The Beginning of my Chilean Adventure

I love being back in Chile. Before leaving I was nervous, because I didn’t know what to expect, what exactly I’d be doing, who I would be working with and so on. But once again God showed me that He is in control… And that this is definitely what He wanted me to do with the first half of my summer!

Friday

I got here on Friday morning and after a quick shower, headed out to the new (at least to me it’s new) mall to meet the other college students I’ll be working with until they head back to the States next week. I was only half there, trying to get over the queasiness left over from the plane ride and the fact that I had gotten only about five hours of off and on sleep.
Once we got back to the house, I unpacked my bags, settled myself into the Case’s house and decided to take a short nap… which turned out to be four hours long! I felt much better after my nap, and though I hate to say Uncle Cliff and Aunt Cinthy were right, I had a bit of trouble going back to sleep after my late dinner.

Saturday

On Saturday, I decided to get up and go on a run around the area. I headed out on some running paths Aunt Cinthy recommended, and after about three miles, I began looking around and realized I knew exactly where I was- about three blocks from the house I used to live at! So I headed over there, went down memory lane for a bit, then headed back to the Case’s house. I hope to go by again before  I leave to take pictures of where I used to live! Afterwards, I got to meet some sweet missionaries and a Chilean family I will be working with during my time here.

Sunday

Then on Sunday, I went to the church my family and I used to attend when we lived here. It was so great to see everyone again, and I was touched that they remembered us, asked about the family and even remembered my name! My own parent’s can’t remember my name half the time (just kidding, but you get the point). I loved seeing friendly faces, catch up with old friends, and even when the pastor put the spotlight on me at the beginning of the service and really embarrassed me!
Then Sunday night, I got to spend some time with some dear dear friends of ours, catching up over Cinnabon cinnamon rolls. The Sextons were our missionary grandparents when we lived here, and I still consider them a part of my family. Uncle Jim and Aunt Evelyn are two of the kindest, sweetest and most loving people I know, and I am definitely blessed to have them in my life!

Monday

Finally today, Monday, I spent a few hours working with Pati, a local Chilean woman, getting a craft together for the children’s Bible study she has every Wednesday at her kids’ school. We had fun talking, laughing, working together and getting to know each other. She is such a sweet woman who definitely has a heart for the Lord and a heart for these kids. She not only teaches this group of kids, but also goes to a jardin (daycare) and teaches two Bible stories on Thursday and is a Sunday School teacher. Her passion for teaching children is so comforting and motivating to me! We had a fun time teaching a class of 16 first and second graders about David and Goliath. They were bouncing off the walls, but enthusiastic and engrossed in the story. I will be working with her every Monday with these kids… It will be hard to say goodbye when I leave!

The school we went to is a local public school that is very different from those here in the states. It is literally one big, tall building with classrooms on each floor and a basketball court that the kids play on at recess.

Tomorrow we will be going up to a university here in Santiago, so please keeps us all in your prayers as we share the Gospel, build relationships with the people there and follow God’s call on our lives! And I hope to begin taking more pictures… I kept forgetting to take my camera with me before today!