Bolivia?!

Yes, I am still in Spain. It's pretty great, for the most part.

Went to Cordoba with the group on Friday and saw the Mezquita :) (pics on facebook)

Cultural fact that many of you may already know: Spain is a "Catholic" culture, but that means that people celebrate the festivals and maybe go to a church every once in a while. As soon as people here the word "iglesia" they just want to forget the conversation. I do have an awesome opportunity here to be part of a great church where I can fellowship with other believers; however, just as important as that, I have opportunities here to serve and to get out of my comfort zone to share God's love. Today, a group of us went to the University here to have lunch, and we're going to continue this each week. Today was more to just show us around and introduce us to what's going on there, and in the future, we'll be going up to people and asking if we can eat and talk with them. Pretty scary for someone like me, but I'm excited as well. Hopefully we'll have some good conversations through that, and bring someone closer to accepting Christ. My other opportunity to serve is through hanging out with some kids each Thursday afternoon and just loving on them. We are visiting there the first time this Thursday, so I will know more about this after that. mmm God is good!

So. Today is a special day. It's the 21st today. Which means Aaron and I have been dating for 6 months! yay!

Anyway, back to the title of this blog. Bolivia.

Some of you may know/remember that this past spring I was looking into a trip to Bolivia through Word Made Flesh for this coming spring. They didn't have any of their short term trips going out, so I inquired about an internship. After not hearing from them for a couple months I thought it just wasn't going to happen. So the other day, Thursday, when I opened my email and saw that I had an email from them I was pretty shocked, to say the least. Turns out, they've added a trip to Bolivia for this coming spring, and I could still apply if I wanted to, but I only had the weekend to get my application in. After initially saying no, and then praying about it A LOT, I felt like God was calling me to send in my application, and at least be willing to still go, even though it would mean giving up the time I thought I would have at home to work and figure out the next stage of my life. So, with that being said, my application is sent in, and the references are on their way (I hope!). A little more about the trip... I would be in El Alto, which is like the slum part of La Paz, the capital. The Word Made Flesh missionaries do a lot, including street evangelism, in a red light district and they have a Casa de Esperanza (house of hope) outreach. I am really excited about this opportunity! If God is calling me to go, I pray that He will continue to make that very clear, and if not, I pray that He will close the doors. I know either way that He has amazing things planned for my life, and that I can be used at home as well as abroad to bring glory to His name. Will you pray about this situation, and that God's will will be made clear?

Sometimes I forget I'm in Europe

Yes. It's true. It's actually quite easy to forget.

Well, except for lots of Spanish speaking people. Living in an apartment with Spanish speaking hosts. Different food. Totally different style city than I'm use to. Different styles of clothes. etc.

But in other news.

I went to a Spanish church this past weekend with my roommate. It was so nice to fellowship with other believers again in Spanish, I've missed that.

Week 2 of classes is done! Cordoba tomorrow with the group :)

I'm sitting in the computer room at the school and everyone is talking in English. It's supposed to be Spanish only.. hmm...

Culture shock is not fun :/ well. there are some good things too. I think this is the most frustrated I've ever been on a trip before though.

Bolivia is back in the picture. maybe. I need to make a decision about that asap.

I really don't have a lot to say right now, I just thought I'd give a super quick update a minute.

oh life, how interesting you are...

It's (only) been a week (already)?!

Culture/Life Abroad 101

*Be prepared for HOT weather! It's been in the 90's or warmer most days and today is in the upper 80's. With the breeze it feels great but it's going to warm up again this weekend.

*Everyone smokes. Even in the houses, so if you hate the smell learn to deal with it.

*Bluntness is the norm. If you don't like something, just say it. You don't have to pretend to really like the food or anything, they won't be that offended. They would rather make something else you'll like better, especially if it means you'll eat more.

*Be prepared to eat at different times. Breakfast is when we get up in the morning, lunch anywhere from 2-3, supper around 10 usually.

*Siestas are wonderful... even if you don't like to take naps :) Siesta time lasts from after lunch til 5 or 6. Almost all the stores are closed during this time, and it is great to get out of the heat of the day and relax inside.

*Cold showers. If you want to take a hot shower make sure its quick, the hot water tanks are small. Angeline and I have been taking mostly cold showers, and then we can take longer ones. If our host is there when we shower we ask her to turn on the hot water though so that we don't freeze. With as hot as it is the cold water feels pretty nice though.

*Night Life. Yes, people stay out VERY late here. More so on the weekends, but even during the week I hear a lot of people outside our window. It's too hot to be out during the daytime hours, so that makes sense.

*The people are really nice. We did a photo scavenger hunt around the city on Saturday and had to ask people where different things are. The people were really helpful, and even if they didn't know exactly, they were still nice about it. This is not the same in stores and restaurants, however. Don't expect to be treated very well until you're a regular and they can tell you're not passing through for a one time things. The people in Sevilla grew up here there whole lives, it's not like in the states where people move around a lot.

Ok, that's enough random cultural things for now.

In other news, my chacos broke already :( :( This is very sad because I wear them all time and besides them I just have a pair of sandals here, flats, and tennis shoes. and the sandals make my feet hurt. I guess it's time to replace them, but I haven't found anywhere to buy something like that.

I think the siesta makes it seem like we've been here for longer than a week.

A bunch of us from the program went to a Corrida de Torros (bull fight) the other night. It was interesting. I'll get around to posting pics on facebook at somepoint.

Classes started yesterday. They're pretty good so far. :)

mmk that's all for now, I'll update again in a week or two!

Dios les bendiga!

Espana!

Hola todos,

I'm in Spain :) It's great. It's really warm here, but we're inside for the hottest part of the day, so it works. Classes start Monday, and this weekend is pretty free to do whatever.

The trip over went well. Some people's bags were lost, I'm not sure if they're all here yet or not. I didn't have any problems so I was thankful for that.

Anyway, I'll update more later.

Dios les bendiga,

Katie

Preparation.

So.

I leave for a semester in Spain in a week from Tuesday.

Am I ready?

Of course not.

I tried making a list of things I still need today, that's a start anyway, right? Actually getting these things and packing will come later.

Casi no he practicado mi espanol este verano, que triste! No se que esta pasando en Espana tampoco porque no he leido las noticias...

In other news, summer has been quite interesting.

Mostly, I worked and lived at home.

But a few fun things:

*Worked at Pine Trail Camp as a counselor and small group leader for the high school week.

*Went to Orlando, FL for Edge debrief 2 and got to see many wonderful people :)

*Spent a week tent camping in Colorado with Aaron's family and friends. Becky (sister) got to visit too!

*Went to a wedding in northwest IA and got to see some friends from NWC!

*Spent 3 weeks total with Aaron before we both leave the country for studying abroad :)

*There were probably some highlights from earlier in the summer as well, but this is a good summary of the last 5ish weeks...

Well. That's about all for now.

I'll try to update once more before I leave.... maybe. I'll for sure update a few times throughout the semester; however, I'm not making any promises of weekly updates or anything like that. But who knows, maybe I'll surprise myself and actually update that frequently. We shall see...

Facebook fasting, truth, and other lessons

I don't really have a lot to say, nothing too exciting is happening at the moment, I just feel like writing. For the month of February one of my roommates and I decided to fast from facebook. This has been absolutely wonderful! The first week I felt like I had so much more time in my day and like I got much more (needed) sleep than I had been getting. Since then, I have thoroughly enjoyed not being addicted to facebook, although I do look forward to replying to a few messages that I know are on there from before I got off. Fasting can be a great discipline! I've considered continuing the fast for the rest of lent, but I feel like giving up something for lent should be something that I wasn't giving up already. but maybe I will for most of it anyway. we'll see. I also think that fasting from something, whether its facebook, a meal, tv, or anything else can be even more beneficial by adding something else such as prayer, meditation, memorization, etc.

Since Christmas break I have been working on memorizing passages from the Sermon on the Mount. This has been great! Scripture memorization is a lost art that is essential to the spiritual life. Knowing scripture and being able to recall it during tough times can really lift a person up. Speaking of Christmas break, I went to Urbana 09 in St. Louis and loved most of it! The music and energy was great, being with other who are passionate about missions was great, connecting with friends and meeting new friends was great. The morning Bible studies, large group sessions, and seminars all taught me so much, and took quite a bit to process afterwards. If you want to know more, feel free to ask :)

Truth. Love. Freedom. so many great lessons from these topics recently and over the past year or two... The truth of God's love sets us free, free from emotional pain, free from the bondage of sin, free from the lies of the world.

I guess I don't have much else to say except that I am going back to Bolivia =) (hopefully) nothing is final yet, it is just a dream that I have that sounds like it will be coming true! I am super excited for this opportunity and I will post more when I know more!

Dios es fiel.

Es un concepto que he aprendido todo mi vida, pero un concepto buenismo! Pienso, Dios es fiel. Puedo confiar en el todo el tiempo. Esta fin de semana pasada yo tuve la oportunidad de ver y charlar con uno de mis companeras de mi tiempo en Bolivia. Fue muy bien, y todavia Dios esta ensenandome de mi tiempo alla, y esta mostrandome que sus planes no son mios mucho del tiempo. Necesito confiar en el mas porque el tiene planes grandes para mi vida! Yo pensaba que este vez saber que Dios ha tratado de ensenarme, pero el me sorprenda otra vez.

y ahora... algo que yo escribi haces algunas semanas....

Mediocracy.

That's what being an American Christian is all about.

Isn't it?

If we try to take Jesus at his word, that would be too radical.

Or would it?

Why can't we step our of our comfort zones?

Why can't we cling to the power of the spirit?

Why can't we let go of our mediocracy to be who God wants us to be?

Who he created us to be?

Abba Father I need you so much.

Lord, this life I live, is it pleasing to you?

Jesus wrap your arms around me.

Help me to feel the love of your embrace.

Spirit fill me up and send me out.

I desire to be filled with your power and the courage to stand up in faith finding my authority in you.

This is the generation of Benjamin.

Let us take hold of the grace he has bestowed upon us.

Let us be lavished with the love of the trinity.

I love you Lord.

Tears threaten in the corner of my eye.

Emotional reverse culture shock. Still? Why?

Haven't I been back long enough, long enough to not be so emotional?

*sigh*

And to top that off, more and more options and demands are being placed on me.

But Lord... if that's your will....

or do I stick with my plan?

There is always another opportunity.

Pero no como esto, no ve?

no entiendo senor.

Guiame.