Overview of my time in Chile so far (August - December)

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     It has been a very interesting five months in Chile this time around and I have five more to go.  It seems to have flown by, but at times it feels like I've been here forever.  I thank the Lord for all that has happened, all the relationships formed, and lessons learned.  I pray that God will continue to stretch me, grow me, and show me how to love like He does.

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

    where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

    the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—

    he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel

    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—

    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

(Going up to the Andes mountains of Santiago)

August and September:
     The first two months were a time of observing, learning, and volunteering at various different ministries (House of Hope, school, children's home, and feeding program).  I taught a lot of English and adapted to being back in Chile, but in a place very different from Viña del Mar.

      It was also time to be with Pablo as the last time I had seen him was when he came to visit me Christmas 2011.  My best friend and roommate from college, Bekah, came with me at the beginning which was very special and important to me.  I was also reunited with my host family from when I was in Chile before which was such a blessing.

     My dear grandma passed away after a difficult summer for my family.  It was the first death in my family which brought a lot of heart ache, but God is good and He brought us a lot of peace.

(Summer 2009)

     A lot of changes began to take place at the House of Hope when I arrived which didn't not make the transition any easier for me or the young women who live there.  Tears flowed from the young women's faces the day I arrived after hearing some unexpected news.  The house mother was no longer going to work at the HoH and her and her family was going to need to move out of the caretaker's home right next door.  I was taken by surprise with this change and was found in a difficult position as I didn't understand the situation and couldn't be much of a support for the girls as I had just arrived.  I desperately wanted to be anybody God wanted me to be and do anything He needed me to do, but was caught in a time of confusion and distrust.  I was also wrestling in my mind with all that had happened the summer before after graduating Hope College, working a whirlwind of a job at summer camp, my grandma passing away, and me leaving to Chile.  I was now in a different place trying to find the God I knew was right next to me...grasping for His hand and clinging on to the truth and love I place my hope in.

Two of the girls from the HoH and I on a Sunday morning after church.

     Living in La Pintana, a neighborhood in the south of Santiago has brought me a much better understanding of one of the greatest social problems here in Chile -- segregation of social classes.  The States has a heavy history of racial segregation, while here in Chile the segregation is based on how much money you have, where you live, and what your last name is.  In having to analyze a social issue for my graduate school application essays, I focused on the social problem and the effects of such problem I was observing and experiencing daily.  Click HERE to see a video about the House of Hope and the community in which it is located, called La Pintana.  (P.S. I appear in the video...and the marks on my neck are flea bites! ick!)

October:
     This month was all about construction, construction, construction.  Two teams from the States came down with the American director of Vision for Chile to begin the construction of a multi-purpose building behind the House of Hope.  Right outside my bedroom window I watched a building arise out of the ground as the pounding of nails filled the nearby atmosphere.  Even though I continued to teach English to the house mothers at the children's home, I was more involved with being with the team than the other volunteer positions I had.  It was tons of fun to talk with the team members, who were mainly older men.  A couple of them reminded me of my dad (even though my dad is younger :) ), as they were tall loving American men who thought their jokes were the best in the world.  They encouraged me in my walk with God and the time that was to come for me at the House of Hope.  I helped in the construction a bit and got a few blisters of my own.  Pablo also helped out on the weekends and banged his thumb with the hammer (multiple times) which left him a nice black nail which just a week ago started to grow out.

     Another major change occurred at the HoH which was that the caretaker, the husband of the house mother, would no longer be working here as well.  More tears were shed and more adjustments had to be made.  Now the girls are in charge of feeding the dog, watering the plants, and taking out the garbage, along with their normal chores.  When the house mother left, the girls had to take on the job of making lunch (the biggest meal in Chile).  We made a schedule so that they would take turns making lunch and always have a partner to help them out.  The girls' level of independence sure has risen as a result of their new responsibilities.

     As the American director was here for the entire month, it was the perfect time to talk with him and Chilean director in order to define my role.  I've been hanging on for the ride so far and with more changes occurring in the House of Hope, it was about time to figure out what my role really was.  It was decided -- I would be the house coordinator as a support for the girls emotionally, spiritually, academically, and physical health-wise, among other things. 
     Lastly, as the caretaker and his family had moved out the end of September and now the teams would be leaving, the directors and executive board of Vision for Chile did not feel comfortable leaving us seven young women in the house alone as the area in which we are located is not the best.  The search for someone to guard the house during the night began.  One day the American director came to me asking me if Pablo would be interesting in staying in one of the apartments connected to the caretaker's house and filling the role of the night watch.  I was shocked by the idea.  After discussing the pros and cons with Pablo and the directors, praying a ton, and even hearing a prophesy given to one of the team members about Pablo working at the House of Hope, we decided to go with it.  Pablo and another young man (university student in Santiago) would be moving into the apartments right outside the HoH.

The door on the left leads to the caretaker's house (two stories) while the door on the right leads to two apartments (Pablo is on the first floor and the other young man is on the second).

November and December:
    After visiting Pablo's younger sister in Valdivia, Pablo and I returned to the HoH -- together.  I began my role as the house coordinator and Pablo began his role as the night guard/watch.  It was a very interesting time in the HoH as I was filling a completely different role than the one I was previously.  I am now an authority figure as the house coordinator which isn't always easy.  It would be a lot easier to be the girls' friend and probably a lot more enjoyable too, but that isn't all what God wants for me.  As an intern, I am learning so much here as I fill a role I will most likely need to fill as I pursue my Master's in Social Work.  It is by God's grace and love alone that I am here and doing wonderfully.  Having Pablo right next door is such a blessing as he is there to support, hug, and pray for me at the end of long days.  I thank God for the loving  man of God He has given me.

     During these months the House of Hope really kicked into birthday and holiday mode.  There were a lot of (Chilean) summer birthdays and preparations to be made for the holiday season.

   

      

They even surprised me with a Thanksgiving pizza party! :)

Yes, I made Pumpkin Pie!

     The small business that the girls have also kicked into production mode as the products were selling like hot cakes.  The girls at the HoH make bookmarks, necklaces, bracelets, scarves, decorate flipflops, etc. as a means to help raise money that will go to their education.  They work really hard for the micro business on top of studying for school.

    Most of the girls left the HoH to go to their homes the same day I left for Viña del Mar.  I spent Christmas and New Years with Pablo and his family.  It was a great time to catch up on sleep, friends, and rest.  On December 27th, my grandpa passed away at my house in the States as he was surrounded by family.  This news is sad, but full of glory as I have confidence that he is with Jesus...and my grandma. :)

 Click HERE to see a video of the House of Hope wishing you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Early Christmas with my host family when I was in Chile before.

 And with that, we begin a new year -- 2013!

Here is something from Hebrews, the book we are reading through with the girls at the HoH.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 

Hebrews 4:14-16