A Dios Sea La Gloria

Here are some pictures of the church. Those of you who have been there before, it's a little different. I haven't taken pictures of the inside yet but the outside is different enough for now

Off to the right side of the church - is the preschool still, and another corridor of classrooms for the school

Now to the left side of the church where 6 years ago we were building the foundation of classrooms:

Time for some pictures.

To start off - just a nice Family picture from the Airport before I left. . :o)

Aw, how cute. My Mom, Dad, Me, Matt, Emily, Susie and Patrick.

I am currently staying at the Pastor's House which is located on the back right corner of the church property. Here is the house from the gate around the house itself -

A look inside the house: the kitchen

The dinning room.

My bedroom -

Day 2 - so far so good.

My 1st full day here in Maturin - actually pretty un-eventful. Everyone is on vacation so things are pretty quiet around here which is a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. Good because I have time to start adjusting and just relax bad because it gives me way too much time to think. I took a tour of the school buildings today and of the inside of the church. Talked with an old friend for a little while, Casto and Marlene took me out for lunch - we had soup it was pretty good - it was a broth with squash type thing, yuka, meat still on the bone...took a nap, later on went to 'el centro' Sigo. It's like a mall with a super market inside as well. Paul, Sue, and Eddie gave me a tour of Maturin - the 'inner city' with lots of stores, little street vendors, lots of traffic, and lots of people. Looked for a 'good' place to get a cell phone and coverage plan but didn't find one. For dinner Paul took us to "calle hambre" Hungry street for completos - hot dogs with ketchup, mustard, mayonase (sp?) green peppers, cabbage, and potato chip pieces on top.
It's going to take me a while to adjust to shopping, calculating prices for stuff, and getting around. Travel, streets, seems really confusing to me right now all the streets look the same to me. Even though I have been here before everything is different. I have a lot to learn, language, relationally, building new friendships, finding people to hang out with, how to buy stuff, where good places to shop are, how to get around, learn about education here in Venezuela - expectations they have for their teachers, taking classes at the seminary here. . . etc I feel kinda lost right now with no one close to talk to and talk things through - I'm sure that will change as time goes on and things are back to normal around here. It is going to be hard right now b/c I am 1 person expected to fill the place of 2 people - Emily and Lori the 2 VISA missionary girls that were here. . . . . we will see!

Let the Adventure Begin

After 16 hours in airports and on planes we, (Paul and Sue Frazier and I ) made it safely to Maturin, without any problems!!! Praise the Lord - another american guy who was on all the same flights as us had a PS2, gifts, and clothing stolen from his suitcase. My suitcases weren't even touched - still neatly packed just as I had left them. It was most exhusting sitting in Caracas airport for 5.5 hours waiting for our flight to Maturin. Everything went smoothly though. Practiced some patience. The whole 'latin time' where flights are supposed to board at 10am and don't board until 12.. . . . . (:o) On the flight from Caracas to Maturin I couldn't even keep my eyes open!!!
The city has changed a lot, airport really nice. Church beautiful, classroom buildings are nice - I will get pictures up later.. I will be staying with Pastor Casto and Marlene at first and they live on the church property. Marlene told me today that I will be teaching English for preschool - 3rd graders and most likely from preschool - 6th grade. Classes begin on the 7th of Jan.. So I have a lot of lesson planning and preparing to do before then. I have wireless internet working here at Pastor Casto's house, an airconditioned room, running water. There is a change of address for sending stuff to me. You should send it here:
Heidi Hoover
C/O Dr. Casto Rojas
Transversal 7 entre 5 y 6
Brisas del Aeropuerto
Maturin, Monagas, Venezuela

I should be getting a pre-paid cell phone dealio tomorrow to be able to communicate when necessary - when I get that all set up I will send along the number. I have been told that it is cheaper for me to call to the United states than it is for you to call down to Venezuela.. I am going to 'descansar' rest a little bit.. I don't know what else they have planned for me today.. :o) I am doing well. I arrived safe and sound. Thanks so much for your prayers. Your support. I couldn't be here with out you. You all are awesome! Take Care. God Bless..

Weak and Unworthy

A lot of things change by the months. Doubts. Discouragements. Feelings. Relationships. Plans. Fears. Joys. Perspectives. Hearts. I feel the past couple months I have been, "blown and tossed by the waves" so to speak. Avoiding reflection and updating afraid of what I would find. Not wanting to face failures.
Thursday December 27th I will be flying out for Maturin, Venezuela. A place I have been twice before. A place of memories. A place of regrets. A place where God wants me to be. As I embark on this next adventure in my life, I have already been through a roller coaster of emotions. Excitement. Fear. Nervous. Anxious. Giving up. Walking away. Persistance. Challenge. As each wave has come and gone, a new lesson was learned. I hope to apply these lessons to life, to keep them in front of me. To be wise in my decisions. To be steadfast in my convictions. To keep things in perspective. To be aware of my attitude, my words, my actions. To count my blessings. To surrender. To trust my God.
I have recently read the book, "Captivating" by Stasi and John Eldredge. Wonderful book for any woman. Today I experienced a renewed freedom in Christ - freedom from wounds, hurts, broken relationships that have been pulling me down. There's a new joy and hope in my heart.

How I got this far.

I hope this blog will be an easy way to update everyone with what is going on with me and where I am at.
I graduated from Edinboro University in May 2007 with a degree in Spanish Education but new I was not cut out to be a teacher in the stereotypical 'teacher' sense. I love working with children and love teaching but on a one on one type basis. The most logical thing look for a teaching job. I had no desire to find a job or accept a job I had applied for. I had received and e-mail in late May requesting volunteers to come help a school, church, and community in Maturin, Venezuela. Thus began my journey in tough decisons and faith, obedience, and trusting God. There have been many twists and turns in the road but God continues to clear a path for me to follow Him where he needs me right now. To make a long story short finally in mid-August I had to make a decison between accepting a teaching positon here in the United States and going to Venezuela. After weeks of struggling/wavering back and forth, I decided and committed to going to Venezuela for 2 years. I am currently raising support ($20,000), working out those fine details, and staying encouraged and focused. I am also looking for random jobs and I will be substitute teaching until the end of December. I am very excited for this opportunity! Excited to be stretched, to be changed and to grow! Thank you all for your support, your love, prayers and encouragement!!