Uber Busy December and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

My 3rd month in Bolivia, and I must say, it was a very busy one, and a very fast one at that. 

It is getting harder and harder to write these. But I'm still trying...so much has happened this month, here goes...

We said goodbye to our wonderful Katie in the beginning of the month. It was so sad to see her go and we are definitely missing her like no other but I know she is happy to be back home in the states, but also missing Bolivia. Judy also left us for Sucre (a city in Bolivia) that same day to take Spanish classes for several weeks, but she will be back, though she is being terribly missed. Marcos, Steph and I joked around saying that we felt like we were abandoned haha but the three of us ended up bonding more this past month.

December in Bolivia is a very interesting month. The weather gets even hotter, even more humid, we have big thunderstorms so everything gets really wet and muddy. And...the mosquitos you ask?...well, they've overpassed worst!!! Steph and I get attacked by a swarm of them every time we go in and out of our house. I have never seen anything like it. Sure did not feel like Christmas weather...Steph kept saying how much she missed the snow. I will say this, even though I absolutely hate the cold, Bolivia (Santa Cruz, Bolivia, that is...) really made me miss winter in Los Angeles, shoot, even snow, and it doesn't even snow in LA!!! But I did miss seeing all the snow on the mountains. With that said, even though I missed my typical Christmas weather, it was awesome to experience something so unique, a really hot and humid Christmas while dripping with sweat =) and with a beautiful clear blue sky with big white fluffy clouds...such a gorgeous sight to see which I will only ever get to see here, and I loved it!!! 

This month, I got to experience my first Bolivian high school graduation. It was really fun. We were invited by Doña Mery because her daughter was graduating, she likes to call herself our Bolivian mom, and she loves taking care of us and feeding us cake all the time...=) We love her. The ceremony started late, like any typical Bolivian event lol, but it was a very long one. They have a really nice tradition here, instead of the graduates just walking up by themselves and receiving their diploma, they walk a red carpet while being accompanied by a loved one carrying a rose. =) It's such a sweet tradition =). I enjoyed watching each student walk up and receiving their diploma. 

After the ceremony, Doña Mery invited us to her house to have brunch. Later in the evening we were invited to the actual graduation party, which reminded me sort of like prom, because the girls wear long elegant gowns to the party, the only difference is that family and friends are invited to the party as well. The party didn't begin until 11pm, and Bolivians know how to party. There was dancing all night long all the way until morning. Marcos, Steph and I left like around 3am, and the party still felt like it was just starting...lol. We don't know at what time it actually finished but I'm pretty sure they finished until sunrise. 

Ok, so you know how in the states we have summer camp around summer vacation, well here, because summer vacation is during the months of December and January, we have, get this: CHRISTMAS CAMP!!! "Villa Feliz" is what we called it. Some of you probably saw on FB how stoked I was about this =). My two favorite seasons all rolled up into one...woot! It was two weeks of fun and most importantly two weeks of preparing for the birth of baby Jesus! I was in charge of theater. I prepared my group of kids for a Christmas pageant. It was so much fun and somewhat challenging getting them all together to practice but in the end they gave a wonderful performance and I was just so very proud of them =). It was a great two weeks and I got to meet more kids and become a lot closer to them as well. They all loved holding my hand, sometimes it got a little out of control because they would pull me, fighting for my hand. I swear I had like five kids on each arm...no joke. It almost felt like they'd end up fighting for my legs too...lol. Which I've had kids hug me by the leg while walking before...and climbed me as if I were a tree. lol. But I love it! 

This month I also got to hang out with Padre Ivan, a wonderful Salesian priest I met in the Interamerica Salesian Youth Movement Encuentro in Cumbaya, Ecuador. It was great seeing him again, he took us out for lunch and around Santa Cruz. We got to see some of the sites he works at and I got to visit Casa Main. An Hogar (orphanage) run by the Salesian Sisters. The sisters there are very sweet. This is the hogar that Thea, who some of you know, volunteered for 6 months. The girls had left to the plaza, so I couldn't really hang out with them, but I will be going back this week to get to know them =). 

Also, this month, Steph and I decided to go on a baking spree and we baked a lot of cookies for the people that we know around Okinawa. We baked sugar cookies and peanut butter blossoms, and didn't go to sleep until 3am. We delivered them on Christmas Eve, it was a good walk, though the sun was really burning that day and some of the cookies were melting along the way...lol. But we brought a little of an American tradition to the people of our little town...=) they loved the cookies....

After delivering cookies, we went back home and got ready for Christmas Eve dinner alongside the sisters and a very poor family that the sisters chose to invite into their house for Christmas dinner. We had roasted chicken, with rice, salad, and a banana. A very simple dinner, but I know it made the family happy. The family was somewhat shy, but appreciative, the kids were so adorable, especially one of the littlest ones, he was enjoying himself running around everywhere =). They all got presents and food to take back home. I really hope they enjoyed their dinner. After that, we went to Christmas Eve mass. The gospel was turned into a play by some of our kids, and the baby who played baby Jesus, was the sweetest thing. So calm and so serene, he played the part perfectly! Some of the kids danced for baby Jesus and Marcos (dressed up as Santa) gave out candy at the end of mass. After mass, we went back to the sisters house and waited for midnight, we toasted, and then went outside to look at all the fireworks the people of Okinawa light up right when it's midnight. Sor Nora bought some for us to light up, so we joined in on all the fun. It was nice. 

On Christmas Day, it is tradition for the volunteers to make Christmas breakfast for the sisters at our little house. We had pancakes and eggs. We enjoyed having the sisters over and they enjoyed the pancakes. It was like our own little family. It was great! In the afternoon, we headed out to the Hogar (orphanage) in Montero, to help out the SLMs there pass out presents to all the girls in the Hogar. It was lots of fun helping them out. Marcos dressed up as Santa Claus again and passed out the presents, while Steph and I ran up and down the stairs bringing down the girls presents =) losing the calories from all the Christmas sweets...haha. I loved seeing the girls faces as they lit up when receiving their gifts. After that, Marcos, Steph and I headed back home, bought our Christmas dinner, took it home and ate it while watching "The Nativity" after that, we opened the presents we got for each other, very small, simple gifts, but fun all the same =). I got a tiny notebook from Judy, chocolates from Marcos, and a pair of pink earrings and a pair of socks with a cute frog on them from Steph. =) After opening our presents, we enjoyed another movie "The Family Stone." Such a great end to a special day with our little family, just the three of us.  =)

Christmas really felt like what Christmas is suppose to feel like. Even though I missed home, my family, boyfriend, friends and Rambo =), I never had a Christmas like the one I did here. It was so simple, yet so special. You could really feel that Christmas was about baby Jesus and not about the presents and consumerism. People don't decorate all extravagantly like in the states, it's all very simple, but nativity scenes are seen everywhere. And Christmas songs are sung everyday, preparing for the birth of baby Jesus. Every night before Christmas Eve, the other SLMs and I accompanied Sor Nora and Sor Ely in church for a novena. It was so spiritually filling. I really got to remember what Christmas was all about. I wasn't asking for much this Christmas, just for the Lord to take care of my loved ones back home, and solve some family problems that are just ridiculous to me, and...I know this might sound silly...but recently I've been asking the Lord to cure my mother, take her diabetes away or at least lower it down or something, we all know there is no cure for diabetes, but nothing is impossible for God, so I thought I'd try and ask, especially on this faith journey I'm on...this is the perfect time to ask..." ask and you shall receive" so I will keep asking and hoping that God will make this miracle happen, I mean, what have I got to lose...

I didn't need much to make this Christmas perfect, just enjoying where I am, who I am with, and serving others makes it perfect!!!

On a side note, this weekend we go on our first trip, we are heading out to SAMAIPATA, it's suppose to be a real nice place, really excited to see it, and the upcoming month we will be traveling around. We are heading to Sucre, where Judy is...and La Paz, where Sor Nora is from, as well as Cochabamba and many other places =). So be looking out for my next blog which will probably be about my travels. 

Again I apologize for my horrible writing, and for how long it is, but as my friend Jesse Ortega (Chuy for those that know him) would say, "Too Bad, So Sad, Get Over it!" lol.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas, have a wonderful New Years...Love you all, and God Bless.

PS. Just had a strange craving for some Flaming Hot Cheetos, send me some over, please??? LOL CHAU CHAU (Bolivian goodbye)

Lorena

And We're Down Two!

Month Numero Dos!

And we're down to two...YEAH! So much has happened this month. First of all I want to apologize for not writing sooner, it's just really getting harder and harder. I am also trying to limit myself from being on the internet so much. I don't want it to be a distraction, keeping me away from falling in love with the people and children, which I have to admit, some have already stolen my heart, =) two little boys, brothers, Erlei and Rafael, from a community in the outskirts of Okinawa. <3 The cutest little things, both of them didn't want to let go of my hand when we were out in their community. So I had two on both sides. =)

On another note, I was diagnosed with amoebas in my stomach which was bound to happen. I'm ok now, took my medicine as directed but this doesn't mean that they won't be coming back. Let's hope not soon. Other than that, I am ok.

For the first time this month, and for the first time in my life, I rode on a motorcycle. I have to say, it was very nerve racking. I didn't enjoy it as much as others might, but motorcycles are the biggest form of transportation they have here, so I will be riding those very often.

This month was also the end of the school year for kids here. We ended classes on November 15th. So kids and teens alike are happy to be out for their summer vacation. Unlike in the states, summer here is from December through February, so Christmas doesn't feel like Christmas here in Bolivia, but only when it comes to the weather. Unfortunately, this month we also found out the heartbreaking news that one of our 4th grade students passed away. It was all so very sudden and shocking to the community here. It broke our hearts finding out who she was and that she was there with us, just the week before. She was just so very young. I still don't understand why the Lord took her, these are things that can never be explained, but I know that the Lord has His reasons.

Well the rainy season has officially started. We have great thunderstorms in Okinawa. The only downer about thunderstorms here is the mosquitos, with the rainy season comes mosquito season. I thought when I first got here there was a lot of mosquitos already, but o boy, there is a lot more now. While at mass I have clusters of them flying around me. This is not a joke! And they get through my jeans and pants. I have no idea how they do it. They are vicious little things. You should see the amount of scars I have from scratching, I know it's bad, and I had promised myself I wouldn't do it, but OMG it is so, so very hard not to scratch. They seem to like my elbows and knees a lot, those are really hard places to scratch and uncomfortable too.

Steph and I, who are really still the newcomers here in Oki, went to the city of Santa Cruz for the first time by ourselves without Judy, Marcos and Katie, who know their way around here more than Steph and I do. We went into the city to go into the immigration office to see if our Visas were ready. We were able to find the office by ourselves! And just finding our way around the city. We were so proud of ourselves for not getting lost and riding the taxis and Truffi cars all our on own. For some of you this might sound ridiculous, but let me tell you, when you're in a different country that obviously is not your home, and you get stared at for being different everywhere you go, (oh yes...I get stared at too even though I am Latina, some ppl don't know what to make of me, they obviously know I'm not Bolivian, but they can totally see that I am different, and when I open my mouth they can hear that I am different.) and you're a female in a male dominated world, that is also very corrupt, it is very nerve racking for two gringas (yes, I just called myself a gringa, because I am considered a gringa to the ppl here) who are still learning about the place to be all by themselves. So I am not ashamed to say that I am very proud of us both!!! We even caught one of the Truffi drivers not giving us our correct change. We confronted him about it. He gave us our correct change and later apologized. That's right! Just cause we're different doesn't mean you can take advantage of us! We got this! =)

On a side note: Our Visas aren't ready yet...pssshhhtt... >:(

I really want to say that Bolivia is really not a very easy country to live in but besides all the hardship people face and we as missioners face, I am so glad to be here. (BTW...There is nothing like a Bolivian sky! The sky here looks so beautiful and amazing! I've never seen anything like it in my life!!) It's taken me some getting use to, it's not easy, but I'm getting there and I'm falling in love little by little. I am so proud of myself for making this decision, I wouldn't change it for the world and I don't regret it one bit! I know I am making a difference somehow and experiences and people alike are making a huge positive impact in my life. It's also making me really appreciate home and the people I left behind so much more. But besides all that, I feel like Bolivia is really revealing to me how strong and brave I really am. I know I have a lot more courage now, than I did before coming here. Of course, I still have a lot more to learn about myself, and a lot more to grow, but I am getting there. I know I will be facing a lot more challenges in the year to come, but I can't wait to overcome them! With God by my side, everything is possible. I am so happy to be doing His work, with a Salesian heart as well.

And for my Salesian family back home (SUO) I am Don Bosco today! ;) #iamsalesian. (I get what it means to be Don Bosco today!) <3 Love you all. You are all in my prayers.

One month down

It’s been a month already since I’ve been here. Wow…time sure does fly here. We are always just so busy doing things, teaching, communities, confirmation, sponsorship programs, chores, visa stuff, etc…that sometimes you don’t realize the time just flying by.

This month we picked up the last of our volunteers from the airport, Marcos. The morning he was coming in to Santa Cruz, we went to help clean his room to make it a little bit more welcoming for him. After that, Judy and Steph headed to the bank, while Katie and I headed out with cleaning supplies in hand, trying to find a driver to take us to the airport to pick up Marcos. I was carrying the mop and bucket full of cleaning supplies around town, and around the school while going from place to place looking for someone to drives us to the airport, I felt like a janitor lol…We ended up finding someone to take us. The father of a store owner around town ended up helping us out. Things somehow always work out in the end for us =).

Unfortunately, his plane was delayed so we had to wait a couple of hours until he got there. I felt bad for our driver since he was doing us a favor but there was nothing we could do. We ended up hanging out around the airport, Viru Viru, and we found a Cinnabon!!! A rare treat! So of course we had to get some.

So now we have five volunteers here in Okinawa, for now at least. Katie will be ending her year and will be heading back home in December, so it’ll be four again, Judy, Marcos, Stephanie and myself. I hope for it to be a good year.

Every Sunday we help out with confirmation. I usually help Sor Ely, with her confirmation class, but it’s been two Sundays in a row where she has had other things to do and so I had to step up to the plate. Luckily, I wasn’t alone, Steph and I taught the first Sunday, and Marcos and I the second. It was interesting. Teens here are just as “excited” for confirmation as teens back home, notice the quotation marks, lol… But the confirmation program is different than home. Class is from 4-8 and they start the year in February and end it in November. By the way, this is the first year for these kids, so these kids will not be confirming until next year in November and they don’t have a Year 1 or Year 2 program like back home. So if new kids want to enter the confirmation program, they are going to have to wait until 2014. I find it so strange. But it just goes to show you how different things are here.

Last weekend we had the other SLM’s come to a pool day here in Okinawa. We had great food and then went to the pool across the street. It was so great seeing everyone again and just having a day to relax and have fun after a week of hard work. =)

This past week I was asked by Sor Nora to take over one of her High School classes. She teaches religion. I will be honest, I was nervous, because I really haven’t been on my own teaching yet, I usually help Katie with her English classes, and Katie teaches the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th graders. We don’t teach High School because you need a teacher certificate to be able to teach. So substituting on my own was nerve racking, and finding out it was High School, that made it even more nerve racking. But instead of getting anxious about it, I remembered why I was here, why I decided to come to Bolivia, and that I have been around High School students before and definitely a lot more than in a classroom, and for a lot more than just 45 minutes, so I stepped up to the plate and accepted the challenge, and just asked God and the Holy Spirit to guide me and help me. In the end it wasn’t bad at all, and it went by so fast. What I liked the most is that I got to meet a new group of teens, a new group to say hello to while walking on campus, and they were glad to meet me as well. It went well =).

Before coming to Okinawa, Marcos was a volunteer in another town called Yapacani, here in Bolivia. He said he wanted to visit on a Saturday because the kids over there have oratory every Saturday afternoon. He asked if we wanted to come and we all said yes. So we took a trip to Yapacani. It was nice to get out of Okinawa and go somewhere completely new. Yapacani is a great town. It has more of a jungle feel than Oki does. But what I loved the most is that this place has Salesian written all over it! =) Their oratory is full of kids!!!! It was so much fun meeting Marcos’ kids and just being able to play with them. You really felt the spirit of Don Bosco present in this oratory. It felt like camp!!! =) And they have this every Saturday, OMG, IT’S LIKE CAMP EVERY SATURDAY! WHAT!!?? I was in heaven! It was great. They start oratory just playing, and then they gather together and dance some songs led by their ‘animadores.’ After that they head out to the movie theater, which btw, is called, Cine Teatro DON BOSCO ^_^!!! And it’s owned by the Salesians! And it’s an actual movie theater that is also opened to the public. Jiggga whaaaaa??!! AWESOME! We watched Ice Age, I think it was the 4^th one. It was great fun being in there, even if it did feel like a furnace…lol. I had fun with the kids. The oratory is run by the teen animadores but the person in charge is a really, REALLY young Salesian sister. She was so amazing!

So far everything has been pretty good here in Bolivia. I do think about home sometimes, but I try not to because I don’t want to miss it so much, and miss everyone so much, that’ll it keep me distracted on what I need to do here. I’m still working on that. But what really keeps me going is living in the moment here in Bolivia, because that’s all you can really do. Also, praying helps me a lot. Praying for people back home, and praying for strength to keep going. The Lord is really my strength and my best friend in this journey.

Keep praying for me, so that I can keep going, and I will be praying for while I’m on this journey.

I apologize if my writing is not the greatest. I’ve never been the best writer, especially because I’ve never really enjoyed it. And I still don’t, lol. But I do hope you enjoy these blogs at least a little bit. Sometimes they are hard to write, and I really never thought they would be. But I will keep writing these just to keep you informed. Chau! And may God bless you all.

Visa, Mexican Food, and Appreciation Day

I continued part of my visa process this week, so we went into the city. Certain papers are still not done, and I won’t even get into detail on how hectic it is but I will just say that it can give you a headache. While in Santa Cruz we stopped by to get me a prepaid cellphone so that it can be easier to communicate with the sisters and my fellow SLM’s but also, maybe even back home. I got the cheapest they have, which is maybe about $20. It’s a really tiny Samsung, but I like the simplicity. No more iPhone and you know what, that is totally ok. While we were getting it activated, there was some commotion outside, a man was chasing after a young man yelling “Ladron, Ladron” which means “thief” in English. I don’t quite know if he got caught, but apparently people here in Bolivia take justice into their own hands because other people seemed to be chasing him too. When we went outside, we heard some of the bystanders say that the thief might have been carrying a knife. Eesh, scary… You have to really take care of what you’re carrying especially in the city. Every time we head out anywhere, I really try to keep my things close to me and hold them tightly.

After getting the cellphone, we headed out for some lunch. Katie took us to this little Mexican place called “El Chile” (LOL, awesome!). Mexican food in Bolivia? Who would have thought?! I was excited for it, even if it tasted like the real deal or not! I just wanted to feel at home for a little bit. I must admit that the food wasn’t bad at all. It was pretty good. I’d been craving tacos, I’d catch myself walking around Okinawa and just hoping by some miracle, there’d be a taco stand…lol but of course not in Bolivia, though Bolivia does have pretty awesome food! YUM! I just love food! All in all, I enjoyed that little Mexican restaurant. After that we took a Trufi to Montero, and there we bought some things we needed for the house and we also made an extra set of keys for me. I finally have my own set of keys.

On Wednesday, we couldn’t go out to communities because it was raining, so we stayed in for the morning and then at around 12:30pm we headed to lunch. After that Katie had English class at 1:30pm. We have class every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And I help her teach English to 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th graders. The kids have a lot of energy but they are good kids.

On Thursday, Katie and Stephanie had to go back to Santa Cruz to pick up some papers and take them to immigration for Steph, while Judy and I headed out to community. Judy and I were headed to a community named Nueva Ezperanza. Every time we head out to community it’s really hard to figure out where all of these places are because it’s all dirt roads and countryside. Judy and I got lost trying to find Nueva Ezperanza, we noticed it when all we saw was a long dirt rode and only countryside, no houses what so ever. Finally after about an hour, we found the place. I have to admit that I take even getting lost as an adventure, and I find it really fun because I get to see the countryside and I always keep wondering what more is out there. After community we headed back to the sisters house to eat some lunch. And then headed home. I had time to wash some clothes. I’m really getting the hang of washing by hand. Though I still end up cutting my fingers with the powdered detergent. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I do. My hands aren’t use to washing by hand, but they will eventually. I still get the sense of accomplishment every time I finish washing my clothes =). I feel so proud of myself.

Now Friday was a special day. Bolivians celebrate The Day of Appreciation, and it’s not at all like our Thanksgiving. It’s more about appreciating what others have done for you. So the school had a huge event, specifically for Sor Nora. She is the director of the whole community and after 12 years she will be leaving Okinawa. She has done so much for the community. There were dances prepared by the students and songs. Katie, Judy, Stephanie and I got to say thank you to her as well. We made her a sign and sang her a little song =). She loved it!

On Saturday the volunteers and I prepared a little something for Sor Nora. We had a movie night, but we decorated the dining room and made some cheese empanadas, brownies, and cookies. We watched “2 Hijos de Francisco” which is based on a true story about a father wanting his two sons to become somebody in life through music. It was really good.

The Week Flew By!

My second week felt like it flew by so fast. I must admit though that I do miss home and everyone I left behind but I'm taking this day by day, it's the only way I can, and the kids for sure keep me going. They are something else for sure.

This week we only had communities twice because it rained on Wednesday. When it rains here, IT RAINS!!! And everything is left so muddy. There is only one paved rode in Okinawa and it's not even completed so when we headed to the communities on Thursday and Friday the dirt rode was just awful. Lots of mud, water, and bumps, luckily we didn't get stuck, it does get slippery, so our truck does tend to skid a lot, but it's all part of the adventure =). And I enjoy the cows and horses that we see on the rode =). It's something just so normal here. Also, my favorite, is walking along Okinawa and just passing by the cows and bulls like if they were just another person on the rode =) I love it!. What I don't love is the mosquitos, even with bug repellent they still find a way to get you. Those filthy blood suckers....lol.

On Thursday we went to Colegio San Francisco Xavier's First Annual Dance festival. Dancing is probably one of the most important things here in Bolivia. The high school students prepared dancing from the different departments of Bolivia and neighboring countries. It was quite enjoyable, except for all the insects falling from the sky! You could imagine my horror. Some of these insects were like the size of a small bird...oh man. For those of you that know me, you know I can't stand them, let alone having them hit me on the head while flying or landing on me. It was an experience. Each light in the coliseum, where the dancing took place, had about 300 bugs just buzzing around...oh God! And a lot were on the floor. I saw a dog roaming around and just eating the live ones from the ground....ewww. So the girls and I, even though it was extremely hot and humid, wore our sweaters and hoodies, and I just kept killing bugs left and right. For all of you who think I wouldn't harm even an insect, well, now you know that I will kill any creepy looking thing that comes near me...before I wouldn't, because I hated the crunchy sound and the way it felt under my shoe, but under the circumstances, things have changed =). I'm so glad I survived my nightmare though, =) and luckily we were surrounded by our kids. So they kept me distracted from the bugs but also from the dancing lol. Stephanie says that in every event that we go to, we are always surrounded by the kids, so most of the time you won't even see the event because the kids will just want to play with you. We were surrounded by 12 kids through out the whole festival. And we played with them most of the time, so, we didn't see much of the dancing =). But the kids are just wonderful, you can't help but love them, because they just love you so much in return.

Sorry that this week was a short one, I have to keep reminding myself to keep writing everyday so that I can tell you everything, but sometimes I don't have time because we do so much here =). I'll keep trying my best. =) Keep praying for me as I will pray for you.

All the insects...

The kids stealing my iPhone and taking pictures of themselves

Some of the dancing

Chillin' like a Villain, we have a lot creatures roaming around our backyard, and they sometimes get in the house...eesh.

Here are some pix

Getting Adjusted

 This week I started my visa process. It’s not the easiest to do and especially because we live on the outskirts of the city, it gets really tedious having to go in and out of the city. I got to experience my first Trufi rides. Trufi is a car/van that fits about 8 ppl and has a set route, we take one from Okinawa to Montero, and another from Montero to Santa Cruz. So you are sitting in a car for about 45 minutes to an hour both ways with people you don’t know. The visa process is long so we are going to be riding a lot of Trufis these first couple of weeks, maybe even month, who knows. Oh, and a lot of taxis too. Santa Cruz is a busy city. We went through all the necessary places for the visa, but some of them we are going to have to come back because they were closed =( bummer. We had lunch in the city afterward, at an “Irish Pub”, of all places lol. But the food was really good. I try to stay away from eating the salads because we don’t know if they wash the lettuce with faucet water, it’s something you have to be careful around here, you can get really sick, but the rest of the food was good. After lunch we took the long ride back home. That was most part of our day, but once we arrived home I helped Stephanie tutor English to an 18-year-old young man named Toshiki who is Japanese and came to Bolivia when he was 6 years old. He needs to learn English because he’s heading to China to find products to import and export. We first started with simple conversations to get to know me because I’m new, so he asked me a couple of questions in English. He did pretty well I must say. After that we played Pictureka, which I am so happy I brought because it really helps to teach English, who knew LOL! After tutoring Toshiki we headed to our Confirmation meeting for a bit and then Steph and I headed back home because we were hungry. And that pretty much sums up Tuesday.

On Wednesday I got to go to my first community. These are places around Okinawa that are extremely poor but we go out to their schools, which most of the time can consist of only 3 rooms in one school and in very, very poor conditions. When we drove to the school today, I didn’t know what to expect, but once we arrived in the classroom, the kids were just so SO happy. It still baffles me how excited this kids are whenever they see us, and this is not just in this specific place, but everywhere in Okinawa, you encounter them once, and they just absolutely love you. Katie, Steph and Judy say that sometimes you have to be careful because they just jump on you out of nowhere just to give you a hug! That hasn’t happened to me yet haha, but I appreciate the hugs, the kids do make all the difference, and that’s when you remember why you signed up to do this! <3

I introduced myself as teacher Lorena, “teacher” is what they call us here…you no longer have a first name lol…it’s always “teacher” or “teacher Lorena” =) cute. I also got to share the story of the Rainbow Fish with them, and had some of them act it out. They enjoyed it a lot. After teaching them a story that has a certain message we played with them outside. I played jump rope with them and I taught them how to jump to the “Teddy Bear” song. =) That was awesome to see. I really enjoyed going to the community, it’s really just like Don Bosco’s Oratory. I loved it! After community, we had lunch back at the sisters house and after lunch, Katie and I got ready to teach her English classes at “San Francisco Xavier” school. She teaches two 4^th grade classes and one 5^th grade class. These kids have so much energy, they are always jumping off the walls, and they cannot stay seated as much as you tell them to, but they are awesome! And they are very smart, affectionate too, and really funny. I had to introduce myself as the new teacher, as they asked me, in English, what my name was, where I was from, how old I am, and when is my birthday =). I think they got a little confused that I was both American and Mexican lol and that my Spanish is a little different than theirs so I’m beginning to realize that I have to not just translate English but my “Mexican” Spanish, and they have to translate their Spanish to me as well LOL! I also have to be careful with some of my Spanish words, because some mean something inappropriate here…lol for example, here, loca (which means crazy) can also mean prostitute…lol who knew?! So I now have to be careful with that one =)

That's all my clothes on the line =). I'm so proud of myself.

On Thursday we headed out to another community around Okinawa. We did the same story on the rainbow fish. The kids were wonderful as well. Most of the time the older ones bring in their little brothers or sisters or even nephews or nieces, so in most of the groups you have different age groups ranging from 1 to 14 years old. They are all really cute, but are very poor. One of the little boys, had a badly infected hand. These kids get insect bites and most of the time they are not well taken care of and they live in bad conditions so they get really infected. It’s really sad to see. So we are trying to figure out a way to help them. After that we had lunch and headed back home. I had some extra time to kill so I decided to wash some clothes. It was my first hand wash!!! I think I did pretty good for it being my first time. It’s kind of relaxing washing by hand, it’s a whole experience. Once I finished I felt so accomplished!!! It was such a great feeling!!! =) It’s the little things you get through daily that make this such a wonderful experience. Afterward we went to Dona Deli’s house. She teaches Katie how to crochet and we pretty much just sit there and relax with her and just talk. It feels good to do that after a long day. We ended our day with mass, which really just is the cherry on top of the day. =)

This little one was one of the girl's sister, she is 1. Most kids take care of their younger siblings during school

Friday we went to our last community of the week. In this particular community, we pick up kids from one school and put them in our truck. I got to sit with them in the back =) it was so fun. They are so loud and hilarious, always talking, and screaming at Katie if she took the wrong way. =) We have so much fun with them. They are all very sweet. And they were extremely entertained with my iphone, they loved watching videos of my Rambo =) (that's my chocolate lab) and my cat =).

 After community we taught our last class of the week, 6^th grade. Katie had me write on the board, little did I know that they’d start correcting my Spanish, letting me know where to put my accent marks…lol. Once we were done teaching them the weather in English, we played with them, but my group was much more entertained asking me questions on being Mexican American and if I had brothers or sisters, on about my Spanish. I would tell them how I said certain Spanish words and they’d teach me theirs.

Playing tug of war

This week has been really good, though I’m still getting adjusted to this whole experience, but so far so good. The kids are what make everything so much better here. I am really enjoying myself so far. =)

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy =)

With some of the kids

We were trying to make a star, that obviously didn't work lol

Little Blue Fish, meet Rainbow fish

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming

 

Hard to Say Goodbye

(side note: SLM's means Salesian Lay Missioners)

I have finally arrived to Bolivia!

I didn't know that saying goodbye was going to be hard, it was very.....heartbreaking. And certain things happen that you can not explain, but they might just be for the best. But like I always say, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and if you love something (someone) so much, you let it (them) go and if it (they) come(s) back it's meant to be. Everything has been happening so fast it's been difficult to process but I know with the help of my Lord, I will be alright. I felt lonely getting on that plane so, yes, there were many tears shed but I prayed along the way and that helped me so much. 

While waiting in Miami for my flight to Bolivia, I met a very nice woman who is from Cochabamba. She was very sweet and very motherly towards me, I didn't feel so lonely after meeting her. She made me feel really calm. She went as far as to giving me her number so that I can visit her in Cochabamba. She was so kind. It's nice to know that God really puts angels in our midst. 

Going through immigration in Bolivia was really easy for me. I had no problem what so ever and I was also really lucky with my bags, they all arrived sound and safe =). Stephanie, Katie, Judy and Sor Nora were all there to welcome me, so I felt sooooo much better once I got to see them. They are all very nice. 

From the airport we headed to a school that is run by the Salesian Sisters, they were all so kind and gave us some cookies and Coke to drink. I opted for water. One of the sisters needed a ride to the plaza in Montero, but the truck only fits five including the driver so Steph and I decided to ride on the back of the truck, I love riding on the backs of trucks, maybe of course NOT when it rains, but it wasn't, so it was quite enjoyable. Once we arrived to the plaza, we walked around because they were having a Catholic Fair put on by the parish that is there, I don't remember the name. We bought lunch, which took a while to get, like about an hour or so. We took it to go, and ate it along the way to Okinawa. 

Before actually arriving to Oki, we stopped by a home. Sor Nora wanted to visit the family that lives there. The rest of the SLM's and I waited in the truck. This family is very poor, and they have 10 children. One of the boys, who seemed like about 12ish, older than the others, was outside cleaning a chair, you could tell he wasn't healthy, he had trouble walking. Some of his brothers and sister were outside playing as well. They ended up bringing us some cold Coca Cola in a cup, one for each of us, which I thought was very sweet since it's probably the only bottle they have. I don't drink soda, but I just couldn't reject it. It was so kind of them. Apparently in Bolivia, they love to drink Coca Cola a lot, it's a social thing, especially on a hot day, and believe me, it's hot and humid here, so that Coke tasted really good. 

Once Sor Nora was done, we were starting up the truck to head to Okinawa, but the truck wouldn't start. Apparently the battery is old, but luckily it's stick shift, so we all got off to push the truck, while Sor Nora put it on neutral to start it. Talk about an initiation =). But I didn't mind at all. =) Finally we arrived to Okinawa, and I got to see where I live. It's a really nice, small and humble home with the normal necessities. I share a room with Judy and I sleep on the top bunk =). The bunk bed is surrounded by a mosquito net, which is reeeeealllly helpful. (side note: I did get initiated by two mosquitos already =) yaaaaaaay)

It was Sunday, so after getting a bit settled in we headed to the church, and part of the SLMs work is to help out with Confirmation. Katie said I didn't have to go but I decided I would, just so that I can see how it goes. Right away I was put in a classroom with one of the sisters. The young ppl here, are very interesting, you can tell they are the typical teen not interested in Confirmation, idk if any of them are even ready. But ppl try their best and I saw right away how different their culture is from mine but I'm not here to judge, I'm here to help, and if I can bring that Salesian Spirit and love of Christ that I have to these young ppl somehow, then I've done my job. They may look at me weird, and probably are already, but that's ok, because I am who I am. They made a comment about my spanish, they said I sounded like if I was an Espanola, lol someone from Spain, interesting. I told them I wasn't, but I spoke differently because my family is Mexican. 

Confirmation here, starts at 4 and ends at 8, which in my opinion and in other SLM's opinion is too long for the teens, but who are we to judge, we are just here to help and make it as much more enjoyable as possible.

After Mass, we headed back to our home and had a small dinner. I took a shower, which felt soooooo refreshing after the long trip though I had some trouble getting warm water, so I took a cold shower, not the best feeling, but luckily because it was so hot and humid, it felt like heaven. I need to make sure I get it right for when we have cold weather. Cold showers then, wouldn't be fun at all. 

So this is all I have for now. I'm not going to lie that it's a bit overwhelming, but I hope to get the hang of everything soon! All the sisters are sweet, and I can't wait to meet the little ones. Keep praying for me, and I will pray for you all back home.

If want to email me it's: lorena.zamora21@gmail.com (we can also do google hangout with this email if you have google plus, but schedule a date with me first)

Contact me through google voice: 323-609-DIOS <----not kidding (I'll get a cell soon enough)

Skype me: lorena.zamora21 (we will schedule)

Send me letters or packages ( I WILL ABSOLUTELY APPRECIATE THESE) to: 

Hogar Sagrado Corazon

Casilla 4

Montero, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

or Facebook me...

Just to let you know, I won't be having a lot of time to contact all of you, because I won't be on the internet all the time. We are always busy. So just keep a look out for when I'm online and don't feel bad if I don't respond quickly to your messages, but please don't hesitate to send me an email or two, it really does help me continue my mission because I do miss home, and contact me to schedule dates.

I miss you all!

Lorena <3

Service

It's been a couple of days of a lot of physical work. I've become best friends with a piece of cloth and cleaning chemicals. Dust and dirt is what we battle. I never thought I'd be cleaning some really old heaters, when I say cleaning them, I MEAN CLEANING THEM...lol every little inch of dirty stains (who knows how long they've been there) was cleaned. I even used my nails. There's nothing like getting your hands dirty. But ironically, I felt good about it afterwards. I was proud of how cleaned they looked. It's the little things that can make a difference. Glad I could be of service.

And Now TIME TO CONQUER SOME FURNITURE AND PUT SOME CARPET INTO AN OFFICE! Toodles.

Lorena

Our Service Week here in Port Chester

Let me share with you how my days look like while in orientation.

Every weekday morning we wake up at 6:00am, which is 3:00am Pacific time. We go to mass at 6:30am. Right after mass we have morning meditation or Lectio Divina followed by morning prayer. Then we head to breakfast, at around 8:30am we head over to help out at the parish center. This parish has a lot going on. It really helps out the people around it's community, which is predominantly a Hispanic Immigrant community. Usually outside the parish and youth center, you see a lot of day laborers looking for work. But the parish/community does it's best to help them out. They advice the day laborers on their rights as a worker, because often times, these day laborers get a exploited.

As well as helping the day laborers out, this parish has a soup kitchen, an open closet (they give out clothes to those in need), a food bank, free English courses and so much more. It's been great being able to lend a helping hand. We've been mostly cleaning up the soup kitchen and fixing it up a bit because it's yearly inspection is next week. But we have also been working in their food bank and open closet.

At around 11:30am we have lunch with day laborers in the soup kitchen. We've met a couple of them, like Jose from Quito, Ecuador. He has only been in the U.S. for a month and he says it's been very tough. He doesn't like it here because people aren't very kind, they are usually cold, and he really regrets coming over. He says he can't wait to save up money to head back to Ecuador where his three children still live. We've also met Pablo from Guatemala. He also says it's been really tough here in the U.S. and he's been here 2 years already. He dreams of studying art, but can't because it is too expensive here in the U.S. but he isn't giving up. He is taking some courses online and he is trying his best. He is also taking some English courses. We asked if he had any friends, and he said no. He mentioned that people here aren't very friendly and that he feels lonely sometimes. This is the story of most of the day laborers. They are usually on their own, and feel really lonely. We try our best to keep them company while they wait for work and while we have a meal together. I ask you to pray for them.

At 2pm, we head over to the Salesians other parish in Port Chester, Corpus Christi. They are currently preparing for their carnival this weekend, so they are having us clean their parish hall. There is nothing like scrubbing down a whole mess of old, sticky, metal chairs =). AAAAAAND moving things from one classroom closet (specifically books) to the one upstairs, LOVELY =). But we finish the working day with a great game of kickball, recalling our recess years lol.

After Corpus Christi we head back home and we have evening prayer and then DINNER! Juan Carlos, the cook, is a professional chef...soooo don't be surprised if you see that I've gained a couple of pounds after these three weeks...lol. I haven't really been conscious of what I've been eating...which I probably should because of health reasons, so shame on me. Anywho, after dinner, we have some free time and then we have conference. After that, is usually more free time, or shower time, or mimis time.

So that's how it's been this week so far. I am excited about tomorrow though, after lunch at the soup kitchen, we head to New Rochelle to the missions office, where I hear they have a pool. PERFECT! It's horribly humid here so a pool is greatly appreciated! And humidity equals MOSQUITOS!!! YAY! and I have the bites to prove it boo!

Well thats that. Keep praying for me and my fellow SLMs

Thanks for reading

Lorena