Archive for ‘El Alto, Bolivia’

46 Commentsby   |  04.25.11  |  El Alto, Bolivia

There are points when I am reflecting about the summer ahead, and I find myself becoming increasingly nervous about the risks or the finances, or whatever else it is for that day. But I find that all of these negative feelings dissipate when I turn my thoughts to the work that I have the opportunity to participate in this summer, how much I am going to learn and experience, and the women that I will be able to meet. The injustice that is happening there is enough to erase any fears I may have.

Honestly, I do not have a set goal concerning what I want to achieve this summer. I don’t know what to expect, other than I expect to come back changed. I do not want to come back with the same black and white way of seeing the world that I have had for so long. I want to be unnerved and uncomfortable. I want my preconceived notions about the culture to be erased and replaced with the reality of a very different culture than my own. And lastly, I want to learn. I want to learn about the ins and outs of the slave trade; learn about how to help a person who has been through that much pain; and learn to walk in ever growing humility and compassion.

Internship in El Alto

20 Commentsby   |  04.20.11  |  El Alto, Bolivia

As the summer gets closer and closer, I become even more excited about the trip Anna and I are going on. I have been interested in ministering to women and children in the sex industry for more than four years now. Since I have been thinking of this type of ministry for so long, I am both excited and a little anxious about this trip. What if it is not what I expected? What if this changes the current mindset I have for my future?

I want to go into this trip without expectations, like we talked about in class a few weeks ago. That way I will be able to serve God more fully, and be able to find out what His will is for my life instead of pushing for my own will.