One sly cat

This is Wilbur. Wilbur is a long-time MCCer. He loves long naps in the hammock, eating, torturing birds, and lots of attention.

Wilbur loves people - especially me =) (Actually, that's just because he know's I'll feed him and hold him when ever he wants - yes he is a bit spoiled).

This is Wilbur's sly, smug, "yes I am a handsome devil" face.

Orientation ago!

So after several months of anticipation, my SALTers and YAMEN! have safely arrived and spent their first week in Bolivia. It has been a joy getting to know them and learn their names (some faster than others), likes, and dislikes, and all the special gifts they bring to their respective assignments.

The group has been a true blessing for me. Goodness knows this could have ended up a bit of a mess, considering my inexperience in my job and the size of the group (7 in all).

Gracias a Dios, all has gone well so far. I'm sure there will be bumps and challenges along the way, but we will learn and grow together. They have been a blessing - a very chill, relaxed group who have been willing to go with the flow.

I have great hope for what they will experience in the next year and the potential for what they can learn and contribute. I hope I can help facilitate their experience and be a support for them the way others have been for me.

You can't say you've seen the world if you haven't been to Moro Moro

Friday afternoon we (myself and several of my MCC co-workers - Anita, Sául and Sandra) headed out to Moro Moro for a workshop and some pre-arrival preparations for the new influx of volunteers who will be arriving in the next month.

As usual, I was quite excited to be going to my favorite spot in Bolivia and was looking forward to the long, scenic bus ride. However, it so happens that it rained all day Friday, which wasn't a problem until we hit the part of the road that isn't paved. So about 7 hours into our 10 hour trip, the bus got stuck and couldn't go any further (at one point the whole back end was nearly sliding off the road toward the abyss). So we slept on the bus and finally 8 hours later the mud had dried enough and it was light enough that we could continue. We finally rolled into Moro Moro 17 hours after we had left Santa Cruz.

Fortunately, the trip back was much better and we had a great weekend! The workshop was able to be post-poned until the afternoon, and I was able to meet with the people I needed to see. So after a re-engerizing hike we loaded up the truck to head back to Santa Cruz with Patro - the director of rural programs and an excellent driver who got us home safe and sound :)

Headed out for a hike!

A beautiful day in Moro Moro!

A dream come true - isn't he adorable?!?

Loaded up and ready for the long trip back to Sta. Cruz!