The Street where you live

It's time for some pictures~I wanted to post some of my current home in Chile. So much has happened since my last post, but we'll start with getting you all acquainted with "the street where I live".


The photo above is of a map of Temuco. The Flinck's home is on the road found in the top left corner called Folilco. We are in a small gated community (which is normal here) across the road from the municipal pool, park, theatre, and soccer stadium. We are just a few minutes from the center of Temuco. This area can be a busy place. Last week there was a huge soccer game between Temuco's team and a VERY good team from the capital. Fans came all the way from Santiago to cheer for Colo Colo. I need to start learning about soccer...
This is a picture of the Flinck's home. It is a nice two story home (not too big or too small for a family of six...plus a visitor).



This is my little corner of the world. This room will eventually be Kaylee's, but for now she shares a room with her brothers. I don't think I've ever had a room to myself, so this is a huge step for me! I am thankful for a great place to study.


As with any place I've been in, the sky here is something I am going to love! This was the sky on Saturday just after returning from camp Lican.

An Arrival...and a Beginning!

I arrived in Temuco, Chile on a drizzly Sunday afternoon after just about 24 hours straight of flying/layovers. Praise the Lord for his protection and guidance along the way. Each of the four flights had a highlight that I'll share with you!

1) Green Bay to Chicago: This flight was delayed due to fog earlier that morning. This made me a little nervous because my layover at O'hare was a short one to begin with. I arrived at Chicago at 3:35 p.m. and at 3:55 I was in the air headed toward Miami! I didn't exactly have to RUN...but I would venture to say that I did look a little RUSHED to those I passed along the way!

2) Chicago to Miami: I sat next to an Argentine couple who spoke mostly Spanish. This was actually a humorous situation because when I shared that I was traveling to study in Chile for three months, they immediately asked... "Why wouldn't you want to study in Argentina instead of Chile?" I just laughed, and said that I knew some people who lived in Chile. Apparently there is a little bit of competition among Latin American countries! They were a very nice couple, and it helped that they were extremely patient with my Spanish abilities! This flight was a wake-up call that I have a LOT of work to do this semester to communicate well in Spanish.

3)Miami to Santiago: I arrived in Miami at 7:45 p.m...and didn't leave for Santiago until 11:30 p.m. This left a lot of time to catch up with my parents and some friends, and send a lot of "I'll text you again in December!!" messages, lol. The flight to Santiago was LONG... about 8 1/2 hours to be exact. I normally don't sleep too well while traveling, but at one point I woke up to a thick layer of fog below us with the Andes mountain peaks rising above it....so I did get a few hours of good sleep. The plane arrived in Santiago at around 8:00 Sunday Morning

4) Santiago to Temuco: Santiago is where the trip became interesting! First of all, I was prepared to answer basic questions in Spanish to pass through customs, but the lady who took my visa and passport did not say a single word to me! I couldn't believe it... I just walked away with my passport stamped and a 90 day tourist visa in hand...no questions asked, literally!! I then left the world of American Airlines, and checked in my luggage with LAN (a Chilean airline). Secondly, at Santiago's airport, the actual departure gate is not posted until about 20-30 minutes prior to the flight. I...being unfamiliar with the norms of Chilean airlines...didn't realize this. As I watched the flights scroll down the screen without my own listed...I became increasingly unsure of myself and increasingly confused (not a fun combination, lol). Finally an airport employee walked over and explained the situation. This being cleared up, I relaxed somewhat and and enjoyed watching how the airport worked.

I could share a LOT more about that 24 hour span...but after all the flights and interesting situations I arrived at the Temuco airport. Standing in the lobby waiting were Kristi Flinck, baby Lukas and three sunny sonrisas (that's smiles in Spanish). Jordan (8), Ben (7), and Kaylee (4) Flinck are quite a group! The moment we arrived home they gave me the tour of the house--it was then that I started to love this family... craziness and all that comes with it! Seriously, children are gifts...gifts that require a lot of work and patience and correction. I've learned a lot about that already since being here. This is just the beginning of a semester that the Lord has planned for myself and the Flincks here in Chile.

So, that's my story of an arrival...and a beginning!

What do I do while waiting?

I've been home from camp for a few weeks now, and I have a lot to do before I'll be ready to head to Chile. What in the world does one do before leaving the country? I'm learning as I go, but here are some things I've been up to.

• Vaccinations--I found the Center for Disease Control website, and discovered that I needed some updates (4 to be exact) on normative shots just to be safe. Two on each arm "ouch"~but I survived!
  
• Finances--It's always good to keep the friendly people at the bank (seriously, they are nice people~I used to be a teller, lol) informed that I will be abroad.... lest they protectively freeze my credit/debit card services temporarily!
  
• Learn to Listen!-- I've been told that when trying to learn a language in an immersion situation, a good thing to do prior to departure is work... HARD... on listening comprehension! So, I found some places to listen and read the news in Spanish (BBC Mundo being one of them). Hopefully, if I understand what I am hearing, I can take some strides with the Spanish Language this semester!
  
• Technology-- I created this blog, for starters! I also took my computer to a professional for some much needed maintenance work. My laptop is a 3 year old, well used piece of equipment that I am thankful for, but it needed extra memory. Skype is another tool I will use from Chile to keep in touch!
• Family Time--I am so grateful for the last few weeks I've had at home...my family has been so supportive. My mom, dad, sisters, and extended family have all been a blessing!
  

There are many other things I've been doing in preparation as well, but these seemed to be the most obvious ones!

I leave for Northland tomorrow morning, and I will spend the last few days before I leave (on Sept. 12) sitting in sessions, researching Chile, and catching up with Northland friends. Honestly, the most important part of preparation to me has been the extra time during this season at home to pray and seek the Lord... that is of First Importance!

Clueless?

Clueless about Chile? I was too until I did a little research!

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ci.html

David and Kristi Flinck

David and Kristi Flinck will be my hosts during my stay in Chile. I am thankful that they are willing to open up their family and ministry to me. Please keep them in your prayers as well!
http://www.chilejournal2.blogspot.com/

Continue.... in Chile

2 Timothy 3:14-- But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it.

I just finished a summer of counseling at Northland Camp, and the Lord taught me many things from His word. This verse is so encouraging as I leave camp behind and focus on the fall semester ahead of me in Chile. I know that I can continue in what I've learned because my God is faithful and it is He who desires to change me into His own image.