There is a reason for stereo-types. Spanish doesn't place blame on people. Pens drop themselves off of desks, lamps drop themselves off tables, and drivers licenses leave themselves at home. Leti explained this to me in the car on the way to the birth center. I think the conversation happened somewhere between Emi asking me if I could drive, and me asking if Aaron was "old enough" to drive. Old enough earns quotations because its a matter of interpretation. Thus the need for excuses when a police officer stops someone.
Leti is a doula, and will soon be studying to be a midwife. She invited me to come to the christian birth center with her today. It was incredible to say the least. The birth process alone warrants such a description, and when coupled with the most wonderful team of christian women it makes for a really beautiful experience. The place is comfortable, welcoming and safely tucked away behind some really beautiful trees. I got to sit in on an examination. It is protocol for the doula to do the preliminary work up when an expectant woman comes in. And each check-up gives an opportunity for a freindship to be built, and a message of Gods love to be shared. Leti talked with the woman and asked about her life and the rest of her family (in addition to the baby) and then she prayed with her and shared a verse from John. And of course took BP, HR, Weight, etc. I got to hear the baby's heartbeat with a doplar monitor, and see the ultrasound. It was really really really cool. We (Leti, Emily and I) were there until almost 4pm. Zach opted to sleep a few extra minutes, so we left him around 9:30. He took his time and caught a bus to the church where he helped finish up with VBS and then went with Mike and Jose to play fronton. The boys picked us girls up from the center and we all went back to Chicken from the west for lunch.
Mike, Jose, Emily, Zach and I walked to Santo Domingo after the family went home and got a cup of coffee. Over which we talked plans for the youth group for the rest of the week (including a viewing of HP 7 pt 2 on Saturday (yay!!)) as well as some good ole tongue twisters. We would through the famous ones (sally and her sea shells, peter and his peppers, chuck and his wood) at Mike, and he would intently listen, nod his head, and say "Thats easy" before launching into a silly mimic of the main sounds. It made for some good laughs.
Emily danced in the llano. Last year when we were here there was construction going on and turns out all that work was for a really nice brick walk-way complete with spouting water gysers syncronized to music blaring at all hours on loud speakers. It was pretty cool. The locals thought Emily was pretty loco, but clapped after a few arabesques.
After our 2 hour coffee break, we walked to the Lechusa. This lechusa existe!!! Where we ate about 75% of a kilo of meat, and then walked across the street for another coffee while we waited for coco and leti to come get us.
It is really refreshing being here. Our friends are really wonderful, and it does our hearts good to be surrounded with such joy, care and connection. There is a piece of life here that can't quite be tapped in Nashville. We are thankful that it exists here, and awaits us in the lives of these friends.
It was late when we got home tonight. The days seem to be absolutely flying by.
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