40. They took Miguel!!

Sunday 11/11/12

Today was extremely bittersweet. We had fun, but then part of my newly formed heart was suddenly ripped away.

I woke them up at 6:00 to tell them their surprise. We were going to a swimming pool in Rurre for the day. Juan jumped for joy! Miguel kept sleeping! Haha. He was quite excited when he realized what was going on, though.

We caught a taxi at 7:00, made it halfway, then got a flat tire. We helped change the tire and resumed our journey 40 minutes later. We ate breakfast at Narguila’s and then we arrived at the pool. Oops. It was closed until 11:00 a.m. So I took them to my favorite internet café to talk with their mama, Erin. After 45 minutes of waiting, Erin finally got online on her Skype account. I had time to say hello, was transferring the headset from my ears to Juan’s, when…the power went out all over town!! So close! Oh, well, we can talk to Erin later on.

Hope to see you next year, Miguel!

I took them to a café, and ordered each of us lemonade to wait for the pool to open. Then, things changed unexpectedly. I had barely set the lemonade in front of excited Miguel when Melissa came running in, grabbed Miguel and said, “Miguel’s dad is here to take him home! He has to go now! His dad leaves in 30 minutes, and we had to break into your room to get some of his stuff!”

Whoa! I was told that his dad might pick him up sometime this summer, but it was supposed to be much later and we speculated it wasn’t going to happen at all!



I had time to give him a hug goodbye, but he was too disappointed to do anything. He didn’t get to go swimming! Or drink his lemonade!! While he didn’t seem happy to be with his dad who lives in a native village close to Brazil, I thought it was for the best. His 8 year-old sister has a tongue problem and can’t talk to well, so she might get that fixed in the summer. Plus, I was relieved when Melissa told me the father said they were coming back. That may or may not happen, but I’ll trust God will do as he pleases.

   

So…only one remained!! We were both kind of sober, but that changed when we headed off to the pool. Juan loves this beautiful pool, and he was in the water the whole four hours we were there! It may be his favorite activity second only to shower races! He jumped off my shoulders then I showed him how to frog-swim. At 4:30, we ate at Narguila’s again, and then went to Skype Erin. We had success, but Juan is not much of a talker. Erin was sure happy to talk to him, but was quite shocked to find out Miguel had left. I sure was.



Having a blast at the pool



Pretty pirty isn´t it?!





The resident toucan saving me a recliner

 

Juan swimming like an otter





We came back content and happy, despite having one less family member. I concluded that day by reaffirming what I know well, “Make the most of each moment with each kid, because you never know how long it will last.”

**Keep adventurizing!...I know I will!**

39. Cooking, Wrestling, an Airplane

Saturday, 11/10/12

Today it was Annie’s, Chad’s and my day to cook for the whole campus. Chad must have known this all along and smartly left two days ago.

However, Annie and I played it smart and delegated our burden. The best cooks, the girl’s dorm girls, did most of the cooking. We did close to nothing. All the knives were locked in Carmen’s room, and she was gone for the weekend. That was interesting. I felt like karate chopping the papaya.

We ended up making fruit salad and bread for breakfast. Rice with veggies and fries (known as Mahalito), corn cereal, and salad for lunch. More bread and cereal was for supper.

I was looking forward to my first church service with my boys. I now know why my Mom liked to pick out my clothes (and still tries too). It’s quite a blast. We were all wearing the same shade of yellow and they got a kick out of it! Wish I had a picture for you.

During church, I was enjoying the music when Juan reached down and ripped off his toenail!! Who does that!!! It was about to fall off anyways, but he was giggling due to the expression on my face. I will never let him play with my toes or a finger…that is for sure!

We then went to the river called Asunta to cool off. It was hot!! We had a mud war. I then noticed one 17 year-old guy fiercely hurling mud at two girls. They were hurting but he kept doing it thinking they were enjoying it. I decided to play hero and dramatically save the girls for the audiences enjoyment. I was expecting laughs with my “If you mess with them, you are messing with me” lecture, and I got them (probably due to my awful Spanish). I then went to tackle him, got him on the ground in the river, enjoyed victory and my bravado for a few seconds, but then it all changed. His machismo was wounded and he retaliated. He probably weighs thirty more pounds then me and has been play fighting his whole life. He pinned me down, and I looked like flailing sticks with my skinny arms and legs. He definitely won that battle. So much for being hero. It was worth the shot. J



Looks like Juan´s a little jealous, eh?



I then gave Miguel and Juan an airplane Erin had left for them. One of those pre-made foam things. Miguel was soooo excited, then hugely disappointed! It stunk! Wouldn’t go more than three feet. We then proceeded to make our own, superior, paper airplanes.

After the Sabbath circle, it was bedtime. I then discovered Juan’s favorite activity. Timed showers. I joked and challenged him to take a shower in less than five minutes. He got all serious, then smiled, and hurried for the shower. I timed him. The result? 1 minute 33 seconds! And he smelled decent! He’s ready for the U.S. military! He was so proud he wanted to do it again! If we weren’t short on shampoo I would have let him. Younger Miguel, now excited to do the same, then took 2 minutes and 46 seconds. Not too bad for a little guy who could barely reach the faucet knob.

What did I learn? If I want to manipulate a little fella, challenge them to do something. I’ll see how long that works for!

I then put them to bed. It took them a while to sleep, though, because I told them I had a surprise for them tomorrow. Want to know what it is? You’ll just have to wait in anguish, too! J

**Keep adventurizing!...I know I will!**

38. Daddy Day 2

Friday, 11/9/12

Day number two as dad of Juan and Miguel. They used today to secure an even greater part of my heart as theirs.

This morning, Steve and I were feeling ambitious. We decided to start making bread at 5:45 a.m. He actually started at 4:30 a.m. for me since I was up late getting settled in my new room. Chad had left yesterday to be a hero and surprise his mom in the States for Thanksgiving! Lucky duck!!! I would love to surprise my folks and spend some quality time with them, but, if I had left, I wouldn’t have had this great opportunity to be dad for these boys for a few weeks.

I then woke the boys up with tickles and hugs. Every moment seemed like a fairy tale because parenting shouldn’t be this easy and this much fun! How long can it last? We ate together and I sent them off to school.

Juan and Emy had to go into town again today, so I was again watching 14 kids. No biggie. They would make great bread helpers for today. They are great at rolling the bread dough. I am getting a hang of this tricky skill, but Chad plays it smart and just refuses to learn. He is a master at dividing the dough for us—but he wasn’t there today. I am already missing that bloak. He makes a good accomplice for our mischief and outlandish plans. He’ll be back in a few weeks, of course.

My nephews helped us finish the bread and it was time to prepare for Sabbath. I encouraged my boys to clean the room and bathrooms and they did so in a jiffy. Erin has them trained well. Their discipline is great, just have to work on their soccer skills! J

For supper, we got jipped! Only bread! So I decided to whip out the secret weapon...peanut butter!! My boys are spoiled.

Erin wanted to watch the movie “Up” with them the night before she left but never got to due to her surprise going away party. Therefore, they watched the movie after their chores were done. I kept thinking of my grandfather as they watched since he is an exact replica of the main old guy in the film. Big white eyebrows and all.

Bedtime was next! I read them an Uncle Arthur’s bedtime story, we sang a song, then we ended with prayer. They fell asleep seconds afterwards at 7:37. I couldn’t believe how early it was! We were all tired. I fell asleep an hour afterwards after some reading.

**Keep adventurizing!...I know I will!**

37. I´m a ¨Papa¨!

Thursday, 11/8/12

Today was a sad day for the Happy Familia (Familia Feliz). Erin Messinger, the beloved missionary for more than a year, left today.

From a Queen size bed to a
¨knees stick off the end¨ bed

I woke up, fed the kids since it was Juan and Emy´s day off, and then Erin came by to say ¨bye¨to the boys. There were tears. I then taught English class for the Sophomores, then looked for Erin. Everyone said she left already. Bummer, I didn´t get to say goodbye! Well, I went to her old room (which is now my new one), and started moving my stuff in. Juan, my new ¨son¨, then came by and made my day. He asked me if I would now be watching over him and Miguel . I said yes and he then jumped in my arms and hugged me and said ¨Papa¨. Cheesy, but so cool.

Miguel with his favorite toy

Juan with his favorite food

I walked back for my class with the Juniors and Seniors and then heard people calling my name to say bye to Erin. She gave me some last second tips, a hug, and she was off. She did so much good for this place and will be hugely missed!

Guava juice

In line for Guava juice

I then taught the third grade English class, followed by the 7th grade English class. I was already quite tired by lunch time, but the day just began. I had 14 kids (12 nephews and 2 new sons) to keep busy for the rest of the day. We had lunch together (good thing we have a big table), and then I treated them with some Guava juice I had been saving. They then washed clothes, swam in the creek, and then kicked penalty kicks for snacks.

Fishing

Penalty kick shootout

All 14 kids swimming in the creek

Will he save it?

Supper came fast and we all had a great conversation about animals at the dinner table. Juan and Emy then came to town and relieved me of my nephews.

The boys´ beds

I finished moving all my stuff into my new room and put on the movie UP (to fulfill a wish of Erin´s) on for them. At 8:00 it was bedtime. We brushed teeth together, washed our faces, changed into jammies, read an illustrated Bible story, prayed, and went to sleep. I am starting to love bedtime.

Sweet dreams!

**Keep adventurizing!...I know I will!**

36. Olive Oil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, 11/7/12

Thanks for the Peanut Butter Southern!!

Today, I went into town for 2 hours, and...got my first package from Southern!!! Woohoo. It was chocked full of unhealthy American food--what´s not to love! Thanks SAU! We then made Focaccia bread again. However, this time, I selfishly made four special loves for my self...with OLIVE OIL!!! A huge delicacy and quite pricey (3 dollars for a tiny can). However, it was way worth it and totally superseded Panera Breads focaccia. I will be flying high for the next few days due to the superb, Mediterranean taste!! Look at how beautiful it looks! I then sat down with Erin as she delivered her ¨This is everything you need to know about my boys to be a good daddy¨ Speech. I even took notes! I´m not even going to try to fill in her shoes (way too difficult...and too small), but I will try to love them as much as she did. I then finished off the day by helping her give away her deliver her clothes to the teenage girls before worship.

I could barely contain myself from chugging the whole thing.

It was even gorgeous before the baking process!

In she goes

Tah Dah!!

A note to the fellas: Focaccia bread this beautiful is quite the chick magnet.



My focaccia with olive oil. Chad´s without it (plus, he kinda forget about it in the oven).
Haha. He´s a master at Ciabatta though!



That about sums it up!! :)

**Keep adventurizing!...I know I will!**

35. From Abuelo to Papa

Tuesday, 11/6/12

Remember my two grand kids. In a few days they will be my new sons. Their current mommy for one year, Erin, is leaving in a few days. After making bread this afternoon, she asked me to be her replacement. I am excited! The responsibility is huge, but the rewards seem greater. I am told I will live with them in their room in the Casa Grande for the end of the year and then they will move back to my current house during the summer.

Let´s see how it goes...

I had to drain some adrenaline and excitement by playing some soccer. Three hours straight! It was Erin´s last soccer game and she scored a beauty. I can´t help but exclaim that I was able to pull off 5 goals!...an exhilarating feat again Bolivians (even if they were little ones!). Annie also scored one! Go volunteers!

On a spiritual note: Despite the pride, I find soccer to be my favorite way to share God´s joy. While competitive sports can be degrading, if handled well, they are a great way to uplift others. I love it when a monstrously large smile takes up a kids face after he is complemented on his strong kick that went to absolutely no one. Sports ministries has a place in this world for sure!

**Keep adventurizing!...I know I will!**

34. Little Bakers

Sunday, 11/4/12

My kids and I made bread today. Don´t worry, the following pictures brighten up that sentence a bit. :)

Brayan and Freddy helping out Baker Steve.

Freddy got a little bit too involved.

We have quite the efficient assembly line going.

Quite Lisette (in the brown) trying to put up with little Ms. Handful (Rebecca on the far right). They were all working hard...

...Until they were distracted by newly caught fish. I can´t blame them.

**Keep adventurizing!...I know I will!**

33. My 12 Nephews

11/2/12

My nephews are the best! So, since today was normal (a.k.a. fun, hard work, and bread), I want to tell you all about them. Here we go!!

Armando, age 8. This little fella comes with a lot of man. He is way beyond his years and almost seems too serious. He is ahead in his school and is already in third grade. Don´t even try to challenge him at marbles...he never loses. His mushy side only comes out on Sabbath...when he sits next to me and tries to cuddle the whole time.

Brayan, 8. Just look at that brute strength. Out of all the little goobers, he is by far the most cunning and arguably the most intelligent. He is one of the guys that hates school because it is too easy for him. This explains why he has so much free time in second grade to cause heaps of mischief. While most of the time he is starting fights or escaping his assailants, you can find him late at night snoozing on my lap...dreaming of his next conniving scheme.

Emmanuel, 11 (on the right). The chief of the trouble makers. Take him away for the day and the house is completely peaceful. With him? Chaos!! However, with me, he is a totally different dude. Apparently he needed an older guy to look up to as he is a new man when he is at my side. We play pranks on each other and most of the time he only gets off another of his victims if I am there to tell him to stop.

Freddy, 8: The baby of the family. Here he is proudly demonstrating his drawing upside down. He´s the cutest kid around with the softest voice. While he´s barely 8, he looks like an old man with wrinkles in his neck when he laughs.

Jose, 12. Dah, dah, dah, DAH!! Introducing the patriarch of the younger boys. Whatever he does, they do. He is a dreamer, perfectionist, and extremely kind. He is so talented at soccer that he usually plays with the teenagers. At first, he challenged my authority. But now he greets me with a cheeky grin and hug. I know he will go far in whatever he does.

Juan, 9 (On the right). Jose´s little brother. Totally opposite. Juan is a rough and tumble dude. Extremely intelligent, but loud and obnoxious. He is three years younger than Jose but already taller. You can usually find him starting trouble with Emmanuel at his side. But take Emmanuel away, and he´s one pleasant kid.

Erick, 10. The older brother of Brayan and my little tocayo (my namesake). It took me a while to figure him out. He can be kind, fun, and hard-working, but often hangs with the wrong crowd. He is baby Emily´s favorite nephew to play with and he has all the patience in the world for her. I tend to see a lot of me in him...but it might be because we have the same name.

David, 10. Oh boy! David is one interesting fellow. He is slightly mentally slow and gets picked on quite often, but never runs out of love. He was the first boy to run up to me and hug-tackle me when I arrived. I usually can´t understand what he rambles on about, but I´m sure his words are full of love.

Rekelme, 9. Freddy´s older brother. They look so much alike that it took me a week to differentiate them. He is a quiet guy that goes with the flow. He is respectful to his teachers, but is still capable of mischief. I think he has interesting facial expressions.

Dainor, 10. The third and final main trouble maker. Can´t you tell? He was the last to arrive at the house, and therefore seems somewhat separate from the others. He always seems to be defensive and expects the worse. He was the last to warm up to me, but now he is always at my side after I stuck up for him when he was falsely blamed for starting a skirmish.

Salvador, 11: He is the brains of the litter. Always studying with a dreamy expression on his face. Doesn´t like doing chores, because he would rather be in the jungle looking for animals. He wants to be a zookeeper. He is my main hope for finding my favorite animal: a chameleon.

Moises, 11. Moises was the first to arrive at the house. He is slow and is only in first grade despite his age. Everyone picks on him and he has low self-esteem. However, this all changes when it comes to eating; his absolute favorite activity. He has got to be the world´s greatest and fastest eater. I once called him the champion, so he always explains, ¨Campion!¨ when he finishes first. I try to race him sometimes...I usually end up choking.

There they are. All special and unique. Love each one of them!

**Keep adventurizing!...I know I will!**

32. Killer Toads, Kids, Cows, and Moths

Wednesday, 10/30/12

What a day. First my little students tried to kill me, then a big cow tried to kill me. Here is how it unfolded:

Herbert saying hi

First, I wokeup to the sound of Herbert, the gigantic toad rumaging through my suit case. He could have swallowed me if he desired. Based on everyone´s description of how horrible teaching elementary is, I almost wanted him to.

I sincerely had a great time teaching the Kindergarten, first, and second grade joint classes today, even though I had to work for the great time.

At 7:30, Erin introduced me to the kids and I felt like a rock star! They were yelling and applauding excitedly, but I'm pretty sure they were things, "Good! A substitute. Let´s kill him then have recess all day!" Therefore, I immediately asserted myself...with smiles and a few jokes! Bad strategy in the U.S., but it worked perfectly here. They were silent. Maybe because the aweful jokes made them sad. ;)

My grandson, Miguel, mastering Language
 class with colored pencils



7:40-8:00 Worship. We sang four songs, I read a story about Paul with lots of pictures (My favorite!), then we closed with prayer.



8:00-9:30 Language class. This is when kids learn Spanish like when I learn English in the States. Well, none of the kids understand the directions in their workbooks. Hence, they come to my desk and ask me what it mean. The questions are in complicated Spanish--I don't know what it means!! However, with my skimpy knowledge and a handy dictionary, all of the kids finished their assignments with time to spare. Then they read or drew pictures.



Coloring for recess?!! Girls!



9:30-10:00 Recess! Finally, a breather for me to get some water. I also played soccer with the kids in the full 100 degrees sun with dress shoes, slacks, and a dress shirt! It was worth it.



Brayan thinking of ways to avoid doing Math



10:00-11:00 Math. They don't like math. They like hanging from my arms much better. So, I stopped walking around to help them, sat at my desk, and had the kids line up in an organized manner. It worked! I then helped the kids count their fingers, add up numbers, and learn how to write numbers.



Science movie!



11:00-11:45 Science. Loved this class. Why? They watched a movie the whole time about cheetahs. Then school was over. I was barely alive yet still smiling. They then hugged me wildly and then I left as soon as I could to my only oasis...town.

Chad and I went to town to run a few errands.

After we ate our fill, Joy drove us back to Familia Feliz. We then saw a herd of cattle in the distance. The distance closed rapidly and we were surrounded by white zebu cattle. We all gasped when two cattle barely split our truck. Then...BANG! The cow behind these two must not have see our truck until it was too late. It jumped and smacked into the fender and hood of the truck. I was sure the truck would work after that, but old faithful pulled through. We were all a little more thankful for our lives after this.

Erin then spotted a "fire breathing" T-Rex made out of a lightning cloud. Interesting, eh?

I got home fell asleep and was then woken up at 9:30 by Juan and Emy. They wanted me to draw a blue-print for the expansion of our house. I sleepily, yet gladly obliged and spent the next 2 hours deciphering what they wanted in their new home and sketching it as they liked. The lights went out but I still kept working with my headlamp. Moths liked that and kept flying into my eyes and ears.

I finished and fell asleep thankful to be alive.

**Keep adventurizing!...I know I will!**

31. Tickling Solves Wars

Tuesday, 10/30/12

Happy Tuesday!

I taught in the morning today. My highscoolers are learning professions and phrases that are useful in daily conversations. "You are cool!" and the popular surfing term "radical" are a few of their favorites so far.

After lunch I finished making bread with Stephen. He talked about exotic Birch and Rhubarb syrup. My eyes grew big and I'm pretty sure I started to drool. He then went on to talk about other delicious foods--all of which we can't get here in Rurre! For me, that is pretty much a form of torture.

After this it was music time! Finally. This was the first time I played guitar since I was here. We were singing all the Christian goodies for a good hour or so.

I then tossed, tickled, and tackled the kids who were throwing dirty bread dough at me as I was attempting to strum the guitar. It was a war that I had to pacify. Someone please tell the existing world powers that tickling solves everything...even wars!

My family ate supper. I talked to them for a couple hours as two of my nephews fell asleep on my lap.

The biggest surprise of the day came at 8:00 at night when I was talking to Erin and Chad. Erin then popped out the question, "Hey, so...you want to teach my crazy, rambuntious, never-sitting-down, always-fighting kinder, first, and secondgraders for me tomorrow?" Okay, it wasn't quite like that, but that's what I interpreted. I foolishly replied yes. I look forward to teaching those little guys tomorrow while Erin's away, but let us see if I have any energy left tomorrow?

**Keep adventurizing!...I know I will!**