Estoy aqui

Hola from Bolivia.
Well, it has been an adventure to get here. Our group met in Miami, Fl to fly out together. We spent a wonderful 2 hours talking before boarding and taking off. This goodbye to the states was extremely difficult as I shed many tears. Little did I know that it would not be goodbye just yet. I had the pleasure to have the seat 31A meaning the window seat in the back left. We took off and within 2 minutes or 1000 feet up the left engine blew up sounding 4 or 5 rapid backfires including fire and smoke shooting from the engine just outside my window. This is a moment where I truly believed I was about to die. It´s not every flight you get to see the engine blow up and live. I was one of the few lucky ones that actually saw this. I grasped my hands and prayed, and forunately, we turned around and landed safely. Praise the LORD!!! After deplaning and spending 16 hours in the Miami airport (from 11 PM to 3 PM) we were off again. We slept in a crowded autitoruim on cots for the night which was also an adventure waking up to strange men standing over you with coughing, snoring people everywhere...awkward!

Then, finally, we arrived in El Alto at midnight Saturday night, almost a day late, and our families were waiting for us. I met my host mom, Cipriana and her son, Juan(18). They walked me back home in the dark that night. Cipriana is a wonderful woman who is gentle, yet hardworking. She helps me soo much with my spanish, even though I still understand very little. She has one son in the home, and three daughters, Rebeca, 12, Sara, 10, and Nancy 4. Nancy is incredible as she has her wonderful way of making EVERYONE smile.

I have experienced homesickness thus far, but I am getting better. I still miss everyone from the states so much, but my team is such a great support group and we are all helping each other through our difficulties as we´ve had altitude sickness within the group, but lots and lots of love are in this community we´ve made. I have definitely experienced culture shock on many levels. I knew there were wild dogs, but I never expected this many. There is actually one next to me in this internet cafe now. In my 3 block walk from Cara´s house (my servant team leader), I pass an average of 15 dogs. As you know, I am a huge animal lover, and it is a hard task to not look to these dogs as pets, but guard dogs that are very mean. I actually have already had to pass a dead dog on the street several times which breaks my heart, but I am already adjusting to "thats just how it is here."

Food is very different here. Lunch is a HUGE meal and you are expected to eat everything on your plate. This is tough with it being so big, but if you do not eat everything, you greatly offend your family, so I scarf it down even if I am soo full. Everything I have been served so far has been great. My accomodations are actually much greater than I expected. I have a warm bed, vanity with drawers, a chair and two tables in my room! It is much more than I need.

I´m still trying to figure everything out and it is tough, especially missing home, but I know the Lord will take care of everything. He is beginning to give me peace and strength to persevere. Your prayers are very appreciated, and I cannot wait to see what else I have to offer the community of El Alto.

I miss you mucho!!!! And I hope to write again soon! xoxo!