Christmas has come and gone. When I was living in the states, the disappointment after the Christmas rush was unbearable. Here in Bolivia, I did not feel the anticipation before or during Christmas, so there is no disappointment after it. I did however love being able to spend another Christmas at the Hogar.
I got to the Hogar as early as possible to be there with all the girls the most time as I could. I was happy to have 3 days to spend with the girls and volunteers. We all went to mass on Christmas Eve. I sat in the very front to make fun of all the girls singing in the choir. I know my girls get super shy and embarrassed when they are singing, so I tried my hardest to intensify those feelings. It worked. They smiled the whole time they were up there. I even got a smile or two from the priest.
After that we went to the Hogar and had a really nice dinner. After dinner everyone was dancing for “Sweet Baby Jesus” and having a good time. I watched for 5 minutes then the older girls needed help cleaning up so I went with them. We washed dishes until 1:30 AM. I had never had so much fun washing dishes. The party was over by that time and we all headed for bed.
I called my family around 2AM and it was 10pm in California. I was happy to hear form them, but happy to be here too. Last year I got really homesick on Christmas Eve. I cried the whole night that year. This year I was ok. I did miss them, but didn’t completely lose it.
The volunteers and I got up at 5am to give stalking to the girls. It has been a long tradition. Luckily none of the girls woke up. We went to sleep for an hour and got up to make pancakes for all the girls. They were filled with tonz of chocolate. They were delicious. The girls loved them!
Then Santa Clause came and gave out the presents. The volunteers did such an awesome job with the presents. I could tell they put a lot of work into each gift. It was nice to be there and not be responsible or in charge of all the chaos. I remember how crazy it got last year.
I was sitting with the girls when I heard Santa say my name. I was a little confused but went up. I sat on Santa’s lap and thanked him. I thought the gifts had been from the volunteers. Then I saw the cards and the gifts had been from the girls. I was so shocked! I immediately thanked them and told them, “Shouldn’t it be the other way around?” Gladys and Judith got me two really cute fuzzy pillows. Evelin gave me a really nice gift set that looks like a souvenir. Shirley gave me a nice bracelet. Some girls gave me nice cards. Avigail gave me a diary she had been making for me since I left. It is so beautiful! It has drawings and bible verses. I absolutely loved it. I could tell she put a lot of time and effort into it.
We all went to mass again and after the volunteers had little surprises all night for the girls. I was outside with a group of girls talking. It was the perfect night. I love spending time with the girls and that is what I did all night. I even got to talk to Choca, who was at her aunt’s house. This night made me want to stay forever at the Hogar even more. Sunday I hung out some more and came back to my lonely little house.
New Years Eve was totally different. I wanted to go to the Hogar again, but Sor Maria looked a little upset to see me go so often. I decided to stay. I knew it was going to be hard to spend that night alone. My prediction was right. I spent the whole night crying and feeling sorry for myself. I felt so EMO!
New Years day was a little better. I was invited to Ayko’s (the lady that’s an angel) house. I got to meet her mom and sister. I love this lady more and more every time. We ate such a good meal and had great conversation. I stayed there most of the day. I didn’t want to leave.
This week there was a religious retreat for the teenagers from this town. I knew there were a lot here, so I was getting a little shy just thinking of being with all of them. Sor Maria told me the morning of the retreat, that both of us would be running the retreat. I was a little worried because she had written everything down in Japanese and we were supposed to do the activities together. Only 12 teenagers showed up. I was shocked. You could tell all of them were there because their parents forced them to go. Everyone was so awkward!
The retreat lasted 2 days from 9-6. It ran a lot smoother than I thought because Sor had everything schedule. It also helps that she likes to be in charge because all I did was “assist”. Which basically consisted of me helping set up any heavy objects. I was glad to be in the background. The whole retreat was in Japanese. I constantly kept asking, “What did she say?” When nobody translated I knew it was bad.
Like in every part of the world teenagers are teenagers. That means there was a lot of giggling and awkwardness. I loved it. I got to actually be with people and know the kids from around here a little more. I also got to laugh a lot and be immature. I was so intrigued by seeing how they interact amongst themselves.
Towards the end of the first day of the retreat, a friend of Sor’s came to visit. I had met him several times before he came to San Juan. His name is Pastor Chun. He is a Korean Evangelical Pastor. He met Sor 14 years ago in language school. He is a really awesome guy. His wife is really nice. He came with all his family.
I was so intrigued by the Pastor’s kids. They are Korean-Bolivian-Born, but speak perfect English. I mean PERFECT! Even their mentality was American. I was so shocked by this. I never even thought I would ever see that, because Bolivia is so different than the States. The kids have gone to a Christian school here in Bolivia. They only speak English to them since Pre-School. There are a vast majority of Americans at the school. That is how they are so integrated with the culture.
I had a lot of fun talking with them. It was like talking to any American, except they have never been to United States. This was by far the closest I have ever gotten to an episode of the twilight zone. I am still in awe.
It was very helpful to have Pastor Chun explain the differences in culture. I am so interested in learning more about Japanese culture, but it’s part of their culture to not be so open and talk about their culture. In that way I have a bit of struggle. But slowly I am learning more and more through my own mistakes and personal experiences.
Well that’s all for now. I am sorry I don’t have a funny story to tell this time. My heart is a little heavier than usual and I can’t seem to remember an event that would be funny. Everything just starts to seem normal here and it takes a lot of effort for me to even see something that is out of the ordinary. Once again thanks for reading and please keep all missionaries and me in your prayers.
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