Residing..

So it seems that the more I try to get out of St Annes the longer I end up staying! Unfortunately none of the job applications I have made have been successful, and some of the 'rejection letters' were very disappointing. The past month hasn't been a very encouraging one.

I have now decided to look for work here in St Annes for now, for the moment I am applying for anything of financial value, but obviously there are jobs that I prefer to do to others.

I am still looking at some post grad courses, but the expense is an obvious brick wall at the moment. This is something I am looking at as a way of preparing myself practically for eventually going back to South America.

This month has seen another kind of addition to my life in the form of a man. My boyfriend Colin lives in Chesterfield, which means that a lot of my weekends are occupied with visiting him or him coming here.

Please keep me in your prayers as I look for a job for this next season of my life, and for God to guide me in my decisions about whether to do further study or not as I look at the best way to prepare myself for the future.

Thanks!

UPDATE!!

So I did hear from The Message Trust, about 2 months after my interview, letting me know that I hadn't got the job. (I'd kinda guessed by then!!) I've been applying for jobs in the Manchester area, and after getting just two interviews for telesales jobs, I've actually decided not to go for them!

I'm now pursuing another job, and have applied for two other jobs as a support worker and as a fire safety advocate in a drugs and alcohol community.

I'm still at home in St.Annes but I'm getting itchy feet to move on, especially as my days are filled with application forms and writing cover letters..

I've also had a look at a few post graduate courses, just to see what's out there.

I'll let you know as new things come up!

Back Home

So I'm back! This is just a quick update, but I got home safe and sound on Wednesday night, had a little delay in Sao Paulo with a lightning storm, but just an hour.

Still not heard from The Message despite emailing them about letting me know. Very disappointing, and so I'm back to square one, looking for temporary work until I can find something more permanent as I don't have money at the moment! So let me know if you know of anything (especially in St.Annes as I have no car right now)

Tomorrow I am off to Sheffield for the wedding of two good friends from Mattersey Hall (where I did my degree). Very excited not only to see them get married, but also to be altogether with everyone from MH again. It will be so good to see them all!

I will be back Saturday night and at church on Sunday for all who want to see me :D

Prayer Requests

1. For someone to speak Spanish with, I am really missing spanish, so much.
2. That I feel like I can be of use here despite being unemployed.

Coming home!

Update first.. in regards to the interview, I have heard nothing so far, and since they said they would let me know by last Friday, I'm a little disappointed but still trying to hope that there is a possibility that they're just undecided still. We will see.

On Saturday I preached and it went well, the theme was communion and I preached what Paul says in 1 Corinthians about the need to examine ourselves before we take communion. After the preach the pastor got up and talked, I was disappointed as I felt he undermined some of my points, however yesterday just an hour before the church service started I was asked if I could share the same message I had shared with the youth the night before. It was a surprise as I really thought that the pastor hadn't agreed with what I had said.. Having said this I freaked out that I then had to preach and although it was the same message I had double the time to fill (20 minutes > 40 minutes). So I edited and added, and came up with a revised but similar preach and last night it too went really well. 

Yesterday afternoon I realised I was missing 100 pesos from my purse (about £17) and since I had been in the house nearly all weekend I'm pretty sure someone from the house took it. So I was pretty annoyed, and disappointed that someone would take it. (Also because this isn't the first time.) I'm telling you this not because I want you to feel sorry for me, but because there is an end to the story! I haven't got the money back, and honestly, I don't think I will. But within the hour I had been given 6 times the amount I lost, for no other reason than "for things that you need". It was such a blessing, not just in that I now have the money.. but also to know that God is really looking out for me, and although the situation hasn't been sorted out completely, I am content that God has control over ever penny.

Otherwise it is just 5 days until I am leaving Salta, my city, and I have started my leaving parties! It seems that every group of friends has to have their own one, though I tried to organise something with everyone, it just wasn't going to work. On Saturday I had a little leaving tea party with the youth, Sunday morning I had a pizza party with my cell group, and last night I had lots of goodbye's to say at church as although nearly all of the youth have promised to come to the bus terminal to wave me off, it was the last time I would see most of the main congregation. 

This week I am at the rehab centre tomorrow and wednesday, on which I have my leaving party there. I am really not looking forward to saying goodbye to the kids from the rehab, as I have really felt that my greatest impact as been with them. Thursday night I have a Leaving meal with misc. friends and Friday I have left free because I am sure there will be lots of last minute shopping and goodbye's to be saying, Amongst this I also have two more spanish classes left in order to finish my course before I leave, and random coffee and ice-cream dates to see people for a last time. 

Its all very sad that this time next week I will not be in Salta, but also very exciting that I will be seeing everyone at home soon!

As a reminder here is my travel schedule:

9th April    Leave Salta by coach 12:00 noon

10th April   Arrive in Buenos Aires 08:00

2 days in BA saying goodbyes and having a meeting or two.

12th April    Leave BA by plane 15:45 (ARG TIME)

12th April    Arrive in Sao Paulo     18:30 (BRA TIME)

12th April    Leave Sao Paulo      23:45 (BRA TIME)

13th April    Arrive in London Heathrow   15:00 (UK TIME) 

13th April    Leave London         16:30 (UK TIME)

13th April    Arrive in St.Annes       22:00 (UK TIME) -- Depending on traffic and the driving of me folks!

Last week I had my debrief here, which consisted of an evaluation and an explanation of reverse culture shock. Now although many people don't suffer from 'reverse culture shock' I already know that from my 3 week trips to Bulgaria I do. Every time I came back from Bulgaria I spent my first few weeks frustrated, confused and in some cases angry with God. Because I couldn't do enough, because many times what I saw in Bulgaria seems/ed irrelevant to England of because a lot of the time there is an 'out of sight, out of mind' approach to mission, and needs. I don't know how I will cope coming back to the UK now, but I know I am really not going to find it easy, not just missing people, but it really is another world here, and I have adjusted to a completely different way of living. One that doesn't lend itself to England, and so I ask you to pray for me in this way, and to encourage me when I get home, that out of sight is not out of mind. 

Prayer Points

1. The Message Job, I will hear soon, and that whatever the answer I'd know God is in control.
2. Money, praise God for his providence, and also for the "brothers and sisters" I have in the house.
3. That I would enjoy my last week saying goodbyes and be able to think positively about the future.
4. For safe travels!
5. For 'reverse culture shock'.

Thank you for all your support!

See you soon!

Interview

So today I had my interview for The Message Trust for a place as a Reflex Intern in Manchester. The position includes working with another young woman about my age in a female prison with 18-25 year olds, and also occasionally working in a team in the young offenders male prison, helping in alpha groups. The female prison is in Styal prison. The average week would look like this:

Monday- Discipleship with older women (21yrs up)

Tuesday- Discipleship with young offenders (18-21yrs)

Wednesday- Office day to prepare sessions, resettlement work also done on wednesdays

Thursday- Workshop 'Life Skills' sessions. Working on the young offenders wing, doing arty creative workshops helping them to look at a variety of life skills.

Friday- one to one sessions with vulnerable women

Sundays once a month- Reflex run the service.

I am very excited about this opportunity, and really would like the position. The job appeals to me in many different areas, working with broken women using both my creativity and my theology teaching. Working in a pair day to day but also having the support system of The Message Trust as there are daily prayer meetings with everyone together. Having the flexibility of having taster days in other sections of The Message Trust, for example the social action work they do in Manchester council housing estates. I really want this opportunity, it is much more than I though it was when I first applied, and I am now excited about it. However I know I was not the only application for this job, so please pray that God will guide Hannah and Simon (the bosses of reflex) to make the right decision.

If this is where God wants me, this 'job' is after all an internship, and so it is not 'paid' rather they give you an allowance of £100 per week. Most of you know that this is not sufficient to cover my living costs, especially in a city like Manchester. So I am expected to raise monthly support to help 'keep' me. I would really appreciate your prayers over this too. I know that God will provide if this is where he wants me.

I will find out next week if I have the job!
Thank you!

Coming to the end....

So it is just 3 weeks left until I leave Salta.. Or should I say 2 weeks and 5 days.. and just 3 weeks and 2 days until I arrive in the UK (I have a couple of days in Buenos Aires and a couple of days travelling!) And I'm starting to become very volatile in my emotions, one minute I am longing to get on the plane and come home at this very minute and the next minute I'm almost crying at the thought of leaving this all behind!

Despite this I am ok, and I'm making the most of my last few weeks here in Salta. I leave here at noon on the 9th of April, taking a 16 (ish) hour coach to Buenos Aires. So my last Sunday in church will be the 3rd of April. I have organised to talk to the youth on the 2nd of April, my last youth service with them, I have been given the theme of Communion, so it will be interesting what I will do, in order to make it interesting (the youth really cant concentrate for very long).

My time in the rehab centre is really great, I've really built up some great relationships with the youth there and have been able to challenge and encourage a few of them in life situations and with God. The school in the centre is still getting going, and is having some problems in that the kids are finding it really hard to sit down to listen and learn, the school is running creatively and to the kid's different levels with classroom assistants etc. but it is still hard to keep their attention.

The carpentry workshop which runs in the rehab centre has really gone down well with the kids, and they all love making something with their hands, carving, chopping, sawing etc.. They all have their own projects that  they enjoy, ranging from carved coat hangers to benches, from treasure chests to bread bins! They are beautiful works of art which many of the kids have dedicated to their mothers, carving 'para mami' in their projects. Its one thing that can keep their attention for hours.

My Spanish work is going well, and I am now studying the subjunctive. I am really hoping I get to finish it before I come home, and so far it looks like I will be able to.

My mentor got back from Europe this week, it has been 3 months since I saw her, and it has been so good spending time together again. I've missed having her around in Salta, though we have been in contact throughout her travelling.

I still haven't heard from my applications in the UK, but I am hoping to in the coming week(s).

Prayer Points:

1. To make the most of my last 3 weeks in ARG, and for opportunities to share more of my faith.
2. For clarity and wisdom for my preach to the you in 2 weeks.
3. For the youth in the rehab centre to settle down more in classes and be able to learn.
4. Give thanks for the creativity of the youth in the rehab centre.
5. That I will be able to learn and retain the last few classes of the intermediate course.
6. Give thanks for the safe return of my mentor and for the next weeks we have together.
7. Pray that I would be able to find work that I enjoy soon after I get home.

Thank you so much for all your prayers, very much appreciated!

One month to go!!

I’m back! Sorry for the delay (as per usual) Last week I was in the far North east of Argentina bordering with Brazil. It was a little holiday with 3 other striders with Latin Link, we had to cross the border in order to renew our visa, and thought we would visit the Iguazu falls while we had the opportunity! They were amazing! Kilometres of falls and breath taking views.. I took 400 photos in 2 days! We spent one day on the Brasilian side and one day in the Argentinian side. The day on the Argentinian side of the falls I spent with my friend Naomi who is working in Cordoba, a province 8 hours south of mine, for the majority of the day we didn’t talk. (I know you are going to find that hard to believe...) We were either stunned to silence, busy taking photos, or posing for photos! It was a brilliant week, and a nice time speaking English and relaxing a little.

Other than my holiday to Iguazu , it is all change at the rehab centre, I started back today (there were two bank holidays here this week for the 4 day carnival) and we are all busy as there is now a new primary school in the afternoons for anyone who didn’t complete their studies (very common here) so there will be teenage mothers, olders adults and other teenagers who either cant afford a normal school (this school is free), cant afford childcare (free childcare included) or won’t be excepted into a normal school (all ages welcome). So this is really great news, also it is totally government funded, down to tea and bread for the afternoon snack! All of the teachers will be supplied by the government too. So we are all busy with the youth from the rehab coming at 9am and staying until 2 and half of these kids are staying on for the school in the afternoon, the other half either go home or attend a different school. The school finishes at 6pm. I will be continuing with my 3 days a week in the foundation, Tuesday Wednesday and Friday, and will there 8:30am-6pm on Tuesday and 8:30am – 1:30pm Wednesday and Friday.

My classes of Spanish are continuing, and I am coming to the end of the Intermediate course. I am very proud of what I have achieved; it is hard to imagine how little I knew when I arrived! I still have quite a bit to study this month as it I am studying the Subjunctive side of grammar, which is.. hard! Also I am worrying a lot about not being able to keep practicing my Spanish in England, in one week with my friends talking English, I forgot a lot of my Spanish, so I really don’t want to be spending months with no Spanish! If you know any Spanish Speakers in the North West please let me know!

As I now have just four and a half weeks left here in Salta I am starting to look to the future, in reality I just do not know what I want anymore! I am looking at many different options both here and in the UK, I have sent my CV off to a few jobs in the UK now. In the short term I am returning to the UK on the 13^th of April and spending at the very least until Christmas there! So don’t worry I will not be arriving and turning around again straight away. 

Prayer Points 

1.     Give thanks for the opportunity to spend time with English friends and relax 

2.     Pray for the new school, that the new teachers will fit in well with the Christian ethos. 

3.     Pray for my Spanish that I would be able to complete the course, and find opportunities to keep practicing in the UK. 

4.     Pray for my future, that God would guide me and give me wisdom to make the right decisions.

Songs

Just wanted to share a couple of songs that have been speaking to me recently. maybe you will like them.


21st Chapter - When Silence Falls


I wait in the silence to hear Your voice, just to hear Your call, 
And I’ll catch the intonation of each syllable as it falls. 
No-one can replace it, my words cannot attain it, 
Your love is boundless, without condition, I fumble for words to explain it. 
Warm me with your love, thaw my unbelief 
Lift me from the floor and place me back upon my feet. 
You renew my strength so I can walk and not faint 
My hope is in You, You have my heart and my faith. 


Where would I be without You? 
My skin crawls with the very thought of a world without You. 
And even if I die I know that I can’t be without You 
Cos the afterlife means that after life I'll never be without You. 
But for now I'll focus on the time on earth we share 
And when the silence falls... shh...You're there. 
Still waiting to care for any load I have to bear 
So in the silence of these moments my heart whispers these prayers... 


When hope is lost I'll call You saviour, 
When pain surrounds I'll call You healer, 
When the silence falls You'll be the song within my heart. 


Insecurities had me going insane, I've never been so lame, 
Your voice to me was calming like rain on a window pane 
Not lusting or a flirt, never putting others first 
What a brother didn't deserve You covered with Your loving words. 
You reached out and embraced me, without You I'm flakey. 
But now I'm a new man because Your love completely remade me. 
Ever will You be the song of my heart, regardless. 
Cos You were the light of life that got sparked in my darkness. 
In spite of all my failures and mistakes, my shame and disgrace 
You took my life and covered it with grace. 
I know that all my steps are ordered by You, 
And so I step with confidence because Your love is true. 


Matthew West - This Turnaround


This rock is tied around my ankle
This thorn is buried in my skin
I wonder why I have to struggle
But then again
If I wasn't drowning I wouldn't need you to save me
If I wasn't broken I wouldn't need you to heal me
You keep me broken

Don't let this river get lost in the ocean
Don't let this rock take me down, down, down
My heart is standing at the edge of the world
I need you
To help me make the turnaround

So many puzzles with no answers
So many questions with no peace
So many second guesses
But then again I guess
If I wasn't drowning I wouldn't need you to save me
If I wasn't broken I wouldn't need you to heal me
Oh Lord I'm drowning

Don't let this river get lost in the ocean
Don't let this rock take me down, down, down
My heart is standing at the edge of the world
I need you
To help me make the turnaround

I need you
I know I need you

Future

So this week it’s been pretty cool, lots of rain and not much sun, for me, its been quite nice, but everyone else is complaining of being cold! And we’re still in summer! Other than the complaining it has also meant that my room is starting to get quite humid and my health has suffered a little with the mould that has started to grow, but I will survive I’m sure.

Well the YWAM team has gone now, and their help was really appreciated, it’s been an easy week in the rehab centre with 10 extra hands to help with the cooking and with maintaining behaviour. It was also really good to get to know some of the women, they were really down to earth and friendly. On Friday I actually joined in with a carpentry workshop and while the others are making boxes, chopping boards and trays I made a key ring, quite a lot simpler but I enjoyed it all the same! (and they enjoyed watching me struggle as the last time I did woodwork was when I was 13!) I will hopefully take a photo of it to show you, at the moment it is in the rehab centre as I left it there for the varnish to dry last Friday.

Otherwise I have my exam marks, thanks for all of your prayers, it went really well and I passed every section. Grammar = 80%, Listening = 70%, Writing = 80%, Reading = 90%. Overall 80%. All in all it was 3 hours of exams and more hours revising so I’m glad that my marks are good, and I don’t have to re-sit them!

My ‘sister’ Sole is away at the moment in Buenos Aires working for two weeks, and so I was asked to take her cell group while she is away, which consists of four 16-17 year old girls. It went really well on Thursday and we had a bit of discussion (which is very unusual in the culture of this church) and were able to learn something new about Jesus (we’re studying the book of Mark at the moment).

On Saturday in youth we finished studying the book of Ecclesiastes by watching a 3 hour film about Solomon, it was really well made and quite a few of the youth came away saying that now they want to know what happens next. So hopefully they will be inspired to continue reading the Old Testament!

We are currently planning a youth camp to a little village outside the city centre. We’ll be taking tents and sleeping outside... I’m not sure If I’m excited about that.. but the youth are! They never go camping so it’s quite an adventure for them! I’ll be teaching and performing some dramas around the theme of Samson, as we will be reading about him over the weekend. Also will be teaching a few English games! So if you have and ideas let me know! So far I’ve not got a long list, and I have an hour!

I am now starting to look to the future and what God wants to do with me when I get back home, and the next year(s). My desire is really to serve in a Christian Charity that is working in Mission or Social Action projects, either on the ‘field’ or ‘behind the scenes’. For now I am looking in the UK, I have enquired about an internship with The Message Trust in Manchester that would be working in a female young offenders institute, which does excite me. However being an internship they don’t pay you, but give you an ‘allowance’ which would just cover food and accommodation.

Prayer Points

1. Health that we can find a solution to the mould and that I get better.
2. That now the YWAM team has gone the kids won’t feel discouraged but empowered and will remember them for their faith as well as their friendliness.
3. That I can use the next 7 weeks as much as possible to advance in my Spanish.
4. For Sole’s cell group, that we will continue to have good discussions and questions about the Bible.
5. Thank God that the youth are enjoying learning about the story of Israel, and that they will continue to want to know more.
6. For the upcoming camp, that the youth will have fun, but also want to learn and read the Bible more.
7. The future; for wisdom in this area, that I would find the right opportunities and be guided to the right place.

Valentines Day

Hello! Its been a long week, with lots to tell!

This week the YWAM team arrived in the youth rehab centre. They are a team of 10 with people from Spain, Peru, Colombia, Brasil, Chile and Argentina. They have been doing a drama and devotion in our normal group times as well as joining in the workshops, (Woodwork, English, Gardening, I.T., and Cooking.) The kids have loved having them around, having chats, playing football and generally sharing their lives with them. It’s been good to see and be a part of. Please pray that the kids will be able to see something different in their lives, something that they too want.

I had a Spanish exam on Thursday, listening and writing, I haven’t got my mark back yet for writing but I got 75% for my oral, I actually got every question right, but took too long on a couple of questions. Shame! But just shows that when I listen properly I can understand everything! On Tuesday I have my grammar exam, please pray for me! This is the section that I failed last time and had to take again. My exam is at 6:30pm ARG time, 9:30pm UK time on Tuesday.

On Friday night I had a ‘Quince’, a fifteenth birthday party. Here in Argentina the girls become women at 15 and the boys become men at 18. So 15 is a big party for a girl, almost like the USA with the ‘sweet sixteenth’ parties. In the church here at this age you also are expected to have your confirmation. This ‘quince’ was a girl from the church called Gisel, she was dressed in a white ball gown style dress almost bride like. The party began with the ceremony where the pastors explained what a confirmation was, and then she said her vows and received a necklace to represent her pact with God. After the ceremony we had a dinner, three courses. Empanadas (mini Cornish pasties) then Chicken with rice and salad then ice-cream. After the dinner Gisel danced her ‘first dance’ with a boy from the church, a samba I think someone said! And then there was a ‘folkloric spectacular’ a traditional dancing show, where girls and a boy from the church were dressed in traditional dress. It was very well practiced and they were very good. Through the evening there were two bands, one Christian cumbia band (I can’t explain cumbia, its a genre of music we don’t have in the UK!) and the other the worship band from church. As the ‘quince’ was half ceremony half party we also had times of praise and worship through the night. Gisel presented her top 15 friends with a special present, of which I was one! And i had to go on the stage and light a candle for a photo with her! Then there was a kind of ‘throw the bouquet’ game where all the single girls (and me) had to go on the stage and pull a string from bowl at the same time, the girl who had the ‘15’ charm is the next to have romance, or something like that. The night in was really good fun but very tiring. It started at 10 o’clock at night and finished at 4:30am!! I left at 3 because I was absolutely shattered and most of the events had passed by then. It was great not just to go and be announced as one of her top 15 friends but also to see how this tradition plays itself out in my church.

God has been talking to me a lot this week, challenging me and strengthening me. Especially in the area of relationships, with people in my house, in the rehab centre and with people back in England. It is all very challenging at the moment but I am learning more and more about myself and about God. Pray for me in this area.

Photos

Check out my recent happenings with this link for some photos!!


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=273656&id=503367599&l=aba94357e7

Lunes 7 de Febrero

So this weekend I went to a Youth Camp with another 'Strider' with Latin Link called Alec. There we about 20 youth and 7 leaders. We had a great time playing games, chatting and generally mucking around!

One of the 'activities' which I loved, (but I would have liked it more if I didn't have to join in!) is that they had a rule that every time the youth pastor banged the pan lid you had to run to wherever he was and line up in your groups. There were points for the 1st 2nd and 3rd.. (100, 50, 25) that arrived and lined up properly.

This all sounds like a great idea, the YP used it to get everyone ready for meals, for announcements and worst of all.. to wake everyone up in the morning.. So you had to run out of your bed/tent in your pyjamas and line up.. It has to be said on Saturday morning my team lost because I refused to run outside to the street in my pyjamas.. (Sunday I put my alarm on before it went off and was ready to run!)

Other than this the teachings were great, all on Ephesians and the family of God, we had a great time with the youth, some christians some not. In my group of girls two became christians and are excited about carryon with the church, so thats very encouraging! Please keep them in your prayers, Cynthia and Luciana.

The only other thing I should probably tell you is that I won an award!! :D The award 'The incredible Hulk'... So basically on the saturday we had a game of tug of war. but with two ropes tied together to form an 'X' and with four girls, one girl per rope all trying to pass their line behind them.. The whistle was blown and I pulled as hard as I could... there was a scream and the girl opposite me flew towards me.. needless to say I won.. and now I have the title Incredible Hulk!! :D

Until next time!

Photos

Check out my photos on facebook with the links below.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=271669&id=503367599&l=372eb1679a


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=271701&id=503367599&l=515821a264

All of my updates so far..

January 17th 2011


So biggish news.. 

I have decided to stay an extra month here in Salta, whilst planning my work at the rehab centre it has come very apparently that these extra few weeks will make a big difference in what I am able to get involved in, the main reason being that we are currently in summer holidays and there is just so much more to do during school terms. The other reason being with the YWAM team coming there will be a change after they have gone to get back into the normal routine, and they´d like me to help with this too.

I will also be continuing my time working with the church, for which at the moemnt I am leading a cell group with another lady in the church and we take turns teaching though the book of Mark, I really enjoy teaching but we need lots of prayer for the girls as they really aren´t very enthusiastic about reading the Bible. The girls range from 14-21.

I am also on the preaching rota for the youth service (saturday) and have the odd occasion to preach in the church services on a sunday. Other than this I generally spend a lot of time with the youth in the week, hanging out and drinking the national drink mate, going to events or birthday parties... there is literally a party every week! 

So obviously my staying an extra month means I will be needing an increase in support financially, if you would like to help in this area you can donate through the latin link website (www.latinlink.org.uk) clicking donate, one off donations and selecting my name (Rebecca Ayling) from the drop down menu. You can giftaid through this and Latin Link do not charge for this service. Otherwise please talk to me or my parents for otherways to give.

The other biggish news is that the Pastor´s nephew and niece are coming to live in the pastor´s house with us. Which if you are keeping count is now 8 people in a tiny 3 bedroom flat with just one dining room/living room/kitchen.. its a squash and a challenge as I will now be sharing a room with Sole (28) and Maria (15). My relationship with Sole has really grown a lot over the past few months and we talk about god and the Bible, I ask you to pray for her and her faith, and that I would still have the oppertunity to share with her when maria moves in.

So I am now coming home on the 13th of April. A new date for your diaries! I will be setting off on the 12th. 

Lots of Love

Bekki


January 15th 2011


My apologies for the delay... I seem to start every message like this but still...

So The biggest news I have is that I have started my second half ofmy project, it was looking like I wouldn´t be able to start it until the end of February but I have been able to start 2 days a week at the moment. I am so excited about this because my work win the feeding project has been limited, especially as in the last few weeks there hasn´t been any funding so it has been closed.

This week i was in the youth rehabilitation centre three times just to get used to it, and the idea is that i will arrive to have breakfast with kids, in order to mix with them all properly, and then my activities vary depending on the day, sometimes I will be helping teaching English for those who are retaking their english exams in March. Sometimes I will be overseeing them as they use the computers, other times helping them as the cook together, clean together and also sharing in devotions together. 

Today the devotion was about how to treat others, specifically looking at violence in relationships. The devotions are generally a practical moral that they all understand, related to the Bible. 

In february we are reciving a YWAM team to the centre to help with teaching and doing some drama workshops etc, i will be helping with the team too.

As many of you will have heard I had an accident with my foot, with a shelf breaking and a glass jar smashing on my toe. Well its ok now!! :) i have been to the doctors 4 times this week... and I can now confirm there is no fracture.. This is what the Doctor though had happened when I couldnt bend my toe, but now after having my xray, he has said that he thinks i have an inflamed tendon and that I just need to take ibuprofen, walk less, lift my foot and put ice on it every day.. the hardest of these is walking less as i have to walk in order to get anywhere.. My doctor wanted me to cancel my actiuvities for the week but well, I´m as stubborn as my mother, my grandmother and my great grandmother... and well I´ve been walking everyday, but the ice does seem to helping still! I´m in less pain and I seem to be making progress. The blue and purple bruising has died down, which is a shame because it went very nicely with my violet nail varnish.

Other than this, I am now getting English Sim card back, so could you all send me your mobile numbers! Not just to use here but for when I get back in England too.

I will mail again soon!!
Please pray for everything above.
Bekki


November 22nd 2010


I realise that its been aaaages since i sent something out, and im sorry.. i would love to give the excuse that i only get online once a week.. but then that would meen i had at least 6 days in the last 6 weeks that i could have said something...

As for now I can't really write as im about to fall asleep.. 

But all is well, im pretty sick of the sun but rainy season is about to start, for while i am very thankful, though i dont know how much it cool anything down! 

My project is going well and at the end of this month im going down to just 4 hours of language classes a week (i have 8 hours at the moment) so i will be able to get more involved with things at church. I love the church im at and im feeling really at home. they're crazy mad, and at first i was very english in my not wanting to jump dance and do actions to every song.. but now im loving it, loving the interaction in the sermons when we have to answer the odd questions and raise our hands, and repeat sentences. its a very very lively church, that and mental and so i fit in perfectly!!

The youth have really accepted me and i am earning their trust which is so good since i know the pastor wants me to speak in the youth services soon... which will be interesting!!

Anyway i will try and talk soon!
Bekki

ps tell me about whats going on with you! I miss England a lot!!


September 30th 2010


Hi everyone sorry for the delay in a message!! I don´t know how long I have now either.. But all is great here, ive just managed t upload some pictures so you can check them out, i had a week with other english people doing a bit of training in la Plata just outside Buenos Aires, and then travelled up to Salta where I am now!

The project i am meant to b working on has not quite started yet due to funding but i am still busy with language lessons (and homework!) getting to know people in my church, my family and the general culture!

A few things i found weird at first that i thought id share with you... ok everyone has this little bin on stilts outside their house.. maybe you can see on the pictures.. you put your rubbish in it and it gets collected EVERY NIGHT!!! how impressive is that!!

On the roundabouts and some dual carrigeways there are no lanes and there are probably 3 or 4 cars trying to drive side by side...

Almost every car I get in has a huge crack across the windscreen and nobody seems to notice... guess its not illegal here!

at petrol stations everyone gets out of the car incase it explodes! (very reassuring!)

As yu drive down a road you will frequently see statues and ´offerings´to saints.. honouring their lives.. 

Anyway as you can tell everything is very different!! 
Please pray for the following...

That Im able to get time alone with my Bible, Im constantly surrounded with people at the moment.

That I adjust to the lifestyle soon, im finding the late nights quite tiring at the moment!

That my Spanish improves fast, its quite important when you´re living with a family that doesnt speak any English!

I think that is everything! Email me and let me know whats going on with you! Id love to hear from you!

Miss you all
Bekki


September 19th 2010


Hello! 
Just a little update before I go. I am leaving TOMORROW!! My flight is at 10:30pm at Heathrow and my parents will be giving me a lift down south in the morning. I am flying with a group of 5 others. I fly 11 hours from Heathrow to Sao Paulo in Brazil, and then have a 3 hour wait before flying another 2.5 hours to Buenos Aires in Argentina. I will arrive at about 9am local time and 1pm UK time. I then have about 3/4 days in Buenos Aires doing some orientation before travelling up to Salta which could take up to 20 hours.. (fun times!!) I will then start my project in a suburb of Salta called Floresta.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers this week as I will probably be exhausted by the end of it! These are a few things I would appreciate prayer for:

- On time flights
- Personal Safety
- Travel Sickness
- Fun!!!

Thank you all for all your support!
Please keep me updated on what you're doing too.

Bekki xxxxx