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Today is Jhonny C's 13th birthday.FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS JHONNY!!!!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
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Tuesday, December 18, 2007
76 Stockings!
A local church has once again donated Christmas stockings for all of our boys. I got tired, but it was such a beautiful thing to carry box after box stuffed with overflowing stockings into our office and then pack them into luggage. They totaled more than 200 pounds!!! Each year, every one of our boys get a stocking with their name on it, filled with toys specifically for them. I can't wait to give them out in just a few short days :)
Friday, December 14, 2007
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Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
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Monday, December 3, 2007
I can fly! I can fly!
This isn't exactly Bolivia oriented, but it was still WAY COOL! A friend of mine is a flight instructor here in West Palm Beach and he invited my roommate and me to go up with him. Of course we accepted! So this evening we met Jason at the airport, toured the training facilities, and walked out to the "parking lot" where Jason proceeded to push a 4-seater out of its spot and into the "driveway." We climbed in and took off!! We had to wear headsets to be able to hear each other, and we could hear all of the control tower talk too. We flew out over our house and then over our church! As we were coming back around….I GOT TO FLY!!! This probably would have blown my mind no matter what, but the fact that, for many years, I have toyed with getting my pilot's license so that I could fly but decided it was too expensive to ever really hope for really pushed this experience into the "indescribably wow" category. When I surrendered control, Jason flew us out over the beach, pointed out the Everglades, and then took us in for the smoothest landing I have ever experienced (and I've been on a lot of flights!). Yeah, so, today was awesome!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
Birthday Time
Today is Arturo's birthday.
Arturo is one of the dorm leaders at the BLC and one of the most amazing men I know. He also has a gorgeous family with his wife Claudia, son Pablo, and daughter Camilla. A common question among the older boys at the BLC, "how do I grow up to be a man like Arturo?" I think this is a good question for any male to ask!
FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS HERMANO ARTURO!!!!
Saturday, November 3, 2007
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Monday, October 29, 2007
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Sunday, October 28, 2007
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Wednesday, October 24, 2007
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Friday, October 19, 2007
Bolivia's Abandoned Children
(This article was taken from the BBC News website.)
By Lola Almudevar BBC News, Bolivia
In Bolivia, a weak economy and a shortage of jobs means some parents are moving abroad to find work and earn money for their families. But, in many cases, their children are being left behind with no one to care for them.
There are telephone shops all over Bolivia, places where people - often too poor to have a phone of their own - go to make their calls. They are full of rickety plastic booths and are abuzz with the sound of locals calling long distance.
The parents of these children work abroad or in another part of Bolivia. Frequently, they are calling the people who clean houses, look after other people's children, pick fruit, and work on construction sites in countries like Spain, Italy, Argentina and Britain. These migrant workers are the fathers or mothers of youngsters like Carlita. Her mother left their home in Santa Cruz a year ago and now works as a domestic servant in Madrid. "She is going to send for me as soon as I turn 18," Carlita says as she leads me towards her home along a dusty path where bin liners blow in the warm breeze. Carlita, who is 17, seems a typical teenage girl with a shy, awkward smile. But her childhood ended some time ago.
Domestic abuse
Until recently she lived with her grandmother and aunt who promised to take care of her. But it seems what they cared for most was the cash her mother sent from Spain each month. Carlita felt ignored, began to fight with her aunt, and before long the rows became violent. When Carlita telephoned her mother to tell her she wanted to leave, her aunt feared the remittances would be lost. Her reaction was to beat Carlita until she was black and blue, and could hardly move. "She used a belt," Carlita tells me, glancing towards the psychologist who is here to check on her progress and is sitting in on our interview. "I do not know where I found the strength to defend myself, because I did defend myself. But I know that if I had been younger and smaller, I would not have been able to put up a fight," she says.
Abandoned
Carlita now sleeps on the floor in another aunt's ramshackle house. There are 17 children staying here, many of whom have a parent working abroad or in another part of Bolivia. The scene is nothing unusual for psychologist, Carlos Perez, who sits on a broken chair in the yard. He sees cases like Carlita's all the time. But normally the children are younger and the maltreatment more severe. "The mother leaves and the child is effectively left in the care of no-one," he says. "They show signs of neglect and become rebellious. It is tremendously frequent and it is creating a generation of children who do not know how to behave in society." Carlita is old enough for her experience not to have too much lasting impact on her character. Others are less fortunate, with many suffering irreparable psychological damage or falling into drugs and delinquency.
When we get back to the justice centre where Carlos works, he is immediately bombarded by people who want his help. Although he seems to respond completely professionally, his frown shows that he feels tense and beleaguered. "There are babies just one or two months old who are being left behind," he says. "And when their mothers come back they can not recognise them. One boy told me 'I don't want these shoes or clothes I have been given. I want my mother here to comb my hair and bathe me and tell me a story'."
The psychologist is clearly troubled.
A better future?
The Bolivian government's answer is to try to strengthen the economy and create jobs so that people will stay here to earn money for their families rather than go abroad. They want to create more than 360,000 jobs by 2010. But those jobs, if they do come, will come too late for the generation to which Carlita belongs. And as Juan Ramon Quintana, a high-ranking government minister, tells me, you can not blame people for wanting to find a better future. It is their right. "Migration is a world phenomenon, caused by globalisation - it is up to us to contain the social consequences in the countries of origin," he says.
I board an early morning bus to leave Santa Cruz and watch as vendors scramble on board at each stop. They sell fizzy drinks, chicken, ice cream, lollipops, chewing gum, whatever they can lay their hands on. Their earnings are pitiful, but in a country where jobs are scarce, you do whatever you can to survive. I remember Carlos's final words to me.
"Behind so many immigrants in your country, are stories like Carlita's. Behind their lives over there are all of these children left alone here."
As my bus heads off into the countryside, I reflect on the sad reality that until there are dignified jobs for Bolivians in Bolivia, many children will follow the same path as Carlita: growing up for them will be a very lonely road.
From Our Own Correspondent was broadcast on Thursday 18 October, 2007 at 1100 BST on BBC Radio 4.
By Lola Almudevar BBC News, Bolivia
In Bolivia, a weak economy and a shortage of jobs means some parents are moving abroad to find work and earn money for their families. But, in many cases, their children are being left behind with no one to care for them.
There are telephone shops all over Bolivia, places where people - often too poor to have a phone of their own - go to make their calls. They are full of rickety plastic booths and are abuzz with the sound of locals calling long distance.
The parents of these children work abroad or in another part of Bolivia. Frequently, they are calling the people who clean houses, look after other people's children, pick fruit, and work on construction sites in countries like Spain, Italy, Argentina and Britain. These migrant workers are the fathers or mothers of youngsters like Carlita. Her mother left their home in Santa Cruz a year ago and now works as a domestic servant in Madrid. "She is going to send for me as soon as I turn 18," Carlita says as she leads me towards her home along a dusty path where bin liners blow in the warm breeze. Carlita, who is 17, seems a typical teenage girl with a shy, awkward smile. But her childhood ended some time ago.
Domestic abuse
Until recently she lived with her grandmother and aunt who promised to take care of her. But it seems what they cared for most was the cash her mother sent from Spain each month. Carlita felt ignored, began to fight with her aunt, and before long the rows became violent. When Carlita telephoned her mother to tell her she wanted to leave, her aunt feared the remittances would be lost. Her reaction was to beat Carlita until she was black and blue, and could hardly move. "She used a belt," Carlita tells me, glancing towards the psychologist who is here to check on her progress and is sitting in on our interview. "I do not know where I found the strength to defend myself, because I did defend myself. But I know that if I had been younger and smaller, I would not have been able to put up a fight," she says.
Abandoned
Carlita now sleeps on the floor in another aunt's ramshackle house. There are 17 children staying here, many of whom have a parent working abroad or in another part of Bolivia. The scene is nothing unusual for psychologist, Carlos Perez, who sits on a broken chair in the yard. He sees cases like Carlita's all the time. But normally the children are younger and the maltreatment more severe. "The mother leaves and the child is effectively left in the care of no-one," he says. "They show signs of neglect and become rebellious. It is tremendously frequent and it is creating a generation of children who do not know how to behave in society." Carlita is old enough for her experience not to have too much lasting impact on her character. Others are less fortunate, with many suffering irreparable psychological damage or falling into drugs and delinquency.
When we get back to the justice centre where Carlos works, he is immediately bombarded by people who want his help. Although he seems to respond completely professionally, his frown shows that he feels tense and beleaguered. "There are babies just one or two months old who are being left behind," he says. "And when their mothers come back they can not recognise them. One boy told me 'I don't want these shoes or clothes I have been given. I want my mother here to comb my hair and bathe me and tell me a story'."
The psychologist is clearly troubled.
A better future?
The Bolivian government's answer is to try to strengthen the economy and create jobs so that people will stay here to earn money for their families rather than go abroad. They want to create more than 360,000 jobs by 2010. But those jobs, if they do come, will come too late for the generation to which Carlita belongs. And as Juan Ramon Quintana, a high-ranking government minister, tells me, you can not blame people for wanting to find a better future. It is their right. "Migration is a world phenomenon, caused by globalisation - it is up to us to contain the social consequences in the countries of origin," he says.
I board an early morning bus to leave Santa Cruz and watch as vendors scramble on board at each stop. They sell fizzy drinks, chicken, ice cream, lollipops, chewing gum, whatever they can lay their hands on. Their earnings are pitiful, but in a country where jobs are scarce, you do whatever you can to survive. I remember Carlos's final words to me.
"Behind so many immigrants in your country, are stories like Carlita's. Behind their lives over there are all of these children left alone here."
As my bus heads off into the countryside, I reflect on the sad reality that until there are dignified jobs for Bolivians in Bolivia, many children will follow the same path as Carlita: growing up for them will be a very lonely road.
From Our Own Correspondent was broadcast on Thursday 18 October, 2007 at 1100 BST on BBC Radio 4.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
Lucho Leche, Week 6
Luis Fernando has managed to become one of my favorite boys. I know that I say that about most if not all of the boys, but Lucho has maintained this title more steadily than most. This week I have watched him bond very tightly to one of the team members. I have to confess to a smidge of jealousy, but one glance of that mischievous smile chases it away. Lucho is a natural leader. He is the best mediano dancer of Vida Vida and he calls out the steps to anyone falling behind. The other day he rode in the front of the bus and talked to Richard, our driver, most of the way. Even though Richard has driven us the same routes for several weeks now, Lucho gave him directions as we drove, pointing out which traffic lights didn't work, when it was clear, where to turn, and drilling Richard on anything he did outside of his explicit directions. It was adorable.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Young Missionary, Week 5
My organized, task-oriented side thinks that having children on a missions team must be a nightmare. Special airfare, picky eaters, early bed times, messy work projects, walking slow…and then I stand here looking down at all of the paint dripped on the sidewalk by the adults, and I look up at the 4 year old running tirelessly with his Bolivian peers, I watch the older boys sit on the stairs and read him books in Spanish, I watch all of the boys with their eyes glued on him as he runs to his father's side after being called for. Will this 4 year old ever know the example he set by befriending these boys, giving away his Hot Wheels, and completely trusting and loving his father? That rational part of me never would have expected a 4 year old to be such a life changing missionary to so many. But now I've seen it with my own eyes.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Joy in Service, Week 4
What a fun week! This is the first "repeat" team that I have ever experienced. This group was here last year with me too. It was so nice to pick up familiar faces at the airport. And as much as I love new Bolivia stories, it was a nice change to have stories that we had shared. This group has the most servant oriented spirit that I have ever seen. At the same time they have enough drive to immediately meet the needs that they identify. The next group is from their church as well and they are daily calling home with lists of things to bring to meet needs and finish projects. What a beautiful example of how the body of Christ ought to work!! "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26). If the mouth needs a napkin, and the hand is sitting in the lap holding one, wouldn't you expect it to move and give what it had? If it didn't, wouldn't you know that something was wrong?
Friday, June 15, 2007
Amazing Family, Week 1
There is a family on this team that has really blown me away. They all have such gentle spirits but they aren't at all weak or emotional or followers. Their gentleness seems equally matched with a strength in their relationships with each other. God has shown himself so clearly to me through them this week, through Dad's hoarse confessions of sin and selfishness as he poured his testimony out, through Mom's tears as she pieces together the horrors experienced by the boys and the miraculous healing that she is now playing a role in, and through Daughter's constant play and protection of the boys that endured with big sisterly ease long after the rest of the team and myself had sought quiet places to rest. At the pizza party I took a "family picture" of them with the two boys that they started sponsoring this week. A third boy jumped into the picture and didn't want to leave. I couldn't blame him; I would like to be a part of their family too! They live near me in Florida, and I really hope that I continue to see them after the summer. God is just so clear in them.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Surprise
Sandra never ceases to amaze me. Whether she is giggling and telling me about a text message from the guy she likes or dispersing Biblical truths on the trials that we weather as Christians, she has such a grace and beauty and peace about her. She often says, "God will surprise you" and I am beginning to see just how true that is.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Back in Bolivia for the Summer
I am so happy to be back in Bolivia!! After the easiest airport check-in and flight that I have ever experienced, I slept through the flight and woke up to this beautiful country. Gerson, Sergio, and Pastor David met the other hosts and I at the airport. I was so happy I was literally jumping up and down. Sergio drove the girls and I to the Life Center and we arrived a few minutes ahead of Gerson, the boys, and the luggage. We couldn't drive through the front gate because of work that they are doing there, so we walked through the side gate. The boys weren't expecting this, but it only took a few seconds before we were spotted. My smile was so big that it hurt as little boys from all over the property yelled "Tia Anna!" and began racing my way. I was tackled right there on the soccer field :)
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The Smallest Things
If we could follow our conversations....I wonder what amazing things we would see. I got to be the deliverer of someone else's story the other day. John, my director, went to visit with a church that sent a group to Bolivia last summer. A young man there, Alex, told John about a conversation he had had with Nick, one of the hosts from last summer. Nick had mentioned to Alex that he was studying religion. At the time, Alex thought he was crazy. Now, nearly a year later, Alex was sharing with John how the trip to Bolivia had changed his life and made him redefine his spirituality. Alex is now a religion major. I got to pass that story on to Nick. Such a casual conversation. But where will Alex go in the future as a result?
It makes me wonder what I am saying in my daily conversations. Not the deep, sharing from the bottom of my soul conversations, just the "hey what do you do?" ones. Where will my words lead others?
It makes me wonder what I am saying in my daily conversations. Not the deep, sharing from the bottom of my soul conversations, just the "hey what do you do?" ones. Where will my words lead others?
Monday, January 22, 2007
Conversion and Re-education Camp
We were able to share dinner with some of Mark's friends that he used to work with and then were invited to join them in their home for more conversation. Their stories were amazing.
When Chom and her family first came to the states, they were supposed to arrive in LA, but when the plane landed, they were not allowed off. The plane continued on to Tampa, FL where they knew no one. Her family lived there and she married there. When her family was finally able to move to LA and rejoin the rest of the family, she stayed in Tampa with her husband but cried every day because she had never been away from them. She and her husband drove from Tampa to LA to rejoin them. Chom was the first person in her family to convert from Buddhism to Christianity. One by one, every member of her family converted. She spoke about the day she talked to her older sister, the last one in the family that remained Buddhist, about the love of God while they were driving in the car. Chom said that she wished she could live that day over and over because of how happy she was when her sister finally gave her life to the Lord and she knew they would all be together for eternity.
Long and Thu were married in Vietnam. They were from Christian families and sent to re-education camps. They tried to escape and were caught. They were separated. Long eventually did escape and went to a refugee camp in Egypt. There he happened to run into Thu, who had also managed to escape and ended up in the exact same refugee camp in Egypt!! They spoke of their story so humbly, yet to all of us in the room both old friends and new, the hand of God in their lives was obvious.
When Chom and her family first came to the states, they were supposed to arrive in LA, but when the plane landed, they were not allowed off. The plane continued on to Tampa, FL where they knew no one. Her family lived there and she married there. When her family was finally able to move to LA and rejoin the rest of the family, she stayed in Tampa with her husband but cried every day because she had never been away from them. She and her husband drove from Tampa to LA to rejoin them. Chom was the first person in her family to convert from Buddhism to Christianity. One by one, every member of her family converted. She spoke about the day she talked to her older sister, the last one in the family that remained Buddhist, about the love of God while they were driving in the car. Chom said that she wished she could live that day over and over because of how happy she was when her sister finally gave her life to the Lord and she knew they would all be together for eternity.
Long and Thu were married in Vietnam. They were from Christian families and sent to re-education camps. They tried to escape and were caught. They were separated. Long eventually did escape and went to a refugee camp in Egypt. There he happened to run into Thu, who had also managed to escape and ended up in the exact same refugee camp in Egypt!! They spoke of their story so humbly, yet to all of us in the room both old friends and new, the hand of God in their lives was obvious.
Cultural Plunge
I went to LA for a conference but traveled with some PBA staff and students who went out early for a cultural plunge. Mark is the Director of Campus Ministries and Missions and he used to live in LA and work for an organization relocating refugees. So he took us to all things different from our usual. We went to a Hindu Temple, a Buddhist Temple, an Islamic Mosque, and a Temple for some religion that I had never heard of before and can't pronounce. We went to the observatory and looked through the "most looked through" telescope. I ate snails and Pazookie and used chopsticks. We had Pho with a crowd of Vietnamese, chum chum in little India, French-dipped sandwiches from Philipe's, walked the market in little Mexico, and tagged the wall by Muscle Beach to name a few. When it was time for me to fly home, I really did feel like I was re-entering the USA. But I never left.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
In the Beginning
Initially I just wanted to write a letter once a month to let my friends and family know what God was doing through the ministry organization that I am now a part of. But there is so much more going on than I could ever possibly fit into that one letter! Today I heard a handful of stories about what God is doing, and it was not an unusual day.
I think that it is important, not just to talk about this organization, but to tell the stories of what God is doing around the world today in and through ordinary people. These aren't great and powerful people or the super rich. My stories are about my friends. People that I have relationships with. And the great God that we know.
I think that it is important, not just to talk about this organization, but to tell the stories of what God is doing around the world today in and through ordinary people. These aren't great and powerful people or the super rich. My stories are about my friends. People that I have relationships with. And the great God that we know.
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