The school office was opened until December 23rd; right after that, Youth Camp came where I worked in the kitchen and left very exhausted. I have come to Santa Cruz to finish renewing my Bolivian ID and to “hide” from all the people in Camiri who want me to open the office for their “urgent” personal agenda. I am planning on keeping on “concealment” until January 24th when registration starts.
Vacation
Camp “The Oasis”
Camp “The Oasis” was held in the facilities of the “Jaime H. Dunn children’s Home” in the rural community of Imbochi near Camiri. It began Wednesday December 28th, 2011 with supper and ended on Sunday January 1st, 2012 after Dinner. It was the first camp organized and sponsored by the Christian School and the first one in Camiri’s camp history to have a whole day in the swimming pool as part of the day activity (we used a public swimming pool, but got early enough to have the place to ourselves). 20 leaders (alumni and teachers) and 79 campers (mostly from the Christian School, but also some new ones interested in the school). Hernan Montero, a loved youth leader from Camiri who has gone to live to Santa Cruz to work in the AWANA office, was our preacher; his theme was “Lessons from the life of Joseph” a young man who knew the vicissitudes in the “desert of life” and how The God of his fathers provided an oasis for him as he sought to glorify God.
See more pictures in the School’s FACEBOOK ALBUM.
Swimming Pool Birthday Party
It’s the end of Spring and the beginning of Summer and we get storms and showers “sandwiched” in heat waves. For my swimming pool birthday party there were some drizzle, mostly dark gray clouds covering the sky and by the afternoon some nice sunshine. My 25 guests, some of my closest friends, were brave enough to come to celebrate with me my 46th birthday. Party began at 10:30 am, the pool water was warm, the plate lunch served at 12:30 included chicken “milanesa” (breaded meat fillet), rice and salad; the cake was a gift from one of my friends. We were there until 5 pm.
Then at the young people’s meeting I shared childhood pictures and anecdotes, served chocolate cake topped with whipped cream, chocolate pudding and strawberries and we ended up the celebration in a fast-food restaurant afterwards.
I am thankful to God for life, for one more year, for people who have been close to me in one time or another, here and there through today’s modern way of greeting: emails, phone calls, text messages, facebook, blog, etc. I can say that life is good because GOD IS GOOD, He is so good to me.
You can see more pictures in my facebook album.
My student, My teacher
Kevin is the youngest child of our music teacher at the Christian School and was my straight-A student in 4th grade (2006). He will be 15 next week (the 20th) and has inherited his mother’s ability to play by ear developing his talent to the point that he can duplicate, to detail, any piece of music; you name it, he got it.
Although he is very quiet (and so am I) we can spend hours together talking about our mutual likes and interests: love for dogs and cats and music. He comes twice a week to my house to help me practice piano or mandolin and to teach me new songs.
Kevin is not only musically virtuous; I also admire his gentleness, helpfulness, modesty and above all; he deserves an Extreme Patience Award. (Thanks Kevin for putting up with me and teaching me great lessons with the music you make with your fingers and soul).
Heavenly Father, thank you for making me part of your family which gives me the privilege to meet so many fantastic people. Kevin’s friendship is a wonderful gift from you to bless and enrich my life. I ask that you may keep him and use him for your glory! Amen.
Boyuibe BAZAAR
The leaders of the young people’s Saturday meetings have done Bazaars (sale of second-hand cloths and different accessories) as a fundraiser activity to help various needs of the church. This time 8 of us went to Boyuibe, a nearby village with an estimated population of 3,075 people and located in the very dry land of the Chaco (dessert-like territory of Bolivia).
Most of the items were 1 peso (0.14 US Dollar) and the most expensive clothing was 5 pesos (0.74 US Dollar). At the end we collected $68.ºº which will go to the YP’s charity fund. The monetary profit wasn’t as high as other times, but our trip was more profitable in the area of support to the cold, almost dying church. We had an outdoor movie Saturday night with good attendance of children and young adults standing in front of the street, we celebrated the Lord’s Supper, taught Sunday School class and fellowship together. The encouragement was mutual and such intangible gain has no price.
Josué
Josué (Joshua), another of my student-friends, was three years old when I arrived to Camiri and since then he has always said or done something to bring a smile to my face or a reason to laugh till it hurts. That is not to say that the normal “ups and downs” of life have been part of it all, in his relationships-friendships, in his studies, in his walk with the Lord, etc. It seems that the only consistently pursuit and interest is playing guitar and he is really good at it.
He just graduated from High School and has decided to go to a one-year Bible School. It has been a joy to walk next to him all these years and seeing him “hatch” in all his God-given potential.
“If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves” M. Edgeworth
Lessons from my injured finger
1.- My pain is never the ultimate pain “Is it nothing to all you who pass this way? Look and see if there is any pain like my pain…” Lamentations 1:12. Although it is natural to think that my sorrow is the greatest, others get to suffer more.
2.- When something hurts, life is never the same “ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it…” I Corinthians 12:26 a. That pain changes the normal routinary way of life.
3.- Appreciation for what it is and works well. “…if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” I Corinthians 12:26 b. I am now more thankful for the parts of my body that are working.
4.- X-ray shows reality. “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.” Psaml 139:1 It has been said “out of sight, out of heart” but internal damage sooner or later shows on the outside. God sees through my heart and sees sin accurately.
5.- Left hand/ right side brain is now in used. “Who am I that I should go?” Ex.3:11. It feels inadequate and it does not do things with the same skill and competence than my right hand; but my left hand is now my good hand.
X-Ray
The radiography shows where the greatest damage was done. My distal phalange is misplaced on top of the distal interphalangeal joint making the tip of my finger to bent downward and the interphalangeal joint (large knuckle) is also hurt. The Doctor, only traumatologist in Camiri, put a ”homemade” splint hoping that with immobility and medicine to reduce the inflammation the bone would go to its correct position; but if not, a small surgery would be needed.
Smashed Finger
It is one of the most common type of injury; the car door slammed and caught my right hand leaving me with a bruised, swollen middle finger, ouch, ouch ouch. After a week, the nail hasn’t turned black, but the tip of my finger is bent and there is some numbness making simple tasks, as writing, a painful experience! I just hope to regain mobility of my digit soon.
End of the School Year Picnic
The end of the School year has arrived, that is, no more classes; at least for those who did well during the year. There is a three-week period called “reforzamiento” (reinforcement) for students who need to improve their grades and by the end of reforzamiento there will be the official end-of-the-school-year program along with kinder and High School graduation ceremonies and more celebration. The office work is intense during this time to have everything ready to close the year. We had two days of picnic, one with kids K-6th grade and another with kids 7th-12th grade. A time of relaxation after the two weeks of final exams, a time for teacher and student bonding that probably will remain in our hearts for years to come.
