Isaiah 43:1-3, 7, 10-13

But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.... “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
Isaiah 43:1-3, 7, 10-13

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

You know you're in Cochabamba when....

1. Every other day seems like it's a "Dia Ferriada" (holiday), or strike day. And you never know what they're celebrating or striking about! You just get caught by the parade downtown and wonder, "What could it be today?" They sure know how to party here!
2. You get a grocery cart in the States, but rent a kid with a wheelbarrow when you go to the open air market here.
3. The air is polluted, and the public parks trashy, but they have a "Dia de Peaton" (Day of the Pedestrian) where it's illegal to drive in order to conserve the environment. Seriously - there are absolutely no cars on the road! We have to have house churches on that day because no one can get to church!
4. You spend 25 Bs. (3 dollars) on your manicure and pedicure in a little hole in the wall shop a block from your house.
5. It doesn't matter if you forget to buy milk at the grocery store, because you can just send your husband to the little tienda a block from your house to get whatever you need - even a fresh pineapple for 2 Bs. (25 cents).
6. It hasn't rained in 3 months, but the fruit trees in your yard are flowering and the jacaranda trees are "raining purple snow".
7. You go to buy shoes for your daughter at the mall, and discover that all the stores are closed from 12:30-4:00.
8. You've lived in the country for 8 months, and scoured the grocery store for baking soda, and just discovered that they sell it in little bags in the pharmacy of all places! By the way, everything comes in bags, even the milk and the vegetable shortning!
9. You wait 3 hours in an immigration line with a fussy baby, only to discover that they require one more paper that you don't have (that somehow they forgot to inform you of last time), and don't accomplish anything.
10. You can't get your mail for a week, because the post office is on a hunger strike. USPS - we miss you!

Like anywhere, you love some things and get frustrated with some things. But regardless of whether or not you enjoy it, it is interesting to be able to experience life in a whole new context. This missionary kid is glad to be back somewhere that feels like home, if only for the simple reason that I know, and others can tell, that I don't completely fit in here!
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