El corazón de Bolivia (The Heart of Bolivia)

I love to begin with quotes. Kinda cheesy, I know, but a good way to enter into reading blogs that may go into conversations a little deeper than topics like leather shorts (are they REALLY in fashion?!) or Macklemore and Ryan Lewis new cd, The Heist (which is awesome in so many ways, but not the topic of this blog!). [BTW, I still cannot find the apostrophe key on the keyboard, so please excuse this typo that will be repeated until I can figure it out!]

However, this entry will begin a simple question. Why Bolivia?

Thanks for asking! Let me explain. 

So back in May, I was pleasently surprised that my future community-mate, Sarah, was also attending the Krista Foundation retreat/conference. What a blessing to get to know this person who I will be living (intentionally) with, even, before our JVC orientation, which was in July...remember the last entry ;) 

Anyways, Sarah and her family spent 9 years (and maybe a little bit more) in South America, mostly Venezuela. Her parents, Mary Jo and Phil (shout out!) were serving as lay missioners with the Maryknolls. So, at the Krista Foundation retreat, Mary Jo introduced the idea of attending classes at the Maryknoll Mission Center in Cochabamba, Bolivia--they knew the center personally having spent time there during their time in South America. After thought, prayer, and further discussions with Sarah, we decided to attend a 6 week mission-immersion program at the Maryknoll Mission Center. We thought it would be a great way to not only practice the language (or, in Sarahs case, learn a new one--Quechua), but to also enter into the spirit and mindset of intentional living. 

From the entrance of the Center...more photos to come!

So, here we are. I hope that explains it enough. 

Finally, here is the quote which I would have used from the beginning:

“Whatever happens to you, fall in love with it. Love what it does to you—even the frustration, feel it all, even desire it—since it has shown up in your life. Welcome it as you would an out of town visitor, then watch God’s freedom kick in.” –Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ

My friend Ana, a volunteer in Guayaquil, Ecuador, wrote this quote to me from Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ (who did a lot of ministry with gangs in the LA area. He, also, started Homeboy Industries). I feel that it is an appropriate quote to begin this new adventure in life. I said a teary “goodbye” to my family just days ago, though it feels like more time has passed. After hours and hours of travel, (from DIA to Chicago to Panama to Santa Cruz, Bolivia to Cochabamba) I am in Bolivia! I am grateful for all the thoughts, prayers, and good vibes sent our way (to me and my compañera, Sarah) while traveling. The entire trip went very smooth—no flights were missed, I found Sarah in a random corner in the Panama airport (thank you, St. Anthony!), and we got our Bolivian visas without a problem! The only thing we missed was sleep. Good thing my host family has been gracious enough to let me rest a lot. It has been needed!

Speaking of my host family, I feel the need to tell you how AWESOME they are! They have hosted for about 10 years. Needless to say, they know the drill. Most of the students that have stayed with them have been male/seminarians. So the mom, Ellie, was telling me how grateful she was to be blessed with a female student. Rolando, the father, is basically hilarious. He jokes about 75% of the time. My favorite part--I understand them, at least most of them.  

They have been so gracious with their home and treat me as one of their own. Ellie intoduces me has her new "hija" (child). All of their children (all three) are grown and have families of their own. Their oldest daughter lives in Italy with her husband, their son lives in Spain with his wife and their youngest lives here in Cochabamba with her son. After speaking with some families, I have learned that it is not uncommon for family members to move to Europe--I am guessing due to the economy and jobs, but I need to investigate this a bit further before I act like I know what I am talking about. 

I feel that I have written a lot for now. More entries will be added about Bolivia, let me tell you, it is easy to fall in love with this place. I am here until just after Thanksgiving. Until the next entry, I will leave you with a couple of photos of Cochabamba.