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!

Long awaited Pictures!!!

This is from the wedding. It is Cara, me, Heather, and Wes. They are all part of the AMAZING staff that is Word Made Flesh Bolivia.

Most of you know this good lookin´guy...Andy Baker!

This is how we crossed the river. It was pretty much an incredble experience!

The view from the porch of our little hut!

Me and the bear! I pet him. It is sad...He is not totally with it.

One of the incredible waterfalls on our hike! I got to play in it, and let me tell you...those things can knock you OUT!

My team. In front: Autumn, Me and Cara. In Back: Clark, Laura, and Bryan.

And here we are all being a little silly as usual.

This one is for you, Kelly Lawson! I tried it, not my favorite, but pretty decent!

This is after we went to church yesterday with the wonderful Eliana!


Hope you enjoy the pictures! Miss yall!

Desperation

Yesterday, we had Saturday off from activities and duties, and it was a beautiful day! Autumn and I hung out and after lunch, we went down to the city (La Paz) to look around and hang out. I was going to give her an early birthday present and we were going to go to Burger King! You can imagine how excited we were, but unfortunately, we didn´t have enough money between the two of us...and it is only about $4 US, but thats quite a bit here! So, we were walking through the market on our way home in El Alto to run by an ATM to be able to have our BK! I felt myself get hit in the back of the head with something...and I thought quickly and remembered how they do things around here. When someone wants to rob you, they spit on you, so you´ll turn and they can grab your things...Therefore, I grabbed my things real tight, but immediately I was crowded by about 4 people and unable to walk. A woman standing next to me was staring me in the face, and I finally pushed through. About 15 steps later, I turn to tell Autumn that I thought someone was trying to rob me, and then realized the woman is still RIGHT next to me and the next thing I know she is gone and things are falling out of my bag...She got my glasses, my glasses case, and fingernail polish. I cried. I tried to find her. As I was trying to find her, another person spit on me, so I decided it was time to split from this market. We ended up going home without dinner and buying some oeros from a little vendor for dinner and eating popcorn later. I was so furious and violated during this, but soon on the bus ride home I remembered the verse from Matthew 5: 38-42. Specifically the part, "And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well." This is of course a tough lesson to learn especially because I know those people cannot use my glasses with my prescription, but I know God has a bigger plan and the glasses can be replaced. I can sew the hole in my bag bag together, and I can wash the spit out of my hair.
I know this woman was driven not be green, but by desperation, so she, too deserves forgiveness. Please pray for her and the others in El Alto that have been driven to such desperation to get by. Pray that they will trust in the Lord to be the Great Provider that He is. Thanks for everything everyone! Yall are amazing!

Oh, and Happy Mother´s Day to all your Mommas out there!!!

I think Everyone Should Get to Visit the Peruvian Jungle!!!

Well, we left last Monday afternoon around 2 PM and arrive by bus in Lima around 7 PM on Tuesday night. In total, we spent about 50 hours on a bus over the course of a week! It was an amazing ride filled with book discussions with our group, making bracelets, watching movies, and eating snacks! The first night was filled with fellowship and dinner with the WMF Lima, Peru staff and servant team. From the beginning, I know this was going to be a great time because these people are amazing! We stayed with a staff member the first night and I got to have CEREAL for breakfast with real milk! I have only had powdered milk for 3 months! Then, we went on a solidarity walk much like the Observation day walk we did at the beginning of our time here in La Paz. We began in the poorest section of town where we witnessed many of the children they work with that live on the streets working, playing their instruments. A guy tried to spit on me, and the sidewalks and air is just filthy. Throughout the rest of the walk, it got progressively nicer ending in a side of town filled with Fridays, Chili´s, and Starbucks. It was obvious that the residents of the other side of town are not welcome there. It was very eye-opening and also just interesting to see another city so similar in many respects yet SOO different from El Alto.
That night, around 10 PM, we boarded another bus to head to...the JUNGLE! We arrived around 6 AM...and let me tell you, this place was incredible! It began with the 13 of us needing to cross a river...and what better way than a hanging cart that you pull yourself across!! It was so much fun. I have pictures that will be put up later! It was this little retreat center run by a Peruvian pastor with little cabins, a pond, and SO many animals! My favorite part, the animals consister of: a turtle, a monkey, about 6 peacocks, 2 owls, 2 cats, 3 dogs, a parrot, a rooster, and a BEAR! I totally pet the bear because I felt safe. He is a little slow because he was injured by some hunters! It was such a time of reflection of our time in South America, relaxation, and fellowship with our new friends! God´s presence definitely filled that place. We hiked a mountain one day and hiked to waterfalls to play the next! The pastor shared his testimony with us and shared all of our meals with us. It was an incredible time...possibly my favorite time in Latin America. We headed back on Saturday to Lima and spent the rest of our time in a hostal run by a fabulous family that really excelled in customer service. We were SO spoiled on this trip. We eventually got Papa John´s pizza!! And we had hot showers...which we get in Bolivia, but they are always still FREEZING because the temperature outside is so cold!
Another fantastic aspect of this trip was Sunday night...AMAZING RACE LIMA!! They split up the teams and we were off...it consisted of...eating 5 little loaves of bread, competing in Dance Dance Revolution and getting at least a D (We got on a hard machine and it took us about 6 trys), water balloon toss, choreographing a 30 second dance on the other side of town, eating a live fish (not me), and making someone a birthday cake...like making them BE a birthday cake (we poured 6 eggs and LOTS of flour on their head). This all ended with my team winning, but it was SUCH a fun time. We had some down time to hang out with the other team. I learned to slackline (does anyone do this because I want to again!!!), sat by the ocean, and shared some great meals! This trip really did leave me feeling refreshed and renewed in the rest of my time here...only one more month! I can´t believe it is almost here. I am thankful to be back with my family here in El Alto and to serve the people here as best as I can for the rest of my time. I am praying to for the ability to stay present to them and to be able to love them well and to serve and glorify our God in everything.

Little side note: For my project of doing market research, I will need lots of emails. If anyone has a list of emails or even just your email you would like or be willing to send me to send a short survey to later, that would be fantastic!! Love yall and miss you tons!!!