A Dose of Bogotá

I'm sorry that the last post was before Christmas break! I have been to the states and back again since then and today I would like to share with you a little bit about the culture I live in...something I experienced yesterday that made me realize "Yep...I'm not in the united states...or at least in Nebraska.."

Bogotá traffic! 

The vans pick us up at 6:30 and 6:35 a.m. but lately it's been like 5 minutes late.  I was in Romi (a grocery store near the school van stop is) and when you're there that early in the morning turns out they don't have enough change for a 50.000 pesos paper bill.  So I had to wait for them to go to the back of the store and get change.  While I was waiting I saw the van leave.  Hoping it was the first van, I didn't freak out so much.  But when I saw no one else was there or in sight I called a friend to see if that was the last one.  She said yes.

I then made my way to the autopista (busiest highway that runs north/south in the city not too far from Romi) to catch a public bus that goes near the school.  Thinking I would be maybe 5 minutes late to school turned out to be AN HOUR LATE to school. 

Many buses went by, along with pollution in my face, and many of the buses that I needed to catch went by as well...FULL. People were hanging out of the doors holding on (This to Bogotá...) and while I was putting my arm out to tell the driver I want to get on, one went by with men hanging out the door looking at me and laughing and waving, as if mocking me knowing there's no room.  Ha.

After 30 minutes of waiting and then a 30 minute ride on the bus (that usually takes 15 minutes when the traffic is light) I finally made it to school an hour later.  Thankfully on Fridays,  school starts later with the kids and all I missed was part of a meeting.

You know how that they say punctuality isn't as high on the importance scale in latin america than in the states? Well, this is part of the reason why....

Update on Teaching

We are in the time of 6 weeks of full 5 day weeks.  It's been rough and especially this past week.  I took time out of some of my classes to teach my kids about Christian behavior and how relational issues don't line up the actions of a Christian. We had some intense talks and the hardest thing is knowing that I can't change their hearts because getting deep down to the core issue of sin is in our hearts.

Please join me in praying for my students hearts and that God does BIG THINGS and that the HOLY SPIRIT MOVES and changes actions and hearts will be changed.  I love these kids so much and it hurts to know that the only thing I can do is discipline, love, and pray for them. It's hard teaching (Espeically since this is my first year of teaching) but God keeps reminding me that if I keep doing this out of His love and for His honor and Glory, even if I don't see the fruit EVER from this, my work is not being done in vain. And in that I rejoice.

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Side Note Blessings

I got a bike! One of the missionary families at my church who have and have had kids at ECA is letting me borrow their bike. Unfortunately, the past two times I have ridden it a dog has bit me and I ran into a man riding the opposite way. Haha but it's all good! I love being able to still be active!!! It helps keep me sane....along with the Lord of course. ;) 

Celebrate Colombia! 

Nathan, Andrea, & I celebrating Colombia! 

Since a majority of our students are Colombian we take two days out of the year to celebrate colombia where the teachers get to wear jeans and Colombian colors to school while the students present part of their culture through dancing and acting. 

Church worship band

My friend Katie, another teacher at school, and I have been playing in our church's worship band. She play violin and I have played mandolin. However, they needed someone to play piano last week and so I was able to! Ooooh it felt soooo good to play piano again!  Speaking of piano, I teach piano lessons too at school. I have 3 students and teach them after school every Thursday. It's fantastic being able to share something that I love with others!! 

Klove streaming Online
I'm so thankful that I can still listen to Klove outside of the states! It's so encouraging starting the day off with music that speaks truth and encourages me, reminding me of who my God is and that he's always with me no matter where I am at.  The song "Whom Shall I Fear" by Chris Tomlin has been coming on a lot and I'd like to share it with you! 

"I know who goes before me and I know who stands behind. The God of angel armies is always by my side! The one who reigns forever, He is a friend of mine. The God of angel armies is always by my side!" 

Last night I was talking with my roommate and asked the question, "Why is there so much on my plate right now?" and her wise response (with the words of the Holy Spirit) were, "Because if there weren't that much, you wouldn't think that God was at work." -Miss Sickles