Hey There! I know it has already been over a week and I am late putting in this entry because it is already tuesday of week two, but that just means I have more to write about! My first week was quite the experience down here. The three other interns and I arrived in La Paz about 8 in the morning Saturday the 2nd and waited out a 13 hour layover (ended up being 14 because the sense of urgency and promptness means nothing in Latin America) . We decided since we had so much time that we would head down from El Alto (where the airport was located) to downtown La Paz and I mean it when I say we headed down. the altitude was very high and the other three interns got sick and needed oxigen. Going DOWN to La Paz relieved the altitude sickness. We were able to celebrate some sort of festival with the Bolivians as there was a parade going on downtown with much food and activities. People lined the street watching performers in costumes and with various band instruments parade down the street. We took another flight towards Cochabamba at 8 oclock and arrived at 9. There we were greeted by Butch Sandoval and Jeff and Katie Forbess ( a few of the missionaries). They put us up in a hotel since we got in so late as not to bother the homestay tenants. The next morning we had worship in a two story storefront building that the missionaries are renting for the time being until the needs of the congregation require a larger meeting place. We sang many songs in Spanish using a song book called "Cantos del Camino" or "Songs of the Walk" as well as an overhead projector for singing and for the lesson. This congregation has a unique way of sharing communion in that those in the body of Christ (and some who just don't know better) walk up to the front, grab a piece of unleavened bread and a glass cup and either partake while standing up front or return with the Lord´s Supper back to their seats. The congregation does not have very many members at this point and the missionaries have only been here for a little over 18 months ( a majority of it spent learning Spanish and making connections with locals) . The missionaries are very welcoming though a number of them (there are 5 families) have just had children in the past 6 months and are undergoing culture shock (it hits at various times). Overall the work down here is progressing and the other interns and I have had opportunities to take two hours of immersion conversational Spanish class every morning (the married couple Jaosn and Rachel are taking classes in Ayamara a native tongue) and then use our Spanish during the rest of the day though it can be tiring. My favorite activity so far has been teaching conversational English classes to locals (we call them Cochabambinos). Many of them come from a Catholic background and thirst for a knowledge of the Bible. We are teaching from the Gospel of Luke and I teach two classes consisting of two people each. What is interesting is the fact that the locals never have been exposed to the Bible because the Catholic church teaches that only priests can understand God's Word. Many of them had never heard the story of John the Baptist and were very excited to hear a new story from the Bible. I get to teach again tomorrow and I am siked about my students progress in understanding the Gospel. We also participate in small groups on tuesday and thursday nights consisting of Bolivians and missionaries. Monday nights a few of the missionaries take turns teaching Bible Classes at La Connexion Cristiana (the contact center near the center of the city) and they are basically teaching Gospel principles such as the work of the Holy Spirit and baptism. Many students and other's attending classes, small groups and Sunday worship are very close or already prepared to commit their lives to Christ, be forgiven of their sins and be sealed by the Holy Spirit through Baptism. It is a truly exciting time for the missionaries here and a great time to be down here participating in the work and learning. Gary (another missionary) has asked me to head up some minor building projects such as placing signage at the front of the connection center without it being able to be torn down, builing either a permanent or movable wheelchair ramp at the church building and securing the railing on the second floor of the church building and constructing a gate to keep young ones from falling to the first floor and to death or injury. I look forward to the challenges of these Missionary 101 tasks and will be keeping my hands full. I will keep you all updated as much as possible. Well, hasta proxima vez (I think that means until next time) Chao! : )