Remember how I said that adventures always find me at airports? well my first unexpected adventure happened this morning as I went to check in. There was confusion over weather or not I could get my travel visa extended once in Bolivia (this is what CBM has always done) and after calling all over, they decided they would need more assurance of me getting my visa once in Bolivia and as a result would not let me leave the country! CBM is working things out and trying to ge me what I need as soon as possible and I'm hoping I'll be gone within a week. Please pray that things will be sorted out quickly! I'll kep you all updated.

here we go...

I leave in less than a week (I take off on Saturday morning)! Coming to this realization has brought with it an onslaught of emotions. I'm very excited because I know that Bolivia is were God has been calling me and He has been preparing my heart for it. However, leaving behind Canada (or more specifically leaving people in Canada... even more specifically leaving Tim, my fiance, in Canada) is much harder than I thought it would be! Tim and I did long distance over the summer, but we would be able to see each other every couple of weeks. It seems like we were given such a short window of time in September to be living in the same city and now I'm off to the other side of the world! Despite the pain of distance, I know this will be a rich time in our relationship where God will bring us closer together, even though we will be far apart. It is also difficult to leave my family as well as my church family behind. Know that as I spend time in Bolivia, I will be thinking of and praying for all of you back home and wishing that our experiences over the nest few months could be shared. I want to sincerely thank all of you who have offered me support in raising funds. no amount went unnoticed. As I make myself ready this final week, I ask for prayers that I will be given courage. I've never ventured out so far, and never on my own. This internship is going to force me to face many of my own personal fears and weaknesses. I'll update again once I get to Bolivia and fill you in on all of the adventures that always seem to find me in airports!
Blessings,
Kallie

Getting ready

Hello Everyone!
WElcome to my first ever blog post! The purpose for this blog is to keep you all updated when I go in my internship to Bolivia this fall. I'll try to update this pretty regularly once in Bolivia, But for now, i'll put up a copy of my support letter which will give you a better idea of what I'll be doing!

Kallie Josephson
6174 Wellband Dr.
Regina, Sask
S4X 4A2
Dear friends and family,
As many of you know, I have spent my last two year studying global ministries at Horizon College and Seminary in Saskatoon. This summer, I have been so blessed to spend the first half of my internship working as a youth intern at Westhill Park Baptist Church. As the summer is winding down, I am beginning my plans for the second half of my internship where, after much prayer, I have felt led to spend serving in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
I will leave for Bolivia in mid September and return mid December. I will be going in partnership with Canadian Baptist Ministries and as such will be staying at the Baptist Seminary and will be mentored by CBM field staff, Rebecca Alward. During my stay in Cochabamba, I will be helping with many different Projects. One of the most notable will be working with an organization called Casa de la Amistad. In Bolivia, when women are sent to jail, they most often bring their children with them. Casa de la Amistad works with these children, bringing them out of the jail during the day, feed them, give them an education and try to help them experience life beyond the prison walls. I will also be working with the Bolivian Baptist churches, teaching English, and working with abandoned children.
I would greatly appreciate your support and prayers. If you feel led to support be financially, I would be very grateful. The amount I must raise for my three month stay is $7520.00. This amount will cover my airfare, accommodations, food, transportation, etc. All of my funds need to be in by the end of August. Checks can be made out to Canadian Baptist Ministries and my account number is S 3240. Support through prayer is equally important. Here are some things you could keep in mind while praying for me:
My safety as I am not going with a team and it will be my first time traveling alone
For the language barrier and that I would pick on on Spanish quickly
That I will create strong and lasting friendships with the Bolivian churches
That I would know how to best love and care for the people I will come into contact with
For my fiancé, Tim Hutton, and I as he will remain in Saskatoon. Pray that our relationship will continue to grow stronger despite the distance.

Thank you all for your support and prayers!
Kallie Josephson