We finally caught our flight to Rurrenabaque yesterday and began the treck to Ixiamas. We took a bus, then a ferry across the river, then hopped on the back of the truck for the 4 hour drive to the Internado. We met Rachels parents and sister who are incredibly nice. The drive was beautiful. The scenary was lush and green with mountains all the way around us. We were all surprisingly comfortable and had fun kareokeing for the ride which did not seem as long as it actually was. We were overjoyed to meet some of the children who were still awake last night, and jumped right in this morning. We have been getting acquainted with the Internado, the children, the schedule, the town, and our respective duties. I am really excited because I get to teach piano and work on building a new wood burning stove. We are also preparing for a Mothers Day program tomorrow which should be alot of fun! -Abby

Fishing

One Saturday, I told the small kids we could go fishing in the river. Whenever I wash clothes in the river , I noticed that there were many fish.

Judith told me sometimes the small boys go fishing. Others heard me told the little ones, and they got excited too. I asked the small boys to prepare; the fishing pole and the baits. They were quick to move found some fishing poles, some insects and worms for bait.

About 10 kids (which was not a good idea to have that many company) came with us.

I told everybody, we will all go fishing but you have to be silent because the fish will go away if they hear you.

They said, “bien,bien”. They almost promise to be quiet. As we walked down the trail to the river, it seems they forgot the rule right away. They were talking, giggling, and the littlest one, Zorayda was too excited that she kept shouting. While walking someone will yell, “Maria, I need a bait”. I had to keep reminding them, “shhhsssh. Silencio!”.

I told them to spread out, so off they go with the poles. They put the baits, then threw the poles to the river. We saw fishes, but nothing came off with the baits. (with the noises, the fish were smart enough), After few minutes, the kids decided to move to another spot. They said, “there are more fish on that side, lets go”. I thought okay, you go, I’ll stay here. The fish don’t come because they hear you.I was waiting for everyone to move. Some moved, but 3 kids stayed with me. I told them to go, but they stayed, they wont let me be by myself. When I realized they wont leave me alone, I moved with them.

We walked through the trails, bushes and trees and got to the other spot.

They were right, there were more fish in that spot. We put insects in the bait and threw the poles to the water. More, and more baits but still no fish in the hook. Some kids were not patient enough and left. The two small kids saw the tiny fishes and tried to catch them as baits for bigger fish. Still no fish were caught, except for the tiny ones for bait.

Then the kids told me that there is another river across the forest. They said there are bigger fish there. I do not know the place and I didn’t know if it would be safe. So, I said, no, we stay here. I told them if they would be quiet the fish wont go away. They tried to be quiet but they couldn’t help it. Kids are kids. I realized okay, its not really about getting fish. I was serious to catch fish, and even prayed. I wanted to have some fish for diner so we all could have some meat or protein (which seems to be scarce here ). I was reminded that the whole thing was not about the fish or about fishing, but to have fun. I saw the littlest girl, Zorayda, She is suppose to be 9 or 10, but she looks like 6 years old. She looks filthy and grimy the whole week, and was wearing the same clothes the whole week. I kept saying to her the whole day, “Would you like to have a bath?” She would laughed and giggle and say “No, its cold”.

When I saw her in the water trying to get some fish, I told her again, “Its time for bath!”.

And she wiggle and giggle. She finally got to wash and bath, as I tried to help her clean her hair (with full of dirt) and body. The other kids followed and dived to the water. Julio the other 11 year old boy, who I was nursing for a wound on his face, asked me.

“Hermana, could I swim?Could I wet my face (as he pointed out the newly dressed wound on his face)?”

I thought for 2 seconds, and said, “Si, si! (yes, yes, Go!).

Everybody dived to the water and played and had fun. I was happy to see them having fun, then I suddenly thought.

Everybody had fun and they forgot about the fishing.

Vicky

We are HERE (in LaPaz).

After a little bit of a delayed start in Miami (a couple of hours) we finally made it to LaPaz to meet Isaac´s smiling face. It was such a joy to see him in his SIFAT hat that matched mine…it felt like home!

He helped us get into a hotel, exchange money, etc.

After a good nap, we had a lunch (And the worlds BEST chocolate caliente!) and are exploring the city. It feels great to finally be here after a semester of thinking and praying about it. We head to Rurry tomorrow to meet Rachel then off to Ixiamas!

Check back in a few days for more updates!!

-Olivia

Vicky, a 2007 Practicum graduate, has traveled to Bolivia to intern with us in Ixiamas. She e-mailed this to us last week after experiencing problems with the Internet in Ixiamas that wouldn’t let her post to the blog. Below is the e-mail she sent to let us know she finally arrived. Keep checking back for her updates!

The Longest Journey

We were stuck in the plane waiting for the airport official to give us clearance to take off as the tourist was taken to the medical facility. Then, after one hour we got clearance and flew to Miami. When I arrived Miami airport, I looked at my watch and even with the time difference from the Philippines, I had been traveling for 24 hours already!

I waited another 5 hours for my next flight- to La Paz. It was an overnight flight, so I arrived in La Paz the following morning. After almost 30 hours of flying and in several airports, I thought I finally arrived in Bolivia. But then, that was only halfway of the trip.

It was so good to see familiar faces; Addison and Jarred just finished their 3–month internship in Ixiamas! I spent the day with them. They flew back to the US the following day. When I arrived in La Paz, with the altitude of 13,000 feet and seeing the beautiful mountains with snow, I kept saying “this looks like Tibet”. The Aymaran and Quechuan people reminded me of Tibetans- their faces, their clothing, the shops on the streets selling accessories from their colorful fabrics. Even the tourists and backpackers from Europe reminded me of scenarios in Tibet.

On the second and third day, I felt horrible from the altitude, tiredness and jetlag altogether. Yet I had to move around – like check about my visa and send my stuff to the bus station. Thank God for some guys who helped me, Bully and Hubert.

After going out to the town, I went back to my hotel and crashed. On my second evening, tired from walking around the city, I slept and woke up with a horrible headache and nausea. After throwing up, I remembered that when I was in Tibet, whenever we have teams coming who get sick and throw up, we put them in the hospital for fear of getting edema. I started to think, should I call somebody? Lord, will I just die here?

Then, I remember the words of the Lord before I left home. I reached for my Bible, and pulled out the words in Jeremiah 45:5 “…your life I will give unto you for a prize in all places where you go”. I prayed and was reminded that word to the Lord. I got up and went out down to the street and went to the coffee shop. I had some hot cocoa and felt better.

On the third day, I was excited that I will be going down to the lower land. Hubert of SIFAT Bolivia was coming to help me to send my luggage to the bus station to get to Ixiamas. While waiting for him at the hotel front desk, the hotel people kept asking me if I were checking out. When I told them not yet, that I’m sending my suitcase to the bus station, they looked at me as if I was insane, and they all said the same thing, “we don’t do that, your luggage will be lost”. I told them, “but Rachel told me”. Anyway, Hubert came and we got the suitcase sorted out. I prayed though for it to get to Ixiamas safe and well. Then, I went to the airport for my local flight to Rurrenabuque.

I had a choice between doing a 24-hour bus trip through the mountains and taking the one hour rough plane ride down to Rurre and a 4-hour bus (as Rachel told me). Maybe I could take the adventure of doing the 24-hour bus ride through the mountains, but I was okay to skip the famous “death road” ride experience for this time. (After the 30-hour plane ride, hmm, maybe next time).

The plane landed in a tiny airport in the middle of the forest. I was so glad to see Rachel. I thought I am finally here. Hmm, not yet. Since my plane from La Paz was delayed, it was late to catch the bus to Ixiamas. Rachel decided to spend the night in Rurre and catch the bus the following morning. It was a great idea, truly. We took a boat and crossed the river for few minutes to get to San Buena to get a bus. We finally rode the bus from San Buena. After waiting (for long time) the mini bus loaded all the passengers’ cargo and stuff on the roof. We rode through the rough dirt road. After two hours of going through the rugged and dirt road in the middle of the forest, I almost asked Rachel, “will we ever pass through a paved road?” I was waiting, and waiting for some paved or straight road to come. It never did, I regretted that I did not count the creeks, rivers and streams we crossed (without bridges, okay) the minibus went through the water. I also forgot to count the many times the bus broke down in the middle of the water. I had to make my long story short, after almost 6 hours, I finally arrived at the Internado. I was so happy that after 5 days, I finally arrived, as in finally, to my real destination! I was too excited to feel the tiredness. especially when I saw the 40 kids who welcomed me with excitement and smiles on their faces.

I thank the Lord for His traveling mercy and for those who prayed for me throughout the trip. I know the journey of my life in the Internado in Ixiamas has only just begun.

Addison and Jarred are back in the States! They arrived in Atlanta late Friday night/early Saturday morning. Thank you for all the prayers during their time in Bolivia.
Vicky should be in Ixiamas now. She sent an e-mail letting us know that she arrived in La Paz without any problems and will try to blog once she gets settled in Ixiamas.

Four interns from Auburn University’s Wesley Foundation will leave for Bolivia later this month. Please keep checking the blog to read about their adventures in Ixiamas, while they help us share God’s love in practical ways!