It just gets better

So I told John today about my church raising $1800 for me to go to language school. He was elated too! He sent me the link to a language school that he liked and has talked to before. The total cost for the 7 week program, books, room, and board is $1800!!! How amazingly perfect is that??? So now all I need is a plane ticket to Costa Rica. God is so amazing to me!

You did WHAT while I was gone?!?!

I was out of town all last week for my uncle Randy's funeral (thanks mom and dad for the plane ticket). Last Saturday my church had a fundraiser for their team's trip to Bolivia this summer, but I missed it. They had a talent show, dessert auction, and live auction. They were going to surprise me the night of the auction, but had to wait a week and surprise me today! One of the items to auction off was vacation time in the cabin in North Carolina that is owned by one of the church members. The surprise was that they had decided not to auction it for the team, but that all procedes from this particular item would go towards sending me to language school!! And they raised $1800!!!!!!!!!!!! I am absolutely floored. The opportunity to go to language school, to actually know and speak spanish, will completely revolutionize my ministry. The chance to go to school is something that I have definitely wanted, but never expected to actually be possible. I still don't think that I have a good grasp on the reality of this.

Impact Banquet

Tonight was our yearly Banquet. It was beautiful! So many people worked so hard to make this all come together. The silent auction had lots of great items available, the dinning area was well decorated, the music and videos rocked, even the dinner was wonderful :) There were a couple of people at my table who had never been to Bolivia and I really enjoyed watching them throughout the evening. As they learned more about CIN and the work we are doing, I could visibly see their passion and excitement growing. The gentleman I sat next to shook my hand before he left and thanked me for allowing him to come and be a part of this. I had never met him before. I am happy that we can reach people where they are, and I am happy that we are reaching a level of comfort in our ability to do these ministry briefings/fundraisers. Big thanks to everyone who was involved!

Birthday Time

Today is Daniel's 12th birthday.
FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS DANIEL!!!!

South Florida HEAT

Courtesy of John's brother, Sandra and I got a free pair of tickets to the last Miami Heat home game! (Thanks!) We went down a little early to explore Bayside and have dinner at the Hardrock Cafe that Sandra was curious about. The first half of the game we were surrounded by wild and crazy children who screamed all of the cheers. It was really funny, but we were releived when they left at halftime :) Sandra especially enjoyed when they announced the final two minutes of the game in spanish! The Heat even won the game!!

Children's Day

Today is Children's Day in Bolivia. Teachers will put on special programs for the children at school. Some prepare special dishes for the kids. Sandra was telling me that the mothers of the children often join them at school today for a meal. She said that one of the boys from the BLC asked her to come to his class last year. At first I thought about what an honor that was. This boy whom I know has had great struggles. He has not known a healthy, normal family. But he still sees the importance of sharing this time with someone he loves and trusts. And he asked Sandra to be that person for him. Then I thought about the pain that he must have felt, wanting to celebrate this holiday in his honor like all of his other classmates. But he had to find someone and invite them to replace the mother who should have been there. Sandra went on to tell me that she had several kids from the Life Center with doctors appointments that day and how she felt terrible because she had to leave early to continue working. I wish that I could be there more. I wish that I could just stay in Bolivia and be their mom and go to their school stuff with them and take care of them and just be there. I know that I am doing what God has called me to right now. I just pray that everyone who has found their way to this post and is interested enough in Bolivia and the children to actually read through it- I pray that each of you are doing all that God is telling you to do for these kids. Don't leave them hanging.

I love my job!

Today work happened a little differently than usual. We got everybody together and headed to Peanut Island on the Hernandez's boat! We checked out the JFK bomb shelter, had a picnic, walked around the island, and had floating lessons with Sandra. Sandra had never been on a boat out in the ocean before, so that was the purpose of today's treat. Not a bad day at work at all :)