Girl of Many Hats

“Bolivia.” All day, the word kept echoing around in my head with alluring mystery. Curious, and unsure exactly where in South America it was, I set about researching the country. Soon, I had a whole sheet of facts and figures. What struck me most were the appalling medical conditions and how many children died of disease. Having long felt called to the mission field, I suddenly felt that Bolivia held some inspiring destiny. Yes, I would go to Bolivia!

Then, I discovered an earth-shattering thing about Bolivia which altered my plans: natives wore odd hats. 

I told Mom about the devastating news as she fixed dinner. “All the native women wear these goofy little hats on top of their heads! Just on the TOP of their head. The hats are way too small for them. It looks so ridiculous. I don’t like those hats. I could NEVER work in Bolivia!”

This was all back when I was 13 years old. J

My mom’s reply? “If you lived there, you would learn to love them. You would love the people despite the hats. I think you should go, just because of that.”

 

Despite my mom’s prophetic wish, I completely put Bolivia out of my head, and almost forgot about the conversation until after I had purchased tickets 7 years later… to none other than Bolivia itself. J

Now, I look back at the ironic conversation with amusement. I am so thankful and excited for how the Lord is guiding and already teaching me so much through this! Please join with me in praying that I will have a humble, cooperative attitude, especially since I will be working very closely with a variety of personalities. I am so excited to meet and get to know a whole new set of friends! As my mom assured me so long ago, I will certainly love them. As for the hats… well, we’ll have to see. J

P.S. I'm leaving October 21 at 18:30 and will arrive in Cochabamba (Lord willing!) on October 22 at 14:30. Yay!!!!!