I've moved!

For those who still visit this blogspot and have wondered why I don't post anymore...it's because I have relocated to Wordpress.

So, please follow me now at: amandabrock.wordpress.com

I'll be posting more often over there....inshallah (Lord willing)!

Thank you for keeping up with all the Lord is doing and where He is leading me!

Continuing on in the journey....

Again, it’s been a while since I’ve updated the blog.  This probably comes as no real shock.

A lot has happened this last semester.  January, I got to visit Misty, Amy, Leah, Kelli and the Jones’ in Sucre, Bolivia.  February, I welcomed my nephew – Ezekiel Joshua Brock…best known as Zeke – to the family.  March, I traveled up to NYC with the family and passed the one-year mark of being back in the States.  April was full of writing papers I had put off to the last possible second, so nothing huge happened that month.  May, I wrapped up my first year of seminary and attended a mission expo with the IMB.  And in June, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to serve as a special teamer for the Panama City Beach FUGE staff.  Life hasn’t slowed down. 

My trip to Bolivia was incredible and made me miss life on the field.  It is always a blessing to spend time with people I consider family.  We just hung out for two weeks and caught up on life.  AMAZING.  Can’t wait for the opportunity to go back.

At the risk of stating the obvious, Zeke is the cutest little boy EVER.  Riley and Aydia are so proud of their little brother.  He is famous on Facebook for his crazy eyes and hilarious faces. 

My one-year mark has come and gone.  There are moments where it is still a struggle and reverse culture shock sets in, but God is greater and I’m constantly reminded that I’m right where I’m supposed to be.  It is crazy to think I’ve been back for so long.  While I long to be back overseas, I’m doing my best to love where I’m at and invest in the lives of those I live among.   

The first year of seminary is a wrap!  It was an amazing time and I have walked away challenged and changed.  The question that looms is this: what am I going to do with what I’ve learned?  There is no answer yet.  I’m still processing through many of the conversations we had in class and thinking through how to implement them in real-life situations.    It is good and I’ve been blessed by the people who have poured into me this past year and spoken truth into my life.  The semester drained me, but I walk away having learned so much.

God blew my socks off at the Mission Expo.  I walked in with my plans firmly in hand and was prepared to not go back with the IMB if my plans wouldn’t work.  I laugh at that now.  During those 3 days, God pried my preferences and my call apart.  I had meshed the two into one thing.  My call isn’t to a certain place or culture or people group.  My call is to the lost.  To share with those who may have never heard.  And to also learn what the Body of Christ looks like in different contexts and cultures – to get a bigger picture of how God moves among the nations.  So, I’m finishing up my application to serve as a career missionary and just waiting on the next step.  It’s a journey and I’m excited to see what God has next. 

Some of you may know I turned down the rec director position at Jenness Park this summer.  There were a few reasons for that, but I wasn’t really planning on working camp again.  Another plan change.  They needed some former staffers to help out with some big weeks of camp at a few locations.  Last week, I worked at PCB with an amazing staff.  I won’t lie, I was nervous about serving with a team that had already been working together for 3 weeks.  Being a loner was what I was somewhat expecting.  In no way was that the case.  They will never know what a blessing they were/are to me.  My heart was refreshed.  It was an incredible week and I flew home last Friday so encouraged by these new friends.  I realized how much I missed being so intentionally involved in people’s lives.  So, I’m headed back to PCB in two weeks.  I’m excited for the chance to serve alongside my family there, again and to share the love of Jesus with the students that come.  I’ve known this crew for a week and yet feel like we’ve been friends forever.  I love that about the Body of Christ. 

So, there’s the latest news.  What’s next?  No idea.  The Lord knows the next steps and that’s good enough for me.  Walking by faith.  

Book Review: Change Your Church For Good

So, I review books now for Thomas Nelson.  It’s a good deal.  Pick a book that looks interesting, they mail it to you and then you write a review on your blog and Amazon.  And I’m always up for a free book!  Now, periodically, there will be book reviews on my blog. 

I’ve just read Change Your Church For Good by Brad Powell.  Powell is pastor of NorthRidge Church in Michigan.  This man loves the church but sees great room for improvement.  This we agree on.  Throughout the 300 pages (which drag on at times), he lays out the problems and then gives his opinions on how to remedy them.  He presents it all quite clearly and it’s very easy to read and understand.  His conclusions about the church are harsh, but true.  Powell charges the church with being irrelevant.  While this may be true, I felt that his focus was in making the church seeker friendly.  He makes the point that “most churches are organized to serve the interests and well-being of the insiders rather than the outsiders,” I agree.  I believe he goes too far to the other extreme. 

His strengths lie in the way it all is laid out.  If you like things given in steps, you’ll like this book.  With each problem, Powell spells out a certain way it can be approached.  The fact that he is using his own experience and his previous churches as case studies helps make application to his points.  I didn’t like how seeker friendly he was, but that is a personal opinion.  

Would I recommend this book?  If you want quick, easy answers, then yes.  The church today has problems that need addressing.  I don’t think becoming ultra-relevant and creating services that entice those outsiders to come visit is what will fix the problem.  He doesn’t really address the heart of the church, but focuses on things that can be done to get more people inside.  Reasons that I think are surface level.  For what he is trying to accomplish, the book does exactly that.  While the solutions are not what I would recommend, some of the problems he gave are quite valid and the church should take time to hear them.  Powell desires for the church to do a better job of reaching those outside the church…. we just disagree on what needs to change in order for that to happen.

Next review: Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola

God has a sense of humor!

Why? Because I have landed in Waco, Texas. Never in a million years did I see myself going to seminary here. I envisioned Wake Forest or Ft. Worth or New Orleans. Waco? Didn't even know there was a seminary there!

Many have been curious as to the turn of events that led to my big move south. Here it is:

How did I end up here? Well, it is most definitely a God-thing (working thru Amy & Wes!). As you know, my plan was to move to New Orleans and enroll at NOBTS. Before I left for camp in June, I mailed in all of my information and forms....with the hope to hear of my acceptance before coming home in August. Obviously, that did not happen. During my time at camp, I began to talk to Wes and Amy Butler a lot about my Journeyman term and about my decision to head to NOBTS in the fall. Amy began to share with me a lot about Truett Theological Seminary (she's a pretty good recruiter). So, I figured I could at least apply. When I first looked, the application deadline had long since passed. I couldn't tell you why, but I looked again the following day and the deadline had been extended and that meant I had 9 days to get all of my application materials in (mind you, I am in the middle of camp out in CA!). Don't know how it happened....but everything made it in my deadline time - references, transcripts and all!! The Friday after I got everything in, my application went before the admissions committee and I was granted acceptance! Never heard back from New Orleans, which made the decision easy. But, I felt complete peace about packing up and moving to Waco.

I am beginning to love it here. I have been impressed with the school and my professors. Probably for the first time ever, I somewhat enjoy going to class (minus the whole getting out of bed thing!). So, I am a Baylor Bear. Craziness. No idea how long I will be here, but I am going to soak up what I can while camped out here in Waco, TX.

Next time: The Mormon Encounter

One time at summer camp....

It has been a eons and eons since the last post. Life got busy. There is much to write about, but I'll just tackle one thing at a time. We'll start with the beginning of the summer.

I worked camp for the first time in my life, this summer. I was a part of the Centrifuge staff at Jenness Park, in Cold Springs, CA. My job was leading Bible study every day for 5 weeks, to 9th-10th (3 wks) and 11th-12th (2 wks). It was an amazing experience. Every week, God used something in our Bible study to challenge me. We spent the summer studying Moses and his journey of faith and tried to apply the lessons we learned to our own lives. Aside from leading Bible study, I led volleyball and backpacking track times.

One might think that taking 25-30 students on an overnight backpacking trip every week would cause me to dread Thursday nights. However, this couldn't be more wrong. I couldn't wait for Thursday nights to arrive. By far, my favorite night of the whole week and it always ended up being one of theirs (after I told them they couldn't get out of it!). There were definitely some groups that had me a little concerned....but something happens on the trail - you bond. It was always neat to see.

One of my favorite moments came after almost an hour of hiking. For the first bit, we were hiking pretty much straight up the mountain. So, as you can imagine, there was lots of complaining! And that could be underestimating it. It was in this first segment that I often wondered to myself why I signed up for this. But when we changed trails, we came to a look-out....where you could see everything. It was then that I knew why I did this. Their expressions and attitudes changed instantly. They were in awe of God's creation. It never ceased to make me smile. And it happened every week.

Another favorite was our share time around the fire. The group would have bonded even more while setting up camp and cooking dinner....so this time became a chance to share life stories and all God was doing. I was blessed. One night, actually the last trip of the summer, something very cool happened. After we all shared, I encouraged them to take advantage of where they were for the night....in the middle of God's awesome creation and just allow God to speak. I told them that I wanted them to see God as Creator. While in the jungle, I spent so much time looking at the stars. I always stood in awe of the fact that He placed these balls of gas exactly where He wanted them. I shared this with the group and told them to look up and be reminded that God cares for us so much more and He is faithful to finish the work He has started in us. At this exact moment, the biggest and brightest shooting star flew across the sky. Not one of us missed it. In that moment, they got it. They won't forget that night. I won't either.

Week 5 Backpacking Crew

Back on the Funny Farm

Last week, I journeyed back to the place my crazy journey began.  And after two years, I was able to re-connect with some of my greatest friends.  It was so neat just getting to sit and listen to everyone's stories.  Our God is so amazing.  All of us had totally different experiences . . . good and bad; frustrating and encouraging.  But we all were brought closer to our Creator.  It was a sweet time of fellowship with the Body.  

The FPO 1.07 Crew!

So . . . you may ask, "what's next?"  The short answer: seminary, with the purpose of heading back overseas.  I don't know all the details yet, just trying to have faith for the next step.  I'll be visiting New Orleans Bapt. Theological Seminary at the end of this month.  Please be praying for wisdom in this decision.  I hope to start in the fall, but if the timing is off I'll start in the spring.  I'm excited about what's next.  God is good.

The Xtreme Women's Team

Please pray for the Women's Team during the next 6 weeks.  Tomorrow they will be leaving Lima and boarding a bus to Puerto Maldonado (via Cuzco).  Once in Maldonado, they will head to their respective communities.  Misty & Amy will be working in Boca Inambari and Lori, Elaine & Alessandra will be working in Barraka.  From Lima, this will be a lot of traveling.  

A few prayer requests:

• Travel safety and good rest (sleeping on buses is a hard thing)
• Unity among the whole group, as well as the individual teams
• For their work in the communities (i.e., would be able to share stories, work with women and encourage the church)
• For their families back home, as the girls will be out of contact until the beginning of May

A Mother-mandated Update

Yes, you read the title correctly. Mom said I need to update on what's going on and about my possible plans for the future. So, here goes . . .

Things here in Pucallpa are wrapping up quickly. I pack-up and fly to Lima, February 17th. The new crew is scheduled to arrive that night and we will hit the ground running, quite literally! On the 20th, we fly to Puerto Maldonado (I'm going to end this journey where/how it began . . . in Maldonado AND in training!). There, we will train for about 3 weeks, mas o menos. I am excited to get to spend some quality, jungle time with those joining our team. I know it will be a great time. Please pray for their language, acquisition to jungle living and a sweet time of fellowship with teammates.

March 20th at 12:30 pm, I will arrive back home in Dallas, Texas. I am still working on how to sum up my time here in Perú. But I will . . . don't worry. There is a lot to sort through and think back on. One thing is for sure . . . I won't be returning home the same person. And for that, I am grateful. The Lord has done a lot of work on this heart of mine. It wasn't always fun or enjoyable. Most times it hurt. But it was worth it. God is so faithful. I look forward to sharing more about these two years.

Stay tuned . . .

Yaminahua-land

a weekend with the girls

cafe mochas at starbucks. chili's chips and salsa. movies in an actual theater. high-speed internet. a park of water fountains. taxi rides with more people than should be legal. and quality conversations with some amazing friends.

these girls are a huge blessing in my life.
my heart is full.

Me and the newest, honorary member to
the Xtreme Team - Powers!!

All of us crammed into a taxi. Our driver didn't quite
know what he got himself into!!

Megan, Linzi, Christy, Powers, Me and Nadia
at the Fountain Park

my Peru family

Lessons on a Jungle Trail

One day we set out on what ended up being a long jungle hike. And when I say we were walking a jungle trail, there wasn’t really a trail I could see. The reason for this adventure was to bring back this nut that they called a fruit.

As we walked, my mind got to thinking. I know that I’m supposed to follow wherever the Lord leads. Without question. But being human . . . that’s hard at times. I want to know the plan, especially right now with my future hanging in the balance. What will I be doing after Perú? J3? Seminary? Nursing school? Or something altogether different? Our jungle hike drove a point home.

I was following Maria. I had no idea where I was going. No idea what we were really looking for. But I followed . . . unquestioningly. I had faith that she knew where she was going. There was no trail (well, no gringo trail). I never asked her if she really knew the way. Never really asked why we were even going. And after an hour or so of walking, we arrived. My jungle walk is a lot like following God. I don’t always know where He leads . . . but I’m not guaranteed that knowledge. All I’m called to do is follow. Nothing more. He is my guide. He knows the trail and destination. There may be distractions and hang-ups along the way – but I am to press on. There were times I couldn’t see Maria . . . but I could hear her. So it is with my Father. At times I might not can see Him or His hand, but I know His voice and I continue following. He didn’t promise me a smooth trail or a path free from obstacles. All He has promised is that He will guide me. And never leave me.

So, as my time here in Perú begins to wind down and my future is still up in the air . . . I’m trusting God. He knows my story and He holds my future. I’m following, even though I’m unsure of the where the path is leading. I’m called to follow. And I am excited about the next step in this journey.

Update Coming . . .

I´m getting around to writing some updates for the blog.

So there should be some new reading material soon!! No worries!

And as soon as I get it, I´ll post the link to Facebook pictures!!

Got Masato?

Masato is the drink of choice here in the jungle. They intake more masato than water daily. I was once even told to drink more because it stays with you longer than water!

So, you may be asking yourself - ¨What is this masato you speak of?¨ It is a drink made from the yucca root. It is a plant that grows in abundance out here. It could be compared to a potato, but still it is different. Let me share with you the whole masato making process!

Masato day begins a little before 6:00 AM. All the women grab their baskets and machetes and head for one of the many surrounding yucca fields. Once there, everyong begins to dig . . . even the gringas! The Yaminahua women can somehow dig up 20 or so yucca in about 5 minutes, whereas it still takes me 20 minutes to dig up 5 pieces of yucca!!!! We work with the pros. After 2 hour of digging, the peeling process begins, to which I´ve nearly lost fingers. By 9:00 AM we are back at the house and washing all the yucca. We put it to boil and then the fun part begins.

They take a large paddle and mash it up to the consistency of mashed taters. At this time, they shred some sweet potato and begin chewing it. Once the sweet tater is sufficiently chewed, it is spit into the big vat of mashed yucca. For the next 2 hours or so, spoonfuls of yucca are chewed and spit, chewed and spit, chewed and spit. You how have the masato concentrate. This sits overnight to begin the fermentation process. The following morning, they take some of the mush, add water . . . and WHALA - masato!! A 16 liter bucket is made each time. One pot of concentrated masato lasts for about a week and at least twice a day the bucket is refilled.

This jungle beverage is most definitely an acquired taste. When drinking, I just try not to think of the whole process. In the beginning, I grimaced while drinking my bowl . . . but after two months in Yaminahua-ville, I finish my bowl and with my masato mustache can smile and say ¨¡Mama sharakoi!¨ (Masato is great!)

Hello friends! After much prodding . . . I am updating.

I am still in Pucallpa, awaiting a flight out to San Pablo to spend two months with the Yaminahua. Nadia and I have been working on learning some phrases in the language, which has proved to be a little difficult. The pronunciation is quite different and very nasaly (sp?). We have learned to count! They technically don´t have a number higher than 3. They count in pairs. For example: if you wanted to say 4, you would say ¨rafe na nafea, rafe na nafea¨. This means ¨this one with this one, and this one with this one¨, but mind you . . . it isn´t pronounced like it looks! The pronunciation is: lawe da dawea, lawe da dawea¨. It is fun! We usually just end up laughing at each other.

During our non-study time, we knock around town and find places to visit. This pictures is from one trip to a local zoo. Who just wants to look at animals through cages?? Why not just yank that over-sized snake out of it´s cage so we can get a closer look at it!?!?! Linzi wanted a picture of one animal and couldn´t get a good shot, so the guide just opened the not so secure cage door and told her to go on in and get a better shot. Gotta love Perú!! All about customer service. One of the small blessings found in town is . . . DR. PEPPER!!!!!! God is good!!

We are all ready to take off to our communities. City life is getting dull. All four of us will be gone until August. And I´m sure, upon return there will be quite a few stories to post! Please be praying as we all work on learning a new language. Pray for lots of patience for the people we will be living with!

I have an assignment!!!

This past week, I have been in Arequipa with the entire Extreme Team. It has been a time of encouragement and sharing what God has done this last year. This is the one time each year that we are all together. It has been great. Today, we all disperse. It has been a blessing and I count each member of this team as family.

I finally have an assignment!!! I will be going with Nadia to the Yaminahua. Once training ends, April 1, we will begin intensive language study and then hope to head to San Pablo at the beginning of June for a 2 month trip. I am so excited that there aren´t really words to describe. The language is so important. While there, we will not be speaking much, if any, Spanish at all. The women speak the dialect. So, please pray with Nadia and I that language comes quickly, so we are able to effectively disciple the women of San Pablo. Also, be praying for Katie, Linzi and Christy as they study the Spanish language and head out of trips.

Here is a picture of our team:

Back row: Christy and me

Front row: Nadia, Linzi and Katie

For pictures from training and XGM, follow these links:

Training:
http://uta.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2076696&l=7e704&id=25300658

XGM:

http://uta.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2078815&l=d5f13&id=25300658

Quick update . . .

I am at the Lima airport, waiting to board the plane that will take me to my new home. I am excited.

Today started at 5:15 AM, with me trying to finish packing. Somehow over the last 8 months, I have acquired more stuff . . . so it was a challenge getting everything stuffed into my trunk and duffle bags. And then loading all that junk on a motocarro . . . it was a sight! But I made it with plenty of time to spare.

I was blessed today with the company of 2 new friends, who met me for lunch and hung out with me during my layover. We got to talk about our ministries here in Perù and all God is teaching us. My heart is refreshed and ready to go!

Tuesday, I will be leaving for my first trip. Please pray for safety and an opportunity to share a story. I am both excited and a tad nervous. I look forward to learning a lot. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

Here is the link to the newest facebook photo album: Training & Graduation Pictures

Things I Have Learned

1. Money does not grow on trees, but toilet paper does
2. Camping so overrated
3. Coffee in the jungle with new friends, who speak a different language is just as good as coffee in the States with old friends, who speak my language
4. Snail mail is so much better than email
5. There is more than one way to eat a banana
6. You should not talk about all the foods you miss from the States . . . it is like a slow death
7. Always make sure there are no holes in your mosquito net
8. Always learn your Bible stories on time to avoid the wrath of Jeremy!
9. Never forget to hide your machete . . . or it disappears!!
10. Always have a sufficient amount of firewood cut, or you end up having to keep a fire going for 24 hours
11. Never forget to check your pants before putting them on . . . ants tend to find their way in easily
12. My hands were not made tough enough for a machete
13. Going to bed at 7:00 PM makes for a really, really long night!
14. After the first week, you quit swatting at the bugs swarming around your head (it is useless)
15. That having my time alone with Jesus is the only that that has kept me sane
16. Bug repellent has no effect on jungle bugs
17. Santa Rosa Hospital is a joke!
18. Indoor plumbing is a gift from God
19. That in the midst of 3 1/2 months of solid Spanish, the occassional English conversation is priceless!
20. My hammock has been my best purchase
21. Spanish 1 and 2 in high school and college is really useless
22. A wasp in your pants NEVER ends well
23. A machete is a multi-function tool . . . you can: clear paths, dig holes, cut food, cut grass and fight fires with it! Simply amazing.
24. Just how much I miss everything that goes along with being Volleyball Operations Manager (believe me, it is a lot of things!)
25. That when you hammock breaks, it is a day of mourning
26. So much about how the Body of Christ should/does function
27. God hears the prayers of His people
28. His grace is enough . . . he is oh so faithful, and He supplies all of my needs!!!!

Added some pictures . . . here's the link: http://uta.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2053671&l=5240d&id=25300658

Cuzco

I am in Cuzco right now, about to take a bus to Tacna to begin working on visa and residency stuff. Here are a couple pictures. I will post more when I have more patience to upload them. It is cold and my fingers are numb!

This was my lunch yesterday. Cuy al horno. Baked guinea pig. It does not taste like chicken, no matter what you might hear. It was different. But good.

Me and Graham in Cuzco. He didn't really want to take this picture, but I made him!!

The Latest Rat Update

It has been a while since I wrote about the rat in my kitchen . . . so I figured I would give you the latest. If you have already looked at my Facebook pictures, you will know how it ends.

(The rodent will only be referred to as “rat” . . . he deserved no personalization!)

Since I first discovered the rat, he only got more and more annoying. My Dad sent me this device; I believe it is called . . . The Pestinator 2000! Sounds like it should do the job. The magnetic wave it sends out is supposed to discourage the rodents from coming around. Peruvian rats are obviously not discouraged very easily. He began making more and more noise. I would wake up in the morning to stuff all over my kitchen. Despite all the noise, I was beginning to deal with it. My food was now safe in a drawer.

One night things took an ugly turn. It was the night of July 2nd and I had returned home to see my loaf of bread half-eaten, sitting on my bed. What did that mean? The rat had made it into my bedroom. Not good. He can mess in the kitchen, because I don’t live in the kitchen. Now he was in my territory . . . on my turf!! He was causing quite a ruckus that night and I had about had it. However, I was able to fall asleep around 11:30 pm. At 2:00 AM, I awoke to the subconscious act of flinging something off the top of my sheets. Yes, it was the rat. Slightly disgusted, I grabbed my machete and went looking for the creature, only to see it crawl through an opening in the corner of my ceiling. There was no going back to sleep. I read from 2:00-4:00 AM. I drifted off to sleep and at 4:30 AM, I awoke to the feeling of a critter under my sheets, at my feet. Needless to say, I flew out of bed, instantaneously had my machete in hand, and turned on the lights. Now, if my roommate had woken up, the sight of me wielding a machete at 4:30 in the morning could very well have given her a heart attack . . . luckily, she remained asleep through the whole fiasco. The rat got away and succeeded in pushing me closer to culture shock.

Morning of July 4th. Again I was woken up early . . . but this time to the scream of my roommate, Maria. I crawled out of bed and lazily walked to the kitchen to see what the fuss was. At the entrance to the kitchen was none other than the rat. He had breathed his last. My face lit up. I ran and grabbed my camera (this was most definitely getting captured on film!). It was going to be a good day.

The death of the rat did not occur at the end of my machete. Did the Pestinator 2000 work and fry his brains? I do not know. Or did the sight of me, in the wee hours of the morning holding a machete, send him to an early grave? I have no clue. Nevertheless, his time on earth was done. A prayer was answered. And on the day that we celebrate the independence of our country, God smiled on me.

My Dad said I need a shirt that says, “God Loves Me . . . Rats Fear Me!”

pictures: http://uta.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2053671&l=5240d&id=25300658

The More the Merrier!!

I believe this is the Peruvian motto . . . when it comes to people and modes of transportation! Why carry only what the van or car can hold when you can cram so many more?

I was riding in the combi (a van slightly smaller than a 15 passenger) the other day and counted 27 people. Yes, that’s right! 27 PEOPLE! My mom said I should have taken a picture . . . but with that many bodies in one vehicle, movement is pretty limited.

Claudia and I caught a taxi to Colorado, along with 6 other people. She showed great kindness by allowing me to ride shotgun and saving me the enjoyment of being crammed in the middle of the Peruvians. Upon arrival in Santa Rosa, we boarded a peki-peki and crossed the river to Puerto Carlos. We spotted the taxi that would take us to Colorado (only trucks go to CO, we would soon find out why), and asked what time it would be heading out – no time was given. Welcome to the culture where they only view watches as an accessory and not something that binds them to a schedule! After an almost 2 hour wait on the playa (beach), we took off. This taxi was the final one of the day, so I believe there were 11 of us. Claudia and I volunteered to ride in the bed. For 3 hours I was sitting with my knees to my chin, as we rocked and rolled and slid through more mud than you can imagine (knee-deep in several places)! At one point, the road got so bad we had to make a detour . . . THROUGH THE JUNGLE! By the time we arrived in Colorado, all my joints were out of whack and my back was bruised from being thrashed against the side of the truck bed. It was an experience. Together, we found a hostal and finally got to just sit still. I received a lot of stares while in town . . . apparently not many gringos frequent the area. As we were walking to Carmen’s house, this one little girl shouted, “Mira! Mira! Gringa! Gringa!” It was the highlight of her day. Another little group of kids followed me a ways and asked what I was doing. Oh kids. Our trip home was just as rough, but I was able to sit in the cab and talk to this one man seated next to me, it was much more enjoyable.

My conversation skills are increasing!! My conversations with my friends in town are getting longer and longer. I always walk away smiling.

Check out the newest pictures (still not a lot . . . I know, sorry).
Link for pictures: http://uta.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2053671&l=5240d&id=25300658

To those friends who were hoping for an anaconda story . . . maybe next time!!