I am falling in love with Argentina. The people, the culture, and the food are all so good.
This is my reality. As I deepen relationships with friends here, I will be going to bed at 2,3,4 in the morning. Even on weekdays. It’s just the way this culture rolls. Welcome back, freshman year of college.
Living in Argentina is the best opportunity that I have ever been given. It’s hard to put into words all of the things that I am learning here. I’m sure that I’ll be learning from things here for the next few years to come. And the best part is, I didn’t even ask for this gift. God gave it to me. That’s how much He loves me. And guess what, He loves YOU that much too! What gifts is He giving you right now?
Learning Spanish is Awesome! Honestly I have never been too enthusiastic about learning another language. But now that I live here I am Loving-learning Spanish. It is really fun when I notice how much more I can understand every week. If I learn as much in the next 2 months as I’ve learned in these two, I’ll understand a TON by February.
Sometimes, when I’m walking down the street, I see some character dressed up like Barney or some other crazy person. When this happens I immediately turn and walk the other direction. They are too creepy for their own good.
My faith is weak. For the first 2 months of being here I feel like the devil really hit me hard. I went through culture shock and got sick a ton. At times I have been really discouraged. Last week I realized that I was letting the devil affect my attitude. I repented and am asking God to strengthen my faith.
Have you ever thought about how in English there are a so many words like, “Great, and Terrific, awesome”? Well there are a bunch of words like that in Spanish as well. And when I learn a new one I get really stuck on saying it constantly. The last few days I have been stuck on saying, “buenisimo”, which means, “Very good”.
I am discovering that once you open up yourself to God and give Him all of your trust; He really starts working. This week He has given me many great ideas of ways to serve Him here. He wants to work through us, but before we are going to be open to serving Him, we have to open our eyes to see things the way He does. One of my prayers is that God breaks our hearts only for the things that break His. And that He gives us the wisdom to know which ways he wants us to serve Him.
Peruvian food is Amazing. I had it for the first time this week and couldn’t believe how delicious it was. The best fried chicken, French fries, and spicy sauce you’ll ever eat.
One thing that I am learning from this culture is to take it easy. Most of the time people are late to appointments. Many times they cancel. And life goes on. I’m hoping to come out of this experience a lot more easy-going. I guess it’s part of my need to let go of my life in order for God to take control. Letting go of our preconceptions of how life should “go” enables us more freedom to follow Him.
25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:25-31
Friday, November 19, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
I Now Know How to Say "Sick" in Spanish!
If I had to describe the month of October in one word it would be RECOVERY.
In October I was sick 4 times = Once each week. Jared, Karina, and Kayla (the missionaries I work with) were also sick throughout the month. Right now I am finishing out antibiotics for pink eye and a sinus infection. Hopefully, we are all finished getting sick.
One of the things that I am loving most about this experience is how many people I am getting to meet and spend time with. I am involved in several churches here. In one weekend I have gone to as many as three church services...in Spanish :). I also spend a lot of time with the youth in these churches. It's a lot of fun to get to hang out with several different groups of people. We have done a lot of fun things together like go to parks, have Bible studies, and just hang out.
In October I also started teaching Let's Start Talking. I have a handful of students and am really enjoying the experience. LST creates an open and comfortable atmosphere. It is a conversation class that uses Bible stories to help people learn English. My students are very good at English and are really neat people. I'm excited to get to know them all better!
This month I went to a Christian retreat in a town four hours away from Buenos Aires. The retreat was for all of the young adults in church's all throughout Argentina. There were more than 800 young adults in attendance. It was awesome! The praise and worship was powerful and it was obvious that the Lord was present. One reason to come visit Argentina is to see how they worship. I love it!
Being sick so much in October wasn't exactly the most wonderful experience. However, God protected me in many ways. A few weeks before getting sick I was able to get health insurance. One company denied me because of my Cerebral Palsy, but then another one accepted me. Having insurance from Argentina made going to the doctor a lot less complicated. I was also very blessed to have the Berryman's who took me to the doctor twice.
I am very excited about the month of November. Every day I get more and more accustomed to living here. Life is very fun in Argentina! God has blessed me with some wonderful new friends! This month I look forward to strengthening those relationships and to meeting even more people.
Thank you again for your prayers while I was sick. I love you all very much and would love to hear from everyone!
In October I was sick 4 times = Once each week. Jared, Karina, and Kayla (the missionaries I work with) were also sick throughout the month. Right now I am finishing out antibiotics for pink eye and a sinus infection. Hopefully, we are all finished getting sick.
One of the things that I am loving most about this experience is how many people I am getting to meet and spend time with. I am involved in several churches here. In one weekend I have gone to as many as three church services...in Spanish :). I also spend a lot of time with the youth in these churches. It's a lot of fun to get to hang out with several different groups of people. We have done a lot of fun things together like go to parks, have Bible studies, and just hang out.
In October I also started teaching Let's Start Talking. I have a handful of students and am really enjoying the experience. LST creates an open and comfortable atmosphere. It is a conversation class that uses Bible stories to help people learn English. My students are very good at English and are really neat people. I'm excited to get to know them all better!
This month I went to a Christian retreat in a town four hours away from Buenos Aires. The retreat was for all of the young adults in church's all throughout Argentina. There were more than 800 young adults in attendance. It was awesome! The praise and worship was powerful and it was obvious that the Lord was present. One reason to come visit Argentina is to see how they worship. I love it!
Being sick so much in October wasn't exactly the most wonderful experience. However, God protected me in many ways. A few weeks before getting sick I was able to get health insurance. One company denied me because of my Cerebral Palsy, but then another one accepted me. Having insurance from Argentina made going to the doctor a lot less complicated. I was also very blessed to have the Berryman's who took me to the doctor twice.
I am very excited about the month of November. Every day I get more and more accustomed to living here. Life is very fun in Argentina! God has blessed me with some wonderful new friends! This month I look forward to strengthening those relationships and to meeting even more people.
Thank you again for your prayers while I was sick. I love you all very much and would love to hear from everyone!
At the youth retreat
At a really neat show with some friends!
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