We got to Calama, Chile on October 12th after 3 flights, 2 layovers, and 1 twenty two hour bus ride. We soon found out that we would be teaching English at a Montessori school down the road. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to!
My team in Atlanta at launch before we flew to Boston
Jen and Rashelle, looking especially chipper before our overnight flight from Houston to Santiago.
An aerial view of the mountains of Chile
Exploring our new home for the month, Calama, Chile
Our new friend, Dakota, who belongs to our host family. She really loves toes!
For our Saturday ministry we go out to a “feria” (basically a flea market that is on the sidewalk of our neighborhood in Calama). We pass out treats, either toys or balloons, to the children and then ask if we can pray for them – “Puedo orar por ti”.
Here is my teammate, Jen, dancing with a little girl we met at the feria named Karen. Before this picture was taken, Karen had taken me and Jen around introducing us to all her friends and family who were selling things at the feria.
On Wednesday – Friday we go to the local Montessori school and teach English. This is Alli getting ready for our morning class.
The seniors did a presentation on English speaking countries for their end of the year project and wanted a picture with the “gringas”.
Our team also has a couple days off each week and we like to explore the cities and sights around us.
Our first adventure day we headed 3 hours away to Antofagasta to visit the beach. Here we are at a local waterside restaurant.
The next week we headed to San Pedro. Jaclyn, Rashelle, and I trekked up these ancient Chilean ruins and could see over the whole city all the way to the mountains.
We learned that these ruins date all the way back to the BC era
This carving was right before the entrance of a cave in the side of the mountain we had climbed.
An archway right before the entrance to the cave
It was pretty tight at first!
Once we passed through the tight entrance, the cave opened up
Rashelle making her way through the dark cave
My team on the streets of San Pedro
This is a shot of us in a bus on the way to San Pedro with another team who had joined us for the trip.
Matt, from the other team, bonded quickly with our host, Marcos
Our team is getting to know each other pretty quickly. Especially during ‘speed dating’ sessions like this one!
We are only in Calama for about nine more days before we head off to Valparaiso for our debrief. Then we head to Argentina! I am still about $4500 from my end goal and need your help to reach it! If you feel led to donate any amount, please do! Every little bit counts.
<3 <3
