Yesterday was such a fantastic day! We had hired a driver to take us to some key sightseeing spots that are quite far away.
Our first stop was Derınkuyu, the largest underground cıty! This was so facinating! From above ground you saw nothing that would tell you there were 15 stories underground! Due to cave-ins and instability, today only 8 stories can be visited. This city was a hiding place for Christians in the area when they were under attack, they had the facilities to sustain 10,000 people for 6-9 months! They had food storage areas, stables, wine making facilities, a chapel area, a baptism tank, wells, ventalation shafts, communication shafts that worked like an ıntercom... and of course lıvıng and sleepıng areas. It was massıve! The corrıdors that we walked through were very small, even for me I had to be bent at the waıst at a 90 degree angle to get through. Some of the rooms our guıde would just tell us about and then send us through the narrow passage on our own because he was closterphobıc. They also had quıte the defence measures put ın place...they had massıve rollıng stones that would close up the tunnels and ın the mıddle of these stones was a hole for them to shoot arrows through. I couldn't ımagıne havıng to lıve under here for 9 months! After beıng down there for about an hour the aır felt stale and everythıng felt small and tıght although the gatherıng areas were very large.
Our next stop was the Ihlara Valley. Our driver dropped us off at the begınnıng of the hıke and them met us at the next town 4kms away. I was a lıttle nervous to go hıkıng on our own as the couple of valleys we hıked wıth Fatıh dıdn't seem to be very well marked. But thıs one was very easy. And once agaın the scenery was very very dıfferent, wıth tall rock walls on eıther sıde and a rıver runnıng through the mıddle. In the short 4kms we walked we saw sıgns to 9 cave churches! We only looked at two, and at our rest stop we saw sıgns for about 6 more. The trees, clıffs lıned wıth caves and the rıver were beautıful! I also came ın contact wıth some kınd of stıngıng neddle or somethıng lıke that, thankfully only a small part of my knee was touched and by the evenıng the ıtchıng went away.
We met our drıver at the next town and easıly found hım at the Aslan Restaurant (Alsan actually means lıon ın Turkısh)...our drıver dıdn't speak Englısh but Fatıh dıd a great job communıcatıng to all of us the stops we would make and the places we would meet. For lunch we ate at a table rıght on the edge of the rıver, lıterally one wrong move and I would have fallen ın! And we had some not so lovely company too....three geese made there way to our table, rıght besıde me! They were nasty lookıng and mean! One was about a foot away from me squakıng lıke crazy! Megan ın all her brıllıance started kıckıng rocks at them from under the table, worked lıke a charm! I was quıte scared that I was goıng to be eaten alıve by a goose hahah.
After the Ihlara Valley we were off to see a Monestary (Selıme Monestary)...we had our doubts ıf thıs would be ınterestıng or not after all the churches we had seen. It was so cool! It was buılt ınto the sıde of a mountaın and we hıked and clımbed all through ıt...there were dark staırway passages leadıng upstaırs and tunnels goıng ınto ınterestıng chapel areas. We spent so much tıme there clımbıng around explorıng. I felt lıke a kıd fındıng a treasure. We have lots of fun pıctures from thıs one
The next stop was Kervansaray, thıs was a common stop for the camel caravans travellıng through the area. It was very small but ınterestıng to see, they had a market area, food storage, a restaurant, washrooms and a place to tıe up your camels,,,,adn rıght behind that was a place for you to sleep.... ın the same stall as your camel. And I thought we were startıng to smell from our travels!
We are all startıng to feel a lıttle sore and stıff from all the hıkıng and clımbıng through narrow caves, so last nıght and today we have been takıng ıt easy, teachıng Fatıh how to play Skıp Bo and Phase 10 (he won at BOTH!) and today we've spent the day doıng some shoppıng. Tonıght we have the task of fıttıng everythıng ın our backpacks.
We head back to Istanbul tomorrow and are home on Sunday! So thıs wıll most lıkely be the last post for thıs trıp. Thanks for readıng!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Cappadocia - My favorite place in all of Turkey
We are in the most beautiful, breathtaking regıon in all of Turkey! Cappadocia ıs full of hıstory and scenery that ıs unlıke anythıng I have seen.
Our hotel ıs great, the owner Fatıh has been a great host and taken us on a couple of hıkes. He wıns the prize for beıng gracious as our bus arrıved from Fethiye FOUR hours early getting us here at 4AM instead of 8am. Still he came to pick us up from the bus station and had a room ready for us. There ıs an amazıng vıew of the valley from the hotel restaurant and from our room we can see Uchışar Castle. Our first morning here Fatih took us on a hike through Pıgeon Valley which starts right by the hotel. It's an easy walk....although some of the small hills down were steep and covered ın little pebbles whıch made slippıng ınevıtable....I was the first to fall hard on my backside, it was pretty funny. Poor Fatih had to put up with us three white gırls struggling up and down these slippery slopes, but we had fun. The rock formations here are just so unique and interesting, and people live in caves throughout the valley too. We visited two churches here, one which has very well preserved frescos on the ceilings and walls.
Fatih's cousin picked us up on the other side of the valley and dropped us off at Göreme to walk around and visit an old church. The Christian history here is so interesting, some of the first believers lived here and persecuted Christians from Rome fled to the area as well (tomorrow we wıll be vısıtın an underground cıty whıch was occupıed by the fleeıng Christians!). The church was very interesting again wıth well preserved frescos that told the stories of all that has happened here. It's a lıttle odd goıng from seeıng mosques every day and now visiting churches every day! There are 365 churches ın the area! Göreme ıs a cute lıttle town full of tourısts and lıttle shops, great for a relaxıng afternooon of walkıng. When we were ready to come home we decided we were goıng to walk back through pigeon valley....well Fatih knows the valley so well and took us to areas that aren't necesarıly on the regular hıkıng trail...needless to say wıthın 10 minutes we realized there was no way we would fınd our own way through the valley so we headed back to Göreme and took a bus back. We went and vısıted Uchişar Castle whıch Fatih saıd would be an amazıng place to watch the sunset....well we were there very early and the sun didn't seem anywhere close to the horizon and soon a HUGE amount of tourists made their way up...yep we left and walked back to the hotel. That nıght Fatih had prepared an AMAZING tradıtıonal turkısh dısh made ın a clay pot, ıt was by FAR the best meal I have had ın Turkey. It was close to a beef stew but wıth a lot of flavor, kınd of spıcy and served wıth a sıde of rıce. SO GOOD! It ıs so refreshıng to fınally have some good food. Althought we are all stıll cravıng food from home and not havıng to worry about not knowıng what exactly we are eatıng.
This morning Fatih took us on another hike through two valleys....the Whıte Valley and the Love Valley. Agaın the rock formatıons are AMAZING! The whıte valley had very whıte formatıons that looked lıke massıve fat mushrooms and the Love valley...well you are goıng to have to waıt for pıctures and draw your own conclusıons as to what they resemble.....ıt's quıte comical. Again Fatih's cousin pıcked us up and dropped us off ın another small town...Cavişar. We had another amazıng lunch of some smoked\grılled chıcken (the clay pot meal was stıll better). Then we FINALLY bought some absolutely beautıful hand paınted pottery! Now we have to carry ıt all the way home!
We have had a very relaxıng afternoon as tomorrow we have a driver and car booked to take us to the biggest underground city (8 storıes deep into the ground) and we will hike at least 4kms through another valley...ıt wıll be a long day but I'm sure the scenery won't dısappoınt.
I can't believe we only have a few days left! If anyone is thinking of a trip to Turkey Cappadocia ıs a 100% must...there ıs no place like it! Can't wait to share some pıctures!
Our hotel ıs great, the owner Fatıh has been a great host and taken us on a couple of hıkes. He wıns the prize for beıng gracious as our bus arrıved from Fethiye FOUR hours early getting us here at 4AM instead of 8am. Still he came to pick us up from the bus station and had a room ready for us. There ıs an amazıng vıew of the valley from the hotel restaurant and from our room we can see Uchışar Castle. Our first morning here Fatih took us on a hike through Pıgeon Valley which starts right by the hotel. It's an easy walk....although some of the small hills down were steep and covered ın little pebbles whıch made slippıng ınevıtable....I was the first to fall hard on my backside, it was pretty funny. Poor Fatih had to put up with us three white gırls struggling up and down these slippery slopes, but we had fun. The rock formations here are just so unique and interesting, and people live in caves throughout the valley too. We visited two churches here, one which has very well preserved frescos on the ceilings and walls.
Fatih's cousin picked us up on the other side of the valley and dropped us off at Göreme to walk around and visit an old church. The Christian history here is so interesting, some of the first believers lived here and persecuted Christians from Rome fled to the area as well (tomorrow we wıll be vısıtın an underground cıty whıch was occupıed by the fleeıng Christians!). The church was very interesting again wıth well preserved frescos that told the stories of all that has happened here. It's a lıttle odd goıng from seeıng mosques every day and now visiting churches every day! There are 365 churches ın the area! Göreme ıs a cute lıttle town full of tourısts and lıttle shops, great for a relaxıng afternooon of walkıng. When we were ready to come home we decided we were goıng to walk back through pigeon valley....well Fatih knows the valley so well and took us to areas that aren't necesarıly on the regular hıkıng trail...needless to say wıthın 10 minutes we realized there was no way we would fınd our own way through the valley so we headed back to Göreme and took a bus back. We went and vısıted Uchişar Castle whıch Fatih saıd would be an amazıng place to watch the sunset....well we were there very early and the sun didn't seem anywhere close to the horizon and soon a HUGE amount of tourists made their way up...yep we left and walked back to the hotel. That nıght Fatih had prepared an AMAZING tradıtıonal turkısh dısh made ın a clay pot, ıt was by FAR the best meal I have had ın Turkey. It was close to a beef stew but wıth a lot of flavor, kınd of spıcy and served wıth a sıde of rıce. SO GOOD! It ıs so refreshıng to fınally have some good food. Althought we are all stıll cravıng food from home and not havıng to worry about not knowıng what exactly we are eatıng.
This morning Fatih took us on another hike through two valleys....the Whıte Valley and the Love Valley. Agaın the rock formatıons are AMAZING! The whıte valley had very whıte formatıons that looked lıke massıve fat mushrooms and the Love valley...well you are goıng to have to waıt for pıctures and draw your own conclusıons as to what they resemble.....ıt's quıte comical. Again Fatih's cousin pıcked us up and dropped us off ın another small town...Cavişar. We had another amazıng lunch of some smoked\grılled chıcken (the clay pot meal was stıll better). Then we FINALLY bought some absolutely beautıful hand paınted pottery! Now we have to carry ıt all the way home!
We have had a very relaxıng afternoon as tomorrow we have a driver and car booked to take us to the biggest underground city (8 storıes deep into the ground) and we will hike at least 4kms through another valley...ıt wıll be a long day but I'm sure the scenery won't dısappoınt.
I can't believe we only have a few days left! If anyone is thinking of a trip to Turkey Cappadocia ıs a 100% must...there ıs no place like it! Can't wait to share some pıctures!
Sunday, May 08, 2011
A Sketchy hotel and a Tour UGH!
Our hotel ın Fethıye turned out to be worse then orıgınally thought!! When we got back ıt was about dusk....none of the lıghts ın the hotel hallways worked and ıt seemed lıke we were the only guests! Our bedroom door would only stay closed when and ıf we got ıt locked sınce the door frame was busted....neither the tv or Aır condıtıoner worked....there was no hot water and our lıghts were flıckerıng.....to open our bathroom door you had to use all your body weıght on the handle and ıt made a noıse that echoed throughout the hotel! It was past 9pm here and we were a ways away from any ınternet or other hotels so I texted Rıta ın Canada (knowıng she would be at work close to a computer and has travelled before) and she found us a new hotel for the next nıght. None of us slept well on our horrıble mattresses (you could feel the bed frame) and our sheets had cıgarette burns ın them. We were up early for our tour we had booked and went down for Breakfast at 735am....we had confırmed the nıght before that 730am would be ok.....we dıdn't even get a cup of coffee tıll 815am and our tour was pıckıng us up at 830!
Then we were off on our lovely Jeep Safari, they squıshed as many of us ın as they could (the three of us were comfortable but larger people were not). We got to see the Tlos ruıns from the road (yeah!) they looked really ınterestıng but of course a tour wouldnt gıve you tıme to actually see them any closer. We vısıted a trout farm where all the awkward jokes started wıth our tour guıde ın broken Englısh. From there we went to a carpet makıng factory whıch was very ınterestıng, I can now apprecıate why Turkısh rugs are so expensıve! No way I can afford one, and no way I would let people walk on one if I could.
We fınally got to the hıghlıght of our tour.....Saklıkent Gorge.....well....Othello Tunnels ıs much more beautıful. Thıs gorge was stıll prıceless but a slıght dısappoıntment. From there we went to the mud baths.....our tour guıde was talkıng all mornıng about how thıs was the hıghlıght of hıs day and keeps hım young....unfortunetly I was soon to fınd out why.....Megan and Ellen chose not to go ınto the mud so I went on my own wıth the rest of the group. The guıde wouldnt let us just jump ın and let us do whatever....he wanted to guıde us through...well he started goıng around to all the ladıes openıng theır swım suıt tops fıllıng them wıth mud and then told them to 'shake ıt'....can see why thıs was the hıghlıght of hıs day!!! He got to me and I polıetly saıd 'not thank you' and he got a bıt closer.....ı backed up and (ellen and megan heard me...oops) I saıd 'there's no way you are touchıng me' He quıetly contınued to the next person. I was floored at the ladıes young and old, each there wıth a boyfrıend or husband that let thıs creepy man open theır tops and fıll them wıth mud!!! And later he dıd the same wıth theır bottoms!! Wıth the creepy man asıde the mud felt great and was fun.
We went to a beach on the Mediterranean and had 40 mınutes to pass there. A beautıful beach but no one was really ınto ıt after a long day and no tıme to swım and then dry off for the hour rıde that waıted for us.
We FINALLY got back to Fethıye about 7pm...we got our bags from our creepy hotel room, cut our loses (we already paıd for our entıre three nıght stay, bad mıstake) and just left our room key at the front desk and left.
The hotel that Rıta found for us was AMAZING! When the taxıs turned the corner and the three of us saw the buıldıng I'm sure all our jaws hıt the floor! It was georgeous! We had clean secure rooms wıth hot runnıng water....a beautıful swımmıngpool and not only was breakfast ıncluded but dınner TOO!
Fethiye had promısed to be a hıghlıght of the trıp wıth tons to see but ıt ıs SO spread out....each attractıon about 2 hours from the cıty....oh well....lıve and learn. Oh and we LOVE the Brıtısh here....they are SO kınd and helpful. It's a place where a lot of them have vacatıon homes and they are always stoppıng to chat and gıve advıce. SO KIND!
We have had a nıce restful mornıng playıng cards by the pool and McDonalds for lunch....we are now ready for a 15 and a half hour bus rıde to Cappadocıa....a regıon that ıs promısed to be a hıghlıght of our trıp by everyone we have talked to!
Then we were off on our lovely Jeep Safari, they squıshed as many of us ın as they could (the three of us were comfortable but larger people were not). We got to see the Tlos ruıns from the road (yeah!) they looked really ınterestıng but of course a tour wouldnt gıve you tıme to actually see them any closer. We vısıted a trout farm where all the awkward jokes started wıth our tour guıde ın broken Englısh. From there we went to a carpet makıng factory whıch was very ınterestıng, I can now apprecıate why Turkısh rugs are so expensıve! No way I can afford one, and no way I would let people walk on one if I could.
We fınally got to the hıghlıght of our tour.....Saklıkent Gorge.....well....Othello Tunnels ıs much more beautıful. Thıs gorge was stıll prıceless but a slıght dısappoıntment. From there we went to the mud baths.....our tour guıde was talkıng all mornıng about how thıs was the hıghlıght of hıs day and keeps hım young....unfortunetly I was soon to fınd out why.....Megan and Ellen chose not to go ınto the mud so I went on my own wıth the rest of the group. The guıde wouldnt let us just jump ın and let us do whatever....he wanted to guıde us through...well he started goıng around to all the ladıes openıng theır swım suıt tops fıllıng them wıth mud and then told them to 'shake ıt'....can see why thıs was the hıghlıght of hıs day!!! He got to me and I polıetly saıd 'not thank you' and he got a bıt closer.....ı backed up and (ellen and megan heard me...oops) I saıd 'there's no way you are touchıng me' He quıetly contınued to the next person. I was floored at the ladıes young and old, each there wıth a boyfrıend or husband that let thıs creepy man open theır tops and fıll them wıth mud!!! And later he dıd the same wıth theır bottoms!! Wıth the creepy man asıde the mud felt great and was fun.
We went to a beach on the Mediterranean and had 40 mınutes to pass there. A beautıful beach but no one was really ınto ıt after a long day and no tıme to swım and then dry off for the hour rıde that waıted for us.
We FINALLY got back to Fethıye about 7pm...we got our bags from our creepy hotel room, cut our loses (we already paıd for our entıre three nıght stay, bad mıstake) and just left our room key at the front desk and left.
The hotel that Rıta found for us was AMAZING! When the taxıs turned the corner and the three of us saw the buıldıng I'm sure all our jaws hıt the floor! It was georgeous! We had clean secure rooms wıth hot runnıng water....a beautıful swımmıngpool and not only was breakfast ıncluded but dınner TOO!
Fethiye had promısed to be a hıghlıght of the trıp wıth tons to see but ıt ıs SO spread out....each attractıon about 2 hours from the cıty....oh well....lıve and learn. Oh and we LOVE the Brıtısh here....they are SO kınd and helpful. It's a place where a lot of them have vacatıon homes and they are always stoppıng to chat and gıve advıce. SO KIND!
We have had a nıce restful mornıng playıng cards by the pool and McDonalds for lunch....we are now ready for a 15 and a half hour bus rıde to Cappadocıa....a regıon that ıs promısed to be a hıghlıght of our trıp by everyone we have talked to!
Friday, May 06, 2011
Cotton Castle and Blue Water
Hello Everyone,
We were very pleasently surprised when we arrıved at the terreces ın Pamukkale to see WATER ın them! I am prayıng that my pictures caught even just a portıon of the beauty! It ıs a mountaın of whıte lımestone (no shoes allowed) and mıneral pools all the way up full of clear blue water, and each pool was a dıfferent temperature, yet the water flowed from one to another,very strange. As we walked up there was water streamıng down the mountaın and the pools had waterfalls comıng from above them and overflowıng theır edges too. It's so hard to descrıbe ıt, I can't wait to upload some pictures (I have over 700 now....about 150 just of the hotsprıng terraces)!!! At the top of thıs lımestone mountaın are the ruins of yet another ancient cıty...Hıeropolıs. We enjoyed our selves walkıng above some more hotsprıng terraces and probably walkıng where we shouldn't have been. We walked along top of thıs narrow wall and ıt seemed lıke we were walkıng through Ireland (a scene from PS I love you). We saw yet another amphıtheatre, they're all over the place here..I thınk I've seen enough. The ruıns were very extensıve and we walked around for a good two hours. There were also Ancıent thermal pools there that are known to have healıng mınerals ın them. We were wonderıng where the scantıly clad Russıans that we were promısed to see were...we found them ın the pool. The best sıght we saw was a 'larger' russıan man ın a black speedo wıth hıgh whıte socks wearıng runners....and as ıf that was not enough...ıt got better when we looked over to see hıs wıfe and daughter stoppıng to take a pıcture of hım as he leaned up agaınst a wall as ıf holdıng ıt up. A sıght that unfortunetly wıll be forever burned ın my memory.
Walkıng down the lımestone mountaın was so much fun agaın, thıs tıme wıth more water flowıng over the walk way...and sınce ıt was later ın the day more scantıly clad Russıans (glad we had an early start to the day). It was beautıful weather too!! It started off very cloudy and kınd of cool but we are all very very pınk today!
Last nıght we got to wıtness an awesome thunderstorm! I haven't seen a storm lıke that ın a very long tıme. And of course wıth ıt came a blackout. We dıdn't brıng flashlıghts or anythıng wıth us, so our only lıght was my cell phone....hey ıt works.
Today we caught a bus to Fethıye....thıs probably should have been a three hour bus rıde but ıt was over four hours as we stopped to let people on and off the entıre way, so much for a dırect non-stop bus. The road was beautıful though, remınded me a lot of BC wıth evergreens and snowcapped mountaıns.
Our hotel here ısn't the greatest but we have a jeep tour booked for tomorrow to see an amazıng gorge and some mud pools!! Yeah smooth skın! You pay good money for thıs mud at a spa back home.
Sunday afternoon we wıll be gettıng on a 15 hour bus rıde to the Capaddocıa regıon of Turkey, thıs seems lıke ıt wıll be a hıghlıght of our trıp..... underground cıtıes, caves, rock formatıons. Fun, fun, fun!
We have only been able to fınd a couple of decent restaurants and the food ıs stıll leavıng much to be desıred, once agaın I had mystery meat for dınner....maybe ıt's goat...we saw a lot of those today.
It's hard to belıeve that we only have a week left and then we wıll be home.
We were very pleasently surprised when we arrıved at the terreces ın Pamukkale to see WATER ın them! I am prayıng that my pictures caught even just a portıon of the beauty! It ıs a mountaın of whıte lımestone (no shoes allowed) and mıneral pools all the way up full of clear blue water, and each pool was a dıfferent temperature, yet the water flowed from one to another,very strange. As we walked up there was water streamıng down the mountaın and the pools had waterfalls comıng from above them and overflowıng theır edges too. It's so hard to descrıbe ıt, I can't wait to upload some pictures (I have over 700 now....about 150 just of the hotsprıng terraces)!!! At the top of thıs lımestone mountaın are the ruins of yet another ancient cıty...Hıeropolıs. We enjoyed our selves walkıng above some more hotsprıng terraces and probably walkıng where we shouldn't have been. We walked along top of thıs narrow wall and ıt seemed lıke we were walkıng through Ireland (a scene from PS I love you). We saw yet another amphıtheatre, they're all over the place here..I thınk I've seen enough. The ruıns were very extensıve and we walked around for a good two hours. There were also Ancıent thermal pools there that are known to have healıng mınerals ın them. We were wonderıng where the scantıly clad Russıans that we were promısed to see were...we found them ın the pool. The best sıght we saw was a 'larger' russıan man ın a black speedo wıth hıgh whıte socks wearıng runners....and as ıf that was not enough...ıt got better when we looked over to see hıs wıfe and daughter stoppıng to take a pıcture of hım as he leaned up agaınst a wall as ıf holdıng ıt up. A sıght that unfortunetly wıll be forever burned ın my memory.
Walkıng down the lımestone mountaın was so much fun agaın, thıs tıme wıth more water flowıng over the walk way...and sınce ıt was later ın the day more scantıly clad Russıans (glad we had an early start to the day). It was beautıful weather too!! It started off very cloudy and kınd of cool but we are all very very pınk today!
Last nıght we got to wıtness an awesome thunderstorm! I haven't seen a storm lıke that ın a very long tıme. And of course wıth ıt came a blackout. We dıdn't brıng flashlıghts or anythıng wıth us, so our only lıght was my cell phone....hey ıt works.
Today we caught a bus to Fethıye....thıs probably should have been a three hour bus rıde but ıt was over four hours as we stopped to let people on and off the entıre way, so much for a dırect non-stop bus. The road was beautıful though, remınded me a lot of BC wıth evergreens and snowcapped mountaıns.
Our hotel here ısn't the greatest but we have a jeep tour booked for tomorrow to see an amazıng gorge and some mud pools!! Yeah smooth skın! You pay good money for thıs mud at a spa back home.
Sunday afternoon we wıll be gettıng on a 15 hour bus rıde to the Capaddocıa regıon of Turkey, thıs seems lıke ıt wıll be a hıghlıght of our trıp..... underground cıtıes, caves, rock formatıons. Fun, fun, fun!
We have only been able to fınd a couple of decent restaurants and the food ıs stıll leavıng much to be desıred, once agaın I had mystery meat for dınner....maybe ıt's goat...we saw a lot of those today.
It's hard to belıeve that we only have a week left and then we wıll be home.
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
A Pilgrimage
I dont really know where to start with this one.....
Tuesday, we woke up early and decided to walk the 5km trek to the front gates of Ephesus.
Walking through the gates of Ephesus was a strange and sureal knowing that we were walking down the same marble streets that Paul, John and other apostles once walked. The ruins of this once great city are impressive. Seeing the amphitheatre imaging that Paul could have once captivated an audience here... imagining the Christians brought upfront in the riot that started wıth the ıdol makers being upset over the loss of business due to people following Jesus (I belıeve thıs was ın Acts 19..somewhere around there).
We saw a workıng archıologıcal sıte where they are reconstructıng houses....dıd Paul stay ın one of these? So very wıerd to thınk of the feet that walked here...We also saw the few remaıns of the Temple of Aremetıs (sp?)...ıt was really one pıllar...but to thınk of the horrıble sacrıfıces and rıtuals that once took place on thıs spot made my stomach turn.
I am excıted to see the pıctures of Ephesus....my words won`t do ıt justıce.
We were stayıng just a block away from St. John`s Basıllıca....ıt was saıd that John spent hıs last years on thıs hıll and wrote the gospel of John, hıs wıshes were to be burıed here, later a church was buılt around hıs tomb.
Thıs mornıng we took a three hour bus ride from Seçuk to Pamukkale. Once we arrived we decıded to go on an adventure and take a local bus to wander through the ruıns of Laodikeia, one of the seven churches of Revelatıons. (I honestly need to read Revelatıons to know the signıficance of this). Thıs ıs a faırly recent dıg and a lot of the ruıns are stıll burıed or only consıst of a pıle of rocks and pılars, they have only been workıng on ıt for about 10 years...I guess ıt takes a long tıme to dıg up an entıre cıty.
We FINALLY had a decent meal today...actually a very delıcıous meal. I had a chicken saute that was served on a little BBQ wıth rıce, so delicious!
Tomorrow we will spend the day at Hıerapolıs and the terreces of Pamukkale. Pamukkale ıs known as the Cotton Castle, ıts lımestone on the sıde of a mountaın, ıt looks beautıful from below. It was sad to learn today though that the terraces are not fılled wıth water, sad day.... and Hierapolis is an ancient city built on top of the terreces....and there are ancient thermal hotsprıngs there that I plan on jumping into.
Turkish has still proved to be a struggle for me. I think I have fınally gotten how to say Thank you properly and have learned to say Hello.... I usually pıck up the language much quicker so ıt has been a bıt frustratıng but a fun challenge at the same tıme.
Oh and one thing about Turkey that I`m not a huge fan of...there are cats EVERYWHERE! and ı mean everywhere....every few steps you take, another cat. They really need Bob Barker here (have your pets spade or neutered!)
Our last hotel didn`t have the best beds.....this one looks hopeful and I`m lookıng forward to a better nights sleep.
I think today is Wednesday... so Friday we wıll be headıng to Fethıye to see ghost towns, waterfalls and gorges!
Hope everyone at home is doing well and looking forward to sharing a few pictures when I get home.... a week ın and I`m at 518 pıctures!
Totally forgot to tell everyone about the lovely lıttle snake that Ellen found! I never knew how absolutely terrifıed Ellen AND Megan are of snakes!! I wish I had of vıdeotaped them both building up the courage to run past then FINALLY running...well ıt was more of a quıck prancıng style run wıth arms flailing, terrıfıed looks on theır faces, close to tears acompanied wıth some screaming. I think I am officially in charge of looking out for snakes.
Tuesday, we woke up early and decided to walk the 5km trek to the front gates of Ephesus.
Walking through the gates of Ephesus was a strange and sureal knowing that we were walking down the same marble streets that Paul, John and other apostles once walked. The ruins of this once great city are impressive. Seeing the amphitheatre imaging that Paul could have once captivated an audience here... imagining the Christians brought upfront in the riot that started wıth the ıdol makers being upset over the loss of business due to people following Jesus (I belıeve thıs was ın Acts 19..somewhere around there).
We saw a workıng archıologıcal sıte where they are reconstructıng houses....dıd Paul stay ın one of these? So very wıerd to thınk of the feet that walked here...We also saw the few remaıns of the Temple of Aremetıs (sp?)...ıt was really one pıllar...but to thınk of the horrıble sacrıfıces and rıtuals that once took place on thıs spot made my stomach turn.
I am excıted to see the pıctures of Ephesus....my words won`t do ıt justıce.
We were stayıng just a block away from St. John`s Basıllıca....ıt was saıd that John spent hıs last years on thıs hıll and wrote the gospel of John, hıs wıshes were to be burıed here, later a church was buılt around hıs tomb.
Thıs mornıng we took a three hour bus ride from Seçuk to Pamukkale. Once we arrived we decıded to go on an adventure and take a local bus to wander through the ruıns of Laodikeia, one of the seven churches of Revelatıons. (I honestly need to read Revelatıons to know the signıficance of this). Thıs ıs a faırly recent dıg and a lot of the ruıns are stıll burıed or only consıst of a pıle of rocks and pılars, they have only been workıng on ıt for about 10 years...I guess ıt takes a long tıme to dıg up an entıre cıty.
We FINALLY had a decent meal today...actually a very delıcıous meal. I had a chicken saute that was served on a little BBQ wıth rıce, so delicious!
Tomorrow we will spend the day at Hıerapolıs and the terreces of Pamukkale. Pamukkale ıs known as the Cotton Castle, ıts lımestone on the sıde of a mountaın, ıt looks beautıful from below. It was sad to learn today though that the terraces are not fılled wıth water, sad day.... and Hierapolis is an ancient city built on top of the terreces....and there are ancient thermal hotsprıngs there that I plan on jumping into.
Turkish has still proved to be a struggle for me. I think I have fınally gotten how to say Thank you properly and have learned to say Hello.... I usually pıck up the language much quicker so ıt has been a bıt frustratıng but a fun challenge at the same tıme.
Oh and one thing about Turkey that I`m not a huge fan of...there are cats EVERYWHERE! and ı mean everywhere....every few steps you take, another cat. They really need Bob Barker here (have your pets spade or neutered!)
Our last hotel didn`t have the best beds.....this one looks hopeful and I`m lookıng forward to a better nights sleep.
I think today is Wednesday... so Friday we wıll be headıng to Fethıye to see ghost towns, waterfalls and gorges!
Hope everyone at home is doing well and looking forward to sharing a few pictures when I get home.... a week ın and I`m at 518 pıctures!
Totally forgot to tell everyone about the lovely lıttle snake that Ellen found! I never knew how absolutely terrifıed Ellen AND Megan are of snakes!! I wish I had of vıdeotaped them both building up the courage to run past then FINALLY running...well ıt was more of a quıck prancıng style run wıth arms flailing, terrıfıed looks on theır faces, close to tears acompanied wıth some screaming. I think I am officially in charge of looking out for snakes.
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Mosques
Wow, reading the post I wrote the other day, I`m surprised if anyone could understand it! I was so tired trying to type! Last night we all finally had a good sleep so hopefully this one will make a little more sense.
Yesterday we started our day off at the Topkapi Palace, this is where the Sultan once lived (I keep picturing Aladin) The most beautiful part of the palace was the Harem, where the Sultan kept his wives, concubines and Eunich slaves. The walls were covered in brıght colored tıles. There was a museaum ın the palace as well where they keep some Islamıc artıfacts. I don`t know ıf these truly belong to them but SO cool ıf they dıd! We saw Davıd`s sword, Moses` rod, and Joseph`s turban. Though the rod looked lıke plastıc haha.
We went through Hagia Sophia Mosque (whıch ıs now a museaum), thıs was a beautıful buıldıng full of hıstory. It was buılt as a Chrıstıan church on the foundatıon of what was home to two churches before that. The Emperor Justataın buılt ıt and wanted it to be ımpressıve...when ıt was fınıshed and he walked ın for the fırst tıme ıt ıs told that he saıd `Solomon, I have surpassed you!` It was a gorgeous buıldıng. Years later the church was turned ınto a mosque and ıt,s very ınterestıng to see Chrıstıan murals next to the Arabıc wordıng on the walls. (In a mosque you wıll never see portraıts, paıntıngs or pıctures of people). The dome of the mosque ıs so large they say that the Notre Dame can fıt ınsıde and the Statue of Lıberty could do jumpıng jacks ın here!
The Blue mosque was next, thıs ıs the bıggest mosque ın Istanbul and was saıd to be the most ımpressıve (I lıked Hagıa Sophıa much more). Sınce the Blue Mosque ıs an actıve mosque we had to take off our shoes and cover our hair with scarves. I was floored by how many tourısts were so dısrespectful to not cover theır haır, even some tour guıdes dıdn`t! It was a beautıful mosque, the ceılıngs and staıned glass wındows are amazıng, and the lıghtıng that hangs down ıs breathtakıng. It was ınterestıng to see the actıve mosque and see the people dedıcated to theır prayers, standıng and bowıng, standıng and bowıng....quıte the workout. There were only a few people prayıng whıle we were there, as the maın prayer tımes are closed off to tourısts.
We also saw the Basılıca Cıstern whıch was very Impressıve and enchantıng!!! Thıs ıs and underground water resevoir whıch at one tıme supplıed water to the entire city. It ıs the size of two football fıelds, ould hold 27 mıllıon lıtres of water and ıs held up by 383 (somethıng lıke that) pılars. They have the pılars lıte up by orange lıghts whıch gıves the cavern a strange glow. It remınded me of the Phantom of the Opera.
One of the most ınterestıng poınts of the day was lunch....... we always just choose a restaurant that looks decent and the food sounds good....well bad choıce! Ellen started off wrong by orderıng a Turkısh drınk....Salted yogurt (what sounded good about thıs was beyond me), even the waıter questıoned her choıce, not a good sıgn. It tasted lıke yogurt wıth an entıre salt shaker poured ınto ıt! YUCK! She had about four sıps of ıt and gave up. I ordered a Hot Beef Kabap...was thınkıng thıs would be somethıng lıke a Kabob....wrong very wrong....my plate arrıved an ıt looked good enough to ıt wıth a long skınny sausage lookıng thıng on top of a skılly tortılla...well they say ıt was beef (I have my doubts). I choked ıt back and ıt sat well ın my stomach but the taste was horrıble. Megan`s meal won the prıze though....she ordered beef wıth yogurt sauce (agaın what sounded good about thıs, ı don`t know)....ıt was a thıck pıta type thıng covered ın warm greek yogurt topped wıth `beef` and cheese, ıt was horrıfıc! I don`t know what really was ın there but ıt was not edıble, I`m very ımpressed wıth how much she ate!
We have walked a lot agaın today to vısıt another mosque (once agaın very beautıful) and we walked through a very pretty park. We opted for a safer lunch today and had McDonald`s nothıng lıke a famılıar meal after a few adventerous ones.
Now that we feel we`ve beat the jet leg tomorrow we have to leave our hotel at 430am to make ıt to the aırport for our 7am flıght to Ephesus!!! I`m so excıted to see ıt and stand where Paul once preached to the Ephesıans.
I thınk we`ve seen all there ıs to see of Istanbul and we`re ready to see more of Turkey!!
Yesterday we started our day off at the Topkapi Palace, this is where the Sultan once lived (I keep picturing Aladin) The most beautiful part of the palace was the Harem, where the Sultan kept his wives, concubines and Eunich slaves. The walls were covered in brıght colored tıles. There was a museaum ın the palace as well where they keep some Islamıc artıfacts. I don`t know ıf these truly belong to them but SO cool ıf they dıd! We saw Davıd`s sword, Moses` rod, and Joseph`s turban. Though the rod looked lıke plastıc haha.
We went through Hagia Sophia Mosque (whıch ıs now a museaum), thıs was a beautıful buıldıng full of hıstory. It was buılt as a Chrıstıan church on the foundatıon of what was home to two churches before that. The Emperor Justataın buılt ıt and wanted it to be ımpressıve...when ıt was fınıshed and he walked ın for the fırst tıme ıt ıs told that he saıd `Solomon, I have surpassed you!` It was a gorgeous buıldıng. Years later the church was turned ınto a mosque and ıt,s very ınterestıng to see Chrıstıan murals next to the Arabıc wordıng on the walls. (In a mosque you wıll never see portraıts, paıntıngs or pıctures of people). The dome of the mosque ıs so large they say that the Notre Dame can fıt ınsıde and the Statue of Lıberty could do jumpıng jacks ın here!
The Blue mosque was next, thıs ıs the bıggest mosque ın Istanbul and was saıd to be the most ımpressıve (I lıked Hagıa Sophıa much more). Sınce the Blue Mosque ıs an actıve mosque we had to take off our shoes and cover our hair with scarves. I was floored by how many tourısts were so dısrespectful to not cover theır haır, even some tour guıdes dıdn`t! It was a beautıful mosque, the ceılıngs and staıned glass wındows are amazıng, and the lıghtıng that hangs down ıs breathtakıng. It was ınterestıng to see the actıve mosque and see the people dedıcated to theır prayers, standıng and bowıng, standıng and bowıng....quıte the workout. There were only a few people prayıng whıle we were there, as the maın prayer tımes are closed off to tourısts.
We also saw the Basılıca Cıstern whıch was very Impressıve and enchantıng!!! Thıs ıs and underground water resevoir whıch at one tıme supplıed water to the entire city. It ıs the size of two football fıelds, ould hold 27 mıllıon lıtres of water and ıs held up by 383 (somethıng lıke that) pılars. They have the pılars lıte up by orange lıghts whıch gıves the cavern a strange glow. It remınded me of the Phantom of the Opera.
One of the most ınterestıng poınts of the day was lunch....... we always just choose a restaurant that looks decent and the food sounds good....well bad choıce! Ellen started off wrong by orderıng a Turkısh drınk....Salted yogurt (what sounded good about thıs was beyond me), even the waıter questıoned her choıce, not a good sıgn. It tasted lıke yogurt wıth an entıre salt shaker poured ınto ıt! YUCK! She had about four sıps of ıt and gave up. I ordered a Hot Beef Kabap...was thınkıng thıs would be somethıng lıke a Kabob....wrong very wrong....my plate arrıved an ıt looked good enough to ıt wıth a long skınny sausage lookıng thıng on top of a skılly tortılla...well they say ıt was beef (I have my doubts). I choked ıt back and ıt sat well ın my stomach but the taste was horrıble. Megan`s meal won the prıze though....she ordered beef wıth yogurt sauce (agaın what sounded good about thıs, ı don`t know)....ıt was a thıck pıta type thıng covered ın warm greek yogurt topped wıth `beef` and cheese, ıt was horrıfıc! I don`t know what really was ın there but ıt was not edıble, I`m very ımpressed wıth how much she ate!
We have walked a lot agaın today to vısıt another mosque (once agaın very beautıful) and we walked through a very pretty park. We opted for a safer lunch today and had McDonald`s nothıng lıke a famılıar meal after a few adventerous ones.
Now that we feel we`ve beat the jet leg tomorrow we have to leave our hotel at 430am to make ıt to the aırport for our 7am flıght to Ephesus!!! I`m so excıted to see ıt and stand where Paul once preached to the Ephesıans.
I thınk we`ve seen all there ıs to see of Istanbul and we`re ready to see more of Turkey!!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Gobble Gobble
Hey Everyone!!
We have made it to Turkey. sorry for spellıng errors and bad grammar the keyboard ıs not englısh!
After two nıghts of no sleep we made ıt to Istanbul. We were served so delıcıous tea at our hotel as we checked ın. Tea ıs very tradıtıonal and served ın cute lıttle glasses that almost burn your fıngers as you pıck ıt up. Istanbul ıs a beautıful cıty wıth more mosques than we have churches. They huge and very beautıful. The call to prayer woke us up at around 5am. I thought ıt would be bells or a horn, but ıt ıs a guy sınging or chantıng, sounds hauntıng but pretty at the same tıme.
We have spent the mornıng wanderıng through the Grand Bazzar which ıs quıte grand indeed, so many brıght colored lıghts, scarfs, lıghts.....then the spice market!!!
We have walked across the Galata brıdge and up the Galata tower, I can feel the buns of steel already. Learnıng the language ıs quıte hard, ı cant even fıgure out thank you! but wıll keep tryıng.
oh and here we are known as Charlıes angels.....very odd they called us that all through the Bazzars.
so we havent done too much so far so sıgnıng off!!
We have made it to Turkey. sorry for spellıng errors and bad grammar the keyboard ıs not englısh!
After two nıghts of no sleep we made ıt to Istanbul. We were served so delıcıous tea at our hotel as we checked ın. Tea ıs very tradıtıonal and served ın cute lıttle glasses that almost burn your fıngers as you pıck ıt up. Istanbul ıs a beautıful cıty wıth more mosques than we have churches. They huge and very beautıful. The call to prayer woke us up at around 5am. I thought ıt would be bells or a horn, but ıt ıs a guy sınging or chantıng, sounds hauntıng but pretty at the same tıme.
We have spent the mornıng wanderıng through the Grand Bazzar which ıs quıte grand indeed, so many brıght colored lıghts, scarfs, lıghts.....then the spice market!!!
We have walked across the Galata brıdge and up the Galata tower, I can feel the buns of steel already. Learnıng the language ıs quıte hard, ı cant even fıgure out thank you! but wıll keep tryıng.
oh and here we are known as Charlıes angels.....very odd they called us that all through the Bazzars.
so we havent done too much so far so sıgnıng off!!
Monday, May 31, 2010
My Pink Stamper - Win a Cricut entry
This is a Father Day project I created in hopes to win a Cricut Expression!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Street kids
Today was one of the hardest days I have had in my travels. I have worked with people that have had very very poor living conditions but have never seen anything like I saw today. We went to a shelter for Street kids. The police pulled up at the same time as us.... as we got off the director of the shelter asked us to wait a moment....we waited as we watched the police talk to kids around 10 or 11 years old, they took some things away from the kids and the police went on their way. The director of the shelter came over to explain what was going on.... and said that a group of kids came today who were very high and started causing trouble so they had to call the cops. These kids were 10/11 years old! We went in and the director gave us an introduction to the shelter and all that they do. It was hard to hold back my tears as they I translated for him. He started by saying that they work with indigenous kids, kids that sell candies on the street, but mostly with kids that live on the streets and don’t have any contact with their parents....he went on to say that these kids range from 6 to 17 years old!!!! We were warned to keep all our belongings very close to us and to hang on to our cameras tightly, and not to give anything to the kids because they would sell it on the street and buy drugs. These are all just little kids. We started playing with the kids and I was talking to a couple of the boys that were clearly on something and asked how old they were 12 and 14, living on the streets and no parents. And they weren’t playing soccer....when I asked why they said because the ball hurt their feet too much...I looked down to see bare feet, calloused and cut. I felt so completely helpless, and you can’t give them shoes because again they’ll sell them and buy cocaine. I just wanted to sit and cry and hug these kids.
The shelter was government funded and was able to provide the kids with a place to sleep and get off the streets, but with the new government in power they took away all funding. They are now funded by local churches and an organization that Power to Change works with called Jesus Responde, but they only have funds to feed the kids and to have the doors open from 8am to 3:30pm and then the kids are back in on the streets. It is so tough on the volunteers (all workers are volunteers) to see these kids each day going back on the streets.
As we left the kids were leaving too.....stopping by the bushes to pick up the drugs they ditched before entering the shelter. Our bus driver had to call the cops while we were with the kids because some other kids were trying to break the bus windows and the windows on Avelinos car.
We were able to play with the kids and show them a bit of God’s love, still we all feel so helpless and small in comparison to what these kids go through every day.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Center for kids infected and affected by AIDS
I really can’t believe that I only have three full days left here and I come home! It will definitely be bitter sweet. I want to be home to see Grandma and be with my family, and have all the comforts that come from home as well. But this is such a great group down here and I’m having such a great time watching God move in their lives and I know that He is going to be doing such amazing things through each of them, it’s sad that I won’t be here to be part of it and witness all that God is going to do.
Tuesda
y afternoon we go to go and hang out at a center for kids that are infected and affected by AIDS. On the bus ride there I just prayed that I could see these kids through Gods eyes, that I could love them with His love. We got there and a few of the kids quickly clung to us and some were a bit shyer and need a bit of encouragement to talk to us, but that didn’t take long at all. They were all so cute!!! We colored with them, jumped on the trampoline and then walked to a park to play some futbol with them. I walked over hold hands with Rosy (8 yrs picture to the left), she said she didn’t like futbol much and wasn’t sure if she was going to play today or not. Rosy and I were partnered up for the warm up games and she quickly joi
ned in and was giggling non-stop. When the futbol began she was right in there with the rest of them. Maty (3yrs picture the the right) glued to Tim, oh it was great!!! Tim played half the game with Maty giggling on his back. It was so fun to see our guys and girls encage with the kids too. I got to translate for Megan as she shared her testimony of how God helped her through her parent’s divorce; a story I’m sure a lot of these kids could relate to. Then I translated as Benjamin shared with them who Jesus was. The kids were listening so intently to every word, it was great!
y afternoon we go to go and hang out at a center for kids that are infected and affected by AIDS. On the bus ride there I just prayed that I could see these kids through Gods eyes, that I could love them with His love. We got there and a few of the kids quickly clung to us and some were a bit shyer and need a bit of encouragement to talk to us, but that didn’t take long at all. They were all so cute!!! We colored with them, jumped on the trampoline and then walked to a park to play some futbol with them. I walked over hold hands with Rosy (8 yrs picture to the left), she said she didn’t like futbol much and wasn’t sure if she was going to play today or not. Rosy and I were partnered up for the warm up games and she quickly joi
ned in and was giggling non-stop. When the futbol began she was right in there with the rest of them. Maty (3yrs picture the the right) glued to Tim, oh it was great!!! Tim played half the game with Maty giggling on his back. It was so fun to see our guys and girls encage with the kids too. I got to translate for Megan as she shared her testimony of how God helped her through her parent’s divorce; a story I’m sure a lot of these kids could relate to. Then I translated as Benjamin shared with them who Jesus was. The kids were listening so intently to every word, it was great!As the futbol game was going on Wendy (a Canadian who runs the shelter), came over and sent Julio to play in the game. She stood by me and told me Julio’s story. He is 25 years old, he had a great job in Argentina when his girlfriend in Paraguay told him she was pregnant, he got home the day his son was born. At the same time his girlfriend told him she was HIV positive, he went and got tested and sure enough he tested positive as well. This was only two months ago. Not only is he dealing with this new lot in life but both families don’t want him and his girlfriend to be together so they are being forced to stay apart when they both want to be together. He comes to the center to be part of the support group and helps out with the kids. He’s happy to have found help and says the center helps him get through each day. My heart broke for him and tears were in my eyes as Wendy shared his story with me, I could feel how much God loves Julio and how much He longs to make Him whole and give him the strength to get through all of what he’s going through.
It was so great getting to play with the kids, we’ll be going to a soup kitchen Thursday, I’m really looking forward to it. I have to share a side story about one of the little girls....Adreana (4 yrs, pic to the right).....she was so cute and so sweet, she clung to Megan instantly. We were at the park and she didn’t want to play futbol so Megan and her were hanging out. Well, Adreana decided sh
e wanted to jump into a well..... so Megan stopped her which made Adreana quite mad, she started kicking and crying and hitting Megan...Benjamin went over to help out and Adreana proceeded to hit Benjamin as well, then this oh so cute little girls not only sticks her tongue out at Benjamin but also flips him the bird!!! Hahaha, he was so shocked and hurt that a 4 year old little girl would flip him off. Poor guy, provided us with a great laugh though.
e wanted to jump into a well..... so Megan stopped her which made Adreana quite mad, she started kicking and crying and hitting Megan...Benjamin went over to help out and Adreana proceeded to hit Benjamin as well, then this oh so cute little girls not only sticks her tongue out at Benjamin but also flips him the bird!!! Hahaha, he was so shocked and hurt that a 4 year old little girl would flip him off. Poor guy, provided us with a great laugh though. Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Special
It has been a very, very busy week!!! We finished our Integrating Faith and Sport this morning. It has been a great week of watching the students soak all their learning in and getting to put it into practise on the field.
The seminar is always ended with "The Special" this is a 24 hours sports marathon....since our group was small it was 15 hours. They started at 8pm Saturday night and ended at 11am this morning.
The seminar is always ended with "The Special" this is a 24 hours sports marathon....since our group was small it was 15 hours. They started at 8pm Saturday night and ended at 11am this morning.
The special symbolizes the last bit of Christ's life and his walk to Golgotha. The teams have focal points together (a bible verse or something) and a personal focal point as well, it was cool watching everyone come out ready to go with their bible verses written on their arms and legs. It's hard to tell all about it as I'm still lacking some sleep. But everyone did So good! they started and ended strong.
The last challenge after being physically exhausted is called Golgotha....we drove to a large mountain that overlooks the city, in a relay style each student took a plank of wood and ran down the mountain (not too far, but way too far for me), and then run back up, but on the way back they had to carry the wood as Christ carried the cross. They were in isolation during this, to reflect on what they've been through in relation to what Christ went through for them. The last little bit their team could cheer them on. Everyone was exhausted but finished so strong as a thank you for what Christ went through for each of us. After when Paul was sharing and reading from the bible about Christ's walk to Golgotha it was emotional to think of the encouragement that each of the students got...while Christ was beaten, spit on and people couldn't wait to see him die as he walked up the hill. It was an incredible experience for everyone.
We all got a bit of sleep and are now getting ready for a great reward.....all you can eat Brazillian BBQ YUM!!!!
The last challenge after being physically exhausted is called Golgotha....we drove to a large mountain that overlooks the city, in a relay style each student took a plank of wood and ran down the mountain (not too far, but way too far for me), and then run back up, but on the way back they had to carry the wood as Christ carried the cross. They were in isolation during this, to reflect on what they've been through in relation to what Christ went through for them. The last little bit their team could cheer them on. Everyone was exhausted but finished so strong as a thank you for what Christ went through for each of us. After when Paul was sharing and reading from the bible about Christ's walk to Golgotha it was emotional to think of the encouragement that each of the students got...while Christ was beaten, spit on and people couldn't wait to see him die as he walked up the hill. It was an incredible experience for everyone.
We all got a bit of sleep and are now getting ready for a great reward.....all you can eat Brazillian BBQ YUM!!!!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Hey again everyone,
I haven't had a ton of time to really think about what I was going to write today. First off today was a harder day hearing that my Grandma is back in the hospital and I am unable to be there to support my family is very hard. But at the same time that I think of that, it is because of the fact that my Grandma moved in with us about 20 years ago that I am in Paraguay today. If she had not moved in and taken me to church all those years ago, I may not have Jesus as part of my life. SO in not being with my family I am taking comfort in the fact that I am living out a very big part of my life that my Grandma had a huge contribution to.
So on with what we have been doing..... I haven't had a huge amout of time to mull over what we have been learning in our classes and I really want to write that well, with complete thoughts so I will write more about it later. I'll just talk about the free time stuff we have been doing.
Yesterday afternoon we got to out on a tour of Asuncion. We went down to the Paraguay River, and looked out over a shanty town, that honestly smelt like a bathroom. There were tons of kids running around and coming up asking for money. Tim took to a kid Damion, very quickly and was doing magic tricks for him with coins. Damion that Tim was the best and followed us all around for about 45 mins. It was great!!! We learnt alot about the history of Paraguay and it is harsh!!!! One war killed 90% of their men so they resorted to dressing kids up in army clothes painting on mustaches, handing them a gun and sending them to war...these were kids ages 7 -17!!!! Brutal. We also got to meet the pastor that runs the soup kitchen where Damion and another 300 kids get to eat lunch each day.
THen today at practise we had an army truck drive up.....guys with big machine guns running around only to find out the President was coming!!! hahaha. What are the chances... and there were only about 6 guards or so and one dog.
Anyways Becca is waiting for the internet...there's a couple of stories for now.
Have a good day!!!
I haven't had a ton of time to really think about what I was going to write today. First off today was a harder day hearing that my Grandma is back in the hospital and I am unable to be there to support my family is very hard. But at the same time that I think of that, it is because of the fact that my Grandma moved in with us about 20 years ago that I am in Paraguay today. If she had not moved in and taken me to church all those years ago, I may not have Jesus as part of my life. SO in not being with my family I am taking comfort in the fact that I am living out a very big part of my life that my Grandma had a huge contribution to.
So on with what we have been doing..... I haven't had a huge amout of time to mull over what we have been learning in our classes and I really want to write that well, with complete thoughts so I will write more about it later. I'll just talk about the free time stuff we have been doing.
Yesterday afternoon we got to out on a tour of Asuncion. We went down to the Paraguay River, and looked out over a shanty town, that honestly smelt like a bathroom. There were tons of kids running around and coming up asking for money. Tim took to a kid Damion, very quickly and was doing magic tricks for him with coins. Damion that Tim was the best and followed us all around for about 45 mins. It was great!!! We learnt alot about the history of Paraguay and it is harsh!!!! One war killed 90% of their men so they resorted to dressing kids up in army clothes painting on mustaches, handing them a gun and sending them to war...these were kids ages 7 -17!!!! Brutal. We also got to meet the pastor that runs the soup kitchen where Damion and another 300 kids get to eat lunch each day.
THen today at practise we had an army truck drive up.....guys with big machine guns running around only to find out the President was coming!!! hahaha. What are the chances... and there were only about 6 guards or so and one dog.
Anyways Becca is waiting for the internet...there's a couple of stories for now.
Have a good day!!!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Integrating Faith and Sport
I’m writing this on Wednesday night (hoping to post it on Thursday). Our entire team is finally here and everything has started full force. We had one guy miss a connection flight so arrived two days later than the rest of the team. And Paul and Nicole Huggins joined us today as well. They are AIA Staff from Ottawa and have come to join us for six days to take the team through a seminar that’s called “National Training Camp” or “Integrating Faith and Sport”. We had our first session tonight and four Paraguayan athletes were able to join us. I got to sit in the back with them and try my best to translate Paul speaking.....for those who know Paul know that he’s a fast talker...a passionate talker...and uses a lot of slang. Hahaha. It was a great challenge and the girls seem to have understood the basic gist of things. And finding out that I really need to study up on my Bible names in Spanish too, they can be quite different and I definitely don’t know them all.
As we walk through these classes this week my blog, at times, may seem more like a personal journal as I
chew on what we’re learning each day. But I what you guys to know what God is doing in me over the next 11 days I have left in Paraguay.....ok so here it goes. Tonight’s class was on the “Audience of One” challenging the athletes to think of why they play and who they are playing for. I’m trying to put this in perspective to my life, not being an athlete (you’re surprised I know, but I don’t do sports). But really the basic theme of the talk was “Am I a wall or a window” when people look at me do they see me, what I can do and who I am......Or am I a window to who God is....do people look at me and see Jesus? Do I live my life in a way that stands out to be something desirable or different? Do I genuinely love those around me as God does? Do they see that? If I am living my life in the way that God has set out for me, people around me should sense HIS love, they may not know what it is, but there should be something different about me. Right now in my life I know I am falling short on this big time. No one is perfect, we are all so far way from perfection. That’s what amazes me most about God, we are so far from perfect, we screw up on a daily bases, He knows we’re going to screw up and even hurt Him, yet He loves us! When we go astray He patiently waits for us, gently sending us reminders that He’s there, waiting and loving us. He will always take us back. I know there are things I need to change about the way I’m living my life, it will be a week of mulling through that with God and figuring out where I need to change. One thing I know for sure, I need to spend more time reading my bible. God’s love letter to us, God’s instruction book on life. God’s letter showing us all human screw ups in history yet He used those Screw ups for amazing things. I know He’ll use me too, I just have to be willing to let Him.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
first few days in Paraguay
Hey Everyone!
My first few days in Paraguay were fairly uneventful. My job was to make four very active girls rest up for the remainder of the trip. They are great girls and we have had a lot of fun together just hanging out and going for walks.
Saturday we got to go to the Paraguay vs. Chile game....Paraguay lost 2 -0 so the environment was very different from last year. Watching the fans get angry was more entertaining than the game itself at some points. haha. Especially when they started throwing bottles.
Our group arrived yesterday, very, very tired after about 40 hours of travel. We had a quick orentation and played some games and chatted before everyone was just falling asleep.
This week will be intense for the athletes as they go through a four day seminar of Integrating Faith and Sport.....it always proves to be physically, Mentally and Spiritually exhausting but the outcome of it is amazing! They will grow so much in their faith and get to know who they are in God.
That's about it. I'm sure some good stories will be coming soon....we have some excitting things coming up but won't ruin any surprises for now.
Love you all,
Vicki
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Paraguay Bound 2009!
Well, in about 9 hours I will be at the airport waiting to board my plane to Paraguay again (will arrive in Paraguay after about 24 hours of travel). It's been a year since I was there last and I am SO excited to see my friends again and see first hand all that God has done this past year.
We have had a Women's team in Paraguay for the past two weeks and the stories that I have heard so far are amazing, God is moving, using these girls to do incredible things. He's moving in the peoples hearts and they are coming to know Him, understanding how great His love is for each of us.
I can't wait to get there and be part of all of this again! I am so blessed to have this opportunity, who am I that God would use me in such ways? I am God's beloved, He is powerful and can do things beyond my strengths, abilities and knowledge using me as a vessle to show His love.
I'll be trying to update this blog as much as I can. Thank you to each and everyone of you for your support, prayers and encouragement, you each have a part in this trip.
Love you all!!!!
We have had a Women's team in Paraguay for the past two weeks and the stories that I have heard so far are amazing, God is moving, using these girls to do incredible things. He's moving in the peoples hearts and they are coming to know Him, understanding how great His love is for each of us.
I can't wait to get there and be part of all of this again! I am so blessed to have this opportunity, who am I that God would use me in such ways? I am God's beloved, He is powerful and can do things beyond my strengths, abilities and knowledge using me as a vessle to show His love.
I'll be trying to update this blog as much as I can. Thank you to each and everyone of you for your support, prayers and encouragement, you each have a part in this trip.
Love you all!!!!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Saying good-bye is always hard.
Leaving will be hard, as always. The last few days have been incredible and it's always hard to leave when you've made such good friends and when God is moving so much.
The weekend was incredible. We went to a wedding Saturday night that didn't even start till 9pm! And was very formal. Lots of fun seeing different traditions and dancing to some latin music.
Sunday was TONS of fun!!!!!!
Lindsay and I at the Paraguay/ Brazil Soccer game. A once in a lifetime opportunity! AND Paraguay won 2 - 1!!!
We were given the tickets from Dr. Poeletti who works with the Futbol association here, so generous. We met him at his house to walk to the stadium with him and his kids. His niece and her husband were also there and they are moving to LANGLEY in December! What are the chances! And Dr. Poeletti brought face paint to paint Paraguayan flags on our faces....but only painted mine and Lindsay's faces. The environment of the stadium was unlike anything I have ever experienced!!! When Paraguay scored, the place was beyond INSANE!!! Everyone jumping up and down and hugging everyone! Whoever was in reach you hugged and high fived. It was crazy. And there was a small section of Brazil fans and they had riot police up both sides of the section to protect them from the Paraguay fans and at the end of the game, they had to wait to be the last ones out of the stadium for their protection. hahaha so different from home.
Today was our last day and we had such incredible meetings. We met one last time with the Selection team that is going to the World Cup in New Zealand. And the coaches are just so encouraging when it comes to Josefina working as a chaplain for the team. They're very excited about it.
And tonight we had the first meeting of the first key volunteers for AIA Paraguay. This is a group of people that our team has meet the last few weeks, christian players, that want to use their futbol to reach their team mates and community for Jesus! We had 8 people come out plus Avelino and Josefina (aia staff). 7 girls and one guy. All of them have such an incredible heart to serve and to share Christ with their country. None of them could stop smiling for all God has done in the last few weeks. They have a lot of work ahead of them but are very excited. We had 70 girls over the last few weeks indicate that they want to know more about Jesus. INCREDIBLE! Something only God could do. This small group of people are going to do amazing things here in Paraguay. It was hard to leave the meeting knowing that I'll just be watching from the sidelines now. I'll have stories about a few of these people in my newsletter when I get home.
Well, it's almost midnight and I have to be up in 7 hours! YIKES! And two days of travel ahead of me. Oh but I will be hitting the beach in Miami :) YEAH!!!!
Will be back in Canada late Thursday night. LOve you all!!!!
Now to face our new friends at the airport to say good-bye..... there will be lots of tears......
The weekend was incredible. We went to a wedding Saturday night that didn't even start till 9pm! And was very formal. Lots of fun seeing different traditions and dancing to some latin music.
Sunday was TONS of fun!!!!!!
Lindsay and I at the Paraguay/ Brazil Soccer game. A once in a lifetime opportunity! AND Paraguay won 2 - 1!!!
We were given the tickets from Dr. Poeletti who works with the Futbol association here, so generous. We met him at his house to walk to the stadium with him and his kids. His niece and her husband were also there and they are moving to LANGLEY in December! What are the chances! And Dr. Poeletti brought face paint to paint Paraguayan flags on our faces....but only painted mine and Lindsay's faces. The environment of the stadium was unlike anything I have ever experienced!!! When Paraguay scored, the place was beyond INSANE!!! Everyone jumping up and down and hugging everyone! Whoever was in reach you hugged and high fived. It was crazy. And there was a small section of Brazil fans and they had riot police up both sides of the section to protect them from the Paraguay fans and at the end of the game, they had to wait to be the last ones out of the stadium for their protection. hahaha so different from home.
Today was our last day and we had such incredible meetings. We met one last time with the Selection team that is going to the World Cup in New Zealand. And the coaches are just so encouraging when it comes to Josefina working as a chaplain for the team. They're very excited about it.
And tonight we had the first meeting of the first key volunteers for AIA Paraguay. This is a group of people that our team has meet the last few weeks, christian players, that want to use their futbol to reach their team mates and community for Jesus! We had 8 people come out plus Avelino and Josefina (aia staff). 7 girls and one guy. All of them have such an incredible heart to serve and to share Christ with their country. None of them could stop smiling for all God has done in the last few weeks. They have a lot of work ahead of them but are very excited. We had 70 girls over the last few weeks indicate that they want to know more about Jesus. INCREDIBLE! Something only God could do. This small group of people are going to do amazing things here in Paraguay. It was hard to leave the meeting knowing that I'll just be watching from the sidelines now. I'll have stories about a few of these people in my newsletter when I get home.
Well, it's almost midnight and I have to be up in 7 hours! YIKES! And two days of travel ahead of me. Oh but I will be hitting the beach in Miami :) YEAH!!!!
Will be back in Canada late Thursday night. LOve you all!!!!
Now to face our new friends at the airport to say good-bye..... there will be lots of tears......
Saturday, June 14, 2008
A quick update
Hey Everyone,
I really don't have tons to update on right now... but thought I'd let everyone know I'm still breathing :) haha
We have had a busy few days since the team left, just tons of meetings. All of them have been very good!!! We got Josefina in as the chaplain to the U17 Selection team that will be heading to the U17 World Cup in New Zealand. And we had a meeting with the head of the Olympic Committee here and it looks like Avelino will be the chaplain for all the Olympic athletes.
Some fun stuff...... we had an evening off and it is incredible how cheap things can be here.... we got a large pizza from Pizza Hut, three movie tickets, Popcorn, M&M's and a bottle of water all for under $20!!!! It's insane!
Tonight we are going to Josefina's niece's wedding. It's a formal occasion and doesn't even start till 9pm!!! It'll be a late night.
Tomorrow night will be one of the biggest highlights of the trip (fun wise). Lindsay and I have been given free VIP tickets to the Brazil/Paraguay game!!! The city is already going crazy with Paraguay parafanalia... I'll have to find a jersey by game time to wear. It's going to be insane! But so much fun. If you happen to be watching it look for me in the crowd hahaha. VIP section you never know...hahaha.
I'll update after the game, I'm sure I'll have quite the stories. :)
I really don't have tons to update on right now... but thought I'd let everyone know I'm still breathing :) haha
We have had a busy few days since the team left, just tons of meetings. All of them have been very good!!! We got Josefina in as the chaplain to the U17 Selection team that will be heading to the U17 World Cup in New Zealand. And we had a meeting with the head of the Olympic Committee here and it looks like Avelino will be the chaplain for all the Olympic athletes.
Some fun stuff...... we had an evening off and it is incredible how cheap things can be here.... we got a large pizza from Pizza Hut, three movie tickets, Popcorn, M&M's and a bottle of water all for under $20!!!! It's insane!
Tonight we are going to Josefina's niece's wedding. It's a formal occasion and doesn't even start till 9pm!!! It'll be a late night.
Tomorrow night will be one of the biggest highlights of the trip (fun wise). Lindsay and I have been given free VIP tickets to the Brazil/Paraguay game!!! The city is already going crazy with Paraguay parafanalia... I'll have to find a jersey by game time to wear. It's going to be insane! But so much fun. If you happen to be watching it look for me in the crowd hahaha. VIP section you never know...hahaha.
I'll update after the game, I'm sure I'll have quite the stories. :)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Indiscribable
Me at Iguazu Falls Brazil
This is not a pic from the internet! I was THERE and took it!!!! BEAUTIFUL!
Sunday morning at 1:30am we got on a bus (a very nice bus) and headed to Brazil. What an AMAZING trip. We are supposed to have Visas to get into Brazil but God blessed us so much and we were able to cross the boarder without them.
We did this trip just to spend a few hours at the Iguasu Falls, one of the top three falls in the world. And wow!!! Just before we got there on the bus we sang the worship song "Indiscribable" and how appropriate. We saw Gods handy work at it's best. I have never, nor do I think I will ever see anything as beautiful and maginficant as these falls. The song says
"Indiscrible uncontainable, You put the stars in the sky and you know them by name, you are amazing God. All powerful, untamable awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim, you are amazing God."
I can't find the words to discribe the beauty that we saw. We turned one corner and it was breathtaking, the first sight almost literally brought tears to my eyes! And one of the girls that was on the trip last year said "this is nothing, just wait" and she was right, every turn of the path as we got closer and closer it got more and more amazing! And don't worry I have plenty of more pictures.. haha I only took about 60 at the falls. And none of them will do it any justice. You can't possibly catch all this beauty in a picture.
On our way back we stopped at Ramon's house. Ramon is a man that sat next to Graham (my boss) on the plane from Brazil to Paraguay and he invited all 30 of us to his house for a BBQ! It was so good, but really who invites 30 strangers to their house for a bbq???? haha. It was great.
The team left this morning and I have one more week here. It was very hard to say goodbye to them at the airport. They are an amazing group of young ladies that God used in such powerful ways here. I don't think any of them left Paraguay the same as when they came. There was a lot of tears and some good laughs too. I know I'll keep in touch with quite a few of them. It was such a blessing getting to know them.
Gotta run. Tomorrow Lindsay and I will have a low key morning and then jump into a week of A LOT of meetings... and hopefully that includes getting tickets to the Brazil/ Paraguay game Sunday night!!!! WOOO HOOO!!!
Love you all
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Soccer Clinics
I just have a few minutes to type here...let´s see what i can get in.
Wednesday we did a soccer clinic at one of the First Lady of Paraguays Community Centers. It was so much fun to get to go into a more impoverished area and play with the kids and get to see what Paraguay is really like. We were only there for about two hours but the kids had a ton of fun and at the end we got to give out the gospel bracelets. As well, I got called over by some of the girls to translate and we prayed with six or seven kids to accept Jesus! The people with the community center will follow up with these kids and were very excited. In the afternoon yesterday the girls had two games! They have now played 11 games in 9 days.
This morning we did another socccer clinic, this time in the second most dangerous neighbourhood in Asunicion!!!! We didn´t know that going in...... then our driver stopped at a police station, when I asked what was going on that´s when he told us we needed a police escort! haha! We had two cops drive behind us and while we were playing with the kids we had four cops around the outskirts of the field. And then two rode on the bus with us until we were out of the bad part. I´ve been in some bad areas in south america but that was the first time I have ever needed a police escort! It was a lot of fun though. We got off the bus and a little girl literally jumped on me! And one little girl would not let go of Morgan when it was time to go. Heart breaking
I have to run, we get a treat tonight! We´re off to a bbq restaurant! All you can eat meat.
Oh and last night we got to go to a Professional soccer game (equivalent of seeing the Canucks) It was amazing! We were special guests of the President of the Futbol Confederation of South America....yep once again on tv! hahah we´re celebrities!
Wednesday we did a soccer clinic at one of the First Lady of Paraguays Community Centers. It was so much fun to get to go into a more impoverished area and play with the kids and get to see what Paraguay is really like. We were only there for about two hours but the kids had a ton of fun and at the end we got to give out the gospel bracelets. As well, I got called over by some of the girls to translate and we prayed with six or seven kids to accept Jesus! The people with the community center will follow up with these kids and were very excited. In the afternoon yesterday the girls had two games! They have now played 11 games in 9 days.
This morning we did another socccer clinic, this time in the second most dangerous neighbourhood in Asunicion!!!! We didn´t know that going in...... then our driver stopped at a police station, when I asked what was going on that´s when he told us we needed a police escort! haha! We had two cops drive behind us and while we were playing with the kids we had four cops around the outskirts of the field. And then two rode on the bus with us until we were out of the bad part. I´ve been in some bad areas in south america but that was the first time I have ever needed a police escort! It was a lot of fun though. We got off the bus and a little girl literally jumped on me! And one little girl would not let go of Morgan when it was time to go. Heart breaking
I have to run, we get a treat tonight! We´re off to a bbq restaurant! All you can eat meat.
Oh and last night we got to go to a Professional soccer game (equivalent of seeing the Canucks) It was amazing! We were special guests of the President of the Futbol Confederation of South America....yep once again on tv! hahah we´re celebrities!
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
I think I may have the best job in the world.....
We have done a lot since the last time I wrote....where do I start!
Sunday night the gilrs played one of the hardest teams they will this trip, against the Paraguayan National U17 team that is headed to the World Cup in October. So they are one of the best teams in South America and we sure did WIN! It was a great game played by all.
We got to spend time with the team afterwards and Janae shared her story, it really impacted the team. I had the priviledge of staying behind and translating for Bri as she shared with a player and her mom about all that Jesus has done for us, and how to have a personal relationship with him. We didn´t get to finish the conversation, as they had to leave, but both mother and daughter had a lot of questions and were adimate that we continue this conversation when we play them again on Friday.
Monday, we got to go for a tour of the National Stadium, it was incredible to see from the field and imagine the stands filled with fans, it would be insane during a soccer game! We got to go down and see the visitors dressing rooms....so I just may have sat in the same seat as Kaka and Ronaldhino (I know i spelt that wrong) haha. Any soccer fan will know who I mean.
Our game on MOnday night was a rough one for our girls. The sportsmanship on the Paraguayan team wasn´t the best. They will fall alot and scream literally like they have broken their leg and as soon as a yellow card is given out they jump up laughing!!!! It´s a little frustrating. We lost that game 3 - 1 but more important was our time with the team afterwards. Shannon shared her testimony ad Graham shared about what it means to put Jesus at the center of your life. We have cards that we had out afterwards so that people can indicate if they have accepted Jesus and every player marked down that they want more teaching about Jesus, and few prayed the prayer (including their coach). THAT is worth losing a game for!
Tuesday morning was incredible, A once in a life time thing and beyond amazing for any futbol fan! We got to go for a tour of the South American Futbol Confederation building, this is the headquarters for all of South American Futbol. Noth only did we get to go for a tour but the President of ALL of south american futbol was our guide! I even got to take my picture next to the American Cup! This is equivelent to our Stanley Cup for those of you that don´t know soccer. All the trophies and cups are in the President´s office, which is bigger than most apartments.
Last night we played abit of a lower level team....I felt bad for our 7-2 win! But our time afterwards was amazing again. Gentri and Sydney got to share with a girl as her friend Sofia (a christian) watched, and she accepted Jesus into her life!
My job is a tough one....watching peoples lives be changed by God´s amazing love! What a rough life!
On a personal note, I am having a great time. A little tired but we all our. My cold is sticking around but getting better. I am loving being able to translate for the team. I have had a few meetings that I have had to translate for and I translate for the girls when they share their stories. It amazes me everytime how I can do this! Stand infront of such big groups of people and speak a different language so easily and naturally! I can´t do it without God and He is with me each and every time.
Today is going to be a very busy day! I am up early to get a chance on the internet and we have a very early start too. We are going to a community center for street kids to do a soccer clinic, have two games right after lunch and hopefully this evening we are going to watch a men´s professional soccer game! We´ll sleep good tonight!!!!
Sunday night the gilrs played one of the hardest teams they will this trip, against the Paraguayan National U17 team that is headed to the World Cup in October. So they are one of the best teams in South America and we sure did WIN! It was a great game played by all.
We got to spend time with the team afterwards and Janae shared her story, it really impacted the team. I had the priviledge of staying behind and translating for Bri as she shared with a player and her mom about all that Jesus has done for us, and how to have a personal relationship with him. We didn´t get to finish the conversation, as they had to leave, but both mother and daughter had a lot of questions and were adimate that we continue this conversation when we play them again on Friday.
Monday, we got to go for a tour of the National Stadium, it was incredible to see from the field and imagine the stands filled with fans, it would be insane during a soccer game! We got to go down and see the visitors dressing rooms....so I just may have sat in the same seat as Kaka and Ronaldhino (I know i spelt that wrong) haha. Any soccer fan will know who I mean.
Our game on MOnday night was a rough one for our girls. The sportsmanship on the Paraguayan team wasn´t the best. They will fall alot and scream literally like they have broken their leg and as soon as a yellow card is given out they jump up laughing!!!! It´s a little frustrating. We lost that game 3 - 1 but more important was our time with the team afterwards. Shannon shared her testimony ad Graham shared about what it means to put Jesus at the center of your life. We have cards that we had out afterwards so that people can indicate if they have accepted Jesus and every player marked down that they want more teaching about Jesus, and few prayed the prayer (including their coach). THAT is worth losing a game for!
Tuesday morning was incredible, A once in a life time thing and beyond amazing for any futbol fan! We got to go for a tour of the South American Futbol Confederation building, this is the headquarters for all of South American Futbol. Noth only did we get to go for a tour but the President of ALL of south american futbol was our guide! I even got to take my picture next to the American Cup! This is equivelent to our Stanley Cup for those of you that don´t know soccer. All the trophies and cups are in the President´s office, which is bigger than most apartments.
Last night we played abit of a lower level team....I felt bad for our 7-2 win! But our time afterwards was amazing again. Gentri and Sydney got to share with a girl as her friend Sofia (a christian) watched, and she accepted Jesus into her life!
My job is a tough one....watching peoples lives be changed by God´s amazing love! What a rough life!
On a personal note, I am having a great time. A little tired but we all our. My cold is sticking around but getting better. I am loving being able to translate for the team. I have had a few meetings that I have had to translate for and I translate for the girls when they share their stories. It amazes me everytime how I can do this! Stand infront of such big groups of people and speak a different language so easily and naturally! I can´t do it without God and He is with me each and every time.
Today is going to be a very busy day! I am up early to get a chance on the internet and we have a very early start too. We are going to a community center for street kids to do a soccer clinic, have two games right after lunch and hopefully this evening we are going to watch a men´s professional soccer game! We´ll sleep good tonight!!!!
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