Buen día!

Hola!! It's been raining here in Entre Rios the past several days. They hate here it but I love it! The mountains are covered in white mist and it's cold! Nothing like coming out to the market and getting a hot empanada when it's cold!

Walking back from church *thanks mom for making me bring the ugly rain jacket :) It was a lifesaver. And the double pillow cases. And all the zip lock bags...:) You were right.

Nice lady and her empanada stand. Amazingly good!

I met these two girls while eating!

English classes are going great and keeping me busy. I just had another class added of youth. I've been able to communicate with everyone in Spanish a lot more -- more than, "Hey, how are you? Good... Good! OK, bye!" :) So that's been nice! I now have friends around town at the internet, bank, market... It's been great building relationships with them.

The last couple days I have picked Abby and Joas up from their mom's work in the afternoon and have taken them to the park by the soccer field. It's been a blast! As soon as we get there Joas introduces me to all the kids as his gringita from the United States. I´ve gotten to know a lot of the kids.

Yesterday was so funny... The kids and I were hanging out in the plaza where there are lots of rose bushes. The kids went and picked tons of roses and kept bringing them to me until my arms were full of them! Angela came out of the church and saw and she told the kids to not pick anymore (they aren´t allowed whoops). So were walking back to the mission from the plaza and suddenly Abby says very loudly getting their attention, "Look it's the police!" We were passing a couple officers... Joas immediately threw his jacket over my arms full of roses. While staring at them, they began to talk very loudly and nervously about how the police were going to come after us. They were hanging onto my arms making roses drop out beneath the jacket... I was laughing so hard! It was such a scene, everybody on the street was looking at us. Very embarassing but very funny. I'm glad the officers thought it was funny too.

Cute boys & roses ..ahh, life in South America ;)

Abby braiding my hair

More empanadas!

No more cheesy smiles! We had some lessons and Joas finally learned out to make a silly face....

Hanging out with the girlies!

:)

Angela and I are planning on catching the bus today at 5 to go to San Josecito, but since it's been raining, the bus might not be going because the roads may be a mess. Our plan is to get to San Josecito tonight and leave early tomorrow morning from there to hike to Las Abras. Tomorrow we would hold a kids meeting, a night service for the whole village, and another kids meeting Sunday morning. We would hike back Sunday afternoon and spend the night in San Josecito. They asked me to share Sunday night with the church on loving one another. Angela will translate. Please pray for me. Then Monday morning we'll catch the bus back to ER. Hopefully we'll be able to go. Were both anxious to go since we've been in Entre Rios for a little while... If it doesn't work out this weekend we'll go next!

Ok, well I´m off to make some banana bread to bring with us this weekend. I have found out that I love cooking!

Love, Julia

P.S. I'm praying for you Friday night evang team!

Picture post :)

OK, so people keep asking me for more pictures...to help them see more of where I am staying...so enjoy some random pictures from the past couple days!

Ttoday is a BEAUTIFUL day in Entre Rios! The mission is on the right.

My room

Esther (one of Tim Matayo's daughters) and I (I'm sick here sorry lol). She and her sister are staying at the mission during the school year to attend school here in Entre Rios. Love her.

The boys practicing a drama for the church service

This is dinner most nights (bread and coffee) and the other day I found out that they have never had chocolate chip cookies ...yeah! So I made some! Everyone has to have chocolate chip cookies!

Joas fell asleep during church...don´t you love his overalls? :)

Wouldn't wake up, so dad's carrying him home. Aww!

The kitchen!

Cutest couple ever:

Abby & Joas's grandparents sitting on a bench before Wednesday night church service

I have an awesome friend named Heather who wrote me a letter for every day (85!) that I am here! Some days it's a song or a Scripture verse, while other days it's an an inside joke, or simply an I love you and miss you. Wow, it's been such an encouragment! This card was day 5 -- I was having a hard day and opened it and was so blessed. I love you, Heather! Thank you again!

*bye* :) Love, Julia

Feeling better!!

Hey y'all :) Thanks so much for your prayers!! My throat got worse after I ran out of anti-inflammatory pills so I woke up early yesterday morning really struggling. Angela took me to the hospital and they said I had a really high fever, high pulse and a bad throat infection (tonsillitis they said). The anti-inflammatory pills were making us think I was getting better but it did not get rid of the infection. So apparently they don´t like using pills here for stronger drugs because the people don´t take them when they should and then they don´t work. So I got a shot. and...apparently they don´t like giving shots in the arm........;) Yeah that´s right.... It was quite the experience! After the meds kicked in I was laughing about it all day. Good thing is I´m feeling great!! I´m on lots of medication. I was feeling so great last night I was able to play soccer with the youth after the youth meeting. It was a lot of fun! We had our church service in Naranjos this afternoon. It was wonderful. This week is full of English classes! Next weekend Angela and I are off to Las Abras again. Hope you all are doing well!! <3, Julia

Today is Friday, February 27th...

84 days gone
42 days here
42 days till i´m home

I´m halfway!*

One of my friends asked me the other day what was one thing the Lord has taught me while here. I have learned that absolutely nothing can separate me from the love of Christ.

Romans 8:28-39

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I have had to get past a lot of fears here, go through some hard times but the Lord has never left my side. I was thinking last night about my first week here. It was terrible! But it drew me so close to God. I prayed ALL the time, had to rely on him constantly for strength to get through the day. Last night I was thinking about how in a weird way I wanted that back. I think it sounds ridiculous because it was the hardest week of my life. But I felt so near to the Lord that week. You can be in the desert but the Lord leads you through it. What a comfort to know for the rest of my life that wherever He leads me, whatever He has me do...no matter how hard it is, I can do it because He will give me the strength to do it. AND he will comfort me. :)

Psalm 23:4 ...
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

It was hard to learn but I am so grateful because I know this will serve me for the rest of my life.

It reminds me of a song I love...

Out of the depths, O Lord, I cry to You

When I am tempted to despair.

And though I have failed to trust Your promises

You never fail to hear my prayer.

And, if you judge my sin, I'd never stand again.

But, I see mercy in Your hands.

So, more than watchmen for the morning,

I will wait for you, my God.

When my fears come with no warning,

In Your Word I put my trust.

When the harvest time is over,

and I still see no fruit,I will wait.

I will wait for You.

The secret mysteries belong to You.

We only know what You reveal.

And all my questions are unresolved

Don't change the wisdom of Your will.

In every trial and loss,

My hope is in the cross -

Where Your compassions never fail.

So, more than watchmen for the morning,

I will wait for you, my God.

When my fears come with no warning,

In Your Word I put my trust.

When the harvest time is over,

and I still see no fruit,

I will wait. I will wait for You.

(from the Psalms CD, Sovereign Grace Music)

Thanks for your prayers! I´m still sick. I had to get some anti-inflammatory pills from the hospital yesterday which have helped some. If I don´t get well soon I will go back and get a penicillin shot in case it´s strep. Please keep praying that I will be able to get everything done even though I´m not feeling well. You all are wonderful! Thank you!

Love, Julia

My best friends today....

Halls & Agua Pura!

I´m sick again! I wasn´t able to go to Naranjos with everyone yesterday. I woke up without a voice and with a terrible sore throat. I´m very thankful nothing has been serious...everything goes away within a day or two. I would be so grateful for your prayers! Thanks everyone! :)

Love, Julia