So supposedly while I've been away it's been lovely and hot and summery here, and then as soon as I get back the clouds have taken over and greyed the whole place out. Bummerrrrrrrrrr.
Anyhow, I got back the day before yesterday after another 30 hour journey. It wasn't supposed to be quite that long but nevermind. Also discovered that my new UK phone with UK number doesn't work abroad despite going into the shop and asking specifically for a phone I can use abroad. :|
Right, back to the point. The good news is that I was feeling super homesick when I arrived due to the absolute lack of desire to leave London (snow and all), but that has thankfully passed. There is a sort of a story behind that - it's a long one but all I will say here is that God took a massive load off my shoulders yesterday afternoon in a really miraculously merciful conversation. Just so thankful that even when I have no faith in God doing something and making a way, He knows our needs and provides so gracefully and proves us wrong!
Last night Samuel and I went into town quite late to go to the hospital in Viña - the story here is that there has been a thing called MOU which is basically a nationwide evangelical youth outreach type thing. (Website here - sorry yes it is in Spanish, butmaybe Google translator will help you?) And as part of this week some of the older kids went and prayed at the hospital. Samuel met a homeless guy who was sleeping in the A+E waiting room (the hospital allows this and the staff bring them tea and coffee in the mornings) and they got talking, and somehow Samuel managed to leave his bible with this guy, not sure if it was intentional or not, but we went back to go and give this chap some homemade cake and coffee and get the bible too.
But on the way Samuel got talking to a drunk guy on the bus into town, who was trying to get home to his daughter who he stays with, but was too inebriated to work out where he was or get to where he needed to go. So we sort of took him along with us, or at least that was the plan. Instead we ended up sort of dragging him along as he struggled to remember where he was or where he was going. Thankfully the coffee we had with us proved extremely helpful, and Samuel had some really great conversations with him. We walked halfway across town with the guy to somewhere his bus stopped, and then made sure he got on the bus itself. By this point it was about 1am, having set off from home before 11.
When we got to the hospital the guy Samuel had met before wasn't there. Samuel talked briefly with another homeless guy there, but we pretty much went home, after leaving the cakes with someone else.
Didn't get home till half 2. Was a very interesting night.
Friday, 31 December 2010
Friday, 24 December 2010
yes i am in london
...hence the silence! I also assume that most of the people who would check this blog are also busy doing other things other than checking this blog. The bleedin' cheek of it.
For anyone who has either been in a coma for the last week and a half, or to anyone reading this from outside the UK (there may be some who count these factors as one and the same........), it has been SNOWING here AGAIN.
My flight here was thankfully not too horrific. My Atlanta pitstop was freezing but a good chance to get out and stretch my legs. Met some local crazies and used some wifi... and not much else.
Since I've been back I have been to-ing and fro-ing from being at home with my Dad in New Cross, being at my flat in Elephant and Castle where my lovely chum Julian is living, and being at church. Which has all been rather delightful! I feel as though I haven't had much time free, but I have had some lie ins and some impromptu sleepovers at the vicarage, so it's all been playful too.
Dad and I were meant to be going up to Lincolnshire to spend 2 days with my Grandparents for my Grandma's birthday on the 22nd, but the snow just made the journey entirely unfeasible. Which is a real shame because I would have loved to have seen them as we are not with them for Christmas itself this year. It did give us a few extra hours of prep for the days ahead though, which possibly just highlights quite how last minute we've been this year. No surprise there then!
Anyhow, really loving being back. Had a lush dinner with a gang of girls from school where I cooked some Chilean dishes Zelma taught me. Also had some drinks with King's people too - both of which happened at the new flat, which was super exciting! Did a lot of dessert making too which was fun.
Feeling very back at home. Slightly like I am leading a double life, as I am so settled in Chile, which just feels totally distinct to everything here... Both very excited to go back and get stuck in. And also not wanting to leave home.
Have a feeling the next 6 months will go very fast!
OK enough of a rant from me...
A big cuddle to you all.
Merry Christmas folks,
Don't forget the reason for the season!
Lo XOX
For anyone who has either been in a coma for the last week and a half, or to anyone reading this from outside the UK (there may be some who count these factors as one and the same........), it has been SNOWING here AGAIN.
My flight here was thankfully not too horrific. My Atlanta pitstop was freezing but a good chance to get out and stretch my legs. Met some local crazies and used some wifi... and not much else.
Since I've been back I have been to-ing and fro-ing from being at home with my Dad in New Cross, being at my flat in Elephant and Castle where my lovely chum Julian is living, and being at church. Which has all been rather delightful! I feel as though I haven't had much time free, but I have had some lie ins and some impromptu sleepovers at the vicarage, so it's all been playful too.
Dad and I were meant to be going up to Lincolnshire to spend 2 days with my Grandparents for my Grandma's birthday on the 22nd, but the snow just made the journey entirely unfeasible. Which is a real shame because I would have loved to have seen them as we are not with them for Christmas itself this year. It did give us a few extra hours of prep for the days ahead though, which possibly just highlights quite how last minute we've been this year. No surprise there then!
Anyhow, really loving being back. Had a lush dinner with a gang of girls from school where I cooked some Chilean dishes Zelma taught me. Also had some drinks with King's people too - both of which happened at the new flat, which was super exciting! Did a lot of dessert making too which was fun.
Feeling very back at home. Slightly like I am leading a double life, as I am so settled in Chile, which just feels totally distinct to everything here... Both very excited to go back and get stuck in. And also not wanting to leave home.
Have a feeling the next 6 months will go very fast!
OK enough of a rant from me...
A big cuddle to you all.
Merry Christmas folks,
Don't forget the reason for the season!
Lo XOX
Saturday, 11 December 2010
música de argentina
This guy, the Argentinian Elvis, has got some seriously disturbing moves... The best thing about it is that Zelma finds them absolutely hilarious.
And a video of 80's band Soda Stereo performing at the annual music festival here in Viña in 1987. Great song.
All packed and ready to go tomorrow evening...
Exciting!!
XOX
And a video of 80's band Soda Stereo performing at the annual music festival here in Viña in 1987. Great song.
All packed and ready to go tomorrow evening...
Exciting!!
XOX
Friday, 10 December 2010
colocolo
Got up at 8am today and did this to my head.
Thought I was trying to look like Beth Ditto's girlfriend, as seen on Fearne Cotton's celeb show or whatever. Can't find a google image to show you but yes I now aspire to lesbians?
But instead I think maybe I was subconsciously channeling this fellow.
Which is clearly, like, totally way cooler.
Should have kissed my own shirt before I left the house though, DANG. What a loss of koolaid point.
Anyway, so I was just for absolutely no reason thinking today about how GREAT this band is!!! And how much I was obsessed with the album By the Way when it first came out and I was like, the coolest 13 year old kid in the world. Or something. And how when I first started playing bass the only lines I learnt were RHCP songs because they are rad. And how... ok nothing else but, er, doncha just love nostalgia??
Ah those were the days.
Here's to reliving them! On this blog! All the time!
Suckitsuckaz.
Still know about 80% of the lyrics, I reckon that's pretty impressive considering.
XOX
PS. Colocolo was some sort of Native Indian chief warrior guy who also wore his hair like me (so unoriginal, jeez, get your own style), and also inspired the very popular Chilean football team's name - Colo Colo.
Look! CULTURE! Sort of.
Thought I was trying to look like Beth Ditto's girlfriend, as seen on Fearne Cotton's celeb show or whatever. Can't find a google image to show you but yes I now aspire to lesbians?
But instead I think maybe I was subconsciously channeling this fellow.
Which is clearly, like, totally way cooler.
Should have kissed my own shirt before I left the house though, DANG. What a loss of koolaid point.
Anyway, so I was just for absolutely no reason thinking today about how GREAT this band is!!! And how much I was obsessed with the album By the Way when it first came out and I was like, the coolest 13 year old kid in the world. Or something. And how when I first started playing bass the only lines I learnt were RHCP songs because they are rad. And how... ok nothing else but, er, doncha just love nostalgia??
Ah those were the days.
Here's to reliving them! On this blog! All the time!
Suckitsuckaz.
Still know about 80% of the lyrics, I reckon that's pretty impressive considering.
XOX
PS. Colocolo was some sort of Native Indian chief warrior guy who also wore his hair like me (so unoriginal, jeez, get your own style), and also inspired the very popular Chilean football team's name - Colo Colo.
Look! CULTURE! Sort of.
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
red hot wednesday
I AM BETTER.
Thank God.
I was getting so bored of not being able to eat.
And we all know I like to eat.
With my new found energy I am listening to these guys.
7 SLEEPS TILL LDN.
XOX
Thank God.
I was getting so bored of not being able to eat.
And we all know I like to eat.
With my new found energy I am listening to these guys.
7 SLEEPS TILL LDN.
XOX
Saturday, 4 December 2010
*gasp* could it be possible...
...that all the fat I think I have been putting on and all the discomfort from said fat in my now tight jeans might actually be because...........
MY JEANS GOT SHRUNK IN THE WASH1?!?
Ok I actually don't know.
When I get back feel free to tell me if I am fatter or not.
Also if anyone out there feels like playing doctor and diagnosing what has been half heartedly keeping me in bed the last 3 days I'd really appreciate it. It's that sort of sick that doesn't actually make you feel that sick but you still can't really do that much thus rendering you pathetic.
Ok see yas!
XOX
MY JEANS GOT SHRUNK IN THE WASH1?!?
Ok I actually don't know.
When I get back feel free to tell me if I am fatter or not.
Also if anyone out there feels like playing doctor and diagnosing what has been half heartedly keeping me in bed the last 3 days I'd really appreciate it. It's that sort of sick that doesn't actually make you feel that sick but you still can't really do that much thus rendering you pathetic.
Ok see yas!
XOX
Thursday, 2 December 2010
bite the bullet, suckaz
• Forgot to mention that on our first day in Miami we went to lunch and were sat behind some dudes who looked hardcore Jersey Shore. I actually wondered if they were from the show but then I remembered that I don't watch it. Sorry.
• Also, one day there was a limo parked outside the hotel with a numberplate on the front saying CAREY. How much do I wish it was Mariah? You will never know.
• One thing I have noticed since being here is that something about the language barrier and my inability to respond to what people are saying, somehow encourages people to tell me their life story. Which should be great, except that I can't understand what they're saying. Helloooo easy way into a future career as a therapist. [Sadly as my Spanish has improved I think people here are starting to realise they can no longer get away with this. Maybe I'll go to Japan to make my millions.]
• For anyone who is reading this who will be in London in 2 weeks...
• Also, one day there was a limo parked outside the hotel with a numberplate on the front saying CAREY. How much do I wish it was Mariah? You will never know.
• One thing I have noticed since being here is that something about the language barrier and my inability to respond to what people are saying, somehow encourages people to tell me their life story. Which should be great, except that I can't understand what they're saying. Helloooo easy way into a future career as a therapist. [Sadly as my Spanish has improved I think people here are starting to realise they can no longer get away with this. Maybe I'll go to Japan to make my millions.]
• For anyone who is reading this who will be in London in 2 weeks...
Come! It's gonna be amaze, and plus I need as many people as possible to sit in a circle around me poking me with toothpicks so that the jetlag doesn't steal me away. Not because of the 3 hour time difference, but because I arrive the same morning at 7am from the door to door 30 hour journey. Hurraaayyyy........ (please come)
Ok B•A•I! XOX
Sunday, 28 November 2010
MIA in MIA
Yo home skillets.
So I got back from the rather delightful Miami yesterday. Had a lush time with Mum, relaxed a ton - hardly did much else.
Have to say the culture shock was.. a real... shock. There's lots I could say about it but I'm not even going to go into it right now because I am supposed to be getting an early (1am) night.
But I am back in the land of Chile, and loving getting stuck right in again. Plus someone told me today I spoke like a Chileno which I am super chuffed about. SCORE.
Will be back on Viña Adventure watch prontissimo.
Back in London for 2 weeks in 2 weeks!
X
So I got back from the rather delightful Miami yesterday. Had a lush time with Mum, relaxed a ton - hardly did much else.
Have to say the culture shock was.. a real... shock. There's lots I could say about it but I'm not even going to go into it right now because I am supposed to be getting an early (1am) night.
But I am back in the land of Chile, and loving getting stuck right in again. Plus someone told me today I spoke like a Chileno which I am super chuffed about. SCORE.
Will be back on Viña Adventure watch prontissimo.
Back in London for 2 weeks in 2 weeks!
X
Thursday, 18 November 2010
tea
oh my gaaaasssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh!!1!!!??
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Monday, 15 November 2010
baptisms
On Sunday after the service about 8 people from the church got baptized in the sea! Here are some pics.
my first talk
Yo dudes, from sunny Miamaaayyyyy!
Just wanted to tell you how Saturday went. As I mentioned last time I was giving the talk to the Jóvenes Plus group, my first ever 'talk', as in doing the sermon bit, except less like a sermon more like a talk because it's just to a small group as opposed to a Sunday congregation.
It was on the transformation we have in Jesus.
[The verses for anyone who's interested: Mark 2:17, John 9:39, Galatians 5:1, Matthew 8:1-17.]
The writing of the talk wasn't as hard as I thought it could have been, the Lord gave me the verses really clearly, and from that I was praying about the message that they gave together - ie. what God wanted to say through them.
I had been planning to give it in Spanish, and had written all my notes in Spanish etc. But then on the day I was going over it with Ary, and because my notes weren't a word for word speech but more just like leading sentences, I was having real difficulty being precise with the blurb I was saying in between. To the point that I started crying because I just hadn't been prepared for how... incorrect I was being with my Spanish. I don't think I was very mentally prepared for the Spanish being such a barrier, still. So we decided really easily to just do it in English and have Danny or Ary translate it as I went, which we did.
When the time came to give it (praise God that people were there, unlike the time before!) I started feeling really out of it, and like I had no words or train of thought or anything. So I kind of just opened my mouth with something, anything... But then ended up feeling stupid, something about having someone translate everything you say pressures you to say something really valuable, worth translating! So I ended up feeling like I couldn't be my bantery self, plus the practicality of translating half sentence by half sentence just totally killed whatever flow I had expected to have. I think it was just a real attack to be honest, I felt so out of it, like I wasn't really there, with no sense of time or the point of what I saying. I couldn't remember what I had said already, or what I still needed to say, and I couldn't tell what the important bits were or if they were going in.
So needless to say by the end I felt pretty awful.
But thankfully from what I've heard since it didn't come across that way. Phew or what?! Apparently it actually made sense and flowed well. So thank God for that.
Also, miraculously, don't have any fear (despite everything) at the concept of doing it again. Just looking forward to the day that I can do so in Spanish.
X
Just wanted to tell you how Saturday went. As I mentioned last time I was giving the talk to the Jóvenes Plus group, my first ever 'talk', as in doing the sermon bit, except less like a sermon more like a talk because it's just to a small group as opposed to a Sunday congregation.
It was on the transformation we have in Jesus.
[The verses for anyone who's interested: Mark 2:17, John 9:39, Galatians 5:1, Matthew 8:1-17.]
The writing of the talk wasn't as hard as I thought it could have been, the Lord gave me the verses really clearly, and from that I was praying about the message that they gave together - ie. what God wanted to say through them.
I had been planning to give it in Spanish, and had written all my notes in Spanish etc. But then on the day I was going over it with Ary, and because my notes weren't a word for word speech but more just like leading sentences, I was having real difficulty being precise with the blurb I was saying in between. To the point that I started crying because I just hadn't been prepared for how... incorrect I was being with my Spanish. I don't think I was very mentally prepared for the Spanish being such a barrier, still. So we decided really easily to just do it in English and have Danny or Ary translate it as I went, which we did.
When the time came to give it (praise God that people were there, unlike the time before!) I started feeling really out of it, and like I had no words or train of thought or anything. So I kind of just opened my mouth with something, anything... But then ended up feeling stupid, something about having someone translate everything you say pressures you to say something really valuable, worth translating! So I ended up feeling like I couldn't be my bantery self, plus the practicality of translating half sentence by half sentence just totally killed whatever flow I had expected to have. I think it was just a real attack to be honest, I felt so out of it, like I wasn't really there, with no sense of time or the point of what I saying. I couldn't remember what I had said already, or what I still needed to say, and I couldn't tell what the important bits were or if they were going in.
So needless to say by the end I felt pretty awful.
But thankfully from what I've heard since it didn't come across that way. Phew or what?! Apparently it actually made sense and flowed well. So thank God for that.
Also, miraculously, don't have any fear (despite everything) at the concept of doing it again. Just looking forward to the day that I can do so in Spanish.
X
Thursday, 11 November 2010
nov week 2
It's been super busy for me this week, which has felt good because next week I'm jetting off to Miami with my Mum, so it's kinda like a final push of productivity before lounging around a lot (or so I hope).
Ary and I have been spending a lot of time preparing for the bimonthly Jóvenes Plus group this Saturday - this is the very recent group I mentioned shortly after I arrived here. There have been some real difficulties in getting it going, prime example from last time when no one came, and so it's been really great actually spending proper time praying about it, and doing things practically to get it going. This week I'll be giving the talk (eek?!) and so have been preparing for that (yes please pray for me!) although thank God I have been feeling good about it so far and He has shown me verses and is inspiring me so yeah. Also been doing more administrative things like collecting all the contact information of that age group and and emailing / texting / and calling them to let them know about the meeting. Really praying that we see fruit with this group - and expecting that we will, even if not this time, because we really believe God wants a place for these guys to meet and receive the word.
Have also been going, as usual, to the regular meetings and doing fun stuff like the Morrisons monthly shop at 8am this morning, and buying suncream and beach towels cuz yeah I live near a beach lol - sorry I proooomise I will deliver picture evidence of this when i have time to: this is a serious issue right now, but hey I am not complaining! And lying on car bonnets at midnight and contemplating the world while stargazing, and eating till I explode, and then realizing my trousers don't fit me anymore and then trying to not eat and failing miserably. Bye bye any hope of a bikini body.
Ciao,
la gringita gorda
X
Ary and I have been spending a lot of time preparing for the bimonthly Jóvenes Plus group this Saturday - this is the very recent group I mentioned shortly after I arrived here. There have been some real difficulties in getting it going, prime example from last time when no one came, and so it's been really great actually spending proper time praying about it, and doing things practically to get it going. This week I'll be giving the talk (eek?!) and so have been preparing for that (yes please pray for me!) although thank God I have been feeling good about it so far and He has shown me verses and is inspiring me so yeah. Also been doing more administrative things like collecting all the contact information of that age group and and emailing / texting / and calling them to let them know about the meeting. Really praying that we see fruit with this group - and expecting that we will, even if not this time, because we really believe God wants a place for these guys to meet and receive the word.
Have also been going, as usual, to the regular meetings and doing fun stuff like the Morrisons monthly shop at 8am this morning, and buying suncream and beach towels cuz yeah I live near a beach lol - sorry I proooomise I will deliver picture evidence of this when i have time to: this is a serious issue right now, but hey I am not complaining! And lying on car bonnets at midnight and contemplating the world while stargazing, and eating till I explode, and then realizing my trousers don't fit me anymore and then trying to not eat and failing miserably. Bye bye any hope of a bikini body.
Ciao,
la gringita gorda
X
Sunday, 7 November 2010
the start of the summer
Last week a lovely lassie I met out in France with Jules this summer was in Viña, the faberluss Caroline King. Going out to meet her for lunch last Saturday was my first solo voyage into town on the bus, which very nicely marked my 1 month in Chile. It's actually a long time to not go anywhere on your own (apart from walking to Church), which I'm slightly ashamed of, but I think you really do need to know quite a lot or have done the journeys a lot before venturing on your own here... Fortunately I feel super confident and planned my route going through town so I could do a couple of errands first and then walked to go and meet her, without a map. So pretty chuffed at feeling like I have a sense of direction here.
Then on Monday it was another bank holiday, and the Morrisons invited me along to a day out at a resort inland to celebrate some birthdays, along with Danny's sister and her family. All day by the pools, and ate SO MUCH.
Otherwise it's been what I guess is now becoming a 'normal week'.
Yesterday after youth all the youth went round to the house of one of the girls, and had a late night barbecue.
Oh yeah, guess I should probably mention the point of the subject of the post - it is starting to get HOT here, like almost 30 degrees. The trend so far has been 2 days of crazy heat and then a grey day, possibly even rain, and then gradually clearing up to sweltering again.
Also, for some unknown reason I have become unusually motivated to start some sort of a dance class here, after spending a bit too much time on youtube watching videos like this:
(clearly love this song a bit too much)
And my personal favourite:
Tons of them have video tutorials.
Michael is on it and I think this might actually happen. Will keep y'all posted.
X
Then on Monday it was another bank holiday, and the Morrisons invited me along to a day out at a resort inland to celebrate some birthdays, along with Danny's sister and her family. All day by the pools, and ate SO MUCH.
Otherwise it's been what I guess is now becoming a 'normal week'.
Yesterday after youth all the youth went round to the house of one of the girls, and had a late night barbecue.
Oh yeah, guess I should probably mention the point of the subject of the post - it is starting to get HOT here, like almost 30 degrees. The trend so far has been 2 days of crazy heat and then a grey day, possibly even rain, and then gradually clearing up to sweltering again.
Also, for some unknown reason I have become unusually motivated to start some sort of a dance class here, after spending a bit too much time on youtube watching videos like this:
(clearly love this song a bit too much)
And my personal favourite:
Tons of them have video tutorials.
Michael is on it and I think this might actually happen. Will keep y'all posted.
X
Saturday, 30 October 2010
last week of oct
Hi all,
Sorry I've been awol this last week. Very sadly Exequiel, who is the husband of the couple I am living with, died on Tuesday. He had been in hospital after my first weekend here, he was admitted with a hernia the day after his 80th birthday party, and after 2 operations and complications just didn't recover. All the family have been here, going to the hospital and then making arrangements. There was a thanksgiving service on Wednesday and the funeral on Thursday. Both were absolutely lovely, really touching and I cannot imagine that they could have gone any better.
Yesterday I went to Valaparaíso with Joselyn which was a really great day. We stumbled across an art gallery with a surrealism exhibition, and then walked up one of the hills towards the house of the poet Pablo Neruda - and I absolutely fell in love with the hills. Took some photos on the lomo which I will post when developed. Also found another new little art gallery up there which I want to go back to, called Galeria Mirra, which has a great cafe too. So that was a fun day.
In the evening there was a meeting for the people involved in worship, really looking forward to what God does with that ministry...
And last night a girl I met in France this summer arrived in Viña so I'm going to go and meet her for lunch! Can't wait to see another familiar face!!
Lots of love...
X
Sorry I've been awol this last week. Very sadly Exequiel, who is the husband of the couple I am living with, died on Tuesday. He had been in hospital after my first weekend here, he was admitted with a hernia the day after his 80th birthday party, and after 2 operations and complications just didn't recover. All the family have been here, going to the hospital and then making arrangements. There was a thanksgiving service on Wednesday and the funeral on Thursday. Both were absolutely lovely, really touching and I cannot imagine that they could have gone any better.
Yesterday I went to Valaparaíso with Joselyn which was a really great day. We stumbled across an art gallery with a surrealism exhibition, and then walked up one of the hills towards the house of the poet Pablo Neruda - and I absolutely fell in love with the hills. Took some photos on the lomo which I will post when developed. Also found another new little art gallery up there which I want to go back to, called Galeria Mirra, which has a great cafe too. So that was a fun day.
In the evening there was a meeting for the people involved in worship, really looking forward to what God does with that ministry...
And last night a girl I met in France this summer arrived in Viña so I'm going to go and meet her for lunch! Can't wait to see another familiar face!!
Lots of love...
X
Friday, 22 October 2010
whip yo hair
Willow Smith is probably the only thing making me feel like I'm in touch with anything that is going on in the outside world right now. Thanks internet.
[If you don't know what I'm talking about, Will Smith's 9 year old daughter's first single is all over the interwebz - the official video here.]
This is awesome:
X
[If you don't know what I'm talking about, Will Smith's 9 year old daughter's first single is all over the interwebz - the official video here.]
This is awesome:
X
Thursday, 21 October 2010
la feria
I went to a market with Ary this morning, where they sell absolutely everything. The food section was incredible, so much fruit and veg that is full of flavour and cheap. 1kilo of strawberries for £1, and they were the yummiest I'd ever had. Avocados are a local produce and are 50p per kilo. Mad.
Bought a cool t-shirt with illustrations of animals on the front, and found Plato's Republic in Español:
Definitely going back.
X
Bought a cool t-shirt with illustrations of animals on the front, and found Plato's Republic in Español:
The book behind it has the coolest cover in the world (see my facebook profile picture).
Also found a few old SLRs, one Olympus OM2 that was being sold for 70,000 pesos, which is £100. By far the most expensive thing at the market for sure.
Definitely going back.
X
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
day.......?!
OK so I'm thinking it's a good thing, but I'm starting to lose track of the individual days here, and thus have decided to start just posting about things of note instead of bombarding you with the boredom that will soon become my long awaited for daily routines and general occurrences that form my living here.
The good news is that I am really settling in. I have been spending a lot of time with the Morrisons, and this week Andrew, the youngest son, is off school due to a badly sprained ankle that is now in plaster, and so I'll be helping out with looking after him during the days so Danny and Ary can carry on with their commitments. It feels really good to have a flexible enough basic schedule in place to be able to do that for them, and I think it's a good example of what I had hoped I would be able to do here, ie. serve in whatever way is useful.
I have also been invited along to a meeting of the worship team out here in a week or two to pray into what direction they are to move into. It's quite weird not knowing all the songs out here, but I am learning a few already, and there are others that are translations of songs we sing in the UK so that's pretty handy! When I know more they are hoping to get me involved with singing and the like which I'm looking forward - in the sense that I'm excited to know the songs and be able to worship without the limit of language!
Been watching lots of Lord of the Rings. Thank God this household are mega fans like me. When I told them I saw the Return of the King 7 times in the cinema they were all very impressed. Or perhaps it was a misinterpreted tone of worry...
X
The good news is that I am really settling in. I have been spending a lot of time with the Morrisons, and this week Andrew, the youngest son, is off school due to a badly sprained ankle that is now in plaster, and so I'll be helping out with looking after him during the days so Danny and Ary can carry on with their commitments. It feels really good to have a flexible enough basic schedule in place to be able to do that for them, and I think it's a good example of what I had hoped I would be able to do here, ie. serve in whatever way is useful.
I have also been invited along to a meeting of the worship team out here in a week or two to pray into what direction they are to move into. It's quite weird not knowing all the songs out here, but I am learning a few already, and there are others that are translations of songs we sing in the UK so that's pretty handy! When I know more they are hoping to get me involved with singing and the like which I'm looking forward - in the sense that I'm excited to know the songs and be able to worship without the limit of language!
Been watching lots of Lord of the Rings. Thank God this household are mega fans like me. When I told them I saw the Return of the King 7 times in the cinema they were all very impressed. Or perhaps it was a misinterpreted tone of worry...
X
Sunday, 17 October 2010
day 15
Saturdays are the youth day - at 4pm they have a thing called Primera Linea, and last week we went out and prayed for people in the streets, but this week we stayed at the church and prayed for the youth meeting which started at 5.30pm, and then after that Jovenes Plus which is the 20-30s group.
One highlight was some of the kids helping out with putting up the new crucifix outside the church:
Also this morning I woke up with 3 little birds outside my window :)
X
One highlight was some of the kids helping out with putting up the new crucifix outside the church:
Also this morning I woke up with 3 little birds outside my window :)
X
Saturday, 16 October 2010
day 13 + 14
Ended up with some free time again yesterday, hence the chance to take the photos in the previous post. After lunch and some skype chatting I went to the church to give a hand in the office again, this time in preparation for the open prayer meeting (I say open because I mean it's for the congregation) that evening. Which in turn was wonderful. There aren't a huge number that go, quite probably because the majority haven't registered that it goes on and put in their schedules. But it really is a moving time, all the attendees really openly express what is on their hearts in both prayer and worship without shame. It's very precious.
And then today was another pretty much clear day schedule wise (are you starting to notice a pattern this week?!)... Ricardo, one of Zelma's sons is here and it is his last day so Zelma prepared a feast for our final meal together at lunch:
And our wonderful chef!
Yep. Meat galore. Unsurprisingly I did not quite finish my plate but i think my attempt was pretty commendable!
Then went round to Ary's to talk and pray a bit more over what my time here should be directed towards, which was brilliant. Exciting to see it play out now...
Ended up being with her all afternoon and evening basically; went along to a meeting of the leaders of the women's group and then went back to their house afterwards for tea and prayed with Ary, Danny and Seba about some plans that the church have to submit to the Anglican church regarding their plans for the next few years, which was, again, very exciting!!
So all really is well.
If you haven't got me on skype already: laurasbarnes
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And then today was another pretty much clear day schedule wise (are you starting to notice a pattern this week?!)... Ricardo, one of Zelma's sons is here and it is his last day so Zelma prepared a feast for our final meal together at lunch:
And our wonderful chef!
Yep. Meat galore. Unsurprisingly I did not quite finish my plate but i think my attempt was pretty commendable!
Then went round to Ary's to talk and pray a bit more over what my time here should be directed towards, which was brilliant. Exciting to see it play out now...
Ended up being with her all afternoon and evening basically; went along to a meeting of the leaders of the women's group and then went back to their house afterwards for tea and prayed with Ary, Danny and Seba about some plans that the church have to submit to the Anglican church regarding their plans for the next few years, which was, again, very exciting!!
So all really is well.
If you haven't got me on skype already: laurasbarnes
X
Thursday, 14 October 2010
day 11 + 12
Not much to say about day 11 (ie. Tuesday), mainly just chilled out, recuperated from the long ass journey. I have to say it was nice to just relax for the afternoon... I am really grateful for how much I had going on last week, but the time has definitely come to settle in a bit more now.
In the evening I went round to the Morrison's and spent some time with Ary talking things through, and looking at where the church is at and what areas I'd be useful in and the like, which has given me a much better idea as to the bigger picture here and how I should be spending my time.
Yesterday I spent basically the entire day at the church - working in the office during the day, and then in the evening we had the Alpha meeting. It's pretty funny watching the videos of Nicky Gumbel dubbed in Spanish talking about Clapham Junction.
X
In the evening I went round to the Morrison's and spent some time with Ary talking things through, and looking at where the church is at and what areas I'd be useful in and the like, which has given me a much better idea as to the bigger picture here and how I should be spending my time.
Yesterday I spent basically the entire day at the church - working in the office during the day, and then in the evening we had the Alpha meeting. It's pretty funny watching the videos of Nicky Gumbel dubbed in Spanish talking about Clapham Junction.
X
pixxx
I ended up having the morning free today so I took some photos on my way to the supermarket... Not the clearest day but just an idea.
[Also if anyone knows anything about the Panasonic Lumix cameras please holla, I'm having real difficulty getting it to do what I want.]
[Also if anyone knows anything about the Panasonic Lumix cameras please holla, I'm having real difficulty getting it to do what I want.]
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
day 8 + 9 + 10 < el congreso
Hi all, hope you've had good weekends!
So this weekend I was in Temuco for the National Youth Congress of the Anglican Church in Chile. I was with a group of 22 kids from La Resurrección, and in total there were 320 youths from up and down the country. It was really incredible to see that many teenagers together worshiping and learning together...
Some highlights:
We all chose a class of 4 sessions, mine was 'A bird's eye view of the Bible', a sort of wide shot of the themes and the greater story of the Bible which was fantastic. Took a whole bunch of notes, and actually understood the class as well which was really encouraging.
On Saturday morning I felt really down, I had been finding it really difficult to integrate with the kids because they speak so fast and they really don't pronounce their words clearly... I felt really isolated and distant from it all, and as though I didn't want to be a burden to any of them, and so sort of cut myself off. The overwhelming sensation was that I shouldn't be there. But of course I was there, and it wasn't like in that moment I could do anything but be there! So I prayed and asked God to renew and encourage me... That afternoon I spent some more time with Vanesa, the girl who leads the exercises classes, and she has been so patient with my Spanish, so it was really lovely to feel like I was connecting with someone. And then the two of us and one of the teens prayed together for each other in the afternoon, and I told them about my difficulties, and by the evening I was in the midst of the gang, jumping about with them in worship, and joking around. It was really brilliant. From there it only got better.
On Monday we did a sort of a march through the town to the Plaza in the centre where we had an open service (it was a bank holiday here yesterday). We walked through the streets with support from the police who lead the way and followed us in cars and motorbikes, singing and chanting and generally making a racket! The service was great fun and a fantastic finale to the weekend. I got pretty sunburnt on the back of my neck; gotta start using protection here!
It really was an incredible weekend. Absolutely worth the 12 hours each way overnight on the coach!!
Thank God I don't have any plans for this week yet so I can just relax a little and then recollect myself for the next load of fun stuff to do.
Also! A mad coincidence - I met a lady at the conference who has been living in Chile for 4 years but is originally from the Isle of Wight, and went to KCL!! Was great to hear an English accent out there haha.
Lots and lots of love,
X
PS. I think I'm starting to forget what my voice sounds like in English... That must be a good thing right?!
PPS. The time here has changed so now we are 4 hours behind the UK. And then when the UK time changes in a few weeks it'll be 3 hours... Bridging the gap until March!
So this weekend I was in Temuco for the National Youth Congress of the Anglican Church in Chile. I was with a group of 22 kids from La Resurrección, and in total there were 320 youths from up and down the country. It was really incredible to see that many teenagers together worshiping and learning together...
Some highlights:
We all chose a class of 4 sessions, mine was 'A bird's eye view of the Bible', a sort of wide shot of the themes and the greater story of the Bible which was fantastic. Took a whole bunch of notes, and actually understood the class as well which was really encouraging.
On Saturday morning I felt really down, I had been finding it really difficult to integrate with the kids because they speak so fast and they really don't pronounce their words clearly... I felt really isolated and distant from it all, and as though I didn't want to be a burden to any of them, and so sort of cut myself off. The overwhelming sensation was that I shouldn't be there. But of course I was there, and it wasn't like in that moment I could do anything but be there! So I prayed and asked God to renew and encourage me... That afternoon I spent some more time with Vanesa, the girl who leads the exercises classes, and she has been so patient with my Spanish, so it was really lovely to feel like I was connecting with someone. And then the two of us and one of the teens prayed together for each other in the afternoon, and I told them about my difficulties, and by the evening I was in the midst of the gang, jumping about with them in worship, and joking around. It was really brilliant. From there it only got better.
On Monday we did a sort of a march through the town to the Plaza in the centre where we had an open service (it was a bank holiday here yesterday). We walked through the streets with support from the police who lead the way and followed us in cars and motorbikes, singing and chanting and generally making a racket! The service was great fun and a fantastic finale to the weekend. I got pretty sunburnt on the back of my neck; gotta start using protection here!
It really was an incredible weekend. Absolutely worth the 12 hours each way overnight on the coach!!
Thank God I don't have any plans for this week yet so I can just relax a little and then recollect myself for the next load of fun stuff to do.
Also! A mad coincidence - I met a lady at the conference who has been living in Chile for 4 years but is originally from the Isle of Wight, and went to KCL!! Was great to hear an English accent out there haha.
Lots and lots of love,
X
PS. I think I'm starting to forget what my voice sounds like in English... That must be a good thing right?!
PPS. The time here has changed so now we are 4 hours behind the UK. And then when the UK time changes in a few weeks it'll be 3 hours... Bridging the gap until March!
Friday, 8 October 2010
day 6 + 7
Will have to keep this short as I am in a rush (again!). Highlight of yesterday was the prayer meeting in the evening, but also made a trip to Valparaíso during the day...
Today I was with Evelyn, one of the girls in the youth, who had a university project that she invited me along to. We went to a school in Valparaíso and were painting hopscotch games on the floor of their playground. It was very hot today and I definitely caught the sun being out there all day... We left the house at 8am and got back at 4pm, which was when I had lunch (trust me I was hungry (although, when am I not?)). It's 5.30 now and I am packing to leave for the congress in Temuco in half an hour - very exciting!!
I'm sure I will have lots to stay when I get back, so expect a big blog on Tuesday.
Love you all
X
PS. I promise to start taking photos... Remembered that I have my lomo with me which I'm less worried about taking out so when they get developed they'll come straight here :)
Today I was with Evelyn, one of the girls in the youth, who had a university project that she invited me along to. We went to a school in Valparaíso and were painting hopscotch games on the floor of their playground. It was very hot today and I definitely caught the sun being out there all day... We left the house at 8am and got back at 4pm, which was when I had lunch (trust me I was hungry (although, when am I not?)). It's 5.30 now and I am packing to leave for the congress in Temuco in half an hour - very exciting!!
I'm sure I will have lots to stay when I get back, so expect a big blog on Tuesday.
Love you all
X
PS. I promise to start taking photos... Remembered that I have my lomo with me which I'm less worried about taking out so when they get developed they'll come straight here :)
Thursday, 7 October 2010
day 5
My plan for yesterday was not exactly something that I would have chosen for myself... I was due to spend the day with a personal trainer who leads exercise classes around town. I was told to wear gym clothes. Need I say more?!
Luckily the first class was with a group of older ladies and so I got to feel quite smug about the fact that I was able to keep up. Spent the afternoon wandering the beach and had lunch with my host for the day Vanesa and her boyfriend (or here her 'pololo'), and then went to another class with a slightly younger crowd who were keeping up with the routine far better than I ever could.
This was all happening all across town, so we took about 4 buses (or 'migros') and these things called 'colectivos' which are a cross between a bus and a cab: car sized, but they take certain routes, and you share them with strangers.
In the evening I went to the alpha group at the church, and got a lift there with a couple who live on our road. It's nice to feel like I'm starting to build relationships here, not just leaning on Zelma, Exequiel, Danny and Ary.
Just to share a verse with you that I really enjoyed from last night. We were looking at the bible (duh?!), but more importantly why it's so crucial and how best to approach it.
"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them is eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." John 5:39-40 ESV
Gotta dash, getting my first taste of office life today!
X
Luckily the first class was with a group of older ladies and so I got to feel quite smug about the fact that I was able to keep up. Spent the afternoon wandering the beach and had lunch with my host for the day Vanesa and her boyfriend (or here her 'pololo'), and then went to another class with a slightly younger crowd who were keeping up with the routine far better than I ever could.
This was all happening all across town, so we took about 4 buses (or 'migros') and these things called 'colectivos' which are a cross between a bus and a cab: car sized, but they take certain routes, and you share them with strangers.
In the evening I went to the alpha group at the church, and got a lift there with a couple who live on our road. It's nice to feel like I'm starting to build relationships here, not just leaning on Zelma, Exequiel, Danny and Ary.
Just to share a verse with you that I really enjoyed from last night. We were looking at the bible (duh?!), but more importantly why it's so crucial and how best to approach it.
"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them is eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." John 5:39-40 ESV
Gotta dash, getting my first taste of office life today!
X
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
day 4
I will keep this short... All I really have to say about today is that it has been emotional. I think because I actually had some time to myself not running about like a headless chicken the shock of being here sort of hit. Not in a bad way, it was just... emotional!
On another note, the dogs here (that DO have homes) are used as guard dogs and nothing else, and so spend all their time outside, barking at everyone who walks past. They've just kicked off and the neighbourhood chorus is in full swing.
Como sea, hasta luego amigos.
X
On another note, the dogs here (that DO have homes) are used as guard dogs and nothing else, and so spend all their time outside, barking at everyone who walks past. They've just kicked off and the neighbourhood chorus is in full swing.
Como sea, hasta luego amigos.
X
this is not a post...?
Big thanks to my uncle Ian for uniting me with my kindred spirit René Magritte...
day 3
Monday tends to be the pastor's day off and so I had nothing planned for yesterday in my schedule, but I ended up being out all day - busy busy busy seems to be the way things are going for me here! Ary kindly offered to come into town with me to help me sort out these travellers' cheques. Apparently there's only one place in Viña that accepts them, but got that all sorted ok thank God.
This weekend about 20 of the youth here at La Resurrección are going to Temuco, in the South of Chile, for a national youth congress of the anglican church (or something like that). So we went to the bus terminal to organise my ticket there and the like. It's a 10 hour overnight coach, so we leave Friday night, arrive very early Saturday morning, and then we're returning Monday night, arriving Tuesday morning. Should be a fantastic weekend, I'm really looking forward to spending more time with the youth... They're a bit harder to understand because, like us in London, they speak really quickly and with lots of 'modismos' (idioms), so if I can understand them I reckon I'll be pretty much sorted!
Then had my first trip to the supermarket in town. Huge and a lot of choice... It's in places like that that you really feel out of your depth as a foreigner!
Came back to the house for a very quick lunch before going down to the beach with one of the leaders of the youth group, Seba. We walked down from the hill where we live down to Reñaca which is an area just North of the centre of Viña, and then walked into Viña for a youth group leaders' meeting about this weekend. We walked (slowly) for about 3 hours, which was great actually. Had become so used to walking everywhere in London I forgot that I enjoyed it.
It was really satisfying to spend those hours talking to Seba about mundane stuff, because our conversation wasn't of any great importance to my well being in Viña, or about any plans that I needed to know about, so we could chat in Spanish without quite as much pressure. He was happy for me to explain something to him 3 times so that I could correct myself and he could properly understand what I was getting at.
Have had the morning off today which has been very nice and relaxed... Quite possibly a much needed break!
X
This weekend about 20 of the youth here at La Resurrección are going to Temuco, in the South of Chile, for a national youth congress of the anglican church (or something like that). So we went to the bus terminal to organise my ticket there and the like. It's a 10 hour overnight coach, so we leave Friday night, arrive very early Saturday morning, and then we're returning Monday night, arriving Tuesday morning. Should be a fantastic weekend, I'm really looking forward to spending more time with the youth... They're a bit harder to understand because, like us in London, they speak really quickly and with lots of 'modismos' (idioms), so if I can understand them I reckon I'll be pretty much sorted!
Then had my first trip to the supermarket in town. Huge and a lot of choice... It's in places like that that you really feel out of your depth as a foreigner!
Came back to the house for a very quick lunch before going down to the beach with one of the leaders of the youth group, Seba. We walked down from the hill where we live down to Reñaca which is an area just North of the centre of Viña, and then walked into Viña for a youth group leaders' meeting about this weekend. We walked (slowly) for about 3 hours, which was great actually. Had become so used to walking everywhere in London I forgot that I enjoyed it.
It was really satisfying to spend those hours talking to Seba about mundane stuff, because our conversation wasn't of any great importance to my well being in Viña, or about any plans that I needed to know about, so we could chat in Spanish without quite as much pressure. He was happy for me to explain something to him 3 times so that I could correct myself and he could properly understand what I was getting at.
Have had the morning off today which has been very nice and relaxed... Quite possibly a much needed break!
X
Sunday, 3 October 2010
day 2
So today was my first Sunday at church, which was great. Have had to get used to the very un-English tradition of everyone here saying hola + ciao with a kiss and a hug to absolutely everyone they see... Certainly helps you remember faces, but not necessarily names.
I had lunch today with Danny and Ary Morrison, the pastor and his wife, and their kids today which was great; we had 'completo' which is sort of an advanced hot dog (Dad: take note, you'll love this!) - a frankfurter in a huge bit of bread with onions, mashed up avocado, seasoned tomatoes, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and spiced chili flake things if you fancy... So good. Apparently they're the Chilean equivalent of fish and chips.
Then took a trip to the mall, which was huge and shiny and just like something you'd find in the states or the UK... Ary said 'you'd find it hard to believe this is a third world country while you're in here...' Very true.
Saw the beautiful beach as well. Sadly it was not such a nice day today - because the weather here is pretty mild it actually gets really quite cold at night because I suppose the ground doesn't get the chance to retain any of the heat of the day. Still, summer comes in a few months so can't complain!
My energy from yesterday has certainly depleted despite a great night's sleep last night. I think the new information is starting to tire me out now, but enjoying every minute.
Have spoken only about an hour's worth of English in the last 2 days, can already feel my ears adjusting to the accent and the like which is good. I'm starting to feel very excited about getting better at Spanish here. Or Chilean to be more precise as it really is not the same!
Lots of love...
X
I had lunch today with Danny and Ary Morrison, the pastor and his wife, and their kids today which was great; we had 'completo' which is sort of an advanced hot dog (Dad: take note, you'll love this!) - a frankfurter in a huge bit of bread with onions, mashed up avocado, seasoned tomatoes, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and spiced chili flake things if you fancy... So good. Apparently they're the Chilean equivalent of fish and chips.
Then took a trip to the mall, which was huge and shiny and just like something you'd find in the states or the UK... Ary said 'you'd find it hard to believe this is a third world country while you're in here...' Very true.
Saw the beautiful beach as well. Sadly it was not such a nice day today - because the weather here is pretty mild it actually gets really quite cold at night because I suppose the ground doesn't get the chance to retain any of the heat of the day. Still, summer comes in a few months so can't complain!
My energy from yesterday has certainly depleted despite a great night's sleep last night. I think the new information is starting to tire me out now, but enjoying every minute.
Have spoken only about an hour's worth of English in the last 2 days, can already feel my ears adjusting to the accent and the like which is good. I'm starting to feel very excited about getting better at Spanish here. Or Chilean to be more precise as it really is not the same!
Lots of love...
X
Saturday, 2 October 2010
day 1
HolaHola
After a journey of just over 24hours i have safely arrived at Viña del Mar in Chile!
Flights were actually great, for once, so great that it is now 10.30pm Chile time and I am still up, with only a half an hour nap behind me since arriving in Santiago at 8am.
I am staying with Zelma and Exequiel, whose son Ricardo goes to my church in London. Their place is great, and right opposite the pastor of the church I will be helping out with. My room is 'chica' meaning sort of cute and small; their description not mine, but it fits.
Had lunch with Z+E after arriving and unpacking, and then at 4 went to the church to join in with the young people's saturday program, starting with going out into the nearby residential roads and praying for people which was so lovely. Met a girl who spoke no Spanish but had been living in Scotland for several years so got to pray for her in English which was useful!
Back to the church for the 14-19 year old's youth group, and then after that we had a small meeting for the 'jovenes plus' which is their new 20-30 group.
So all in all a pretty busy day, but hopefully I will be kicking the jetlag pretty well.
Trip is turning out just as I hoped it would so far. Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful. The spanish is a bit hard, as would be expected, but I'm excited to get better. I've got an itinerary for the next week which involves all sorts, so will keep you posted on all of that as it comes!
For now, buenas noches!
X
After a journey of just over 24hours i have safely arrived at Viña del Mar in Chile!
Flights were actually great, for once, so great that it is now 10.30pm Chile time and I am still up, with only a half an hour nap behind me since arriving in Santiago at 8am.
I am staying with Zelma and Exequiel, whose son Ricardo goes to my church in London. Their place is great, and right opposite the pastor of the church I will be helping out with. My room is 'chica' meaning sort of cute and small; their description not mine, but it fits.
Had lunch with Z+E after arriving and unpacking, and then at 4 went to the church to join in with the young people's saturday program, starting with going out into the nearby residential roads and praying for people which was so lovely. Met a girl who spoke no Spanish but had been living in Scotland for several years so got to pray for her in English which was useful!
Back to the church for the 14-19 year old's youth group, and then after that we had a small meeting for the 'jovenes plus' which is their new 20-30 group.
So all in all a pretty busy day, but hopefully I will be kicking the jetlag pretty well.
Trip is turning out just as I hoped it would so far. Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful. The spanish is a bit hard, as would be expected, but I'm excited to get better. I've got an itinerary for the next week which involves all sorts, so will keep you posted on all of that as it comes!
For now, buenas noches!
X
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