We're building, Ya'll!

So here's the deal...

 

  At the moment our center is being run in a school's facilities. Therefore we follow the school's rules. All too often we have to take days off because the school took the day off (and I mean really often). Though the liberty to share the gospel is a little stronger here than in the U.S. we are limited on the activities we can do with the kids. We come when they open the doors for us and we put their lock on the door as we leave until they open it again. That is why... we're building!

 
  Every Wednesday and Friday, three other workers from the center and I spend our mornings working at the site of our new center. It is up in the mountains, about 5 minutes from the school we are stationed at now. The construction experience I am going through here is a tad different than anything I've ever experienced. With my American family owning a business in the trades I feel like I've experienced quite a lot but, wow. This was all very new to me. I am amazed by the hard work that has already been done. Those before me put in some serious time! When I got here it was well on it's way. But we have some tedious tasks as of right now...

 

 

   We have to cover the floors with medium sized rocks and then fill the spaces with smaller rocks before we put cement in. I spend most of my mornings collecting rocks in the hot sun, taking a pick to a dirt mound, looking for rocks, shoveling dirt loads from one pile only to wheelbarrow it to the next, and even watering the rocks already collected & placed (to help them settle into the right spots before the cement).
I have some serious mixed emotions about construction days here. I love the time of prayer and quietness/fellowship (if some one's working near you), the motivation of knowing why we are doing this, and the chance to stay quite physically fit without hitting a weight room. I'd like to say that's all my feelings towards construction but it is also easy to feel discouraged when we hardly see any progress after a days work. It is easy to feel frustrated when the blisters continue to grow and your body aches for days following. I have to keep reminding myself to do everything with my whole heart, not unto man but unto the Lord!!!

 

(<- The second story, roofless and ready.)
After lots of prayer and support, the money for the roof is on it's way! And though we may not enjoy the hot, rainless days; we can be thankful that God is holding off the rainy season as we prepare to roof the building. This was a concern to all of us and the Lord has answered our prayers, allowing us to start with roof this week or next week!

Once the roof is on there is still lots of work to do. The kids take a "summer break" over Christmas for about two months. When they return in early January we will no longer be able to use the school's facilities. Meaning this construction site will need to be usable by then. Wow!

Even when the kids return here in January we will still have lots of work. We will get some of the rooms working and slowly but steadily continue working on the others and the yard as we gain the time and money.



Keep this project in your prayer, please! Pray;
*That we would continue depending on God's provision in every step.
*That we would not lose heart in the long, tedious work.
*That God would use this center to reach the hearts of the children and their families this January.



(( P.s. I added Ya'll to the title because I miss some English words, like such, that don't have a translation in Spanish. I try & throw them into conversation whenever possible!))

Torn.

Cochabamba, Bolivia

I've been in Bolivia for 8 weeks, today! Wow. Time flies.
Apparently that's how much time it takes to tear your heart into two directions.
I am missing Iowa, my small town, family, and friends every day. But at the same time I am loving the culture and new life I've found here while my heart breaks more and more every day for the families and children of this country. The balance between the two has been really difficult on my head and heart lately...

Center Point, Iowa

  This week I received an email with recordings of all my favorite worship songs from my home church. I was so blessed to be able to worship in English (even if it was just belting it out alone in my room) for the first time in over 8 weeks. Yesterday I mentioned "my church" (as in the one in The States) to a Bolivian friend and he pointed out that they (as in the one in Bolivia) are my church.
Yes, yes they are.

  Instead of being overwhelmed by this tear in my heart, instead of letting Satan use this pull from both directions to distract me I am going to take one day at a time and be thankful for everything God has blessed me with.

   He has blessed me with two loving families, two strong church bodies, two languages of communication, two cultures of friends, and two countrieswith many hearts in need of Him.

Some of my personal prayer requests this week;
*That God will open more opportunities for our ministry and outreach here!
*That God would bring peace to me as I feel constantly torn.
*That my Spanish would continue to advance so I can use it more in outreach.

Feeeelix!

J o s e F e l i xThis kid...Ah, where to start?
Your first impression of Felix really depends on the exact moment you first run into him. He is either scowling and sticking his tongue out or smiling and giggling as his eyes squint with happiness. He is either the bad boy in class, breaking all the rules or the goofy boy, laying on the floor getting tickled. Whether he is happy or sad he's always making quite the impression on his class as I often hear "Feeeeelix" (Pronounced; Fay-Leex) being yelled from across the room. 

One second....

 

 

The very next second!

Felix has a hard time writing down words correctly when he hears them. He blends them all together into one word or breaks them apart in the middle of words. A trying task is the time in which I read sentences to him and he writes them down for review. I don't know who dislikes this activity more. Once, the sentence I read was "There are 5 frogs in my house." Following me reading the sentence Felix ran away from his desk close to 10 times, I read the sentence close to 15 times, and 25 minutes later he finally wrote it down. Now every time I ask him Guess what? He responds "There are 5 frogs in your house!!!! "
Another time he was supposed to be reading a book to me but was in one of his angry, little moods. He mumbled through an entire page as I tried my hardest to listen for mistakes. When he got to the end of the page I smiled and said "Felix, I can't quite hear you." A few seconds passed then he looked up from him book with a half grin, half scowl and firmly said "Listen better."

My first two weeks here, Felix & I seemed to get a long quite well. Sure, he tried to be a bad boy but I could always force him into a smile a few seconds into his act. But then I hit a slump...
For about two weeks in there Jose Felix wasn't the happy boy I'd seen at all. At least not to me. He almost seemed angry with me when I tried talking to him and he never wanted my help anymore. It was a kind of sadness/disappointment I hadn't ever felt before...

But this last week I had a break through! Unfortunately with the language difference my way of solving the problem was to just leave him alone and hope he'd want to be friends again later.
Well he did. As I was helping another kid with homework I heard him say, I want Profe Shelvy's help. The main teacher in our class told him he would have to go ask politely and he got quite shy. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him walk up to me slowly and quietly say Help me, please Profe Shelvy. I can't even describe how much my heart felt in that moment.

Since then I have had some of the best moments with Jose Felix. He still can be difficult at times, keeping me on my toes and needing to be carried over my shoulder back into class after running away. But the giggle I get from him afterwards is worth the trouble.
When I look into his eyes I see so much pain and so much hurt. Without knowing a thing I understand why he is how he is. No words can really describe what it feels like to have strong, little hands hold yours. Dark, dirty little hands up against mine so tenderly and sweet. No words can sum up the feeling of those eyes looking into mine...I mean really looking. Without putting up a face I have seen started to see the real, vulnerable boy under his many moods. Just for the reward of truly seeing that boy, I'll continue pursuing the mystery of Jose Felix.

Becoming Bolivian!

It's strange how accustom I have gotten to this culture already. I'm starting to have really shocking moments where I realize the things in which I have become completely Bolivian....

• When I got here, seeing a pact of stray dogs walking down the street was a little surprising and somewhat scary.
  Now, I love when random dogs come up to me wanting to be petted as I go for a walk.
• When I got here, I only used a knife at mealtime if we were eating steak or pork chops.
  Now, I cannot eat without a knife. Anything, anywhere I need a knife. No buts about it.
• When I got here, all the honking of horns startled and alarmed me.
  Now, quite, peaceful Iowa won't know what hit it when I come back: Honk Happy! 
• When I got here, someone kissing me on the cheek as a greeting definitely took me back. My thoughts, Can you say awkward?Now,it doesn't feel right if I don't go around kissing everyone in the room when I enter!
• When I got here, I heard a fruit truck blaring in the streets- I closed the window.
  Now, I hear the fruit truck, I smile to myself, and I check to see if we need any fruit.
• When I got here, my heart jumped for joy every time someone talked to me in English.
  Now, I just respond and usually don't remember what language I am responding to and what language I am responding in. I think in Spanish most of the time, so I assume that's usually it.
• When I got here, I didn't mix any of the dishes on my plate. Salad in one corner, meat in the other, rice in the other.
  Now, as soon as I'm served I mix everything together on my plate into one big pile. Everything, no matter what we're eating.
• When I got here, riding with 14 other people in a Trufi was my maximum uncomfortableness.
  Now, I love being packed into a van, all close and friendly with random strangers.

Even my family here has started to realize me switching in the littlest things to become more Bolivian. Food that I didn't care for much when I got here I love because my taste buds have changed. Things like rice/noodles, a spicy salsa we put on absolutely every meal, and bread I can't imagine going a day without. (By the way, the bread here is to die for!)
Some other random changes;
I am used to the schedule of an efficient Bolivian life, not a hectic American life now.
I don't need to be reminded to hand wash my underwear anymore.
I rarely have the urge to be barefoot inside anymore (You wear shoes at all times in this culture).
I throw my toilet paper in the trash instead of the toilet without a second thought now.

My lungs still aren't accustom to the altitude but my legs are so much stronger from walking everywhere in the hilly/mountainous country.


Hopefully this didn't bore anyone but it really is an update on me and how things are going down south as I become Bolivia!

Spring is here!

  In the past couple of weeks we have had a few extra special days with the kids. Bolivia has just recently welcomed Spring and the many joys that come with it! All smiles on the kids faces.

On the first day of Spring here (September 21st) the kids' school had a big festival in the morning much like an American "homecoming". They crowned Princes and Princess of different titles and an ultimate Spring Queen. It was so fun to sit with my class of second graders as they "Ohhh"ed and "Ahhh"ed at the pretty girls and their dresses.

The other special day was an outing to a park. It was very rare for many of the children. The team at The Center arranged the plans, got the kids, and spent the afternoon swimming, playing, eating, and celebrating with them. We celebrated the turning of Spring as well as all of the children's birthdays from the month of September. Such a fun time!

As usual, here are pictures of our time together in the past few weeks!


Goofing around with Hernan.

 

Nicole & I watching the Spring festival. Super pumped.



Cristian & Jose Felix getting bored with the princesses and their dresses.

Swimming with the kids at the park!



Beautiful day in the mountains, at the park, with great kids!

I don't care how many times I've shared this or will share this, I'm doing it again. It amazes me every day to see the extreme happiness of these kids. Always.A verse that reminded me of this joy is 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Simply, "Rejoice always."

Getting to know this every day life.

 

Due to popular requests, this week I will be sharing lots of pictures and introducing you to my home life here in Bolivia!
 

The Family
I am with a great family! When I first came here it was really a struggle to get close to them with the language barrier. I couldn't joke around and be myself, I spent a lot of time silent while the family interacted. For anyone who knows me, that was a difficult task. Not being able to connect made me miss my family even more but through prayer and a lot of hard work with the language I am slowly starting to form relationships with each and every one in a different way and
I love it!

 

David & Toty (María Antonieta)

These are my "parents" for the year. They are so sweet and caring. They are always coming into my room wanting to clean things for me, making sure I've had enough to eat, and giving me safety tips in the big city. The best thing about meeting this couple is their incredible faith and willingness to serve Christ. They are always ready to pray with people and show support in any way possible. Toty works at The Center, teaching her own class. David is the assistant pastor of our church, the work force behind building our New Center, and a volunteer for just about anything someone would need help with.





Joana & Shari

My "Sisters"! Shari is the oldest and is very busy working long days, every day as a lawyer in the city. I don't spend much time with her but when I do she is always making everyone smile and laugh. Joana is the Center director and the most hard working person I've met. She cooks meals for the family every day, cleans, arranges everything for The Center, teaches in The Center, prepares meal plans for the children, sings on the worship team in our church, and is always there to lend an ear or try to learn more about me. I started talking to her through email months before I came as she prayed with me through every step of me getting here. Now that I am here I feel very blessed to know her.

 

 Jorge & Isaac
Jorge is a couple years older than me, studying English at a university in Cochabamba. Isaac is a couple years younger, just beginning high school like my little sister in The States. The boys are always blaring music, playing their guitars, kicking the fútbol (soccer ball) around the house, or watching movies. These two were the hardest to connect with because they have a lot of missionaries in and out of there house. The boys are so hospitable and nice but somewhere lost in translation was me trying to tell them I actually wanted to be their friend. Over the past month through playing soccer and watching movies we've slowly started to develop friendships and maybe somewhere down the road I'll be able to call them my second set of "Brothers".

And now for the house!

I am living in a beautiful home on the North side on Cochabamba. Set up on the hill towards the mountains you can see the entire city from our house. It's just a short walk from a main road but in a nice, safe neighborhood. There are frequently guests, Bible studies, and the hustle bustle of every one's lives making this house feel very much like my own home.

The dining room table. Where we spend quite a lot of our
time together over tea and bread.

Living room/dining room.



Kitchen!



My lovely bedroom. So thankful! It's all more than I could ask for!



Hope ((Esperanza))

I do not have much to update everyone from this past week. There was no school because it is Holiday week, in celebration of Cochabamba. No school meant no Center. Crazy how disappointing it was not not see the kids for a week! (Christmas break is going to kill me!)

Instead I spent the week running errands for my Visa process, attempting to further my Spanish, and for a while in there, laying in bed very sick. For anyone who is worried; I am fine! I may have just eaten some bad food or maybe my body was just not adjusting to the culture change. Either way it was extremely miserable and painful. I'm feeling much better though, with only a little pain left. Thank you for your prayers!

While removed from the joy of the kids and faced with the challenge of many things I am finding it very easy to be frustrated. In fact yesterday, downtown, I felt frustration towards random people I brushed shoulders with at the market, or the person next to me in the Trufi for sitting too close. People I'd never met I was almost angry with.
What?! Ridiculous, Shelby.
As I was reading The Bible this week I read a verse that really made me put things in perspective;

"And not only this but we exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
Romans 5:3-5
Tribulation -- Perseverance-- Character-- Hope!

It's a test.
The easy choice is to get down, to get frustrated, and to take that frustration into a negative attitude towards everything. But where does that get us?
The tough choice is exulting. To thank God for the hardship we've been given. To allow Him to create perseverance and proven character in us through those tribulations. That, that is our hope.

Exult: To show or feel a lively or triumphant joy; rejoice exceedingly; be highly elated or jubilant.

As I work through exulting in The Lord in hard times and frustration, I hope this helps anyone else who is dealing with the same. Have a great week everyone!