Sunday, 30 January 2011
Friday, 28 January 2011
santiago [pt 1 of many]
Arrived here in Santiago on Wednesday night after a day in Valparaíso with one of Daisy's flatmates, and it is AWESOME HERE.
Daisy and Phil both have JOBS (foreign concept) and so I only get to bask in their glorious presence at weekends and evenings, but we're making the most of it with dinner and drinks last night, an afternoon of shopping today, and a day out horseback riding tomorrow.
Photos coming soon, but for old times' sake...
X
Daisy and Phil both have JOBS (foreign concept) and so I only get to bask in their glorious presence at weekends and evenings, but we're making the most of it with dinner and drinks last night, an afternoon of shopping today, and a day out horseback riding tomorrow.
Photos coming soon, but for old times' sake...
X
Monday, 24 January 2011
youth camp
Made a boo boo and forgot to take camera and video camera to the church youth camp last week. So sadly I have no media to share with you.
But it really was an amazing week, God was just immensely good throughout, not only providing miraculously in the run up to the camp itself with food, cheap deals and financial help, but really impacting the kids in a way that was a real blessing to be involved in.
It was incredibly hot during the days at the camp - luckily the place had a pool so the kids were in and out of there to cool down and muck about which was great. We had a lot of free time in the afternoons, which we ended up using to pray for other members of the prayer team and other adults who were helping out at the site, and then praying for each of the cell group leaders, who then in turn on the last day prayed for all of the kids individually. It really felt like a family affair, being able to share like that and pass on the blessing that had been received by all one by one.
Today Daisy and one of the girls from her apartment block came to Viña to spend the day at the beach which was AWESOMMMMEEEEE!! It's seriously cool that we are in the same country and so close to each other.
I'm going to head to Santiago on Wednesday to spend a few days there with her and Phil which will be mega fun. And on the Saturday I believe we are hoping to go on a horse back riding tour day out type thing which sounds... umm.... AMAZING?! And will be my first time on a horse.. Better late than never. And even better late and in Chile checking out some of the Andes footpaths or glaciers or other madness nature cool stuff wow.
Will definitely have a camera for that no doubt about it.
X
But it really was an amazing week, God was just immensely good throughout, not only providing miraculously in the run up to the camp itself with food, cheap deals and financial help, but really impacting the kids in a way that was a real blessing to be involved in.
It was incredibly hot during the days at the camp - luckily the place had a pool so the kids were in and out of there to cool down and muck about which was great. We had a lot of free time in the afternoons, which we ended up using to pray for other members of the prayer team and other adults who were helping out at the site, and then praying for each of the cell group leaders, who then in turn on the last day prayed for all of the kids individually. It really felt like a family affair, being able to share like that and pass on the blessing that had been received by all one by one.
Today Daisy and one of the girls from her apartment block came to Viña to spend the day at the beach which was AWESOMMMMEEEEE!! It's seriously cool that we are in the same country and so close to each other.
I'm going to head to Santiago on Wednesday to spend a few days there with her and Phil which will be mega fun. And on the Saturday I believe we are hoping to go on a horse back riding tour day out type thing which sounds... umm.... AMAZING?! And will be my first time on a horse.. Better late than never. And even better late and in Chile checking out some of the Andes footpaths or glaciers or other madness nature cool stuff wow.
Will definitely have a camera for that no doubt about it.
X
Saturday, 15 January 2011
GAS
In Chilean news, this week there has been a massive protest in the South, where the people are hugely dependent on gas (more so than in the mid to northern regions because it is so much colder there throughout the year). It is set to rise by 3%. (see BBC link below - apparently actually up to 17% rise)
However, what this video doesn't show is that there are hundreds of people, tourists especially, who are trapped and unable to get home. One of Zelma's daughters, Annie, has been here in Viña with us this week, and her husband and son, along with Danny's sister and family, were in Torres del Paine (a national park, see photo below) for a Christian camp, and are now trapped there (with no phone signal either).
No one is being allowed in or out of the park, and the same thing in the nearest town, and then from there to Punta Arenas, and from there access has been blocked to the airport. We heard that they were going to allow a window of one hour for people with medical problems to leave Torres del Paine today. There isn't any signal there, and the people are camping, probably without provisions enough to last them for much longer.
Was having a look online for more information and found an article written by PHIL LOCKER HIMSELF.
So amaze.
Anyhow. The whole thing seems absolutely mad to me. It's as though these people are being held hostage until the government refute the increase of 3%.
Poor Annie's been on the phone all day trying to find out if everyone's ok.
*UPDATE 16/11/11
BBC article here.
However, what this video doesn't show is that there are hundreds of people, tourists especially, who are trapped and unable to get home. One of Zelma's daughters, Annie, has been here in Viña with us this week, and her husband and son, along with Danny's sister and family, were in Torres del Paine (a national park, see photo below) for a Christian camp, and are now trapped there (with no phone signal either).
No one is being allowed in or out of the park, and the same thing in the nearest town, and then from there to Punta Arenas, and from there access has been blocked to the airport. We heard that they were going to allow a window of one hour for people with medical problems to leave Torres del Paine today. There isn't any signal there, and the people are camping, probably without provisions enough to last them for much longer.
Was having a look online for more information and found an article written by PHIL LOCKER HIMSELF.
So amaze.
Anyhow. The whole thing seems absolutely mad to me. It's as though these people are being held hostage until the government refute the increase of 3%.
Poor Annie's been on the phone all day trying to find out if everyone's ok.
*UPDATE 16/11/11
BBC article here.
for next time....
Get ready all karaoke bars in Viña. I'm gonna have this performance down to a tee, outfit and all.
close karaoke call
I went OUT for the first time last night. With two single mums of the church, who have one son each both about 17. (Prime example of how weirdly I neither really fit in as a youth nor as an adult here I suppose!)
Anyhow, we went to this bar for a happy hour and we got our 2 for 1 pisco sours, and let the karaoke begin. I was SO close to signing myself up but didn't, which I think was probably a very good thing.
Weirdest moment of the night was hearing someone sing Damien Rice's The Blower's Daughter sung in Portuguese. There was also someone with a very good Alanis Morisette impression, and another fairly impressive Elton John. Along with a whole bunch of songs in Spanish of course.
Didn't take my camera, probably a wise move, but was pretty hilarious to say the least.
Lots of prep going on for the church youth camp happening next week.
Will definitely take my camera and video cam to that to show you some of the happenings.
Love you London,
XOX
Anyhow, we went to this bar for a happy hour and we got our 2 for 1 pisco sours, and let the karaoke begin. I was SO close to signing myself up but didn't, which I think was probably a very good thing.
Weirdest moment of the night was hearing someone sing Damien Rice's The Blower's Daughter sung in Portuguese. There was also someone with a very good Alanis Morisette impression, and another fairly impressive Elton John. Along with a whole bunch of songs in Spanish of course.
Didn't take my camera, probably a wise move, but was pretty hilarious to say the least.
Lots of prep going on for the church youth camp happening next week.
Will definitely take my camera and video cam to that to show you some of the happenings.
Love you London,
XOX
Monday, 10 January 2011
skoolz out
Yes so I got back Friday night from the Bible study camp thingy and had a chilled weekend. The kids are all on summer holidays now so there are a few fun meet ups happening this week. As well as the AMAZING fact that Daisy and Phil arrived in Santiago on Friday and Saturday respectively, so suuuuuper excited to see them soon. Clocked that Daisy and I are about as far apart from each other travel time wise as we are when we're both at home with our parents in London. But now we're IN CHILE. Mad.
She's got her own blog here - Oui, c'est un blog. Yes, I know it's a lot cooler than mine, don't rub it in.
Just watched Shutter Island for the first time. Reckon I'm going to watch it again tomorrow.
Off to bed, will catch you up on things proper later.
Leaving you with a photo from the camp of a group of us who went to go stargaze at 3am on the last night...
XOX
She's got her own blog here - Oui, c'est un blog. Yes, I know it's a lot cooler than mine, don't rub it in.
Just watched Shutter Island for the first time. Reckon I'm going to watch it again tomorrow.
Off to bed, will catch you up on things proper later.
Leaving you with a photo from the camp of a group of us who went to go stargaze at 3am on the last night...
XOX
Monday, 3 January 2011
impromptu
It's 5am and it was decided and organized yesterday that today, in about half an hour, I am going with about 7 of the youths from the church to a bible study camp thing just outside of Santiago. Will be there until Friday night.
Not happy to be awake right now. Fully working on the assumption it will be worth it!
See you in 5 days...
XOX
Not happy to be awake right now. Fully working on the assumption it will be worth it!
See you in 5 days...
XOX
Sunday, 2 January 2011
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