You Can Thank My Neighbors for This Post

My neighbors and their loud music that have currently rendered it impossible to nap, read, or finish watching the movie I started on Netflix. Guess I'll blog!

I started on-field orientation on Thursday. My cohort consists of Johanna, a Santiago-based GEO missionary, and two families who'll be serving in Panama and Puerto Rico, respectively. Our days will start filling up with cultural outings (and cooking lessons!?) soon; thus far all sessions have been held in the regional office building (pictured below):

• Part 1 of a church planting seminar
• Intro to language & culture 
• Potluck luncheon
• Part 1 of a Bible study on being a sojourner
• Presentation on the history of Lutheran hymnals in Spanish
• Reflections on teamwork, boundaries, and safety from Ted, our Regional Director

Jacqui and Sandra, two of the three Spanish teachers that work with LAC missionaries, led the language & culture session and stayed for the potluck. They both seem incredibly sweet and eager to share their wealth of knowledge with us. The results of the placement test I had to take should be tabulated soon. It was awful. After answering a set of basic questions about myself, a robotic talking head asked me 17 questions that I had between 1:00 and 2:30 to answer in free-form fashion. Being put on the spot was stressful! I hope speaking ability is weighted more heavily than content. 

We jump back into things tomorrow morning with a longer look at language & culture, followed by "Money Matters" with Blake, our Regional Business Manager. In the meantime, here's some Saturday morning sightseeing photos plus a couple from church this morning. 

Natalie, a GEO missionary who's been here since January, played tour guide for Johanna and I. We headed for the city center in a concho. Conchos are similar to taxis, only they run along specific routes. For 25 pesos (~$0.50), you can go as far as you need to; just indicate to the driver when you want to hop out. Conchos stay in the right lane and can stop pretty much anywhere. They're also suuuuuuper beat up clunkers that pack passengers in like sardines. Not pictured above: the FOUR people in the backseat. 

Our destination was the Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración ("the monument"). Built by the DR's tyrannical dictator Trujillo, it was rededicated to the forces that took Trujillo down and restored independence. The grounds are home to monthly concerts and citywide celebrations at Christmastime and during Carnaval (Mardi Gras). 

Despite the view from the balcony, it was not as crowded as I was anticipating. Too hot for locals!

Commemorative statues are plentiful around the monument. These honor some of the city's baseball greats. I can't wait to go to a game...go Águilas! 

This morning I joined several other missionaries at one of the three mission churches in the greater Santiago area. Iglesia Luterana Pueblo Nuevo's storefront location is the closest to our neighborhood. Divine Service started at 10:30(ish!) and was followed by Sunday school for the kids/a lesson from the Book of Concord for the adults. 

I loved this tender moment before worship. Facing the camera is Rev. Sergio Maita, the pastor at Pueblo Nuevo...for now. It was announced today that his last Sunday is 9/2; from then on, he and his family will be serving in the capital at Iglesia Luterana Amigos de Cristo (Las Américas) and planting a new church in the Ozama neighborhood. Rev. Joel Fritsche will take over the congregation at Pueblo Nuevo in addition to his duties as director of Seminario Concordia El Reformador. Elvis, with his back to the camera, is a Peruvian seminary student who assists at Pueblo Nuevo.

Is that...silence I hear? Until next time, blessings!