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!

My new casita =)

My new living space!

A little bit of the kitchenette =)

A small stove for my little kitchen!

Don Pedro! The ever-handy MCC handyman fixing my shower! (The first night I used it I about got electricuted! Showers like this one are called "widow-makers" - I now know why)

My new backyard - an oasis of green.

"I was hungry and you...built me a huge Jesus??"

This is believed to be the largest statue of Christ in the world - it's located in Cochabamba, Bolivia - the poorest country in South America... The statue looks out over the city of Cochabamba and serves as an excellent land mark - all you have to do is "keep you eyes on Jesus" and you won't lose your way in this city of more than a million people...But I wonder if eyes were on Jesus when this statue of him was constructed...Even the rocks cry out right? I wonder what this monstrosity would say if it could speak? What would Jesus say of this creation made in his "honor"? Personally, I think he would say "Feed my sheep" "Care for the widows and orphans" "Love your neighbor and your enemy" - But I don't think he would say to invest your resources in a larger than life statue...

Goodbyes and New Beginnings

The past couple of weeks I've had the chance to do some serious traveling! My friends Tasha and Jess have been here to visit and we were able to go to see the Garden City - Cochabamba! - where we saw gorgeous parks, flowers, museums and went for a nice hike outside of the city.
It's been great having friends visiting, but now it is also time for me to say goodbye to a lot of wonderful people. This weekend my SALTers leave for life in the States again...so lots of depedidas. It has been a joy getting to know them. We've shared a lot together in the last 5 months.
I will be making the transition from endings to be beginings, as I prepare for the incoming group of SALTers who will be arriving in August. Life has taken on a rather hectic pace, but busy is good.
I will also be moving to a barrio in the next week or so, which will hopefully be a positive change from living across the street from the office. Pictures coming soon :)

An Un-ordinary Oasis

Aubrey, Ramona and I set out for a hiketo Los Posos!

What a lovely oasis in the middle of the rocky plateaus of Santiago de Chiquitos!

Ramona enjoying the transparent water from the falls.

The beautiful earthtones of water on leaves.