Buenos Tardes! Mi nombre es Tamara ;)

Wow! Where to begin? Let's start by saying this is my first mission trip...and it has been an amazing experience! I thought that I was coming to help teach the beautiful ladies of Ruth and Naomi the unconditional love of Jesus....yet it seems He used this experience to teach me the same lesson...and there is no doubt in my mind that the ladies on this trip were hand-picked by God. Each and every person on our team has served a special purpose along the way.
After returning from Samaipata on Thursday, we were all exhausted....and needed some rest, because we still had a big day on Friday! After a great night of rest, the girls painted the living room wall of the transition home and the Women's Pregnancy Center office inside the transition home. After that, they had the opportunity to go back to Talitha Cumi orphanage to play with the children and teach on responsibility and team work. I say they, because I unfortunately caught a bug that was going around and had to stay in bed all day. =(
Today is our last day in Bolivia.... We woke up this morning and went to the transision home, where they cooked us breakfast....pancakes, pure honey, real butter and fresh squeezed orange juice...yum! Then, Carlette and Nancy taught a morning class on infant/child care and safety, which the ladies loved. While Stephanie and I juggled 2 babies and a toddler...during nap time. ;).
This afternoon, we bonded and fellowshipped as women do.... Shopping!
Tonight, we are ending our fabulous trip with a traditional Bolivian meal at everyone's fave....Don Miguel's.
...but first, we have to pack up, because our flight leaves tomorrow morning, at 9am.
To sum it up, the things I have learned in Bolivia, have been...
1. There is no set time and plans change...so, be flexible.
2. Cold drinks and A/C makes u sick. (according to the Pharmacia)
3. This country in beautiful.
4. Ketchup and Mayonaise are the only condiments you need...
And most importantly....
5. Jesus loves us ALL for who we are Right now... Not who we think we should be, not for who others think we should be or for who HE knows we can become....but where and who we are right now.
God Bless