Time flies, but I prefer to travel by truck.
Wow! Has it really been three weeks since my last post? The week really do seem to fly by at a blink of an eye! Well let me catch you up on some recent happenings! First of all, we received a new child!! 8-month-old Anderson came to be with us last week. He was immediately content and happy (the toys and loving from the other children may have helped with that:) ). He continues to be a very happy baby and loves giving out the smiles! He came with a small case of bronchitis, but other than that he is a healthy little boy! I was told the home he came from couldn't feed him, so he came with a large appetite too!
This past week, I got to go on another adventure. I am still in the process of getting my visa, and my time on my tourist visa that I have now is running out quickly! Last Tuesday, we were going to get things finalized for the visa. I needed to go to the Bolivian consul in Brazil to get a stamp or something in my passport. (I don't really know exactly what it is that I need, sometimes I just have to follow along and trust the people taking care of me.) I have gone to Brazil many times on my trips here just to shop and look around since the town I live in is on the border of Bolivia. So we didn't think twice about it until someone in immigration told us before we left that I needed a Brazilian visa in order to get legal documents and such. So, off we went to the Brazilian consulate here in Guayaramerin. However, they explained that the only place we could get a Brazilian visa was in Cobija- a 12 hour drive away. Neil and Matilde (the people who have been taking care of my visa business) started laughing. At first, I couldn't tell if they were just pulling my leg. I mean, really? Drive 12 hours to get a visa so I can go to Brazil for maybe an hour? Isn't there a way around this? Surely they don't expect us to go to all that trouble! However, they weren't joking. Neil told me we would leave at 4 a.m. the next morning. I could have burst into tears on the spot. I didn't couldn't see how they thought this was so funny. Nevertheless, I picked myself up and forced myself into a mindset of flexibility and patience; I would need it for these next few days! I was told we would leave at 4 a.m. and we would stay through Friday. Well, the first didn't happen; and neither did the second. I got up Wednesday morning at 3:30 a.m., and was ready, with my backpack packed, by 4. When 4:30 rolled around, I figured they were just on typical Bolivian time. It's normal for them to come late- that's the culture. However, when 5:30 rolled around, I started to question whether I understood correctly. Maybe it WAS a joke! Or maybe he said 4 in the afternoon! No, no, I know he told me 4 in the morning and he wasn't joking. At 5:50, I decided to snooze for a little. They could wake me up when they got here. About 10 minutes later, there was a knock on my window. Time to leave! So Neil, Matilde, Carlos, and I climbed into the truck for a very, very long drive to Cobija. We only drove on paved road for about 2 out of the 12 hours. The rest of the road was dirt and after having rained, was full of potholes. Ten hours of hitting potholes full speed, driving through deep water, and stopping at sketchy places along the road to eat rendered me worn out when we arrived. However, I've always enjoyed road trips so, even though my legs were stiff and my bottom sore, I was glad for the adventure! We arrived in Cobija Wednesday evening, checked into a motel, and found a little road side stand that sold amazing fried chicken for dinner. The city was busy. Much bigger than Guayara. During our stay there, we did a lot of walking back and forth between this office and that. I just followed along and did what I was told. We also did a lot of waiting. We had to stay an extra day because the visa needed time to process, so during that day, there wasn't much to do except visit some friends and watch TV in the motel. Our trip home on Saturday went much more smoothly. Many of the potholes and been filled in and most of the water had subsided. We decided to go to Brazil then on Monday. However, again, we needed more papers and copies of papers. So we came back, made copies and returned again yesterday (Tuesday) morning. We got stamps on documents from the Bolivian consul and just needed the stamp in my passport from the Federal Police; and yet again, they wanted a paper, that I was not aware that I needed after our trip in Cobija and had left back in my room. This time I really was frustrated because it was my fault; I learned not to take any little piece of paper for granted, no matter how trivial it seems! We are returning tomorrow morning, hopefully for the last time! Please pray that this will be the last time!
In other news, little Juan Bernardo and Eva returned from Santa Cruz on Monday! I believe I said in my last post that his tumor is cancerous. I have not asked if they are going to be having operations, when, and the such. I believe they are still trying to decide what to do.
Also, these past 2 weeks and brought me a unique learning opportunity! I am learning how to mend shoes! A man is having a class here at the home with the older kids to teach them how to fix their shoes. Really, all it is is sewing the sole back onto the shoe. It's not hard, but it's fun to do with the kids!
There isn't much to say about English classes without being repetitive, especially since I only had two days of classes last week! We're learning days of the week and months this week. I am trying to get them to understand questions with each topic and form the full sentence answers. I'm not really sure that they're picking up on it, so I will probably try to do a couple grammar classes with the older kids. The adults decided that they would like more English in the week, so I now have the adult class on Wednesday as well, which makes it three times a week! But I don't mind at all. I would rather be worn out from teaching all day, since that is my purpose here, than feel like I'm not doing enough!
Devotional thoughts:
"For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men." 1 Peter 2:16
Be the good that people say doesn't exist. Show them the truth. Refute their "ignorant talk" with actions, not words. I feel that a lot of times, people just run their mouth without really thinking or knowing what their talking about. However, don't argue with these people! Like my day-to-day calendar said the other day, "Never argue with a fool. People may not know the difference!"
"But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened'." 1 Peter 3:14
I do not fear the world or what it fears. For the God that created the world is my God! He knows every thought, instinct, and reason. Nothing surprises Him. He knows everything that will happen, because nothing can happen without His permission- not even your next breath. Therefore, since I know that my God controls everything and I know that He loves me immensely, what do I have to fear?
"For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful, human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error." 2 Peter 2:18
This is part of why discipleship is so important. We need to look out for new Christians! We should be helping them discern right and wrong- to spot the wolves in sheep's clothing!
"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing and wrapped a towel around His waist" John 13:3-4
I've always found this passage interesting. So, you know that you came from God, and you have the power of God, and your first instinct is to wrap a towel around your waist and wash your disciples' feet? Try introducing that to the boss at a large, successful business! I have a feeling it wouldn't go over well!
"Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." John 13:7
Part of trusting God is trusting that His will will be done. Not trusting that things will work out our way- that this person will be safe, or that person's health won't fail- but trusting that whatever happens will glorify God and that He will carry you through whatever happens.
"I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me." John 14:30-31a
Christ allowed Himself to be humiliated and beaten in obedience to the Father, as an example to us.
"And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the pagans do that?" Matthew 5:47
We are to do more than others. We are set apart from the world because we know the truth. Because we know the truth, we should love more, give more, have more mercy and compassion, and do more good. Do more so that God will be glorified!
"Then he touched their eyes and said, 'According to your faith will it be done to you' and their sight was restored." Matthew 9:29-30
What would you receive based on your faith? Do you have enough faith to do or receive miracles?
I was given a book, as a graduation present, by neurosurgeon, Ben Carson. It is called Take the Risk. I've been reading it a little at as time, and this past week I took some notes out of it that I really loved:
"I find that when an audience understands a bit about who you are, where you come from, what you've been through, and how you came to the ideas and the values you have, they are more inclined to listen to you explain why you believe the way you do."
Relate to people! Don't just preach down to them and expect them to submit to your opinions!
"A holier-than-thou demeanor and a refusal to respect or even listen to someone else's point-of-view actually present a risk to both sides."
"...if the Lord has the power to control kings and rivers [in reference to Proverbs 21:1], surely I can trust him with the details of my. I don't have to tread lightly when it comes to talking about, or living my life by, my faith in him."
"It's actually because of the strength of my beliefs that I feel comfortable approaching any discussion about faith with an open-minded willingness to consider any truth."
If my instinct is to automatically write off others' beliefs and not even listen to them, doesn't that show that I'm just scared I won't be able to defend my own beliefs? That I'm not so secure in my beliefs, and that theirs might make sense and I won't be able to refute them, even though I know they go against God's words?
Something to think about.
Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed it!
God Bless!
Kirsten
This past week, I got to go on another adventure. I am still in the process of getting my visa, and my time on my tourist visa that I have now is running out quickly! Last Tuesday, we were going to get things finalized for the visa. I needed to go to the Bolivian consul in Brazil to get a stamp or something in my passport. (I don't really know exactly what it is that I need, sometimes I just have to follow along and trust the people taking care of me.) I have gone to Brazil many times on my trips here just to shop and look around since the town I live in is on the border of Bolivia. So we didn't think twice about it until someone in immigration told us before we left that I needed a Brazilian visa in order to get legal documents and such. So, off we went to the Brazilian consulate here in Guayaramerin. However, they explained that the only place we could get a Brazilian visa was in Cobija- a 12 hour drive away. Neil and Matilde (the people who have been taking care of my visa business) started laughing. At first, I couldn't tell if they were just pulling my leg. I mean, really? Drive 12 hours to get a visa so I can go to Brazil for maybe an hour? Isn't there a way around this? Surely they don't expect us to go to all that trouble! However, they weren't joking. Neil told me we would leave at 4 a.m. the next morning. I could have burst into tears on the spot. I didn't couldn't see how they thought this was so funny. Nevertheless, I picked myself up and forced myself into a mindset of flexibility and patience; I would need it for these next few days! I was told we would leave at 4 a.m. and we would stay through Friday. Well, the first didn't happen; and neither did the second. I got up Wednesday morning at 3:30 a.m., and was ready, with my backpack packed, by 4. When 4:30 rolled around, I figured they were just on typical Bolivian time. It's normal for them to come late- that's the culture. However, when 5:30 rolled around, I started to question whether I understood correctly. Maybe it WAS a joke! Or maybe he said 4 in the afternoon! No, no, I know he told me 4 in the morning and he wasn't joking. At 5:50, I decided to snooze for a little. They could wake me up when they got here. About 10 minutes later, there was a knock on my window. Time to leave! So Neil, Matilde, Carlos, and I climbed into the truck for a very, very long drive to Cobija. We only drove on paved road for about 2 out of the 12 hours. The rest of the road was dirt and after having rained, was full of potholes. Ten hours of hitting potholes full speed, driving through deep water, and stopping at sketchy places along the road to eat rendered me worn out when we arrived. However, I've always enjoyed road trips so, even though my legs were stiff and my bottom sore, I was glad for the adventure! We arrived in Cobija Wednesday evening, checked into a motel, and found a little road side stand that sold amazing fried chicken for dinner. The city was busy. Much bigger than Guayara. During our stay there, we did a lot of walking back and forth between this office and that. I just followed along and did what I was told. We also did a lot of waiting. We had to stay an extra day because the visa needed time to process, so during that day, there wasn't much to do except visit some friends and watch TV in the motel. Our trip home on Saturday went much more smoothly. Many of the potholes and been filled in and most of the water had subsided. We decided to go to Brazil then on Monday. However, again, we needed more papers and copies of papers. So we came back, made copies and returned again yesterday (Tuesday) morning. We got stamps on documents from the Bolivian consul and just needed the stamp in my passport from the Federal Police; and yet again, they wanted a paper, that I was not aware that I needed after our trip in Cobija and had left back in my room. This time I really was frustrated because it was my fault; I learned not to take any little piece of paper for granted, no matter how trivial it seems! We are returning tomorrow morning, hopefully for the last time! Please pray that this will be the last time!
In other news, little Juan Bernardo and Eva returned from Santa Cruz on Monday! I believe I said in my last post that his tumor is cancerous. I have not asked if they are going to be having operations, when, and the such. I believe they are still trying to decide what to do.
Also, these past 2 weeks and brought me a unique learning opportunity! I am learning how to mend shoes! A man is having a class here at the home with the older kids to teach them how to fix their shoes. Really, all it is is sewing the sole back onto the shoe. It's not hard, but it's fun to do with the kids!
There isn't much to say about English classes without being repetitive, especially since I only had two days of classes last week! We're learning days of the week and months this week. I am trying to get them to understand questions with each topic and form the full sentence answers. I'm not really sure that they're picking up on it, so I will probably try to do a couple grammar classes with the older kids. The adults decided that they would like more English in the week, so I now have the adult class on Wednesday as well, which makes it three times a week! But I don't mind at all. I would rather be worn out from teaching all day, since that is my purpose here, than feel like I'm not doing enough!
Devotional thoughts:
"For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men." 1 Peter 2:16
Be the good that people say doesn't exist. Show them the truth. Refute their "ignorant talk" with actions, not words. I feel that a lot of times, people just run their mouth without really thinking or knowing what their talking about. However, don't argue with these people! Like my day-to-day calendar said the other day, "Never argue with a fool. People may not know the difference!"
"But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened'." 1 Peter 3:14
I do not fear the world or what it fears. For the God that created the world is my God! He knows every thought, instinct, and reason. Nothing surprises Him. He knows everything that will happen, because nothing can happen without His permission- not even your next breath. Therefore, since I know that my God controls everything and I know that He loves me immensely, what do I have to fear?
"For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful, human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error." 2 Peter 2:18
This is part of why discipleship is so important. We need to look out for new Christians! We should be helping them discern right and wrong- to spot the wolves in sheep's clothing!
"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing and wrapped a towel around His waist" John 13:3-4
I've always found this passage interesting. So, you know that you came from God, and you have the power of God, and your first instinct is to wrap a towel around your waist and wash your disciples' feet? Try introducing that to the boss at a large, successful business! I have a feeling it wouldn't go over well!
"Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." John 13:7
Part of trusting God is trusting that His will will be done. Not trusting that things will work out our way- that this person will be safe, or that person's health won't fail- but trusting that whatever happens will glorify God and that He will carry you through whatever happens.
"I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me." John 14:30-31a
Christ allowed Himself to be humiliated and beaten in obedience to the Father, as an example to us.
"And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the pagans do that?" Matthew 5:47
We are to do more than others. We are set apart from the world because we know the truth. Because we know the truth, we should love more, give more, have more mercy and compassion, and do more good. Do more so that God will be glorified!
"Then he touched their eyes and said, 'According to your faith will it be done to you' and their sight was restored." Matthew 9:29-30
What would you receive based on your faith? Do you have enough faith to do or receive miracles?
I was given a book, as a graduation present, by neurosurgeon, Ben Carson. It is called Take the Risk. I've been reading it a little at as time, and this past week I took some notes out of it that I really loved:
"I find that when an audience understands a bit about who you are, where you come from, what you've been through, and how you came to the ideas and the values you have, they are more inclined to listen to you explain why you believe the way you do."
Relate to people! Don't just preach down to them and expect them to submit to your opinions!
"A holier-than-thou demeanor and a refusal to respect or even listen to someone else's point-of-view actually present a risk to both sides."
"...if the Lord has the power to control kings and rivers [in reference to Proverbs 21:1], surely I can trust him with the details of my. I don't have to tread lightly when it comes to talking about, or living my life by, my faith in him."
"It's actually because of the strength of my beliefs that I feel comfortable approaching any discussion about faith with an open-minded willingness to consider any truth."
If my instinct is to automatically write off others' beliefs and not even listen to them, doesn't that show that I'm just scared I won't be able to defend my own beliefs? That I'm not so secure in my beliefs, and that theirs might make sense and I won't be able to refute them, even though I know they go against God's words?
Something to think about.
Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed it!
God Bless!
Kirsten
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