D and S

We all have had a tremendous time here so far, and that has everything to do with our hosts  David and Stacie!

Let's  get to know them better with a little interview

Hi guys, thanks for being my guest bloggers! Pretty excited,  huh?

For those readers who haven't met you before, tell me some quick background info.

S - We're super cool .

D - We split our time between riding motorcycles and writing rock music...
S - and acting non-chalant. That's bascially all you need to know about us

Great. So what got you interested in learning Spanish, and moving to a Spanish-speaking country?
S - Our love of salsa dancing. And burritos
D - Definitelly the burritos! But, really Spanish opens a lot of doors.
S - there is a lot of need in the Spanish language congregations, in the States, and other countries.

You two seem to be fitting-in well, your Spanish is top-notch, you're pros at the trufi routes. Has this move been pretty smooth then?
D - [glances at each other] Nothing in Bolivia is smooth.... but I think we have moved forward instead of backwards
S - [nods]

What is a typical week like for the Mancinis?
S - preach, preach, preach, meeting, preach, preach
D - pass out
S - have a coffee, preach
D - We are always super, super busy on days with our meetings, we prepare parts and encourage the other members of the congregation

So, do you work too?
S - yea that too. Dave teaches English online. I do something, but no one know what.

Dave, what's something about Stacie that has made this experience fulfilling?
D  - [raised brow] she knows what's going on, everyone should have a Stacie traveling partner. I'm impressed with how many good studies she conducts here, and she comes up with some pretty great meals. She's been, a big deal.

Stacie, tell me how Dave is bringing your goals, and dreams, to a reality.
S - [chuckles] Its been cool to see his Spanish improve, ours really, but his is to the point that he takes a huge load of work for the congregation and in the ministry, and helping the local friends. I think he conducts a Bible study with every single kid in the congregation.

Besides the obvious things, like peanut butter and Starbucks, what are some things you are missing from home?
D - my friends, Primanti's, stores being open between 12 and 3pm
S - I agree. And I miss the customer service.

What helps you to keep your life simple? Will there ever be room for one more in the family? A llama?
D - [scoffs]
S - Um, there is nothing to purchase here, so that helps
D - we got rid of everything. When you move to another country it is amazing to see how little you really need to live, happily. Good company, good food, good Internet

Have you been playing Name that Fruit?
S - yes. We're finally through a year of fruit season, so I've seen them all
D - Were finally at the point that we don't have to just point and ask, we know the words for the different fruit.

Do you have a favorite fruit here?
D - Maracuya, [passionfruit] my favorite because you just cant get it in the States
S - and guava

Please, in 20 words or less, tell me how Bolivia makes you feel.
D - [squints] are we doing a haiku? How many syllables to do that?

Five, Seven, Five
D - alright, give me a minute:
Bolivia takes some work
It's worth the effort
An unique experience

How has Bolivia changed you?
D - I wanna write more haikus. Yea, Stac, you need one too:
Please do not eat the lettuce
The meat is real cheap

Wait the syllable count is backwards!
D - Let me fix it. No, this says seven/five/seven!
S - it can be either way
D - Ok I've got this:
Go out in service
Please don't eat the lettuce
It will be ok

Good job. Alright, how has Bolivia changed you?
S - You have to be so much more patient here, so I think we've developed patience
D - I'm better at using the Scriptures in the ministry, we talk to so many people. And conversely, I'm becoming an Internet junkie, it's the only entertainment around.

How much longer will you stay here?
S - well, we have our visa until April 11, we start this Monday to get a new visa, but they have been turning people down lately. So, we can't say until we have that stamp

If you get your visa?
D - it will be a two-year visa, so, another two years.

Sounds like it's working out so far, and you want to stay a while longer?
D - I think it's cool to be in an area with so much growth, 25% in the last 10 years.
S - yea, we need 76 more special pioneers, 50 more elders, 15 more couples for other languages ...
D - There are 20 indigenous languages here!
S - and 200 to attend the evangelizer school in the next two years.

Keep up the good work guys!