What all the neighbors are talking about

Every writing class I ever took told me that a good line of dialogue is always better than pages of narrative. Just so I can say I’m putting my major to use, here are a few recent quotes and the appropriate responses.

What part of Minnesota is Bolivia?

Or even better:

Bolivia, now where is that in Europe?

Well, actually, unlike Darfur, Minnesota (which does exist), there is no Bolivia, Minnesota. Bolivia is a small country in South America about the size of Texas and California combined. It is one of two landlocked countries in South America and interestingly enough, is the only landlocked country in the world to have a navy.

So how long are you going to be in Bosnia?

No, no, no. It’s Bolivia. If you can’t remember, just think of the Activia yogurt commercial. Come on now, sing it with me: Boliviaaaaa!

Phew! Now that we have that straight - I'm going to be in Bolivia for just under a year. I fly out of Sioux Falls, SD on August 11, 2011 and leave Bolivia again on July 20, 2012.

What to they talk down there? Do you know Spanish?

Well, I was a Spanish minor in college, so in theory, I know Spanish. I’m going to be doing a couple weeks of language lessons in Cochabamba, Bolivia before I start at Talia Cumi in Santa Cruz. Hopefully that’ll be enough to bring back what I spent four years of college learning!

I just know this is where God wants you to go and what you’re supposed to do next.

For a long time I’ve had a strong desire to go to South or Central America. I’ve felt God pulling me out of the country, out of my comfort zone to a place where I can help those who are less fortunate than I am.

Through the SALT application and fundraising process, time and time again my decision has been reaffirmed. In passing, people will drop words of encouragement that mean so much to me. Obstacles stand in my path just long enough for me to be reminded to rely on God and then they fade away.

Bolivia. . . huh. Now why would you want to go there?

And

Bolivia? I was having a hard time deciding if I should go to Iowa or not.

I know. Bolivia is a long way from my life in Southwest Minnesota. But ever since I stepped onto my first international flight when I was 13, I’ve been living with a travel bug that won’t go away.

When I submitted my application to MCC, I listed a regional preference of South or Central America. My background and skills fit  best with the position in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

No one wants to just read the poem instead of being the person in the poem.

Exactly! Heaven knows I have moments when there are all sorts of doubts running through my head. In fact, I’m anticipating them to increase as my departure date gets closer. When I’m at the Sioux Falls Airport, I expect to have an “Oh my gosh, this was such a BAD idea!!” moment.

But, in spite of the doubts flitting through my head, I know this is the right choice. I’m really looking forward to my year abroad and can’t wait to see what God does in my life while I’m there.

Go with God.

Daily Life for the Next Year

I’ve been asked many times what I’m going to be doing while I’m in Bolivia. Every time I respond, I feel like I’m making an educated guess at best. I’ve had enough employers to know that job descriptions only give a vague idea really. Daily life always ends up looking different that the paper summary I was handed.

Nevertheless, I’m really excited about the summary that I have been given. It fits my talents and interests and should be just enough variety to keep life interesting.

Assignment Description

Talita Cumi Children's Home is a residence facility for orphaned or abandoned children. It is located in a neighborhood that includes families of low and moderate income. Recent construction to the facilities includes new rooms for boys, volunteer housing and an enclosed kitchen and dining area. There is a small patio for outdoor games. At times, the children leave the facilities to play in a large open area nearby. Children range in age from preschool through adolescent (boys to age 12 only). School age children attend school for a  day either in the morning or afternoon. The home is governed by a board of directors and is supported, in part, by the only English-speaking church in Santa Cruz, which is attended mostly by N. American and British workers from various mission agencies who live and work in Santa Cruz. Because of these mission agency connections, various work groups come for short periods of time to help with Bible School type activities with the children or other projects at the home. This SALT assignment will include both caring for the children as well as work with the sponsorship program and occasionally working with visiting work groups. Work hours are 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, though alternate schedules are often arranged later in the year. The SALTer will live with a Bolivian host family.

Duties

·General emotional and physical nurture of children including everything from monitoring head lice to disciplining fairly, from providing bathroom assistance to giving hugs and affirmation

·Provide homework assistance and structure to school age children, work with preschoolers to learn numbers, colors, etc.

·Play with the children informally and in organized groups.

·Work with sponsorship program: coordinating mailing and distribution of brochures, profiling- pairing of sponsor and child email communication with sponsors, translating child/sponsor correspondence, updating pictures, assisting with newsletter depending on skills