Lent Photo a Day: Birthday Celebrations

Pastor Zulanlly (in the middle of the group) invited us to her birthday party in 2015. It was a fun time to experience the cultural differences in celebrating birthdays. We are in this picture with her family, friends and others from IELCO.

For those of you just joining, we are continuing our photo a day for Lent: A few years ago we started the tradition to post a picture a day during Lent. This Lent we will continue with the tradition focusing on "remembering". We have been in Colombia almost 5 years (where did the time go) and there are so many stories that haven't made it on the blog; short stories from the ordinary moments of life that we don't want to forget.

Lent Photo a Day: Gabo

When we came to Colombia, Curtis accompanied Andres. One day, Andres didn't have anyone to watch his son, Gabriel (Gabo for short) and asked if I would be willing to. I, of course, said yes. This was while I was still learning Spanish, Gabo and I played all afternoon. I later learned that when he went home with his Dad he told his Dad that I spoke funny, his Dad tried to explain that I was learning Spanish, but Gabo didn't understand. A few months later we spent some more time together, and after that, he told his Dad that I spoke Spanish better. There was something about passing the test of a 4-year-old that I was so proud of! 

For those of you just joining, we are continuing our photo a day for Lent: A few years ago we started the tradition to post a picture a day during Lent. This Lent we will continue with the tradition focusing on "remembering". We have been in Colombia almost 5 years (where did the time go) and there are so many stories that haven't made it on the blog; short stories from the ordinary moments of life that we don't want to forget.

Lent Photo a Day: Spanish Teacher Soccer Tournament

IELCO had set us up with spanish languge tutors to help us dive into the language. Sergio (left) and Paola (right) accompanied us each for our first few months in Colombia to help us learn. They were also teachers at the San Lucas Lutheran School in Bogota. When the school had a soccer tournament for the teachers, Sergio and Paola invited us to come watch.

Lent Photo a Day: Dessert

Shortly after we arrived to Colombia we were talking with one of the members of IELCO who has spent time in the United States, and understands some of the things we like. One of these is our love of dessert (good dessert). He told us that if we were ever feeling 'nostalgic' for dessert that tasted like it was from the US, where we could find a bakery that made such desserts. We never have learned the name and continue to call it nostalgic - and it is good! This was the first dessert we bought. 

Lent Photo a Day: Pisilago

Right before our first Chrsitmas vacation in Colombia, the IELCO office took a trip to Psisilago, a famous amusement park in Colombia. Katie and I took a paddle boat ride around the park.

Lent Photo a Day: Fuquene

When we arrived to Colombia, I didn't speak much Spanish at all, so I went to an intensive language school. One of the things the school offered was outings to see more of Bogota and surrounding areas and practice Spanish in the 'real world'. One of the outings we did (Curtis came with me) was go to Fuquene a lake near Bogota and go for a short boat ride. It was absolutely beautiful! 

Lent Photo a Day: Apartment Warming

When we first arrived to Colombia in 2014, we stayed at IELCO's guest house as we searched for an apartment of our own. After we found our apartment and had moved in, our companions in the IELCO office helped us celebrate with a house warming party.