Colombia - Day 8 & 9

Day 8 - Our last full day in Colombia - it came too fast! We started the day off with breakfast at the hotel  and then we walked over to La Esperanza where we were able to see school in session.   

We got a tour of the school, met some of the children, visited a couple of the classrooms, and met with the leaders of the school. It was neat to see how similar yet different school was here.

We walked in one classroom and saw a student sharing a power point presentation. The children had notes and pictures all over their notebooks, just like kids here do. They were excited to have an interruption to class and enjoyed showing off their English by asking us questions.

  

The school was four stories tall. On the top floor, there was an open air gym, with a beautiful view of the ocean. 

While we were there, we saw Wilbur,one of the men who went with us to Uribia. We presented him with a saw, as a gift of thanks for his help and guidance during our time in the desert. 

As we were touring the school, we noticed most of the girls were carrying flowers. We were told that they were celebrating "Dia de la mujer" - Women's day! When we walked into the administrators office, all of of the women were given a brownie and scoop of ice cream! Yum!- March 8th is now one of my new favorite days :) 

While we were enjoying our ice cream, Allen and Matthew enjoyed playing ball in the courtyard with one of the little boys. It was fun to watch. They are both so great with kids!

After we left the school, we went out for our last Colombian meal. The chicken and rice was delicious and one of my favorites of the week. 

Once we'd finished eating, we headed to Rododera to do some shopping and visit the beach... Jeff even went for a swim! Allen was so excited to finally get a chance to barter - he'd been looking forward to it all week!

 After spending some time walking around Rododera, we took taxis to the Ocean Mall, to do a little bit more shopping. They had a grocery store in the mall, so we were able to buy some Colombian coffee, candy, and vanilla! 

Then, the girls split off from the guys and headed to a nail salon, where we got pedicures for $7 US dollars! Not only was it only $7, but it has been one of the best pedicures I've had - I still have the polish on almost a month later! 

When we left the nail salon, we stopped to get Angela a birthday card (her birthday was the next day and she was still getting her nails done). This was so different from buying a card in the US. We went to a little stand in the middle of a shopping center. We picked out a card (thanks to help from our new friend, Margarita read them and told us if they were good choices or not!) After we picked out our card, the lady asked us who we were giving it to. Then, she wrote Angela's name on the envelope with a paint pen, decorated it, and used a hair dryer to dry the paint before we left! Pretty neat!

Then, we walked back to the hotel, met up with the group and headed out for our last meal in Colombia - Pizza! It was delicious! Bubba had arranged for one of the ladies at La Esperanza to make a cake for Angela, so we ate dinner and cake and celebrated Angela's 40th birthday! 

 When we got back to the hotel we all sat out on the terrace talking about the week, remembering, reflecting, and sharing the amazing things we saw, did, and experienced. It was such a fun day and an awesome way to end the trip!

The next morning, we got up and spent the day traveling home (and celebrating Angela's birthday!) During our travels we were able to continue to share and grow in relationship with our new friends. I know this trip wouldn't have been the same without the people who we were able to travel with. Allen and I both feel so blessed to have met so many amazing, Godly people. They each have a special place in our hearts. 

SAM Missionaries - so thankful for these people!

Back home!

We are so enormously thankful for this entire experience. We can't thank our friends and family enough for the thoughts, prayers, and financial support, that helped allow us to go on this journey. We are grateful to God for taking us to Colombia. This week truly changed our lives and we are so happy to have had this opportunity and we are looking forward to hopefully going back again soon! 

Colombia - Day 7

Today was our last day in the desert. I was sad at how quickly the time had passed, but I was really looking forward to a nice cold shower in Santa Marta!

We woke up, had our usual cereal and coffee for breakfast and started our day with praise and prayer. We worked hard all morning to finish laying brick and poured the last few columns. Francia, the sweet lady who cooked our lunch all week, made us "arepas" for snack.

Around 11:30, we started cleaning up the job site, taking our last bucket baths, and packing our things. We ate beef, rice, and stewed bananas for lunch.

After lunch, there was a small ceremony where all the representatives signed the necessary paperwork that allowed us to donate the building we'd built to CENEFOW (the Bible college).

Before we left, we took a quick tour of the radio station that is located on the property. It is a Christian radio station that broadcasts Christian songs, messages, and words of encouragement to the local people. 

 

On our way back to Santa Marta, we made a stop in Riohacha for some of the leaders to met with a church plant in the area. While they were meeting, we walked on the beach, did a little bit of shopping , ate ice cream and got to listened to Sam give an amazing testimony of how awesome and powerful God is. 

 When we arrived back at the hotel - we got our things out of the bodega! and then I immediately went to my room to take one of the most refreshing showers of my life - cold water and all - another reminder of how blessed I am!

We wrapped up the night with empanadas for dinner and spent time talking about all the amazing experiences we'd had during our time in the desert.