As I get more involved in the young adult group at the Waldensian church, I find myself getting invited to do more things in my free time. Last night, I was invited to a girls house to play games. First we started out with poker (without money) and I was surprised that I was the one that knew best how to play! The others had just learned the night before, so I told them a few things they did not know about a game that I always lose! I still lost last night which is why I will never put my money in games like that. It was fun to hang out and laugh with people outside of work.
After poker, we played pictionary. I have to admit I was dreading this from the minute I walked in the door because I felt I did not have a good handle on the language. I had my Spanish-English dictionary in hand and 8 people who were willing to help me out if I had a question. I actually guessed a couple of the drawings right with my limited vocabulary. I did not hide my surprise when they told me I was right, and everyone shared in my outward expression of joy (even the other team). Amazingly, the drawing was a lot easier and my team usually guessed quickly what I was drawing.
I am still getting accustomed to the schedule they keep in Uruguay. Almost all eat a big snack around 6 or 7pm and dinner is nto usually served until 9 or 10pm. It is hard to find someone that goes to bed before 1am. That makes my 10pm bedtime a little unusual here, but it is a hard habit to break! Last night the group stayed at the girl's house until 4am!
I woke up for church and was pleasantly surprised at how easily I conversed this morning before worship started. It is starting to feel natural to speak in Spanish. (I am almost not scared to talk on the phone anymore!) Unfortunately today a member of the congregation passed away this morning. I had not met him, he came to church last Sunday when I was in Colonia. He is the second member to pass away since I have been here and both were members of the church practically since the beginning (60 years ago). Keep the families and congregation in your prayers.
I was invited by a woman to her house for lunch. She is very gracious and said that we could get together again. I talked to her 8 year old daughter about what she was doing in English class and her 3 year old son was very shy and would not look at me for the first half hour after he returned from his grandparents' house. We had a nice conversation, and she said we could get together again and cook food that we eat in the United States.
I have been told this several times, but I struggle with what to cook that is "from the United States." If you have any ideas or recipes (that are not too difficult), PLEASE send me an email or let me know somehow. When I am asked what my favorite foods are I tell them Granny's fried chicken and Mexican food. Neither of which I can fix, because I am not my Granny and they don't have the right ingredients to make Mexican food (from what I have seen). Uruguay is definitely not accustomed to eating anything with a little spice. Pepper is never put on a table at meals, because "it gives me blisters on my lips" one girl told me.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
October Newsletter
Things are already in full swing for me in Montevideo and I am seeing God at work every day. I have been staying busy tutoring in Math and English, teaching English, playing with kids of all ages, teaching basketball and volleyball, helping with Bible studies at the church and in the community, meeting people, participating in a young adult group and making friends! I have been in South America for 8 weeks. It seems like just yesterday that I arrived. Everyone has been so welcoming and I feel like a part of a family here.
I am splitting my time between work at Nuestro Salvador Lutheran Church and La Obra Ecumenica Barrio Borro.
Nuestro Salvador is a part of the Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Unida (IELU) in South America. The IELU is a sister church to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The church was built by Lutheran missionaries 50 years ago. It is the only Lutheran church in Montevideo. The church was built with the expectation that the attendance would grow rapidly after the construction of the church, but that is not the case. The average attendance is about 15-20. It makes for a much more intimate worship service and the members feel free to discuss the scriptures of the day and share their prayer requests during the worship service. Since the church building has much more space than needed, it also houses a dentist office, and many dance and yoga classes throughout the week. Wilma Rommel is the pastor at Nuestro Salvador. She has taken me into her family like her oldest daughter. She has two children. Sebastian is 17 and Karin is 20. Her husband, Alvaro is a pastor in a Waldensian church a few blocks down the street.
La Obra Ecumenica Barrio Borro (http://www.obraecumenica.org.uy/inicial.htm all in Spanish) is a religious-based community center with four projects. One is a study center for high school students. They can come in the mornings (they don't go to school until 1pm) and get tutored in any subject. Claudio and Virginia are full time tutors and I am there on Wednesday and Thursday for Math and English. The second is a women's project where women who did not finish school can come to learn what they missed. Third is a group of 15-18 year olds who chose to not continue with schooling. Continuing with school is optional for the last three years of high school. The fourth is the young children's club. School ends for them at noon, so they come to La Obra from 1-5:30. Here, it is set up like a school, there are two classes. One for the youngest kids 5-9 and one for the older kids 10-13. They have classes Monday-Wednesday, field trips every Thursday, and sports and crafts on Friday. Every day the kids are fed a snack before they leave. I spend Wed-Fri with this group.
Last Wednesday week in La Obra Ecumenica we had a "Fiesta de Primavera" which is a Spring party. Lots of the kids came in dressed as butterflies, flowers or other Springy things. They were so cute. Another day last week, we took a field trip to the post office downtown. We are doing a letter exchange with my friend, Alicha Farley's class. We wrote letters in English and drew pictures to send to her students. When I asked the kids what we needed to address an envelope a few of them said a phone number. I don't think many of them have ever received or sent a piece of mail. When we went to the post office, we were met by a woman who explained to us how mail is sorted, sent and received. She gave them each a card with prepaid postage on it so they will be able to write a letter to someone in Uruguay for free.
Last Saturday, I went with Wilma to do a Bible study with the group of young boys. I made a tablet with the 10 Commandments, and I got to work with them a good bit while Wilma talked to their mother. We matched each one to "Our relationship with God" or "Our relationship with others." They had a good time doing this, and I was pretty happy that it went over well. I look forward to working more with this group. The boys always are eager to learn and read the Bible. It is wonderful to see and feel their desire to study the Bible and grow in their faith.
In my free time, I update my blog. The website is http://maryrk45.blogspot.com There is a lot there that I did not add in the newsletter. I enjoy keeping everyone updated on what is happening in Uruguay. It is a great reminder that God is at work across the World. It is a blessing every day to see God's hand at work in Uruguay. I encourage you to visit my blog site and to also read the blogs of other YAGMs. I have their sites linked to mine on the left hand side of my blog if you scroll down. I also have pictures posted here: http://community.webshots.com/user/maryrk45
I really enjoy hearing from friends back home, so feel free to send me an update!
I have received several cards from people back home and they are all hanging on my wall in my apartment.
I am splitting my time between work at Nuestro Salvador Lutheran Church and La Obra Ecumenica Barrio Borro.
Nuestro Salvador is a part of the Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Unida (IELU) in South America. The IELU is a sister church to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The church was built by Lutheran missionaries 50 years ago. It is the only Lutheran church in Montevideo. The church was built with the expectation that the attendance would grow rapidly after the construction of the church, but that is not the case. The average attendance is about 15-20. It makes for a much more intimate worship service and the members feel free to discuss the scriptures of the day and share their prayer requests during the worship service. Since the church building has much more space than needed, it also houses a dentist office, and many dance and yoga classes throughout the week. Wilma Rommel is the pastor at Nuestro Salvador. She has taken me into her family like her oldest daughter. She has two children. Sebastian is 17 and Karin is 20. Her husband, Alvaro is a pastor in a Waldensian church a few blocks down the street.
La Obra Ecumenica Barrio Borro (http://www.obraecumenica.org.
Last Wednesday week in La Obra Ecumenica we had a "Fiesta de Primavera" which is a Spring party. Lots of the kids came in dressed as butterflies, flowers or other Springy things. They were so cute. Another day last week, we took a field trip to the post office downtown. We are doing a letter exchange with my friend, Alicha Farley's class. We wrote letters in English and drew pictures to send to her students. When I asked the kids what we needed to address an envelope a few of them said a phone number. I don't think many of them have ever received or sent a piece of mail. When we went to the post office, we were met by a woman who explained to us how mail is sorted, sent and received. She gave them each a card with prepaid postage on it so they will be able to write a letter to someone in Uruguay for free.
Last Saturday, I went with Wilma to do a Bible study with the group of young boys. I made a tablet with the 10 Commandments, and I got to work with them a good bit while Wilma talked to their mother. We matched each one to "Our relationship with God" or "Our relationship with others." They had a good time doing this, and I was pretty happy that it went over well. I look forward to working more with this group. The boys always are eager to learn and read the Bible. It is wonderful to see and feel their desire to study the Bible and grow in their faith.
In my free time, I update my blog. The website is http://maryrk45.blogspot.com There is a lot there that I did not add in the newsletter. I enjoy keeping everyone updated on what is happening in Uruguay. It is a great reminder that God is at work across the World. It is a blessing every day to see God's hand at work in Uruguay. I encourage you to visit my blog site and to also read the blogs of other YAGMs. I have their sites linked to mine on the left hand side of my blog if you scroll down. I also have pictures posted here: http://community.webshots.com/
I really enjoy hearing from friends back home, so feel free to send me an update!
I have received several cards from people back home and they are all hanging on my wall in my apartment.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Overdue Update
It has been a busy 2 weeks since I last posted. I took my first trip out of Montevideo since arriving on September 1. A friend from the young adult group invited me to her parents' house in Colonia del Sacramento. It is a beautiful town across the river plate from Buenos Aires. It was a relaxing weekend and her parents were very gracious. We were blessed with beautiful weather.
We are busy at the church preparing for an Ecumenical worship service here next Friday. I am making a PowerPoint slideshow with pictures throughout Nuestro Salvador's existence in Montevideo.
At La Obra things are winding down for the year. The last day of school before summer vacation is December 19. It is still hard for me to grasp the concept of Christmas falling during summer. With a generous donation from a married Italian couple who volunteered during the summer, we are taking the kids on a field trip to La Rocha, where few or none of them have been before. I am not sure many have been outside of Montevideo. We are excited to take them on this adventure. We started playing Simon Says in English class and it was fun to see them learning the commands "stand up," "sit down," "clap your hands" and many more.
We are busy at the church preparing for an Ecumenical worship service here next Friday. I am making a PowerPoint slideshow with pictures throughout Nuestro Salvador's existence in Montevideo.
At La Obra things are winding down for the year. The last day of school before summer vacation is December 19. It is still hard for me to grasp the concept of Christmas falling during summer. With a generous donation from a married Italian couple who volunteered during the summer, we are taking the kids on a field trip to La Rocha, where few or none of them have been before. I am not sure many have been outside of Montevideo. We are excited to take them on this adventure. We started playing Simon Says in English class and it was fun to see them learning the commands "stand up," "sit down," "clap your hands" and many more.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Photos
Friday, October 10, 2008
Community
I thank God every day for the wonderful support I have back home for accompanying me through this awesome journey. God is definitely at work in Uruguay and He is good!
It has been a while since I wrote an update, but I feel like it was just yesterday. I started visiting a Spanish tutor so she can help me polish my Spanish and learn the local phrases, too. I have only had two classes, but I can already tell a difference. I have had some great conversations this week! The kids are starting to understand me more and not giggle when I talk (although they still giggle and take delight in correcting me when I pronounce something wrong).
Last week went by so fast. Monday, I got my stove and refridgerator, so now my apartment is complete. I have enjoyed being able to use the stove top to cook food, as I learn to cook without the aid of a microwave. It is really a great thing for me. It is teaching me patience if nothing else.
I have been asked to teach basketball to the kids at La Obra. They have one ball that does not have enough air to dribble properly, but they still love it. I think I am the only one that notices. They also call me a "basketball star." I try to tell them I am far from it, but they still want me to play with them all the time. I enjoy playing basketball with them. However, when I tried to teach them how to play defense, all they wanted to do was run over to the ball, pick it up and shoot it. We talked about getting another school to play a game against our kids when they learn the rules, so that will be a nice incentive for them. Milton said we could buy a couple more basketballs and then we can work on dribbling and other skills.
I have been attending a group of young adults meeting in Alvaro's church. Alvaro is Wilma's husband, and he is a pastor at a Waldensian church. I am really starting to feel like a part of this group. One girl offered to take me to her house in Colonia one weekend to see a new part of Uruguay, so I am pretty excited to do that. I had my third and fourth asados this week with the group. Last night was Lucia's birthday, so we celebrated with an asado and cake.
Saturday, I went with Wilma to do a Bible study with the group of young boys. I made a tablet with the 10 Commandments, and I got to work with them a good bit while Wilma talked to their mother. We matched each one to "Our relationship with God" or "Our relationship with others." They had a good time doing this, and I was pretty happy that it went over well. I look forward to working more with this group.
I really get excited when I run into people that I know in public. It has happened about four times already. All in the vicinity of the church, but it still makes my day when I recognize someone and get to stop and talk with them in the street or wherever. I was at the Saturday market (which makes me think of my Granny) and ran into a lady that had stopped by the church and she introduced me to her friend as the Christian volunteer at the Lutheran church. We had a nice conversation about what I was doing here and she said she had a son who is a missionary in Mississippi. How great that there are people like that sharing their faith with us in the United States!
I was also blessed this week to get to talk on Skype with my family. I felt like I was in Emilee's house when we were talking via webcam the other day. My Skype name is mary.kinsler if you want to call, feel free! I love talking with family and friends.
I am keeping you all in my prayers and I thank God that I have the support of so many dear friends and family while I am here. THANK YOU!
I will post pictures tonight!
It has been a while since I wrote an update, but I feel like it was just yesterday. I started visiting a Spanish tutor so she can help me polish my Spanish and learn the local phrases, too. I have only had two classes, but I can already tell a difference. I have had some great conversations this week! The kids are starting to understand me more and not giggle when I talk (although they still giggle and take delight in correcting me when I pronounce something wrong).
Last week went by so fast. Monday, I got my stove and refridgerator, so now my apartment is complete. I have enjoyed being able to use the stove top to cook food, as I learn to cook without the aid of a microwave. It is really a great thing for me. It is teaching me patience if nothing else.
I have been asked to teach basketball to the kids at La Obra. They have one ball that does not have enough air to dribble properly, but they still love it. I think I am the only one that notices. They also call me a "basketball star." I try to tell them I am far from it, but they still want me to play with them all the time. I enjoy playing basketball with them. However, when I tried to teach them how to play defense, all they wanted to do was run over to the ball, pick it up and shoot it. We talked about getting another school to play a game against our kids when they learn the rules, so that will be a nice incentive for them. Milton said we could buy a couple more basketballs and then we can work on dribbling and other skills.
I have been attending a group of young adults meeting in Alvaro's church. Alvaro is Wilma's husband, and he is a pastor at a Waldensian church. I am really starting to feel like a part of this group. One girl offered to take me to her house in Colonia one weekend to see a new part of Uruguay, so I am pretty excited to do that. I had my third and fourth asados this week with the group. Last night was Lucia's birthday, so we celebrated with an asado and cake.
Saturday, I went with Wilma to do a Bible study with the group of young boys. I made a tablet with the 10 Commandments, and I got to work with them a good bit while Wilma talked to their mother. We matched each one to "Our relationship with God" or "Our relationship with others." They had a good time doing this, and I was pretty happy that it went over well. I look forward to working more with this group.
I really get excited when I run into people that I know in public. It has happened about four times already. All in the vicinity of the church, but it still makes my day when I recognize someone and get to stop and talk with them in the street or wherever. I was at the Saturday market (which makes me think of my Granny) and ran into a lady that had stopped by the church and she introduced me to her friend as the Christian volunteer at the Lutheran church. We had a nice conversation about what I was doing here and she said she had a son who is a missionary in Mississippi. How great that there are people like that sharing their faith with us in the United States!
I was also blessed this week to get to talk on Skype with my family. I felt like I was in Emilee's house when we were talking via webcam the other day. My Skype name is mary.kinsler if you want to call, feel free! I love talking with family and friends.
I am keeping you all in my prayers and I thank God that I have the support of so many dear friends and family while I am here. THANK YOU!
I will post pictures tonight!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Oh Happy Day!
So, it is hard to believe that I have been in South America for over a month! It does not seem like that long at all, but at the same time it seems like I haven't seen my family and friends in FOREVER! I survived the end of winter in Montevideo... I had to purchase a couple sweaters to layer with the two I brought, but all is well now. Today, I got to wear short sleeves for the first time since leaving a beautiful week in Buenos Aires.
Friday after returning from La Obra, I went to a Murga with Sebastian and his girlfriend, Andrea. What is a murga? I had no idea until after I went, but I looked it up. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murga While I had no idea what was going on and didn't really understand much, I enjoyed the singing and environment. However, I am old and go to bed early and this lasted until 3am, so I was quite tired.
Yesterday I spent the day with Wilma. She took me to a produce market in the morning, then we had lunch and later went to an artisan fair. It is the best artisan fair in Uruguay apparently. There were so many beautiful things, but I decided it was too early to start buying things. We went back to Wilma's house and she made bread (I watched) and that is what we had for communion today.
Today with the beautiful weather, I had a beautiful day. I understood pretty much all of the worship service and sermon today. Wilma preached on the parable where a father asks his two sons to work in the field and one says he will not and ends up doing it and the other says he will and does not. Since the worship attendance rarely is over 20 people, it is a comfortable setting and there are good discussions during worship. It is a new way to worship, but I am enjoying it. I am really starting to feel like part of the Nuestro Salvador family... Everyone in the congregation is so friendly and welcoming. I am very blessed with the placement here. Thursday was Wilma's birthday, so after worship we had cake to celebrate. Also there was a man who was celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife this week, so we celebrated that as well. A young boy, Lukas (about 15 years old), who attends church and Tuesday Bible study without encouragement from his parents, asked me if I could tutor him this week in Math! I am happy to get involved with the congregation outside of worship.
After church, I got on the bus to go to Milton and Carla's house for lunch. On the bus was José, the secretary/treasurer of the church. I was looking at my bus guide to make sure I didn't miss the stop, so he asked me what street I was looking for, and I told him. Three other people near me were very quick to speak up and say they were going in that direction and could point me where to go- even though I was pretty sure I knew, I thought it would be nice to be sure. We had a nice conversation and I told them where I was from and what I was doing here. They were all very friendly. One girl, Cecilia, was getting off at the same stop, so she got me to where I was going. So I got to their house with an enjoyable bus ride. I just cannot ask for more friendly and welcoming hosts. Milton and Carla have already made me feel like a part of their family. Milton is the coordinator of La Obra. Agustine, their 2 year old son, is opening up to me and plays with me when I go over there. He even understands me when I talk to him! We had lunch and then ice cream and coffee. Milton showed me a photo album of a trip he took to Europe when he was 18. Milton even let me use his phone to call home... but no answer :(
Friday after returning from La Obra, I went to a Murga with Sebastian and his girlfriend, Andrea. What is a murga? I had no idea until after I went, but I looked it up. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murga While I had no idea what was going on and didn't really understand much, I enjoyed the singing and environment. However, I am old and go to bed early and this lasted until 3am, so I was quite tired.
Yesterday I spent the day with Wilma. She took me to a produce market in the morning, then we had lunch and later went to an artisan fair. It is the best artisan fair in Uruguay apparently. There were so many beautiful things, but I decided it was too early to start buying things. We went back to Wilma's house and she made bread (I watched) and that is what we had for communion today.
Today with the beautiful weather, I had a beautiful day. I understood pretty much all of the worship service and sermon today. Wilma preached on the parable where a father asks his two sons to work in the field and one says he will not and ends up doing it and the other says he will and does not. Since the worship attendance rarely is over 20 people, it is a comfortable setting and there are good discussions during worship. It is a new way to worship, but I am enjoying it. I am really starting to feel like part of the Nuestro Salvador family... Everyone in the congregation is so friendly and welcoming. I am very blessed with the placement here. Thursday was Wilma's birthday, so after worship we had cake to celebrate. Also there was a man who was celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife this week, so we celebrated that as well. A young boy, Lukas (about 15 years old), who attends church and Tuesday Bible study without encouragement from his parents, asked me if I could tutor him this week in Math! I am happy to get involved with the congregation outside of worship.
After church, I got on the bus to go to Milton and Carla's house for lunch. On the bus was José, the secretary/treasurer of the church. I was looking at my bus guide to make sure I didn't miss the stop, so he asked me what street I was looking for, and I told him. Three other people near me were very quick to speak up and say they were going in that direction and could point me where to go- even though I was pretty sure I knew, I thought it would be nice to be sure. We had a nice conversation and I told them where I was from and what I was doing here. They were all very friendly. One girl, Cecilia, was getting off at the same stop, so she got me to where I was going. So I got to their house with an enjoyable bus ride. I just cannot ask for more friendly and welcoming hosts. Milton and Carla have already made me feel like a part of their family. Milton is the coordinator of La Obra. Agustine, their 2 year old son, is opening up to me and plays with me when I go over there. He even understands me when I talk to him! We had lunch and then ice cream and coffee. Milton showed me a photo album of a trip he took to Europe when he was 18. Milton even let me use his phone to call home... but no answer :(
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