December Newsletter - KD in Uruguay

KD’s Uruguayan Adventures
December 2007 Issue
Seasons of Love

525,600 minutes: How do you measure a year?

As 2007 closes and we spend time to make resolutions for a new calendar year, it is important to take the time to reflect upon the past 12 months, or 525,600 minutes. How did you spend those minutes? With whom did you able to enjoy them with? Did you use them to their full potential? As I think about the past year of my life, there are many things to be grateful for. Christmas services with the Valdense and Lutheran churches, end of the year parties with the kids at La Obra and spending time with friends have filled these past few weeks; these new customs and events are among the blessings this year. As 2008 begins, it is a joy to look forward to the next 284,000 minutes in South America as undiscovered adventures. I look forward to sharing these with you and feel fortunate that I can share my journey with you. God Bless you as you celebrate the birth of God’s son this season.

CulturalCorner

Get to know Uruguay Grupo de Jovenes Each Thursday comes with the anticipation of a 9pm date with the Valdenses. Since September, I have been fortunate to be a part of the Valdense Church’s Young Adults group, which meets on a weekly basis to chat, drink mate, play volleyball or a participate in a devotional. This group has been a great chance for me to make great friends and get to know another part of Uruguayan culture. With excitement, this January I will be going with this group to their annual RioPlatense, a camp at which we will be able to spend a week of devotionals, games and conversations with other young adults from the Rio de Plata area.

¡Tortas Fritas!

Although this South American summer has been full of sun, I do appreciate the occasional rainy afternoon for a change of pace…and for tortas fritas! Tortas fritas are pieces of fried dough and are a rainy-day staple; the theory is that it gives people an activity to do together when they are stuck inside. Above are Cristian, Cristian and Robert with torta frita dough that we made on a rainy day in La Obra, after which our stomachs were satisfied and the depressing weather no longer brought us down. For now, I will enjoy the mid-80s and have patience for the winter to bring rain.