Made it!

I have been in Bogota for 3 days now and have loved it so much. My sweet sister helped me stay up and pack all night on Saturday and took me to the airport in Charlotte at 2am. She is an amazing sister. We got there about at about 4am, my suitcases miraculously weighed exactly 50.5lbs and 49lbs. I just new I would have to start pulling things out for Amy to take back home. They were so heavy. Amy gave me the most beautiful scrapbook filled with pictures and notes from all the people I love. I have looked at it so many times. My flights were great and I arrived in Bogota at 12:30. Immigration took ten million years. I met Johnny Depp and Bill Clinton look-alikes and also the sweetest engaged couple from Charlotte. If you ever need a mountain or roadbike store in that area, look up Bike Source. Once it was my turn at the counter, I was asked no questions, just given my stamp and told to move on. My friends from Charlotte were asked all sorts of crazy things. I looked like a maniac trying to haul all my luggage through the airport by myself. There was nothing graceful about it. When I went through the gates, the red light went off which meant I was supposed to go have my bags looked through at a certain station. My stupid cart piled with my suitcases on top would only move in one direction though, so I just had to sneak past and pray I didn't get escorted out of there. A family from El Camino Academy was waiting for me outside of the airport with a sign. I was so happy to see them. Gladys y Jose, the two most generous, loving, nicest people in Colombia. They helped me with my bags and took me to there home. First thing they did was cook me a wonderful Colombian meal. I have tried so many delicious things already. My favorites are plantianos, arepas, and empanadas. Gladys always prepares fresh juice with each meal. Just throws some guavas or papayas in the blender and pours us a glass full. I have been watching everything she does in the kitchen. On Friday I get a full lesson on making her empanadas so I know what to do when I get to my apartment. I should be living with Gladys y Jose until Saturday when I move into an apartment with two other teachers. I have loved getting to know this family though. They have two sons and lots of friends who we go visit or come visit us each night. There is always loud talking, lots of food, music, and laughing. I can't keep up with everyone because my spanish is so poor, but I have the most fun just sitting around with everyone and taking it all in. Gladys and her sons speak english very well and have been helping me with my spanish. They live in a beautiful area of Bogota. Mountains everywhere you look and beautiful flowers. Traffic is loud and crazy. Lots of people in the streets selling random merchandise. It is very cool and we are at 9,000ft. above sea level. That took a little while to adjust too. At first I felt very dizzy and would get out of breath just walking up a few stairs. Now everything is fine. I like the weather and would be happy in jeans and a short-sleeved shirt, but everyone bundles up here. I tried to leave the house last night in flip-flops and a short sleeve shirt and Gladys made me go back upstairs and put on different shoes and a coat. She is very motherly and very loving. Her husband, Jose is a evangelical pastor and travels a lot. They also own a furniture business and a computer supply business. They are very busy all the time.

Today was my first day at El Camino Academy. We were picked up at 7:15 and taken to school. This week is orientation for new teachers. When you arrive on campus you have a peaceful feeling and you can tell everyone loves the school very much. It is a beautiful campus. A very old section and then a huge new building that holds almost all the classrooms. My classroom was awesome, I can't wait to get in there and make it my own. Beth Afanador, the director of ECA, gave us a tour and went through the schools mission and vision with us. I love the heart of ECA. Their motto is "Training for Life" and there school verse is Deuteronomy 6:5-7. It is a multi-cultural and multi-denomenational school. Everyone agrees on certain core truths of The Bible, but there are many different beleifs on prosperity, salvation, and spiritual gifts. Colombian churches tend to me charismatic. I think this will be a very interesting setting to teach in and will cause me to grow in many ways. I loved getting to know the other teachers and hearing their stories. There are two other southerners, newlyweds from Tennessee. We spent the morning at school and the afternoon getting our cedulas. It is like an ID card that is very important in Colombia. Social Security card meets license meets birth certificate. You have to have it for everything apparently. Had to have my finger pricked so they could know what bloodtype I am. That was not enjoyable. I was constantly praising God that I get to be in full-time ministry again while serving at ECA. There are a great deal of ministries pouring out of the school. Each grade has two or three different projects they work on throughout the year and team up with missionaries out in the community. I can't wait to see all the good things that go on at that school and be a part of as much as I can. I look forward to getting to know the other teachers and staff more this week and preparing for my 22 kindergarteners in 2 weeks. I did feel very overwhelmed today while learning about how the school works and all the things needed to be done before the students arrive. I hope once I get in my classroom and start planning I will feel more at ease. I will write again soon and post some pictures of the school campus. Skype me whenever you can. I spoke with my sister and nephews tonight, my friend Natalie and my friend named Caroline. It was so fun and they all got to meet my Colombian family and friends. Thank you for all your prayers, encouragement and support. Buenos Noches!

 

"Couldn't wait to get going, but wasn't quite ready to leave"

8 days until my departure date!!! I am so excited to get to Bogota and begin to take it all in. I have been overwhelmed this summer by God's goodness and faithfulness.

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and praise your father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

I have been in awe of God and his love for me, especially during the last few weeks. He has used my family and friends over and over again to make me feel encouraged, supported and worthy of going to Bogota. Through beautiful handwritten cards, conversations, and prayers prayed over me I have felt God's constant affirmation and truth poured out. He has provided a group of financial supporters that has given me more than enough to cover my living and travel expenses for the 2010-2011 school year. I have plane tickets and a visa. I have met some of the staff at El Camino Academy and was again overwhelmed that I would get to be surrounded by such amazing people and get to be a part of their work in Colombia. I have been able to spend quality time with all of my family and friends that I love so much. I witnessed my nephew's adoption be finalized and was overjoyed that I was able to be present during that unforgettable moment. I stood beside my best friend while she married her love. I have picked peaches with my grandpa. I was the guest of honor at the most charming, lovely, fun surprise party thrown by the greatest people in the world. I have spent the most relaxing, peaceful, fun week at Lake Hartwell with my sweet family. As soon as I start packing, I will be ready to go. I have no doubt that I will miss home so much sometimes that it will be almost unbearable. Pray for me about that and that I would be given passion and purpose while in Bogota! I am going to post pictures of my party, the lake vacation, and the adoption day soon. If anyone can help me figure out how to get an accent over the a in Bogota on my title, a song playlist on here, and how to make a picture collage I would love you forever and ever.