Hola again from Bolivia…. I mentioned in my previous writing that bugs and insects have been a normal part of my  life here in the jungle of Ixiamas.  I wrote also that I was beaten by giant ants and wasp.  To continue with my story. One time, I was cleaning my room; suddenly I noticed a tarantula crawling on my window. In my surprise, I screamed. “Aaah!”

Well, I have seen several tarantulas around Internado, I was just startled to see it right in my room, that I didn’t realized I screamed. Then just the other weekend, some of us went hiking to the falls and I came back with sores and bug bites all over my legs and arms.

Almost every night, Bolivar the cat, would be on the ledge of the hall on the third floor, waiting for  a prey.  His supper is usually a variety of all kinds of bugs and insects, of different sizes, color and shape. One evening I was by the hall of the third floor where my room is. I was quietly reading a book, Bolivar suddenly jumped out from the air behind me! On his mouth was a small creature crying “iiik! Iiik!” At first I thought it was a tarantula, I could not see clearly as the light was not bright enough. With the “iiik!” sound, I recognized it  must be a small bat. Bolivar played with it before he chewed on it, right before my eyes. I was yelling. “Bolivar don’t eat it here, go away. Enjoy your feast somewhere!”

Anyway, in fairness,  I have not seen such beautiful birds and butterflies as much as I have seen it here in Ixiamas.

A Hike to the Falls

The other weekend, as the kids took off for a short break from school, Rachel, Mateo with a couple of kids visited an American family who live in beautiful prairie land in the middle of the forest. Every weekend we wait for them in town as they sell fresh milk, cheese and other stuff from their farm on their horse buggy. It is always been a joy every time I see them on their buggy with their goodies. I feel like being back in time, like the year of 1800’s.

Oh, how I love going to their house in the middle of a beautiful pastureland. It is a rough and rugged road through the woods driving to their place, but it is always worth the trip.

The trek began from their field in the middle of the forest.  It was a team of 3 Americans, 2 Bolivianos, 3 kids, me and 6 dogs. (Two of the dogs are from Internado). Our guides, the Bailers, the young guy came with his hunting rifle and hunting knife.   We passed many tall, small and old trees, bushes, ferns, and all kinds of wild flower, grass and plants. The kids treaded the forest like deer, they went fast. However, the Internado older folks were all careful and slow with our paces and strides as we went under and over some huge, old fallen trees and logs. Then the trail wound up to a river and stream. We continued hiking and treading over big rocks, some are mossy and slippery. I was all careful not to get my hiking shoes wet, but there was no way to keep it dry. When I can’t climb through the rocks, and between small stones, I just walked right in the water,  and didn’t care that my hiking shoes are all wet. We  stop once in a while to drink from the cool water of the stream. We stop and rested on some huge rocks after an hour hike as we passed a tall and high falls, with little water cascading down to a small stream at the bottom.  I asked our guide, Marvin,  “ Is this the fall? It’s beautiful”.  He said, yes it‘s one of the Falls, but there‘s more we are just half way. . I was already feeling exhausted, but hearing it was only half-way, meaning another hour of hike. We moved on and continued to follow the river trail.

I noticed the small dogs struggled as I heard them cry and yelp whenever they could not go over some high trails. One of us would help them to climb up, or just carry them. A few times I saw Snicker, the Internado small dog, slid down  from the big  rocks. Some of the bigger dogs just swam straight to the stream as they follow us.  Some of us adults had slid down the slippery and mossy rocks. Then, I whenever I look at our guides, they were patiently waiting for us, as they would be sitting and relaxing over the huge rocks. (In fairness they have been going to that trail for the last 7 years.) They literally grew up playing and hiking in that trail. When we got to the end of the trail and saw this gorgeous and breath taking falls right in the heart of the jungle, I forgot all the exhaustion and from the hike. It was about 20 feet tall falls  with plenty and clear water flowing from the top  down to a small looking-like a -lagoon that is connected to the river and stream. The water was clear and clean. I was praising God for the beauty of His creation!

However of all the time to capture the gorgeous scenery,, lo and behold, my camera was not working! Earlier in the trail I tripped over a huge rock and my camera went down to the  water. ooouch, I was not hurt but I cried for my camera. (As of now my camera is working after drying it, thank God!)
Our hosts and the other guide Lila, brought picnic lunch for us. We all ate a good lunch by the falls, and went all swimming and playing in the water after.
Then we had to hike back so it won’t be dark on the trail. It was another 2 hours hike back.
I tried to go  faster so our guide won’t be so bored waiting  for us. One time I noticed  the young guy, holding his hunting knife and a peace of small wood on his hands, while we were all struggling treading the trail.  No matter how I tried to go faster, I still was not able to catch up with them. After the two hours hike we got back to the woods, and  just before we turned to return to the prairieland of our guide, the young gentleman showed us a piece of wood. It was a carving of a spoon (like a dining spoon)!  We were all so impressed that he was able to make a spoon wood carving during our stops as he waited for us!
When we came back to the Internado, I was all tired and wet and I had bug bites on my legs and arms. However, I was so happy as it was one the best hike I had and it was  more challenging than the rest of the jungle tours I had in Bolivia. I really enjoyed that hike  though and was thankful to Our Lord  for that special trip. To our past Interns, I’m sorry guys you missed the fun and this adventure.

We ended our time in Bolivia by being the proud participants in Ixiamas`parade in honor of Bolivian independence day…Being the only gringos, we definitely stood out, but had a blast just the same. 

 Spirits were high as we prepared for two parades in less than 24 hours.  Tuesday night, the kids marched with their classes and carried homemade torches in the shape of stars, moons and houses.  Our resident artist, Miguel Nacho, made a huge helicopter torch…the star of the parade.  Wednesday morning we got up bright and early and headed to the parade (wearing our new SIFAT Bolvia T-shirts).  We marched and marched and marched and marched and marched.  It was a tiring but fun morning. 

After the march we headed back to the internado for a fun day of playing and saying goodbye`s.  Because school was canceled for wednesday Katie and I were able to spend the whole afternoon enjoying the kids.  Some of the girls prepared a huge feast in honor of the day.  We had fried pork, Bolivian potato salad, rice, and chocolate cake.  It was quite a feast.  The fun ended when we had to say goodbye.  It is sad to leave new friends, but I am incredibly thankful for my new brothers and sisters in Bolivia.  All of our lives are richer because of it. 

A cancelled flight, and several delays later we made it to LaPaz to be greeted by Bully and Angel.  They got us safely to our hotel and we set out exploring.  We were able to enjoy the city Saturday, but were left stuck in the hotel on Sunday.  Sunday was election day, and NOTHING is allowed to be open.  It was very quite in Bolivia on Sunday.  This morning Katie and I visited the Tiwanaku ruins and learned a lot about the amaryan culture.  We are finally back at the hotel and ready for a good night`s rest!  We have to be at the airport super early in the morning (4a.m.!). 

Once we get back in the states, we will post some pictures of all the work done over the course of the summer!

 Dios Bendiga!

Hermana Olivia

Tuesday morning we headed out bright and earlyto embark on our journey to El Tigre.  Riding on top of the truck (my new favorite mode of transportation) plus the free live entertainment provided by the group from St. John`s made the trip not only bearable, but a whole lot of fun.  The kids in El Tigre greeted us with fruit, then hearded us all together for an afternoon of soccer.  The guys held their own against the Bolivian`s, but the girls were a different story…we were more entertaining than anything else. 

After the soccer game, St. John`s organized a VBS, complete with a bible story, music and crafts.  The kids loved it and I loved being there to experience it.

Elba`s (one of the older girls at the internado) sister-in-law lives in El Tigre and was gracious enough to open her kitchen for our cooking needs.  We ate well, slept under the stars and woke up renewed and refreshed Wednesday mornign.  Before heading back to Ixiamas, we had a service with one of the two churches in El Tigre.  At one point we were all singing “Awesome God“  in English and Spanish.  It was such an beautiful moment, the Lord was present and glorified. 

Back at the Internado the team worked hard on the rabbit hutch and the new building.   With Cowboy`s help I was even able to come up with a new solution to fixing the top of the ferro cement tank (apparantly it is not as easy as one would think to build the top of a ferro cement tank).  *Thanks Cowboy!

 The goodbye`s began while we were away in el Tigre (Abby and Bryan had there farewell with the kids).  They, along with the group are on there way home as I type this.  Judith will bid the kids farewell Wednesday night and Angel (a volunteer here) will say goodbye then also.   It is sad at the internado as we all say goodbye to old and new friends. 

Katie and I have a little more time left, so check back for more on life in the internado.

Adios,

olivia

NOTE:  Mr. Terry, Thanks for Three Cups of Tea.  I finished it this week and LOVED it.  It is definitely worth reading.  It opens your eyes to a whole new attitude of service.  I`m passing it off to Vicky and Rachel.  🙂

The good news is that Sifat readers will no longer have to endure our blogs.  The bad news is that we have said our goodbys to some of the most amazing people we have had a chance to meet.  Today, I made my way here to Rurrenabaque with the last group of this year.  Abby, Katie, and Vicki have been here the last two days on a Pampas tour, and should be getting back in town any minute.  While Katie and Vicki will return to Internado, Abby and I will head to La Paz, and from there back to the states on Monday. 

Our time in Ixiamas has taught us far more than we could possibly ever have to share.  Through the Internado staff, the kids, and the people of the pueblo we have encountered the love of Christ constantly.  I personally have truly been blessed by this opportunity to serve and share.  While we are excited about seeing friends and loved ones back home, we will always remember the new friends we have made here in Ixiamas. 

The final group has truly been a blessing as well.  Through various bible school type activities they have really made an impact on the kids at Internado.  Last night, they specifically prayed with and for each kid, and lives were genuinely touched and changed.  They also finished most of the work on Internado´s new rabbit huch (all but the thatch roof, which no gringo has the expertise to weave….) and the second floor of the new building is progressing quickly. 

Thank you for your prayers and support throughout our stay here in Bolivia.  It has been an eye opening, life changing experience.  See you guys soon!

Bryan and Abby

The UMVIM group from South Carolina has only been here for three days, but you wouldn´t guess it by the amount of wall they´ve bricked.  The second floor is really starting to take shape.  Two of the exterior wall spaces are almost done, and one interior wall is halfway up.  All of the exterior wall is started with at least three layers of brick, though most has more.  Their energy and eagerness to serve has been a blessing to all of us. 

In addition to their construction exploits, the team has familiarized us with a powdered spice known as slap-yo-mama.  Lets just say I put a little too much of the stuff in my soup bowl at yesterday´s lunch.  Since then I´ve been a little more carefull…. 

Yesterday was the aniversario of the department of La Paz.  The kids spent the better part of the afternoon cutting bamboo and filling a notch with fuel and a rag to use as a wick.  They then joined the rest of Ixiamas below the age of 20 in a huge torch bearing parade.  It was a pretty neat sight.  The parade ended just off the town square with the singing of the national and departmental anthems.

And finally, I am proud to announce the latest addition to the Internado family.  She stands a proud 1 foot tall and bosts a three inch tail, thick black fur, a cute little face, and the ability to sleep just about anywhere on just about anything.  Her naming process is a story in and of itself.  The original idea was to name her Snicker, which is pronounced down hear like the tennis shoe (sneaker).  We then realized that the latter might be more appropriate because of her little white paws, so we changed the official name to Sneaker, and the kids never knew the difference.  She seemed a little wary of the place at first, but she´s starting to get the hang of things.  And Scott and Stronger have been more than accomodating.  

Not much time left!  While we are excited about coming home, we will all miss the kids, the place, the staff, and this beautiful country that has been our home for the last couple of months.  

Hasta Luego,

Bryan