ArrivIng with more gratefulness than I've ever known.

I'm here!

Bare with me as I try to explain a zillion and one things in English, a language I haven't  heard much of in the last few days. Definition of scatter brained.
I arrived in Cochabamba a little before lunch yesterday. The family that is hosting me has been very kind and hospitable. The house is beautiful. I have not had much of a chance to visit the city but that will come within the next week.

 To explain the title of this post I am very excited to share how faithful and awesome my God is.
Leading up to my departure from The States I was overwhelmed with stress and worry and fear.
I had never flown before and was preparing for 4 different flights, one internationally, one headed straight for Miami- at corresponding times as Hurricane Issac, and my last flight only if I had made it through customs and immigration entering a foreign country.

As I walked the terminal to my first flight my hands began to shake. I had just said goodbye to the people I love the most and would not see them for a year. It's a thought not even I can wrap my head around yet.
I began to pray.
As soon as I boarded I realized what control God had over my life and my every situation.
I was full of peace and joy. He had placed a different person on every flight to show me his faithfulness. In the next 20 hours I met and sat beside a couple from small town Independence, Iowa who had kayaked and hiked all over South America, a Korean missionary couple headed for La Paz, Bolivia, and a father heading to his native country, Bolivia, to pick up his family from a extended vacation.
I spoke Spanish almost every flight and was drilled about Bolivian culture, politics, government, customs/immigration and the future plans for my stay.

When I landed in Bolivia it was still dark. The most difficult part of customs/immigration was simply staying awake while waiting in line. Another answered prayer.
When I retrieved my last ticket that would send me to Cochabamba I found just enough time to watch my first Bolivian sunrise over the mountains in La Paz. It was incredible to see God's grace shown through His beauty even in this distant country.

I could not be more grateful. My travels were perfect. Nothing could have gone more smoothly and God could not possibly be taking care of me and more. I am safe and I am in a home with a family that loves the Lord. I am so blessed and thankful!!!

This afternoon we are headed to the center to meet the children. My family expressed some of the difficulties the children deal with and how happy they are to have me here volunteering.
I can't stop thanking God for bringing me here. As I was reading Esther this morning the words "for such a time as this." really sunk in. I don't know why but God has brought me here for a reason.
God wants to work through me and I cannot wait to be his servant here.


Hopefully this wasn't too long!
Thank you for all your love and prayers!