About time? Yes.

So i thought it was def high time to post again, especially since I’ve been asked so many times when I’m going to update this that last night I had a dream about doing it. I’m just that cool.

Well….the last time I posted here was about like two months ago, i apologise, I will try harder, promise. Since then there has been a whole lot going down so here goes……

I have now completely finished with language school as of a week and a half ago which was pretty sad because since I was there EVERY DAY for 7 weeks I was a pretty permanent feature there and it was pretty integral in my life! I have made some really good friends there, including one girl who was house sitting for a week for this family who had a pool. A POOL. We went there probably 5 times during the week. oh yeah. Then when i was talking to the dad of the family the next week in church (about getting sunburn obviously, it’s a key theme in my life) he was like “I don’t know if you know but we have a pool……” hmmm really? haven’t been there every day this week thats for sure… But anyway language school has been really good, we’ve had loads of outings, cultural events and sickness banter; you know the kind… who’s part of the amoebas club, who’s not etc…. (aside-out of 20 students there are 2 of us who haven’t had amoebas, and the other girl who hasn’t now possibly has typhoid. I’m in it to win it.) As far as my language goes it’s coming along pretty well, my main language issues are with the americans at language school. They do not know what I am saying; one girl recently asked me if when I was learning in school, did they forget to teach me pronunciation. She was not joking. But i felt really ready to leave the language school and get stuck in to working, that is why I came here and I really want to make the most of my time here with the kids.

Saying that however, I started work last Friday and yesterday was off sick. Doing well. I had a visit from everyone’s favourite stomach friend this weekend so a large part of it was spent on the toilet but I got to prepare loads of emails and didn’t need to exercise to counter the humongous amount of food they eat here, maybe I’ll try it every month…. To top the time of sickness off today I had the joy and pleasure of taking a trip to the clinic with Savannah (the girl who possibly has typhoid) to give them some samples. and im not talking about ice cream samples. good times.

It’s not for ice cream

We sure love the gastroenterology ward at the clinic. High five for that.

Now that you are all caught up on my inner workings, to more interesting issues. I started work on Friday at the boys’ home and it was so good. I’m in every day during the week from half 8 to 5 and my main job is to be around to do what the kids need. The boys are aged from 4-16 and are there in two parts when I’m in, the older ones (11-16) are there in the mornings and then are at school in the afternoons and the younger ones are the opposite. I will be helping them with homework, playing with them, eating with them and going to church with them. The one thing that struck me most was how much respect they have for everyone and everything. If I ask them to so something they do it straight away, they all have chores they have to do and they do them straight away once it’s time to do it, one guy who was seven cleaned the whole floor of the downstairs as soon as he came in from school. Most of all, they just want someone to be with them and do anything with them; I was reading to the smallest ones (four and six), and one by one all the rest of the younger boys came in and sat down and listened in complete silence even though the books were for really little kids. However, the kids also did pick the WORST books, they ALL had the story of little kids who went off for adventures but then were too scared so went back to their families because family is the best place for children to be. AWKWARD. good choice kids. On Sunday I went to church with them which was really good except that the church was completely mental. We arrived at nine and the preacher said “before we start I’m just going to pray for a few minutes.” Apparently ‘a few’ was code for 60. ONE HOUR. Most of the kids may have been asleep by the time he finished. But it was just good to be with the kids and spend time with them (though on the way one of them did pee himself and on the way back all the little ones were eating leaves they had picked off a tree. oh kids….)

In other news, I have also moved house to be closer to my project. I now live with the directora of the language school, Mauge, and her family. It has been such a blessing to be with them, they’re such a lovely, christian family and have been more than welcoming and Heather will be glad to know that Mauge has become like my 2nd mum (she has even taken control of my bank card since I have misplaced it many a time and it turned up amongst my clothes about to go into the washing machine. well done matthew.)

Finally, thanks SO much for all your prayer, I have really felt uplifted before God in everything I’m doing and blessed, and thanks SO much for all the emails I have received, it has been so nice to hear all the news from home please keep them coming, I’m really really sorry that I haven’t replied to more, I’m just a bit rubbish that way apparently! But I really love it when I open my mail and have a message from someone, its the best.

So I reckon that’s prob enough for now, I’ll give a few prayer requests and then I’ll get back to you all in January. JOKES. (or is it…..)

Blessings,
Matthew/Mateo/ Machoos (because apparently that’s what my name sounds like to Bolivians ?!?!?)

Prayer por favor,
-thanks for the kids in the home, for their kindness, willingness to do everything and how welcoming they’ve been to me. Ask that God will really bless them and comfort them, they have had really hard lives.
-thanks for the staff of the home who have really taken me in and been great.
-for Mauge and her family and their kindness, provision and love they have shown me.
-for my health, because aside from this weekend it has been suspiciously good so please pray that would continue!
-that I can really make an impact in the home and that God will give me the energy to make the most of every minute of my short time here.

ps I have had many requests for my address while I’m here, this is where you should send stuff if you want it to go to the orphanage as well, it is

Matthew Maginn
Casilla 4941
Cochabamba
Bolivia

WOAH ATTENTION PLEASE all packages MUST be under 4 kg or else I will have to pay a fine of $40 so please bear that in mind, but you can send multiple packages at the same time though if you so desire. Enjoy!!