Muchas Gracias

Hey all! Well, as most of you probably know. I made it home safely and early! My plane landed 15 minutes early and I ran to baggage claim, beating all the others off the plane by at least 5 minutes. It really is great to be back, to spend time with family and friends, and just relax. I want to send a genuine thank you to EVERYONE who supported me...just by reading my blogs, praying, and even financially to get me there. The experience has changed my life forever in incredible ways. It has left me broken, which is a great place to be to worship and realize my dependence on the Lord, joyful, loving my life and the many new and old family and friends I have to share it with, and thankful for all the many opportunities, possessions, and love I have to give others.

As anyone who read the blog knows, not everything has gone my way throughout my time in Bolivia and I had many unspoken trials throughout my time. Through all of these trials I have recently experienced, I think I am in the best place of my life at this point. I have never been more happy, full of joy, and ready to praise and worship God for the recent blessings he has bestowed upon my life. I want to send another thank you to you, for reading and for walking on this journey faithfully with me...and a HUGE thank you to the Lord that ultimately got me here and has taken me through everything I encountered and will never forsake me. He loves each and every one of you equally and is ALWAYS with you in ANY situation!
Praise God and God Bless!!!

The Incan Trail...and farewell

It has been a crazy week! I have done things I never thought I would and I am continuing to prepare for some of the hardest things I will ever do. We were told we were goin on a 2 day hike on the "Chorro." I never imagined that 2 days literally meant we were going to be walking for 10-11 hours a day downhill/uphill and everything in between. We hiked 70 kilometers in 2 days which I have calculated is 43.75 miles. It was truly INCREDIBLE AND THE HARDEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE! We started out eye level with glaciers and declined almost 10,000 feet to end up in orange groves and coffee plantations! We slept under a little open hut in sleeping bags. Of course, it rained and it was FREEZING, but I got some good sleep in. My joints have never hurt so bad in my life. It really doesn´t matter how in shape you are, it tears you up. On the amazing side of this journey, the views and wildlife and waterfalls were incredible!!!!! There were SOOO many waterfalls we couldn´t have been able to count. We were just in the jungle with green mountains, flowers, and trees, and as the pain lingered in my body, I truly did enjoy all that nature had to offer. There were wild horses, llamas, and pigs in some parts...oh my. The trail is an old Incan trail that the Incas created HUNDREDS of years ago. As I walked through and thought of my heavy pack and wet shoes, I realized, the Incans probably did this barefoot...I need to suck it up! I still can´t believe I made it, but it was an incredible experience that I am thankful for! Andrea and Cara were our fearless and amazing leaders. We ended and took a day retreat to a hotel in Coroico to let our muscles rebuild themselves and discuess the week to come. I can not believe I am on week 16 of 16. Every day comes some conversation of leaving this place that I have grown SO comfortable with. I really feel like I am preparing to leave my family behind. Sipriana, Juan, Rebeca, Sara, and Nancy are a part of me. It will truly be a tough task to say goodbye not knowing when or if our paths of life will cross again here on Earth. I want to give a sincere thank you to all that have walked with me on this journey, for your prayer and support. I do not think I will write again until after I return this Saturday night. I love all of you and can not wait to be able to share life with you again in the States. Remember Bolivia and this incredible family in your prayers.

Dark places, cold places, and happy places...

This past weekend has been a busy and exciting time. Last Thursday, I went to the brothels with Andy, Vicki, and Clark. In one word I would describe it as...dark. In the literal sense, there were VERY few lights. When there were, they were covered with red paper to signify the red light district. In the other sense, it was full of sin, desperation, and shame. I was surprised by how little noise there was in most as the hundreds of men shuffled through inspecting the women. I saw many of my friends, which struck me the most. I now understand so much more of the reality they live in. None of these women ever went there by choice, but in their depseration or from being trafficed from other countries, they were trapped in this situation. I really did feel the presence of God with me as He protected me from situations, and allowed me to talk with many of the women that night. I still haven´t really been able to process the entire thing and don´t know my real reflections on everything I saw and experienced. It just sparked a renewed need for prayer in these places and lives. God´s presence needs to bee seen and felt by these people.

The next day, we left for camping! It was an adventure for sure. We packed down the car and drove 3 hours. We could see Sajama! I recommend you to google this and see a picture of this amazing mountain! It is the highest in Bolivia and INCREDIBLE! We randomly drove off the side of the road and searched for a good camping spot among the many rock formations and amazing views. We found this incredible little valley and set up! We had a great time just hanging out and enjoying each other´s company while eating chicken fajitas (maybe my favorite thing that I have had in Bolivia) and smores (No wait, this is my favorite)! I did keep somewhat warm, although, it got down to 20 degrees. I only woke up once because my toes were freezing, and woke up to a little black puppy that found us to play. I think everyone knows my love for animals, so he was my friend! :) We had quiet time and time to climb and do whatever the entire next morning which was an incredible time of relaxation that I haven´t had in a while. After lunch, we headed to the Chilean border and went swimming in natural hot springs! Just picture relaxing in a natural hot tub (minus the sulfer smell) while gazing at the most amazing mountain ever on one side and amazing volcanoes from Chile on the other! It was incredible!

Yesterday, I got to visit Noelia again. I made it all the way to her house on my own with very few directions and spent SO much time just hanging out in their home and talking with her family. She opened up so much more this time, and I want to reemphasize that I HIGHLY recommend anyone who has the resources to bless a child through Compassion. I feel such a connection with this family and I can not wait to watch Noelia grow up in this program. She is taught from an early age about God´s love and how to pray and how to love others. I met so many older kids that had only amazing things to say about Compassion. I am so sad to leave and not know when I may see Noelia again, but I know she is in good hands!

¡Praises and Prayers!

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for Sipriana and possibly for work! She has just found a little stand to rent that she will be making hot dogs, hamburgers, egg sandwiches and french fries in every night from 4-1 AM. The ironic thing is she has never made a hamburger or hot dog at the house, but I hear she is fabulous. Her and her husband used to have one way back in the day, and now she has gotten the courage to try again by herself! Pray for her as she may be opening this Saturday in our local market place! Pray that customers come to her and that she doesnt have fear but continues to put her faith in God that he will provide (and I do mean continue...she has so much faith that God is greater and He is the great provider!)

Please continue to pray for my first time going to the streets and into the brothels tonight. If I am honest, I must say I am completely nervous and anxious, but trying to keep remember that He will be with me! We are also going camping tomorrow with Andy Baker, little Eli, Heather and Wes for Friday night out in the mountains. More than safety, more than health, I am requesting prayer to stay warm as we are going to sleep outside in the VERY high and VERY cold altitude! I am pretty cold in my bed with sleeping bag and blankets every night, but they have confidence we will be alright!

I also get to visit Noelia again next Monday at Compassion! I am truly excited and blessed to have this opporunity again!

Prayers

I am writing to ask for prayer in advance for this Thursday. As a part of their ministry, the staff sends two people to visit the streets each week. As the servant team, we haven´t had this opportunity to go until now which I believe I am thankful for. I have established relationships with many of the woman, but now, I will have to see them in the place they work. We will enter the brothels and visit with the women. I don´t believe I will have to even talk, but be a silent observer and offer hot chocolate. I will not only have the horrible image of these women standing up for inspection to be sold to their clients anymore that has been created in my mind over these last months here. I ask for prayer for myself and those I am going with as we enter this dark place filled with sin and shame, and I also ask for prayer for these men and women participating in these acts. I am going with Andy, Clark, and Vicki. Thanks for everything!