Elian

Friends,

Each time I sit down to write, I find I don´t have the right words to describe all the rich fullness that my heart holds. Life in Bolivia is always such a bittersweet mix of beauty and pain. This picture below of me and Elian captures just a bit of how I usually feel when I´m with the kiddos. The niños have been by far the biggest blessing of my time in Coch. I feel full to overflowing with love for these precious, lindo niños, and it is such a joy each day to share a smile with them, to hold them close, and to tell them of Christ´s incredible love for them.


Elian has weaseled his way deep into my heart. Maybe it's just the shared joy of Quechua, but I suspect it´s this smile you see in the picture... or maybe the shy way he slips his hand in mine, or calls "Cati" to show me something he´s proud of, or the way he comes running, cuaderno in hand, whenever I arrive, to beg for "astawa tarea"(more homework). He´s such an eager learner, and often steals away from the rest of the group to pull out a pencil and practice his letters in his cuaderno.

We took the Villa Israel kids to the movies this week and bought them all popcorn and a drink. When Elian saw I didn´t have any, he leaned over with a fistful of popcorn to plop it into my hand. Every time I finished my handful, he´d tug on my sleeve, saying,"Cati, ¡más!" His heart is in tune with the needs of those around him, and his sweet little Quechua voice is enough to melt anyone!


The flip side of Elian´s beauty is the continued brokenness of his story. I learned a few days ago that they now think that Elian´s dad murdered his mother. I have no idea whether Elian was present for that or not, but I can´t help but ache at the holes that it tore in his life. His father is an alcoholic and is unable to care for any of his children, which means that Elian and Franz are only two of many children in the family and have been separated from the rest of their siblings.

Another torn part of Elian´s story is his identity as a Quechua. In Bolivia, to be from the campo (the countryside) is a deeply shameful thing, and it´s even more shameful to be a Quechua and to speak the language. Elian´s new brothers and sisters are struggling to accept him with this identity. I´ve had several conversations with other kids at Villa Israel about their "new brother" Elian, and several times, I´ve gotten the disdainful response, "He´s not my brother, he´s a campesino". They make fun of his rotting teeth (often a sign of poverty or neglect here in Bolivia) and tell him to stop speaking in Quechua. Whenever I try to talk to him in Quechua, they tell me that he no longer speaks Quechua (he obviously does, as he still struggles to get a few phrases out in español), and tell me he needs to forget his Quechua and his heritage. It breaks my heart that a little boy with such a beautiful language and indigenous identity is being forced to forget all that defines him and his past.


Please continue to keep all the kids at Villa Israel in your prayers, and the interns as well as we struggle to have wisdom for all the situations we face as we try to grow with them. Pray that the impartial love of Christ would be growing in each of their little hearts, and that God would show us how to be an example of this love for them.


Thanks for reading,
Cati


P.S. For those of you who are wondering, August 10th passed without much fanfare... Evo was re-elected and the prefect (governor)of Cochabamba was voted out, but refuses to leave. We may continue to see some interesting political dynamics, but it seems as though things are returning to normal in Coch.


P.P.S. Here´s a video of Villa Israel that my friend Adrian put together: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNMHmmSaYdM

Evo & Bolivia

Here´s a brief look at what´s going on politically in Bolivia...

The political climate here is fascinating to me, and heart-wrenching at the same time. Evo Morales, the first indigenous Bolivian president in the country's history, has reached a place in the eyes of the upper class that may very well lead to his assassination in the next few months. Some middle and lower class Bolivians also share this low opinion of him, and the country will vote in August whether to keep him as president or not. I don't pretend to know the ins and outs of Evo's history in Bolivia, but my impression of him is that he is still a symbol of hope for the indigenous and poor people.

I had a conversation with my friends Alejandro and Reina, and they talked about how the current problems in Bolivia are not Evo's fault. He has been implementing programs that are intended to close the gap between the rich and the poor, which in turn has upset the factory owners and the rich. A few of Evo's programs:

-$ incentive given to each Bolivian student who completes 8th grade
-monthly government stipend for Bolivians over 70

Despite all these positive facts, I'm wary of Evo's strong connection to Hugo Chavez, and Evo's growing distrust and dislike of America/Americans. In fact, my visa situation in Bolivia is more complicated because of the new laws that Evo has implemented against Americans. Some speculate that he has made it more difficult for Americans to enter Bolivia because it is so hard for Bolivians to enter the USA. It easy for me to understand his frustration, but it also causes some of my own frustration! In a few months, I may need to leave for Chile for a few days to get a different kind of visa and re-enter Bolivia.

Graffiti on a wall near my house
Translation: "Assasinate Evo the Terrorist!"

On August 10th, the whole country will vote on whether to keep Evo president or not. There are several other issues that will be voted on as well, including the replacement of corrupt governors for each province. Keep the country (and us!) in your prayers on this day, as many are anticipating unrest and potential upheaval surrounding this vote.

As you keep the country and its leaders in your prayers, also keep my heart in your prayers as I struggle to make deep relationships here that will feed me spiritually and emotionally, and as I learn the balance of relying fully on the Lord to meet my every need. I know He is faithful!

un abrazo,

Katie/Kansas/Quechua/Cati/Kata/Hermana Cati

(all my names and nicknames here!)

the BEAUTY and the MESS

My heart is a bit heavier as I write this next blog... A lot has happened in the last week and a half, both good and bad. Villa Israel got two new Quechua orphans: Franz (2) and Elian (6). They only speak Quechua, and theirfirst few days here, I was honored with the chance to speak to them in their native language. It was such a gift to reassure them, and to be able to ask them questions when everything else around them was so foreign and upsetting. It ripped my heart, though, when at the end of our time there, Elian came up to me and said "Jaku wasi", which means let´s go to my home. I told him that this was his home now, and he began wailing with such deep pain that it was all I could do to keep from wailing alongside him. The last week has been a bit better for both of them as they have begun to adjust to their new reality, but every time we leave, Franz whimpers or cries all over again, reminding me that they will always have a piece of their hearts that will be broken.

Early last week, I had the priviledge of taking Franz by trufi (local transportation) to the clinic for treatment (he was sick). As I carried him and held him as he slept on my lap, I was overwhelmed by the incredible sense of responsibility I felt for him, but also the beauty that comes with caring for God´s children. We chattered away to each other, both in our broken speech: my broken Quechua and his broken baby language... a mixture of Spanish and Quechua.

People on the street and in the trufis kept asking me how old my son was, or what his name was, and I was struck by what a funny pair we must look like; a gringa in braids and sandals with a beautiful Bolivian boy on her hip. Taking Franz to the doctor also gave me a sense of fulfillment and gave me an anchor of purpose in the midst of a sea of helplesness.

These boys both need your prayers as they continue to learn Spanish, adjust to their new siblings, and try to make sense of what has happened in their lives in the last two weeks. Their mom died suddenly 2 weeks ago of an epeleptic seizure, and I imagine that the shock of that is also a part of what they are processing and dealing with.




After describing all that pain, here´s a little more beauty for you... This is beautiful Ana from Villa Israel, the only girl there. She has a beautiful heart, and has also taken upon herself to translate and care for the two new boys, as she is fluent in Quechua as well.




Thank you for your continued prayers, friends. There´s so much more to share, especially about the sovereignty of God, so I´ll keep saving up the rich stories.

con cariño,
Katie

Week 2...

Imaynalla!

I've begun to learn Quechua again, which has been such a joy. There are so many people to teach me (kids at the second orphanage, Tía Bacenta at the first orphanage, Alejandro and random vendors in the market. It´s thrilling to begin to piece together the little I have to communicate with people who don´t know Spanish.

Here´s picture of one of the boys (Ariel) from the first orphanage who I used to speak Quechua to, but he has since forgotten the language.



Interesting tidbits from this week:

-trying to speak "plumber language" in Spanish when one of our pipes burst

-returning to the Muyurina orphanage to hug the kiddos for the first time in 2 years

-going to a Spanish Christian rock concert

My friend Adrian, another intern here, has put together a video of "El Centro de Amistad", an after school ministry where we help out two days a week. You can get a taste : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB4M8cGgGu4

For those of you who have been curious about what my daily life looks like, here´s a rough outline of my schedule:

Monday:
-shopping for the week
-afternoon at El Centro de Amistad
-evening at the Johnsons (an IT missionary couple here) for dinner and bible study

Tuesday:
-afternoon at Villa Israel (the second orphanage) tutoring the kiddos

Wednesday:
-morning intern meeting w/ Johnsons
-afternoon at El Centro de Amistad
-motorcycle ride with "Las Aguilas Legendarias"!!

Thursday:
-update orphanage blog sites
-somewhat "free" day for us to relax/take care of odds and ends

Friday:
-morning at Villa Israel to tutor
-afternoon at Muyurina orphanage (first orphanage) to tutor

Saturday:
-afternoon at Muyurina to play/tutor
-babywashing at the Plaza Principal for homeless (often Quechua) children

Sunday:
-church... still haven´t found one I´d like to get rooted in

Thank you for all your encouragement and prayers. I feel rooted, content, and truly where I´m supposed to be.

con cariño,
Katie

En Cochabamba

Saturday night at 9pm, I finally arrived in Cochabamba. I saw God´s hand in each leg of my journey... thank you for all your prayers! I should´ve missed my connection in Miami to La Paz, Bolivia, as I arrived at the airport slightly after my plane was scheduled to depart, but by the grace of God, I made it in time.

My flight to La Paz arrived 3 hours late, and I missed my connection to Cochabamba. As I was waiting in line in customs, a man came running up and down the line, calling "¿Cati Estewart?" He had two meal vouchers, and a new reservation on the next flight to Cochabamba at 7pm. I talked with lots of other people from my same flight who also missed their connection to Cochabamba, and none of them had the same experience. In fact, most of them had to buy completely new tickets, and several had to wait until the next morning to fly out! Even though it was frustrating to be stuck in the La Paz airport for 14 hours, I was grateful for all the little ways that God cared for me. Plus, I didn´t really mind having extra time to stare out the window at the incredible and striking mountains shooting up out of the altiplano.

Life in Coch has been incredibly powerful, as I have been able to reconnect with so many people and parts of Bolivia that are deeply rooted in my heart. My first day here, I was able to spend the whole afternoon with my dear friends Reina and Alejandro, as well as see their now almost two-year-old son, Josías. Later in the week, I was able to spend some time tutoring the kiddos in the second orphanage that I helped build two years ago. It was deeply moving to meet all the kids who live in the place I labored over, and to have the chance to love on them and build them up in the hope of Christ. Last night, I also got to reunite with my good friend Pachy at the weekly motorcyle club meeting I used to go to two summers ago. It was fun to see some old friends there, and to drive around the city again on the back of a motorcycle.

Here´s a link to a video tour of the Hacienda (where I stayed last time in Cochabamba, and where I will live for the next 6 months) that one of the other interns put together: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Lymybm6NEkQ

As for my heart, I´m still adjusting to the newness of being on my own. At times, I´ve felt lonely and incapable. I´d love prayers that I would be confident in what God has called me to do, and that I would seize every opportunity to initiate with Bolivians around me. Pray also that God would put Bolivian girls my age in my path so I can build on more mutual relationships here.

Tinkuna cama,
Katie

"And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

still in the States...

My goodness.  The last few days have been a full whirlwind, but not the kind of whirlwind I was anticipating.  I was supposed to fly to Bolivia on the 9th (Monday), but was turned away from my flight when I learned that the yellow fever immunization was required in order to fly and I didn't have it.  The yellow fever vaccination was only a recommendation days earlier when I double checked, but the laws changed suddenly, and I was caught in the middle!

I am learning the discipline of patience and trust as I wait for my yellow fever shot to become valid (a 10 day wait period).  I spent most of the last 36 hours running around Chicago, getting my shot and a new flight out on the 20th of June.  As many of you know I am not a city girl, and it is uncomfortable and stretching for me to travel alone in an unknown city.

At one point, I was miles from downtown Chicago, in an unknown area and had spent the last hour and a half wandering through concrete and noisy traffic, trying to find a travel office.  It was my breaking point.  I found a graffiti covered pay phone in an abandoned parking lot and called my mom.  As I talked and sobbed, she reminded me of God's promise to never leave me.  I felt desperate, alone, and deeply disappointed, but somehow, God inserted Himself into the mess and drew me to Him.  I pulled myself together and by His grace, I was able to navigate the metra, bus, and train system safely the rest of the day.

As it stands right now, I am going to spend the next 10 days (9 days now!) in Elgin, IL, where International Teams is based.  I still feel alone and isolated, even though I'm surrounded by an incredible support team here.  It feels almost impossible to be still, yet that is the only option I am faced with.  I am certain that God has many things to teach me, but my stubborn desire to be in Bolivia NOW is getting in the way.  Please pray that the days ahead will only serve to deepen my understanding of God's calling on my life, and that I will be present.  Present in each moment.  Present in the loneliness.  Present in the disappointment and frustration.  Present in His daily grace and life-saving mercy.

Hasta Cochabamba, Bolivia,

Katie