Present

Holy smokes, Batman! I just finished, The Coffeehouse Gospel- Mattehw Paul Turner and it was really all that I had hoped. Of course I did think that he glossed over a few topics that I thought he could have elaborated on a bit more, but thinking about it, I am ok with it. Why, because he is speaking about the gospel, how to share it and what it is to share it. The thing is, I think the problem isn't that we don't have the answers, but that we as Christians as a whole try to have all the answers. We try (as do many in life, believers or non-believers) try to package up life into a nice gift box, intricately wrapped with a beautiful bow. Sometimes, most of the time, life doesn't have a beautiful bow, let alone a nice gift box. Life is life, what is happening when you are planning, I have been told. The gospel is the story of a man who lived life and gave up his life so that we could have everlasting life. That is a lot and not that simple. Life is real...it happens everyday and everyone living it has a similar story, but we do God, the creator of life, an injustice when we don't stop to listen and respect people's stories of life. He loves all of us, each one of us and so many times we are run by our agendas and not by our hearts (the one God gave us) and we miss....miss what, life and with it the gospel. It's everyday: Hurt, Love, Redemption, Truth. No pretty box. God has given us life and with that a story, of how he works in that life that he was so kind to give us. He also gave us two ears which is one more than the one mouth we all have as humans (unless you are a special model). Am I using my body proportionately? Not always.
Humans want to live; we want to connect and we want to be heard...all of us. So the question is, are we listening? God listens, he is the best listener of all, he knows all languages, he hears the unspoken. I don't think that I use the abilities or tools that He has given me enough or in the right ways. Sharing the gospel isn't always about giving...I think sometimes it is about waiting and taking part. St. Francis of Assisi is quoted in the book, "At all times share the Gospel and when necessary use words." Be present. The Lord is always present, and there were few times when he was present here on earth that He actually spoke to large crowds. He was relational, He was invested, He was present. Are you rushing through your day, watching the time tick by and worried about deadlines? Or are you living, flexible and present? I want to be present.

The Day to Day...

School, friends, traveling, grading, and Futbol Americano...doesn't sounds very different from normal life in the states, does it? This statement is not to oversimplify my lifestyle here, but is to say, life is life, no matter the country or culture. School is going well. Week 5 is on its way to being history and progress reports were turned in at the beginning of the week. Time does fly. I started on my travels to Bolivia 6 weeks ago, this Friday. In a way, that blows me away; how could it be that much time has passed already.... on the other hand, it does feel like I haven't seen my mother’s face in quite sometime--wait, no, that's a lie...I saw it yesterday and her and dear ol' dad even got to meet Polonia, my wonderful Bolivian maid. She was so happy to meet them. I know you are probably saying, back up...maid. Yes, it's weird to be honest, but it is part of the culture and it helps the employment and poverty levels here. If you have questions, I can answer them at your convenience. The wonders of great communication! I truly attribute quite a bit of my smooth transition to the gift of the Internet and Skype. It is great to be able to talk to you all and get your updates and hellos.
The staff at school is great. A small group of us had an hors d’oeuvres and wine-tasting party at one of my friends' home (which has a breathtaking view of the mts.) There is physical documentation of my help in the kitchen. I know many of you laugh at that comment, possibly even aloud, yet yes, you are hearing correctly that I, Lyndsey Deane, sautéed shrimp, made brueshetta,( I know I spelled that incorrectly) and more. I was not the head of this extravaganza, yet, I did contribute and others actually thought I knew what I was doing (don't worry, I did inform them that cooking was less than my forte!)

El espanol es poco y poco (it's little by little) Yo voy a ir a leccion de espanol lunes y jueves. (I go Mondays and Thursdays) I wish I had more time to study, but it will come. I also am going to yoga classes two times a week at school. They just started so I am a little sore, but it is something new to try. I even got to watch the Borwn's at Steve and Rachel's house...they don't look any better in Bolivia. The Bears didn't look too bad. I only saw a bit, Rachel made Chilli and we all hung out...I graded papers, as usual.
Church is good. It is a small American Church, made up of internationals.(American's really) Everything is in english, but it seems to be very outreach driven. I like it. The women seem pretty great and I am starting a high school girls bible study this thursday evening. I had some coffee last week with two of the girls and we are starting something up, so God willing...it will take off and we will all learn a little something.
So that is the update. I have been gone every other weekend since I arrived, but I believe that we will be home this weekend due to a little transportation issue with a friend's vehicle; yet to be honest...it is nice to be in La Paz, exploring the local area and relaxing.

Hope this finds you all well....the mountains still take my breath away.

The Bolivian Typhoon!

Well, apparently it is accustom to visiting the beautiful, towering city of La Paz to feel like death within close proximity to arrival, and I was not fortunate enough to avoid such happenings.
I missed my first day of school on Tuesday due to extreme flu like symptoms....whoa! I don't get sick often and it did pass within a little over 24 hours, but the Bolivian flu/altitude sickness is not pretty. I have been told that I need to slow down with working out and just take it easy...I have been running and feeling great and also going to a spinning class with some girls from school...there was also a lovely bug flying around ACS, so it was probably a combination of the two. Either way, most of the symptoms have passed and I am feeling quite a bit better and back into the swing of things. Many people from the school called and offered everything and anything and my amazing maid, Polonia, made me soup and corn bread, as well as some chicken and rice. All easy on the stomach. Coca tea is also a great biproduct of the coca plant that is very medicinal here.

I went to my first espanol lesson today and I will be attending twice weekly, so here we go...I even have homework. I am going with rachel and she has been going for a year now, so I have some catching up to do, but la professora says I'm bien....we shall see...as you can see I didn't put that sentence together (juantas) well, so I'm taking it step by step, hoping to learn as much as I can.
It is exciting to learn! I am headed out again this weekend to Sul y Luna, a small hippieish retreat that is in a much lower altitude of Bolivia, and with that MUCH warmer!!!! Very exciting...remember, it can be in the 30s at night here and up to 70 in the sun during the day...only in the sun though...summer begins Sept. 21!!!
chao!

"Home"

I feel like I have been in La Paz for quite some time. I find myself referring to my place as "home." I am finding myself fairly comfortable at school. It is amazing how easily one can apapt when forced. I wonder if "forced" is the right word, because I chose this and I was not forced, and do not feel that way. (I don't want to give the wrong impression.) What I am saying is, life really isn't that different here. Of course there are changes and I am not home, but home can be a choice. There is never going to be home like the safe and loving environment where I was raised--never. But as I look around and really look, I guess I realize the importance of love and being intentional with those around you. I think those are the essentials of home and I was fortunate enough to have been and continually to be blessed with. I know that I am fortunate to have that because I have seen people all my life without it, yet even more now as I am further away from that home. Somewhere along the line, not only have I been given that love and intentional living, but I was taught it and how to share it and maybe even create it. I think that is why I am ok. I know that I am loved. It breaks my heart that people don't have that. It breaks my heart that kids don't have that, yet I am blessed with the opportunity everyday to share it. I think that is why I do "my job." What's funny is I get paid to do what I think we are all called to...love. I pray that we are all feeling that love as well as sharing it, espcially with those who we least desire to share with. The world needs so much, yet if each of us were to show another love in a day, what needs might go away? I am not naively stating that the world's problems will vanish, yet I am saying love can heal wounds and there are multiple ways to love on another. When you look around, I think a little love can go a long way.

On our way...

Well, it's Saturday morning, I made it through my first week of teaching (happily, I will add) and I sit waiting in my livingroom for Rachel, Steve, J. Gado, J. Worth and her husband, Fred. The six of us are on our way to Lake Titicaca....fun times. I hope to read, relax, Kayak and just enjoy the landscape. I have only heard good reports, so I am very excited. I will make sure to add photos and get an update to all of you. Thank you for your prayers and all of your support. I know that God is hearing you; it is evident that he is here.

Curious?!

Well, school has started and things are great. The kids are doing well and things are going very smoothly. For all of the new things I have to learn, ther is always someone staopping by and asking how I am or if I need any help. The school runs on a rotating schedule so that the students will receive year round programming instead of concentrated nine week periods. We have A-H days so I don't see every class every day, but I see most 3 days a week for an hour a piece. All classes are actually 65 minutes, no matter the subject. It works well. I like the time periods quite a bit. 90 minutes could be long some days last year and this is enough that you can really get into things and apply what the student is learning, yet not get too bored. The students have been very kind and hardworking so far. I have 2 grade 7 english classes, 2 grade 8 english classes and a rotating 6/7 tech and 8 tech. I teach tech 3 days a week, but see a different group each time and see them all year long.
The ood has been good and I live in an area that I can walk to just about anything that I need. I can go "uptown" which is what we could call "downtown" if I want to get something a little harder to find. There are a couple cool coffeehouses right in the area and also lots of nice little places to eat out. It is chilly in the morning and at night, being that it is winter here. I am receiving some ore furniture for my TV/office room this week as well as my internet connection. I have been using the internet at school. I can do most everything from my laptop b/c the school is wireless. (pretty cool, eh?)
Really though, this is probably the smoothest transition I could imagine. I got to go to a spinning class at a gym on Monday night with some girls from school and went for a 20 minute run yesterday. I also went out looking around and shopping on my own too.
I will probably start my spanish lessons next week. I can get a taxi and get home all by myself, so that is a start.

I hope this finds people well in the states. I think of you all often. It is really wonderful here, I wish that you could all come exerience it. (You're more than welcome.)

Bolivia pics....

If you haven't seen pics, here are some that you can check out. Hope this works! Cut and paste these into your address bar!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3725&l=9e89a&id=505582504

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3675&l=e8c17&id=505582504