Christmas is coming!!!

Next week is xmas and my family is coming (oth parents and siblings)! they are getting here on monday, which is less than a week. Still planning what all were going to do because this south american culture and lack of knoldge of the city makes it hard to plan, but I think It will all be good, I've got plenty of back up plans =). maybe go swimming?

For christmas with my host family here, we decided to do a gift exchange, rather than buying for each person. Don't know what I'm getting my person yet, but I think we were going to make a list of what each person wants. So hopefully I can find it, here in the city without getting lost for too long, or better yet already know where it is.

Lately my english class has been as unstable, I think thats a good word to describe it, as ever. Its hard to know if there will be any students for each class period. Alot of that is due to that there on their school vacation, so they don't have there other classes. But we will find out in January if it was because of summer vacation or because of.... who knows what else. But I'm still enjoying teaching I taugh a kid "She sells sea shells by the sea shore" the other day, that made me happy cuz he was good at it.

Since this is summer vacation here (Because its summer here if you forgot/Didn't know) some of my friends are going on different vacations here, I would love to hop along on one but nothing is ever set in stone much here, so the plans are constantly changing and I never know if I can go or not. I'll most likely decided the day before and then just go. It's how it usually works here.

In all these blogs I never remember quite what I've touched on and what I've skipped over. I should probably go back over them and look for things I forgot, but if any of you have any questions I'll put it in the next blog! and for those of you who arn't uptodate on my blog feel free to just ask a question even if I may have answered it.

Settling in... (Oct. 31)

I'm doing pretty good. I have some of those uncomfortable mements with culture, but so far they haven't caused problems. My family has been awesome, I have two brothers (Kevin and Alfredo), two sisters (Yea Jin<also known as Rocio> and Kely), and karsten. I'm getting more used to Santa Cruz itself also, I took a micro yesterday by myself to downtown.
So I'm enjoying my time. I have had the one or two days when I just wanted people to just speak english or just transport to and english speaking zone, but It never lasted long (one ocassion was after a very frustrating session of teaching english, not to successfully). But I'm starting to feel very comfortable (used losely) in my spanish. Some days I feel like I understood everything said to me (Sometimes with lots of repition, but I understand what they say). At the same time everyonce in a while I (and I've found others feel this too) I just can't understand anything said to me no matter if its simple. Sometimes brains just refuse to think in another language I guess. But with all the Spanish practice my english is declining a little bit, hehe. I just typed "sed"(which means thirst in spanish but is pronounced "said") instead of "said" and had to correct it.

Here are some pictures for you to see = )
 This is my album that I should be updating regularly??? though I might put it into more than one album if there are lots of pictures.
Octubre By Kim Kim Kim (Friend) Don't know if this is public? Most of these pictures are from the birthday we had for the kids a Tajibos. Project IDI (Korean, Food for the Hungry) celebrates birthdays in groups. So on wendsday this week we had a birthday for like.... 500 Kids? I should find out the right number... But I have some pictures that I will link RIGHT (not done yet, it will be blue) HERE of the same event that I have on my camera... once i get around to it of course. =D

Gloria Showalter's Bolivia Pictures  I'm pretty sure these are public.

Work and a New Home (Oct 11)

Well yesterday after church I went home with my new host family (the one I will be living with for the rest of my time here). The house is nice, its actually sorta two houses, but thankfully I will have internet while Im here though no WiFi, which means I will have to borrow someone elses computer to use. Currently I am at the "Price of Peace" church. They have four computers here. This morning first thing when I arrive at work they tell Karsten, Carlos (Karsten is a hard name so we are changing it), and I that we will be teaching english to children. It freaked me out at little bit initially because I feel very incompetent when it comes to english(classes, I feel comfortable speaking obviously). Though after thinking it over it is only the very basics, like abcs(Spanish keyboards dont let me use apostrophes) and greetings. So the more I think about it the more comfortable I feel.

La Tejerías (Oct. 6)

The past two days we went to tejerías (a church out in the country) to help work. After our jam packed Spanish lessons (were covering every thing from hello to complicated verb tenses I can work without) in the morning we packed 6 people into a pickup truck and had three more wedged around the work supplies (we both painted and laid cement to hold a slide and some swings). After getting stopped in a police checkpoint and having to explain that my dad HAD his license renewed but just didn't have it with him we eventually made it. the first day we painted the whole sanctuary which had a white coat over it that was looking old and was chipping through to the concrete walls. The second day, today, dug holes, mixed up the cement and put the slide and swings in to keep them sturdy. at the same time as that another group painted and cleared debris out of karsten's to-be room. (karsten will be living with me but will be working much farther away than I am. he will need to take a micro (small bus) all the way out there which would be a long trip for every morning and every night, so he has a room being made in tejerías.

I hope to upload pictures some time we will see how my internet is in my host family next week.

Gloria has some on facebook already if you want to look there.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPod touch]

Izmirna (sept. 30)

this week we have been traveling to each of the job placement locations so everyone has am idea of each others jobs. Yesterday we visited Izmirna where I will be working through a program called IDI, International Institute of Development (IID), which a Korean Group that originated from Feed the Children that worked in Korea. Now the Koreans are returning the favor to another country. Starting next week on I will work afternoon's after my continued spanish lessons in the morning.

so just as a note sorry I don't have any pictures for you to look at. I am taking plenty but am unable to upload them due to the slow internet in my house (still thankful for connection at all). I will hopefully find a way to upload them in the coming weeks as I settle into my job and my new host family.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPod touch]

Roosters (sept. 20)

today I was not woken by the rooster crowing at dawn but it is actually heard around 10:30pm to who knows when. both last night and tonight I hear them every few minutes they are far enough away it isn't a problem, but it is amusing.

today we had Spanish lessons in the morning and history and job placement info in the afternoon. in the evening we decided to go to a exposition fair. it was a lot of fun to look around and become truly immersed in culture.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPod touch]

Bolivia finally here. (Sept. 19)

well today seemed very full we flew over night to arrive in Santa Cruz then got to Tito and Yolanda's house. there house works like a hotel almost. it is quite large and is often used to house MCC groups who visit or so service. we will be staying here for 2 weeks while we all study language and basic culture. I'm currently blogging off of my iPod but when I actually use a computer I will upload some pictures to give you all an idea of the area.

Spanish is hurts my head.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPod touch]

BOLIVIA!!!! (Sept. 17th)

So this is the last blog before I'll be in Bolivia, it is currently 8:49pm here in Chicago and I leave JPUSA at 1:00pm tomorrow for the airport. I'll then fly to Miami, then Santa Cruz. I should arrive in Santa Cruz at 8:00am on Sunday. I believe that Santa Cruz is in the -4:00 time zone which is the same as Eastern time. So it looks like I'll be in the same time zone as at home.

Also, news!!! sorry I didn't update this sooner, but I found out I'm working with a program called IDI. I don't yet know what it stands for but I was told it works similarly to feed the children, but IDI is a Korean organization. So I'm working with a Korean organization in Bolivia. Also I was told that Karsten Hess and I will be living together in the same host family. Our hosts have two college age kids, a High schooler (who is living in Honduras under some exchange program this year), and a middle schooler(not as sure about that one I'm blanking). But there is also a male Korean student being hosted who is 16. BUT before I go and live with them I will be living with my group for two weeks (maybe/don't really know) of language study (and some cultural introductions).

Now that I've said all that remember that this is all very unstable information and could change within the next 24 hours. I think I got the most part of it all acurate, but I don't have lots of facts, I got these from a roughly translated email, I just wanted to get an update out before I left.

one last week (sept 13)

today is a free day to catch up on reading and to journal. this weekend was the visitors weekend so my parents came up and we spent some time around town. it was good to see them one last time before I left. im also eagerly waiting for my flight on Saturday.... I really can't wait. plus I just won monopoly so I'm excited

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPod touch]

Silence and Soccer (Sept 9)

This morning (thurs.) we met for a few minutes but then we were all released into silence to reflect, think, and pray. I went on a walk along a bike path near the lake. I was stopped in my tracks when I found a Peace Poll. Yes, I found a Peace Poll in Chicago along a bike path. It was actually placed at the entrance to a small "Peace Garden" which I'll try and get pictures of (I didn't bring my camera). But I just sat in the shade of large trees and listened to the artificial babble of the creek fountain they put in. The silence was ended at 2:00.

In the After-noon Karsten and I went over to Leland house to play soccer with some of the kids. After about 5 min of chaos inspired by no teams and kids joining in left and right we decided to play kick ball which was much easier to organize.

Also I think it was Wednesday that I helped a guy from JPUSA move is Darth Vader replica in (had just came in the mail). This replica is one of only 300 in the whole world. Each of the 300 were molded off the actual mask and suit. It was CRAZY!

Best Worst Hymn Sing Ever (Sept. 6/Labor Day)

So this morning our instructions from Krista were to go out and be hospitable today. She soon relased both RAD (My group) and DOOR (MCC's Program) into chicago to be hospitable to the people around us. At first I considered spending an intire day with a homeless person (or as long as they allowed), getting them lunch and just talking with them or simply sitting with them if they didn't want to talk. I really liked this idea, but before we got back to our stop on the redline I was convinced by Gloria, Leigh, and Karsten to come with them and sing hymns to people in a Hospital.

After getting back to the flat and practicing/teaching Leigh hyms we set out to find a place to sing. We first tried the hospital down the street but were rejected because the visitors coordinator wasn't there that day and we needed someone to show us around and such. They then directed us to a nursing home only a few blocks away. Once their we were warmly welcomed and preformed for a courtyard sized audience of Elderly folk as well as a few family members there to visit on Labor Day. Although we practiced some, it wasn't Berky Avenue in the least. We had to teach the songs to our Saprano who didn't know almost any because she came from a methodist church.  Besides that It was often hard for me to maintain singing tenor while playing Ukulele and I often dropped the tenor. With all these hinderances remember that were not very practiced together and the four of us just kinda worked our way through it. It sound great at times, but it wasn't my church I'm used to. I'm guessing that they had never heard live four part harmonies, and if they did it could have been 50 years ago.  After finishing our group of songs, our hosts demanded us to eat lunch. They said "here have some food" and proceeded to hand us four plates full of food without much of an option to refuse the food. So we all ate our 2nd lunch of the day because we had already eatin at JPUSA an hour before hand. After we ate came the best part of the singing. We went to the 4th floor and sang in each lobby coming down. it was the 4th floor the one we started on that was most striking, It was a group of very old residents who sat around in wheel chairs all day. Did apeared as if they had no intended schedule for the day but just sat mostly silent looking around. It was a little bit of a way to know I made a difference to someone. I recieve joy in being the event of the day for them.

Little Italy (Sept 4)

Yesterday we finally heard some new info about Bolivia. Linda Shelly, the Latin American Coordinator for Mennonite Mission Network, gave us an introduction to Bolivia, a few ideas about what we could possibly do, and spoke with us about a few of the cultural differences. Today, Saturday, we didn't have anything scheduled so most of us slept in and relaxed for a change. In the afternoon Marie, Leigh, Bethany, Nate (S.), and I went to little Italy. It was surprisingly quiet there. The streets were calm and is was a very residential area. We ate at Ignotz's which was a small italian restaurant. The owner was very hospitable and greeted us at the door, though part of the reason for meeting at the door is because the door was locked. The entrance was also down the ally (at left) and was a little bit confusing to find. but we found it, and all turned out well.

J. Krabes (Sept. 2)

jacob Putnam (Right) some times makes names for people like he called Justin Weaver, J Weaves. Now he calls James Krabill, J Krabes. Any way James Krabill is here today and tomorrow morning and spoke with us about differences and similarities between Peace and Evangelism, and taught us about Shalom.  Today hasn't been too exciting, but I'm feeling like we've established a steady schedule. Yesterday I missed the blog because I don't have my own computer.
So this picture is from yesterday when we got the chance to deliver the bags we packed for the kids of the Leland House. (as said in earlier Leland House is for families moving off the streets and getting on their feet) So this picture is loading them up to carry them to their rooms.

James Krabill Mid-Discussion

Johari (Aug 31)

So today we looked at this table thing called Johari its about sharing about your self and receiving constructive criticism about stuff you don't know about your self. But mostly included that because I thought it sounded like Safari, which makes for a good title.

So Today I met Adam who was what JPUSA (Jesus People USA pronounced Jupuza) people call an 'Air Crusty.' I don't know why exactly they got that name except that they are maybe a little "crusty" around the edges. But basically they are travelers. They follow their faith to an extreme. Adam was stopping at JPUSA for the night. He stayed for an over night stay because he has close friends that live here*. He was simply passing through he arrived coming from northern Virginia while he was visiting his family. So I met him when we had lunch together. He said he was heading out later today. As night approached he was getting ready to head out when he mention catching the train. It was only then that I realized that a lot of the people who pass through for a day or two just hop on cargo freights and travel the country. When he headed off to grab a pen to write down google map directs of some sort from one of our computers I asked a close friend I've made here at JPUSA about him. He explained to me that there are lots 'Air Crusties' like him who live nearly everyday without a place to rest their head and speaking the word of Christ as they go.  So he soon left and I said goodbye.

As well as being a very powerful image of God at work in today's society it also made me realize that I had brushed up right next to a child hood dream of my younger sister (Anna). Every since she was - how old were you anna? what like a freshman? - basically the same age as now (she's a Jr. in Highschool) she has wanted to be a hobo. Although Adam wasn't a "hobo" but only an "Air Crusty" it wasn't quite the same. But yet the same. I though I should get a picture for her.

                                                             ~Anna this is for you

*In order to get allowed residence here at JPUSA there are few actual requirements. 1) Christianity, in about any loose sense to follow christ. and 2) pass some sort of interview type thing or receive a recomendation of trust from a member within JPUSA already (this is to avoid the people that cause problems).

Camp Games and Heart to Hearts (Aug 30)

So in the morning we were joined by Justin Weaver (Liz's husband), who is the director at Camp Friedenswald. He led us through a few group games about communication and team work. The afternoon was free except for each team taking turns talking with our leaders (who I have failed to introduce) Darrell Gasho and Liz Weaver. In the discussion we each took time to talk about our life experiences and where we were in our faith Journey's. It was really good to hear others stories and also to share and be open with everyone.

OH! and if you wanted this blog as an RSS Feed all you have to do is go to the bottom of this page and click the white link: 'Posts (Atom)' and that link will open another page and select from the "Actions" at the bottom of the right bar.

Leland House

Aug. 28
So today was our first actual day of service. First thing in the morning we were blindfolded
and being dropped off at an unknown spot in chicago and had to find our way back. After that we spent an hour or two at the Leland House which is a half-way type house for homeless people who are getting on their feet. All the residents of the house have kids in school. What we (eight or so of us on our own initiative) did was fill up about 30 backpacks for the kids who are heading back to school. All of the school supplies were donations. it probably took about 2 hours in a very small room stuffing backpacks with the donations for each child.

Navy Pier - Aug 25

On wendsday after our planned activities/assignments most of the group went to navy pier to check it out for people who haven't ever been to the area. there were several better pictures taken by people in the group but some how this is the only one I took.

So now I am finally done catching up on my blog. I've caught up on all the days I missed but I'm not sure if I want to do this blog every day or if it is even possible with my internet connection once I get to Bolivia.

Team Bolivia - Aug 24

So Today was designed to get us used to public transportation and explore more of the city. After deviding our selves by country, we started.  First we went to the Chicago public library, we were we were supposed to get our Library cards. (Except that I Forgot my two pieces of mail, which is what is required for a card).
So after getting cards we decided to explore a bit. We headed to Millennium Park and looked around.

So because I have not yet given an intro to my roommates yet I'll do that... =)
I'll start by Introducing Team Bolivia Today.

Isaac Shue- Fun guy, constantly making jokes, likes to keep things light hearted. Isaac lives in Harper Kansas but, just graduated this spring from Goshen College with an Art Degree (Drawing and Ceramics) with my older sister liz.

Karsten Hess- Graduated from Bethany Christian with me this spring, and has been in lots of musicals with me in addition to Emmaus, Soccer, and lots of classes. He is quiet when you first meet him, but once he is used to people he is comfortable sharing any and all thoughts.

Jacob Putnam- Native Chicago resident (Helpful for navigation), grew up 10min. away from our orientation house. I don't know exactly what to say about him. He is quiet but is in no way hesitant to share. He is easy going and I feel a little bad for him having orientation in his home town. It is very different for everyone else in the group who comes from small towns. I would hate to do scavenger hunts in my home town.

Gloria Showalter- Gloria is a very considerate kind person. She grew up in PA being home schooled her whole life and just graduated. We have already had the opritunity to have some long disscussions on a variety of topics and I've enjoyed getting to know her.

Uptown - Aug 23

Today was a scavenger hunt of the local area called "Uptown". Which immediately reminded me of singing the song Uptown in Rags during my Jr. year. Anyway, we then proceeded to our picture scavenger hunt. Two of the pictures were:

A Bus Stop

Public Library

Grill - Aug 22 (Day 1)

So today was the first day of orientation, we talked a while right away and then had free time to hang out on our flat and get to know each other. Getting dinner was a challenge. "JPUSA" (JaPuza/Jesus People USA) is an interesting organization to stay with. Though the confusion came when we entered the cafeteria to find no food during the dinner hours. Eventually someone from the community came and asked kindly if we were aware that it was grill night and that everyone was out by the playground where the grill was. So after finding it we had to push our way through to get to the grill to grill our own food. It was a very interesting way to get introduced to the community of JPUSA.

Oh, and the AC didn't work. Got to sleep top bunk in 80ish degree room packed with 5 other guys.

Little Village - Aug 26

Today the Bolivia Group visited Little Village Chicago which is the Mexican area of Chicago. We were experiencing using spanish for the first time as a group. We have all had at least two years of spanish throughout high school, but it seems like Karsten is the best one on the team as far as spanish goes. We had lunch at "Mi Tierra"

Burrito Suzio

and then walked around and decided to stop in the candy/piñata