This past week we had two close friends, Melissa Hobbs and Betsy Blackwell, come from DC to spend some time with us in Bolivia. These were our first visitors other than family and teams. The week was very encouraging as they were flexible and interested in seeing the many facets of ministry we participate in on a regular basis.We spent a good amount of time playing with the children out in the villages throughout the week.
I'll take you through the week.
They arrived last Sunday and we spent most of the day relaxing and opening fun presents they brought us from home. We
had some of the singles over and enjoyed a taco dinner and a game of 4 on the Couch together.Monday started early as we have prayer time at the office with the entire Ayoré team. Then it quickly goes into full motion as many patients are waiting to be seen on Monday mornings.
From there, they accompanied me to the dentist and we went on to Jogasui, an urban camp where we teach a bible study to the young couples. It's a small camp and a relaxing time in the village.
Tuesday we prepared for the Sunday School type class we would ha
ve for the Barrio Bolivar children. We're studying The Battle of Jerico, so we made horns to blow down the wall. The class was fun and the children were more than excited to see that I brought visitors! Melissa and Betsy got a taste of the August winds and sand storms in Santa Cruz - something like 75mph that day.
Tuesday we prepared for the Sunday School type class we would ha
ve for the Barrio Bolivar children. We're studying The Battle of Jerico, so we made horns to blow down the wall. The class was fun and the children were more than excited to see that I brought visitors! Melissa and Betsy got a taste of the August winds and sand storms in Santa Cruz - something like 75mph that day.
After a visit to the village we spent some time eating horneados (Bolivian baked goods) and drinking Mocochinchi (a cinnamon peach drink) at La Tertulia Cafe. We also gave the girls a tour of the Plaza downtown. It was a cool evening and a good time altogether.
Wednesday is our "day off" but rarely taken. I took the girls to a nearby 4-star hotel to utilize the pool and enjoy some time in the sun. We met up with Charles at the weekly SAM prayer meeting where we enjoyed Hermana Nancy's homemade pizza afterwards!
Thursday morning Melissa and Betsy helped me make cookies and do some things around the house before we met up with Toni (our team leader) for lunch at Rincon Brasiliero - a favorite of mine. From there we did some Bolivian errands including getting an ultrasound. Praise the Lord, the baby is in good health and is super active. We're still waiting to find out if it's a girl or boy ... but the doctor had a good idea what he would guess.
Thursday night we hit the Fridolin on the Monsenor Romero strip for some Chocolate Mousse and coffee. Melissa was very pleased with the Bolivian-style dessert.
Friday we got an early start to the office and then on to Pailon. We met with Bolivian missionaries, Césarand Mirtha Surubí, who work with the Ayoré in Poza Verde at the consultorio where they were waiting on Placido. We prayed with César as he would be having a similar hernia surgery as Charles later that day (which went very well).
Wednesday is our "day off" but rarely taken. I took the girls to a nearby 4-star hotel to utilize the pool and enjoy some time in the sun. We met up with Charles at the weekly SAM prayer meeting where we enjoyed Hermana Nancy's homemade pizza afterwards!
Thursday morning Melissa and Betsy helped me make cookies and do some things around the house before we met up with Toni (our team leader) for lunch at Rincon Brasiliero - a favorite of mine. From there we did some Bolivian errands including getting an ultrasound. Praise the Lord, the baby is in good health and is super active. We're still waiting to find out if it's a girl or boy ... but the doctor had a good idea what he would guess.
Thursday night we hit the Fridolin on the Monsenor Romero strip for some Chocolate Mousse and coffee. Melissa was very pleased with the Bolivian-style dessert.
Friday we got an early start to the office and then on to Pailon. We met with Bolivian missionaries, Césarand Mirtha Surubí, who work with the Ayoré in Poza Verde at the consultorio where they were waiting on Placido. We prayed with César as he would be having a similar hernia surgery as Charles later that day (which went very well).
We went from there to Trans World Radio, a place on the other side of the Pailon Bridge where we often visit or stay with teams a short distance from Poza Verde.
Melissa and Betsy had a good time getting to know Elva, Narcisso and the kids, whom are close Bolivian friends of ours that care for the TWR property. Elva made her infamous homemade cheese empanadas!
A
fter eating too many empanadas, we went on to Poza Verde to teach the children. We had a larger group of kids than normal and many of them remembered the Bible verse we studied the week before! Melissa and Betsy both liked this vi
llage the best - mostly because the villages outside of the city are quieter, more tranquil than the others and the children better behaved. Rocio took some grapefruits off the tree, pealed them and we drank the juice out of them - a common snack for us in the village.
Friday evening we dined at one of Santa Cruz' nicer restaurants - Chalet la Suisse - where Betsy courageously ordered llama with a green pep
per sauce and the rest of us went for more common menu items like yuca croquettes.
A
fter eating too many empanadas, we went on to Poza Verde to teach the children. We had a larger group of kids than normal and many of them remembered the Bible verse we studied the week before! Melissa and Betsy both liked this vi
llage the best - mostly because the villages outside of the city are quieter, more tranquil than the others and the children better behaved. Rocio took some grapefruits off the tree, pealed them and we drank the juice out of them - a common snack for us in the village.Friday evening we dined at one of Santa Cruz' nicer restaurants - Chalet la Suisse - where Betsy courageously ordered llama with a green pep
per sauce and the rest of us went for more common menu items like yuca croquettes. The evening turned into something similar to a pajama party as me and the girls stayed up trying to duplicate a chocolate Brazilian candy called Brigadeiros. It was fun and we laughed a lot! The candy didn't come out quite like the restuarant's quality but we ate them all the same.
Saturday was set aside for souvenir shopping. Betsy bought hammocks and Bolivian chocolates, while Melissa took home wall hangings and jewelry. We had lunch with some Argentinian friends in their home. Claudia and Gustavo prepared Milanesa de vaca (thin steak covered in bread crumbs and lightly fried) with mashed potatoes and salad. Betsy and Melissa seemed at home with their family.
Saturday af
ternoon we did some more shopping, stopped at the Irish Pub for a quick coffee, Betsy got a manicure, and we met the Mercado Family at Alexanders downtown for dinner. It was a full day but a fun one. Charles and I took the girls to the airport around 9pm and said goodbye as they quickly entered security and were out of sight.
What a fun week - anyone else want to come?
Saturday was set aside for souvenir shopping. Betsy bought hammocks and Bolivian chocolates, while Melissa took home wall hangings and jewelry. We had lunch with some Argentinian friends in their home. Claudia and Gustavo prepared Milanesa de vaca (thin steak covered in bread crumbs and lightly fried) with mashed potatoes and salad. Betsy and Melissa seemed at home with their family.
Saturday af
ternoon we did some more shopping, stopped at the Irish Pub for a quick coffee, Betsy got a manicure, and we met the Mercado Family at Alexanders downtown for dinner. It was a full day but a fun one. Charles and I took the girls to the airport around 9pm and said goodbye as they quickly entered security and were out of sight.What a fun week - anyone else want to come?
2 comments:
You did a good job of summing up the week. It was fun to be there - thanks for having us!
i'm so glad you guys had fun with your friends!!! it's so nice to have visitors. are you coming back to buenos aires any time soon?? hannah, i want to see tu pansita! danos una foto! you look beautiful!!!
love,
laura
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