September Newsletter, a few days late! - KD in Uruguay

KD's Uruguayan Adventures
September 2007 Issue

Getting to Know my Home

The last five weeks has been filled with two weeks of orientation (Chicago and Buenos Aires), getting settled in to my home and spending time with my Uruguayan family. My schedule includes assisting Pastor Wilma with church activities, teaching English and playing with the kids at La Obra, singing with the choir at the Valdense Church and taking mate (see Culture Corner below). I have been blessed with a community that is open armed and I have been very fortunate to truly feel like a part of the family. As my weekly schedule has become a routine I have been able to branch out in my activities and am continuing to learn more about the culture of Montevideo, which I am very excited to share with you! This is sure to be an amazing year of new experiences, cultural adventures and person discernment; thank you for being a part of it!

THANK YOU!
I am blessed with the amount of support I have received for this program. Thank you to all who have made this year possible for me through prayer and resources.


Cultural Corner
Get to know Uruguay

Madres de la Plaza de Mayo
During orientation we met with Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo. These women have been marching for thirty years to show their support in finding their children (los desaparecidos). Since 1976 more than 30,000 people have been taken by Argentine military and the chances of finding them are slim to none; however, these women continue to search and have been able to find and reunite some of their children. It was very surreal privilege to hear these women talk about their experiences and what they are doing as civil rights activists.

It's Mate Time!
One of my favorite Uruguayan pastimes is taking mate. In this picture two of my co-workers at La Obra, Ana (with the thermos) and Alejandra (with mate and bombilla), are partaking in this common practice. Yerba mate is somewhat similar to tea but has a bitter taste and is drank by pouring hot water over it and is taken through the bombilla, the silver, straw-like device. Although mate is popular throughout different parts in South America, Uruguayans take it with them nearly everywhere. It is so popular here that it is said that Uruguayans are both with their arms in a crook so that they can carry the thermos!