So today marks my 6 month anniversary of arriving in Bogota, Colombia. It's been an experience that I don't really have words to describe. When I first had that call from God I was set on only coming here for 6 months, and 2 months ago I was really annoyed that I was here for a whole year. However, now I am pleased that I have another 6 months to keep learning and keep experiencing what God has in store.

So what's changed? I honestly don't know. In my last blog I wrote briefly how I had been in church and felt God say that now was the time to get involved. Since then I've been walking on air and last week was the first week ever where I didn't have a sad thought or feeling or a desire to be in England. I can't tell you why, I can't explain the change in my head or my heart, but it's like a switch has been switched. I genuinely feel content in my heart and am now having those feelings of "seriously only 6 months, but why?" I've noticed that I actually want to be more sharing and loving (not overly of course, I'm still a dominant style!), and want to spend more time just being with people. I'm enjoying being less busy, and enjoying just being. I've noticed though that I'm not as productive as I used to be, but hey I'll get the balance eventually!

In the past week I've spent some great times with my friends from work laughing, joking, listening to music, doing silly dances, watching a film called "even the rain" which was very thought provoking and I highly recommend it, spending time in prayer with people I don't know and teaching English, which I'm still not all that hot on. I've had my Spanish complimented a couple of times and finally feel that that has turned a corner to. I'm coming to the end of learning the technical stuff, so now need to keep practicing it and improving on my vocabulary.

So let me fill you in a bit more on my week. It's been a normal week at work, preparing English classes, teaching English and chilling out. Wednesday I did some more grammar teaching and will be reviewing the past tense with this class in the next class so that we can move onto the next conditional tense. Wednesday afternoon I went to a Menonite church, as they have a time in the afternoon of prayer, reading the Bible and a presentation about something. They focus on peace and this week the talk was on violence and reconciliation from the viewpoint of women. The whole thing had such a peaceful feel to it and I really enjoyed the time we spent in prayer and reading the Bible. Afterwards we shared lunch together. There are some missionaries here from USA and Canada who work with the church and I knew one of them. It's amazing how when you arrive somewhere (I was with people already) and you recognise a face, you instantly feel more settled. This is something I'm starting to notice. Anyway, I'm hoping to make this a weekly thing, which means two Bible studies on a Wednesday, but also a great chance to practice my Spanish and meet new people.

I didn't go the evening Bible study with UCU that night, as our lovely Step team had returned to Bogota and we were having a little goodbye with them at Crepes and Waffles. It was great to see them again and hear about their time in Santa Marta, and also see how they've grown with God in the past two months. We stuffed our faces with…yes…crepes and waffles, laughed, almost cried and remembered the previous times in Bogota when they first arrived. They are four people who have the love of God in their hearts and a desire to work for Him wherever that may be. They all have University to face as of September, and I'm sure they will all have their challenges, but at least they've had this great experience to reflect on especially with regards to their relationships with God. Hopefully He will call them into the Mission field to continue to serve Him in worlds unknown.

Friday in my English class we did Tongue Twisters and I had 9 people there! It was hilarious and everyone seemed to have a fun time figuring out how to untwist their tongues. We did lots of twisters, such as She sells sea shells on the sea shore, Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, Betty Botter bought a bit of butter…the list continues. I also have them in Spanish so need to practice them to get me rolling my rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs which I still cannot do L!

After the class I stayed around at UCU and hung out with my workies. We listened to music, sung, ate pizza and had a good, relaxed, fun time. This is what Fridays nights are about…FUN!

Saturday was busy, but relaxed…with me this is possible. I did some exercise after helping my two brothers with some exercises, read my book, bought ingredients to make a chocolate cake, made said cake, watched the football, painted my nails, helped the youngest brother with some English and then went to the film night. LOVED IT! So let me tell you a bit about the film. It is based in Bolivia with the indigenous people, and is a film within a film. There is a director who is shooting a film set in the past and the struggles for the people with Gold being taken by the authorities. It highlights the mal treatment of the people back then. What was also shown were the current struggles for the people and their fight to retain water, which the government were trying to restrict. It's a hard hitting film, which makes you think and realise how lucky we are to have things as we do. It also made a point that the white people were seen to be able to help, but actually can't always do a lot. I don't want to say too much, as I would recommend people to watch it.

And so that's pretty much it! Things will be changing soon as the parents and youngest son move in 11 days, so there will be a different atmosphere in the house. I feel fine about it, as I am used to living without a family and saying goodbye to people. Maybe this will be different once they have gone…who knows! Anyway, in 6 months time I'll be touching back down in English soil…who knows for how long…God does!

As always love and hugs,

xxxx