After lots of traveling we finally made it to Pichilemu and so far it has been really good :) Because I didn't have internet on my computer for the first few weeks I haven't been able to post any pictures and didn't have a lot of time to blog. So now I do have internet on my computer so here's a new blog and lots of pictures :D
Traveling week!
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| First stop was Lima! |
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| Our hostel in Lima - Pariwana |
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| Meal in Lima! |
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| Scenery along the many hours of bus travel |
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| This is what most of the landscape looked like... desert |
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| We played a game of Mafia along the way - this is where Javier died |
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| Beautiful Sunset during the drive |
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It was Kelsey's birthday during the traveling time, so when we were in
Arica we went out for dinner and Ice Cream :D |
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| We had to change buses along the way because ours was too slow :s |
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This was our most luxurious bus - the seats laid down to a bed
and we all had our own tvs |
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| This is the type of meals we got on the buses |
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| In the taxi it was really windy, lol |
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When we had to change buses, we ended up having to
stand up in a bus for about 30 mins |
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We are pretty sure we got lice during the trip, so to be safe,
all the girls shampooed their hair with lice shampoo |
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| We finally arrived in Pichilemu! |
Just to update you all a bit on what we have been doing here in Pichilemu, I will explain through pictures :), its much more interesting that way!
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| Arrived in Pichilemu! |
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| We met Allison's family! (a friend from dts) |
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| Allison's family was very kind and had us over for dessert! |
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| Working hard around the pool |
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| Kelsey cleaning the 'super structure' around the pool |
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| Helping out during the swim competition |
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| Taking timing very seriously |
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| For the first week we helped out with a afternoon camp for kids in the neighborhood. They came and we would do a bible lesson and then have fun playing games and swimming in the pool |
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| For Brad's birthday we all went for a horseback ride on the beach! |
We have all enjoyed our time here in Pichilemu and it feels like the time has gone very fast! The ministry work we have been doing here is quite different that what I expected but I know that through everything we do, we need to see it all from a perspective of serving God and being obedient to what He asks of us. To be honest it has been a bit difficult in that we have been quite tired at times working around the pool and staying very busy throughout the days, but our team has been learning to keep our attitudes in the right spirits by remembering that everything we are doing is bring God glory. So many times in life we will come across things that are difficult, or maybe is not something that we particularly enjoy, but if we remember that in everything we do, we do it for the glory of God, it brings much more peace and even joy to the activity your involved in.
Some of the difficulties I have come across through the outreach here in Chile is that, being that the culture is much different than the 'get it done' mind set of home, is that people here are much more relaxed. In this I mean there is not as much planning in the activities for the day. It is a bit difficult being a planner and never really have straight forward plans placed in front of me... but I am learning and growing much in this area :D Also, it is pretty busy at this base and not really easy to have a quiet time or alone time... but I am also getting used to it and God is working on me to be able to rest even during times when it is busy. We have less than one week here in Chile and I am definitely going to miss it here. Everyone is so nice, and it is a very beautiful area. I am so thankful for everything I have experienced and learnt during my time here. I am also very excited to go back to Kona to see everyone else from my class and then to come home and see everyone and see where God takes my life next! The time is flying by!
Prayer Request - That I can really enjoy and focus on my time left of outreach and not be looking to what's next. This time will be come and gone so quickly so I want to really enjoy it while it's here
See you all soon!!!
Rachael
