One would imagine that Thanksgiving in Bolivia would not be the same as it is in the U.S. After all, the Americans that are around are a bit scattered, the food is harder to find, and we dont even take the day off for Thanksgiving- it is merely another day at work. One would logically conclude that Thanksgiving in Bolivia is a mild celebration, held only by those who couldnt manage to make it home for the holidays... and one couldnt be more wrong in their assumptions.
A more accurate way to visualize Thanksgiving in Bolivia is to imagine a pack of about 20 close-knit, meat-deprived Americans who dearly miss their great U.S. feasts. With pent-up anticipation of the holiday, everyone goes to every length to make their favorite dish, no matter what the cost. One girl made pecan pie even though pecans are extremely rare and expensive in Bolivia. We had everything- green bean casaroles, salads, amazing home-made bread, sweet potatoe pie, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, turkey (the real thing), ham(with FRESH pineapple), cranberry sauce, and home-made garlic butter. Then for desert we had jello salad, pecan pie, cherry pie, apple pie, and flan de queso. It was a five-hour event with tons of eating, sharing, and worship.
Once everyone had had their fill, and the pecan pie was no more, somebody suggested that we all go around and tell something we are thankful for- typical Thanksgiving tradition. It was an amazing event. The main stream of thought that came out of our group of gringos (there were some English people there too) was that we all had a sort of sense of gratitude in the unity of the body of Christ. Much like I blogged about a few days ago, the recurring thing everyone seemed compelled to bring up was the fact that there is so much unity happening in the Church. Community is happening in ways nobody ever expected. There were about three or four denominations represented in our little group and everyone was at peace with one another and thankful for it. One of the people there, a Bolivian guy, mentioned that this would not have been possible five or ten years ago. God is working in a way that transcends our denominational walls and breaks down our man-made barriers of pride and arrogance. Our tribal identities are not as important as the common ground we all share in Christ. It was a thing of beauty.
Anyway, this was a great Thanksgiving. I dont know that I have ever been more grateful on Thanksgiving than today.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Making Progress
Yesterday was a good day. All I can say is Greg and I got a lot of stuff done in Bolivian terms. The director of SIM for South America once gave Greg the advice, "If you can get one thing done in a day, it was a day well-spent". We managed to get several things done, making it almost as productive as a laid-back day in the U.S.
Greg and I also had a good conversation about unity and diversity in the Church. We went to Mr. Pizza´s (pretty decent for being in South America) and talked for a couple hours. He had some very valuable insight regarding the Maillasilla Bible Church (the church plant Im working with). You wouldnt realise this from an outside perspective, but the church has actually done something remarkable for Bolivia. They have managed to transcend many socio-economic boundaries. At Maillasilla, one can find any kind of person, from professional upper-class, to Aymara Indians, to impoverished children. In Bolivia, these clasifications are very important and form the structure of Bolivian society, yet Maillasilla, as small as it is, is a functioning church with these walls torn down (or at least partially).
Greg also told me that back in the states there has been some theology that says God has created us to search for like-minded people, thus making a weighted church a good and valuable thing. You have one church for the evangelists, another for the charitable, and another for the passionate worshipers, and together they form the Church of Christ. The only problem with this is that they are not together. Sunday morning is the most segregated time of the week for America. This is especially true when we think about the line of thought that runs through the minds of many U.S. church-goers - which church is right for me? Which one fits my individual needs and caters best to my personal preferences? This line of thought is destructive and runs the exact opposite way of unity. Anyone who has a good family knows there is a certain level of tolerance and appreciation of other family members in order to have a good, stable relationship, and in that tolerance and appreciation, beautiful things come out that would have been impossible if everyone were just like you.
I have made an effort to put myself in a place where I am not 100% comfortable with the atmosphere around me. Going to Harvest has been a bit of a challenge for me in the sense that the majority of the people there tend to function and focus on God in a different way than I do. Sometimes it even makes me uncomfortable. What better place for me to be than at Harvest Chapel? I am surrounded by people who can stretch me in ways I do not naturally stretch myself. Not only that, but the gifts God has given me can be used in much greater ways when used around people with different gifts. We are one body, but with many parts.
Greg and I also had a good conversation about unity and diversity in the Church. We went to Mr. Pizza´s (pretty decent for being in South America) and talked for a couple hours. He had some very valuable insight regarding the Maillasilla Bible Church (the church plant Im working with). You wouldnt realise this from an outside perspective, but the church has actually done something remarkable for Bolivia. They have managed to transcend many socio-economic boundaries. At Maillasilla, one can find any kind of person, from professional upper-class, to Aymara Indians, to impoverished children. In Bolivia, these clasifications are very important and form the structure of Bolivian society, yet Maillasilla, as small as it is, is a functioning church with these walls torn down (or at least partially).
Greg also told me that back in the states there has been some theology that says God has created us to search for like-minded people, thus making a weighted church a good and valuable thing. You have one church for the evangelists, another for the charitable, and another for the passionate worshipers, and together they form the Church of Christ. The only problem with this is that they are not together. Sunday morning is the most segregated time of the week for America. This is especially true when we think about the line of thought that runs through the minds of many U.S. church-goers - which church is right for me? Which one fits my individual needs and caters best to my personal preferences? This line of thought is destructive and runs the exact opposite way of unity. Anyone who has a good family knows there is a certain level of tolerance and appreciation of other family members in order to have a good, stable relationship, and in that tolerance and appreciation, beautiful things come out that would have been impossible if everyone were just like you.
I have made an effort to put myself in a place where I am not 100% comfortable with the atmosphere around me. Going to Harvest has been a bit of a challenge for me in the sense that the majority of the people there tend to function and focus on God in a different way than I do. Sometimes it even makes me uncomfortable. What better place for me to be than at Harvest Chapel? I am surrounded by people who can stretch me in ways I do not naturally stretch myself. Not only that, but the gifts God has given me can be used in much greater ways when used around people with different gifts. We are one body, but with many parts.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ode to Cochabamba
Oh, Cochabamba, how I long to be at thee
Thy majestic streets of dirt, thy English T.V.
Perhaps one day we shall be together
Through the pushing of papers and prints.
But until that day, I wait in La Paz
And dance around with annoying stints.
La Paz, my bride, but not by choice
You change so dramatically
Like Delilah you ask for more and more
But not in the least amicably.
And so I wait with patience and rigor
For the processed arbor to process within
And in that process, protest the quiver
That I may progress to Coch again.
...In other words, there are yet more complications keeping me from going to Cochabamba and getting my visa. The office in Cochabamba has taken on the task of going through everything and they are going to give me a call whenever everything is kosher.
Thy majestic streets of dirt, thy English T.V.
Perhaps one day we shall be together
Through the pushing of papers and prints.
But until that day, I wait in La Paz
And dance around with annoying stints.
La Paz, my bride, but not by choice
You change so dramatically
Like Delilah you ask for more and more
But not in the least amicably.
And so I wait with patience and rigor
For the processed arbor to process within
And in that process, protest the quiver
That I may progress to Coch again.
...In other words, there are yet more complications keeping me from going to Cochabamba and getting my visa. The office in Cochabamba has taken on the task of going through everything and they are going to give me a call whenever everything is kosher.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Oh My Goodness
I have two words "Indirect Pronouns" with which I answer in two words "absolutely insane". Ok, so there is this crazy system they have in Spanish, basically its all about saying words like "he, she, it (m), it (f), it (plural m), it (plural f)". If those words are direct objects (i.e. He is my brother" you use one of the following: me, te, se, lo, la, nos, los, or las".
If that isnt confusing enough, now I have to learn INDIRECT objects which are "me, te, le, nos, and les". The worst part is the way the sentences are structured. For example, if someone were to ask you "Is the professor giving you Spanish lessons?" in response you would say "yes, he is giving them to me" (ok, so its not a perfect response but it will help you understand). In Spanish you respond with "Si, me las da", which, directly translated into English is "Yes, me them he is giving".
This is crazy and its the first time I have been truly brain dead to what Im learning. I tell this to you as if I am venting anger, which I am, but I am also doing it to help grasp the concept myself. If I can tell you how horrible it is and get you to understand WHY its so horrible, then maybe it will make more sense to me. Thank you for your confusion.
-Clay
If that isnt confusing enough, now I have to learn INDIRECT objects which are "me, te, le, nos, and les". The worst part is the way the sentences are structured. For example, if someone were to ask you "Is the professor giving you Spanish lessons?" in response you would say "yes, he is giving them to me" (ok, so its not a perfect response but it will help you understand). In Spanish you respond with "Si, me las da", which, directly translated into English is "Yes, me them he is giving".
This is crazy and its the first time I have been truly brain dead to what Im learning. I tell this to you as if I am venting anger, which I am, but I am also doing it to help grasp the concept myself. If I can tell you how horrible it is and get you to understand WHY its so horrible, then maybe it will make more sense to me. Thank you for your confusion.
-Clay
Saturday, November 15, 2008
I Am Back. Dont Worry
Im back from Cochabamba, just to let you know. I have been back in La Paz for two days now, but I will be returning to Cochabamba this Tuesday for more paperwork. I just spent all day (8:00am-9:00pm) hanging out with shoe-shiners so I am tired and need sleep. God bless
-Clay
-Clay
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Still in Cochabamba
It is now day three of my grand Visa adventure. My first day was composed of getting fingerprints taken, signing about twenty papers, then waiting around for the next day. The next day I was supposed to get blood tests and my fingerprints taken, but the place was closed, so I had all day to myself. Today I gave my blood to the government and gave them some more fingerprints. They really like fingerprints here. I wonder if they like finger painting...
My plane leaves tonight at 8:00. I wish I could say "that is that" and dust off my hands in triumph, but I can't. I have to come back next Tuesday for even more beaurocratic fun. I might even get to make more fingerprints! Maybe I should sand off my fingertips, just to mess with em.
My time here has been alright though. Last night I went out to eat with a lady named Joanne from Canada (but she's been here for over 25 years) and a Bolivian family. The night before I went out for ice cream with Dave and Dana, the caretakers of the guesthouse. They're like grandparents. Very nice people.
I'm going to go get some sleep. I did a lot of walking and rushing around today. Thanks for keeping up with my blog. I wish everyone back home a happy November 13.
My plane leaves tonight at 8:00. I wish I could say "that is that" and dust off my hands in triumph, but I can't. I have to come back next Tuesday for even more beaurocratic fun. I might even get to make more fingerprints! Maybe I should sand off my fingertips, just to mess with em.
My time here has been alright though. Last night I went out to eat with a lady named Joanne from Canada (but she's been here for over 25 years) and a Bolivian family. The night before I went out for ice cream with Dave and Dana, the caretakers of the guesthouse. They're like grandparents. Very nice people.
I'm going to go get some sleep. I did a lot of walking and rushing around today. Thanks for keeping up with my blog. I wish everyone back home a happy November 13.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Emergency Visa Trouble
I found out today that tomorrow I have to fly to Cochabamba. Aparently, the government recently changed their regulations to aquire a visa, particularly for Americans. They want a bunch of records that they do not usually ask for. I have been advised to go to Cochabamba and take care of the whole ordeal there instead of trying to do it in La Paz. Its supposed to be easier this way.
On a brigher note, this weekend was a lot of fun. I went and hung out with the Jethro group (college-age small group). We played wally ball and afterward went to someones house and I taught them how to play "gran poto" which is the Spanish version of the English game with the same name only translated. It was a big hit. We played with eleven people for over an hour.
Today was fun too. I went with Ramiro into el centro and had a Bible study with some shoe-shiners. I didnt understand 3/4 of it, but it was still good. Me and Ramiro played chess afterwards and he slaughtered me. The only problem with the day was that I hadnt the chance to eat lunch and I was really really hungary. So was Ramiro. He took me to a fried chicken place and I asked him several times if it was okay for me to eat there. He reasured me and told me it was absolutely a fine place to eat with nothing to worry about (check below posts for reasons of my precaution). We had fried chicken and french fries and it tasted great. Im feeling a little off right now.
On a brigher note, this weekend was a lot of fun. I went and hung out with the Jethro group (college-age small group). We played wally ball and afterward went to someones house and I taught them how to play "gran poto" which is the Spanish version of the English game with the same name only translated. It was a big hit. We played with eleven people for over an hour.
Today was fun too. I went with Ramiro into el centro and had a Bible study with some shoe-shiners. I didnt understand 3/4 of it, but it was still good. Me and Ramiro played chess afterwards and he slaughtered me. The only problem with the day was that I hadnt the chance to eat lunch and I was really really hungary. So was Ramiro. He took me to a fried chicken place and I asked him several times if it was okay for me to eat there. He reasured me and told me it was absolutely a fine place to eat with nothing to worry about (check below posts for reasons of my precaution). We had fried chicken and french fries and it tasted great. Im feeling a little off right now.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Fin De Semana en el Jungas
What a fun weekend. Because of the crazy sequence of events (see last blog) I had an awesome time in the Jungas jungle with the college-age small-group people. Everything about it was wonderful, starting with the drive out there.
The Jungas is over some mountains and to get there you have to drive on these incredibly high roads. You are literally driving through the clouds. It's eerily beautiful, not unlike passing through a mythical underworld, in fact, in order to get there one must drive on the most dangerous road in the world (don't worry Mom, they actually built a new, slightly less-dangerous road, so it's okay).
After a two hour slow and steady climb, you go through a tunnel that is over a kilometer long through the mountain and come out on the other side met with sunshine and lush forests.
This is followed by a long drive down. They have these crazy retaining walls made of concrete and giant steel bolts that supposedly keep the mountains from falling apart. The camp we had the retreat at is a nice, comfortable 2500 feet above sea level, so I was actually able to play sports to my full potential.
The name of the camp is "El Puente" which means "The Bridge".
It was a great weekend. I made a lot of new friends and spoke a lot of Spanish. I wish it were longer than just the weekend.
The Jungas is over some mountains and to get there you have to drive on these incredibly high roads. You are literally driving through the clouds. It's eerily beautiful, not unlike passing through a mythical underworld, in fact, in order to get there one must drive on the most dangerous road in the world (don't worry Mom, they actually built a new, slightly less-dangerous road, so it's okay).
After a two hour slow and steady climb, you go through a tunnel that is over a kilometer long through the mountain and come out on the other side met with sunshine and lush forests.
This is followed by a long drive down. They have these crazy retaining walls made of concrete and giant steel bolts that supposedly keep the mountains from falling apart. The camp we had the retreat at is a nice, comfortable 2500 feet above sea level, so I was actually able to play sports to my full potential.
The name of the camp is "El Puente" which means "The Bridge".
It was a great weekend. I made a lot of new friends and spoke a lot of Spanish. I wish it were longer than just the weekend.
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