comedor, relationships, and dulce de leche

It´s crazy that it has already been 2 weeks since I arrived in Mendoza. Each day feels quite long, but somehow the weeks are going by quickly. I am getting the hang of how the base is run, but I´m definitely still adjusting! This past week we had a team leave to hike the highest mountain in both the Southern and Western hemispheres, Aconcagua. They have been preparing for about a year for this trip. We also have a team in India right now, and another team leaves next week to go to Haiti. Also, there is currently a Soccer DTS being held at the base. Ireally enjoy getting to know the staff and the current DTS students. Being around this school has actually helped me process more of my own DTS school. I´ve seen more and more how God had specific purposes in taking me to Destination Paradise and that reminds me that He has specific purposes in bring me here to Mendoza for this season. If you want to check out more about YWAM Mendoza and current happenings take a look at their blog- http://holamendoza.blogspot.com/

I´ve been spending a lot of my time helping out with general things on the base like cooking and raking. I´ve also had the opportunity to help out with the comedor ministry which cooks food to take to the city center to share a meal with homeless people. Comedor occurs every Friday. My mentor has a heart for relationships and for building connections within the community. I really appreciate being paired with Ang because I get to see the impact she´s made by loving people and having genuine relationships with those she has met within the community. Again, God reminds me of the power of love and relationship. He´s all about love and relationship.

Last but CERTAINLY not least...there is an amazing ice cream shop within walking distance from the base!! And you can buy an incredible amount for the small price of 6 pesos...uhhh maybe $1.50 USD. Last night I had dulce de leche flavored ice cream, wowzah!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dulce de leche in Spanish is candied milk. Found as both a syrup and a caramel candy, it is prepared by slowly heating sweetened milk to create a product that is vaguely similar in taste to caramel.

goodbyes, hellos, and the Ande Mountains...

The past few weeks have been packed full of transitions. We wrapped up our Outreach in Thailand and started our trek back home on January 21. It was hard to say goodbye to the children at Sila Home, but I am soooo thankful we were able to spend a few weeks with them. It was the part of our Outreach that impacted me the most. It´s crazy how connected you can become with children even when you cannot speak the same language!

I was very excited that it worked out for me to be in the United States briefly before leaving for my internship. However, I was NOT excited about the negative temperatures waiting for me. Our tickets from Thailand flew us into Los Angeles, where one of my best friends happens to live. It worked out perfectly for me to spend a few days with her seeing her life out in California. Then I headed back to Wisconsin to see friends and family. I was thinking I would have a very restful time while being home, but my time was pretty packed full. I ended up looking forward to my long plane ride for some rest.

Last Thursday, the 4th, I left for my internship. I arrived in Mendoza, Argentina on Friday the 5th. I was a little nervous when I looked online at the weather for Mendoza and saw 104 degrees...but thankfully it is a dry heat! Nothing like the humidity of Belize.
I will be spending the next few months at the YWAM base in Mendoza which is located in the foothills of the Ande Mountains.

http://www.ywammendoza.com/

So far I am really enjoying being here. Everyone has been very welcoming and patient with me since I´m not exactly a pro at Spanish. Thanks for your prayers! They are deeply appreciated!