Our current intern in Ixiamas, Bolivia, is 2008 Practicum graduate Becky Forrest. During Practicum, Becky shared her experience on our blog. Now that she is in an intetn in Bolivia, she will post updates as our interns in 2008 did. Becky served on short-term mission trips in 2007 and 2008 in Ixiamas.

I have been here almost a week now and am beginning to get settled in. All the unpacking is done, and my room is just about fixed the way I want it. Some hot water would be nice occasionally, but you can’t have everything!

The trip from La Paz went well, but I must tell about the mini bus ride from Rurre. Rachel and I had to wait several hours for the bus to get full before they would leave, but then the driver was not around. Finally another driver said he would take us. His bus was an ancient Suburban–Rachel and I figured it was from the early 70’s. If it had been in the states it would have been long turned into scrap. There was a man traveling with a broken leg, so he had the back seat and paid for 3 seats so he could stretch his leg out. That left where the normal third set would be. Well they had removed it and replaced it with a bench seat on each side. There were three of us on one side and four on the other. Most Bolivians are very short people and don’t require a lot of head room, but I had to really pay attention to the road so I didn’t bang my head on each bump. Those of you who have been here know there are quite a few pot holes in the roads here which are all dirt. With only two stops to make minor repairs, one being getting water out of a ditch to put in the radiator that was beginning to overheat a little, we made it to the Internado for supper. I made a grand entrance by toppling over backwards from the weight of my backpack as I got off the motor taxi I had ridden on from town. Needless to say all the kids had a good laugh.

Monday morning, we all went to work harvesting the rice. This was really an experience for me. All the rice is harvested by hand with a pocket knife. About six acres have been planted, and the harvest has just begun. I managed to fill a little over a half a sack. Needless to say, I had the least amount. Then you have to carry your sack back to the truck, which is a good hike. The kids work really hard and several were singing to pass the time. We saw several pairs of McCaw’s fly over while out there working. The countryside is so beautiful here, and being the rainy season, everything is very green and lush. The views out of my window are gorgeous, and I thank God everyday for creating such a beautiful world for his creatures to live in. Most nights are cloudy, so I haven’t really been able to spend much time stargazing, but I anxiously await a good clear night because the stars look like you could reach out and touch them.

Thanks for all of your prayers for everyone here at the Internado.

Grace, peace and love,

Hermana Becky

Our current intern in Ixiamas, Bolivia, is 2008 Practicum graduate Becky Forrest. During Practicum, Becky shared her experience on our blog. Now that she is in an intetn in Bolivia, she will post updates as our interns in 2008 did. Becky served on short-term mission trips in 2007 and 2008 in Ixiamas.

It doesn’t seem possible that I have been in Bolivia for two weeks. Time has been flying by, and although Spanish is improving, it still has a long way to go. Pastor Ivan Roman has been a very patient teacher. Along with Spanish lessons, he and his family have taken me in and given me some very delicious local meals with a few Puerto Rican dishes thrown in. One was a stew containing tripe. This was a first for me, but I did take a try at it. It was sort of like eating frog legs for me I just couldn’t get past the mental thing, but the stew itself was very tasty.

I joined the family for a trip up to Alto for Bible school with the children there. Unfortunately, I left my camera at the hotel and missed out on some beautiful pictures of some very dear children. The Christian brothers and sisters of Bolivia have been so warm and welcoming. I have enjoyed two services with Pastor Ivan in his home church. Today I actually was able to join in with most of the songs. One evening before Rachel and Mateo left for Ixiamas, Mateo’s church had a special prayer service at his parents’ home. This was a very spirit filled evening that I will always remember.

I cannot thank everyone enough for their prayers and support. It means so much to know that I have so many praying for me from all over the world. I have had many emails from my SIFAT Practicum family assuring me that I am in their prayers as I begin this new journey of my life. Many of them have much persecution in their countries and they also need the prayers of all who read this.

On Thursday, I will be traveling to Ixiamas. I will be so glad to get to the Internado and see the kids. They will help me improve my Spanish very quickly. My posts will be much more interesting when I am living at the Internado.

Hasta luego

Hermana Rebecca (Becky)