You know you're a missionary when . . .

A trip to the United States Embassy feels like a vacation. A little more than a week ago Braeden, Miles, my dad and i got up at three in the morning to drive six hours to La Paz. Braeden said that it was like being on a six hour long roller coaster ride with the twists and turns and ups and downs through the mountain. We got stuck behind too many trucks to count, getting sick from their exhaust and spent forty five minutes in traffic at the entrance to the city.

When we got into La Paz we were so relieved. it was just starting to rain and it was much colder than Cochabamba, a nice change from the scorching sun. The streets are narrow and old, there are lots of cafes and restaurants and it almost felt like we were in Chicago with all of the buildings and busyness. Almost.

Braeden, Miles and i got out and started to walk, asking for directions to the Embassy. We were dreading it, thinking it was going to be a Bolivian version of a government building; crowded, understaffed and confusing. And then we saw this American flag sticking out above a five story tall wall that was about a half a block wide. Nervously we entered the security entrance, crowded with people waiting to get in. The guard told us in Spanish to wait when from behind us we here in perfect English, "Let the couple with the baby go in first." Shocked, we walked in and the sounds of honking horns and car screeches were immediately drowned out. Who new that English was so beautiful as the secretary at the front desk said, "Welcome to the U.S. Embassy, please put on these name tags and follow the hallway."

Braeden and i were speechless as we walked through the Embassy grounds. it really felt like we were in another country. The American flag was everywhere, the hedges were clipped into the shape of the letters U S A and even the grass looked different.

When we got to the correct office we wasted time looking around at all the signs that were in English, the United States seal on the floor and the American Marine that was sitting in a security booth. Even the air smelled different for some reason and when Braeden came out of the bathroom he said that he was sure that you could flush toilet paper.

The application process was a breeze. We went right up to the counter, spoke in English with the lady, played with Miles and were done in fifteen minutes. As we were walking out we looked at each other and admitted that we didn't want to leave yet.

Can you guess what our prayer request is? We are just a little bit homesick.