Holidays

Bolivia has many holidays and will use any excuse to cancel classes and celebrate something. This week we had “student day.” In this day the students are celebrated…not quite sure why. Here at the school it was made a special day without classes. It began with two hours of work and then activities. Jason and I went with about 25 other kids to the field to work. In the field with machetes in hand we mowed down a ton of jungle. You just pick a spot start whacking away and walking forward. Later they will come and burn it and continue working to completely clear it and later plant rice or something else. After work we had a Bible scavenger hunt all over campus and then some other little group games before they were given free time. In the afternoon each class prepared a special meal to eat with their class. The fourth year students made food for the teachers. It was good; they made a version of nachos and it ended with a celebration of their accomplishments and growth throughout their time here. Worships have been interesting this week, the third and fourth year students have been learning to defend their faith. Each student has a topic and role plays with a staff member defending/explaining from the Bible why they believe what they believe. It has been good and makes you really think, are you prepared to give a defense from the Bible for the faith that you have? As 1st Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
This past two weeks I have been in a constant state of pain…not super bad, but not fun! First it began with pruning tomatoes, I pruned tomatoes for two hours straight and the plants are little so it involved bending over. Then I went to wash clothes which is also bending over and pulled a muscle in my back that put me completely out of commission. When I finally started getting over that, I started getting this excruciating pain in one of my toes. It was very strange…at first I wondered if it was an in grown toe nail. It would just throb. It was hard to sleep and finally one night, Jason got up and did “surgery” on my toe and got something out that was causing the problem. From that point forward it began to get better just as my next ailment came. I ate a mango in town and did not remember or realize that I have an allergy to the juices in the skin. It causes my lips to bubble and ooze and swell. It is very painful. The first day they swelled a little, but the second day they were huge. It hurt to talk, to eat, to smile, laugh, etc. Even today, a week later they are still not completely better. I am hoping after this ailment I will be all better. Jason has remained in good health and is now one year old!! Praise God!