As Joann and I enter our fourth week in Santiago, I feel as if the House of Hope has become a second home for us. We have more or less integrated ourselves into the household schedule and have now established firmer relationships with the girls at the House of Hope and with the students in our English classes. This past week was largely filled with lesson planning, teaching English, and spending time with the girls (for homework and for fun!). On Wednesday afternoon, we accompanied the girls to their first time of volunteer service at the Hogar to assist the younger girls with their homework. In addition to the household chores to which we regularly contribute, Joann and I started to help with a painting project this week.

Since we haven’t traveled very much during our stay in Santiago, it was nice to have the opportunity to visit a few more locations in Santiago this week. We enjoyed a wonderful meal with the House of Hope’s director, Daniel, and his family at their home on Friday evening. The good food was complemented by a fun time of fellowship and exchange of cultural experiences. On Saturday, the beautiful, sunny weather allowed us to spend most of the day exploring part of downtown Santiago with Katty Mena and Claudia, Daniel’s sister-in-law. Then, on Sunday, Joann and I ventured out on our own and successfully navigated our way to the Alliance church in La Florida, located a few neighborhoods from the House of Hope.

Joann and I have continued to enjoy teaching the English classes. Although our classes have sometimes been very small in number during the past several weeks, it is still a pleasure to teach students who are studying a foreign language because they want to learn rather than because they are required to. Nevertheless, teaching classes of this sort does require flexibility on our part due to the various levels and abilities of our students. Likewise, it has been interesting, and at times a challenge, to discover the unique needs of each girl at the House of Hope.

One praise for this week is that Joann and I, as well as everyone in the house, have been healthy even though we are entering the winter sickness season. Also, we were very happy to hear from another girl this week that she received her first 7.0 (perfect score) on a school assignment. As you pray for us, please pray that we will make the best use of our remaining time and will allow God to lead us in all that we do.

Thanks for your support,
Heather

Saludos (greetings) from Santiago, Chile! This is Heather Myers reporting for the Vision for Chile internship team that is serving at the House of Hope for six weeks in May and June. This year’s summer internship “team” actually consists of just two members: Joann Anderson, who is a Spanish teacher from Texas, and myself, a student from northern New York studying Spanish and Communication Disorders. Joann has participated in three previous Vision for Chile trips, while I was part of last year’s summer internship program. One of the purposes of this year’s trip is to serve as friends/mentors/English teachers for the five girls who live at the newly-constructed House of Hope. We are also here to teach English to some of the members of local Alliance churches and staff from the Hogar (girls’ home).

It’s difficult to believe that we have already been here at the House of Hope for almost two weeks! After arriving in Santiago on May 17, we didn’t spend much time adjusting before we began our new responsibilities. During the first several days, we stayed busy helping the girls with homework, planning and teaching English classes, and clearing rocks from the front yard. One of the highlights of our first week in Santiago was the dedication ceremony for the House of Hope. It was amazing to see all of the people that God has brought together in order for the dream of the House of Hope to become a reality. During our second week here, we have started to establish a schedule for ourselves and have enjoyed getting to know more about the girls and the students in our English classes.

The five girls at the House of Hope are a lot of fun to spend time with in addition to being godly young women who enjoy serving others. They, along with Willy and Patty (who currently serve as the caretaker, cook, and all-around hard workers), have made us feel very welcome and have ensured that all of our needs have been taken care of. The students in our four different groups of English classes have shown a refreshing interest in learning more about another language, even if that language is often difficult for them to pronounce! And, as I discovered during my trip to Chile last year, the ability to fellowship with other Christians is not limited by language barriers. It has been great to pray, sing, and share with the believers here in Chile.

Thank you to everyone who is supporting us with your prayers! We ask that you would continue to pray for us and for Vision for Chile, since it is only by God’s work through us that we will be able to accomplish our purpose here.