Things in La Obra are picking up with the end of summer vacation. Students who did not pass exams the first time around have a second chance in February to take them. We are currently preparing these students like crazy in la Obra Ecumenica. I have been tutoring lots of Math and English for the past week and a half to students who are still on summer vacation. It is not any easier to teach students in Uruguay in the summer than it would be to pull a child from a swimming pool in the United States and put them at a table to study. I have found myself being able to communicate a lot better now than when I left la Obra in December.
In Nuestro Salvador, we have moved the office to open up a space for student housing. There are currently four students living in the church now. I am excited to see more activity here. I am friends with a few of the people living here and we have eaten together a couple times and spent some free time just hanging out and talking. The congregation of Nuestro Salvador is sending six members to Minnesota in May to visit their sister church, Good Shepherd. They are preparing now a bit of history and information to take to share with the congregation there. I am excited for this opportunity for them. It is great to share faith with new people in a different context and I think that the members going will have a great experience that will strengthen their faith and I am excited for them to come back and share with us what they learned and experienced.
February also begins a month-long celebration of Carnaval. There are parades and murgas and tambores. To see more about Carnaval, follow this link: http://www.carnaval.com/uruguay/
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Uruguay vs. Argentina
Summer is in full swing here and while things seem to be slowing down in the city, I feel like I have more to do inside and outside of my "assignment." A pastor who works Buenos Aires, but is originally from Montevideo is on vacation here with his family. I got to spend last night with them and Wilma and Alvaro. They also have two boys (9 and 4 years old) who asked me if I knew how to play poker, and when I said yes, I had friends for the rest of the night. We also played soccer, hide and seek and tag. While I was not being a child, I took part in an interesting conversation with the three pastors and Pastor Gustavio's wife, Sandra. They were talking about the difference in being a Christian in Argentina and being a Christian in Uruguay. I was amazed that countries so close geographically had such a different response to Christianity in the community.
When Gustavio was attending school in Montevideo, they were prohibited to wear anything that symbolized Christianity. If they were wearing a cross necklace, for example, they would be asked to wear it under their shirt. There is also a hymn in Uruguay that talks about Artigas (national hero) almost like he is like a god. They were saying that they had to sing it in school. Some of the words include "Our Father, Artigas, Lord of our land..." Uruguay is now seeing more acceptance of Christianity. The President of Uruguay now meets with the pastors of churches to work cooperatively to assist the citizens of Uruguay, where before churches were not recognized on a national level. Uruguay has changed a lot since Gustavio was in school. Christianity is more accepted now, but still not like it is in Argentina.
When Gustavio was attending school in Montevideo, they were prohibited to wear anything that symbolized Christianity. If they were wearing a cross necklace, for example, they would be asked to wear it under their shirt. There is also a hymn in Uruguay that talks about Artigas (national hero) almost like he is like a god. They were saying that they had to sing it in school. Some of the words include "Our Father, Artigas, Lord of our land..." Uruguay is now seeing more acceptance of Christianity. The President of Uruguay now meets with the pastors of churches to work cooperatively to assist the citizens of Uruguay, where before churches were not recognized on a national level. Uruguay has changed a lot since Gustavio was in school. Christianity is more accepted now, but still not like it is in Argentina.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Wedding in Uruguay
I have been "adopted" by my friend, Analia's parents. They live about a 2.5 hour bus ride from Montevideo, but I have stayed with them three times. Every time they receive me like I am their third daughter. I love the town they live in. It is a lot more laid back than Montevideo, and almost everyone in town heads to the beach every evening to spend a few hours drinking mate and watching the sunset before heading home for supper.
I just returned from this town, Colonia del Sacramento, Sunday evening. I was there for six days helping prepare for Ivana's wedding. Ivana is Analia's older sister. Saturday was the wedding and it was hotter than any day I have experienced in Uruguay. It was in the 100's all day and impossible to think about putting on more clothes than a bathing suit. The wedding started at 9:00pm, but unlike the United States, the time on the invitation was the time people started arriving. Uruguay is in the middle of a horrible drought, all of the farms are suffering horribly from the lack of rain, and of course at 8:55 the skies opened up and it rained harder than I have seen since I have been down here. No one could complain about the rain though, because it is so terribly needed here and it cooled off significantly. There were more smiles than grumbles about the rain. When the rain let up around 9:45, we went outside for the ceremony and it was a gorgeous starry sky backdrop to have a wedding. The ceremony was not much different from that in the United States. After the ceremony, we went inside to the reception.
The reception went a bit like this... appetizers, everyone dancing, more appetizers, more dancing, asado, dancing, pasta, dancing, dessert, dancing, bride and groom putting on big hats and bringing out whistles and masks for everyone and spraying foam everywhere, dancing, all of the single girls pulling rings out of the cake (the one who pulled the gold ring is the next to get married), cutting cake, eating cake, dancing, dancing... and leaving when the sun was coming up at 6:30 in the morning! I was told they were supposed to serve coffee and breakfast, but they ran out of time. I now understand why we took time out on the wedding day to take a nap!
I just returned from this town, Colonia del Sacramento, Sunday evening. I was there for six days helping prepare for Ivana's wedding. Ivana is Analia's older sister. Saturday was the wedding and it was hotter than any day I have experienced in Uruguay. It was in the 100's all day and impossible to think about putting on more clothes than a bathing suit. The wedding started at 9:00pm, but unlike the United States, the time on the invitation was the time people started arriving. Uruguay is in the middle of a horrible drought, all of the farms are suffering horribly from the lack of rain, and of course at 8:55 the skies opened up and it rained harder than I have seen since I have been down here. No one could complain about the rain though, because it is so terribly needed here and it cooled off significantly. There were more smiles than grumbles about the rain. When the rain let up around 9:45, we went outside for the ceremony and it was a gorgeous starry sky backdrop to have a wedding. The ceremony was not much different from that in the United States. After the ceremony, we went inside to the reception.
The reception went a bit like this... appetizers, everyone dancing, more appetizers, more dancing, asado, dancing, pasta, dancing, dessert, dancing, bride and groom putting on big hats and bringing out whistles and masks for everyone and spraying foam everywhere, dancing, all of the single girls pulling rings out of the cake (the one who pulled the gold ring is the next to get married), cutting cake, eating cake, dancing, dancing... and leaving when the sun was coming up at 6:30 in the morning! I was told they were supposed to serve coffee and breakfast, but they ran out of time. I now understand why we took time out on the wedding day to take a nap!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Long Overdue
It has been way too long since I have shared what has been happening in Uruguay. I am happy and sad to say that I have been staying very busy and have not had much time to spend on the Internet. As far as WHAT I have been doing, I can say A LOT. It is summer here, so everything is pretty much closed down in the city, La Obra Ecumenica included. I was told to get out of Montevideo after Christmas or I would find myself with nothing to do. That was easy since I had visitors coming to Buenos Aires on December 26 and 27. I spent from December 26- January 4 with Laura, Anne, Josh and Megan. I got to show them a little bit of Montevideo and we explored Buenos Aires. I was very excited that they got to share with me probably the best asado I have had here at the house of one of the members of Nuestro Salvador. I introduced them to some of my friends in Montevideo, and it was great to see them interacting... with me sometimes acting as translator. I was sad to see them go after a wonderful time we had here.
I stayed in Buenos Aires until January 6 when I took my GRE then left directly for the bus station to take me to Parana, Argentina for a camp with the young adults of the Waldensian church in Argentina and Uruguay. There were 110 of us total camping in tents for a week. It was a nice getaway with friends and it reminded me of Camp Luther only for old people like me. I really enjoyed listening to them sing camp songs (even though I couldn't join in, because I did not know the songs they were singing.) I get overjoyed to see people praising God and his work in another part of the World.
With the arrival of my visitors from the US, came an overwhelming amount of school supplies for La Obra Ecumenica. Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to deliver the supplies to the director since we are on summer vacation, but I just wanted to say thank you to those who collected and donated.
I also requested quite a few things for myself including salad dressing, maple syrup and some clothes that I decided I missed from home. I got spoiled for Christmas a couple days late. :)
I have reached the halfway point of my adventure in Uruguay. While I get excited to think about returning home to see all of my loved ones and give everyone big hugs, I know it will be hard to leave my life in Uruguay. Halfway through this journey, I know God still has a lot to teach me through this whole experience. It is hard to keep my eyes open and take in all of the new experiences and reflect on what I am learning through it all. It has been a whirlwind five months, and I hope I can take time to find the words to share with everyone my thoughts and feelings on this whole experience. I thank God for the continuous support I receive from everyone at home. It is so encouraging to receive the e-mails, letters and cards from everyone.
I stayed in Buenos Aires until January 6 when I took my GRE then left directly for the bus station to take me to Parana, Argentina for a camp with the young adults of the Waldensian church in Argentina and Uruguay. There were 110 of us total camping in tents for a week. It was a nice getaway with friends and it reminded me of Camp Luther only for old people like me. I really enjoyed listening to them sing camp songs (even though I couldn't join in, because I did not know the songs they were singing.) I get overjoyed to see people praising God and his work in another part of the World.
With the arrival of my visitors from the US, came an overwhelming amount of school supplies for La Obra Ecumenica. Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to deliver the supplies to the director since we are on summer vacation, but I just wanted to say thank you to those who collected and donated.
I also requested quite a few things for myself including salad dressing, maple syrup and some clothes that I decided I missed from home. I got spoiled for Christmas a couple days late. :)
I have reached the halfway point of my adventure in Uruguay. While I get excited to think about returning home to see all of my loved ones and give everyone big hugs, I know it will be hard to leave my life in Uruguay. Halfway through this journey, I know God still has a lot to teach me through this whole experience. It is hard to keep my eyes open and take in all of the new experiences and reflect on what I am learning through it all. It has been a whirlwind five months, and I hope I can take time to find the words to share with everyone my thoughts and feelings on this whole experience. I thank God for the continuous support I receive from everyone at home. It is so encouraging to receive the e-mails, letters and cards from everyone.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Feliz Navidad!
End of year fiesta in La Obra Ecumenica
Doing the Cha Cha Slide with the kids in Escuelita 1It has been a very quick December. I cannot believe that Christmas is this week! We had our end of the year party in La Obra and Christmas worship service at Nuestro Salvador.
I am not opposed to summer weather on Christmas, but I will admit, it is very different wearing tank tops and shorts and going to the beach and eating watermelon and having cookouts to celebrate Jesus' birth.
This time of year, I find myself thinking a lot about my friends and family back home. You all are in my prayers and I hope you all find time to thank the Lord for sending His son into the world! Last night in the Waldensian church there was a Christmas program put on by the children and we sang Christmas carols. It reminded me of all of the Christmas plays we put on growing up in First Lutheran and I really enjoyed the excitement in the children's faces here to be doing the same.
La Obra is closed until January 20 and lots of the young adult group are going home for the holidays. The young adult group had an asado (cookout) on Saturday night to end the year, and we hung out outside talking and playing card games. Sunday, I shared the cookies that Dad sent me with the members of the congregation, and they loved them. I am getting ready to I am looking forward to a visit from Laura, Anne, Megan and Josh this week!
May you all have a blessed Christmas and holiday season. Know that you are in my prayers!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Fin de Ano
Since the end of the year coincides with the end of the school year, December is by far the busiest month. I find myself in awe of how fast the time is flying. While I am grateful that the time is going quickly so I can see my friends and family, I feel like I am just getting started here and know in June it will be hard to leave Uruguay.
In La Obra Ecumenica, we are preparing for our field trip to Cabo Polonio and the end of year party. From a very generous donation, the kids and teachers have the opportunity to go to the east coast of Uruguay and see a new part of the country. I do not think any of the kids or teachers have been here, and everyone is very excited for this Saturday! For the end of they year celebration, I am teaching the younger kids the Cha Cha Slide. While it is easy for any English-speaker to catch on, it is a bit harder for kids who do not understand what the words say. I have probably done the dance 20 times in the past two weeks and will not be disappointed if I do not ever have to do it again after the 19th!
The kids at La Obra are precious and it seems like they understand me and I understand them a lot better than 3 1/2 months ago.
A funny story (that requires a little background):
Soccer (or futbol as it is called here) is huge and the fact that I am not a fan of one team or another is incomprehensible to the kids. One of the teams is called Penarol and another Nacional. Well, today we were talking about our field trip, and on the way to Cabo Polonio we are stopping at a national park (or a parque nacional in Spanish). While the teacher was explaining that we were going to this "Parque Nacional," one boy spoke up and asked if we were also going to go to the Parque Penarol! So we had to explain that "nacional" did not only refer to a soccer team, but also to the country.
At church this Sunday, we had three visitors from the United States! It was a brother and sister whose father was the missionary who helped to start the Lutheran church here in Montevideo. They spent most of their childhood here and this was the man's first time back and the woman's second. The wife of the man was also there. They both got up and shared some of their experience in the church and what they remembered. Some people that were members of the youth group with them were also at the service, and it was so neat to hear their stories. They both graduated from Wittenburg in Ohio and the man knew of Marietta and had even been there! He was a food service manager, and served Marietta! What a small world!
While one was talking during the service, a candle on the advent wreath fell over and the plastic wreath starting burning! AHHH! Luckily someone noticed right away and Wilma blew out the fire and someone took the smelly wreath out of the chapel.
This Friday, I get to see Betsy Curry who is coming to Montevideo for a day on a trip with her friend Cathy, from Parkersburg. It will be so nice to get to see friends from home.
I am looking forward to spending my Christmas with one of my adopted Uruguayan families. Analia is my friend here who is the secretary at the Waldensian church and she graciously invited me to spend Christmas in Colonia with her family.
The day after Christmas, I am going to Montevideo to welcome Megan, Josh, Laura and Anne to South America for a week! I cannot wait to show them what I have been up to!
In La Obra Ecumenica, we are preparing for our field trip to Cabo Polonio and the end of year party. From a very generous donation, the kids and teachers have the opportunity to go to the east coast of Uruguay and see a new part of the country. I do not think any of the kids or teachers have been here, and everyone is very excited for this Saturday! For the end of they year celebration, I am teaching the younger kids the Cha Cha Slide. While it is easy for any English-speaker to catch on, it is a bit harder for kids who do not understand what the words say. I have probably done the dance 20 times in the past two weeks and will not be disappointed if I do not ever have to do it again after the 19th!
The kids at La Obra are precious and it seems like they understand me and I understand them a lot better than 3 1/2 months ago.
A funny story (that requires a little background):
Soccer (or futbol as it is called here) is huge and the fact that I am not a fan of one team or another is incomprehensible to the kids. One of the teams is called Penarol and another Nacional. Well, today we were talking about our field trip, and on the way to Cabo Polonio we are stopping at a national park (or a parque nacional in Spanish). While the teacher was explaining that we were going to this "Parque Nacional," one boy spoke up and asked if we were also going to go to the Parque Penarol! So we had to explain that "nacional" did not only refer to a soccer team, but also to the country.
At church this Sunday, we had three visitors from the United States! It was a brother and sister whose father was the missionary who helped to start the Lutheran church here in Montevideo. They spent most of their childhood here and this was the man's first time back and the woman's second. The wife of the man was also there. They both got up and shared some of their experience in the church and what they remembered. Some people that were members of the youth group with them were also at the service, and it was so neat to hear their stories. They both graduated from Wittenburg in Ohio and the man knew of Marietta and had even been there! He was a food service manager, and served Marietta! What a small world!
While one was talking during the service, a candle on the advent wreath fell over and the plastic wreath starting burning! AHHH! Luckily someone noticed right away and Wilma blew out the fire and someone took the smelly wreath out of the chapel.
This Friday, I get to see Betsy Curry who is coming to Montevideo for a day on a trip with her friend Cathy, from Parkersburg. It will be so nice to get to see friends from home.
I am looking forward to spending my Christmas with one of my adopted Uruguayan families. Analia is my friend here who is the secretary at the Waldensian church and she graciously invited me to spend Christmas in Colonia with her family.
The day after Christmas, I am going to Montevideo to welcome Megan, Josh, Laura and Anne to South America for a week! I cannot wait to show them what I have been up to!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Retreat
We had our first retreat with the YAGM volunteers over Thanksgiving. We went to Colonia Valdense, which is a small town in the department of Colonia in Uruguay. We stayed at Centro Emmanuel which is an organic farm. There were five of us there: Me, Stephanie, Jake, Angela and Kate. This was a much needed retreat where we spoke almost only English and enjoyed each other's company and God's beautiful creation. It was the hottest Thanksgiving I have ever had, about 40C which is over 100ยบ F!!! It was unusually hot for this time of year in Uruguay and with no air conditioning, it drained my energy quickly. But we had a good time. We ate chicken in place of turkey, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.
The three other volunteers came back to Montevideo with me for the weekend, and I got to show them my site and what I do here. It was neat to get to show them around. I hosted my first asado at the church for some of my friends from the young adult group, and it was a lot of fun! We stayed up until 3am singing and talking in the patio of the church.
I am now preparing for the end of the year at La Obra (because the school year ends right before Christmas), Christmas in Colonia with my friend, Analia and then a much anticipated visit from Laura, Anne, Megan and Josh right after Christmas.
I hope everyone is doing well! The holiday season is a time that we all think of our family and loved ones, and all of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
The three other volunteers came back to Montevideo with me for the weekend, and I got to show them my site and what I do here. It was neat to get to show them around. I hosted my first asado at the church for some of my friends from the young adult group, and it was a lot of fun! We stayed up until 3am singing and talking in the patio of the church.
I am now preparing for the end of the year at La Obra (because the school year ends right before Christmas), Christmas in Colonia with my friend, Analia and then a much anticipated visit from Laura, Anne, Megan and Josh right after Christmas.
I hope everyone is doing well! The holiday season is a time that we all think of our family and loved ones, and all of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
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