I enjoyed a wonderful Christmas/New Years with my family. I arrived in the states on December 20 so my parents and I were able to enjoy close to a week at the beach together before my sisters arrived with their families. Janet and Rick, and Emily, Christopher, and Wesley all caught up with us at the beach on the 26th. We ate at a couple of our favorite restaurants, swam in the indoor pool, walked on the beach, did a little shopping, and drove along the boardwalk to see the light display. Then, that evening we headed back to mom and dad's house in order to have our Christmas celebration on Saturday. All in all, it was a wonderful trip.
I returned to Bolivia, on January 4, feeling encouraged and strengthened once again to the work God has called me to here. It was difficult to say good-bye to my family (of course) and I left Chiquito (my dog) in the states with my folks (also an extremely difficult move), but so far I've been pleasantly surprised at how being back in Bolivia just feels so RIGHT! It suits me! I hit the ground running as soon as I got back...we had our annual SAM field conference last week. We stayed at a resort called Los Cedros...it was a good time of fellowship as well as challenging in the Biblical themes we were taught.
This week, classes at SCCLC started up once again...so I'm back to teaching resource style classes. Due to some changes in scheduling for the general curriculum classes, we had to rearrange our resource schedule as well. It took us a couple of days to get that straightened out...so I really didn't have to start teaching until Wednesday...not bad! This week, I'm sure will be a rude awakening...back to old clothes and porridge as my mom always says! I do have one new responsibility at school...I am now officially the Elementary School Chaplain...which basically just means that I have agreed to do the teaching for the weekly chapel in the elementary grades. It's only about a 15 minute teaching once a week, but I'm excited about doing it! I have done it a couple of times over the course of last semester, but now it works out in my schedule for me to do it each week. If anyone has any ideas...feel free to send them my way!
I continue to be active in church...actually, now I guess I'm even more active! The HAuses and Heather Mickelson (fellow missionaries in my church) are currently home on furlough, Dalmiro (another one of the pastors from the church) is currently in Abingdon, Virginia in the missionary internship program...several other core leaders for various reasons are now unable to help out...so quite a few holes have been left, so I find myself filling in more frequently in many different roles than I had before. Two things you can be praying for with regards to the church...one is that we will be having our Vacation Bible School (Bolivian schools are still on summer vacation) from January 26-31. We often have close to 100 kids that come by the end of the week. Please be praying for both children and workers alike. The second thing is that one of the couples in the youth group (college students) recently announced that they are expecting a child. She is about a month along. This came as quite a shock and now is another hurdle for us to cross. They are planning to get married, possibly in February. They could use your prayers, as well as their families. I have become even more concerned for the other girls in our youth group. Please pray with me as well for the best method of reaching them with the importance lesson of waiting. May God strengthen their hearts and their willpower! I find this sort of thing is all too common in this culture!
I've also been able to begin working with SAM's children's ministry team. On Saturday, I went with a few other missionaries to a church that is a part of the association that SAM supports. They had their Vacation Bible School last week. We were asked to come and do the closing program. I gave the Bible lesson...talking about being new creatures in Christ. We used the caterpillar turning into a butterfly analogy. I think it was one of the few times that I have really felt comfortable teaching in Spanish. It was such a blessing for me! Praise the Lord for the time we had with the children there! Once I get some pictures of that activity, I'll share them with you!
There is one other thing that I would like to briefly mention...one week from today, January 25, is an election day. The people will be voting on the new constitution that has been written. So far, it is expected that it will pass. I have not read it all myself...but from what I have been told...there are many aspects that could be really bad. Therefore, the tension in the country has begun to pick up a bit and is only expected to get worse. I tell you this, not to frighten you for my own safety. The mission has already shown me that they are perfectly capable of caring for me! I only tell you these things as a reminder to be praying for this country...both the Christians and Nonchristians alike. Not to mention...personally, the thought of being evacuated again, is really hard! I don't want to go through that process of having to leave again! However, God is in control...and I know that His will is going to be done regardless of the type of government...God works through all situations!
Well, I know this was a rather long entry...that's what happens when I go several weeks without writing! Now that I'm getting back into a routine, hopefully, I'll be able to up-date my blog once a week like I did before. My plan will be to up-date it on Mondays...so you can feel free to check anytime after that! Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support! I appreciate all of you so much!
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