Living here, our kitchen consists of a room. When we wash dishes, it's all done outside. When we need to use the restroom in the middle of the night, we have to go outside in the elements. We're adjusting slowly but it's like going back in time. Tarija over the past year was a big change from the US but will still very modern in comparison to Entre Rios.
Just last week, Stephanie was doing a load of laundry in the washer we brought with us from Tarija. The sister who lives next to us (who along with her husband is getting baptized this weekend) was amazed that we had a machine to wash our clothes as opposed to doing it all by hand. When the carpenter came by to do our screens he was also amazed by this "contraption". We offered to let the sister use it whenever she would like and even though she was initially nervous, she has done a few loads with the help of Stephanie. It has also freed up time for her to be able to join us in the ministry one day extra each week.
Another example occurred yesterday. We went to a brother's house for lunch. Afterwards he was going to make a salsa that everyone here loves. You would think that he would dump the ingredients in a blender and be good to go..... well not here! He mixed the entire batch with a giant rock. What's interesting is this isn't an isolated case or way of doing things. Apparently there is a word for a stone like this; So when searching for your own rock to crush and mix ingredients, you'll be sure to get the right thing.
There are many more examples, these are just a few. It really helps put things in perspective doesn't it?
We can relate to your observations! Many in other lands work so very hard each day to take care of their daily load. Thanks for accepting your new assignment. Your willingness is a beautiful quality!
ReplyDeleteAnd meanwhile we are up here in the materialistic center of the universe. I think the people here would buckle if they didn't have their I phones for a weekend. And that brother is making salsa by hand with a rock! The value of your current privilege cannot be measured.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the inspiration you provide for wannabe need greaters like me.
I have watched both of the societys videos on the need in Bolivia. I hope to make this goal a reality by spring 2013. Thanks for sharing your experiences. How is housing?
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the kind words. We do appreciate this a lot, even though at times it gets to be hard. Housing here depends on how much you have to spend. For example:We have a very big place now and it costs us around $140 a month. But for a lot here that is too much. So you can find a room with a shared bathroom for $70 or less. We have a private bathroom, but it is still outside. Also there is not such thing as a kitchen here. It is a new concept and many houses only have an outdoor sink, like ours. But in the bigger cities there are houses with indoor kitchens now and indoor bathrooms.
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