Bolivia: "I can´t believe how much erosion they have here"- Jordan Bolte

After a smorgasbord at Burger King, a night in a Five Star hotel, and eleven long hours of waiting, we finally landed in La Paz (6:30 a.m.). We were greeted by the Saldi family who took us to Hotel Oberland where we are staying. It provides the privacy of a bed and breakfast, with comfort and the beautiful scenery of the mountains. One of the best parts about it is that the rooms are scattered in little white buildlings that are situated higher than the main area. On your way to your room you walk through lots of greenery and flowers. (Mom, I keep thinking how much you would like this.)

After breakfast and showers, we headed to church where we met Mr. James, a Taylor parent. The service seemed like any other evangelical church service, except that it was entirely in spanish. Some women sat with us and translated, but I just couldn´t keep myself from falling asleep, (I´m attributing it to the lack of sleep and the altitude).  Some members of the church generously prepared lunch for us which included roasted chicken, friend plantain, rice, and salad. Some of us tried the drink "api" which is made of purple indian corn and other spices. I´m not good with identifying spices, but it tasted like anise, or maybe cloves...to be honest I have no idea. I just didn´t want you to think that by spices I meant oregano or chili powder.

At this point it would be helfpul for you to know how we have been traveling. Two local men have been driving us in two white mini-van type vehicles. At one point today, the one I was in stalled while we were driving up hill. Don´t worry though, we are completely safe.

We traveled for about 30 minutes to Alalay, admiring the mountains along the way. You simply can not escape the scenery. At the same time, it is obvious that you are moving further away from the city. By the time we got to the orphanage, you really feel like you are creating the road as you go.

We walked around Alalay for roughly an hour, just getting acquainted with the kids. This is going to be hard work--not only is there the whole language barrier thing, but these kids seem fairly unimpressed with us, and rightfully so. Dan (our team member/son of the Saldi´s) shared with us that groups from around the world come in and out to spend time at Alalay. The kids only really attach to people who are there for a year or two or three. So what can we do? How can we "represent Jesus" in such a short amount of time? Is that presumptious to even assume that? I think Satan would say "yes", but I´m sure my God would say "no". He functions outside of time, and can use any second that we give back to Him. Think of Jesus himself, and the people that were dramatically changed just by being a day in His presence.

So, the real question is not, "Is this worth it?", but "Is Jesus flowing in and through me?"

Leigh Anne

By the way, I overpacked. Big time. I had to transfer my toiletrees to a team bag. Later, this same bag fell off the top of one of the white vans. Then we ran over it.