when in Argentina....

I am here! And have been here for awhile! Internet access: limited and slow. Alison: not so patient. It does not make for a good combination. :)

I am enjoying my time here, going through Orientation at Word of Life. This is an amazing place to meet people from all over the world!! I have roommates from Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Panama, and Romania...when else could I ever say such a thing?! This is amazing. My class has about 38 people (I think). We are from all over the US and even have a guy from Canada and a guy from Bermuda--I'm loving the diversity. Of course, I am the only one from Louisiana. Story of my life!!!

We have been learning the rules and things here, getting used to campus life and to the town of Monte. It's a small, slow-paced town with lots of character. It seems pretty fun. We live a dorm/college-campus type lifestyle....with more roommates! But we eat in a cafeteria and have community bathrooms and that type thing. These are the questions everyone keeps asking me, so I feel the need to answer them for the whole world :)

We started our Bible classes today and will start our Spanish classes on Thursday. We get lots of practice with our roommates and in the cafeteria, etc. This week we will be given work assignments (like kitchen duty or gardening or cleaning or something) and that will be another opportunity to meet people. We also get sports assignments...I signed up for basketball--I hope I get it :)

I am so blessed to be here and hear testimonies from all over the world about how God has changed lives through this program. It's amazing. My group is here (PBB) and also classes of Spanish bible groups here too...with people from 34 different countries!!! Amazing! I love that!!

I will update as I can...I'm definitely not a professional blogger and uploading pics quickly will be a learning process, but I will try! Thanks for your emails and prayers...I'm blessed with a great group of supporters and love you all!

Isn't she lovely?

Here she is, in all her glory: Big Pink. She and I have been traveling the world together for the past few years. We met at a Belk's in Tennessee, where I picked her up along with some of her relatives (Little Pinky & Bag Pink) and we have been inseparable ever since. She is not her original clean shade, for she has picked up quite a few scuffs, scrapes, and dirt marks along the way. She has endured being abusively thrown around by members of airport security in multiple countries and continents. I would also like to think she has picked up a few languages along the way and is now a multi-lingual bag.

But no matter what she has been through, she continues to go with me. It doesn't matter which country is listed as the final destination of my e-ticket or how long I decide to stay--she will be there! I could not think of anyone more deserving of a dedication on my blog, so it is named in her honor. :)

Big Pink and I are about to begin an adventure to Argentina, a new country for both of us. Have no fear, we will be together (safety in numbers!) and we will keep you posted!