I have all the pictures from my three week adventure posted on my photobucket account. Check out the link "Kunkle Tour 08"on the right side of my blog. I came into town on Monday afternoon. I was afraid I would be flying back by myself without knowing enough Spanish to get me anywhere in Santa Cruz. The Lord gave me a guide. As we were sitting in the airport restaurant waiting for my departure from Trinidad, a man came up and started talking to John (the missionary). He was heading back to his house in Santa Cruz and it just so happens that he was a bilingual Bolivian. As we talked more while waiting for the plane, I found out that he lives just a few blocks away from the school and his daughters go to the middle/high school. Although we did not ride home in the same taxi (i wanted to go out to the mission office before coming home) he was able to get me in a cab and send me in the right direction. What was even more surprising was the taxi driver knew some English as well. He had spent 5 years in Los Angeles a while back and had picked up some English. So we were able make small talk on the way to the the mission office.
Since arriving back in Santa Cruz, I have had my first major accomplishment. I went shopping by myself. If you have ever been a culture of a different language, you know how big of a step this actually is. It is easy to close yourself up from the culture through the fear of not being able to protect yourself from the environment around you. Not to say the environment is bad, you just don't know how to defend yourself if situations happen to turn that way. Anyways, I have found some things have made their way down to Bolivia. For example, Betty Crocker's pancake mix, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes (they are called Zucaritas), Ragu Spaggetti sauce, Oreo cookies, Dr. Pepper (rather expensive though), and Kraft's Mac and cheese and many others.
The future plans for me include flying out for my last adventure before school starts. I will be flying south to Tarija and will be there for almost a week. I am sure there will be lots to do there.
Pray for:
-discernment for my future plans after college.
-the political landscape of Bolivia. (I'll be sure to write about it later, there are big decisions coming soon)
-the staff of the Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center as they are in the middle of class prep. and wrapping up summer assignments.
God Bless,
Jon
4 comments:
Happy Birthday! (a couple of days early)
Great Pics!
thanks...whoever you are. Yeah, I was fortunate to get some pretty sweet shots. I was also told that my next trip will be the best for shots.
ok, I don't think your weird for being excited about a successful shopping trip, I know the feeling. Just you wait, you will feel even more accomplished when you go, manage to find and buy what you intended to buy, and did not need to use your dictionary! I used to hand on to that book like it was my best friend, now I sometimes embark on adventures without it, but only when I am feeling exceptionally brave or cocky. hehehe
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