Volunteer Mission: March 2010

Saturday, March 27: Post Trip Thoughts

The volunteer team from North Carolina has returned safely to the United States, and our time in Bolivia has forever changed our lives for the better.

Being part, even a small part, of the work and mission of Kory Wawanaca is a humbling experience.  While it may seem on the surface that we traveled to Bolivia to give of ourselves, it was we who received, and we are richer for the experience.

As Allen Hayes wrote in his song, Moonlight of Tacachia, “We are weary but contented”.

Tacachia

Our work days in Tacachia consisted of waking up at the farm bunk house followed by walking up to the Children’s Home for breakfast.  It was a peaceful and meditative time to wake up in the Andes mountains and walk a dusty road every morning.  No traffic, no phones, just the villagers and livestock as we made our way the short distance to have breakfast with the staff and children of Kory Wawanaca.  Seeing the children was awesome.  The smiles and love they gave us each morning were the best part of the day (until we saw them again).

A high point of our time in Tacachia was walking “Cow Hopkins” into the village.  This cow, who was in a delicate way (which is another way of saying she was pregnant), was purchased by Steve and Ruth Hopkins as a gift to the children of Kory Wawanaca.  We met Cow Hopkins about 1.5 miles outside the village, and a group of volunteers and children triumphantly led her into Tacachia.  It was a sight to behold!

The work in Tacachia included moving rocks in support of rebuilding a road, trying to change the flow of a river so that a truck could pass over and bring sand into the village, painting children’s rooms, helping Gavin build a retaining wall so that more land can be used for agriculture, and gathering more rocks for various tasks.  It is good work. Hard work.  Honest work.  And the work was most gratifying, because we could see actual progress to help the Home. As Gavin would tell us, “every shovel of dirt you move, every swing of the pick or moving of a rock is one less thing that me and my crew have to do”.

It is rare for us to be part of something where the value is so apparent and immediate.  Knowing that we helped these children (even in a small way) have a better home, another area to garden, or somehow enriched their lives was the most rewarding thing I have done in a long time.

La Paz

In La Paz we did not have the morning calm of life in the country or the abundance of children in our daily lives. but we did sleep in the John Wesley Hotel and had a different experience of traveling to the work site.  No more walks down a quiet road.  Instead, we rode in a van through the narrow streets of the city and across the crevasses of the bowl in which the city lies.

The work experience was also different because even though we worked on various tasks, we all stayed in the same area.  This proximity bonded an already close group of people even more.  The purpose of working in La Paz was to support building a new home for Kory Wawanaca.  This new home is intended to be the next step for the Golden Children, a place that they can move to and continue their education when they are old enough and ready to leave Tacachia.  We spent our time moving rocks, shoveling dirt, tying rebar, and doing whatever we could to support the construction.  After a couple of days, we realized our physical limitations, especially when working at more than 12,000 feet, and secured some diesel power to help dig footings and move sand.  (Thanks Steve and Marty!)

La Paz also gave our group one of the most significant and holy events I have ever experienced.  After a few days of preparation, we were fortunate enough to take part in a ceremony for laying the foundation of the new Children’s Home. The event dedicated this new Home in service to the Children of Bolivia, and through great symbolism and substance, this foundation, this new home, is build upon God’s word.

Traveling to Bolivia has its challenges, and it is not for everyone.  But it is my heartfelt hope that anyone interested in traveling to La Paz and Tacachia will be able to experience the wonder of God’s work in this mission.  For those unable to make the journey across the equator, Kory Wawanaca (“the Golden Children”) still need all the prayers and support you are able to give.

On a personal note, I learned that Blogging from Bolivia is even more challenging that I had thought.  While I did not expect to be able to update from Tacachia, I had not anticipated how hard it would be to get Internet access in La Paz.  I am sorry that I could not do more frequent and in-depth storytelling from our journey, but perhaps I can bring out some of the experience in film.

Stay tuned for upcoming videos!

Additional photos are located on the Kory Wawanaca Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/kwchildren/

Thursday, March 18: Lunchtime Blogging

The team is working on site of the new home in La Paz this morning and having a great time!  The view from this location is incredible!  (Sorry I can’t post photos now but I will as soon as possible!)

The work team is leveling the location for the new soccer field, moving rocks, bending rebar, moving rocks, sawing and tying rebar and moving rocks. … oh, and did I mention that we are moving rocks!

The only incident of the day is that we had a flat tire on the van taking us to the work site.  We walked about 3/4 mile to the site and was reminded how much we love to ride up hill!!!!!

Lunchtime was a real treat.  We had ham and cheese sandwiches at Carrie and Gavins house.  OMG!!!  Bread, mustard, mayonaise, ham, cheese, along with chips!  Life is great!!!!

Well, almost time to go back up the hill, more soon!

Wednesday, March 17: Back in La Paz

The volunteer mission from North Carolina is back in La Paz!  We have had a fantastic time in Tacachia – so many stories and photos to share as soon as we rest and catch our breath.

The childern of the Kory Wawanaca Home are doing great!  Their smiling faces lifted us up each time we saw them and reminds us all of the glorious gift children are to the world and the important work of the Kory Wawanaca Home.  Truly inspiring.

Stay tuned for photos from Tacachia, updates from the children, and stories from the volunteer experience!

(Hopefully there will be another post tonight!)

Friday, March 12: Dinnertime Blogging

A quick update as the vounteer group is sitting down for dinner in La Paz. This is the first chance we have had to access a keyboard since leaving North Carolina but it is only because we have been moving fast for the last 36 hours. Fortunatly, the travel has been “uneventful” (which is my favorite kind of travel).

Since arriving in Bolivia we have checked into the hotel, had a few hours of rest and then took a tour of the city. I believe I got some good photos and video and will share them as soon as possible!

Tomorrow (Saturday) morning we leave for Tacachia and will not return until Wednesday.  I hope to update the blog one more time before we travel to the Kory Wawanaca Home!

Thursday, March 11

Just had my first dose of Acetazolamide to prepare for the altitude change in Bolivia. (La Paz is located at 12,000 feet.) Last year I did not take any medication and I was fine but Elizabeth advised us all to be on meds before beginning our journey. Elizabeth travels to Bolivia several times a year and she has seen the difference in people using and not using Acetazolamide and says the difference is quite apparent. I’ll be report if I notice any effects!

On a side note, the weather in La Paz seems to be much like the weather in western NC – highs in the 60s, lows int he 40s and rain.

Finally, becuase I am not taking a comptuer with me on this trip this will likely be the last blog post until Friday afternoon when I am able to go to an Internet Cafe in La Paz. On the plus side – I should be uploading photos on the next post!

via con dios!!!!

Wednesday, March 10: Last minute preparations!

In a few hours a group of folks will meet in the parking lot of Central United Methodist Church and begin the 20+ hours of travel from Asheville to La Paz.  Randy is charging the batteries for the video camera, Marty Lewis is washing clothes, and Steve and Leigh Noblitt are loading the last items of donated material to transport to the home.  Ahh the glamor of international travel!

Speaking and of donated items, for those unfamiliar with the mission trips to Bolivia, each passenger is allowed to check two bags on the flights to La Paz.  To make best use of our luggage each of the volunteers pack one personal bag and the other alloted bag is devoted to packing items for the children and for the home.  Each of the children will be receiving a small package of books, school supplies, toys, and other trinkets that were selected just for them.  Below is a short video from a volunteer trip in 2009 of children receiving their gifts.  Please take a look:

Calling Names (Time: 2:10)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIymXVy_Y6U

Monday, March 8

Today is packing day.  Well, make that washing, drying, and packing day.  I have a feeling that a few of my more well-worn shirts may be making a one-way trip to Bolivia.  It is also a day to try and get over a cold before Thursday and practice learning the children’s names.  I hope that a few of the children will remember me from last year but more importantly, I hope that when I arrive in the village that I will be able to call each of the children by name.  Last year I spent several days trying to learn the names and sometimes failing horribly but thanks to Carrie and Gavin taking time to do an interview during a recent trip to Asheville, we have a chance to know more about the children and be better prepared.

The stories of the children are fascinating and we (the team) are so lucky to be able to be part of their lives if only for a few days.

Sunday, March 7

Many (most) of the group traveling to La Paz and Tacachia were present at Central United Methodist Church for commissioning of the Bolivian Mission Team.  It is a humbling experience to be brought before the congregation and hear minister Tony Bell and Team Leader Steve Noblitt describe the purpose and plans for our journey.  Even though I have been to Bolivia before, it is significant and reverent moment that reminds us our purpose if greater than the few days we will spend in Bolivia.

After the commissioning we had a few minutes to speak with Steve and Ruth Hopkins.  Steve and Ruth had planned to travel to Bolivia this year but needed to change plans for personal reasons.  However they are going to be part of our trip by sending money with the mission team so that we can buy a cow for the home!  All details are not in place but we hope to purchase a cow and have it delivered very close to Tacachia so that we can ceremonially walk the bovine in the village.  It should be a huge event so stay tuned for photos, video, and possibly a “cow cam” (cow’s eye view) of the event!

Thursday, March 4 (12:30pm)

One week!!!!  In one week from this moment a group of people will be leaving the Central UMC parking lot to begin the journey from Asheville, to Charlotte, to Miami, to La Paz, to Tacachia.

Life, travel, and especially trips like this is are remarkable changes to experience and grow.  I have no idea what fully awaits in Bolivia, and for that I am happy!

Wednesday, March 3

Fun facts by the numbers

Tuesday, March 2
Another snowy day in western NC as the group readies for the upcoming trip. If you are wondering about the weather in La Paz, be sure to check out this link:

Weather Underground – La Paz, Bolivia (Unfortunately, there is not a weather station in Tacachia.)

Monday, March 1

One of the treats of crossing the equator is seeing Crux – The Southern Cross. For those of us that rarely see the stars of the southern hemisphere, the idea of quietly walking the dusty roads of Tacachia at night while witnessing a clear view of the heavens is one of the many life changing moments at Kory Wawanaca.

Adding to the experience, March 15 will be a new moon and so our group will have one of the best opportunities to see the the southern constellations.

We’ll miss the Moonlight of Tacachia but perhaps we’ll hear the song!

Sunday,  February 28
Final preparations are underway for the journey to Bolivia.  Volunteers are packing bags and buy gifts the the children of Kory Wawanaca.  All plans are on track for a fantastic trip!

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Additional Information:

Itinerary Notes:

• Thursday March 11: Depart Charlotte, NC to Miami and then take an overnight flight to La Paz to arrive early on Friday, March 12.
• Saturday, March 13: Travel from La Paz to Tacachia for visiting the children and working at the home.
• Monday, March 15: after breakfast, most (or all of the group) will return to La Paz and prepare for work on the “in town” home for the rest of the week.
• Sunday, March 21: Day Trip to Lake Titicaca
• Monday, March 22: Depart La Paz for Charlotte via Miami.

NOTE: For anyone who has been to Bolivia or similar place you will know that the schedule is likely to change!  However updates will be made to this page as often as possible.

Weather Underground – La Paz, Bolivia

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