Homesick and Happy

Well I figured I would procrastinate on these blogs and I have so here’s my third one! (It’s suppose to be my 6^th or 7^th)

The Schools

At first, being in the schools was really difficult and I wasn’t sure how to keep the students interested in what I was talking about. I’ve learned that if I’m not interested in what’s going on the students are guaranteed not to be either. So, I put on my happy face and in return I see happy faces. This method puts me in a better mood, also. Funny how that works.

One of Hannah's classes

In the classes with the older students, I usually don’t really teach very much. I let them talk with me about anything they want, we just have to speak in English. There are many things in language that can only come from practicing conversationally. Sometimes, I’ll let them talk with me in Spanish about their culture or city. I think it’s also important for them to see that I’m interested in learning about them and their language.

The younger students are a bit more of a challenge. They don’t know nearly as much English, so I find myself speaking my very rough Spanish nearly the entire time. Usually, I’ll read a very elementary story to them and have them write down the words that they don’t already know, which is typically a long list. These younger students are very clingy and love to have the “Gringa’s” attention.

One of my classes

The other teachers in the school are very welcoming to Hannah and me. They try to converse with us in Spanish, but I am much more intimidated by them than the children, which makes it harder for me to talk. There are three English teachers in my school. All three have very high levels of proficiency, and I hope one day my Spanish skills match their English skills!

The Church

We have Church every Saturday night for young people. I love this time and it is always very worshipful. Sunday church is quite an extravaganza. I usually get there at ten and leave by two. So much Spanish! I appreciate the sermon as best as I can, and I try to hang on to every word possible, but usually I get lost somewhere along the way. The songs are precious and usually we know the English versions so we can sing along. I love hearing praise music being sung in two different languages in the same service. It is a tiny reminder of how big our God is.

We also have the opportunity to teach English classes in the church on Thursday nights for two hours. I have middle-aged students who for the most part don’t speak any English. I love my group and they are very gracious to me with my rough Spanish. I love watching their progress, and seeing that they genuinely want to be there.

One of the church member's sweet babies

Cultural Differences

So phones don’t ring here… they beep. It still blows my mind, I think the line’s just busy or something every time.

Chileans go to bed late and get up early. I would say most of the people here sleep less than six hours a day. It never rains here so nobody bothers buying a dryer; they just hang up their clothes instead. Chileans eat one large meal a day- “Almuerzo” which is lunch but could really be at any time after twelve. We have the same meal in the morning and at night. We eat bread with butter, cheese, or something like that, and we drink hot tea. I am now obsessed with hot tea. Chileans notoriously can eat huge amounts of food at one time…. Not good for me.

They are very protective of their gringas. We try to be pretty independent, but they don’t seem to be very trusting of our ability to make it in their city without their ever-watchful eyes. (I have a curfew of ten!) The food here is pretty great! Empanadas are amazing! They are made out of fried dough and whatever you want inside- I like mine with pollo and queso!
I am convinced that there are enough stray dogs here in the city to feed the entire continent of Africa. The dogs here are one of my pet peeves. There are just too many.
There is a supermarket really close to my house. For the most part, everything is pretty expensive. If you want a bag of Chips Ahoy cookies for an American moment you need to be willing to shell out 5 bucks.

El Centro

Homesick

I notoriously don’t get very homesick and pride myself on being independent, but man do I miss my momma. I don’t know why but it has just really hit me hard the last couple of days. Please pray for my remaining three weeks. I know I need to be thankful for the time I have left and use that time wisely. There are several students that I need to develop closer relationships with so that I can have the opportunity to share the gospel. I can’t wait to be home, but I want to be used while I’m here!

Missing these sweet babies and missing summertime.

God is teaching me a lot this summer. I think one of the most important things so far is that I need to find my joy in Him even when I’m lonely, homesick, happy, excited, or sad. It is okay for me to feel any of these emotions, but I still need to rejoice in the Lord. If I try to find my joy in a place, an idea, or a person, I am going to be let down rather quickly.

The ocean is about a three minute walk from where we live.

Life is where you are

My City
I am settled here. I was scared that I wouldn't feel that way the whole time I was here. Everyday my bond with this city grows deeper. I'm not sure what I have to offer to Antofagasta but the people here are changing me. They are the ones teaching me to love God more. At Villa Azul, I have never seen such love and devotion like I have in this church. I can't describe it, really, But I hope I can take it home with me.

Ghost City "Juan Lopez" not far from our city.

God gives you what you need
One of my biggest fears in doing summer missions was that I wouldn't have a close friend I could confide in. At home, My best friend is Haley McMullan and I cherish her friendship. I can tell her anything, and she'll usually let me know if I'm doing something selfish or stupid. She's very down to earth. She also made her way to Haiti today for two months so remember her in prayer, also. Our other veryvclose friend made her way to Southeast Asia for two months, also! What sweet godly friends I have!

pretty best friend

 I thought I would be lonely all summer and without close friendship. So far God has provided me with two close friends and also a tight knit group of friends from Chile. Alyssa Bond and I have become very close and I feel like I can confide in her very much. She has been such a blessing to my sanity! She, Lauran, and I have become very close friends with Cristian, Pato, and Josue. They are such a fun little group, and all our cultural and language differences make for some pretty interesting, funny conversations. They also love the Lord and are encouraging with their sweet hearts.
Lili is the pastor's wife here. I love her and cherish her opinion and friendship. She makes me feel like I'm actually good at Spanish, but its really her ability to help me understand. Lili has a beautiful heart and I am honored to have such a friend to learn from.

Lovely Hearts
I adore going to the church here. I know God will be there every time. Here, He takes away my fears, and replaces them with love. He wraps me in His arms through other people when I need to feel His presence. He teaches me patience by teaching me another language.   The people here are people who love the Lord, and for Him they are taking care of me.


Conclusion
Please keep me in your prayers. Specifically pray that God will give the six girls that are here an opportunity to share the Gospel, and also that when the opportunity rises we will be given the right words to say, also.
I don't have very many pictures  right now but on my next blog I'll try to be a lot better about that! I want you all to see my city!