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 intern 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.

Leaving the Internado and the kids was very difficult because many will return after their summer vacation, but some will not. I don’t know if I will ever see them again. I am thankful for having the opportunity to get to know each of them and pray that their time at the Internado will have a positive effect on their lives.

The last month has been very busy. The kids all had projects to work on for school, and we were trying to finish up our classes in English and computers. I gave a final exam in English with 100 questions. Almost all of them passed and received a certificate for completing the course. In computer classes, their final assignment was to write a letter to the interns that were at the Internado this past July. It was interesting to watch them select various colors and fonts to make the letters more fun. They learned a lot about using Word writing these letters. We could really use a few more laptop computers for classes next year if anyone is planning to upgrade to a new one this Christmas please consider donating your old one that is still in good condition to the Internado. You can contact me by email if interested.  Blforrest2008@gmail.com.

We had a big celebration the night before we left. One of the pigs was slaughtered, and our cook Mercedes prepared a wonderful meal of roasted pork, potatoes, yucca and plantains all cooked in our big wood-fired oven that we use to bake bread.

Today (Dec. 6 – Sunday) is Election Day in Bolivia, and the entire city of LaPaz is shut down. It is very strange to not hear horns blaring from my hotel room, but a good quiet day for reflection. I was thinking of the biggest message God has sent me during this year living in Bolivia. I have definitely learned to trust Him more for ever part of my life. When we are living in our comfortable houses and communities we really are not aware of how much we really have in common with peoples living on the other side of the world – or in my case the other side of equator. One of the first things that really impressed me was that everyone here calls each other Hermana/o when greeting one another. That is Spanish for brother or sister. We really are all brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of where we live, and that is the biggest message I have received. We may speak different languages and live different life styles. There are cultural differences also, but we want the same basic things in life. We all have the connection of being sons of God. Galatians 3:26 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” tells us we are all one big family regardless of where we live. When you become involved in mission work this really comes into reality.

I thank everyone for the prayers and support you have given me over the past year and hope you have enjoyed reading about my adventures on the blog. I look forward to coming back and making new brothers and sisters next year at the Internado. My posts will return in February when I return to Ixiamas for another year. Please keep the staff and kids in your prayers during our break as we make plans for the New Year.

Hermana Rebecca

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 intern 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.

Wow, I can’t believe how fast time is going by. In three months, I will be traveling back to the US. It seems like I am just really getting started. The last month has been very busy with the English classes really rolling now. I have five students from town, four staff members and, of course, the kids. Reaching out to the people in town with more training is one of the goals of the Internado this year. We feel the English classes are a good start. Can’t you just hear all these Bolivians speaking English with my southern accent? My Spanish is coming along much better and will greatly improve this month with Rachel traveling for several weeks.

The last week we had an outbreak of what they call gripe here. It’s what we would call a virus. Some with headaches and fever, sore throats and a few had vomiting. Five of the students and two staff members were really sick for a few days.  Two of the girls dehydrated and were admitted to the hospital for IV fluids. It seemed like we were back and forth to the hospital many times a day for several days. Sunday, the last girl came home, and no one else has been sick since Friday.   Friday night, three doctors from the hospital came out to give some instructions on prevention and check every one. They also went through our medicine cabinet and made suggestions of things we may need to have on hand.

The end of August, I had a surprise visit from Sophia that I met here on my first mission trip in 2007. We met at the church in Marivel and Miguel’s community. The day we met, we had an immediate connection, and I knew at that moment I would be coming back to Bolivia. She told me that she prayed daily for me after that until God assured her I would be coming back. Her visit was so great because we again felt connected as sisters in Christ. This time I could talk to her some and understand part of what she was saying to me. Rachel translated part of our conversation, but we shared our own feelings with my limited Spanish. She asked me several times if I was happy and content here, and I could honestly say very much so. It made me really do some reflecting. I do miss home and family, but I really am quite at home here with the kids. God has blessed me with very wonderful family here in Bolivia.

One morning, a pair of macaws circled several times really close to where I was standing, allowing me a great look. The colors are so vivid, brilliant yellow on the underside and iridescent blue on top. Of course, I didn’t have my camera on me. They fly over every morning and evening, but they are usually too far away to see the colors. They are one of God’s gifts of beauty here.

A couple of Saturdays ago, it was deep cleaning for the kids’ rooms and lice treatment for them. What an experience!   Guess who shampooed every one’s heads. I have never seen girls with so much hair. They all have this beautiful long, thick dark hair that is really hard to cover with the shampoo.

The Mennonite lady, Sarah, brought me some buttermilk, but we had been without power for a week and the refrigerator was not working, so Rachel and I decided to bake everything we could think of that called for buttermilk. I made over 50 buttermilk biscuits and corn bread muffins. I had cornbread and buttermilk for breakfast.  Rachel made a really great coffee cake. As you can see, there is never a dull moment around here.

Thanks for all the prayers.

Hasta luego,

Hermana Rebecca

Two summer interns joined Becky in Ixiamas, Bolivia. Although they did not post throughout their time, we asked them to share about their experiences. This is the fourth (and final!) part in a multi-post series.

My first weekend was a little long to be honest. We worked on the chicken coop, went to the internet and hung out with the kids. It wasn’t bad, but just not the busy life that I usually have back home. Sunday we got up early and went to church. It was good, but really long. When you don’t know the language that well, sitting through four hours of songs and messages can be kind of hard. We also took a lot of pictures during our spare time. I love photography, so to be able to take pictures of the beautiful people and awesome sunsets was great.

One thing that God has taught me from being down here for a couple of weeks is to just wait on him. It’s so easy to get caught up in everything and lose focus, even in a situation that involves mission work. Just sitting in the hammock and listening to creation is an amazing thing. I love that there is so much time to spend with the Lord and really seek him. Another thing that really has stuck with me throughout the whole trip is something Pastor Keith talked about in one of the devotionals. Basically, he said we don’t need to see people of a different culture as scenery or machinery, but to see them as people who Christ loves. I guess that’s been a big thing for me. Just loving these people and realizing that they are just as valuable to Christ as we are to him.

This past week Rachel, Mateo, and Miss Becky came back. I was pretty happy to see them. Also, the kids went back to school, which meant all of them would be back at the Internado. Speaking of the kids, they are all amazing. I’ve enjoyed being around them so much. Especially the girls, they have helped me in a lot of ways. Rosa, Nancy and Patty all helped me with washing my clothes in the river. What a learning experience. They are so committed to each article of clothing. They won’t wash one shirt really good and then half way do another. They do every single piece with power and efficiency. I wish I could say I washed ALL my clothes, but when it came to my jeans, I gave in and asked for help. After we got done washing, they talked me into going for a swim in the “frio” water. I thought the shower was cold, that river was freezing. Oh, and side note. When braving the cold waters of the shower, you must slowly submerge yourself. Getting in quick is just simply not an option. Okay, back to the river story. So I decided to be all cool and jump from the tree. Well there is a tree right beside the one you jump off of that has huge thorns all over it. I took the first step to the top and my foot slipped and it went right into the thorns. My foot was sliced up and bloody that day. The girls didn’t freak out or anything, so I figured it would be fine. The boys are fun too. We got in the yard one day and did flips and cartwheels, of course they showed me up. Each kid is different and unique; I know God has big plans in store for them.

Towards the beginning of this week, I started working with the girls on a dance. I had no idea they would be performing in church. We just kind of had fun with it and had some good worship time in the process; until the girls found out they would be doing it at the Saturday night service. We found out Saturday morning so we began practicing over and over again. The words “Otra vez” have been imbedded into my brain, which means “again” in English. They danced that night, and it was great. It made me remember how much I enjoy working with young girls through dance.

I feel like I’ve grown as a person and grown up a little bit. It’s only been three weeks, but God can do a lot when you’re just open and willing to do whatever he wants. I have to say, I’ve enjoyed being off on my own. It’s not the easiest thing, but a lot can change in a short period of time when comfort is at a minimum. I mean, if you can get past the cold showers and eating rice three times a day, you’re good to go. I would definitely encourage anybody who reads this to just get out the box. Do something different. Ask God to lead you in a new direction and just follow. Follow the one who loves you unconditionally and wants the best for your life. I’m the worst at being on fire one minute and then being below lukewarm the next. However, God is a constant God and that is what I’ve held on to this whole trip.

Ixiamas, Bolivia is an awesome place. God is doing so much down here and to be a part of it for a short time has been a great experience. My summer’s almost over. I’m about to move, and I’m stepping into the next chapter of my life. Being here in Bolivia has probably been the most perfect, God-orchestrated thing for me just in the sense that it’s hopefully prepared me for what’s coming in my life. I pray I get to come down here again and be here a little longer, because it has been an amazing ride. I leave for La Paz in a couple of days; I’m pretty stoked about having a hot shower and eating some good food. I would like to thank the people who have been praying and supporting me throughout this trip, words can’t express how much you all mean to me. So, thank you so much and may the Lord bless you all.

-Katie