Since being sick, it’s been about a week, and I am so glad to say that I am feeling much better. I still feel weak from time to time, and it has been difficult getting back to the normal routine. Unfortunately, a few of the kids have gotten sick with fevers, which is possibly dengue, and they require a little more attentive care. Due to all of the recent sickness on campus, we have not only run out of electrolyte packets (Pedialyte) but also acetaminophen. In town, it is possible to find both things, but they are very expensive compared to what we can bring from the States. Luckily, Sierra Anderson, a past SM will be coming in a few days with a small supply. Aside from sickness, this week brought a little taste of home, learning more about the kids’ backgrounds, and fun adventure.

 

This past Friday night, we had our weekly SM gathering and got a taste of the United States. One of the other SMs, Jayden, had packed two cans of Big Franks (vegetarian hotdogs), which are a classic in the Adventist bubble. We roasted them over a fire and ate them on homemade hotdog buns (made by Ellie, another SM) with US ketchup. We all savored our hotdogs and shared stories from the week. The whole experience made it feel like we were having a little bonfire on a camping trip, except this trip was lasting 9 months.

 

On another note, this week I got to learn more about a few of the kids’ stories by a firsthand experience. As I have mentioned before, I watch the gate on Sundays for visitation. Most of the kids have family members who consistently visit, and I have gotten to know some of them. Other kids have families that are allowed to visit, but rarely or never do. This week, one of those family members showed up unexpectedly. It was the father to two of the girls in the younger house and two of the boys from the older house (even though one of the boys is only 6 years old). I had been warned before to watch for this parent, and not let him in if he smelled of alcohol or was acting off. I had not met this person before, so I had nothing to base the “if they’re acting ok” judgment on. Therefore, I let the parent in. It was sad to watch the different reactions of each kid to seeing their dad. The youngest, a 6-year-old boy, came running from his house and looked so happy to see his dad. The two girls were more hesitant and looked timid as they walked to the meeting area. The oldest brother looked somewhat angry and very hesitant as he walked toward his dad. This parent was known to not be a kind person and had pretty much given up on the kids after the death of his wife. The youngest’s reaction showed his innocence and how, even though this dad messed up, he still looked forward to the visit. As the other siblings were older and understood more, I could tell that they were more hesitant to see their dad, and they must have resentment towards the visit. This highlighted the innocence of young children, and how so many of the kids here have been hurt by their parents. Yet, many of them do not fully understand the extent of the damage their parents have done to their emotions and psyche.

 

Lastly, I got to do some fun exploring on my day off. My day-off group decided to take a short trip up the Beni River. We found a guide, Fernando, who took us in a canoe-like boat, that was two seats wide, up the river. We went to a canyon-like trail up to a lookout spot. On this hike, we saw spiders, bats, butterflies, and lizards, among other things. Then we got back in our boat and visited a sugar cane farm. There we got to press the sugar cane and drink the juice. We then went to a waterfall area and got to cool off in the clear, cold water. Then we began our trip back to Rurrenabaque. The trip was fun, and we got to see lots of villages, birds, and other wildlife (like a capybara) along the riverbank. This trip was so rejuvenating, and it was nice to see something other than the Familia Feliz campus and just the town of Rurre.

 

Getting away from the busyness of the last few months, and experiencing pure nature was a reminder that God is an amazing creator and it honestly helped me feel closer to God than I have in a while. Being far from home has made me feel a little further from God. I know this is an awful thing to think and I should not have God tied to things and people at home, but it truly has been difficult. I know that God is always with me and will be with me wherever I go, but it is one thing to know it and another thing to truly experience it. I have been praying to feel God’s presence, and on this trip, that prayer was answered. I was reminded that nothing can separate me from the love of God, not even being in the jungle miles, and miles away from home. This week, I read a note written by my cousin that was an additional encouragement on this thought, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe,” Psalm 61:1-3.