Another Special Thanks

This time I am writing a special thanks to everyone who has followed along on this adventure by reading this blog. I hope you learned more about Bolivia's culture!

The Locklin family is very glad to be back in Jacksonville, Florida! What a change in the weather!
God has provided for us and really protected us. It's nice to visit Bolivia, but Florida is home! Lord willing, we'll be back visiting Bolivia again in two years, and I'll be writing down the adventure here.

Thanks again for visiting Bolivia with us!!

Airport Reflections

Yesterday passed so quickly!

This morning my mom woke me up at 4:00 a.m. That night I had had difficulty falling asleep because of my excitement because I kept thinking and saying to myself tommorow we're going home! Finally, my uncle David and aunt Ruth came to drive us to the airport luggage and all. Our goodbyes to my aunt, uncle, cousins, and grandma were sad, but hopeful. God willing, we'll see them in two years.

After a forty minute drive, we arrived at the airport in El Alto. We boarded our flight quickly, and parted to Santa Cruz at 6:30 a.m. After more than an hour of reading, eating snacks, and resting, we arrived at the city of Santa Cruz. We only stayed there an hour, waiting to board the same plane to continue our trip straight to Miami. That flight lasted six hours and thirty minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The plane staff provided a very late breakfast and a snack. Also, there was a TV screen every few rows. With headphones, we enjoyed watching a movie called "The Meddler," and a few other TV programs. I don't have a lot to telll you about this part of our trip, with the exception that the view was breath-taking! Through a wall of clouds, we were able to see a few cities as we passed over Venezuela. When all was clear, my brothers and I saw Cuba, inummerable islands, and the bluest water and lovely beaches. Then we finally spotted the Florida Keys! We saw all the tip of Florida, and then zoomed in on the city of Miami. Before we knew it we had landed in Miami, Florida, a part of my home: The United States.

Now we are waiting to board our flight from Miami to Jacksonville. We have been traveling all day and are anxious to arrive home, and, especially anxious to give our dad a big hug! Thanks be to God, everything has gone well and we are safe and sound. God is good!

My Grandma

These two past months we have spent together

Are something that I wish could go on forever.

Laughter has run free everywhere with your sense of humor,

And your loving kindness has never been made of uncertainty, like a whisper or rumor.

Instead, your love is steadfast, showing itself as abounding hospitality, encouragement, and in prayer.

The God-given joy you carry is sweeter, gayer;

The patience you have is enduring, longer,

And because of this your faith grows stronger.

A godly woman you have been, are, and always will be,

Forever seeking to learn about God's word with delight and glee.

Always singing hymns and worshipping the Lord,

Refusing Him to be ignored,

And testifying about His life and gospel anew.

Grandma, may God greatly bless you!!

Three Special Places

Yesterday my family spent all day in three special places: Sagarnaga St, Hotel President, and my aunt Ruth's house.

In the middle of the morning we drove to the Sagarnaga. It is a sort of shopping center for purses, wallets, jewelry, shirts, pencil cases, and all sorts of souvenir-like, Bolivian style stuff. We bought a ton of souvenirs like earrings and shirts, and then headed towards Hotel President to eat lunch.

Hotel President is one of the most well-known hotels in La Paz. But its main attraction is its buffet/restaurant. We ate lunch in the restaurant part on the sixteenth floor. I could serve myself the salad, rice, and french fries buffet-style. The soup, main course, and dessert were served to us by the waiter. For the main course I ordered lamb steaks. Everything was super tasty and yummy!!

But the most special part of this special place was that my parents had their wedding reception here. She has many precious memories in Hotel President. 

With stomachs full to bursting, we walked six blocks to where my aunt Ruth lives. But what a walk! Since La Paz isn't flat, but shaped like a bowl, we had to walk upwards. We should've taken a taxi! After arriving exhausted, we ate some fruit and water as refreshment. I had a look around the house, and then we talked for hours with Aunt Ruth and my cousin Joey. After a while, I joined Jonathan and Andrew in playing with Terry, my cousin's dog.

This house is special because it is the house my mom grew up in. She has more memories than I do of this house.

To conclude, the Locklin family had a great time all day mixed with great memories!

A Trip to Caranavi Part 3

The rest of our first day in Caranavi was spent resting, Jonathan, Andrew, and I climbing to the top of the mountain that the orphanage is built on, and watching a wonderful movie with some of the kids.

But none of these minor events compare with what we had planned for the next morning. A game day! My mom got the idea from our co-op, which had a game day every year for their grade school.

But what kinds of games, and teams? Most of the games were  relays. A balloon pop relay, and two kinds of ball relays. There was also a game called clothespin tag, which all the teams participated in. There was the blue team, light blue team, orange team, green team, and red team. I was the  captain of the orange team. The teams were so noisy that my mom grew hoarse trying to shout out instructions! We all laughed at the kid's antics and cheering!

When the games ended, my mom handed out goody bags to all, and started cleaning up. Right afterwards, the staff started serving lunch. That served us salad, rice,blank, and papaya. I sat next to the babies and toddlers. The babies were so chubby (!) and serious, falling asleep one at a time, or eating their food all by themselves. The toddlers were cute, asking me my name and my mom's name, etc. every minute instead of eating their food. There was one girl called Peniel, who is loved by everybody, that sat next to me. She has a heart problem, and the director will soon take her to the United States for a second operation. When everyone was finished she was still eating, barely halfway done with her food. I am glad I spent time with her. The Lord has given me another person to pray for!

That day was the birthday of Josiah (a baby), and Lola (one of the toddlers). We sang happy birthday and prayed for them! Then we all had devotional time where Mrs. Charo read and discussed Romans 8:35-39. Afterwards, I met girls my age and got well acquainted them. Too bad I only stayed long enough to make aquaintances and not friendships.

While my mom packed all our things, Andrew, Jonathan, and I played Foosball. Four other kids joined us, and we played and played for an hour or two. We screamed and laughed a lot! What a great time we had!

That same afternoon we left Caranavi sadly. You can't help but fall in love with the orphanage. Our trip back to La Paz was made by day, so we saw more of the road and view. The change in the weather and altitude proved to be too much for me. We were all affected with nausea and headaches. Now we're doing fine, and already packing to leave La Paz and fly home!!

God is doing great things in Casa de Esperanza! He has blessed our trip there!

A Special Thanks

I am writing this post specifically to thank Mr. Fidel and Mrs. Charo for everything they've done for us.

They have been and still are godly parents, who fear and love the Lord, to more than 60 children for more than ten years. For me, they are heroes of the faith that have responded to God's calling for their life with humility and willingness. Though it's tiring work, they've persevered in their work always trusting in God. I'm so glad I was able to meet them.

I thank them for their willingness to communicate with us and let us do something for them. I thank them for their prayers and hospitality, and their kindness and so much obvious love towards us. I thank them for making our stay enjoyable and full of joy!!

God is a God of wonders! All glory to His holy name!!

A Trip to Cranavi Part 2

Our first day in Caranavi left us super tired but full of joy!! God is doing great things in this orphanage.

After having a mouthwatering breakfast with the orphanage's director and his wife, Mr. Fidel and Mrs. Charo, we got a tour of casa de esperanza. 

Later we drove down in their pickup truck to the actual city to see some parades. School parades to be exact. Every year all the schools march through a few squares of the town in full uniform. It was fun for me to see the best students and graduates! Since Casa de Esperanza's kids go to a Christian school called Vida y Verdad (Life and Truth), we got to see them march past. 

Finally, exhausted and half deaf from all the loud drum beating, we drove up to the orphanage hungry for some lunch. As soon as we arrived, the cooks served us a lot  of steaming hot peanut noodle soup. It was yummy, but I was busier telling the director how I had raised funds for his orphanage. When the meal finished, the director and his wife announced our arrival and asked me to tell how I had raised funds to everyone present. I did so (with a pounding heart) and gave Mr. Fidel the money. Then he prayed for us. It was such a blessing to see everyones' efforts appreciated!
The efforts of GCC, MCH co-op, and of friends and family! Thank you so much for all your efforts and money and support! 


Mr. fidel  mentioned that the money would be used for new school uniforms.
 I really wish you could see this place and the children and the real difference you are making. I could've never achieved what I started out to do without your help.

A Trip to Caranavi Part 1

I know, I know. We only spent three days in La Paz, and we're already off to Caranavi!

It's worth it though. Yesterday the Locklin family plus my grandmother, uncle David, and aunt Doris parted for Caranavi by taxi and traveled three and a half hours. We traveled from around 7:00 to 10:30 at night. I arrived feeling tired and nauseous after endless turns and twists around mountains and hills. In the actual city, we met up with Mr. Fidel, the director of Caranavi's orphanage: Casa de Esperanza. We all crowded into his truck and rode up one of the mountains, to where the orphanage stood. At night we couldn't see almost anything of the view or orphanage.

The next morning was different. The view was absolutely spectacular!  Mountains covered with trees as far as the eye could see disappearing into the early morning mist. Below you could see all of Caranavi. And the weather is hot and humid, a real tropical climate!

Later we will get to meet the orphans and receive a tour of the place. I will post more pictures of the orphans and their living quarters.
So far, the Locklin family is really enjoying their visit to Casa de Esperanza!

Our Second Full Day in La Paz

On Saturday the Locklin family was happy and sad to leave Cochabamba. Sad because we all love the good, memorable times we had, and the warm climate too.Happy because we're among more family now, and closer to returning home!

Our flight was quick (lasting only forty minutes), and we landed safe and sound. The first thing I noticed was how the change in the altitude affected me. I started breathing faster because of the lack of oxygen, and had a slight headache. The second thing I noticed was the cold! Now that it's winter in Bolivia, La Paz is cold night and day! My poor grandma literally wrapped herself in jackets and blankets. No wonder La Paz is called the highest administrative capital in the world!

Our uncle David and aunt Ruth were waiting for us at the airport, ready to drive us all the way down to my uncle Rudy and aunt Doris's house. Why do I say down?  Because the actual city of La Paz is in a valley, and the surrounding land, which is completely flat, is called El Alto, where the airport is.

We have gotten used to the new climate and altitude quickly, all thanks be to God! He has blessed us with good health, good spirits, and a good arrival. This morning He also blessed us with my mom's old church. The service was amazing, and the reunion and fellowship with other members of the church was full of joy!

God has never failed to provide us with what we need!