It was bound to happen! (or, The Bionic Woman)

Beginning of the CED year

Bionic Woman

Crossing the water with Oso

                I am writing this blog with my left hand, pecking the letters out.  The inevitable finally happened; I fell in the water.  I was crossing with Oso in tow and tripped over a submersed rock.  Dumped the dog head first in the water and caught myself on the rock with my right hand.  Luckily it was not broken, but it is VERY sore and the doctor has told me I have to keep it immobilized for a week ( it is in a brace that inhibits any movement from the elbow down).  A WEEK WITHOUT MY RIGHT HAND!  I am surviving though, things are just a lot slower, like typing this blog.

In other news, there are 47 Evangelism and Discipleship students this year for Word of Life.  They arrived on Monday.  They had a bon fire on Wednesday to commence the year.  Pray for these  students as they begin this great change in their lives, that God will work  and change their lives forever.

Aguila Christian school is going strong; an no more furry, creepy, crawly visitors.

                                                                         

Holding the Tarantula

Tarantula in the school!!

On Wednesday, a couple of my students found a baby tarantula in the playground.  They brought it to school.   As you can imagine, this caused quite the excitement. . . the girls screaming at high, ear-piercing pitches,  the boys acting tough but cowering when it came near them.  The teachers, most of them, not going anywhere near it. . .

I set up a habitat for the tarantula, putting rocks and leaves and a few flowers in it  (not sure what they eat besides birds and lizards).  The kids came and looked at it all day every chance they got, it was the high-light of their day.    Gracie, my 3 year old wanted to know if it was REALLY REAL!?!  Many kids asked me where his fangs were and where his head was (the head and rear are very similar. . . ).  All in all, it was a good, calm day of viewing, until Marcy (an American teacher) wanted to take a picture of one of her sons holding it.  That is when it got exciting!  At the end of the day, we walked out side and began trying to get it out of the fish bowl.  The squills and shrills began – also random running and jumping .  In the end, 5 of the 19 students held the tarantula and 2 of the teachers (myself and Julie).  It felt like a giant grand-daddy long-leg in my hand – kind of neat, but don’t want it on my face!!

Afterwards, we sent all the kids home.  Esteban, a 9^th grader asked me to let me let it loose again.  So, he took it to a rocky area and released it.  But, we set the fish bowl with the lid back in the school.  Can’t wait to see their reaction when they think the tarantula has escaped!!  (details to come. . 

More Flooding

I took these photos this morning, after carrying the dog across the water so he could go to the bathroom.  I have to carry him because otherwise he has to swim!  These are my feet, you can see the black rubber boots and how the water completely covers my feet.  Down by the quincho, the water comes up to your knees! 

Answered Prayers, Bridges and Chicken Pot Pie

My student who was sick with Hepatitis A is feeling much better now and out of the hospital  Thank you for all of your prayers.  He will be staying home for several more days just to be on the safe side.    We had a late start for school this morning, at 11:00, because  we had to disinfect the school to keep the Hepatitis from spreading, it is spread through food, water and direct contact with the sick person.

The lake continues to rise, I am using a “bridge” made from some construction boards.  The problem now is that the stagnate water is breeding mosquitoes.  As I started writing this blog, I got bit about 6 times in 5 minutes!  Then I sprayed the house with some strong bug spray.  A little while later, the dog, Oso, looked like he wasn’t conscious , I grabbed him up and ran outside to give him some fresh air.  I think I was about to give him mouth to mouth when he woke up!  He was fine and I sat on the porch and laughed out loud.  Ha ha.  More adventure!!  (Note:  this photo was taken yesterday, Sunday.  All the fore-ground is now underwater and the bridge doesn't work anymore)

Finally, I broke down, after 5 years and made homemade Chicken Pot Pie. Now, I know that doesn’t sound like something difficult, but the recipe calls for Veg-All.  We don’t have Veg-All here, so I had to clean, cut and cook all my veggies, then put them with the chicken and crust.  It took a while to get it ready; but it turned out delicious!  Also, to make it even better, I found some cranberry sauce at the grocery store today (they usually don’t carry cranberry sauce).  I made enough to last several meals, which is awesome.  

The Evangelism and Discipleship Center for Word of Life Bolivia starts in two weeks.  They are expecting over 40 students this year!!  The Word of Life missionaries are putting the finishing touches on the dorm rooms and getting the property ready in general.  Pray for the students as they are preparing to come here to the property to study God’s Word this year and prepare themselves to serve in their local churches. 

Sick Student

I just found out that one of my new students, a third grader, has been admitted to the children's hospital here with Hepatitis A.  Please pray for his speedy recovery and that the other students, who have not been vaccinated will not be affected.

First Day of School Photo

First Day of School