Saturday, December 27, 2008

Monserrate

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2: 10-11)

Wow, Lord, that's a lot of knees- and how many now are bowed in front of you?
















This is Monserrate, the historic Catholic church at the top of a mountain about 1000 feet above most of the city.












 Look at the houses of 8 1/2 million people and tell me you don't realize how insignificant you are in this big world. 
















Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! (Ps. 144:3)

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas at the Other Way

The gifts are from Jesus for
Families
Food and Fun
That ALL might know what it is to have fellowship with the Father....

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Pictures from the Past... 2 months.


   

More pics of life to come soon. All the big group pictures are from the outing for the English speakers. All these people - only four Americans.

:-)

 It's a big, big world! Anyway, we went to a "farm" north of Bogota. Check out the view!!! And in case you were wondering why we like to work with kids, maybe this will help?





As for the other pictures, can you guess who is generally the center of attention in Torre Fuerte?

And on the "Dia de Accion de Gracias" (our Colombian name for Thanksgiving - the holiday which only the Americans celebrate!), we want to say "YOU - remember that God is the source of every good and perfect gift!"

Saturday, November 15, 2008














A few more pictures of my house and my life... Notice the walls downstairs and the fact that there is a ball flying through the air. It's a wonderful place to play! And as for my room, I'm glad laundry day is only once a week, because they hang for almost 4 days like this before I can put it away!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

This is your life/ Are you who you want to be?




This is your life... Is it everything you dreamed that it would be?

And when God asks me, I must say - and more!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Places I Go


A weekend at the farm is always fun, and the picnic was even better!
The girls enjoy the hammock...
Then we hiked UP to the cross on the hill (let me tell you, I'm going to have the lungs like feedsacks before I leave here). The camera batteries died, but on the way home, we also went to play in the river down below. These kids are tough; they begged to take their shoes off and wade! I kept my sweater on and held the little ones' hands.
What a contrast to the Other Way!
Down in the city where it seems the buildings will never end... This picture does NOT do justice to the number of people normally on the street. I'm really not sure when it could possibly have been taken!

Not everyone goes to Colombia!




So I'll try to let you see as much of this world as I can. Since it's rained 5 days and nights out of the last 6, there's not many photos from here, but I'll backtrack. Being technologically inept, I did NOT get these photos quite in order, but here goes!

Eating out here is definitely cheaper than in "the States." Crepes and Waffles is a strictly Colombian restaurant with good food, better ice cream, and an interesting story behind its foundation... By the way, I'm not in very many of these pictures because I'm TAKING them (sorry, but I haven't changed any so don't worry!)
One day, we went to Parque Chicaque - an hour to the outskirts of Bogota and 45 minutes or so to the drop-off point, from which we walked to the park entrance. It was good to be in fresh air! Anyway, Chicaque is a cloud park. This is the view from the entrance when we arrived at about 11 (I think). We hiked about halfway DOWN - straight down, then back UP - straight up.
This is the same view at about 4 when we reached the top. Now you know why it's called a cloud park.
We don't have very many of these IN Bogota, I think they need a little more heat. This... plant is much larger than I am!
This picture is on the way to the Chicaque entrance. If you squint you might be able to see the cows behind these folks. Those cows might have been quite ugly, but I was excited to get SO close!
And then, wonder of wonders, three hills covered with grass not trees. And there were horses you could rent to ride. We didn't, but I was tempted!
Hiking down the hill to Chicaque we went through everyone's picture of Colombia: wet, slick jungle - complete with vines to swing on and trees to climb.
This is halfway down. If we'd rolled off the rocks during our naps, we probably would've gotten hurt.
And, thankfully, the "Don't go" sign was not put up by God - we chose the wide trail to the left rather than the narrow way to which it pointed. :-)



Open the Eyes of Their Hearts Lord!

Nothing warms my heart more than to see a smile on the face of child who at first never smiled. Smile in Spanish is "sonrisa." The SON rising in the hearts of the children - how appropriate!
I'm glad elefante begins with e in both languages! And doubly glad one can be made with egg cartons!
Sitting is hard work - so counting to 10 deserves an active congratulations!
If I were a child, I'd much rather color the Colombian flag than any other. It's the three basic colors...

Friday, September 12, 2008



Kay... The hammocks were my favorite thing at our team meeting in Chinaulta - "warmER country" about an hour and a half out of Bogota (keep in mind it takes an hour to reach the edge of Bogota). Long story on why we went, but others liked the pool...
I took the pool pic so you could see the palms in the background - we don't have those in Bogota 'cause it's too cold. However, if the sun is out anywhere here it is INTENSE - we are high and close to the equator and let me say that, two weeks after this event, my arms are still peeling.


This first lovely people pic has a couple of my coworkers at El Otro Camino - I don't know if I can have as much fun as Liz and Adrian do!
The other folks are the "farm girls." Karisa and Jessica both serve some in long-term care and are two of my favorite people here. 


Sunday, August 31, 2008

People complained that there were no pics of me, so here you go...

This kid really wants to learn English, so he's pretty helpful for my Spanish. It's fun to hear, "Profete! Que es (whatever) in Ingles?"




 This was the first week I was here. On the far right is the other Rebekka, who left to go home to Iceland the following day. Also in the pic, Luke from England who teaches at Luz y Vida, and Fabian, who lives at the 127 (the house where I live). Dios Bendiga la Queen.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

El Otro Camino




The Other Way: I spent 4 days here for orientation. It's called learning by experience! But I'm very excited about being a 4 and 5 yr. old teacher as my primary placement until Christmas

As you can see in the background, there are still street people here. 

Notice also, the hard work, looking to the future, pleasing Papito Dios, and joy!!!















.