From Alli´s perspective...

Dear Everyone! Greetings on behalf of all of us in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I trust that you are all doing well! I am sitting here in the sticky heat listening to the birds and breathing the scents of this amazing, dusty, spot on the planet known to humans as Santa Cruz, Bolivia. I checked the thermometer Wednesday when I was at the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) headquarters for a Bible Study. It said 80ºF and about 27ºC. That was at night arround 8:30PM or so! So I am sure you can imagine what it is in the daytime with the powerful sunlight and the humidity here! I am sure some of you have gotten the first snows of the season...one thing that I will sorely miss this year. The Christmas season has come to Santa Cruz despite the temperature. We are experiencing summertime as you move into winter! With the change of seasons will come a change for us as a team as well. Right before Christmas we will be finishing language studies. As I'm sure Rachel, Jess and Bethany would tell you, it has not always been easy. A few of you may be surprised that I struggle with Spanish grammar even though I was a missionary kid in Peru for 3 and 1/2 years. However, God has certainly blessed us with a wonderful teacher, Shirley who makes us work hard and learn the language! Tutors have also been a major help as we figure out the city, and learn the language. Our hope is to be proficient as a team with the language before we begin the SASS program in January. Another thing we have been able to do is conquer the micro (local bus) system. Thankfully for us, micros are not as intimmidating as they appear at first glance. I must admit that it was scary to ride on the micro for the first time by myself the other week. I know the others had similar experiences. Thankfully, no one got seriously lost. The city is organized in rings, so I have learned slowly what micros will take me to various places. We are also learning when it is approporiate to use the more expensive taxi service. Right now we are all in separate host families as we learn the language.
From what I hear the others are definitely are having great experiences with their host families as well. Since I can't speak for everyone's host families, I will tell you some things about mine. I live with George and Ligia Menacho M. They have two wonderful daughters Yvany, 19, and Adrianna, 12. I am really happy that I can communicate with them in Spanish! As they are curently on summer vacation we have been able to get to know each other better. Yvany just finnished her second year of medical school. It is really nice to have a 'doctor to be' in the house. They are all vibrant Christians, heavilly involved in the church, and have been a great inspiration to me. George and Ligia are like second parents for me and are constantly blessing others with their servant hearts and giftings. I also thank God that I had the opportunity to go with some of them to a women's church retreat/congress last weekend. (My teamates had other responsabilities including a lovely thanksgiving dinner.) My host mom is the president of the women's congress for a group of churches in Santa Cruz so I was invited to go along. The theme of the congress was "Reknew your first love". Through drama, choreography, speakers, and a medical clinic, the women of these churches were really touched by the spirit. It touched me because I was able to use my giftings including intercession.
As a team, we have been able to connect with the local church (as I shared before), and have gained friends as a result. Also, we have been in contact with MCC and the missionaries there. Wednesday night Bible Studies, have been great for us because it is in English and we can sing hymns w/ mainly Canadian Mennonite missionaries. Certainly another benifit is eating something other than chicken and rice...or chicken feet. I had that interesting experience Wednesday...I won't comment on it for the sake of your stomachs. :-) Jess was telling me about her cheese experience the other day...ah the joys of being missionaries. There are so many other things to share, but there is not enough space to write them in this e-mail. I guess they will have to wait for another time. But before I sign off, I want to share some prayer requests for us as a team.
1. Pray that our team realationships would stay strong even though we live in different families ( in my case I don't get to see them often as I am in a different Spanish class).
2. Pray that Rachel's stomach/intestinal bug gets better.
3. Please pray that Rachel would be able to have wisdom to lead us as a team.
4. Pray that we would gain more friendships and transition well.
5. Pray that we learn Spanish well, and that I remember what is stored away in the attic of my mind.
6. Please pray for the church here in Bolivia. They are praying for a revival in Santa Cruz.
7. Also, pray for the political situation here in Bolivia. We had to cancel Spanish class today because of a hunger strike. The people protesting the corruption of the government. May God bless you and keep you all! Blessings to each and every one of you.
In Christ, Allison (for the team)