This has been a pretty crazy week!

Last Saturday turned out to be a little different to how we expected it to go! We bumped into our friend that we had met at the skate park a few weeks ago (the guy who we had the massive theological discussion with, who had some.. interesting theories), we were just crossing the road and he was cycling past. He stopped to say hello, and shortly we were having another discussion about globilisation, politics, religion, marriage etc etc... at the side of the road. Saturday was a FREEZING day, so after about 45 minutes of standed on the pavement I suggested that he joined us for some lunch and we could continue the conversation as we ate something! He then came shopping with us to the market, it was great fun! We got to play some instruments and we laughed at some of the clothing. It was so cold though, so we only stayed a couple of hours. He then joined us for some coffee at a small coffee shop before he had to leave to work. It was a good day, quite tiring because it was intense conversation all day, but I think he was really glad of the company.

On Monday we went to Hogar Sion again for our second programme. It didn't go so well.. we got through the drama.. just.. then we lost them. We did one song, and they went really crazy. We couldn't calm down to get them to do the craft so we had to just leave without doing it. It was a shame. I think these boys litrally have an attention span of about 15 minutes maximum. It was an experience that I think will help us to shape how our programmes will look in the future though. The group that went to Hogar Arca had it a little worse though, the children took some of their props off them and hid them, so they couldn't even start the programme. It is frustrating at the moment having a massive language barrier because this restricts the authority we have even more so. I hope that just spending time with these children is having and effect, even if we cannot do all the things we plan to do.

On Tuesday night I went to the prostitutes ministry again. It was a really good night! We got to see a few more areas than when we first went. Although here we also can find it difficult not speaking the language so well, it is easy for us to follow the group and to talk a bit, but to pray the whole time. God is doing really massive things with these men, and it's not how much we can say, but it's all Him, so prayer really is the most important thing! Iam really enjoying this ministry, it's really such a great thing to be part of. Although it is such a slow process, we can tella different between the men who the women we work with have been visiting for the longest, and the men who they have not been visiting so long. There is such a difference, and that shows that God is working in their lives. Great stuff.

Yesterday was a bit of a stressful day. In the morning there was a car crash on Ave Matta, where we live, so the boys were really late because the busses wern't running and they had to walk. We called them to see where they were, and whilst we were on the phone one of the boys had his wallet stolen. He had most of his money for the month in there, as well as a credit card, and other things, so it was really not a nice morning for him. It also affected the whole team I think. We have begun to feel quite comfortable here, and it is becoming like second nature to get on busses and metros... and then something like that happens and it really brings everyone down. After spending some time in prayer after this happened, we actually had a really great morning playing games in the nearest park. We had 'team time' and we played some really stupid games, and got some funny photos! During the games we were not allowed to say 'no' or 'can't' or 'don't' or 'won't' or anything negative. If we said anything we were drawn on with a permanent marker on our faces! (thus the funny photos) It was good quality time together, and I feel it was just what we needed after the start we had had.

Please pray
* For our next programme on Monday, that we can plan something that will keep their attention, and teach them something. Pray that the time we share with the boys will be alot of fun, and that God will be in it and we can build up some good friendships with them.
* For the prostitute ministry, that God will continue to change lives!
* For the events of yesterday morning, that the money that was stolen will be put to good use, and that it will be blessed. Also pray for those affected by the car crash in the morning, I have no idea how serious it was, but any car crash is not a nice one, especially at the speed the people drive at along our road!
*Spanish is going really well, pray that I will continue to make fast progress in the lessons, and that also my understanding will improve, they talk SO fast! I have been told Chile is the worst place to learn Spanish!

Thinking of everyone back home, and missing you all. Emma xxx

Thank-you so much for praying last Tuesday for visiting the homeless. I didn't go last week because I was visiting the prostitues, but people said that there was a heavy feeling in the atmosphere and that it was difficult to connect with people. However, on Tuesday before we left we had some great worship and prayer, also, once we got there some of the men asked us to sing a song in English, so we chose to sing 'our God is an Awsome God'. I found it amazing, we began to sing louder and louder, and I really believe that declaring that our God is awesome and that he reigns change the atmosphere in that place. The whole night people were willing to talk to us, people who didn't speak much Spanish at all were able to understand prayers and have conversations with people. I had so much fun, everybody I spoke to was in a really good mood and would laugh and make me laugh. It really was a great night.

On Wednesday we had our first Spanish lesson, she started us off nicely! Our teacher is really really lovely, and had a b-e-a-utiful house. It takes a little while to get there, but it is in a really nice area so it's nice walking around there. We had another lesson on Friday, which was a bit more difficult, usually I am in a group with one other person, and we are the people with the least Spanish knowledge. However, this week the first two groups were merged for various reasons, so we were in a group of 5. We started on grammar, and I think I will find it difficult seeing as I have never had to learn another language ever before!

Also on Friday, Rachel and I were leading the prayer meeting. We decided to discuss Cat and Dog theology. It basically is about with Cat theology we look at ourselves and think how great god is to US and the focus is inwards. Dog theology is about praising God because he is God not because of anything he has done for us. We were trying to get people to think more like Dogs! i.e. you pet me, you feed me and you take care of me therefor you must be God, as apposed to the cat theology which is you pet me, you feed me, and you take care of me therefor I must be God!! We began by reading psalms and singing some worship songs, and we had some time of prayer and then we got a huge canvas of paper and got people to write all their names and the characters of God. We now have this hanging up in our house, it looks really good, and has so many different names on it. Great stuff.

Today we are planning on visiting one of the craft markets, which is going to be alot of fun! Maybe some lucky people will get presents from this place in the future!

Please pray
*that my Spanish will move quickly, the last Spanish class really was very difficult, I want to make fast progress and I am going to have to work very quickly.
* Thank God for Tuesday night, and pray that He will continue to move in La Vega and that His work will continue when we are not visiting because we are only there on Tuesday nights.
*Praise God for who he is and his characters!

This blog might be quite long seeing as I havnt written in almost a week! I have to use my calander to work out what I've actually been doing!

Last Thursday we had our first girls meeting, we will have these once every two weeks I think. It was really nice, us girls, Karin, Lise, Piia and Corrine were all at Corrine's house and we had chocolate and cake, and tea and Corrine shared something. We then did some creative stuff and had to design a 'pearl' which represented us. It was actually a big polystierene ball, but they all looked beautiful by the end.

Then this weekend it was the Chilean Independance day celebrations! On Friday we all went as a team as well with a few of the leaders and OM Chile team to one of the parks. We had an Anticucho which is a big stick with loads of mean on it. It was soooo delicious! It was enormous, but I probably could have eaten another. My appitite seems to be growing here! We also walked around the park and there was dancing, parades, craft shops and food. It was a beautiful day and it was nice to just wander around and see the celebrations. We also went to watch the Rodeo, which was probably the kindest Rodeo. They do not harm the bulls, but the aim is for the horses to barge the bulls on to these soft edges of the arena. It was very interesting to watch, and amazing to see the skilled horsemen.

Then on Friday evening we went to La Vega (the place where we do the homeless ministry) and we handed out empanadas. It was something they apparently did last year on Independence day and wanted to make it a tradition. It was nice to see one group of people particulaly because they had taken bottles from the rubbish, and found some string and made some decorations for their "home" and they were singing and dancing, and really having fun. From where I was standing they didn't have alot to celebrate about, yet, they were possibly the most joyful people I had seen all day!

On Saturday, one of the girls on my team (Santtu) and I went to a friends (Natty's) house to help her family make empanadas because they had make 100 for their church the next day. I had such a great fun day, it was really nice to be in a family atmosphere and in a normal home. It made me miss home quite a bit after we left, but I really enjoyed being there. We really were there all day though, we were picked up at 2 and got back at half past 11. That's the Latin way, you don't make more than one plan a day because people just spend long amounts of time together and enjoy one anothers company.

Monday we went into different groups, and I was in a group going to the Hogar Sion. We performed a programme that we had previously planned and oragnised. It was alot of fun to prepare, but was quite difficult with the boys. It was a rainy day, so had probably been inside all day and did not want to listen to us. I guess I have to start to see the small positives though. This is not like teaching sunday school, or teaching my nice cell group, these boys have been in abusive families, probably been in contact with alcoholism, drug abuse, neglect and many other things. They really have some behavioural issues. However, they heard about Jona from the bible, they heard about God's love, and they sang some songs and had fun, so even if it didn't go exactly how we were planning it, it was a success.

*Please pray for tonight, we are going to La Vega again to see the homeless, pray that we are safe and that we can connect well with the people there. Last time we went there was a bit of violence, not towards us, but it made the atmosphere a bit uneasy.

*Please pray for Spanish classes that start tomorrow! (finally!) We are all really excited, and want to learn quickly, but pray that we (especially I) don't get frustrated when we don't see results instantly, or when it's difficult.

*Please continue to pray for the children at the Hogars, in perticular at Sion, which is where I will be working for the next 9 months, please pray that God will reach them, and that through us he can show them how much he does care even though they have met people in their lives who don't.

Love you all, Emma xxxx

So last night was the prostitute ministry. Three of us girls went along, and the other three will go next week, then we will have to decide whether to work with the homeless or the prostitues. It was so so amazing. The group meet at 8 oclock and have a small meeting where we share food together, have someone preach, worship and PRAY! We spent such a long time in prayer! I was thinking at one point 'come onnnn, let's go! We've been praying all night!' but prayer is the strongest thing these people can do for the prostitues. Also, they were so incredible in prayer. I had no idea what they were saying, but they were so passionate! They couldn't stop praying for these "women". (I say "women" because the prostitues we work with are actually male transvestites). Then when we went out to the streets (at around 11.30) the atmosphere was not how I expected it at all. They were so easy to connect with. They were so so accepting, and wanted to know where we were from, how long we had been in Chile, if we liked it, if we had been any where else in Chile, if we were planning to travel, about our family, what we studied. They were just so easy to talk to. So we took them bread and coffee, and talked, and then one of the Chilean women did a short talk about God and his love for them, then we all stood in a circle and prayed together. it really was amazing. Please pray for these men, they need God so so badly, and I think they know it. They are searching.

Then this afternoon we had a "city experience", we were not told anything about what we were going to be doing but were just told a time and a meeting place! Anyway, in the end they gave each of us 200 pesos and half an hour to walk around the central area of the city and ask God who to give this money to. (It is worth about 20p, not alot.. but you could easily get about 5 rolls of bread. I found it really difficult at first because I was asking God to lead me, but everywhere I walked there was such a need for this money, and I couldnt give it to all of them. I felt God saying that as far as I could walk I would find people who needed this money, and that I just had to pick someone and let them be blessed by God through me. It reminded me of the story of the boy who arrived by the seaside to find fish lining the beach, he began throwing them in. A man walked past and asked him why he was bothering he would never save them all before they dried out. The boy replied 'maybe not' and threw a fish into the sea 'but to that one I made all the difference' and he throws another on in the sea 'and that one' etc etc. Afterwards when we were sharing our stories about what had happened, Lise actually told this story too! Funny.

We have had quite a crazy but fun weekend meeting new people! On Saturday we had most of the day off so we went to the mall to chill out and get some food. Then in the evening we went to a youth service at Yerko and Corrine´s church. It really was great worship, and a good atmosphere. The preacher spoke really really fast and I didn´t follow any of it. He was talking about how Paul had travelled to different countries and experienced language barriers, and pointed out that we were also experiencing this. At this point I had no idea what he was talking about, but people turned around to us looking pretty confused or distracted. It was quite funny. After this in traditional Latin American fashion, the youth invited us out to get some food even though we didn´t really know them! it was great fun we just went to get some "fast" food (Which actually took about an hour to prepare because there was so many of us). While we were waiting we were shown some tradional Chilean dancing in the street, and made some really good friends.

On Sunday we went to another church, it was really nice to go there. It really reminded me of my church back home because they were so so friendly and welcoming, but perhaps a little more crazy! There was lots of dancing and some of the youth TRANSLATED FOR USSSSS!!! It was so good! We could actually understand the preach! Alot of the youth spoke really good english, I think it was in a more wealthy area where the families can afford to send their children to private schools where they will actually be taught English well. One of the girls had clearly been taught by an English person because she had a really English accent! Brilliant! Then afterwards we had some food together with the youth and played some games! It was alot of fun, and we played these games for hours!!

Today we went to a different Hogar where the children are slightly younger, and it was a group of both girls and boys. Tineke, Stijn and I were in charge of singing the songs! We were amazing, and got them all doing actions! Haha. We also had a short play, a game and a puppet show! The kids were so so crazy. Just the way I like them. I am now very tired though!!

So this week we have been having more classes and seeing more ministries. On Tuesday we had our first "evangelism training" lesson, which is combined with an arts ministry. We were doing some improvisation excercises and learning how each of us views creativity. It was really encouraging to see how each person has something different to offer. It was also alot of fun making fools of ourselves! On Tuesday evening we had our first propper encounter with the homeless people of Santiago. We met Natalia and Roel who are heading up Agape Santiago - a Christian project reaching out to the homeless community. They told us that usually they take bread, tea coffee and soup out to them, and will talk and pray with them. We didn´t take any food, but they did take us to meet people and to pray with them. It was quite a shock for me. One of the first people I met was a man who was clearly quite drunk and had been lying in something on the groud which was now on his face, he kept trying to talk to me and hold my hand, and did make me feel quite uncomfortable. I couldn´t understand what he was saying, and even Natalia couldnt understand him (she is from Chile). I felt I went out in my own strength that night, and it was clear that I couldn´t look on these people with love, I need God to use me and to show me how he sees them. I did meet some really nice people later on in the evening, who were alot easier to communicate with even though they spoke no english, I was alot more comfortable with them, but as you can tell I was extremly challenged by this earlier experience.

I have also had my first meeting with my mentor - Lise. It was a really good conversation and I think it will be really great to have a friend outside of the team situation to get a different perspective on some things. We got on really well, and I think she will be a big part of my next 9 months!

We have also been having training for working in the Hogars, ways in which to entertain them - they have been teaching us songs, simple drama techniques, games and also some arty stuff. It has been alot of fun because we can just pretend to be kids for a couple of hours!!

This evening we were introduced to the Skate board ministry. We went down to the local park and met some of Yerko´s friends. I didn´t actually get on the board, some of the other girls did but I think I will try it at home (yes we have effectively a half pipe in our garden) before I show off my skills to the pros!! There was so many people there, and it really was a great atmosphere. I think that even if I don´t do the skate ministry I would love to hang out there and get to know some of the girls from the area. We also got chatting to a guy called Phillip, who was so interesting. He wasn´t a christian, but had some really big ideas about who he thought Jesus was and what he thought the bible was about, some of his ideas were just not biblically sound, but he did know his stuff! He had actually thought about it and come up with some ideas about what he believed. It was quite encouraging and at the same time quite sad actually he said that we were the first Chrisitians he had met that he actually connected with, and that he found most of them to be "Nazis" and just wanted to condem him and brain wash him.

This has been quite a long blog entry! I hope I havnt bored you all. I must remember to update this more often so it´s not such a marathon entry!

**Please pray for the hogars we are working in, some of the kids really have come from bad homes and have very little respect for themselves or anyone/anything else. Please pray that we can be role models for them and that somehow we can show Gods love for them though the programmes we will be leading.
**Please pray for Agape Santiago, that they will continue to reach out to the homeless people of Santiago. Please also pray that God will use me in this ministry and will show me how to love them and will show me how he sees them.
**Pray for the relationship between me and my mentor, that God will continue to be in the centre of that and that he will teach me things through that.
** Pray for the skateboard ministry that Yerko is heading up, pray that he will continue to form friendships with the guys at the parks and that when they come to our house with him to practice in our garden they will learn something from him and that they will ask questions about Jesus.
**Pray specifically for Phillip, that we will see him again, and that he can maybe stay in touch with Yerko and can continue to explore what Christianity really is.

So the past few days have been pretty great! On Saturday we got the chance to visit a youth service that Yerko was speak at. They were all really crazy and all wanted to talk to us which was lovely. I am beginning to get used to greeting EVERBODY in the room with a kiss on the cheek now, and actually really loving it. The English do not have alot of physical touch between people, so I am feeling very loved! The service took place at the top of a huge building, floor 36 or something like that. There was glass around the room with amazing panoramic views of the city. At one point in the service the youth were praying for the city, and it was really great to see.

Then yesterday we went to the first church we are visiting. Over the next four weeks we are going to visit four different churches and then we will decide which one we will stay at. The church seemed nice. it is frustrating not understanding any of the sermon, but people were very friendly. The church was not very busy because apparently Chileans do not go out if it rains!!

Today we had some Cultural training this morning, and then went to visit the boys Hogar (childrens home). It is independance day next weekend and so we were making decorations for the house. It was alot of fun and although my Spanish is stil non existant, we managed to make friends with the boys and they laughed at my English accent. There was one funny incident where me and Stijn thought we were talking about singing and instruments, and one of the boys was asking us a question we couldnt understand so we got one of our team leaders to translate and it turned out he was asking how much money it was for the fish...! Not quite sure what we were talking about..

Oh and the football was a draw. Which is not good because next we play Brazil, which we will not win. So we will probably not be going to the world cup.

It is stil REALLY cold! The weather is supposed to be getting warmer, we have been told that usually they are in tshirts by this time of year.

The team are getting on really well and the girls are having alot of fun in our house playing Uno! We play with so many different extra rules it is very funny. For example, if a blue card is played you must play with your face on the table. If a yellow card is played you play with your arms coming out of your chest. There are also many more.

I would love to recieve some mail, my address is

Emma House

OM Chile

PO BOX 534-3

Santiago Central

Chile

Okay so the past couple of days have been pretty chilled stil. Yesterday we had a bit of a meeting about what we are going to be doing for the next 9 months, and got our folders! (very exciting!) Then Philipp and I made dinner... FOR 14 people! It didn't go so well. People seemed to appriciate it, but it took us ages. We had fun though. Then after that we went to downtown Santiago to do all the tourist things. It was nice to see the centre. They do not have many shops in the centre like they do in cities I am used to as most of the shops are in malls. Then last night we ate out and had another traditional Chilean meal, I can't remember the name.. it was pretty much a hot dog, with chopped tomato, mashed avocado, mayonaise and ketchup. It was so good. Today we have had a chilled day. We had meetings all morning, which is great because they are at the girls house, so we dont have to move very far. We were discussing expectations, and talking through practical things and had some prayer time together. Then we turned the room in to a big cinema and watched slum dog millionnaire together, which was nice. Then this evening the girls have just been sat around the table chatting. We really are all getting on well, and have been blessed with pretty much instant friendships.

* Please pray for Sannto, she has been very sick today, she was feeling a bit better tonigt, but is very tired as she was up most of the night being sick (nothing to do with my cooking). Please also pray that the virus doesn't spread as it would not be good if we were all in bed!
* Stijn is ariving tomorrow! He got his passport sorted and it's all goooood. Praise God. Pray he makes it safely here, and can enjoy his first few days even though he might feel like he has missed so much.
* Pray Chile beat Venezuela tomorrow in the football!! ;D

First impressions of Santiago

So I arrived yesterday afternoon in the wonderful city Santiago after about 35 hours of travelling. Killer. Yerko, Mario and a couple of others picked us up from the airport, and then we drove to what was soon to become the girls house! We drove past a students strike and they were throwing fire at the police! Yerko simply said "welcome to the jungle" and turned up the music. Our house is an old house with no heating, and is falling apart, there is no gas pipes and you cant flush toilet paper down the toilet or it will block, but now we've put some pictures up, and are getting to know one another, it is becoming more and more like home. We went for lunch at Yerko and Corine's house (our team leaders) and they made empanadas (a very chilean dish kind of like a pasty) and a avacado salad (very chilean) and sweetcorn with mayonaise! (weird.. but chilean!) It was really good. We also went to the mall to buy a few bits for the house and to make our rooms more homely. It has been pretty relaxed so far, getting to know the metro system, and the buses, and getting to know each other. Tomorrow we have the team orientation and briefing. So I will have more exciting things to talk about then.
Emma xx

**please pray that we dont get bitten by a spider that lives in our house which would kill us!
**Also, please pray for our friend who has not been able to leave europe because he is having problems with his passport. He thinks he can get here on Saturday at the earliest. He has already missed so much, so just pray that he doesn't feel too stressed and that he can pick things up quickly.