I feel like all of my titles have something to do with a party, because REALLY I love the parties!! I am learning a lot. People party differently here, but I lOVE IT! This past week, we celebrated the 4th of July just how we would in the United States! In the morning, we went the "La Cancha" (one of the largest markets in South America). We looked for food and fireworks for our party. The Cancha is huge and there are TONS of people. It's known to be a little dangerous as well. When I go, I don't bring my watch and I always keep my bag right in front of me. We also haven't been alone. We bought fireworks there becase they are so cheap. For about US $20, we got 12 large fireworks (the kind that are probably illegal in the United States). They also gave us sparklers and other small fireworks. Once we got home, the rest of the day was spent cooking. We made Potato Salad and Hamburgers. The party turned out amazing. Probably one of the best 4th of July's that I have ever had. All of our good friends were there, the food was good and the fireworks were so beautiful.
The next Monday, we went to a little hill on the outskirts of Quillacollo where there were little old houses made out of mud and straw. I wish I could tell you the history of it all, but one of our friends took us in his car and we ended up just walking around. It was really pretty though. On Tuesday, we went with two friends to a higher point in the city where you could see everything. We went to the end of one of the bus routes where the beer factory was. One of my friends and I found a train that went up higher into the mountain and we were able to go up with the car. It was a beautiful view. Tonight, there is a party in one of the stakes. I love the parties and I am really excited to go and dance! As for work, this week I have been thinking a lot about the impact we have made on Cochabamba. I know that it is not possible to change the fate of every stake and their participation in Self-Reliance, but I do believe that we have made a difference. Right now, we are seeing the results of that. On the week days, we haven't been too busy, but on the weekends, we are on the run. This weekend we had a meeting with the area seventy, Elder Pozo. We shared with him the progress that has been made and all of the great things we have been saying. We also shared how we think things can improve. It seems like many people feel like they have never been invited to participate in the Self-Reliance courses. I think one of the last things we can do is try to figure out how to fix that. I definitely believe that it starts with the leaders of the church. Since we have started, we have helped 5/7 stakes start up Self-Reliance courses where they did not exist before. We have been able to help all of the stakes to offer more stakes and brainstorm ways to strengthen this initiative in their own areas. This is truly a beautiful work. I know that God loves us and that he wants us to be happy. I know that we can be truly happy if we are taking care of ourselves and striving to serve others just as the Savior did.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
EmilyHi! I am a student at BYU and I am studying Spanish with minors in Global Business and Latin American Studies. I am doing an internship in Cochabamba, Bolivia with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and their Welfare and Self-Reliance initiatives. Archives
August 2019
Categories |