 hours for our next bus. Sleeping in this pile of packs was the best sleep I’ve gotten in quite a long time.
- 30(ish) hours and two more buses later, we arrived at the compound; our new home for the month!
- We have a full kitchen (refrigerator included!), AND a water heater! This is a beautiful device for making tea, coffee, doing laundry, and having a hot bucket shower (or bath, depending on our dedication)!
- Mornings here are also quite pleasant… the sounds and smells remind me of camping in Maine.
- Meet our family for the month: Terry and Jaime Young, and their two children Cailyn and Eli, have lived here for over 2 years, working Youth for Christ. They welcomed us in immediately and have been loving us so well!
- It’s springtime here in Quilpué, Chile, and that means it is warm during the day, and really really cold at night. But look! I can finally use my tent!
- Tents are also great for sleepovers! We entertained these little nuggets for the night so their parents could get some much needed rest. Who’s up for popcorn and a movie?!
- Springtime in Chile is just like springtime in the States, and that means… yard work!
Hacking, whacking, chopping, mowing, painting, digging, mixing, building… we do it all!
- 3 times a week the center is open to the neighborhood kids. These days are full and exhausting, but so much fun when work involves play!
- Once a week we plan a dinner/game night to encourage and say “gracias” to the volunteers.
- On our free days (or even sometimes after a workday), we explore… Adventure is out there!
- Chile has over 3,000 plants that are unique to it’s country. How cool?!
- Here are some weeds we found in the back yard…
- Through all the busyness, we must not forget to stop and give thanks… especially on Canadian Thanksgiving!
- And it always helps to have a Canadian on the team to sing the national anthem. 😉
All in all, Chile has been good to us. Time is passing by slowly here, which is a nice change. I am soaking up the springtime, the people, the great outdoors, even the yard-work. It’s been a restful month. Even though we are keeping busy, and I have not been sleeping well, I have been spending my time wisely. We have mornings free; free for reading, studying, praying, running. Most evenings are spent with the team until we turn off the lights around 10 or 11pm. Although this is becoming my normal, it’s not any less exciting. It’s fun, beautiful, and really hard sometimes. Every day is full. And I am thankful to be here.
