200 POSTS!

I just noticed that we've entered over 200 posts on this blog. Wow! Thank you to anyone who is reading this. We hope you have enjoyed joining with us on this adventure. Please continue to keep Bolivia in your prayers--we really appreciate your support!!!

SCHOOL COURTYARD

As you walk the streets of Sucre, everything is behind securely closed large wooden doors. Once in a while, we walk by an open door and have the chance to see a flower-filled patio, an interesting building, or an eye-catching courtyard. It's fun to peek in and see the unique areas of Sucre hiding behind closed doors.

This is a picture of a school. The back left is a covered sports area. Sometimes we can hear them cheering on teammates as we walk by on the sidewalk outside the doors.

Right now, schools are closed for winter vacation (our seasons are opposite northern hemisphere). The normal vacation been extended by several weeks due to fears over H1N1 flu virus spreading easily through school populations. School is scheduled to start again nationwide on July 20th, unless yet another vacation extension is announced.

PINK OR BLUE--EITHER WILL DO!

Baby Update--We had an "ecografia" on Friday morning that went really well. It's incredible to see how much the baby has grown since the last time we were there! The technician did all the usual measurements-heart rate, length, spine, etc.-but he couldn't tell the gender yet with the machine he was using (pretty old-looking equipment!), so we'll have to wait until the next sonogram for clues on whether to look for pink or blue onesies. But we were very relieved to see that the baby appears to be growing at a healthy rate and was even kicking and wiggling around quite a bit. What a blessing to be able to peek in on God's craftmanship in progress!!!

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Psalm 139: 13-16

DADDY'S GIRL

Then and Now...

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband Derek Plantenga. You are an amazing "Da Da" to our daughter and we both love you very much!!!

GREAT NEWS!!!

We have great news to share!!! We are expecting Baby #2! We're at about 4 months right now and so far it has been a very normal pregnancy--Praise God! Due date is late November/early December. We are going for an ultrasound and Dr's appt. on Friday. Please help us pray that everything will be okay and that we will continue to figure out how to go through pregancy/birth in a different culture.

A few memorable moments so far...

-Electricity went out while sitting in the waiting room for the very first appointment with the OBGYN. We sat in the waiting room in total darkness for several minutes. Very Bolivia.

-A girl near a maternity clothes stall in the outdoor market was selling a birdcage full of rats crawling all over each other--not a helpful sight during the morning sickness stage!

-During the second OBGYN appointment, there was a festival going on in the street directly outside the doctor's office. (They literally had placed huge amplifiers outside in the windowsill of her examination room.) She couldn't hear the baby's heartbeat on a doppler over the obnoxiously loud beat of the drums and charangos outside, so she used an ultrasound machine instead--and the baby appeared to be dancing to the rhythm! So cute! Maybe we will need to use Bolivian folkloric music as lullabyes.

On Friday, we hope to find out if it's a boy or girl. (We thought about waiting and being surprised, but we figure that giving birth in a developing country will offer plenty of surprises. ;)

Update coming this weekend!

SALTENAS, ANYONE?

This week I (Claire) attended a cooking class to learn how to make saltenas (an extremely popular local mid-morning snack), savory meat and veggie filled empanadas, reddish-colored puca-capas, fried tucamanas, and cheese-filled pastel inflado. I was watching a local TV station, saw a commercial for the class, and decided to sign up. It turns out the class was held at the TV station in a kitchen converted into a demonstration/classroom area.

Classmates entering the cooking school.

The TV station portion of the building.

The kitchen portion of the building. (Not sure if the student sitting on the floor in the back paid tuition, or is attending as a taste tester... ;)

I was definitely the only non-local in the class, but I tried my best to keep up as we learned a whirlwind of 8 different recipes in 3 days. On the very first day of class, the chef looked right at me and asked in Spanish, "You're not from here right?" Then he asked me to come up front and learn how to roll the dough. Talk about intimidating!!! I completely lack dough-rolling experience that the other 70 women in the class seemed to innately have (when I make a pie in the US, I just use the Pillsbury dough in a box! ;) so my initial attempts turned out horrible. But with some coaching and practice, eventually my technique improved somewhat. In this video clip, the chef demonstrates the intricate and important technique used to close the filled saltenas.

The finished product--DELICIOSO! The cooking class was a lot of fun. Learning how to prepare local specialities will probably be a useful skill during our time here, it was great intensive Spanish language practice, I met and chatted with several of the women in my class, and honestly it was nice to have some toddler-free time for a few hours!

But I admit that I think when I try these recipes at home in the next few weeks, I might make the fillings from the recipes we learned, but then go to the grocery store here and just use the ready-made "Rapid Masa" circles from the refrigerated case that are already formed into the correct shape-- and leave the really labor-intensive dough preparation portion to the local experts! ;)

HIGHLIGHTING YOUNG LEADERS

Derek recently attended a special event held on the grounds of the local milk factory. As you can see from the photos, several young leaders from the zone of town where he serves had the opportunity to proudly present information about the small businesses they have been able to start with the guidance and support of FH staff. This is a good example of FH's continued committment to strengthen and empower the youth of communities by providing opportunities to develop their gifts in a way that enhances their self-esteem and provides possibilities for the future as well. Learning about a barbershop microenterprise benefitting the community members of Ravelo. Poster describing a very successful dairy microenterprise supported by FH which now produces 1,748 liters/day (that's 462 gallons!) providing nutritious milk products to surrounding towns. A screenprinting microenterprise bringing income to community members in Horno Ck'asa.

This is an especially promising endeavor. These organized and dedicated young ladies from Horno Ck'asa have joined together to create a bakery/pastry shop business. (Derek says their cookies are great!)

A MUDDY, LONG WALK HOME

We are fortunate to have running water in our house. Not all of the families in our neighborhood have this "luxury" [relative to Bolivian average annual income--our water bill in dollars is only maybe $20/month].

For houses near us with no running water, there is a kind of "community spigot" where people can walk up, wait in line, and fill tanks with water or wash their clothes. Families, often just the kids, make trips back and forth filling up tanks and carrying gallons of water back to their homes. Women sit together chatting and scrubbing clothes by hand, then they hang them on bushes to dry. (Interesting note: Laundry detergent powder that is sold here has instructions on the back for how to use when scrubbing by hand outdoors and then lists machine instructions)

The photo below shows a sort of "community car wash" that has developed next to the available free water. The runoff from the car wash adds to the constant puddles of rain during the rainy season, creating massive potholes. There are often pigs walking down the road who sit, wallow around in the muddy holes you see in the photo, and oink a lot. (Sorry pigs, but the neighbors in our building are planning a morning of shoveling dirt and filling the holes because right now it's difficult for cars to get through.) These are the constant elements of our Bolivian neighborhood that we see when we walk out the door. We are getting used to it--slowly!

THESE BOOTIES WERE MADE FOR WALKIN'

Noelia's walking skills are improving quickly! She likes to toddle off and explore new places or interesting textures...

...but she also still wants to be held and carried around!

LOCAL LANDSCAPING/FERTILIZING CREW

There are families who herd their cows daily to a grassy area near our apartment to graze. We are trying to teach Noelia the word "cow"--currently when she sees them go by she points and says "DOWH!" (dog)

:0)

DOES THIS LOOK FAMILIAR?

We have been noticing these plants in bloom all over town. They look like red poinsettias to me...but a LOT bigger than the little potted ones for sale during the Christmas season!

FINDING THE "NO" IN NOELIA

For a few weeks now, I have been trying to get Noelia to say her name. I thought it would be really cute if Derek came home after work and she could kind of say her name, so we've been practicing regularly, starting with "N-N-N-Nooooo". Unfortunately, my plan for cuteness completely backfired--if she can say the beginning of her name, she can say the word "NO!" (which is much less cute than saying her name) And, of course, that quickly became the word of the week. She would have gladly eaten diced pieces of apple a few weeks ago, but now if she doesn't want it, she simply looks at me in a matter-of-fact way and her little chubby cheeks form the word "No!" She has also recently added shaking her head back and forth for dramatic emphasis. Wonderful. Does this mark the official start of toddlerhood???

ANOTHER FRIEND SAYS "CHAU"

Claire has been serving as a mentor for a short-term missionary intern who has been working with kids in a variety of settings here in Sucre and in nearby towns. Her term has ended, and she is headed back to her home in England. Here's a photo of the two of us last week when we went to a local touristy cafe to chat together one last time. Chau, Lauren. I'll miss you! View from the outdoor tables of "Cafe Mirador" Plaza next to the cafe, filled with kids chatting and playing soccer after school

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Fun blog entries added today! The next few posts are Derek's reflections on his recent trip to Ck'ara Ck'ara with New Song Calvary Chapel from California (USA).

Plus, Claire (finally!) figured out how to use Picasa in Blogger so that we can share photo albums with you. (Although I still cannot figure out how to get it to go slower...it's easier to just double click in the middle of the photo and Picasa will open in a new window. Sorry about that...learning the technology details as we go! ;)

Enjoy your journey through the Bolivian countryside with Derek to meet the folks of Ck'ara Ck'ara!

REFLECTION #1--RECEIVING A TEAM

This was my first chance to be on the receiving end of a short-term missions team, and I was really impressed by all of the effort, planning, and preparation that goes on to make this trip a success for the visitors. I was also impressed by the level of dedication of the team itself. Most teams are more than willing to work hard and grow spiritually during the trip. What I think sets the team of New Song apart, however, is how seriously they take the preparations for the trip. Each member goes through at least 7 weeks of training beforehand, and they continue to refocus themselves during the trip through daily processing and intense devotional study. Another unique aspect is that the church’s head pastor leads the group. This helps to make sure that their time serving in Ck'ara Ck'ara is not an isolated event, but instead an integral part of their ministry. They are also working hard to develop a relationship with the community and the churches there through FH´s “Community 2 Community” program. As part of the program, New Song sends two teams each year. The result is that each time New Song to visit, they are able to deepen their relationship with the people and churches of the community.

REFLECTION #2--"CABANDO PAPA"

I had a great opportunity to really get a glimpse of what life is like for this community through learning how to harvest potatoes. The work is done in the simplest of ways with the most basic of instruments—a pick and bare hands (and it is most definitely NOT easy!). Working in the potato fields also let me see firsthand the effects that parasites or bad weather can have on the potato crop, and thus on the very survival of the families.

REFLECTION #3--CONSTANT INTERPRETER

My work as interpreter and translator for New Song was very mentally demanding and even exhausting--but also a fun challenge! My prayer going into the week was that I would be able to serve as an instrument to allow the relationship between New Song, FH and the community of Ckara Ckara to grow without the limitations of my Spanish getting in the way. I feel truly blessed to be able to say that I think this is exactly what happened. From the moment I woke up to the moment I went to bed each night, I was constantly translating in one context or another. I translated for sermons, large events at two different schools, trainings for kids, home visits, individual conversations, meetings, writing letters and even for a special meeting between New Song and the mayor and council members of the local municipality.

REFLECTION #4--THE "BODA"

The theme for the week was “Marriage is Created by God,” and Pastor Dean gave a couple of seminars earlier in the week on God’s design for marriage. The week then culminated with two very special events. The first was the wedding of a couple who decided that they wanted to formally marry before God.

It was fascinating to see all of the different customs, and I even got to participate by translating for part of the service! During the ceremony, a white cloth was draped over the heads of the couple to symbolize God´s covering over their marriage. They also placed a small golden chain around both of their necks to symbolize that they are being bound together as one. Apparently, in this church, the custom is also to literally go over every passage in scripture that speaks directly of marriage. This means, of course, that the wedding ceremony itself can last for hours! Fortunately for those of us who are accustomed to slightly shorter ceremonies, the pastor decided to give an abbreviated message this time since Pastor Dean from New Song was also asked to give a message.

After the ceremony everyone in attendance jumped into a few big trucks and headed to the home of the bride´s parents for an evangelical wedding reception. In rural Bolivia, this means that instead of serving a lot of alcohol where everyone gets drunk, they held a big feast and sang Quechua praise songs all afternoon. A beautiful celebration!

The second event was just as special. Pastor Dean gave a sermon on love, and at the end of the service eight elderly couples came up to the front to renew their marriage vows and receive God´s blessing on their marriage.

As a gift to the couples, New Song had decided to take pictures of each couple and to give them the photo inside a frame with a verse about marriage on it. I admit that I at first winced at the idea of taking pictures of the couples. I feared that it would seem disrespectful to take pictures when the couples were clearly uncomfortable with the camera. To my surprise, however, the couples quickly warmed to the idea and seemed excited to receive a framed photo of the two of them—something they had never had before.

What came next was something even more unexpected, especially when you consider that in rural Quechua Bolivian villages, couples virtually never show physical affection in public, and rarely in private. It is a very reserved culture, and married couples generally maintain emotional distance with each other. At the end of this service, however, as the couples came to the front, one of the local pastors had each husband put his arm around his wife. Most of the couples smiled, some giggled, and one man even planted a kiss on his wife´s cheek in front of everyone!

It was a series of beautiful, tender moments—a perfect culmination to a week focused on love in marriage.

REFLECTION #5--A DIFFERENT KIND OF MUSIC

I remember that when Claire and I visited the Dominican Republic on a short-term missions trip, one of the things that most impressed us was how beautiful it was to hear people from a different culture sing praises to God in a way that is unique to that culture. My trip to Ckara Ckara provided me with a similar experience, as I had the opportunity to join the church in singing praise to God in Quechua in a style of music that is completely indigenous to the culture. Instead of piano or instruments using electricity, we sang accompanied by two simple charangos and a guitar. Even the tunes themselves had a sound unlike any Western melodies. The lyrics, of course, were all in Quechua, so I understood only pieces. Even so, it was clear to me that God was present in that church, and I could almost picture him smiling as he accepted the sweet offerings of praise.

REFLECTION #6--A DIFFERENT KIND OF REALITY

Finally, I can't write about Ck'ara Ck'ara without commenting on the difficulty of life in the campo for the families that live there. The climate is cold and the landscape is rugged. Families in the area rely almost entirely on potato crops for their sustenance and income. Last year there were a couple of major hail storms that destroyed large parts of the potato crops. As a result, many families had to migrate away from their hometowns toward the city in search of a way to make a living. This year the rainy season extended well past its' time, once again the crops suffered, and more families abandoned the agricultural life they knew for the allure of financial "security" in the city.

In order to combat these trends in migration, FH is working to provide ways to improve the quality of life in these communities so that the families are able to stay and contribute to the continued development of the area.

Some of these projects include the construction of a boarding school and improvements to the other local schools (so that parents know they don´t have to go to the city for a good education), diversification of crops and livestock (to soften the effects of climate changes) and continuing to work with the worldview of the community (so that they know that God has given them the capacity to transform their own community for the better).

As I learned from talking with many different people this week, there have already been a lot of very positive changes in the attitudes of the community.

Just to provide a few examples...

• The community is moving from literally valuing sheep above children to making children a priority.
• They are transitioning from worshipping the Pachamama (mother earth) to getting to know the living God.
• They also used to participate in a ritual each year where the whole community gets drunk and holds a community-wide fight where everyone beats each other with large rocks. The objective is for someone to actually die in the fighting, and this person is then considered a sacrifice to ensure that the crops will be successful in the following year. Although some of the surrounding communities still do this ritual, the people of Ck'ara Ck'ara have now stopped the practice.

Transformation is happening! And I am certain that God will continue to work to transform the hearts of the people in this community even more. Please pray for the people of Ck'ara Ck'ara!