woops!

hey guys- sorry for not updating the blog to regularly! Things have been pretty busy, but lots of fun. Sunday morning I was able to go to La Comunidad and it was great to worship God with other believers. Even though I did not know all the songs I found the words amazing- it was a great time of worship. After church I came home to the apartment and we ate lunch quick and headed out for a hike up to Parque Tunari... It was a lot of fun, but not exactly what I had planned it to be. We had planned to have the taxi take us up past the entrance of Tunari to kilometer 3, but as we were driving up the mountain we realized the taxi may not make it all the way up there:) We hopped out there are the entrance of Parque Tunari and started walking. We somehow got off the main road so we found ourselves walking on small uneven paths (it has been a long time since I have been up there, but I knew we were not going the way my family used to go up there). We finally found the park that we were planning on getting dropped off at (at kilometer 3), but by that time we had to turn around and start walking back in order to make it to the soccer game. We got to see Aurora (one of the Cochabamba soccer teams) and Blooming play. I was a little bummed because I usually support Wilsterman- the better (in my opinion) soccer team, but it was still fun. Monday morning Ben Wagner arrived and after dropping his stuff of at the apartment Josh, Ben, Laura (a friend of mine), and I headed out for an "adventure." We ate saltenas and then started walking towards the cancha. On our way Ben got robbed and even though it happens here in Cochabamba you never quite expect it to happen to you. No one got hurt, so I thank God for that. Monday night we walked over to Las Islas (little restaurant type things set up on the side of the street). Those that have not tried anticuchos got to try that. After we decided to go to the Cine Center (movie theater) to watch Terminator. (lots of action, but not my favorite type of movie:))
Tuesday morning wasn't very eventful. Dr. Montano did bring me to the Pediatric area of the hospital and then to Labor and Delivery. I am going to start helping out in other areas of the hospital in the mornings because there are many volunteers at the burn center. Tuesday afternoon Josh, Ben, and I went to the Boliviana Americana clinic. They would only let two people go in to Josh let Ben and I go into see the surgery. We got to see a Cataract surger, liposuction surgery, and I got to see a surgery where the doctor removed an absess from the rectum. After leaving the clinic Josh, Ben, and I walked around the Cancha area. Last night we walked down to see Simon Patino's house (a man that became rich through a tin mine). Yesterday was also San Juan a day in which everyone sets off fire works. I have been told that they have tried to make it illegal to set off fire works this year, but people were still selling them everywhere. Josh, Ben, and I bought a couple and went to the park to set them off.
Today we arrived at the hospital earlier then usually because we are going to start helping in another area of the hospital. Josh and Ben went to Pediatrics and I got changed and went into Labor and Delivery. What a contrast from last friday afternoon! Today there was only one baby nursery, last friday I was able to see 4 natural births and 2 c-sections in about 4 hours! I ended up coming home after being at the hospital about 2 hours because my stomach was not feeling very well. I was able to rest today and am feeling much better. Tonight I hope to go in for a night shift at the Labor and Delivery with the other medical students!

Sucre!

God is amazing!

This past weekend a group of about 8 of us were able to travel to Sucre, Bolivia. Friday evening we climbed onto the Trans Copacabana Bus at about 8:30 pm. Most of us were able to sleep quite comfortably even though there was many rattling noises and sqweeking doors. At times I was awakened by the bus horn blasting, the bus taking sharp turns on the windy roads, or the random pit stops at 3 in the morning:) We arrived Saturday morning around 7 am. We got instructions from a guy on a truffi (transportation bus) that we could go have breakfast at the market. After we found a Hostal (Hostal Libertad) and then we decided to go visit the dinosaur tracks... not as impressive as it is made out to be, but it was fun anyways. For lunch we ate saltenas (which I did not know were different looking from Cochabamba saltenas). We then walked around Sucre for a couple of hours taking in the beautiful sites. We took a nap late afternoon and then decided to walk up to the Recoleta where we were told there was a restuarant that overlooked the city. We got there at the perfect time- as the sun was going down. That evening we walked to a park thinking we would be able to see a fountain light show, but upon arriving we found out we were about 10 min. late! Sunday morning we took a bus out to a town called Tarabuco. The bus ride took about an hour and a half, but the view was breath taking. I was able to listen to my music and thank God for His creation. We really do have an amazing God! We walked around the town and were able to see the traditional dress of the people that live in Tarabuco. At times you feel sorry for the way these people live and for how "behind in times" they are, but honestly they live a much more simpler life. They may not have all the comforts in life, but at times I wouldn't mind living a life more simpler- we don't need all the things the world tell us we need! We arrived back in Sucre around 3 Sunday afternoon. We picked up our back packs from the Hostal and then walked around and stopped in at a cafe. The bus left at 7:30pm. that evening. The bus ride back was an experience! Lets just say we didn't get much sleep... around midnight the bus stopped and about 10 men got on. Looking around you would know that these men were not going to be sitting on the chairs since there was no room. They ended up sitting in the aisle and at the front of the bus. Being a daughter of my dad- first thought was to stay awake and make sure that they don't steal anything! After that I sure didn't sleep too much.
This morning we slept in a little and headed to the Burn Center. Jhoseline had surgery today and I was able to talk to her mom a bit. I could not imagine being her- standing outside of her room seeing how much her daughter has had to endure. Tonight we plan to go eat Sillpanchos!

Graduation time!

Friday night was the graduation for the class of 2009! It was a fun time, although I wished that I could be up on stage with them. Saturday afternoon I met with Jenny (my walking buddy) and we walked all over downtown and met up with some other volunteers. We went to the artisan area in The Cancha (the downtown market). We then headed over to Plaza Principal for baby washing. Every Saturday afternoon there is baby washing- where volunteers can come and help give the kids' baths and then the kids get a new pair of clothes and some bread and some hot milk. Today I went to church and this afternoon Juana and I are cleaning the apartment getting everything set for the new team that arrives today and tomorrow!

:)

So many of you guys have asked me to update you all more frequently. At times I have felt like many of the days I don't have much exciting to write about, but I will try to write anyways:) The time has flown by- I have almost been in Cochabamba three weeks! The first set of medical students leave tonight on bus to go to La Paz for a couple of days and then to Cuzco and then back to the US. It has been fun to get to know the guys and it'll be fun to see what the next team is like.

The past week or so the burn center has been really slow. Many of the children that I had gotten to know were able to go home! It's fun to see their progress and to see them smile and talk more as the days go by.

Below is a pic. of Marta. She was at the burn center from the day I arrived and at first we thought she was shy- but soon found out she is definently not quiet. She was the cutest little girl ever and she knew how to get what she wanted. She spoke quechua, but learned a lot of spanish by the time left and was soon saying to everyone, "o ye" (hey you!). She went home a couple of days ago and it is so quiet without her!

I met a little girl yesterday, Lizbeth (pictured below with Cory one of the med. students). She is 9 years old and had surgery on tuesday. Yesterday one of the nurses called me over to help explain to the medical students that Lizbeth could go home now, but that the hospital bill was 800bs, which is around $114 (7bs = $1). Her mom only had 500bs, so the hospital was going to keep Lizbeth there until she could pay (and everyday the cost rises). We were able to help pitch in and pay for some of the cost. Lizbeth called us over then to thanks us all. I just keep thinking about how easily we spend money and how we buy things we really don't need. Lizbeth is now living at the Albergue (a little house for the kids who have left the hospital, but still need physical therapy).

I have now started to help at another clinic called "Boliviana Americana." Yesterday was my first day and when I arrived the head nurse showed me around and then I was able to sit in on a c-section! I did not really expect to get light headed and to have to step out to get some air, but the doctor told me that it happens to everyone the first couple of times. A beautiful baby girl was born, Camilla, and I was able to dress her and help weigh and measure her! I am really looking forward to see what other opportunities I will be able to have at the clinica!

Jhoseline

This week has gone by pretty fast. I have started to get into a routine, but still wish I could be doing more to help. During my time at the Burn Center I mostly help bath the kids, feed them, read to them, play with them, and try to make them as happy as possible. Yesterday I was asked to help calm Jhoseline down after they had put some sort of gel/cream on the burn on her face. She was hysterical, but I held her hand and talked to her. I tried to get her not to focus on the pain and just talk to me. As she was sobbing she asked me if I had ever been burned. I have never been burned, but at that point I wished that I could somehow empathize with her and tell her that I know how it feels. One traumatic event in these kids' lives changes their life as they knew it. They endure pain that most people could never even imagine. Jhoseline is an incredibly strong 10 year old girl. She is one the the oldest children at the burn center and I have watched her take the cookies, that her mother has given to her, and hand them out to each of the other children. I am not sure if she is a christian, but yesterday while she was sobbing I asked her if she like music. She told me she likes "musica de Dios" (music about God) and she started to sing quietly one of the songs that they sing in her church. This brought tears to my eyes because here is this little girl who is in an incredible amount of pain and she starts to sing songs about God. This convicted me because there are so many times that I am just having a bad day and I ask God- why? and yet there are people like Jhoseline that while crying from the pain she starts to sing a song, praising God.

1 week in Bolivia

So a week ago today I arrived in Bolivia. Its hard to imagine- it feels like I have been here for a long time! I am getting a little more settled, but am still trying to find my place in the Burn Center. I have gotten to know a couple of the kids pretty well- Jhoseline (10) and Juan (4). It has been fun to see how the kids are progressing and slowly talk a little more. The older kids have been enjoying the crayons and the coloring books. Today Jhoseline and Juan colored a picture for the mothers because Mother's Day is Wednesday. It has been interesting learning about burns and the long process that each individual has to go through.
Please be praying that I would a light at the Burn Center and that I would be able to find my place there.

First 24 hours in Bolivia

We (Jake and I) arrived Monday night- our only complication: delayed flight.... which we lived through:) We got to spend 6 hours in the La Paz airport luckily neither one of us got sick. That night we met the 4 other medical students that will be here for about 3 weeks. We found out when we arrived that Jake's good friend Rudy had been in an accident and his girlfriend was killed. Pray for recovery for Rudy and that God would use this tragedy to bring many to know Christ. Also pray that God would give Rudy a sense of peace.
Tuesday morning we all got up at arrived at the Hospital around 8am. The 4 medical students were shown where they will be working for the next couple of weeks. I helped at the Burn Center. I got to meet many of the children as well as play and feed them. I didn't have a hard time seeing the burns, but rather seeing these young kids having to endure such pain.
It sure makes me realize how truely blessed I am.