The first few days...

18-5-10
Today was absolutely crazy. In the morning, I was very relaxed and had breakfast with mate with crackers with cream cheese and peach jam. I also read my devotional book and it said that I should not be preoccupied with the worries of the world or think that I will gain peace through things, circumstances or people and relationships, but only through Christ will I have his peace which surpasses all. And that is always a good reminder; little did I know how much I would need to be reminded of this today. But I will share more of that story later.

After a long mess of a day, we finally made it to the villa, it's only about 4 blocks away, and we entered on the same street that is near my house, libertad. When the asphalt of the road ends, the villa begins. Carcova is on top of an old dump from the city, I think. So, whenever it rains, it smells pretty terrible. But, it hasn't rained since I've been here, so all is well. The streets look very poor. There are dirts streets and alleyways in between the houses, and all have puddles (remember it hasn't rained) and trash all over, like a very littered area. Also, dogs roam freely, so they leave little presents everywhere. All that to say, you really need to watch your step and wear shoes you don't mind messing up. Also, in between some of the homes, there are parts of the wall falling down or coming apart and even sometimes barbed wire or other rusty metal things sticking out that can cut you, so you have to be careful about that as well. Oh and a good thing about the dogs, I haven't met one that wasn't friendly or minded his own business yet, like none chase after you.
As you can see, my sentence structure is already being affected by the comeplete immersion in spanish.

And a note on that, it's very hard to say the least, but I'm really enjoying it. Sometimes I accidently speak in english when reacting to things and it sounds very weird coming out of my mouth, like a foreigner is speaking. Its kinda funny. There are 2 parts that are the hardest, trying to understand when they talk so fast and with different accents than I am used to (its castillano here, all the "ll"s and "y" sounds are pronounced zsh. So ella sounds like asia. Its strange to get used to. But I am learning more and more, little by little. The other hard thing is I don't remember/know much vocabulary, and that keeps me from being able to explain things in the way that I am thinking about them. Its incredible how much I take for granted the many many words that are part of my english vocabulary that I can use whenever I please to convey different meanings. Its very frustrating to not be able to converse well in spanish since I am so used to being able to use words so freely.
And for a final note on learning spanish, don't use the word "gato" in any villa you go to. I thought it was only used as the word for cat, but its also used to describe a girl from the streets, or an easy girl. So, just do't mention anything about cats, ever.

On to the next thing, which I think will be my final note about Monday, I like Mate, which is very good, because they drink it all the time, and if you don't take mate when its offered to you, it can be very offensive, unless you have a good excuse, like you're sick.

God is very much needed in the villa, but there are a good many Christians and churches there as well, about 5 that Andres knows of, but there are also about 15,000 members and that data is from 2007, and the birth rate is very very high in the villa. The government provides maany services to these people and they don't have to pay taxes, either; services like, water and electricity, and free clinics in many many places, outside of the villa, but available to the members of the villa. This system helps, but it might also keep them in the villa and in poverty. it keeps them afloat, but they can't barely even doggie paddle. (That metaphor is for you dad :)

But I think that is all for now.
Please continue praying for my ministry here and for rapid spanish acclamation. I am without any translators during the day because Bryon is across town and Andres has work every day. The only reason he could help me out Monday was because he took sick leave for work, one of his eyes has really been bothering him lately. But yes, for acclamation, and for the right connections to be made.
Thanks to all,
Love,
Claire