1. it is still excessively hot in zambrano. last night at 830 when i looked at the temp it was 93. yikes.
2. things are going well in general...a lot of the same. i'm into more of a routine now. am definitely not the busy person i'm used to being, but i'm getting used to that. and even though i do want to be more busy, the heat is so unbearable i can't imagine running around like i do at home.
3. steph comes in two days and i can hardly wait. she'll be here for two days, in which we have planned a day or two at the beach, most of a week here in zambrano, and another 6 days on a mountain trek up to the ciudad perdida, an ancient tayrona ruins in santa marta, here on the coast. leady, alejo, and jordan (seeders) will also be joining us, so i'm looking forward to a good time...and hopefully some cool evenings in which i will be inclined to comfortably wear long sleeves. :)
4. last week on the way to cartagena for a workshop, the car got a flat. i helped the driver change the tire, although we had to wait till a number of people stopped because he didn't have the right size tools to get the bolts off the wheel. anyway, when i lifted up the bottom of the trunk and pulled the spare out he looked at me like i was insane. i don't think he'd ever seen a woman who new how to change a tire before. it was amusing. and i enjoyed the hour delay. my hands were black and greasy when we finished, something they haven't been since i left the states. at least he let me help.
5. im actually gonna be out of zambrano for quite a bit of time in october here, because after the hike up the mountain, the seed group has a weekend of training and then a few days visiting the communities here on the coast. i'm excited to have all my friends see where i live and what i do...seeing is such a different thing than hearing about a place and a situation. also why im thrilled that steph is coming, obv. that, and the fact that i miss her like crazy. i have lovely friends here, but no one replaces my friends and family from home. i miss you all so much.
6. i have decided to go to belize for christmas. for a long time i was thinking on coming home, but i just don't think its a wise decision...for a number of reasons. so although im' sad i wont see many of you in december, i am looking forward to some time with family. my parents and jonna will meet me in belize, as well as my aunt and uncle, john and lois, and their kids. so we'll hang out with my family in belize...only 7 days together - really short - but i'm thrilled to see them. i'll also be back in time to celebrate the new year here with my community, which is a pretty big event, from what i understand. so i feel good about all that.
7. the pictures above are from a week and a half ago sunday when the church purchased the pastors' family a new oven, because september is pastor's month. walnut hillers, you must not love your pastors' family as much...where's our gift? just becuase i'm down here in colombia doesn't mean you can't send me my share. haha...just kidding.
8. the gift culture is something i'm still getting used to. gifts are so big here. id say that giving gifts are like my last love language. i don't express or recieve love through gift giving so much, but it is huge here, so i keep trying to remember that so that im not offensive.
9. i can't sit here any longer. its too hot. sorry its been awhile. i'll update again after i get back from my hike up to the lost city! i love you all, miss you dearly, and hope to hear from you soon!