"Confidencia en Dios"

Culture shock: Sudden exposure to a different culture.

Confusion: Lack of clearness and distinction in everything.

   Many warned me before I came of "culture shock" and I was completely aware that I would struggle with that but what I am experiencing here is quite a surprise. I'm not "freaked out" or shocked by this culture, I am merely confused. I am grateful for my Spanish because I am able to communicate fairly well but I am in a constant state of unsureness. I am unsure of the question I was just asked, unsure if my verb tense is correct when I speak, and usually unsure as to what the plans are for the next 5 minutes. Honestly, I really enjoy knowing the game plan, making a set schedule, being exactly on time, and knowing what is going down! Well, I definitely don't have any of that control now.

 

I have found myself stressed, disappointed, and overwhelmed with things like this: 

• Being unable to charge my laptop (therefore unable to skype with my family for a year).
• Overwhelmed by the process of applying for a Bolivian Visa. So much paperwork to do, copies to make, and errands to run in a strange, large city.
   
• Itching with the desire to speak English to an American who can relate to me. There are a few who can speak English here but not many can relate to what exactly is going on in my head at the moment.
• The inability to be my myself because of the language. I don't know how to be funny or how to joke around when using Spanish.
  
  And many more little things.

 

One afternoon as we walked outside to catch a Trufi (Bolivian Taxi) my host father said to me
"No se triste, confidencia en Dios." ((Don't be sad, Confidence in God.))

  

   At that point my whole out look changed on this adventure! Of course I have known God is in control and I trust Him but I haven't completely put all my worries on Him. Ever. In all my life I have always put confidence in myself. But for some reason those words in Spanish hit me and changed everything.
Since then I have put all my confidence in God. In the littlest things I pray and trust. God has been taking care of me perfectly and will continue to do so if I trust in Him.

"For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught."
Proverbs 3:26

   So instead of filling myself with worry and putting all the stress on my own shoulders I've been choosing to be joyful and to loosen the grasp of control I was trying to have on my every little thing and let God have total control. Ever since, I have found so much happiness in the new experiences and new culture I am submerged in.  Here are some photos of the new culture!

 

The view outside my bedroom window.
A constant reminder of how beauitfully made every little thing is.

A normal street corner in the heart of Cochabamba.
Don't ask me the names of these streets, I'm doing terrible at remembering!

A few venders at 'La Cancha' the market where we find everything we could possibly need to buy! My favorite part of this culture so far.

A tradtional, Bolivian scene. So cool.

A concert on the street on Sunday. It was a pedestrain day where no automobiles were allowed anywhere and everyone walked/biked into the city together.

My host mom, host sister, and I on pedestrian day in the city.

Our home. (Poor shot but so beautiful!)


   With a constant focus of Confidencia en Dios, God has answered every prayer.
I found a way to plug my laptop in and charge it (therefore skyping with my family!!!).
I met Bolivian missionaries from Michigan who just went through all the same culture changes just a few months ago and loved to talk.
I met some of my new church family and was suprisingly very good at my Spanish communication that night; had a great time.
And today I started the proccess of applying for my Visa and with God's control it will be a simple task.

Please pray that God would help me loosen my grip of the steering wheel of my life and that I would give it all over to Him with confidence.

Next I will post pictures and update on The Center and the children!
 To make it easier you can subscribe to my blog & recieve an email when I update! (To your right on this screen "Follow by email".)
 Thank you for your support!