Filed under: Anne
Well, I’ve been taking Spanish for a couple months now, and I’m definitely learning a lot even though I don’t practice enough. How I wish I would’ve taken it in high school instead of French. But growing up in Tipp City, OH, French seemed oh so necessary to take, because of course, I would definitely be traveling to Europe all the time. . . and when in the world would I use SPANISH??
Anyway, my tutor suggested I start with six hours a week. I said I would do three. After one lesson, it turned into an hour and a half a week. My brain completely goes to mush after that. Then I start actually pronouncing things with a French accent, so I guess I did actually learn something in high school, even if it’s not helping me now.
I can definitely understand much more of what it is going on now, but my problem is that if I rattle off a few well-memorized phrases to a Bolivian taxi driver or store cashier, they think I can really speak Spanish. So then they speak very quickly with big words, and I get this look of complete bewilderment on my face. At least I’ve improved a little in my response when this little mix-up occurs. I used to say “No hablo espanol.”, but now I say, “Solo hablo un poco de espanol.” Of course, that truth is probably completely obvious to whoever I’m speaking to at that point, so I probably engender some amusement when I say it, along with a little sympathy perhaps. People here are thankfully actually very patient with poor Spanish speakers, and never make fun of me, at least to my face. . .
Okay, we didn’t get palm fronds at church. No one had ever heard “All Glory, Laud and Honor” before I taught it this morning. No one processed in. But, in the afterglow of an awesome time of Holy fellowship and Holy communion last night, and with Bishop Frank celebrating Communion this morning, and with all four accounts of the tragic triumphal entry being read and discussed, it was definitely Palm Sunday, and Holy Week has definitely begun.
Like my palms? I bought them from a lady on the street after church.
We had Community Group last night. Our fifth. Tons of new people. Curry chicken (which, for those few who went vegetarian for Lent, was an unforseen bummer) and tons of great fixins. We gathered, sang “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” and the Gloria by John Michael Talbot, as well as some “Hosanna-y” songs of praise. This was followed by the traditional “bring your own worship” segment (otherwise known as “stump the band”; I’m the band. They stumped me a whole bunch!). Afterward, folks broke off into small groups, discussed their walk with Christ, and lifted each other up in prayer.
Filed under: Anne
My mom got a taste of local life here in Bolivia during her visit. Maybe a little more than she bargained for. On Friday in the late afternoon, Mom and I decided to head for the tourist market, which is near the “main drag” in downtown La Paz. (more…)
Filed under: Tom
We’re moving toward Holy Week and the end of Lent. This has been, perhaps, the most seriously I’ve taken this season. I’ve struggled along a path toward keeping the diving hours (keeping some regular and frequent appointments with God every day).
God has really met me in my clumsy efforts.
I find that the simplest things – a walk to the market, a quiet corner in my classroom at the beginning, middle and end of the school-day – can become really, really holy. Even the lamest attempts at prayer can lead to real fellowship with the Lord, if you do it with a sincere heart and a desire to meet more faithfully with Him.
Pray for me as I continue to struggle for consistency. I’m not where I wanna be yet. I hope I always say that, no matter what. I hope I never say, “I have arrived.” If I do, I’ll be back to square one.
