Jujuy Camps

The day we came back from Bolivia we headed straight to the summer camp in Jujuy. We are all getting a bit bored of buses. The camp was in the middle of the mountains and there was about 75 people all aged 19-24 years old. You can imagine the craic was good. The day we arrived I met a deaf group of Christians so of course I was in my element. Megan trying to use her BSL signs and them teaching me their ASL signs. It was fantastic! One evening each team had to put on a drama sketch. It was a very funny night and I don´t know how but I ended up being the goth, although i´m not so sure there would of been goth in Bible times. I went with it... we all had a great night in the end and each was very different. Sadly, I had to leave the camp early as I was admitted into hospital. After a few days of tests and scans thankfully the found out why I was in so much pain and it wasn´t appenditus as they had expected. It was a real blessing that I came home from Jujuy to Salta as the hospital there were ready to operate. Out of hospital now and just resting in the house... which i´m finding very challenging being in bed all the time. Thank you for all your support and prayers! 8 weeks to go!! hard to believe!!

Chau for now, Megan

Funny Videos

Bolivia

To be honest we had the worst luck with transport. On the way to Bolivia someone managed to read the ticket times wrong and we missed the bus! great wee start! thankfully someone in the Church chased the bus to the next station and we got there and we found out that the bus wasn´t going there. So we headed to Pichinal and waited for 5 hrs for a bus to pick us up! After our fun arrival we arrived in Santa Cruz and the streets were flooded! We went to Cec Bolivia, a Christian camp focused all on mission! We were staying 6 hours of Santa Cruz in Monte Blanco and the journey there was a laugh! I think I prayed all the way! A dirt track in the mountains and at one point the bus ended up slided down a mud ditch as it swerved the on coming bus. We arrived and the center was beautiful, in the middle of the mountains. The time table for the week was packed! Really reminded me of Summer Madness, although you had to do everything and the food was amazing! The speakers were so interesting. I got to go to seminars on loads of different things from Islam, Hindusiam to finding your perfect partner. The worship in the evening was amazing and the different people we met were lovely. It was so nice, Gisel from our Church came with us so we had a blast with her. Wake up call was at 6.45am for gym. One morning I chased the man with the whistle... yeah Megan did jump out of her and chase him! Good times! One day we had extreme sports and it was fantastic! Everyone playing with a human sized ball, then in donuts and then human tug-a-war. After our day of killing eachother in sport we had a day of practical as in the different seminars they had prepared stuff for the local town! All 175 of us jumped in the truck which carries cattle and it was a journey I will never forget! Teaching the Argentines Irish phrases while trying to hang on for dear life! We litter picked and other groups did dramas, mimes and dances. It was the highlight of my week! In the square I taught a bunch of the boys how to Irish Dance which Naomi managed to catch on camera for all of you amusement! Really a fantastic week. I´m sure your beginning to get the idea we had bad luck with transport. Well on the way home, we had to wait at the border of Bolivia/Argentina for 8 hours, just waiting. On a 20 hour journey it makes it seem like a life time! All in all, we had a brilliant time, met loads of class people and possibly came home a little bit blumper.

The 3 kings visit the hospital

On the 6th of January the religious tradition here in South America is that the 3 wise kings come into the city and distribute the presents to the children. As I have been visiting the hospital to talk to the children, we organised an official group that would dedicate time each week. Yesterday a group of us, including myself headed to the wards dressed as the 3 kings with presents. A very emotional day on both behalfs but one day that I will take to the grave with me. As we walked around the wards there was so many little babies and children under three years of age. What thing that strikes me is that the children have such hope. We came across a 14 year girl breast feeding her one year old child who had been admitted for paracites. Its crazy when you think about but she was just so thankful that she had been admitted and given birth in a hospital. The hospital isn´t in great condition by any standards but yesterday just reminded me of Robin Williams in "Patch Adams". Even though those children are suffering so much, a little bit of a joke or a fancy dress can make so much to their day. Its just something I wanted to share with you. In the photos you will see what I am talking about. Megan x

Celebrating the New Year

I added this clip to give you a feel of how they do New Year here in Salta! I hope you have a laugh! I was terrified! Although literally what it was was a handmade firework display. They put a metal scrubber onto a rope and yeah, there you have it and told me to swing it over my head!

Mum if your reading this, don´t worry!! Perfectly Safe and have survived to tell the tale!

Count Down to 2009

I spent new year with my favourite family from the Church here in Salta. We had a traditional BBQ and sat and chatted while watching the fireworks! Fireworks are totally huge here and incredibly dangerous and of course I was asked to set them off! I´m sure you can just imagine my face! I think I screamed so loud that the Church or maybe all of Salta heard! At 12 O´clock I brought out my Irish Tin Whistle and played the traditional "Auld Lang Syne". I had previously learnt two hours before, although it thankfully went ok. Bringing a little of our culture into theirs! At 2am all the youth met in the Church and we managed to play twister for 3 hours! pretty good going I think! It was a very enjoyable night and one that I will not forget! I hope that you all enjoyed yourselves and that this year will be a year full of happiness for you all! Miss you and happy 2009, love from Salta! xx