DAY 3- Culture Shocks - Misc Culture...

Wow here is day 3!  I hope you have enjoyed reading so far!


Here are some interesting cultural issues - 


-You cannot flush your toilet paper here- whew that took a long time to get used to.
-We have random power outages, you can't plan for them and you never know how long they are going to be for, and sometimes they are daily.
-When you greet someone you hug and kiss on the cheek.  
-You never should be on time here, it is not rude to be late.  For example: the first Sunday I went to church on my own, I arrived just a little after 9, the sign said the service starts at 9..... Well church didn't start until after 10... now I just show up an hour late.
-It is very rare for me to see an American/white person here.  When I ride on a bus or walk down the street I get stared at.... this is a big difference from any other country I have lived in.  Unless I am at school, it would be a rare occurance for me to see another Gringo like at the market.
-The exchange rate here is 1 dollar to 7 bolivianos.... I really am brushing up on my 7's division and multiplication tables :)
-Everyone has a tall gate around their house here.... you don't really see anyone's front yard.... 


Here are some sad realities of Bolivian culture and every time I remember these things it completely breaks my heart and I remember why I am here.
- Bolivian culture overuses the idea of Machismo.  If you think that women are objectified in the U.S.... you haven't seen anything.  Besides the common cat calling I get walking down the street, almost naked women are all over billboards, advertisements, and even the front page of the daily paper. :(  
- Domestic abuse is a very common here whether it is physical, sexual or emotional.  Neighbors, police, and even fellow church members look the other way.  There is such a thing as a social worker, but they can't do much.  About 40% of Bolivian children are sexually abused, a drastically higher number of these children are girls.  About 60% of Bolivian children are physically abused.
-God is not a priority in this country.  There are animal (and maybe human) sacrifices happening in the capital buildings.  There is a huge tension here between the highlanders and the lowlanders.  




I am crying right now and my heart is breaking putting these facts to paper.  I know there is SOOO much work that needs to happen here through Christ's love.  


Writing all of these things make me realize how much this God has laid this country on my heart.  I know that there is a purpose for me being here ministering to these people.  It is changing my life to the point that I am not sure if I could ever go back to living a life in the USA.....


Peace-------


Prayer today:


Praise:  I rested again today and am finally feeling better to the point that I can go back and teach tomorrow (Friday).


Prayer request:  1) This weekend (Friday and Saturday) I am going on our SCCLC staff retreat.  Pray for safety and unity between teachers especially between the North American and Bolivian teachers.
2) Kelly and I are deep in prayer asking God what he wants us to do next with our live's.  He already changed it by taking Kelly out of the military, and now we are waiting on the LORD to hear what we should be doing next.  Please pray that our ears will be open to what God has to tell us and that we will be obedient... sometimes I feel a little like Jonah...


God has been teaching me so much just today... as I laid in bed most of the day recuperating... but also on my knees literally crying out to God.... I am not even sure how to put it to words... but I am learning to have even more real meaningful communion with him.