a day in the life...

A lot of people ask me: What is a normal day in Uruguay like for you? I think they are disappointed when I can’t tell any stories of combating small creatures and 10-foot snakes. I haven’t driven a barely-functioning motorcycle across desert-like terrain to remote churches, nor have I ridden an elephant, been tested for Malaria (praise the Lord) or seen the devastating aftermath of government elections. Uruguay is a fairly calm country and although it does have its minor adventures, I’m afraid to disappoint people with the lack of exciting stories. The day usually begins early with either a trip to the pool to wake up and stay in shape or prayer meeting with other missionaries. This past month I have been blessed with the opportunity to work at a local school with English classes and the kids in the “educative daycare”. When I come home from that, it’s either a rush out the door to kids clubs or a night of preparing lessons for the next kids club. Lesson preparing, though I love it, does suck a lot of energy out of me as I write the lesson in English, then translate it to Spanish, then have it corrected. The days of the week are fairly busy and I really enjoy that! Saturdays are usually dedicated to doing nothing or exploring around with the Corts. Sundays are what I like to call “nap day” and I’m usually pretty faithful at sticking to it. After a 2-hour church service, a stop at the local fair and lunch, a nap is most welcome. When I wake up, I usually try to get to the beach, then it’s back to preparing for Tuesday’s kids club!

photo: a street in the 'Ciudad Vieja'... the bus driver was pretty excited that I took of pic of his bus.

need I say more?

I love it.

in the clouds

I've been thinking a lot about my future in the past couple of days... I have two options. One is living in Montreal with a friend (or brother, so I found out tonight) and working (something with 3 languages maybe?), finding a local church and getting involved. The not-so-exciting average life I've been secretly dying for. The other is working at Capernwray for a two year term. I'm okay with either outcome, but I kinda just really want to know. Mostly because I have a wild imagination and dream of living in a stylish high-rise apartment along white-sand beaches and need to be hit by reality. Though I'm not complaining about my current location or the really warm weather...

Easter

As I remember, Easter is an interesting time of year in my family. Up until this year (when someone decided Passover should be earlier) my birthday has always fallen on either the same week as, or the week before my birthday. So 'birthday sized' egg hunts and cabane-a-sucre visits were most definitely in order, making Easter and spring a special time of year (even though I hate he mud). Most families, so I've heard, get together and have a yummy home-cooked meal, much like Christmas or thanksgiving. Our family is a little different. Since the family comprised mostly of hungry men, a lot of food is required from my tiny Italian grandmother (or 'Mamie'). In effort to make her life easier, the boys usually offer to bring the food. As they enter the house the delicious aroma fills the air. Mamie scrambles to bring out her nice plates and makes sure to set out extra napkins. The food is lovingly dished out, scooped out of the styrofoam containers and carton boxes. Someone needs to ask: "Does anyone want a fork or knife?"... someone always answers without a beat: "Why? It's 'finger- lickin' good!!!"

I haven't been at Easter supper in 5 years, but I'm told the tradition stays strong...

playing tourist

More than playing the tourist, I was the tourist. I had the camera and was taking pictures the whole day. I should have worn the entire tourist outfit which includes but is not limited to: visor, fanny pack and cliché t-shirt from the over-priced tourist shop...
I absolutely loved the walk along "la rambla", the beach-side highway, made me dream about one day possibly living in an area like that, stylish high-rise apartments and an amazing view of the ocean.

challenged

I think I'm finding photography to be one of my newer loves... I thoroughly enjoy taking pictures of people and places and love looking at them even more. Although I'm horrible at actually taking pictures, I'm hoping that the more I take them, the better I'll become. Today I was reading some 'blogs of note' that were recently highlighted on the blogger site and they inspired me to take pictures of Uruguay; the places I go, the signs, the cultural oddities... I took it as a personal challenge, to really see the city of Montevideo in a whole new way: through the eye of a camera lens.

This picture is one of many beautiful old buildings in the old city in Montevideo.
It's so simple, yet so intricate and probably has some amazing stories to tell.

the love of laughter

I love laughing. I enjoy it when something really really makes me laugh... the other day when I was waiting for the bus a 35 year old woman skate-boarded past me with her hands and backpack filled with groceries. I might be the only one that finds that funny, but I laughed for a good 10 minutes at the situation by myself at the bus stop.

different faces

Anyone who's worked with children in a 3rd world country can attest that the kids love one thing: the camera. The moment they notice you have one, they all become models. Making faces and outrageous poses, they fight for your attention. Pulling on your arm they shout "yo! yo!" (or "me! me!") and try to plant themselves in your viewfinder. With 5 or 6 kids, this can be somewhat sane as you try to make them understand they need to "squish in". However, when there's 30 screaming kids the task becomes a little more daunting...

They fight for the camera's attention...

The end result... Christian never looks at the camera.

Kati and her younger sisters: Sandra Lucia (1 years old) and Abi (in the blue- 4 years old)

I find that I tend to post pictures of the same kids, but don't be misled... we work with about 40-50 overall on a regular basis. I think I covered a new batch of them. One thing that I'm praising the Lord for is that Alva (the top in the 2nd picture) and Christian (not smiling second picture) have both accepted the Lord as their Saviour in the past week! I'm so excited! Please pray for them as we're praying about different ways we can disciple them :)

reflections

"Do you want to walk with Me?
Do you?
You want to walk with Me?
If you love me, then just love Me,
Don't you give me pretty words,
Lay your life down at the altar,
Let me see, let me see how serious you are"

- Say Your Prayers by The Wedding.

I first really heard the words to this song while walking back home from teaching, and it just hit me. We can say we love the Lord, we can even do things as Christians and put them under the claim of "Christian acts", but really, where is our heart? If you love Him, then just love Him, put your life down at the altar and let Him see how serious you are.

I may never march in the infantry...

The kids in Pavia are coming at you with a song that any kid growing or who grew up in Sunday school would know... I hope you can restrain yourself from doing the actions, especially if you're checking this at work...

back to school!

Today we have a special day in the housing units where we are doing puppets, different and special songs, a movie and then a school-supply give-away in show boxes. These boxes come from the US and we have 50 of them to give out!!! We also have 35 "mom" boxes filled with shampoo, soap and other things that moms need. Please pray that lots of kids come out to hear that Jesus loves them :) I'll post pictures tomorrow about the turn-out!!!

cerquita de la fuegita.

I spent the afternoon singing a song with the little kids about staying next to the "fuegita" when it's cold and raining outside. The clouds have been merciless in pouring out their abundance on the country, well the coast at least. Yesterday the sun and clouds were in a battle for realty space in the sky; unfortunately the big mean clouds eventually won and the day ended in downpour. Today started with a shimmer of hope, but my hopes were crushed as I ran from the school to the car and was re-showered on my way. Laundry has been a challenge... not the washing part obviously. Usually the hot south american sun dries dripping wet clothes in less than an hour... but mr.sun won't shine down on me or the clothesline. I've held out for a week, hoping for sunshine, a glimpse of hope in this overcast land. Alas, I need clothes and other clothes that Liliana washed 2 days ago just weren't drying and the thought of "sog" perfume isn't very appealing. So she built a fire (fuegita) and now our clothes are happily drying, and I should have a fuller shelf of clean clothes by tomorrow morning. Praise the Lord!

out with the old...

I was looking at my Itunes list and decided it was time for a music revolution.
Any suggestions?

2 kilos de uvas por 22 pesos

The grape vines have finally brought forth their delicious fruits and I can't be more excited about it! On the way home from church this morning we passed the local open market and as I prodded excitedly from the backseat to stop, my requests were heeded after a quick change 'n' money grab at home. I've been to many markets in Nicaragua, but this one doesn't even compare. A tiny street aligned with blue tarps and lots of people waiting and shopping for the best prices is what we have in Solymar. We took the hint from the people and walked a little farther down the street, squeezing through the crowds while still trying to sneak a peek at the clothes, fruit prices and movies that seemed to beckon our names. After ditching Luis for more exciting shops, Alejandra and I began browsing the movies and I was surprised to find 27 Weddings, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Game Plan and various others already out on video ;) I'm sure for $4 they were the best quality too. I finally settled on a fruit vendor and bought 2 kilos of grapes for $1, only to get back to the car and find out Luis also bought 2 kilos of grapes, but for $1.25... oh yea, I so got the better deal.