Li'l Bits from Laura Boyce

2011-09-04T13:33:00.001-07:00

I’m a bit embarrassed to finally be up-dating my blog to inform you about events that happened in July! It used to be relatively easy to up-date my blog almost every week…now I’m doing well if I get it written once a month and for that I apologize! I do hope you feel informed of what God is doing here in Bolivia…even when I’m a bit slow at sharing about it!

July Events

During the last two weeks of July, I was busy directing an English Village in Santa Cruz. Together with some other SAM missionaries, we hosted a class of 9 students all of whom were from various cities in Bolivia. Living together at a camp outside of the city, gave us the chance to simulate an English immersion environment for them. Although not all of them are current mission’s candidates, I was impressed by the impact that the course seemed to have in encouraging them to think about what God is doing around the world and the part they could have in that. Please continue to pray that God gives us wisdom in knowing where to go from here as we’ve been asked to direct/teach English Villages in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, and believe in the importance of doing another one in Bolivia!

August Happenings

August 10, was the official start to the new school year! We started the year a bit short-handed as a few of our staff members were still working on raising enough support to come down. A few of them have since arrived, leaving us with substitutes only in 2^nd grade and 3^rd grade. Those teachers will be arriving in about two weeks. Due to this, it has been a bit rocky of a start to the new school year, but God has been faithful to continue to provide the strength and endurance that we need and we praise Him for that!

Wedding Plans

On September 3, Dalmiro and I celebrated the 1^st of three official weddings! In our home at about 12:00 in the afternoon, we signed the official paperwork, along with Dalmiro’s sister, our 3 witnesses, a close friend (who is our personal photographer ☺), and a notary (who does all the legal paperwork), thereby becoming legally married here in Bolivia. We hosted a lunch afterwards of baked chicken, cheese rice, boiled yucca, salad, and lemon meringue pie for dessert! Attached you’ll see a link with some pictures of the affair. Enjoy! Although we are now legally married so that we could begin some necessary paperwork, we’re waiting for wedding #2 before we move in together or celebrate a honeymoon! Wedding #2 will be on October 22 here in Santa Cruz, then, there will be a reception in Abingdon, VA on December 20, and wedding #3 in Franklin, VA on December 28!!! I think you could say we’ll be about as married as anyone can be!!! Very exciting times!!! Thank you for your prayers as we continue to move through each of these important steps!

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbNnDNm5btmT4

Thank you for all of your constant prayers! Please continue to lift us up...I will admit that I'm anxious to get home and see many of you in December! I long to be able to introduce you to Dalmiro and to spend time with you while you get to know him a little! I am also anxious for a chance to get some rest...to feel spiritually and physically renewed! Pray for strength and wisdom for both of us in all that needs to be done, and for me in working through the problems that cross my desk at school! Thank you for going before the throne on our behalf! We love you and talk about you often!

This is Vacation???

2011-06-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

Greetings once again from Santa Cruz! Dalmiro and I completed the Beni trip...physically and emotionally tired...yet changed for the better at having been able to serve the Lord in this area of Bolivia. There is much to report on the events of our trip, so I'll do my best to share as much as I can.

Our boat trip began, unfortunately, not as we expected. The first night while we were on the river, traveling during the night, one of our team members, woke up to use the restroom. Apparently, as we discovered after the fact, he must have become disoriented while returning to his hammock. He then opened the gate on the front end of the boat and walked into the water. We then spent the next few days anchored to the shore, hosting a search and rescue center. We took turns keeping watch day and night for any sign of the body. It was at that point that we held a memorial service for our brother in Christ, feeling sure that he had gone home to be with the Lord.

The next few days on the river were very intense as we we then realized the great need and quantity of villages to be seen, yet our shortened amount of time on the river. In each of the villages the doctors/nurses would set up a medical clinic. While they were providing medical attention Dalmiro and another pastor were praying for and witnessing to the adults. At the same time, there were a number of us who provided activities, songs, verses, and a Bible lesson for the children.

It was difficult at times, living in such close quarters for about 10 days, not to mention the emotional stress of the accident at the beginning of the trip. Yet, we also saw God working in many ways as well. We say Him healing people of their physical wounds, providing for their physical needs, and using us to share more about Him. God also led us into some villages which to our knowledge, had not been reached before for the gospel! Praise the Lord for the opportunity to share His love with people who haven't heard how they can have a personal relationship with him! Pray too for children like Bella in this picture (the one in the front, middle) who heard the gospel many times that day and still chose not to accept it! May God draw her unto Himself!

After returning from the Beni trip and taking a couple of days to sleep/rest, I jumped back into taking care of things at school! I had three intense days of English testing for new students seeking enrollment. After that I was meeting with the director so that he could teach me about an accreditation visit that the school is preparing for in this upcoming year (as he will be returning to the states and is leaving me in charge of the information needed for the visit).

The weather has turned cold, my roommates have all traveled either to the states or to other parts of Bolivia, and I'm working frantically to get caught up and ahead of things here! Coming up in a week, I will be teaching the music class for an English-speaking VBS, each morning from 8:30-11:30. Then the following couple of weeks I will be helping to direct an English Village (similar to that which I attended/directed in Argentina) here in Santa Cruz. We're still waiting to see if we have enough students to run the course and should know something about that within the next week. After that..."vacation" will be over and I'll be getting back into the swing of things at school...while trying to move into a new apartment!!! Dalmiro and I have decided to begin renting an apartment which is close to the school and owned by World Gospel Mission. I will be living there on my own until October and then he will move in with me after we get married!

Thank you so much for your prayers on our behalf during the Beni trip! We covet your continued prayers for us as we move through the next...very busy months...and look forward to our upcoming marriage! There is lots of growing, adjusting, and learning yet to come!!!

May 29, 2011--Busy times

2011-05-30T05:43:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are not on Facebook or heard via other means, I definitely want to let you know that I am now engaged to Dalmiro Oritz. Dalmiro is a pastor at my church and also works with the church association of which our church is a part as missions pastor. We plan to be married in Santa Cruz on October 22. I am looking forward to our future ministry together...some of which comes very soon as you will see.

Firstly, I need to say that the school year finished well. We were all very busy with the end of the year activities, but we praise the Lord for what He accomplished at school this year. As a result, I haven't had the time to write as much as I would like.

Secondly, my older sister, Janet had her first baby on May 3 in Arlington, TX. Miles Lee Nye was 8 lbs. 11 ozs. and 20.25 inches. I praise the Lord for his safe arrival and look forward to the day when I can see him.

I leave this evening (Sunday, May 29) for a missions trip to the Beni. Some of you may remember that I went on this trip in the past. It is a medical/dental/evangelistic trip, traveling initially to a city near the river between Brazil and Bolivia in the department of Beni. From there we take a boat and travel on the river, stopping at villages and providing medical care, dental care, children's meetings and showing a film. We also do follow-up discipleship with people who have come to Christ at stops from previous years. We won't be on the exact trip as I went on previously, but other teams may have stopped at some towns in the past.

We are are mixed group, the two medical doctors are a couple with SAM who serve in Santa Cruz. The dentist is Bolivian. We also have nurses and some teams have other medical personnel join them as well. There are other missionaries and youth going along also. I am on the first of three trips planned for this year. At first I wasn't supposed to go on this trip as it came so close to the end of the school year, but when I got bumped it made things very hectic at the last minute.

What is very exciting for me is that Dalmiro is also going on this trip. He will be doing the devotionals for the team as we begin each day and also doing some of the evangelistic work in the evenings. The living conditions on the boat and in the villages are very primitive. The men/boys sleep in hammocks on one level and the women/girls sleep in cots or hammocks on another level. We do bring some food (some of it still living) and catch fish along the way.

Please pray for physical strength and safety in travel, both to and from the site and along the river. The team is comprised of folks from different areas, cultures and ministries. Pray that we will have a God-centered focus on serving Him and working together. Most importantly, pray that many will come to a knowledge of the Savior and be encouraged to grow in their walk with Him. We should be back in Santa Cruz on June 10.

Thank you for your partnership with me in Bolivia.

April 10, 2011

2011-04-10T14:59:00.000-07:00

On Friday afternoon a 10 yr old boy was sent to my office...it was a student who spends about as much time in my office as I do! We began to talk...once again about his behavior...and I began to wonder once again if I were ever going to get through to him...this time he began to cry. His parents have been separated for awhile now, but the night before he had heard his mom talking about filing the divorce papers. On top of that, she told him that his aunt and uncle were getting a divorce as well. It's all around him. This particular student is walking on thin ice so to speak as there are those who feel it's necessary to kick him out of the school (they call it "not inviting him back"). There are several students they would like to see removed. I'm praying it doesn't get to that. If he isn't at our school to learn about God's love and experience it first-hand from teachers and administrators...where will he see it? Yet, he needs so much more than his teacher and I can give him. Please pray for him and other students like him at the Learning Center! The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few!!!

Yesterday, I attended a birthday party for a boy in my mission who turned 1 and then another party for 2 boys in my Sunday School class at church! I had so much fun celebrating their special day with them!!! Although it's hard to miss out on my own nephew's birthdays...I do enjoy being Aunt Laura for so many different children here on the field! Praise God that I could fill in as that role for them!!! This morning I met a friend at church early in order to go pass out tracts to the neighbors. We were also selling tickets for a lunch that we had at church today...a fundraising tool to help in rebuilding the Sunday school classrooms at the church...something that is desperately needed! Please pray not only for the building fund (and projects that will continue to take place over the course of this year or so), but also for those who received tracts this morning, that God will touch their lives with the message of His gospel! In one week I will turn 35 years old...it seems hard for me to believe! Some of my friends are already planning special ways to help me celebrate...I'm looking forward to it! I do love having a birthday...although stepping up a year with each birthday feels a little frightening sometimes! God has blessed me both last year and this year with people I know coming down to the field just before the 18th of April who have brought birthday presents from my family...the other years the gifts arrived whenever they could (sometimes a month or two late)...but once again this year, they'll be here BEFORE my birthday!!! How fun is that!!! Praise the Lord for the little things! This is a short blog up-date for this week, but if you didn't get a chance to check out the last post with pictures of my trips in February and early March, feel free to do so (scroll down to where it says Blog Archive and click on March for the last blog post to pop up)! Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support!

March 20, 2011

2011-03-20T15:09:00.000-07:00

Well, after being away from the city for a week for SAM field conference, 2 weeks in Argentina for a course I was teaching, 4 days for church camp during Carnaval, and 5 days in Quito, Ecuador to attend a teacher workshop...I'm GLAD to be home!!! Since getting back from Quito, I've now spent more nights consecutively sleeping in my own bed in the last week than I did during the month of February and first part of March! Incredible! I guess at this point it all feels a bit surreal to me! In an effort to not ramble on in this blog post, I decided it would be easiest to just point out a few highlights and things God has been teaching me during all of this traveling! At the end, you'll also find the link to a shutterfly album where you can find pictures of these various events!

* Am I putting my total trust/faith in God...allowing Him to work and move in my life according to His plans?

* Am I willing to sign a blank piece of paper and turn it over to Him, thereby leaving it up to Him to write out His plan for my life?

* Life does not revolve around me!

* I love talking about Language Acquisition tools and helping others in learning a new language.

* It's amazing how God cares for His children...providing just what we need, when we need it...even if it's simply for our enjoyment. Returning from Cordoba, my friends and I decided to bus to Buenos Aires and then fly back to Santa Cruz. This meant we would be in Buenos Aires for about 4 or 5 hours before needing to head to the airport. We didn't know what we would do with our suitcases, but we REALLY wanted to see a bit of the city! As it turned out, there were a couple of people from Buenos Aires at the English Village. One of them rode with us on the bus, his wife picked us up at the terminal, they took us out for breakfast, and drove us to another lady's house...she then became our tour guide for the morning.

* Church Camp: Bolivian countryside is BEAUTIFUL!!! It was fun to get out of the city and spend time with friends! Teaching the children every morning was a challenge...next time I'll look for additional help so that I can enjoy a few of the adult services as well! I was encouraged by several children who have accepted Christ. Time will tell if the seed has fallen on good ground.

* Quito has everything...TGIFridays, Dunkin Doughnuts, Cinnabon, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, etc.

* What a great experience...workshops for educators and administrators combined with eating every chance we got!!! Couldn't have asked for more!

* This was a little bit too much traveling...hard to be away for so long and hard to get back into the swing of things (or get caught up) now that I'm back.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbNnDNm5btmTp

All in all, the trips were wonderful and I'm so thankful that God allowed me to be a part of such wonderful opportunities...learning and being stretched all along the way! However, I am glad to be back home...I love being back at school and getting to daily be a part of the lives God has placed there! Below you'll find just a couple more pictures taken just today as I dressed up like a Pirate in order to read the book "How I Became a Pirate" to the 1st and 2nd grade classes! Thank you so much for your prayers! Enjoy!

Greetings from Cordoba, Argentina!

2011-02-18T14:26:00.000-08:00

I apologize for not writing an update for several weeks now!!! Last week I was busy with the SAM annual conference...which was wonderful...but also very intense!!! Then once conference ended about 2:00, I quickly packed my bags and headed to the bus terminal along with Chelsea and Dana to catch the bus. After two nights on the bus (about 36 hours total travel time...30 hours actually on the bus)...we arrived in Cordoba on Sunday morning.

As the director of the English Village, I jumped in the role of administrating the course...doing a fair amount of the teaching...as well as dividing up those responsibilities! Now, at the end of the week, I'm finally beginning to feel like I'm on top of things...understand what's going on, see things running smoothly, and not feeling as tired as I was initially!

Tomorrow we will take a tour of the city of Cordoba (in English of course) with the students and then enjoy a lunch together in the park! After that, the students are free until Sunday night...which means we (the tutors are as well)!!! We plan to do a few tourist things in this area...if the weather is nice on Sunday, we will take a train ride to a nearby town in the mountains. I've heard it's very beautiful...so I'm excited about that! We'll see what the weather is like...they're calling for bad weather this weekend and today has been cool and rainy!

Next week will be another full week of classes...teaching the students methods that the can use in learning a foreign language! It is exciting for me to be able to teach and train these men and women who are feeling called by God to serve Him in other parts of the world! The two women in my tutor group feel led to serve God in Africa. Lord willing, one will be going with her family in July and the other will go next January! What a joy it is to play a small part in the great plan that God has for the lives of these brothers and sisters in Christ!

Please continue to pray for our time here, that it will be fruitful...not only that the students will learn English, but also that they will learn the important tools which we are teaching for grasping a new language! Pray too for strength and endurance for all of us as tutors (the sessions and schedule are intense at times)!

Well, I need to get to the next session! Thank you so much for your prayers and support!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-21T06:03:00.000-08:00

I know, it's a little pathetic that we're over halfway through the month of January and I am just now writing my first blog entry for 2011! I'll do my best to catch you up to speed!

After spending 3 weeks in the States with my family for the holidays, I returned to Bolivia on January 8th. My time at home was wonderful, as usual! It was extremely relaxing and I especially enjoyed LOTS of quality time with my nephews and my parents (of course my sisters as well...wouldn't want them to feel left out...but now that they're having babies, that's who I REALLY go to see!) : ) I was also able to visit with a few friends and get caught up on the things God is doing in their lives.

I hit the ground running as soon as I got back to Santa Cruz as I arrived on Saturday and two days later started back to school. It has taken me the better part of the last couple of weeks to begin to feel like I'm getting caught up in several areas, although I still have a ways to go!

There are a few things coming up in the month of February for which I would appreciate your prayers! The first full week of February will be our annual SAM conference. There will be several visitors coming down from the States as well as SAM missionaries from other fields in South America. Please pray for the mission and each of the missionaries as we prepare for this conference. We have begun praying and meditating on God's word, seeking wisdom and direction as we explore possibilities for the future of South America Mission. It will be a more intense conference than we have had in the past! Immediately after conference, I will be traveling to Cordoba, Argentina to help in directing the English Village (EV). Some of you may remember when I participated in the EV last year. It is basically a language acquisition course for those from South America who are training to be missionaries in other parts of the world. I love being a part of this course and am excited to see how God will use this year's group of students as well as tutors! Obviously, because I will be participating in these events, I will not be able to be at school for about three weeks in a row! Fortunately, the woman who has been the elementary principal in the past is willing to fill in for me, but it's still a long time for me to be gone. Please pray for the teachers and students as they adjust to my absence.

I guess this about does it for now! Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support! They mean so much to me!

December 14, 2010

2010-12-14T04:44:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that we're already only a week and a half away from Christmas!!! The semester is finishing up at school this Friday!!! Then...this coming Saturday, I'll be heading home for the holidays!!! As soon as I can get over this cold I have and finish up all that I have to do this week...I imagine that I'll be super excited about being with my family! As it is, I woke up this morning and lay in bed thinking about playing with and holding my nephews...as well as thinking about being with my parents at the beach...and all the other joys of being home during this time of the year!

This up-date contains mostly pictures...as I want to make sure that I get it posted today! I wanted to catch you up to speed on a few things that have been happening over the past couple of weeks! Last Thursday, we added a fourth roommate to our household...Emilee Dickman (sitting in the middle of the picture below). She has come to work at SCCLC until the end of the school year and then stick around and help out with teams until mid-July. She is a wonderful addition to our team and we are excited to have her here! She is a friend of Ally and Danielle's from New York state so they are particularly excited to see her and teach her the things that they have been learning...which is a good thing, since I'll be leaving them in charge of the house when I head to the states! Please pray for all three of them during this Holiday season as it is their first one away from home...and that isn't easy! I'm thankful that they'll be having a few supporters/friends visiting them!

This past Sunday, my church celebrated its 23rd anniversary!!! It was a beautiful celebration and a great reminder of all that God has done/accomplished and all He continues to do in/through that church! We praise Him for His faithfulness to our small congregation!!!

There were also a couple of activities that happened a little over a week ago...but since I never got around to up-dating my blog last week, I decided I would mention them in this post! One of these was that my friend's son, Marcos, graduated from high school! This is a huge milestone here in Bolivia and especially since God has placed the desire on his heart for him to continue studying through the university! Congratulations Marcos!!! We are all so proud of the young man that God is growing him to be! Please continue to lift him up in your prayers!

Also, that same weekend, I worked alongside my friends on SAM's Children's Ministry Team as we planned a Knight's Conference. This was a conference for boys, ages 10-13...teaching them to be men of honor. The boys seemed to have a great time learning about the armor of God and how it is applicable to their lives. Their fathers came and had lunch with them, then there was a session for fathers in the afternoon while we had one last session with the boys. After that there was "swordfighting" and other games on the lawn! I believe God will continue to use this conference in the lives of these boys as He grows them into leaders who desire to serve Him!

Thank you once again for your continued prayers for the ministry to which God has called me here in Bolivia. Thank you too for your prayers as I travel to the states on Saturday...as well as for the three weeks that I will be spending with my family! I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas! Through this busy time of the year, may you be constantly reminded of the TRUE reason for the season!

November 23, 2010

2010-11-23T18:59:00.000-08:00

So, yet once again, I only got part of my blog done last week and then never got around to finishing it! I at least got pictures uploaded...but then the week got busy and I never got a chance to write anything to go along with them. I think the moral of my little story here is that I should begin to update my blog on Sunday afternoons as Mondays just fly by too quickly and don't leave me enough time to get it done!

Therefore...let me briefly recap on the last couple of weeks to catch you up to speed. First of all, a week ago Saturday, one of my roommates (Danielle, the one in the middle of the picture posted here) celebrated her first birthday in Bolivia. In order to make it a special one, we planned a surprise birthday party for her at the bowling alley...as well as pizza and cake at our house afterwards and then a serenade that night by the youth group from her church here. All in all, I think she had a wonderful time! I know the rest of us did!

On that same day, in the afternoon, my church had a baptism for 7 people...among them were 5 young people from Talita Cumi (a local children's home from which a large group of kids faithfully attend our church), and also a girl with her mother! It was an exciting time to see these people making a public profession of faith! Please pray that God will direct their steps and that they will continue to rely on Him as the Lord of their lives!

This past week we celebrated Thanksgiving together as a mission family! It was a very special time of eating lots and sharing with one another! One of the things that past through my mind more than once over the Thanksgiving week was how grateful I am to each one of you for your love and support (both through prayer and financial giving). It is such a comfort to know that you're continually praying for me and the work God is doing in Santa Cruz! THANK YOU!!! The rest of the long weekend, which we had off from school was full of various activities! It's amazing how busy I felt doing things...yet don't feel like I got very much accomplished! I'm not sure how that happened! Regardless, it was a restful time as well...I watched plenty of movies and worked on my cross-stitch when I could(maybe that's why I didn't seem to get much done!) As I'm putting up my Christmas decorations now...I'm reminded that the holidays are only a few weeks away! I've been given the blessing of going home for Christmas and New Years to spend the time off from school in the States with my family!!! I'm SO very excited! Although I will miss my friends here...I'm looking forward to seeing my family! I will head north in about 3 weeks! I can't wait!!!

November 9, 2010

2010-11-09T05:58:00.000-08:00

Just so that you can understand a bit more about the day and life of the elementary school principal at SCCLC...

Monday morning, I administered a spelling test to a 5th grade student who has some special needs and is extremely hyperactive...just the same, I love the one on one time with him and it helps out his teacher. Upon leaving my office, he stuck his head back in the doorway and said, "God bless you, Miss!" All I could do was smile and chuckle a bit!

Then, at lunchtime, my roommate who is the 2nd grade teacher brought one of her students into the office so that we could have lunch together in the conference room. You see, as a behavior reward that she had established for him...he could earn a reward for having a certain number of stickers on his card. When she asked him what he thought a good reward would be...he said he'd like to have lunch with her...and Ms. Boyce...and the director of the school!!! Do you think he's a bit hungry for attention? Once we all got together in the conference room, sat down, and began eating...the child said, "So, tell me about your lives!" It was all we could do from cracking up!!!

The rest of the day was filled with addressing discipline issues and teaching in a couple of classrooms (part of a BUILD campaign...teaching students necessary tools that they can use in life to help build one another up...it's an anti-bullying campaign that we've developed!) After school I went home and prepared my exams for my CIET students...took a quick nap...had dinner with my roomies...then went to CIET, administered the exam, went home, and hopped immediately into bed!!! It was a full day, but an enjoyable one!!!

Oh the joys of being an administrator...thank you for your continued prayers for wisdom and strength as I confront daily challenges!

October 19, 2010

2010-10-17T19:34:00.000-07:00

After a three week long visit to Bolivia, my friend Lisa Birzer and her daughter Danielle returned to the States. We enjoyed many fun things while they were here, including a quick trip to Samaipata with my roommates and two of the pastors from my church (in the picture above, the one in the front on the right is Dalmiro with whom the Birzers came to visit as well.) They also had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time with Dalmiro's family, particularly his sisters. In addition, I appreciated their help at school being willing to fill in wherever necessary and do just about anything! We don't have enough people like that floating around this year! It was a huge blessing to me!

On Friday night, October 15, I attended my good friend America's wedding. It will be the first of a few for her as she married a young man from North America so although they had a religious ceremony here...they will legally be married in the States in a few weeks. I am very happy for her although, I will miss her terribly when she leaves this weekend to go to live in the U.S. They will be living in Washington state...I told her that I couldn't believe she'd be living about as far away from Virginia as she could get! Regardless, I hope to find a way to get over to see her the next time that I am home on furlough.

I continue to greatly appreciate your prayers on my behalf and on behalf of those here (both Bolivians and other missionaries). Personally, I am feeling very tired and that is adding to an already stressful time at school...leaving me more irritable than usual, with little patience. I haven't had much time at home in the last few weeks so there are several things that I need to take care of there (replacing the gas tanks so that we'll have hot showers tomorrow, paying the phone bill so that they'll turn it back on, cleaning my room so that I can find things, etc.) Of course, there's also the car...once again giving me fits. To add to all of this, my body is showing signs of stress as well, such as a rather constant back pain that I've had for about the last month. I find a bit of relief in realizing that I'm not the only one feeling this tension...I know of several teachers at school who could use more encouragement right now too, including my roommates. I am sure there are others in my church and in SAM as well, but where I'm noticing most of the strain is at school. Please pray for our school, students, and staff, we have become very proactive in fighting certain negative behaviors (i.e. bullying) recently and I believe that Satan doesn't want to lose that foothold...so his way of trying to stop it is by discouraging the staff and (it appears) by putting extra energy in all of the students. I think as a whole we could use an extra boost of His strength and constant reminders of His grace! Thank you for joining us in laying these concerns before the throne of Him who can do all things, whose plan cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2)!

Viva Santa Cruz!!!

2010-09-26T19:26:00.001-07:00

Well, I uploaded a few pictures to my blog last week and had planned to write an entry to go along with them...but I didn't get it written and I didn't even get the pictures actually posted! Sorry about that! Anyway...there are a few bits and pieces to share with you...

Two weeks ago my roommates and I had the pleasure of baby-sitting Noah Weigner (shown in the picture below with his mom). Noah's parents were celebrating their anniversary and asked us if we would take care of him for the weekend. All in all, he handled it quite well...and so did we! There was a minor bump in the road on Saturday afternoon when he was having a few gas issues...but other than that things went very smoothly!

Also that week, I had the pleasure of participating, along with the other SAM ladies, in a baby shower for a Bolivian woman from Cochabamba. Some other missionaries that we know who live there, knew the family and discovered that their son who is 2 years old was struggling with some health issues. Since the doctor's couldn't help him there in Cochabamba, due to finances, the missionary family called Drs. Toni and Placido Mercado, who work with SAM, asking them if they could do anything to help. The boy and his mother then came to Santa Cruz, began living with the Mercados, and Placido took care of the necessary surgery. As there were some unexpected complications, the mother found herself still in the city when it came time for the birth of her second child. So, given that she didn't have any resources with her, Toni and her family organized a baby shower and invited all of us to attend! The woman was so moved that she cried! The mother and both of her children seem to be doing quite well; however, you can continue to pray for their salvation and the ministry that the Mercados have to this family!

Then, of course, on September 22...a couple of days before the actual anniversary of Santa Cruz, the school celebrated with lots of typical games, stories, food, and music. It was LOTS of fun!!! Below, you can check out a couple of pictures of that special day!

On September 23, Lisa and Danielle Birzer arrived from my home church in Abingdon, VA. Dalmiro (one of my pastors who spent a year as an intern at my church in Abingdon) and I, quickly went to work showing them the sights and enjoying in the many festivities around the city. More pictures to come soon of Lisa and Danielle's visit! Last Wednesday, they went to spend a week in Portachuelo, when they return this coming Wednesday to Santa Cruz...they will be here with us until October 15.

Also, this past weekend we celebrated my roommate Ally's first birthday in Bolivia! Danielle and I threw a party for her here at the house...and although she knew we were planning something...she didn't know what...so it was a fun surprise! I think she had a special weekend!

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support! It's been a busy few weeks and I imagine that it will stay that way until Lisa and Danielle return to the states. Please pray specifically for strength and patience during this time! Thank you once again!

September 21, 2010

2010-09-21T06:35:00.000-07:00

Here we are...off to a running start this week! This past weekend, I was taking care of my friends' baby as they went to Samaipata for their anniversary. With the exception of a few fussy hours on Saturday afternoon due to gas...he was a very happy and content baby. Overall it was a lot of fun to have him around...although, I will say, I think I ended the weekend about as tired as I started it!

This week we have many activities going on for the bicentennial celebration of Santa Cruz. Tomorrow, Wednesday, the Spanish department has many activities planned including games, dramas, speakers, food, etc. There are other classes that have special things planned as well! On Thursday morning, my friend Lisa Birzer and her daughter Danielle arrive from the United States. They will be here visiting and working alongside of us for a couple of weeks. Also on Thursday, I hope to attend a special program that the Talita Cumi orphanage will be hosting to celebrate this exciting day! Then of course, Friday, September 24, will be the actual bicentennial of Santa Cruz and there will be many more activities going on in the city! Please be sure to check my blog up-date again next week for pictures of these special events!

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support of the work that God is doing through me here! May God bless you for your faithfulness to Him!

September 13, 2010

2010-09-13T11:44:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that we are already halfway through September! The days seem to quickly pass by...turning into weeks...etc. At the school, we're already 5 weeks into the first quarter! Each day is a learning experience for me as elementary school principal. I continue to grow in understanding of how to discipline children, interact with parents, train teachers, etc. Of course, frequently something new pops up and I go seeking advice from our current director who worked for many years as an elementary principal in Florida. In general, I'm really enjoying this new responsibility...although it doesn't come without trials either! I covet your prayers as I seek God's wisdom in handling various situations daily.

Aside from school activities, I continue to be active in my church ministry. I enjoy playing the keyboard and singing on the worship team...as well as teaching in various Sunday school classes. This past Sunday, I taught the youth Sunday school class for the first time. It was a lot of fun and stretching for my Spanish ability!

I'm looking forward to a few different visitors in the coming weeks. This weekend, I will be babysitting a 7 month old baby whose parents are fellow SAM missionaries. They are going away for the weekend for their anniversary and asked me to take care of their son! I'm SUPER excited about it...call it the "AUNT" instinct in me! Also, at the end of this month, on September 23, I'm expecting Lisa Birzer and her daughter Danielle. They are friends of mine from Abingdon Bible Church. It will be a joy to show them my various ministries here and allow them to participate in those as well.

Finally...September 24th marks the 200th anniversary of Santa Cruz! Needless to say...the city is already getting pumped up for the activities that will occur that weekend! I bought a t-shirt last weekend to commemorate the occasion and look forward to joining in on the festivities as well! Thank you once again for your faithful prayers for the city of Santa Cruz and the work God is doing here through me! May He bless you for your faithfulness to Him!

Finally Getting Into a Routine...

2010-09-02T17:32:00.001-07:00

All in all it was a great experience having the Westminster Team here in Bolivia. They were such an encouragement to me, my ministry, and many other people here!

After the team left...I jumped immediately into my responsibilities as Elementary School Principal at the Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center (the school where I've been teaching for the past several years. So far I'm really enjoying the new role; however, it doesn't come without challenges! Please pray for patience and wisdom in dealing with daily discipline issues and parental suggestions/problems. As well as in working with and training many of the new teachers that we have in the elementary staff. Many days I wish I could clone myself in order for there to be two of me...one supporting the teachers and one dealing with students/parents!

Most of my time has been spent at school...as I'm now there in a full-time capacity. Yet, as we get further into the school year and my roommates begin to feel a bit more comfortable branching out on their own in the evenings...I find that I'm able to begin getting involved once again in a few of my additional ministries. Each time there is a 5th Sunday of the month, my church organizes mission's services. As this past Sunday was the 5th Sunday...I was able to take part in planning and preparing for that. In the picture below, you'll find several other friends of mine who were playing various roles in the morning service.

Finally, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my grandfather, Pick Pickles, who celebrates 105 years of life this weekend! He is such a pleasure to be around as he continues to remain young at heart! I wish him a day surrounded by those who love him in addition to many cards and other greetings (as I know he thoroughly enjoys those as well)! (Picture below was taken while I was in the states this past June.)

Thank you once again for your continued support and prayers! As I feel like I'm finally getting back into a routine...I hope to begin up-dating my blog again on a weekly basis...so look for the up-dates on Mondays! As you may have noticed, there's also a new look to my blog...that's thanks to my friend Amy Mozombite (SAM missionary) who's working hard to keep me up-to-date in current trends!

Going Home

2010-08-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

The last few days of the Westminster team's time in Bolivia were full of activity! We finished VBS on Friday by inviting the parents to come and hear what the children had learned. It appears that everyone had a wonderful time and learned a great deal about how to deepen their relationship with the Lord. After VBS ended, the team enjoyed a friendly game of soccer with some of the youth from the church we visited on Thursday night. After soccer, we then took a trip to the center of the city and spent the next several hours souvenir shopping and eating in a cafe downtown. Dinner was then shared at the Strebig home (my SAM field director and his family) and consisted of a variety of typical snacks. We had a wonderful and just enjoyed being together.

Saturday was a long and action packed day! We began the day with a quick trip to a local orphanage where we had time to share a bit with the children and learn about how the orphanage is run. Then, we returned to the mission housing in order to have a time of debriefing and sharing together. I was encouraged to hear the things that the team had learned and the things that God taught them throughout this week. The rest of the afternoon was filled with fun activities...some went go-cart racing, others to get manicures, then some went to the movies while others went downtown again. We wrapped things up with dinner at a local steak restaurant then headed back to the mission housing to pack and take off for the airport. As far as I know the plane took off on time!

I just received word this morning that the team arrived safely in Miami and were making their way around the airport. I'm so thankful for the time that I had with them this past week. They are a WONDERFUL group of teenagers and it was so special to get to know them/share these experiences with them. The adult leaders on the trip were also a huge encouragement and support to me/the ministry happening here. I think I'm already looking forward to the next Westminster team!!! Thank you so much for your prayers and support of these young people this week!

Full Steam Ahead

2010-07-29T11:55:00.000-07:00

This post is being created by Laura Boyce's mother to let parents and friends of the Westminster team know that everyone is doing very well, working hard and completely exhausted. As I write, those that chose to are going up on SAMAir flights over the city of Santa Cruz.

On Tuesday, as they returned from the visit to the Ayore community, they encountered a blockade (an out-of-control strike). They were unable to take the bridge across the river and after maneuvering on back roads and over the river in a barge, they got back to Santa Cruz. A one hour car ride turned into five hours! They are learning why missionaries have to be flexible.

This evening (Thursday) they will sharing their faith in a mid-week service. They hope to be able to attend a party with another team from the US that is also working in the area.

VBS is going very well with about 50 children in attendance. Friday they will end a few minutes early. They have invited the parents of the attendees to join them for a program and snack lunch.

Positive comments abound about how great the youth are and how well they work together. I am sure that Laura and/or Christopher could improve this note. Laura is hoping to have the Internet installed at her house today. Maybe one of them will be able to update this post.

2010-07-25T11:26:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Bolivia. Just a report from the Westminster team. This post is coming from Christopher(from North Carolina) to those of you who might visit Laura's blog site while we are on the trip. So far, things have been great. Temperatures are hovering around the 70's with wonderful sunshine. The group had a good flight down with only minor delay to skirt around Tropical Storm Bonnie with a stop in West Palm Beach to refuel and to wait for Bonnie to move out a little over the Gulf. We arrived in MIA and then left shortly there after for our final destination to Santa Cruz. Since our landing, we have been shopping at the supermarket, market, and enjoyed a Saturday night Youth Night which was a good experience for the entire team. Currently we are preparing for our departure to Posa Verde out in the Ayore area. We will be out there a couple of days and will report back then. We hope all is well. Thanks for your continued prayer and thoughts.

July 23, 2010

2010-07-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

Greetings once again from Bolivia! After spending a little over a month in the states with many of you, I have now returned to Santa Cruz. I had great plans of updating my blog this week and sharing pictures of my trip...but there just hasn't been time! My new roommate, Allison, and I arrived to the city last Saturday morning and immediately moved in with my friend Virginia Swartzendruber, because our house wasn't ready for us. While invading Virginia's space, I spent several days at school giving English tests for incoming students and getting settled into my new office! Finally, after a week of that...Allison and I were able to move into our house today! On top of that, a team from my parents church arrives TONIGHT...well really about 1:30 AM as their flight was delayed! I don't have much time now, but I will be updating my blog frequently this week with news on the team's whereabouts and activities! Thank you so much for your prayers on our behalf!

June 13, 2010

2010-06-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

Surprise! For those of you who haven't heard yet...I'm actually in the United States!!! I kept it a secret as my father didn't know I was coming home. We (the rest of the family and I) wanted to surprise him when I showed up in time for his retirement party last Friday. Therefore, we just decided to let all of you know...after the party was over so that there would be no chance in someone accidentally telling my father! Our hard work paid off! My dad was completely surprised! While my sisters walked up the driveway (surprising him a bit anyway as he didn't know my older sister and her husband were coming either)...I snuck in the back door and came back out the front onto the front porch where they were standing. I began talking and he responded as if it were nothing...then when he turned around and it registered that it was ME...he just couldn't believe it! So much fun!

This quick trip home is of multiple blessings...as if it weren't enough that I actually got to be here for all of the family activities celebrating my dad's life and his accomplishments...I also get to spend time with my adorable nephews (notice the plural...my sister, Emily, gave birth to her second child on June 2...Ian Christopher Marks...weighing 8 pounds, 21 inches)...and of course, I always enjoy the chance to get caught up with as many of you as possible! As I will only be able to stay in the states for about a month this time...I don't think I'll have time to travel outside of Virginia and North Carolina. However, if you happen to be in one of these two states, drop me an email or call my parents to track me down and I'll do my best to work you into my schedule! Of course...in general, I'd just enjoy a phone call as well since it doesn't cost as much as an international phone call would!

Tomorrow...I'll be going to the mountains with the family...we'll be spending the week there...then I'll be spending a few days in Abingdon, VA before making my way back towards Franklin. Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers! I appreciate them so much...and for the great blessing of having a few quick weeks here with family and many of you! God is good...all the time!

June 2, 2010

2010-06-02T06:06:00.000-07:00

Hello there friends and family! I apologize for not up-dating my blog recently...things have been a bit hectic here!!!

Last week, we finished the school year with a bang! There were cookouts to celebrate the end of the year, graduation, cleaning up classrooms, teacher luncheon...and to really end with a bang, I stepped into the Elementary Principal's position by leading a meeting for all of the rising 4th grade parents to hopefully begin resolving some of the MAJOR discipline issues that have occurred in that classroom so far. Obviously, it was a very full week!!!

This week hasn't been as full...although it still has plenty of action! My roommate, Chelsea, will be leaving on Friday morning...so we've had plenty of outings and activities planned (most of them including FOOD) for this week to help her to have a good send-off!!! I should also be working on packing up the house...as I need to have my things stored in one of the rooms next week when I move out so that the other family can begin moving in. I will leave my things store here in one of the bedrooms until the other house is fixed up and I can move into it (which will hopefully be in the middle of July)!!!

I also got some VERY exciting news yesterday!!! Allison Lee, one of the new teachers coming down who is going to move in with me...got permission from SAM yesterday to go ahead and buy her tickets to come down!!! She will arrive in the middle of July at the same time that I am moving into the new house!!! Praise the Lord for allowing her to take this next step!!! Please continue to pray for the rest of the financial support that she needs to be fully supported as well as the support that several other teachers still need. Speaking of teachers...we also need a couple of elementary teachers yet and some junior high/high school teachers. We would also appreciate your prayers for those specific needs!!!

Well, I have a full day planned, so I should keep this up-date short. Thank you so much for your interest and prayers in the work that God is doing here in Santa Cruz.

May 19, 2010

2010-05-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

Greetings once again from Santa Cruz. We're entering into winter here...as the colder weather quickly reminds us. It doesn't always stay cold for long though, eventually the sun shines again followed by warmer temperatures until another cold spell catches us by surprise.

What often gets me through the cold weather is knowing that warmer temperatures are just around the corner. Life sometimes is a little like that. There are times, I think when getting through the difficult moments takes just looking towards the sunshine awaiting around the bend. The coldness we're experiencing now tends to be quite fitting for this time of year. I think I have mentioned before that the end of the school year is difficult for the missionary community. It means change...and change isn't always easy. There are many people packing up to leave permanently...people who have been here for many, many years...and people who have only impacted our lives for one or two years. It doesn't matter if it's been a short time or a long time...it's hard to say good-bye. It's hard for the ones who are leaving and it's hard for the ones who are staying behind. There are other transitions that often occur for me at about the same time...change in living arrangement, change in ministry, change in roommates, etc.

To up-date you a little on my living situation...
I decided to accept the other house that World Gospel Mission was offering for me to rent. They take care of all the maintenance and upkeep of their houses...there's a LOT to be said for that from a single's perspective! There are many other perks to that house and I'm looking forward to getting settled in there. They need to do a little work on it before I can move in...but we're hoping that I'll be in there by mid-July. As of right now, I have one confirmed roommate (assuming that God provides the support she needs to get here) and another one who hopes to live with us for a few months before moving in with a Bolivian family.

In addition to the difficult adjustment and transition that this time of the year brings for us here in Santa Cruz...there have been a couple of additional hurdles to cross recently. Something that has impacted me greatly is that I ended up attending two very unexpected, unrelated funerals this past week. One of them was for a 20 year old girl, Guisela, who was killed in a motorcycle accident last Thursday. She attended my church as a child, but stopped coming a few years ago, even though she was saved and baptized in the church. However, many of her siblings, cousins, and aunts/uncles continue to be active members there. It is hard to see them hurting so. Then on the weekend, a Bolivian woman from my school and her husband lost their baby who died after only a week of life...he was born several weeks premature. I don't know that I've ever been to a funeral for a baby before, nor seen a coffin so tiny. There seems to be heartache and sadness all around these days. I'd appreciate your prayer particularly for these families.

On a lighter note. Thank you for praying for the Intensive CIET class that I was in charge of and teaching in last week. The students took the final exam on Monday night. They still have a few additional projects and assignments to turn in before June 7...but I'm thankful that the intenseness of being at the seminary every night is over for now!

Well, as I've said...there is sunshine around the corner...in a few more months things will calm down once again...I'll be settled in my new house...making new friends...and finding my way around the elementary principal's office...may God provide the strength and comfort that all of us need to get through the transition! Thank you so much for your love and prayers...not only for me, but also for those around me!

May 9, 2010

2010-05-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

Greetings once again from Santa Cruz, Bolivia. With temperatures in the 70s today...it has really felt like "fall" for us here. We are nearing the end of the school year...with graduation only three weeks away! It is hard to believe, how the year does fly by!

You may remember that in my last post, I mentioned that Chelsea and I would be going to a small community called Villa Cruz to teach a workshop for Sunday School teachers. We left on a Thursday night, by bus...arrived in San Ignacio de Velasco (SIV) on Friday morning...had the day to tour SIV and to show Chelsea some of the ministry SAM has had there in the past. Then, on Friday afternoon, we took a bus (actually more like a large van...very crowded van I might add)...to Villa Cruz. Friday evening, we started the workshop...which continued until Sunday afternoon. With the exception of their typical weekend services on Saturday night and Sunday morning, we spent the rest of the time in the workshop. I even got asked to preach on Saturday night as well...so we stayed pretty busy while we were there! Chelsea was a HUGE help and I was so thankful for her company and support throughout the weekend. On Sunday afternoon, after finishing up the workshop, we made our way back to SIV, and then on to Santa Cruz by bus that night...arriving in the city Monday morning. As soon as we got back we hit the ground running with various school activities. Praise the Lord, all in all the workshop was a great experience...thank you so much for your prayers! There were about 22 people who attended the conference and I was pleased to see the things they were learning and taking away with them!

Last night, was the Jr. Sr. Banquet for school. It was held at the tennis club this year...the same place where Chelsea and I went to the wedding a couple of weeks ago. The banquet is just another sign that the school year is coming to an end. As I watched the pictures on the power point of the senior class throughout their years of attending the Learning Center...I was reminded of what some of them were like when I taught them my first year on the field. These students were in 7th grade then. It is unbelievable to me that now I am watching them graduate. If I include the year that I was home on furlough, I have been connected to the Learning Center for the same number of years that I taught in North Carolina! I praise the Lord that He is continuing to allow me to be something constant and stable in the lives of these children...lives that are so accustomed to constant comings and goings! There are still two full weeks of classes...during which I will also be doing ESL testing for some of the current and incoming students! Then there will be a few days of exams...ending with graduation on Friday, May 28. Please continue to pray for the end of the school year...that both teachers and students will be able to FINISH WELL!

I'm attaching a link with a few pictures of our trip to SIV/Villa Cruz...as well as a few pictures from the banquet. Please let me know if you have any problems opening the link!
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbNnDNm5btmS8

This week, you could also be praying for an intensive course in CIET for Sunday School teachers (and others who work with children) that I will be teaching along with a few other missionary friends. The class will be each night, from Monday through Friday...7:15-9:45; plus there will be additional requirements/assignments for the students outside of class, should they choose to receive credit. This, in addition to all of the things happening at school right now, makes this a very busy week for all of us! We covet your prayers during this time!

Finally, I have gotten word from the mission that owns the house where I'm living...that they need this house for some of their other missionaries. Therefore, I will have to move once again! They are offering me another house that they have available. It is a nice house, in a GREAT location! It is a bit more expensive...but it appears that God is providing roommates once again...even though Chelsea is returning to the states. Please pray for me this week as I make a final decision on the house...and begin to look toward that transition of packing up and moving once again!

Thank you so much for your prayers on my behalf! I appreciate your concern and support for the ministry to which God has called me! May He bless you for your faithfulness to Him!

April 26, 2010

2010-04-26T05:17:00.000-07:00

Well, it appears that we're finally getting into the winter months here in Santa Cruz as we've had cooler temperatures and some rain off and on for the past few days. Typical to winter here, I expect that it will warm up one of these days and we'll have some beautiful days before it slips cool again! For now, we're enjoying wearing long sleeves and sweatshirts! I personally however, would appreciate it if it didn't get any colder than this (currently 65 degrees)! :)

This past Saturday was the Princess Conference for girls ages 8 to 12. You may remember me asking prayer for this event in my prayer letter and in past blog up-dates. As the head coordinator for this conference, I was a pretty nervous about how things would go. However, there was no need for me to be worried about it! Thank you so much for all of your prayers! Things went very smoothly...much better than I expected! We had almost 70 girls come in all with the two sessions combined...and about 15 or so accept Christ as their Savior! What an encouragement it was to get to be apart of this great adventure! I thoroughly enjoyed it! Join me in praising God for all that He did to make the conference a success and for the girls who He called to Himself at this time in their lives! Continue to pray for their Spiritual growth and development.

After the conference was all over and we had cleaned up...Chelsea and I quickly changed clothes (so that we were REAL princesses...as our friend's 3 year old son told us), and headed off to a wedding. You may remember Graciela who lived with us for a few months last semester. She and her fiancee got married on Saturday night. The wedding was beautiful and we had LOTS of fun...visiting with friends, eating, and dancing! We left a bit on the early side at 12:15 AM...but were too tired to make it any later! :)

Finally, on Sunday after church...I went with several other missionaries to the river. The intern who has been here for a few months, Tara Dakin...was saved only a couple of years ago and wished to be baptized before returning to the states in a couple of weeks...so she asked Jeff HAuse if he would do that for her. We packed lunches, loaded up in cars, drove to the river...then all loaded in the back of the Strebig's truck and drove along the river until we could find a spot deep enough for a baptism! It was loads of fun and pretty exciting too!

If you'd like to see some pictures of the Princess Conference, the wedding, and the baptism...feel free to check out the following link!
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbNnDNm5btmSt

Needless to say, I arrived in the house, Sunday afternoon, pretty exhausted! I tried to get some rest so that I'd be a bit more ready for the week! This week, I need to plan for a workshop that I'll be teaching out in a small town called Villa Cruz. Chelsea is going to go with me so that I don't have to take the bus alone. The workshop will be starting on Friday night and will go through Sunday afternoon...then we'll take the long bus ride back...arriving Monday morning, EARLY! I'd appreciate your prayers for this workshop and the planning that I have yet to do. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support...I can definitely feel God working and moving through them here in Santa Cruz!

April 20, 2010

2010-04-19T19:27:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to me...happy birthday to me...happy birthday dear Laura...happy birthday to me! All in all, I had a wonderful birthday this past weekend! Thank you to all of you who sent gifts, cards, emails, etc. in order to help in making it extra special! I started my birthday weekend off by going to the movies with Chelsea on Friday night...something we haven't done in a very long time...I even splurged and let the guys who were watching my car out in the parking lot, wash it for the big price of about $3 (it only cost that much because it was so dirty)! Then, on Saturday, after skyping with my parents and doing a few things around the house, Chelsea and I went to go get manicures at our favorite salon. In the afternoon, we had a birthday party for me at the house. Chelsea had invited all of the SAM missionary ladies (plus a couple of my closest friends from school) and a few of the girls from church. I was impressed that almost everyone came...about the only ones who couldn't make it were out of town! We had a great turn out and Chelsea had made or bought a lot of my favorite snacks. Then, Amy, who is another SAM missionary, provided the "cake" a chocolate mousse dessert...it was divine!!! We had a lot of fun just visiting and hanging out together for a couple of hours.

After that I went to youth group and then returned home in order to skype with Janet and Rick (my older sister and her husband). Then, about midnight, just after I had crawled into bed...I heard Chelsea open the gate to go outside and thought that was pretty strange...until a few minutes later when I began to hear singing at my window. It was a serenade, which is a typical Bolivian custom, brought by the guys on my worship team and a few other friends! How fun was that! After singing a few songs and getting me out of bed...I invited them in for tea and cookies and they left about 1:00 AM. Needless to say, we basically fell into bed after that!

Sunday was another day full of celebrating! For lunch, the HAuses had decorated their house with a musical theme for my birthday which basically shared how we are each different, important instruments in the orchestra of God and how together we make a symphony of music for His glory (Jeff HAuse stated it much more eloquently...but you'll have to do with my rephrasing)! They had asked my mom for some of my favorite songs to post on the walls, had set up their puppets holding various forms of instruments, etc. Jeff had also prepared a game for us to play using a paper keyboard that he made. Each person pulled off one of the black keys which contained a question on the back...we then took turns answering the questions on the backs of the keys! It was a lot of fun! Of course, there were also presents and cake as well!

So...as you can see, it was a VERY special weekend...I feel loved, that's for sure!!! If you'd like more pictures of my birthday celebrations, check out the link below! Thank you once again for your prayers for me and the ministry here! Just as a reminder, we have the princess conference this Saturday...please join us in praying for that...both for those who are leading it or working as well as the girls who will be coming!
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbNnDNm5btmRw&emid=sharview&linkid=link5&cid=EMsharview

April 13, 2010

2010-04-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

Here we are, already halfway through the month of April. It's really incredible how quickly the last couple of months in the school year seem to fly by! Last week, the JV Girl's Basketball team that I work with finished their season undefeated and won first place in the championship game! It was all VERY exciting and we ended the week by having a sleepover at my house...as you can see by the photos below we had a GREAT time...although, I admit I thought several times throughout the night that I'm getting too old for sleepovers with junior high girls!!! :) A couple of the girls also made a cake for the head coach, Laura Kienzle, and myself...as her birthday was April 4 and mine is April 18. So we celebrated our birthdays just a bit too. Praise the Lord for such an EXCELLENT season...not just in the game of basketball, but also in the opportunity we had to build relationships with these girls!

Also, Chelsea and I had the joy of being adopted parents last week. Dan and Jenny Strebig (fellow SAM missionaries) were in La Paz working with a team and so that their girls wouldn't miss any school they asked others to take care of them. However, they weren't sure where to leave their middle daughter so Chelsea and I volunteered! We had a great time with Katherine and enjoyed having her stay with us...she is super sweet!!!

I'm sure many of you read in the prayer letter that I sent out about the Princess Conference coming up on April 24. There are still a lot of things to do in getting ready for that and I find that my mind often is running through that list of things...even when I'm trying to rest. Please pray that God would begin preparing the hearts of the girls who will attend! Also pray that God will help us get the word out to the churches in the area! I have come to realize that the month of May will be on the heels of the Princess Conference and I also have a couple of things to prepare for that time. I will be going out to a small town (about a night's bus ride out of the city) to teach a Sunday School teacher's workshop for a weekend. Then, for a week at SAM's night Bible institute, CIET, I will be working with my coworkers on the Children's Ministry Team to teach a week long intensive course (meaning each evening for 2 and a half hours) for Sunday School teachers and workers. All of this as we're in our last month of school! What a crazy time it will be!!! I covet your prayers for these things!

One final prayer request that I have is in regards to my living situation. The house where I'm currently living is owned by World Gospel Mission. When I signed the contract for the house, it was said that I could only sign a one year contract, with the understanding that if they didn't need it for any of their missionaries, I could choose to sign a contract for an additional year. However, I was told this week that it's looking more like the mission will need the house for some of their missionaries, they are to confirm this with me at the end of this month. So, it looks as if I will be on the hunt for a house again. On top of that, as you may remember, Chelsea's term is finishing up and she will be returning to the states in June. Therefore, I will also need roommates...or at least it would help! Please pray for God's wisdom and provision in this situation!

Well...I imagine this is enough to keep you prayer warriors busy for now!!! Thank you so much for lifting these things up before the throne on my behalf!

March 17, 2010

2010-03-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

I decided to wait a couple of days this week before updating my blog as I wanted to attach a few pictures of my JV girl's basketball team from school. They won their 5th game yesterday...5 and 0...with only one more game to go before the play-offs! Yesterday's game...the score was 32-6...which was our largest point spread!!! They played so hard...and with such GREAT teamwork! It's been exciting to watch them working together!! Although I will appreciate the extra free-time in my schedule when the season is over, I have enjoyed being their assistant coach...they are a fun group of girls!

Today at school, the government sent fumigators to come and spray all of the grounds and rooms of the school. Apparently after the outbreak of the dengue fever last year, they decided this year that any location which had two or more reported cases of dengue fever (the disease spread by mosquitoes) would be required to report it to the authorities so that a fumigation treatment could take place. Our school found out this week that we have two such reported cases...however, before we could get a chance to notify the government, they had already sent a team that was fumigating nearby. As necessary as it is, the downside was that we didn't get a chance to evacuate the school or make arrangements for the students. The high school students were away for the day doing a service project, but the elementary and junior high students were shuffled around from one end of the school to the other and given extra outside recess time as they were not allowed to enter the classrooms until the chemicals cleared out a bit (and even then, the smell was so strong that they couldn't enter). It definitely made for an interesting day!!!

I signed up for a Bolivian bank account this week...I'm sure it's not quite as exciting as a Swiss bank account would be...nor is it as mysterious...but it's a great way for SAM to reimburse me for some of my ministry expenses, without giving me a check and asking me to spend most of the morning in the bank waiting to cash it!

On three or four different occasions this week, I was talking with other missionaries about support levels. All of them were sharing how their support levels are low or under-budget. Not only have they been struggling to get their allotted monthly support need, but they also don't have any money available beyond that to use for ministry expenses. I hear stories such as these and yet again feel totally blessed that God would choose to remove all struggles of this nature from me. Thank you to each one of you for your faithful support not only in giving but also through prayer. God is answering that prayer and is providing for my basic needs as well as my ministry needs. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I'm back in Santa Cruz!

2010-03-08T14:35:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't heard yet, I made it safely back to Santa Cruz. The trip home was shorter, there weren't as many police controlled checkpoints and we made good time. I almost missed my connection in Metan, Argentina...but fortunately they decided to wait for me! I'm not sure why, but I was thankful! I arrived in Santa Cruz at about midnight on Monday night. My friend Beth and a couple of others from church were waiting for me at the bus station. By the time they got me home and to bed, it was about 1:30 AM. I slept in a little bit on Tuesday, then went into school for the afternoon. All in all, the trip to Argentina was well worth it for me! I learned so many things which will be useful here and I met some wonderful people! I was actually a little sad to be returning! However, I am glad to be home...sleeping in my own bed again...and my roommate is extremely glad to have me back...I imagine the house was pretty empty without me!

I continue to help coach the JV Girl's basketball team...which is currently 3 and 0!!! We have a lot of fun together...and although I really don't know anything about basketball, I enjoy spending time with them! Also this week, a team of students from a university in Florida arrived. I was busy on the weekend acting as a taxi service, translator, and cook! They're gone to a couple of Ayore communities outside of the city...but I decided it would be best for me to not miss anymore school! I think I'm still trying to get caught up from the time that I missed!

Attached below is a link with some pictures of the English Village in Cordoba, Argentina! Hope you enjoy them! Thank you so much for your prayers during that adventure...it was a huge blessing to me in so many ways! Enjoy the pictures!

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbNnDNm5btmRh

February 23, 2010

2010-02-23T09:40:00.000-08:00

Greetings once again from Cordoba, Argentina! I don't have much time today...as I have a meeting shortly and a few more things to do before then. However, I didn't want the week to get by without sharing a couple of highlights with you about the things that God is doing!

First of all, I got word yesterday that the Register of Deeds in Rockingham County, NC, has agreed to accept one of the copies of the Power of Attorney that I got notarized when I flew to Cochabamba, Bolivia just before coming to Argentina. That means that the process can move forward as my sister, Emily, or her husband can sign the paperwork in order to sell my condominium!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!! That is a huge blessing for me and a definite release of a weight on my shoulders!

As for things happening here in Argentina...
I'm having a wonderful time!!! I am really enjoying the things that I'm learning and experiencing while here! I have met a lot of great people who have been such an encouragement to me...it will be sad to leave them at the end of the week! To give you a few more details on what I'm doing here in Cordoba...let me explain the workshop. The workshop is held at a mission's training institute (training Latins to be missionaries in other parts of the world) and is actually an intensive course, called the English Village. This course teaches students valuable methods to be used in learning a new language. In order to allow these students to put these methods into practice...English is used, as it's a foreign language for all of the students...and it will be useful to them in many places where God may send them to serve as missionaries. The idea of the program is that the students take these techniques with them and plan their course of study in learning a new language...by using a tutor who is a native speaker for the language they wish to learn...hence my role here. I started out co-tutoring a group of 3 guys. My co-tutor is a German missionary serving here in Cordoba, studying part-time at the institute. Then we had another tutor join us this week who is also working with our group...which allows us to do more individualized one on one tutoring! It's been amazing to see how quickly the students are grasping the English language using these techniques...students who couldn't speak to me at all a week ago, are now telling me (in broken English) about their weekend. They have made such great progress in only one week's time! It's great!

I can see many ways in which God might be able to use this experience to either duplicate the course in Bolivia...or even to share the methods with friends of mine in Santa Cruz who are still working to learn Spanish! There are many great possibilities! Praise the Lord for such a wonderful experience and continue to pray for us to finish well this week! I'll be heading home next Sunday...most likely, I won't actually arrive in Santa Cruz until Tuesday morning...it's a pretty long bus ride! Thank you so much for your continued prayers for the ministry God is doing in South America!

Greetings from Cordoba, Argentina!

2010-02-15T10:29:00.000-08:00

Well, as you can tell from the title...I made it safely to Cordoba, Argentina...after traveling for about 36 hours by bus! Before I go into a bit of detail about the bus ride....let me fill you in some on the week before!

As you know, I have an interested buyer for my condominium in NC. The problem that we have run into is in getting the paperwork signed. Due to the unreliability in mail to and from Bolivia, it has been recommended that we pay to have Power of Attorney given over to my sister, Emily, and her husband, Christopher. Anyway, to make a long story short...that means that I still have to get paperwork signed/notarized and sent to the lawyer in North Carolina. Getting the paperwork done at a price that I could afford was one hurdle to cross...then I had the struggle of getting it notarized. I was basically told here that my only option was to use a US Consular Agent, but last week...as I was in the busyness of getting ready for my trip to Argentina...I tried to figure out how I could get this Consular Agent to notarize my signature of the document. It was then that I found out that he would not be in Santa Cruz until the end of the month...when I was going to be here in Argentina...and the paperwork needed to be in the US before then. There wasn't anything left to be done, but to fly to where he was in order to get the papers notarized. Therefore, on Wednesday night, I flew to the city of Cochabamba...spent the night with some missionary friends...then went to the Consular Office on Thursday morning. There was a lot of in and out of the office trying to get the right documentation with the correct location of the seals, and then I flew back to Santa Cruz on Thursday afternoon. Needless to say, it added to my CRAZY week! However, God provided someone going back to the states on Friday...who was returning to Chesapeake, VA, near where my parents live. My mom and dad were able to pick up the papers and are mailing them to the lawyer now. Please pray that the county officials will accept the documentation and seals as they are done...so that the extra trip to Cochabamba was not in vain.

I don't have much time now before going to a meeting...but I wanted to share a few blessings that God provided during my trip down on the bus. I was quite afraid to be traveling such a great distance on my own...but He was faithful walked beside me all the way...
1. On the first bus, the man sitting next to me was very kind and patient answering all of my questions without ever giving me the impression that he was annoyed with me.
2. At the border, the people from the busline collected all of our passports and did much of the legwork for us...so that we didn't have to spend as much time off the bus standing in the sun!
3. The woman in customs was very nice, asking me all about my trip, and seeming quite interested!
4. At one of the police checkpoints...the police officer barely looked at my bag...other than my Bible...asking me if I was a Christian...and telling me that he is one too!
5. I was able to make my connecting bus without any problem...and didn't get left at any bus stops!
6. Heather Lewis found me at the Cordoba terminal when I arrived here Sunday morning...no problems!
7. There's a Wal-Mart in Cordoba!!!!

All in all, it has been a great experience so far! We are getting ready to have a meeting right now, so I better go! I'll try to write again with more details about the conference itself...as I now have more information to share about that! I'd appreciate your continued prayers for the students and those of us serving as tutors as well! Thank you so much for you love and prayers for me!

February 8, 2010

2010-02-08T03:58:00.000-08:00

I survived camp, fortunately! I did get the feeling that I'm getting old...as I saw these young teenagers with a LOT more energy than I have! However, I had a great time with them! It was exciting for me to see God working in their lives...but also there were a few junior and seniors who went along as well. I remember when most of those kids were in jr. high themselves and it was VERY refreshing to see how God continues to mold and shape them. They're really turning out to be wonderful young men and women who desire to serve the Lord! Once again, I enjoy being part of a ministry such as this...camp and the school in general. Please continue to pray for our high schoolers as they are at camp this week. You can also pray for the teachers who went to this camp in order to serve as counselors...I returned exhausted after only three days, they'll be with those guys until Friday!

The Spiritual retreat with the SAM women was great as well! It was very refreshing and relaxing! Something that God has begun to work in my life, through this retreat and before as well...although it wouldn't be a newsflash to my roommate and others...is that, in short, I'm doing too much. I think I'm running myself a bit ragged and need to find some time to rest and relax. I'm not sure yet when or how those changes are going to take place (many things won't change until after my trip to Argentina...and others won't change for a few months)...but change is in the air. I believe that God is showing me some ministries that I can cut back on a little bit, in order to make room for others to which He is calling me to do...I don't have time in my schedule for both, something's got to give a little bit. Please pray for me as I work to make those changes...some of them won't be easy, as I enjoy all of the things that I'm doing...I just can't do it ALL!

Tara, the intern who is here for 4 months, made it safely in last week, praise the Lord. So far, she seems happy to be here and appears to be adjusting quite well, for which I'm extremely grateful! I'll be seeing her today and tomorrow for various types of orientation things...then I'll be handing over a lot of her care to other missionaries while I'm gone to Argentina.

This Friday, I will be leaving for Argentina. I have decided to travel by bus...buscama they call it as the seats recline in such a way that you actually feel like you're lying down. They're the best buses for long travel! Once I leave on Friday night, I should arrive to the border sometime Saturday morning. Then I will have to get off the bus in order to walk through customs and things at the border. I have been told that most of this is standing out in the heat, long lines, could be a couple of hours, could be much longer than that...we'll see. After that, I should be able to board the bus again...and then I'll be on my way to Cordoba. My arrival time depends on how certain things pan out a bit...but I should be to Cordoba sometime early Sunday morning...if not before. I'm a little nervous about traveling such a long way on my own, but I've had several people give me advice so I know more or less what to expect and the bus line that I plan to use is a very trustworthy one...so that helps. After the busy week that I have going on now...I might really enjoy such a long time to sit, relax, read, cross-stitch, etc. without being able to do much else!

February 1, 2010

2010-02-01T19:24:00.000-08:00

Greetings once again from Bolivia...for now anyway!!! I'm excited to report that I've gotten some confirmation on my trip to Argentina. I still need to make my travel plans (as my departure date depends on whether I fly or go by bus), but I did hear from the director of the English Village today with more information and a schedule so that I can begin making some plans. I'm very curious about it all and SUPER excited about this opportunity! It does mean that I will miss the camp that my church participates in each year during Carnaval...yet, I'm looking forward to trying out something new!

To be honest...right now the main three things on my mind are...the Argentina trip, Tara Dakin (the intern coming to do children's ministry), and Jr High Camp (which starts this Wednesday and goes through Friday). Those are certainly plenty of things to keep my mind occupied as they entail quite a bit of planning (and the need for many substitutes)! Chelsea and I laugh that I'll be able to relax more in March...I pray that I don't have to wait that long!!!

Although I'm making this a short up-date this week (due to the fact that it's 11:30 at night and I need to get to bed), I really appreciate your continued prayers for these things (particularly those mentioned above as well as diligence in getting tasks done one step at a time). I'm enjoying so many different aspects of ministry currently, but I also don't want to get run down. I'm not always good at making sure I get the rest that I need. This weekend, several of the SAM women are going to stay at a local hotel for the night in order to have a Spiritual retreat and time of prayer together. Even though a part of me feels like I don't have time for such things...the bigger part of me recognizes the importance of it. It should be a good time of rest, relaxation, reflection...and most importantly a chance to bask in God's presence!

Before I forget...thank you for praying for VBS at my church! We had WONDERFUL weather the whole week and many children came! On Sunday morning...at the closing program, we had 108 people in our tiny sanctuary...more than half were children! It's was amazing!! I'll be sure to upload some pictures soon (I need to get them from a friend of mine as I forgot to take my camera). Thank you once again for all of your prayers on behalf of those of us here!

January 27, 2010

2010-01-27T03:58:00.000-08:00

Well, needless to say, I'm a couple of days behind this week! I usually try to update my blog on Monday mornings, as I don't have to be at school until about 11:30. However, about once a month I go to the SCCLC school board meeting on Monday morning and then sometimes struggle to get my blog updated at another time. I have a great deal to tell you about this week, but I'll try to stick to the most important aspects...

1. This week, starting today, we are having a Vacation Bible School at my church. The theme is "Como ser util en la familia" (How to be useful in the family). It is not unusual for us to end the week with close to 100 children! We will be having VBS Wednesday through Saturday of this week from 4-5:30, with our closing program on Sunday morning. Please pray for the children who will be attending as well as those of us who are teaching/leading. Also, please pray that the rain will hold off until next week (it's rainy season here...when it rains, it floods/gets really muddy, and the kids end up staying home).

2. Next week, February 3-5, is the Jr High Camp for the students here at the school where I teach. I have the pleasure of going along as a counselor. I'm looking forward to spending this time with them. The following week, February 8-12, is the High School Camp. There will be a special guest coming down from the states to speak in both of these events. Please pray for the speaker, the counselors, and students during this time.

3. Arriving on February 4, is an intern who will be working with SAM, particularly in the area of children's ministry, for 4 months. I've been asked to coordinate her time here and am looking forward to ministering alongside her in several of the things that we have planned.

4. Also coming up, from February 14-28, is something called the English Village in Cordoba, Argentina. It is for those in South America who are interested in missions and who may feel called to ministry in an area where English is predominantly spoken or used. These missionaries can attend this workshop, placing themselves in an all English environment for 2 weeks of training, instruction, and fun. SAM has asked me to attend as one of the instructors so that we can get an idea of what this type of workshop is like, with the hope that possibly one day we could do a similar event here in Bolivia. I'm still working on getting all of the details worked out (including substitutes at school for those two weeks), but I'm SUPER excited about this opportunity!!!

5. Changing the subject now and looking a bit farther into the future...next school year, the elementary principal and her family will be returning to the states for furlough. The director of the Learning Center has asked me to take her place for the year, serving in that role, and I have accepted the responsibilty. It will mean that I will be returning to school full time...although the director did give me permission to take one morning off a week (which I will appreciate as my weekends are usually full of church and children's ministry). I will also need to be diligent in managing my time, possibly even cutting back in some of my other ministries outside of school, in order to make time for this new role. It is an honor to be asked and I'm excited about how God will use me next year. The director still needs to talk to the board before it becomes official, but it isn't likely that there would be any problems there.

6. Finally...after giving you quite a few things to be praying for...I have a HUGE answer to prayer!!!! Praise the Lord, after a couple of years of it being on the market, someone finally made an offer on my condominium in Eden, North Carolina. We have settled on an amount that will allow me to pay of the current loan and pay the realtor, therefore basically breaking even...for which I'm extremely grateful! Assuming that the buyer gets the loan that she needs, we just need to figure out the best way to get the paperwork completed!

Well...I guess I've filled you with quite an eye-full for now. Thank you so much for your continued prayers for the work that God has called me to here in Santa Cruz!

2010-01-18T06:31:00.000-08:00

Well, as promised, this up-date has a few pictures of the annual conference for SAM's Bolivia field. We were able to get out of the city for a few days to go to a nearby resort (only about 20 or so minutes out of the city). You may remember seeing photos of this place in past entries, as I have been there a couple of times for conferences/retreats. It's a beautiful place and I was delighted to be going there again! We had a wonderful time together! I thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship with other SAM missionaries (and some friends that went along with us). It was particularly special for me that my friends Jeff and Beth HAuse (with their children) returned to the field around Christmas time and so were at the annual conference. We had a great time catching up on old times...I had not seen most of their family for about a year! It's great to have them back!!!

This year, we had a speaker who came down from the home office to share with us. Typically we also have guests or teams that come to lead worship and work with our children. However, this year, we decided to do all of these things "in house" so to speak. We formed a worship team out of those of us on the field...as you can see in the picture below, I was one of the singers! A fellow SAM missionary, Jenna Weigner, led the worship times and kept us all organized. I thoroughly enjoyed these times...and the songs that she picked! It was great! There were still programs for the kids as well while the adults were meeting...but this time there were a couple of "SAM kids" (children of missionaries on the field) who are in college now, but were here visiting their parents for Christmas break. They were willing to teach the kids and did an excellent job!!!

All in all, we had a great time! It was very refreshing to have that conference to come back to...and that added to reviving my spirit for the ministries waiting for me here. Last week, I spent the better part of the week studying for the final exam for my online course. I also had to finish up the paper that I had been working on. I'm very excited to say that I have now finished the class!!! I think the exam went well and I'm glad to be moving on! It's a good feeling to have accomplished yet another of these courses. For the last month or two...while not in the states and at conference...I sort of put some of my ministry on hold so that I could wrap up this class. I'm thankful to now be able to dive back into those things.

Well...I guess that's it for this week! Thank you so much for your continued prayers!

January 4, 2010

2010-01-04T18:34:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well, I must admit it seems a bit strange to have written January 4, 2010 as the title of this blog entry! The new year has definitely begun...and for me, is off to a running start!

I apologize for not writing an update before now...too much of the good life at home with my family! I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them and in general, just enjoyed being home. As usual, saying good-bye was difficult. I returned to Bolivia on Saturday (January 2nd). In the Miami airport (where I met up with a few other SAM missionaries for the flight to Bolivia)...one of my friends commented that a missionary's life is one of good-byes...and sadly that is the case. It seems like there are always good-byes to be said, some of them harder than others...either I'm saying good-bye to those I love here in order to go to the states, or I'm saying good-bye to those I love in the states to come to Bolivia, or often there are even friends on the field to whom I'm saying good-bye as they return to the states. So, it does tend to feel like a life of good-byes. For many missionaries, that prompts them to become more closed when meeting new people...with those missionaries, it's hard to break into their inner shell and figure out what it is that really makes them tick. I also see this with a lot of students at my school...their way of coping with the constant good-byes is by placing walls and distance in their lives. I've never been very good at this. Occasionally I try...but don't usually succeed. However, I'm not sure that I really want to either. I'm not convinced that's always the answer to recovering from the hurt of being apart. It was hard for me to return...because I miss my family. Yet, I know that God still has many plans for me here in Santa Cruz...He's not finished with the work to which He has called me...not at this point! So...I'm back...and...happy to be back...there was a lot to come back to! My friends the HAuses are back on the field!!! I'm so excited to be serving with them again! Chelsea is back from the states as well! There is a new family too, that has been here for about 3 months...they are a GREAT family...a wonderful addition to our field...and the mother of the family (whose name is Amy) and I have already decided we're going to be best friends!!! Like I said...a LOT to return for! This week...SAM has a conference for all those currently on the Bolivia field. We had a kick-off meeting tonight...and tomorrow morning will be meeting at a local resort (about 30 minutes outside of the city) in order to get away until Friday! I get to sing on the worship team which we formed especially for this event...and am really enjoying the practices and the chance to worship with these friends. Please pray for our time together...that God would speak to each of our hearts.

So, although it was hard to leave my family behind...I'm glad to be back in Bolivia. I feel a new sense of refreshment and am ready to take off running once again. For that I am extremely thankful! I appreciate so much all of your prayers and well wishes! Thank you too for the gifts and Christmas greetings which many of you sent! I enjoy hearing about all that is happening in the lives of your families. Blessings in the new year!

December 5, 2009

2009-12-05T08:01:00.000-08:00

Well...since I didn't get a chance to update my blog last week and this Monday is looking pretty busy...I decided to go ahead and write a quick update today!

The most important thing I want to mention briefly, is that the country of Bolivia will be having their presidential elections tomorrow. The elections here are typically held on a Sunday and in order to keep the peace, there are several laws in place prohibiting meetings (including church services) and campaigning throughout the weekend...and on Sunday, we aren't allowed to be out driving around. People vote close to their home, so they walk there to take care of that...but other than that most people will be staying close to home. I'm looking forward to having some time to work on my seminary class...I plan to spend the better part of the day writing the rough draft of my exegesis paper. It will also be a good opportunity to spend some time in prayer for the country and the elections that are happening...please join us in praying for this need as you think of Bolivia or me throughout the weekend!

My trip to the states is quickly approaching and I frequently find myself dreaming about the things of which I am MOST excited...spending time with my nephew Wesley, seeing my sister's pregnant belly (since I missed it the first time), spending time with my family in general (especially my parents while I'm at the beach with just the two of them), eating at the Cheesecake Factory with friends from church, eating out at all my favorite places in general, shopping with my mom, seeing my dog, etc. I'm sure the list could go on...but these are a few things that are frequently on my mind! My flight is set for December 15 in the morning. I'll be flying to Miami first, then after a few hours layover there, I'll fly on to Raleigh-Durham, NC...getting in at about 11:00 at night. Emily and/or Christopher will be picking me up from the airport. I will then spend a few days with them until my dad comes down to pick me up (most likely on Friday). However...before I can go on vacation...there are a lot of preparation for things that I will miss here for which I need to find replacements. Please pray that I'll be diligent in using my time wisely in order to leave things well when I head home.

I don't think that I get the chance to express this often enough...and I'm not very good about getting thank you notes written (maybe that should be one of my New Year's resolutions)...however, I do want to say that I am so very thankful for all of your financial and prayer support. I've been hearing a lot recently about how the economic situation is taking it's toll on the mission as a whole as well as several friends of mine who are currently raising support. Yet, I feel so blessed to be able to say that thanks to all of you, my support is right where it should be. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your faithfulness in this area. I appreciate it more than you could ever imagine and praise the Lord for each one of you!

November 21, 2009

2009-11-22T07:16:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had the feeling that things were just not turning out as you planned...yet it's SO obvious that God is in the middle of it all??? That pretty much describes my week/weekend.

First of all...
The trip to San Ignacio de Velasco to do the workshop fell through...they weren't able to organize it in time. I had a feeling that was going to happen, as I had quite a bit of trouble getting in touch with the contact person there. I'm still hoping to go and do that at some time, but it probably won't be until January or February. However, I was still in great need of a vacation, so Chelsea and I decided to escape to Samaipata a town about 3 or 4 hours from here in the mountains. It's beautiful there and we even decided to splurge a bit and stay in one of the nicer accomodations!!! I'm really excited!!! We're getting ready to head out of here...so I won't make this a very long update. We plan to return on Wednesday so that we'll be here for Thanksgiving dinner with SAM.

Second of all...
Yesterday, Saturday, I decided to take 3 of the newest SAM women to get their nails done and do a bit of shopping. We left about 9:30, picked up the other two and then went and got our nails done. To make a long story short...on our way to the market where we were going to do some shopping...I was involved in an accident. Let me start by clarifying that it wasn't a bad accident and no one was hurt. An accident in the states usually involves informing the police and an exchange of insurance information and that's about it. That is not the case here. It involves a lot of arguing back and forth...trying to keep the police department out of it...using insurance agents to be the go between (if you're fortunate enough to have insurance, which I am, thanks to my SAM family and supporters)! Anyway, I won't bore you with all the details...however, the guy basically saw a car full of North Americans and decided he'd hold out for trying to get full compensation (something that almost never happens here). It was more my fault than his...so I expect to pay more, but both sides are somewhat at fault. Anyway, the insurance guy tried to settle with him...he refused, holding onto full compensation...which meant there wasn't anything else to do but get the police involved. I then spent the next couple of hours in the police station answering questions and filling out forms. In the end, they impounded both of our cars until Tuesday when they could come to a resolution on the situation.

I could see God's hand in the whole situation in several ways...
While I was standing on the street with the guy...scared to death, with 3 women that are still learning their way around...a fellow SAM missionary, Bev Smith, rode by. She stopped immediately and stuck with me to the end (and offered to go back and finish the process/pick up my car on Tuesday with the insurance guy)!!! I was SO grateful to have her there!!! She did all of the discussing and decision making! The insurance guy was also a HUGE help...kind, compassionate, understanding, comforting! Finally, the fact that I don't have my car for a few days isn't deterring our vacation. The HAuses vehicle was just sitting at the base as they're still in the states, so the mission gave me permission to use that...and we're on our way!!! I'm so excited!! Please pray for continued safety!

SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!!!!! I'll send an update with pictures when I'm back! Hugs to all and a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

November 16, 2009

2009-11-16T03:47:00.000-08:00

Four weeks from tomorrow I'll be boarding planes and bouncing around in airports (and even cars) until arriving at my first destination, my sister's house in Graham, NC. After a couple of days there, I'll be heading on to my parent's house in Franklin, VA...going to the beach for a week with them and awaiting the arrival of my sisters and their families so that we can celebrate Christmas together!!! I know I always get SUPER excited about going home...but this time I feel even more excited about it! I don't know if it's because I've extended the trip a little more this year than I normally do...or if it's because I feel so anxious for a vacation...but regardless, I'm counting the days!

However, as anxious as I am to get there...I still have several things to accomplish here before I'm ready to go. The most immediate event coming up...is a workshop that I'm hoping to be teaching in San Ignacio de Velasco (SIV). You may remember several years ago, that I spent two months in SIV working with a summer team that was here. It is a town that holds a special place in my heart. I was asked to go and teach a workshop for Sunday School teachers there during Thanksgiving vacation. I have assisted in a few of these workshops that other members of SAM's children's ministry team have done...but this will be the first time that I have led one on my own. I'm a bit nervous about it...trying to get all of my ducks in a row. I'm getting ready to go visit with a friend of mine who has led many of these workshops so that she can help me prepare. I covet your prayers for this week as I prepare as well as next weekend when I hope to be leading the workshop (that we get all of the final arrangements made as far as time/place, and that people will come and learn through this event).

We're also getting to the end of the school year here in Bolivia. So, that means that there are kindergarten graduations as well as high school graduations just around the corner. I know quite well a couple of students in both of these grade-levels. Please pray especially for two people in my church, Sebastian (kinder grad) and Diego (high school grad), as they finish this chapter in their lives and begin to start the next one.

Sorry to cut this short this week...but I have a lot I hope to accomplish today and need to get going! I'll be sure to send an up-date about the conference...with some pictures as well! Thank you in advance for lifting these things up to our Heavenly Father!

October 25, 2009

2009-10-26T06:26:00.000-07:00

It's a damp and chilly morning here in Santa Cruz...rather odd weather for us in October! Sorry I didn't get my blog updated last week, I was in the board meeting at school on Monday morning and didn't get a chance to update it throughout the rest of the day.

Thank you to those of you who were able to read my blog post from a couple of weeks ago...please continue to pray for those of us serving here. Unfortunately it is easy to get a bit bogged down in the mundane tasks of everyday and to become frustrated with a feeling that others aren't doing their part. Pray that God will strengthen us, rejuvenate us, and help us to keep our eyes focused on Him/the work He has called us to.

This past Saturday night at church, we had our evangelistic service for the month of October. This time, the single women were in charge of organizing it...as I have been leading that group...I felt a lot of pressure to get things organized. I was extremely encouraged to see many different ways in which God provided for the various details...it was was so very clear to me that the program was part of God's plan. We put on a concert, dedicated to youth. Of course it was not a style of music that everyone would enjoy...but we had some people come who had never come before. There were also people there who have not been coming very regularly recently...but were suddenly there to help and pitch in wherever needed. I was amazed by that and very appreciative to all who helped out! One of the guys in the youth presented the gospel in between the two bands that we had playing...and although I was outside seeing the first band off (as they needed to get to a service at their church)...I was told he did an excellent job and that it went very well. Please continue to pray for these times of evangelistic outreach as well as the obvious need to continue discipling new believers/members.

Some of you may know that I am currently taking another seminary class via the internet/cd-rom. I got a bit behind where I had hoped to be at this point, due to moving houses, school starting, new roommates arriving, etc. However, now that things are finally settling down...I'm working to play catchup! One of the things that the professor talked about in a current lesson, really spoke to me...I'll try to recap as best I can, in hopes that it will speak to you as well. The class is a study on Genesis, so far we've focused primarily on creation and are now starting to study the fall a bit more. The professor has been talking rather extensively about the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil...as well as the serpent, Eve, and Adam's involvement in all of this. One of the points that she has made concerns the importance that SIGHT or SEEING had with regards to the fall. Chapter 3 verse 6 says, "So when the woman SAW that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the EYES..." The point the professor was making was that Eve made a false judgment based on what she SAW, without fully trusting the command that God had given Adam. This is what faith is all about...trusting God and His Word...even when what we SEE just doesn't make any sense at all. The professor went on to mention many more examples in the Bible, but I won't take time to do that now. However, I think that this can be a prayer for ALL of us...that we would fully trust God, based on what He says to us...not through relying on what we SEE around us!

An added tidbit of info, on a personal family note...I received this picture of my nephew about a week ago, making the announcement that his mother (my sister) is carrying a younger brother or sister for him...set to arrive the end of May! Looks like I get to be an aunt again!!! Congratulations to Emily and Christopher!

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support! It is so comforting for me to know that there are prayer warriors lifting me up as well as interceding for others whom I know and love. Thank you so much!

"But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face." I Thessalonians 2:17

October 12, 2009

2009-10-12T06:36:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that we're already half way through the month of October! Time sure does fly...it won't be long until I'll be going home for a few weeks to spend Christmas with my family! I confess that this thought comes to mind frequently these days...I think I'm ready for a vacation!

SCCLC:
We're wrapping up the first quarter at school...one down 3 to go! Please be praying for our Jr and Sr High students as they have Spiritual Enrichment Week going on for the next few days...ending with the high school retreat this weekend...and then a Servant Day in the community next week. It will be a very busy time for them...yet an excellent opportunity for them to be listening to God's voice. Pray that they'll be open to whatever message He has for them! Also, I'm finding myself frustrated with several of my students who I feel are not putting forth the effort that they should. I'm trying to give them as much small group and individual time that they need...but when I feel as I do now (that they're not putting forth any effort on their own) it basically takes the wind out of my sails! Please pray that I will not become discouraged with them and that they will have a stronger internal drive to do well.

Home:
Things in our new house continue to go well! We're starting to work on getting into a routine. We have found a woman who can come and help us clean house a couple of afternoons a week, so I'm thankful for that! It will free us up for more ministry opportunities! I have a few different visits with people over the course of the next week...so I'm looking forward to using our new house for that purpose...it is the main reason why I wanted to find an actual house to live in...as opposed to just renting a room behind someone else's house. Praise God for this great house...and the many possibilities that we have to use it for ministry!

Church:
Most of you know that for several months, we have been dividing the youth group...guys and girls...with the guys meeting at the pastor's house and the girls meeting with me here at my house. It has been a WONDERFUL time of growth for our youth group as we've seen several people accept Christ as their personal Savior. There have also been others who are Christians but who weren't interested in coming before...and have now become quite involved! However, we also see that our youth group is more divided than it has been in the past. In an effort to unite the group again...we have decided to begin meeting together at the church on Saturday nights. We'll start this change in the schedule by have our first meeting here at my house (with soccer/basketball in the afternoon, snacks, and then our service here at the house at night). After this we will begin meeting three weeks together at church and then one week separated (guys and girls). I also intend to continue planning activities for just the girls, in an effort to keep the bond that I have with them and to give them a chance to share with one another since they obviously have been enjoying that! Please pray as we make this switch, that God will continue to bless our youth program, using it for His glory. Pray also that He will raise up leaders among those who have become more involved...so that we as current leaders can be investing in their lives and discipling them...they are the future leaders!

On the side:
I have noticed currently, in my own life as well as in the lives of several others who are close to me...that it's easy right now to feel a bit burned out! I don't know if it's being over busy...stress...old haunts coming back...feelings of inadequacy...spiritual warfare...the weather...the political situation and the possibilities of future problems there...or what? However, it does make ministry difficult...that restless feeling. We really covet your prayers right now...only God can provide that renewed feeling that many of us desperately need at the moment!

Thank you for praying for the ministry in which God has called me to in Bolivia...as well as for my brothers and sisters here! May He bless you for your faithfulness to Him.

October 6, 2009

2009-10-06T14:35:00.000-07:00

Well...as I sit here sweating in shorts and a tank top, I guess I can safely say that Santa Cruz is finally entering into the spring/summer months!

Chelsea and I have officially moved into our new house. We added another roommate, Graciela, yesterday. She is a one of the Bolivian women in charge of the orphanage where my friend Esther works, Talita Cumi...you may remember me mentioning it before. She was living in the states for almost a year and is now back in Bolivia again. I am sure she will be a wonderful addition to our new home. To see pictures of the house (as well as pictures of various other activities in the last month) click on the link below.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbNnDNm5btmRS

On Sunday, my church went on a day trip about 2 hours outside of the city. We were supposed to take this trip a couple of weeks ago, but had to postpone it due to bad weather. So, instead, we decided to go this past Sunday...which as it was the first Sunday of the month, would typically be our "Family Sunday". We loaded up in cars and went to a good picnic spot along the river. Each person took along their own food...we shared lunch together as well as a short devotional and fellowship time! It was lots of fun! I was particularly touched at how several of the families looked after me! I appreciated it! One of the families told me they wanted to take lunch for me...so I didn't pack anything. Then, once we were there and she gave me my plate of food...several other families started piling things on as well! It was funny...but I really did appreciate it!

I know this will be a short post, but I'm going to need to leave soon to go meet with one of the girls from the youth group...so I wanted to get a quick update out for some pictures for you to see! Enjoy! Thank you, as always, for your generous support and thoughtful prayers!

2009-09-28T05:19:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning to rain and cooler temperatures...that makes getting out of bed SO difficult on a Monday morning! However, I'm up and the day is off to a running start!

I don't have much to report from this week...Chelsea and I officially moved into our new house last Wednesday. I'm still unpacking some of my junk and working on getting settled in. Not to mention she and I are hoping to go out and do a bit of exploring on the buses that pass by the house so that we'll know where they go and so that Chelsea (especially) will be able to have a bit more freedom. We are closer to school than we were before so it was nice to be able to get here so quickly this morning. I had hoped to attach some pictures of the house this morning to my blog...but I haven't gotten a chance to take any. I'll do my best to get some on here very soon.

Yesterday at church we had one of our evangelistic services, which we often do on the last Sunday of the month. It was a typical tea, organized by the married women in the church. There were several different kinds of typical snacks, tea, coffee...as well as a time of fellowship and presentation of the gospel. The congregation was strongly encouraged to bring friends, neighbors, and coworkers who didn't know the Lord...I was very excited to see that we had about 25 visitors! Please pray that God will draw these people unto Himself and that He'll continue to allow us to be lights in a dark world.

Next weekend, I have agreed to start teaching a Master's level class in the mission's department at one of the local universities. The class, which only lasts a month, involves having the students read a book (in English) and then using class time for discussion (mostly done in Spanish). The purpose of the class is to teach the students skills for Reading in English (such as using context clues), and to encourage them in their ability to use English as a source for information and study in missions. As this is a new adventure for me, please pray for wisdom as I begin this class...that God would help me to prepare well for the class. Pray also for the students, that God would bless them through this time of studying together.

Well...I guess that's about it for this week. It's time to get going on all the things I need to accomplish at school today. Thank you so much for your prayers!

We're Moving This Week!!!

2009-09-22T20:14:00.000-07:00

Greetings from a rather frazzled missionary!!!

As you can see from the title...Chelsea and I are moving this week...actually tomorrow...hence the delay in my up-date this week as it has been a VERY hectic week. I have been actively trying to get things packed up into boxes, make arrangements for help from the missionary community, and balance ministry at the same time! Needless to say, I'll be thankful once we're moved in and I can actually work at a slower pace, unpacking and really getting settled! I am taking tomorrow off of school in order to organize the move. Then we are off of school on Thursday and Friday for a national holiday...giving us a long weekend to get ourselves settled before starting back to school next week! Praise the Lord for such a positive and supportive response from our SAM missionary community! Many have volunteered time and vehicles to help us move and clean the house tomorrow, getting it all ready for us. I am so thankful for that! I have also had several from church and school who have volunteered to pitch in where they can...tomorrow and/or over the next few days, helping to unpack or purchase/loan us things that we will need in the new house! It has been such a blessing and encouragement to me!

Thursday is "Santa Cruz Day", which basically is the day to celebrate the department of Santa Cruz. It is of course a local holiday and my church will be taking a day trip to a nearby river for a picnic lunch and baptismal service! It's always LOTS of fun! Pray for safety as we travel about an hour out of the city in cars and bus. Also, pray that I will be able to rest and enjoy myself, without spending the whole time concentrating on the boxes awaiting me at home!

I had an exciting experience tonight that I wanted to share with you. A friend of mine from church, whom I will call Jose, called last week and asked if I would help him and a friend of his from the university (whom I will call Ana) with their English homework. They came over and spent a couple of hours with me that afternoon. As it turned out...Ana lives close to the SAM base where I'm currently living (for one more night). She also discovered that I enjoy drinking mate (pronounced ma-ta, short "a" sound at the beginning and long "a" sound at the end...a social herbal drink, similar to a tea, which is extremely common in Argentina and also parts of Bolivia and Paraguay). She then said she would like to come again and drink mate with me. I talked to Jose over the weekend and asked him if she is a Christian. He said that to his knowledge, she isn't, and then went on to describe a few more things about her and her family. Next weekend at church we're having an evangelistic service...so I suggested to Jose, that I would like to invite Ana to be my guest for that event...and then maybe all of us could hang out for a bit afterwards. However, I figured it would be easier if we had visited a little bit more first. So, before moving...I invited Jose and Ana over to the house so that we could drink mate together. I then had the chance to invite Ana to the service on Sunday. She not only accepted my invitation, but also when I took her home (so that I would know where her house is in order to pick her up later)...she invited me in and we sat and talked for another hour or so more. Praise the Lord for this new relationship that He is placing in my life. Please pray not only for Ana's salvation, but also that God would help me take time to be diligent in following up with her...in mentoring and discipling roles. I'm excited about the opportunity to serve the Lord in this way. Also continue to pray that nothing will come in the way of her attending the service with me this Sunday!

Well...it's getting late and I still have some more packing to do! Thank you so much for your prayers this week! The joy of the Lord will be my strength!!

September 14, 2009

2009-09-14T05:40:00.001-07:00

Well, it appears that I've gotten out of the habit of updating my blog each week...I'll try to do better at remembering! In general Monday mornings continues to be a good time for me to do it...so I'll work at getting back into that routine! This week I don't have anything major to report...just some updates, praises, and prayer requests!

School is well underway once again! We're about halfway through the first quarter! On Friday night we had our first open house for the year. As I don't usually get much traffic in the Resource room during open house hours, I volunteered to serve as a translator in the Kindergarten room as there are a couple of parents of students in that grade who don't speak English and the teacher doesn't know Spanish. I enjoyed that, it was a different role and I felt a bit like I was doing public relations for the school (which this introverted girl does enjoy from time to time). Please continue to pray for our students and staff. You can particularly pray for us in the resource department as we work to figure out the best methods for reaching our students. There are a couple of students whose disabilities are causing them to be quite a bit below gradelevel. One of my goals for this year is to get an Individualized Education Plan in place for them that will be a help to teachers and families alike. Please pray for wisdom and strength in this endeavor...as this isn't an aspect of Special Education that I have enjoyed in the past...although it does appear to be a necessary one at this time!

God has been reminding me quite a bit over the past week that He is in charge and that this, all of this, all of what I'm doing here...is not about me, but about Him! Sometimes His reminder has been in small ways...such as when I didn't feel well prepared for a couple of different classes or Bible studies last week and God worked through me anyway, giving me the exact words to say and often the appropriate skills/materials needed. Other times God has just taken my breath away in amazement...for example...there were 10 of us at the girls' meeting on Saturday night at my house (with the girls from the youth group at church) and two regular attenders weren't even there!!! However, that's not the only amazing part of that situation...as three of us were in fact missionaries...the REALLY amazing part is the way the girls have gotten so excited about these meetings that they are even anxious to tell/invite others! Three of the girls who came on Saturday night were first timers! I think we've had about 6 visitors in the last couple of months and at least a couple who attend regularly right now aren't even Christians! I love the excitement and interest that God has placed on the hearts of these young women!!! It's super exciting! May I continue to remember that it's not about me as God continues to use me and my home in discipling and pointing these young ladies to Him!

I guess my only other news for this week is that my roommate Chelsea and I are hoping to move sometime next week. While we have been waiting for a house owned by another missionboard to be available, we have been living in an apartment at the SAM guesthouse. Although there are many perks to living in the guesthouse...I'm anxious to get settled into one house that I can call my own...rather than to have all of my things stored in about 5 different places!!! Praise the Lord for providing this house for us that we can afford...with GREAT landlords, some added furnishings, a location not far from school, friends nearby, etc. However, we covet your prayers for us as well while we prepare to make this transition.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support of this ministry to which God has called me! I feel so blessed to be used by Him in this way and so very thankful this week to be able to see a bit of the fruit from that labor.

(Side note...I almost forgot my very exciting news...I bought my plane tickets in order to go home for Christmas...I arrive at night on December 15 and leave in the morning on January 2...Praise God for the extra time I'll be able to spend at home!!!)

August 31, 2009

2009-08-31T07:20:00.000-07:00

Greetings from sunny...and VERY windy...Santa Cruz! I apologize that I haven't had a chance to up-date my blog in several weeks...it's amazing how busy the beginning of the school year is. As promised, I finally got around to getting some of the pictures of the Beni trip into a shutterfly album online, a link is posted below so that you can check those out when you have some time. There are also a few pictures at the end of the album of various activities during the month of August.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbNnDNm5btmRD

For the last week and a half the school was required to cancel classes due to the spreading of the Swine Flu in the city. There have not been any reported cases at the Learning Center or in the missionary community that I am aware of...however, it was a city wide decision to cancel classes in all schools due to the spreading of this disease. Please pray that the warmer and more humid weather we're experiencing now will decrease the transmission of these germs so that the school year will not be affected anymore!

While there were no classes, we did have several teacher meetings and decide to go ahead and hold our teacher retreat a week earlier than originally planned. We left on Friday morning and went to Los Cedros (a resort about a half an hour away) and then returned Saturday afternoon. All in all it was a wonderfully relaxing time of fellowship! There are a couple of pictures posted below of Chelsea and me enjoying ourselves on this retreat!

We thoroughly enjoyed the time we had together on the retreat (mostly relaxing by the pool) and the time spent fellowshipping with other teachers!

While I was on the teacher retreat here in Santa Cruz...my family was enjoying each other's company in Graham, NC as they surprised my sister with a celebration for her 30th birthday, which is actually September 1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY!!! It was a fun surprise for her! This is about all I was able to get in on the action...(pictured with me are Leann Vernon, friend of the family...and Rick Nye, my brother-in-law, Janet's husband)...

Although I was sad to not be able to actually be with them for the festivities...I was extremely thankful once again for skype and other such communication helps! I was also encouraged knowing that I hope to be home for Christmas again this year...Lord willing...there are of course still several details to be worked out! So, for those of you in the Franklin, VA area...hope to see you soon! Thank you once again for your faithful prayers and interest in the work God is doing here in Santa Cruz! I appreciate your support and care more than you can imagine! Blessings to each one of you!

I Am Back in Santa Cruz!!!

2009-07-27T18:29:00.000-07:00

Hello there...I just wanted to write a quick up-date to let you know that once again I'm back into the world of internet and phone service!!! It is good to be home once again after living on a boat with 31 people...sleeping in a hammock...being eaten alive by mosquitoes...eating piranhas (best to eat them before they eat you, so we were told)...etc. However, I don't want to mislead you...I thoroughly enjoyed this experience...and would quickly agree to do it again! I was in charge of the children's ministry. I worked with a few of the youth who went with us to plan evangelistic activities for the kids...and then while they waited their turn to see the doctors in our travelling clinic...I just played with them...showing them God's love! It was great! God used me to present the gospel to close to 200 children...some of them had heard the gospel and accepted Christ in their life previously, but many had not. What a joy it was to share this good news for the first time to many children...even more exciting to be able to pray with quite a few of them so that they too could accept Christ in their lives!

Well...I need to get off the internet for now and get home...but I wanted to get a few pictures and information on here for you to see! I'll be sure to get some more pictures onto the internet and send out the link...there is so much more to share with you!!! Thanks so much for your prayers! They were definitely felt and appreciated!!!

July 22, 2009

2009-07-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

Greetings... this is Laura's mother writing to thank all of you who prayed for Laura while she was on her trip up the river in the Beni.

We were in touch with her last night and she had reached Guayaramerin safely by boat. There were thirty people traveling by river together. She said there were twenty people from Santa Cruz and about ten from Guayaramerin who brought the boat down to San Joaquin where they joined them. The team worked well together and her biggest complaint was that she was eaten alive by chiggers, mosquitoes and who knows what in spite of bug spray, long sleeves, pants and mosquito netting.

They were able to minister to several villages where there is no church and hold children's meetings as well as offer medical aid. She was very encouraged by the response and her opportunity to serve the Lord. I am sure she will regale you with stories when she is settled again.

Today they will be flying from Guayaramerin to Trinidad (city). From Trinidad they will be on a ten hour bus ride overnight to Santa Cruz, arriving in the morning on Thursday, July 23. Please pray for the safety of the team and for the lives they touched while on this trip.

Sincerely, Grace Boyce

July 8, 2009

2009-07-08T10:25:00.000-07:00

Greetings once again from beautiful Santa Cruz!!! I have to admit the weather has been gorgeous the past several days!!! I love it!!! In the 80s every day, cooling down in the evening...sun, light breeze...wonderful!

As you may remember I wrote a quick up-date which my mom attached last week telling you a bit about the English Vacation Bible School that I was a part of as well as the conference for World Gospel Mission missionaries in Bolivia...in order to teach their kids while the parents were in meetings. You should be able to click on the link below...if not, just copy and paste it into your browser in order to see pictures of those two events. Once the shutterfly window opens, you can click "view pictures", and then "play slideshow".

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbNnDNm5btmQ0

I am very thankful for the opportunity to participate in both of these activities! It was a joy to serve the Lord by teaching His children. We had a couple of small accidents at the WGM conference. One of the younger boys bumped his head during a game we were playing...it bled a LOT...but praise the Lord he didn't need stitches. We also had several who got sick with some sort of flu bug...they passed it from one to the other (nausea, vomiting, etc.)...ending with me on Friday night after I got back...but fortunately it was a quick "bug", came and went in about 24 hours! The most exciting thing for me to see was that the kids were actually learning...in both events!!! That of course is the goal and a joy to be able to witness.

Now, I'm back in the city...briefly! This week, I'm frantically trying to get all of my things moved into the apartment behind Virginia's house (as she is due to come back in a couple of weeks...Lord willing...she's still waiting for Him to provide a bit more of her support)...as well as fix things that broke during this year that the house/truck has been in my care...and get ready to go on my next big adventure (I leave early Monday morning)! As you can imagine, I'm certainly feeling the stress of trying to get all of these things done...my body feels the stress as well (headaches and backaches daily, not sleeping well, etc.) Please pray that God will give me the strength I need to get all of these things wrapped up...it will make my next adventure much more relaxing!

So...what is the NEXT ADVENTURE? Each year there is a group (of missionaries and nationals) who plan an evangelistic/medical/exploratory trip to the Bolivian department called the Beni. The Beni is basically jungle and rivers with small towns scattered throughout. This group (led by Enoel Suarez a Bolivian who is a Plymouth Brethren missionary and Toni/Placido Mercado doctors with SAM) takes trips up and down the river stopping at various towns to offer medical relief as well as to spread the gospel to adults and children alike. Each year, they try to plan a different route in order to explore unreached areas. Enoel's desire is that these trips will allow Bolivian Christians to become exposed to this unreached area and possibly sense God's calling to full-time ministry in these areas. This year there are 18 people going, adults and youth. I have been asked to go along and lead the children's ministry team, playing games, singing songs, sharing the gospel with the children in each town where we stop. We will be gone about 12 days total (including travel to the river where we get on the boat)...sleeping in hammocks on the boat...eating lots of fish and fruit (and maybe a little crocodile or other such river creatures). I expect this to be a stretching experience for me, but also a time of spiritual renewal. Others who have gone in past years say the best part of the trip is floating down the river on the boat knowing that nothing can be done about what you've left behind; so you might as well just read a bit and enjoy some quality time with your Savior! I'm looking forward to that!!! I'm also excited about getting know a new area of Bolivia to which I've never been exposed! WOW! Attached below you will see a map outlining the route that we'll be taking! I will be flying from Santa Cruz to Trinidad, then on to San Joaquin. From there I travel by road to the river. Follow the red line on the river to our final destination, Guayaramerin, before flying back. Please pray for safety, health...as well as the spiritual renewal for each of us as team members/our unity as a team. Pray also for those to whom we'll be ministering...that they will come to a saving understanding of Christ.

One other things I ALMOST forgot to mention...since Virginia is on her way back to Bolivia...I am not only looking for a new place to live (as I think I've mentioned before)...but I also will be without a vehicle! As this is a large city and there is public transportation...it isn't a necessity in life...however, in this culture, it certainly makes life easier! So, thankfully, God has provided the needed funding as well as basically placed a vehicle in my lap for me to buy! Another missionary family, who is leaving the field, was selling their Honda Crv...after getting permission from the mission and such...we finally have been able to get the business taken care of and I will be the proud new owner as of Friday when we sign the papers! I'm super excited! Since, I'll be in the Beni...they're going to keep driving it until they move back to the states on the 20th...but it will be here waiting for me when I return!!! Thank you for your generous support that has helped to make this possibility...myself and the many Bolivians for whom I act as a taxi service...thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!

Thank you once again as well for your prayers!!! I'll be sure to send an email or an up-date when I get back to the city...as obviously, I will not have email/internet/phone service while I'm floating down the river! Blessings to you all!

June 30, 2009

2009-06-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

Well, better late than never! Sorry I didn't get around to up-dating my blog last week! I was helping to coordinate and teach a Vacation Bible School at the English speaking church so I stayed quite busy. Needless to say that, plus several other things that I had going on during the week, definitely kept me on my toes! We averaged about 70 children each day plus over 20 workers! We had GREAT material to use this year! The kids loved it (and so did the rest of us)...talking about God's power! There were hands-on Bible lessons for us to use and experiments for the kids to participate in! It was great! Several kids and parents talked about how much they enjoyed the VBS in general...but especially the Bible lessons! That's encouraging to hear!I have some pictures that I had hoped to get into my blog...but it will have to wait until next week!

This week I have accompanied World Gospel Mission at a resort just out of the city in order to teach their children while the parents are in meetings each morning and evening. The lack of pictures at this time is due to the poor Internet connection. It is SUPER slow...basically dial-up speed...this up-date is being sent to my mom in an email so that she can load it onto my blog page!

There are 10 kids...ages 3, 4, 5, 7,8, 9, and 12. The first night they were so hyper and excited that I was afraid it was going to be a REALLY long week! Fortunately, they settled down some this morning and things went really well, thanks to some VBS material that my parents' church in Suffolk gave us. We're studying the life of Joseph and different ways that God is with us such as when we're in trouble; in the gifts He gives us and how He uses those gifts, etc. Please be praying for this week...I'm tired after last week...and find it a bit of a challenge to get up the energy that I need to plan well and to be excited while we're together, particularly with such a diverse age group, pray for strength! Also, pray for the kids...that they will be attentive and open to the lessons God has in store for them! Thank you so much for your prayers!! Stay tuned next week for pictures and more details on these events!!!! Blessings to you all!

June 16, 2009

2009-06-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

I sat down this morning to up-date my blog and realized that I'm not sure what to share with you this morning. I certainly feel like I've been staying busy...of course most of it has been through spending time with people. Occasionally people, mostly youth from church, come over for lunch. Yesterday, two of the girls from my Saturday Bible study came over for lunch. One of them was coming from her classes at the university so she brought a friend with her. What a great opportunity and joy it is to be able to use my home not only as a way to reach out, encourage, and disciple believers...but also as a means of sharing the gospel!

Thank you for praying for the short meditation that I was going to be giving to a group of ladies on Saturday afternoon...as it turned out, the leader called on Friday afternoon and asked to postpone it for this week...so please continue to pray for that!

There are also a couple of upcoming events that I'd like to share with you so that you can be praying for those things as well...

1. Next week, SAM's children's ministry team will be hosting a Vacation Bible School for the English speaking community at Trinity International Church (a church near my school). I will be teaching the 3rd-4th grade class and I am also in charge of organizing the Bible classroom (getting supplies together, answering questions for the Bible teachers, passing out materials, etc.). There is still much to be done before Monday, so we would appreciate your prayers...not only for us...but also for the students who will be attending, that God will speak to their hearts and make Himself real to them.

2. In two weeks, I will be accompanying World Gospel Mission to a local resort (Rio Selva) in order to teach their children while the parents are in meetings each morning and evening. It looks like I will have about 11 children...ages 4-10. I know many of the kids as they are students at my school so I'm looking forward to this time with them. Thanks to my parents' church, Westminster Reformed Presbyterian in Suffolk, VA for donating some materials that I could use for this event. We'll be doing a study on Joseph! I am excited about this conference...but I still have a great deal of planning to do!

3. Little by little, I'm starting to move my things to the apartment at the back of Virginia's house (the house where I'm living now). Virginia has told me that she doesn't mind if I stay there until I find another place to live...or the whole school year if I want! I am very appreciative of her hospitality! It is a pretty small apartment, with no stove...so I don't plan to be there all year, but we'll see. For the time being, I'm hoping to get it set up and get moved in there before she returns in the middle of July!

Well, that pretty much explains what I'm up to these days! Thank you so much for your continued prayers! I can definitely feel them right now! This is typically a difficult time for me with so many people coming and going, as I mentioned before, but I haven't felt the struggle like I typically do! So, thank you for praying!

2009-06-09T15:46:00.000-07:00

Hello there once again! Sorry I'm a bit late in updating my blog this week, the last couple of days have been busier than I expected! The picture above was taken on Sunday afternoon. The girl in the middle is my friend Esther, from church, a college student who works in an orphanage. She lives there at the home and takes care of this group of active boys!!! On her days off, she frequently comes to study at my house, spend the night, hang out, etc. On Sunday afternoon, I invited her to bring the boys over for a couple of hours, which I have done a couple of times before. I had popcorn and soda for them and they sat (most of the time) and watched a movie, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, which my sister recently sent me for my birthday! Also in the picture on the far right, is my friend Raul from church...he just happened to be here because he needed help with something on the computer! Anyway, it was a lot of fun! I enjoy getting to know the boys better...and I love being able to support her in her work/ministry there at the home! On Saturday I'm going to go hang out over there for a bit to make cookies with them!!!!

One thing I failed to mention in my up-date last week was our Mother's Day event at church to honor the mothers in our congregation! The youth and men were in charge of the activity...fortunately, the cold didn't deter us too much!!! The theme was "Typical Santa Cruz" so all of the refreshments and decorations had to do with that motif. One of the things that was MOST exciting for me...was that quite a few visitors came. On Monday nights, some of the people in our church host a small group...it is held in their home which is in a neighborhood across the main road from the church. They have a great attendance in this small group, most of whom do not attend a church regularly and some who are not Christians. Yet, several of them have begun to come to special events held in our church and we have seen a great deal of Spiritual growth there. I met one lady on Sunday night who said that she would like to continue to come more regularly to our church...that it was through that small group that she felt the need/desire to deepen her relationship with the Lord. Praise Him for the work that is happening there. Many if not all of the mothers from that group came to this Mother's Day celebration! It was exciting to see!!! The pictures below are of the celebration...the first picture of the table where the mother's sat, was taken early on in the evening...soon after, these chairs were all filled! I'm not sure I've seen us have such a good turn out before! God is really moving and blessing this church! What an answer to prayer, as I was asking you to pray only a few months ago since people had really seemed to be dwindling away! Thank you so much for your prayers! Here is the fruit of your labor!!! Please continue to pray, as there is still much "work" to be done!

Before I wrap up this entry...I wanted to ask you to pray as well for me on Saturday afternoon as I have been asked to share a short devotional/meditation in a women's Bible study. One of the women in my church (again, more fruit...) has begun to hold a small group in her home for friends of hers from the place where she used to work as well as other neighbors. Many of the women who have begun to come are nonChristians or nonchurch-going members. I'm excited by her desire to share the gospel and by the opportunity to share in the work that God is doing among them! Last week there were 11 ladies total!!! Not bad for the first meeting! We would appreciate your prayers on this!! Well...I guess that's it for now! May God be praised for all that He continues to do here in Santa Cruz!!!

June 1, 2008

2009-06-01T07:41:00.000-07:00

Well....I'm sitting here, in my fuzzy slippers, flannel pajama bottoms, two long-sleeve shirts, still feeling cold, and thinking of warmer days in Santa Cruz! For almost a week now we've had temperatures down around 50 and rain! In this city, it makes for a bad combination! The streets are nasty, the buses and taxis are full, and everyone just feels COLD...damp and cold is the worst! I know, you may be thinking, "it's only 50...and it is winter for you there"...but when there's no heat in the house (or in any building for that matter) and no insulation so that the cement walls just hold in the cold and moisture...it feels REALLY COLD! I'm still waiting for my body to thaw out a bit! Fortunately, I woke up this morning and looked outside at blue skies with the sun shining brightly, and knew it was going to be a good day!!! It's amazing what a little sunshine will do! The temperature is already a little more than 10 degrees warmer than it has been for several days...and it's not even 11:00!!!

I have been told that another "south wind" (which is what brings us the cold) will be blowing in again in a few more days...but hopefully it will give us a chance to thaw out and warm up my house a bit first!

I don't have a lot to report from last week...due to the weather and the fact that my truck hasn't been working...I spent the better part of the week either finishing up things in my classroom at school or working on stuff at the house. I have plenty to do at the house right now, since these are the things that tend to get put on the back burner until I make myself sit down and do them!!! One of the difficulties about being in "vacation mode" is that it makes it really hard to continue "working". Since, school is only part of my ministry here...I still have plenty of other responsibilities, not to mention, I should start working on packing up my things here in the house so that I'll be ready to move out when Virginia returns to Bolivia. Please pray that God will give me the strength and discipline that I need to get things accomplished!

Today, I'm having lunch with my friend Sandra and running a few errands, then I'll be back to take care of more paperwork this afternoon and to plan for my CIET English Class tonight! Praise the Lord that it's a sunny day, as it will make this running around a LOT easier!!! Hugs to all and thank you for your continued prayers! I'll be sending a paper version of a prayer letter out soon, so you can be watching the mail for that!

May 26, 2009

2009-05-26T05:25:00.000-07:00

Well...I can now say that I have officially completed my tenth year of teaching!!! It sounds like a BIG deal to me!! Deserves a celebration! The last week of school went well...as with the closing programs and graduation! I realized that one of the families that I know fairly well (I have taught 2 of their four children...one in 5th grade and the other in a Reading group that I taught this year) is returning to Canada permanently. I knew they were going to be traveling, but it hadn't registered to me that they wouldn't be returning. As I watched them in the closing program and saw pictures of them in the slide show, it made me sad. I have LOVED teaching both of those kids...these are the sorts of good-byes that are always difficult! It's hard to see kids, with whom I have really bonded, leave the field! I will miss having them at school!

Last Saturday was the Ayore camp (overnight) that I mentioned in my last blog up-date. Thank you for your prayers for this event. All in all, things went really well I believe. The kids behaved better than I expected and really seemed to be learning, which was exciting to see! I didn't stay the whole time...I came home on Friday night in order to finish getting the crafts together for Saturday, then on Saturday I only stayed until about noon as I had several other responsibilities at church for the rest of the afternoon and graduation in the evening! It made for an extremely busy weekend for me! However, I'm thankful for several people who pitched in to help me with various things...my friend Isabel stayed up until 1:30 AM with me on Friday night finishing up craft stuff...there were others from my church who helped clean up the church after the children's club on Saturday (which was my responsibility, but as the other person in my group couldn't be there...I was left to handle it on my own). I was extremely thankful for their help! There are a few pictures below of the Ayore camp for you to see. (The first one is a picture of me with two of the Ayore boys after we had finished making flowers out of crepe paper, talking about God as Creator...the second is of an Ayore girl on the left with Emily Mercado whose mother and father are SAM missionaries who run a clinic for the Ayore and minister to their physical as well as Spiritual needs...the final picture is of several of the Ayore kids with some of our helpers, my friend Isabel is standing on the right in a purple shirt.)

This week I'm finishing up a few things in my classroom, getting my grades in, etc. I'm also trying to rest a bit after my busy weekend and to get caught up on a few things around the house which have been abandoned over the last few weeks. I do have a couple of specific prayer requests, partially for me and partially for others. I know several missionaries that have to return to the states right now primarily for financial reasons, not enough support, and others who are currently in the states trying to raise more support. It is often an eye-opener for me to hear other people's stories...knowing that thanks to all of you, I'm able to continue ministering here in Bolivia and am not being asked to return to the states in search of more support. I know I don't express it often enough...but I am TRULY grateful! Please pray for these friends of mine, that God will provide the financial support that they need as many of them have left behind large gaps...not to mention we will be missing several teachers in the next school year if their support doesn't come in. Also, we are still in need of a Kindergarten, third grade, and fourth grade teacher...if you know of anyone who may be interested in serving the Lord in this way for a year or more, please let me know and I will gladly pass along the information/process! Finally, as you know, I have been renting a fellow SAM missionary's home for this year...assuming that God provides the financial support that she is currently lacking, she will be returning to Bolivia in July...which means, I will need a new place to live. I'm specifically praying for a townhouse or an apartment in an area where I can: 1. feel safe living on my own or with one other person, 2. continue to have my girlfriends from church over to spend the night or visit me in my home, and 3. have a place that I can really decorate, make it my own, feel like I'm home! These are the things that I would really like at the moment. I'm praying that God will either provide such a place or change my heart and show me more of what He has in store for me!

Before I forget...this Wednesday is Mother's Day in Bolivia...unlike the states, Mother's Day here is always on May 27th. So...HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of the mom's reading my blog up-date!!! Hugs to you all!

Last Week of School!!!

2009-05-18T05:50:00.000-07:00

Hip, hip, hooray...hip, hip, hooray...hip, hip, hooray!!!! Sometimes I think the teachers are more excited by the end of the school year than the students are...which is hard to imagine, I know!!! Tomorrow will be the last full day of classes, the elementary students will finish the year with a closing program on Wednesday, the jr high/high school students will have exams through the end of the week and then will finish with their closing program on Friday afternoon! Saturday night is graduation!!!! In the past the school has typically had graduation on Friday night...so I'm a little disappointed that they decided to move it to Saturday night this year...since it means I have a conflict with my girls from the youth group. Fortunately the girls are flexible and if I offer lunch at my house on Sunday...instead of a meeting on Saturday night...they're usually willing to oblige! I appreciate their flexibility!

I continue to LOVE working with the girls from church. Over the weekend I had company as two of the girls spent the night on Friday night and then another girl spent the night on Saturday night. I'll admit after long days...and then staying up until late watching movies and hanging out with them...I'm paying for it today! However, I loved having the here! I also love that they continue to open up more and more, allowing me to share in their lives! It's been GREAT!

On Saturday, I agreed to help out at a mission's conference at another church (where several other SAM missionaries attend). They needed someone to dress up as if from India and share with the children. Due to typical Bolivian schedule...I think the program started about an hour and a half later than they said it would...so I spent a lot of time sitting and waiting...but all in all, it was lots of fun! Hopefully, the children learned something about serving the Lord in another country as well as a bit about the country of India! Afterwards, the mission's committee took the two guest speakers out for lunch...paid in pizza, it was WONDERFUL! There are a couple of pictures posted below for you to see...

As for this week...I will be finishing up the school year and try to get my room packed up a bit so that I won't have to go in very often next week! Tonight we also start the new trimester in CIET...I have been on vacation for the last couple of weeks, but now it's time to get started with a new group of students. I believe there are a couple interested in English 2 this trimester as well...so I should have two classes on Monday nights. Also, one of my Bolivian friends, Sandra Jaldin, who works with SAM's Ayore ministry (a ministry designed to meet the medical as well as the Spiritual needs of an Indigenous group of people, the Ayore) is having an overnight "camp" or Spiritual retreat for 12 Ayore kids at the home of Bill and Bev Smith (other SAM missionaries) and has asked me to help her with that. I will be helping with the crafts as well as other aspects of the retreat...the themes are: God as creator, God's holiness, God's omnipresence, and God's love. We would appreciate your prayers for this event...I think it starts Friday evening (not sure what time) and goes through most of the day on Saturday (although I will only be able to help until about 2 or 3 as I have a commitment with the children's ministry at my church on that day). Thank you so much for your interest in the ministry here in Santa Cruz and for your continued prayers as well as praises for all that God is currently doing!

May 11, 2009

2009-05-11T05:53:00.001-07:00

Here we are...nearing the end of the school year! It's really quite amazing! I was just commenting to my parents that this time last year I was finishing up my last week of furlough before returning to the field...a lot has certainly happened in a year!

There are only two weeks of school left for us here at the Learning Center. This is the last full week of classes and then next week we will be busy with final exams, closing programs, and graduation! Due to the fact that my classroom is so small...I won't have a lot to do to pack up my room for the vacation...however, I do hope to sit down with Nikki Elliott (my co-worker in the resource department) and do a bit of planning/organizing the program for next year.

I have mentioned several times that you could be praying for the youth group at my church...our division of classes for guys and girls so that we could talk about a few topics which are more gender specific. After three weeks of being separated for classes...we came together last Saturday for our first "social"! Everyone got all dolled up...we decorated the church ( I even bought some real flowers for the occasion), played games, sang songs, had a short devotional together, shared refreshments, etc. It was LOTS of fun! The best part for me was that many of the girls came...even one of the girls who isn't a member of our church but has been coming with her friend! Another one of the girls also brought her boyfriend whose relationship/devotion to the Lord is questionable. She talked with me about him a week or so ago and we were praying that he would come on Saturday night...as he has tried several times to discourage her from going. Praise the Lord for the work He is doing in this young man's life!

One of the things that has been encouraging for me recently concerning the group of girls from church, is that they have begun to open up and share more openly with me about the things on their hearts and minds. Even some of their parents have begun to talk to me about concerns they have for their girls. What a blessing! Not to mention a couple of the girls have begun to bring their boyfriends (some of whom aren't Christians) around a bit, such as the girl who invited her boyfriend to come on Saturday night and then another brought her boyfriend with her on Sunday morning. I feel that God is really beginning to work in their lives, guiding them and teaching them to put into practice the things that we are studying!

I'm feeling very encouraged by the many ways God is using me both at school and through this ministry with the girls! May God continue to grant me the wisdom to guide them in a way that is pleasing to Him, and to advise them using His Biblical truths. Thank you so much for your continued prayers for me as well as for these young women. Thank you too for praying for the end of our school year...as the students/teachers need the strength to finish well!

2009-05-04T05:42:00.000-07:00

In my up-date last week...I mentioned a conference that SAM's children's ministry team was presenting on Saturday. The title of the conference was "Mujercitas" (Young Women) and primarily addressed the issue of dressing modestly as well as other things including learning about the differences between men and women, choosing friendships wisely, and allowing each one to look at her own heart and evaluate her relationship with the Lord.

All in all the conference went really well! We did the conference with two different groups of girls, one group in the morning and one in the afternoon...about 60 or 70 came for the morning group and 40 or 50 in the afternoon. We got off to a bit of a rocky start in the morning...my mom referred to it as the dress rehearsal and that was what it felt like! However, the afternoon went much smoother. Thank you for praying specifically for my talk...I felt prepared and for the most part the words seemed to flow quite nicely. I even had one of the Bolivian women who is in our mission tell me that my Spanish has really improved! That was encouraging for me to hear. In the afternoon I was also asked to basically give an altar call. A couple of the teachers had presented the gospel in their talks, but we hadn't taken time yet for the girls to pray and accept Christ if they wished to do so. Several (I think about 10) indicated that they had never accepted Christ as the Lord of their lives so we took a few minutes to pray with them. The hard part in a conference like this is that we had so many groups from orphanages and churches...that truly doing follow-up with these girls is next to impossible. However, God knows exactly who they are and we can trust that He will meet them there and provide people in their lives to guide and direct them in their walk with Him. Please continue to pray for them. Please pray also for the girls overall...that this conference will have an impact on the way they present themselves as well as their interactions with others.

Fortunately, this week is a bit slower for me! I'm looking forward to getting caught up on some emails and other paperwork that I got behind in last week! We only have about 3 weeks of school left!!! That's incredible!!! Thank you so much for your continued prayers! Blessings to you all!

April 27, 2009

2009-04-27T13:28:00.000-07:00

I was just commenting to my mom that I needed to sit down and up-date my blog for this week...but with the swirling around of things in my head that I have to do this week, mixed with the number of things that I wanted to tell you about from this past week...I must say...it makes getting any of it out of my mind and into my blog a bit difficult, but I'll do my best!

One of the issues that is currently being addressed at school has to do with the interaction between Bolivian and North American staff members. Not that there is blatant racism that happens between those two groups, but basically there just isn't much interaction. So, in an effort to change that...the school has begun promoting several social activities as well as workshops in order to encourage more integration. One such activity was last Friday night, in celebration of Labor Day (which is May 1). There was a special program (hosted by yours truly along with a Bolivian teacher), games, pinatas, food, fellowship, etc. You will notice in the link below that I have several pictures of the event. To add to the integration...my coworker and I dressed up for the occasion...I dressed in a costume typical for Santa Cruz...and he was dressed in a black tuxedo with a red bowtie and a blue/silver tophat (with stars). It was lots of fun!

Saturday night was the Jr./Sr. Banquet at school...replaces the high school prom...always a huge event and wasn't any less this year. I wore the dress that I bought for Janet's wedding a couple of years ago...this dress has truly served me well! In the snapfish link below you will also see pictures from this special event!

Due to the fact that I was going to the banquet on Saturday night, we moved our "girls' meeting" with the girls in the youth group at church to Sunday lunch! After the morning service, all of us piled into my truck and went to my house...for lunch and the lesson. While I was teaching the lesson on how God has made each of us different and what kinds of things in our lives affect our uniqueness...a couple of the older girls helped me out in the kitchen making noodles and heating spaghetti sauce. After the lesson, we enjoyed a time of fellowship while eating lunch together. This week there were 8 of us total...however, only 4 of us have been there for both meetings...so that shows you that we had quite a different group. I have a feeling that is how each week may be...a slightly different mix of the group. Basically all of the girls have now come to one meeting, so we'll see how this Saturday goes! One of the things that has been most exciting for me is that God is allowing me to become more involved in the lives of several of the girls in my church. With these sessions, it is mostly the younger girls...teenagers/early college students. However, there are also a few single women who are in their upper 20's and have begun to help me as well. Now, God is opening doors for me to meet regularly with them and for us to begin strengthening our friendship as well! It has been such a blessing for me!

Speaking of Saturday...SAM's children's ministry team has been trying for quite some time to offer a modesty conference for girls, ages 12-18. Every time, for some reason or another, it has had to be postponed. Once again we have it planned for this Saturday...and it appears like it will actually be happening! This is something that is desperately needed, particularly in this culture where advertisements everywhere teach otherwise! We have been inviting girls from orphanages, schools, the Learning Center (where I teach), churches with whom SAM works as well as other churches, etc. The conference will be offered once in the morning (8-12) and repeated to a different group of girls in the afternoon (2-6) on Saturday...with a lunch break for the workers in between. I have been asked to teach the first lesson entitled "Como esta tu corazon?" (How is your heart?)...talking about the importance of modesty and how our outward appearance reflects what is in our heart. Please pray for this conference, the many people involved in teaching and coordinating the event (some of them are coming to training sessions that we are offering for them this week on Monday and Tuesday evenings), and the girls who will be attending.

Well...I think that about wraps up this week! As you can see...it is proving to be quite a busy one! Thank you so much for your continued prayers for the school/staff relationships, the girls/women at church, and the modesty conference! God is definitely working in Santa Cruz and it's exciting to see! Here is the link, as promised, for the pictures I mentioned earlier! There are also a few pictures of the games we played at a baby shower we had last week for one of SAM's Bolivian workers(I think you'll know which pictures those are)! Enjoy!

http://www2.snapfish.com/share/p=136271240862666758/l=957303008/g=31174248/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

Birthday Celebrations!!!

2009-04-20T19:17:00.001-07:00

Greetings once again from Santa Cruz! I don't have a lot of time to write this morning as we are doing achievement testing at school and I am responsible for providing modifications for students. That part isn't so hard, but my room is also being used by the other resource teacher who has a larger group of kids so that means that I don't get as much computer time while I'm here! However, I just wanted to touch base on a couple of things. First of all, thank you to all of you who sent birthday wishes and greetings! For those of you who didn't know, Saturday was my 33rd birthday! A couple of people commented that I was now ready for my ministry to begin...following in Christ's footsteps! Lidia, my friend, started my day off right by bringing me breakfast at the house...it was a wonderful surprise!!! After that, there is a girl from school, Veronica Apodaca (pictured above) whose birthday was also on Saturday so her parents invited me to her party. That was a lot of fun as well...although I don't know that I've ever been to a birthday party for someone else on my special day! Then, I went to visit my friend Avelina, who had prepared a special lunch for me (which I ate at about 4:00)...after that there was a women's Bible study at church (and more eating since they brought food for my birthday)...then in the evening we had our first divided youth group meeting. I have been asking you to pray for that time, for awhile. We started this past weekend so that I could begin with a party for me...I decorated my house, made a cake, and had pizza for them to eat!

They tried to get me to bite the cake...as is the custom here...which then means that someone will push the cake in your face so that you end up wearing about half of it! Fortunately, I was quick about it and they were kind to me...so it was only a small bite out of the cake!

Praise the Lord, things went SUPER well! We had a great group of girls...two people even brough friends so we had a couple of newcomers! I am so thankful for this group! Please continue to pray that they will desire to come and grow in their relationship with the Lord. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure that one of the girls who came is not a Christian so this is a great opportunity of witness as well! Due to the fact that I have a school event on Saturday night, we decided that our next meeting will be Sunday for lunch! In addition, there also appear now to be more older girls than there were before (upper 20s...and me) so we have begun talking about doing more things together. I think that could really be a great time of support and growth as well! This new ministry is exciting for me!

The celebrations, however, didn't stop on Saturday night...on Sunday afternoon, a couple of friends from SAM invited me out for cake and ice cream. We went to a local cafe, which has the most delicious chocolate mousse ever...and there awaiting us were ALL of the SAM ladies, with gifts in hand! It was a very special time and caught me quite by surprise! I didn't even have my camera with me...so I'm still waiting for someone to send me the pictures before I can pass them along to you.

Thank you so much for your support of this ministry! Well...I need to give up my room for testing now! Blessings to you all!

April 14, 2009

2009-04-14T06:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry for writing this up-date a bit late this week! I had hoped to get it written yesterday...but the day turned out to be more busy than I had expected! As I told you in my last up-date...I have been busy this week with the Elementary Spiritual Emphasis Week and my Easter vacation travels! I have a few highlights to share with you about each!

Elementary Spiritual Emphasis Week...
Thank you to all of you who were praying for this time! I ended the three days absolutely exhausted...however, Praise the Lord for the many ways that He spoke through me! The children were attentive and appeared to really be taking to heart the things that they were learning, which was encouraging to me! There were also 5 children who made decisions to accept the Lord as their Savior during this time! I praise Him for allowing me to be a part of this special point in their lives! Please continue to pray that their walk with Him will grow stronger each day!

Easter Vacation...
On Friday afternoon, I left with two other SAM singles...Katie Wells and Dana Wilson, to go to a resort only about a half an hour outside of the city. The name of the resort is Las Lagunas...due to the lake that runs along the backside of the property. There was also a pool and plenty of areas to sit and relax! Part of the time we spent individually enjoying a refreshing time for a Spiritual Retreat, other times we hung out together (watching movies, lounging by the pool, or just talking), and on Sunday morning...we woke up at the crack of dawn to have our own little Sunrise Service! We returned to the city on Sunday afternoon...about 4:00. All in all, it was a wonderfully refreshing time...rich with Spiritual renewal as well. I can only speak for myself, but there were several things that God spoke to me about in my time alone with Him! Praise the Lord for this time away from the hectic city life!

As promised...I have a link for a few pictures from these two events. If you would like to look at them, just cut and paste this link into your browser...or you may be able to click on the link and have it take you directly to the photo album (http://www2.snapfish.com/share/p=671141239766274848/l=655970008/g=31174248/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB). Thank you so much, once again, for your prayers over the past week! They were definitely felt!

Happy Easter Everyone!!!

2009-04-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

I'm afraid this will be a rather short post! I'm tired, it has been a long and busy day, and tomorrow will start very early! So, let me quickly launch into some exciting things happening this week (hence the extra busy schedule)...then I'm heading to bed!

This week...well, the 3 day week that we have at school...is our Elementary Spiritual Emphasis Week. As the elementary chaplain, I'm in charge of this event. Basically, what it boils down to throughout these three days...is a chapel service each morning for 1st through 6th grades (from 8:45-9:15). Due to the fact that we are so close to Easter, we are using Christ's relationships with others through the time of His death and resurrection to help us in how we treat one another. Other than the chapel time each morning, I have also made arrangements to go into all elementary classes from PreKinder through 6th grade in order to do a special activity with each of the grade levels...ranging anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes. Of course, I'm still responsible for most of my typical schedule and all of these activities need lesson plans and organization...hence the very busy week! Please pray for these times with the students that this will be a Spiritually enriching time for them...that God would speak to them in a way that they haven't heard Him before. Also, that God would speak clearly through me as I'm working to overcome obstacles such as the wide age range, hyperactive children, English as a Second Language difficulties, etc.

Another exciting thing is that this weekend, two of my friends from SAM (Dana Wilson and Katie Wells) and I will be going to spend the weekend at a resort on the northside of the city. Thank you to a very generous gift, we've decided to go on Friday and return to our homes on Sunday afternoon. While there, other than simply enjoying the pool and each other's company, we also plan to have a Spiritual Retreat. Please pray that this will be a refreshing and renewing time for us...and of course that God would keep us safe while we're away!

Well...I said this would be a short post! Next week I hope to have pictures of both of these events to share with you! May you enjoy this Easter weekend, basking in the presence of the risen Savior!

March 31, 2009

2009-03-31T05:24:00.000-07:00

Well, here we are, the very end of March. April starts this week. I've always loved April...not only for the fact that it's the month of my birthday, but also because it signifies the nearing end of the school year! There's a general excitement in the air knowing that soon we'll be getting ready for a two month vacation from school! Often Easter, my favorite holiday, is also during the month of April. So, as you can see there is much to look forward to!

This past weekend was an encouraging weekend at church! Thank you for your continued prayers on our behalf. Praise God for the work He is doing in and through our little church. On Saturday night, the youth group took a trip to a nearby park in order to pass out tracts and share a time of fellowship by eating ice cream. There turned out to be 10 of us that went! Praise the Lord for that! It was the largest group we've had in a long time...the best part for me was that there were 6 females including myself! I was doing the driving so I needed to go and many times on Saturday I really prayed that I wouldn't be the only female going. It was such an answer to prayer for me! On Sunday too there was a good turnout of people, both in the morning and in the evening. All in all, I was very encouraged by that!

I also have some other news to share with you along with a prayer request. This summer, in July, the woman I am renting the house from will be returning from the states. That will mean that I will be without house or truck. There are many concerns about where I can feel safe living, as a single woman, which has caused some stress at least for me. However, the praise side of it is that it appears that God has provided a roommate!!! I'm super excited about that possibility! A friend of mine, Sandra Jaldin, is a Bolivian doctor who has worked quite extensively with SAM's Ayeore ministry. She just returned from living in the states for about a year where she was part of a program to work on her residency. Unfortunately, due to funding, the program was cancelled, and she had to return to Bolivia. She now plans to do her residency here, although she won't be able to start until next year. In the meantime she will begin working with the Ayeore ministry again as well as in some additional ministries. She is living with her family right now, as is customary for Bolivian singles, but plans to move into a house with me in July. It will be good for her, not only to allow her to keep up the English she learned while in the states, but also to allow her time to study for her residency when needed. I don't think I could have chosen a better friend to live with...fortunately, God worked that one out for me! Please pray for us as we begin looking for a house that will be in a convenient location for both of our ministries as well as in a safe neighborhood for two single women to live.

Thank you so much for your prayer not only in difficult times, but for also joining me in praising the Lord for the blessings He provides!

March 23, 2009

2009-03-23T10:50:00.000-07:00

Well...it has been a couple of weeks since my last up-date. At that time, I mentioned feeling a bit under the weather, but I thought I was on the mend...little did I know. I ended up spending the rest of that week and weekend at home, in bed...and also enjoyed a quick trip (actually about 5 hours) to the doctor where I was administered two bags of IV fluid because I was so dehydrated. Fortunately, by the time that I went to the doctor, most of the dengue virus had left my system so once I was a bit more hydrated, I was able to go home and began to feel much better.

Last week I was able to get back into much of my routine, however, I continued to take it easy as I was warned of a relapse if I jumped into too many activities too quickly. So, I tried to get the rest that my body needed while I continued to minister at the school and at church (when possible).

This past weekend proved to be a busy time for me! Thank you so much for continuing to pray for my church. God is using your prayers to strengthen us in many ways...although it is a slow process. On Saturday afternoon, my friend Marcos and I led the children's program. About 20 children came, which is considerably more than we have had for over a month. I was greatly encouraged by this attendance. Saturday night, we had a dinner and special program to honor the fathers in the church (since March 19 was Father's Day in Bolivia). Again, there was a pretty good turnout...about 30 people total...which included most of the core families and singles. It was an excellent time of much needed fellowship. After talking to the pastor and youth leaders...it looks like we're going to wait and begin dividing the youth group into two groups (guys and girls), after Easter. I think we are going to hold the first meeting on April 18. Given that that is my birthday...I'm praying that it will be a good way to start the program...since we can plan the first meeting as my birthday party and I can organize a few activities during that time. Please continue to pray for this first meeting...primarily that the girls will come and that they will come with a desire to truly learn/be a part of this group.

Well, I guess that's about it for this week! Thank you so much for your prayers concerning my health as well as my ministry here...it means so much to me to be lifted up before the Lord in this way! Blessings to each one of you!

March 9, 2009

2009-03-09T07:57:00.000-07:00

Greetings once again from sunny Santa Cruz! On Saturday, we had a city-wide cleanup day here...it was used like a paro or a strike in that no one was supposed to leave their homes unless they could walk to wherever they were going. There was no public or private transportation allowed on the roads. The purpose of the cleanup day was to get rid of unwanted trash and standing water that may be harboring mosquitoes...it's all part of the fight against the spread of dengue (the mosquito spread disease that's currently running rampant). Ironically, I started showing signs of having dengue myself on Friday night...fortunately, it appears to have been only a mild case and I am well on the mend! I spent most of Saturday and Sunday in bed or watching movies...with a fever, achiness, headache, etc. Tylenol helped with the fever and pain so I was thankful for that! I say it was only a mild case, because I never developed any of the additional signs such as upset stomach which leads to dehydration. I came to school for a couple of hours today, but I made arrangements for someone else to teach my CIET class tonight so that I could rest this afternoon/evening. One of the dangers, so I've been told, is that people start to feel better and jump back into their activities too quickly causing a relapse much worse than the initial attack! I don't want that to happen in my case, so I'm trying to be diligent about resting as much as I can!

Since I didn't go to church yesterday, I don't have much to report about that situation...please continue to pray for that congregation!

Yesterday, Kate Bove, a college student from the states came to stay with me for a couple of days so that she could see the school. She is an education major and would like to look into teaching abroad for a year or so when she graduates in May. She is here in Bolivia with a work team working outside of the city...a friend of mine who is working with the team called to see if she could come to the school for a bit with me. It is nice having her here and lots of fun to get to show her around a bit!

I guess that's all the news for this week! Thank you so much for your fervent prayers!

March 2, 2009

2009-03-02T04:25:00.000-08:00

Boy does time fly when you're having fun! It's hard to believe that we're already into March! WOW! Last night I was thinking about the information that I wanted to include in this up-date and feeling a strong need to request prayer for my church...so I decided to focus this up-date on just that. I know I've mentioned a few things from time to time, but I decided to fill you in on some specific prayer requests.

I guess the short of it is that I find it discouraging how our numbers have slacked off so drastically. At the Thursday prayer meeting there were about 5 people...at our Saturday kids club that we have each week, there were only about 10 children this past weekend (a third of what we normally have)...at the youth group meeting on Saturday night, I was the only girl and there were not more than 4 guys (this becoming a regular occurrence). It has become common for most people to come regularly on Sunday morning...but then we don't see them anymore the rest of the week...not in small groups, prayer meetings, children's ministry, youth group, etc. This was not the case before...it has become more of a problem in the last couple of months. Some people have very good reasons for not being there...health, travelling, etc. The HAuse family and Heather Mickelson continue to be in the states on home ministry assignment so their absence is felt as well. Of course, there is also the situation with the couple in the youth group who got pregnant...they're married now, but this situation has affected them and their families greatly.

It isn't just attendance that seems down...it's participation, workers, excitement, etc. All of that seems lower than it has been. I find it sad and difficult. Even for me, going to church doesn't always have the same joy that it did before...I go now more out of a sense of obligation than a desire to be there.

On Sunday morning, our pastor gave a short lecture about the importance of being active in church ministry, more than just on Sunday mornings, something that was very difficult for him to have to say...but on Sunday night we had a good size group, bigger than we've had in awhile (ironically some of them weren't even there to hear the lecture in the morning...I guess God just knew we needed the encouragement of worshipping with them again)!

My pastor and I talked several weeks ago, about dividing the youth group into two groups (guys and girls) in order to address some topics/themes which are gender specific. However, it has seemed that basically since we had that conversation, there really haven't been any girls...so we have continued to put it off...not sure what to do. This weekend one of the girls approached me and asked me when we were going to start dividing into groups...I basically told her that I didn't know since right now if we divided I'd be in a class by myself. After that we called all the girls together and had a quick talk. Some of them weren't aware of this plan to split. Others said they had friends who wanted to come, but wanted to start coming when we actually divided, etc. So, I encouraged the girls to come for the next couple of weeks...since plans have already been made for those youth group meetings, but after that on March 21, we will have our first divided meeting. There is a new woman in her upper 20s who has started coming to our church, she is also interested in coming to the youth group meetings. Her name is America, she is a psychologist and has given some talks in other churches about dating and relationships (which are some of the topics that we plan to cover), so she has agreed to work with me on planning the activities and lessons. I am encouraged by her interest in serving with me as well as looking forward to developing our friendship more.

Personally, I would also like to invest more in the lives of certain women/youth in the church, but quite honestly, that takes a large time commitment. With my responsibilities at school and CIET, I find it hard to invest the amount of time that is truly needed. Please pray, not only for our church, but also for me as I seek ways to reach out to these women...that God will not only encourage me through it, but that He will minister to them as well through me.

Last weekend's Carnaval days were wonderfully relaxing and refreshing! Praise the Lord for the renewed strength that He's given me...I'm going to need it this week with all the activities going on! Thank you so much for your support and prayers...they really mean a great deal to me!

CARNAVAL!

2009-02-23T08:32:00.000-08:00

As I write this up-date, I find myself locked in my house, trying to avoid the worldly effects of Carnaval! Typically, for this long weekend, I join my church along with other churches in going to camp or campamento as it is called here. This year, however, I decided not to go. It really wasn't a difficult decision to make initially since my church was planning to travel to a town which is about a 10 hour train ride from Santa Cruz. Due to the fact that I have to be back at school on Wednesday morning and many of them weren't returning until Tuesday night (arriving here Wednesday morning), I decided not to go. Then, they were unable to get train tickets for the whole group so they joined another church in going to a camp only a couple of hours from here. I toyed with the idea of going, but I had so many things that I had hoped to accomplish while here in my house, not to mention that after the busy week I had last week, I just really thought I could use the rest!

Carnaval in Santa Cruz...
The two biggest threats in being out and about during this time of the year are the drunks and the water balloons. I think people being drunk whether they're walking in the street or driving a car, needs no further explanation of the dangers that can occur. However, water balloons/squirt guns may seem to be an odd form of threat. Let me explain that after a couple of days of using water, it appears that people begin to get a bit bored and choose to be somewhat adventurous in the types of amunition that they are using. This means that water balloons begin to be filled with dirty water, car oil, paint, rocks, ice, etc., which obviously begins to pose a much larger threat. Therefore, most people advised that I could go about on Saturday and Sunday as I wished with some caution, but on Monday and Tuesday, I should plan to stay home. I don't need to be warned twice of such matters...so I have a stack of paperwork awaiting me, several books to read, and a pile of movies for when I need a bit of a break!

CIET board meeting...
You may remember that I asked for prayer concerning the CIET board meeting that we had last Tuesday night. Thank you so much for your prayers, I definitely felt them as God granted me the wisdom to understand some changes that the rest of the board wanted to put into place which I knew SAM wouldn't approve of at this time. He then gave me the strength to voice my concern in making that change. He also helped me to realize that in this male dominated culture, it is going to be very difficult if not impossible for two women to voice the concerns of SAM and have their concerns legitimately heard...in addition to the struggles that we have already been having. This primarily will pose a problem when we hold meetings in order to write the bylaws for CIET which have not yet been written. Therefore, I plan to talk to the SAM field leadership and request that they replace my position on the board for a MALE representative of the mission...at least for the meetings designed to write the bylaws. Please continue to pray for wisdom and strength as this is a battle not yet won.

Well, I think that's about it for this week! Not too many exciting things to share. More than anything, I would like to express my gratitude for all of your faithful support and constant prayers! It means so much to me to have your support in this way! Thank you!

February 15, 2009

2009-02-15T18:12:00.001-08:00

Happy Belated Valentine's Day to all of you! I hope you enjoyed the day celebrating with those you love! I had fun delivering a few "Valentines" this weekend, although it wasn't Valentine's Day here...it still was fun to spread a bit of joy!

As I write this up-date, it is actually Sunday night...typically I up-date my blog on Monday mornings since I don't have to go into school until late morning, however, the PreK teacher has dengue (a rather serious illness spread by mosquitoes...it has been running rampant in Bolivia for about the last month so I've known a lot of people to get very sick from the disease) and needed someone to substitute for her tomorrow. So, I'll be doing that until about noon then finishing up a couple of my own students, then I have basketball practice after school. Since tomorrow is Monday and the new semester has also started up in CIET, I'll be there teaching classes from about 7:15-8:30pm. As you can see, it will be a busy day so I thought I should go ahead and up-date my blog before going to bed tonight.

I will confess, this may be a rather short entry. Saturday night, there was a wedding at my church with the reception afterwards...typical Bolivian wedding...I got to get all dressed up...the reception included dinner at about 10:00pm or so plus cake sometime after that and loud music in between...no, I didn't catch the bouquet (much to the chagrin of several of my friends from church...hee hee)...I was taxi driver to an older couple (parents of the groom) and a friend of theirs so fortunately we left "early" at about midnight or so...but by the time I took them home and then got home myself, it was after 1:00am. Of course, I still had a few things that I wanted to take care of around the house, plus I was a little wired after the wedding, so it was about 3:00am before I went to bed. Needless to say, my Sunday afternoon nap wasn't quite enough to recover from that. All in all, the wedding was beautiful and I think everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

Do you ever have one of those Sundays when you go to church and get the feeling that the pastor preached both sermons specifically for you? Well, today was one of those days for me. This morning he used the example of David and Goliath and how we all have giants that we face on a regular basis...he chose three giants specifically: loneliness, inferiority, and the battle to forgive ourselves for things of our past. All three of these are a struggle for me as I'm sure they are for many other people...but the first two are particular struggles for me on the mission field. The pastor used Paul as an example in helping us learn how we can combat these giants as David did Goliath. It was an excellent sermon...but one that's so hard for me to put into practice...it's much easier to hear something than it is to actually believe and live it out! This evening's sermon was from 1 Kings 19 (the first 7 verses) when God sent an angel to Elijah. Elijah was extremely depressed, wishing he were dead, so after falling asleep for some time (getting much needed rest), God sent an angel to him with food and water, then allowed him more rest, and sent him more food and water...giving him strength and encouragement when he needed it most. The part that struck me a great deal this evening, was that in the afternoon I toyed with the idea of staying home from church. I didn't need to play on the worship team so I had no specific role, I was tired, feeling discouraged, feeling lonely, etc. Basically, I didn't want to go. I decided to take a nap (knowing that was the root of my problem) and only set one alarm. When I'm really tired, that's not usually enough to wake me up. So, I said a little prayer...not always the best to make bets with God, but I said that if He really wanted me at church tonight, then he was going to have to wake me up with this ONE alarm. Of course...He did! He had quite the struggle to wake me up...several times I think He tried, until finally I remembered my promise and decided to get up. Levantate y come (Get up and eat)...the angel's words for Elijah and God's words for me today...Get up and be fed by my Word...let it encourage and rejuvenate you! Oh, and that it did!

The last thing I wanted to share with you is that on Tuesday night I have a CIET board meeting...you may remember a couple of weeks ago I shared how difficult that was for me so I would appreciate your prayers this week, particularly on Tuesday night...as well as in general...this will be a busy week and I expect that I'll be tired...which is often when my giants of loneliness and inferiority attack...pray that God will help me to defeat them with one stone in my sling! Thank you so much for your prayers and friendships! You are such a blessing to me!

February 9, 2008

2009-02-09T03:37:00.000-08:00

Well, as usual time tends to fly on by and we're already into the second week of February! I really only have a couple of little things to report, I guess you could say that last week was rather uneventful!

First of all, I may have mentioned before that I serve on the board for CIET (the Bible Institute that SAM supports). This is a new role for me and basically temporary until others who typically serve on the board return from furlough later this year. There is one other SAM missionary who serves on the board of 6 people with me. Anyway, this is a difficult role for me for several reasons. The Spanish vocabulary used during these meetings is more advanced than I am accustomed to in my interactions with people at church and in the community. This in and of itself, is a challenge because I need to work much harder to understand what's going on and still there are many things I apparently miss. Also, my fellow SAM missionary and I both have similar personalities...neither of us are confrontational...and there are a couple of men on the board who have started making suggestions for things that SAM does not think would be wise for CIET. Therefore, as the SAM representatives, we're basically expected to watch out for those things and voice SAM's concerns. Again...when you're struggling to understand what's going on in a meeting it's difficult to add more things to be watching for. The other SAM missionary's Spanish is very good and she's served on the board for quite some time so she understands what's going on. However, she's also the secretary so it's hard for her to be typing in Spanish, taking notes, thinking about what others are saying, having her own thoughts, and then trying to voice any of those concerns. So, if you would just pray for wisdom to do what's best for CIET as well as strength to voice our concerns when necessary!

The second thing I wanted to tell you about this week concerns the Jr High Camp and Sr High Camp that the kids at school take each year. Last week, Wednesday through Friday, the Jr High students were gone to camp. Based on all that I have heard things went very well, no one got hurt, and it was a very fruitful time, so please join us in praising the Lord for that! This week, starting today and going through Friday, is Sr. High Camp. There is a speaker and others who have come down from the states to lead the services. The chaplain for the jr. high and sr. high groups organizes these camps and some teachers go as chaperones. I am not going as a chaperone this year, however, Bill and Bev Smith (fellow SAM missionaries and good friends of mine) are going as cooks for the week. Their oldest son will be with them at camp, but they have two younger children who will be staying behind, Benji (3rd grade) and Jessica (8th grade). I will be staying with them at their house this week to look after them...it's a chance for me to fulfill the role of Aunt Laura! Anyway, please join us in praying for camp this week...that God will bless that time, that students will come to a greater understanding of who He is and that He will draw them unto Himself in a closer way, that the teachers/speaker/others will have the strength they need to get through the week...also for those of us not going to camp, that we'll be able to fill in the holes left by the missing teachers for the week, that the kids in the Smith home and I will be kept safe this week and enjoy each others company, etc. Thank you for praying for these things this week!

Well, I have lots to do, so I guess I better get my day started! Blessings to each of you!

February 2, 2009

2009-02-02T05:32:00.000-08:00

I guess we can safely say that the year 2009 has officially gotten underway! During one of the prayer meetings at church last month, we read Isaiah 43. Other than the comforting reminder that God is always with us, there was one particular passage that jumped out to me, verses 18-19.

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:18-19a, ESV)

This happened to be the exact message I needed to hear right now. How easy it is to get caught up (and fearful or depressed I might add) about the things of our past without focusing on the things God wants to do anew in and through us each day! Oh, that I might focus on the LIGHT ahead rather than looking back! Lately it has been a struggle for me to focus on the work God has for me here and now...without being fearful of being evacuated again and leaving my friends behind...or without dwelling on past wrongs done to me or that I've done to others...etc. Please pray that God will strengthen me and allow me to sense His presence each new day in order to encourage me to press forward toward the goal!

Last week was Vacation Bible School at church! It was a long week...teaching at school in the mornings, running errands and taking care of things in the early afternoon, VBS at church (plus cleanup) until about 6:30, then hanging out with friends until close to 9, and going home and heading to bed in order to start it all over again the next day! Boy was I ever tired by the time we got to the weekend! However, the exciting part was that on average 70 kids heard the gospel expressed in ways that they could understand...and memorized Romans 5:8 as a reminder of Christ's death for their sins! How awesome it was to see their excitement of being in the house of the Lord...everyday! Probably about half of them were already coming regularly to Sunday School and our Saturday afternoon children's club...but the others weren't. So, now comes the difficult part...the follow-up and discipleship! Pray that we, as leaders/teachers in the church, will be diligent about seeking out these precious children of God so that they can grow in a greater knowledge and understanding of Him!

Well, this will be a shorter post than some of them have been...but that's about all I have to report for this week! "Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him." (2 Cor. 2:14, NIV)

Bolivia Votes "Si"

2009-01-26T04:41:00.000-08:00

Well...yesterday was a rather uneventful voting day...peaceful as far as I could tell, which is a blessing. No campaigning is allowed for the last couple of days before a voting day so other than remnants floating around (graffiti on the walls of buildings, fliers, etc.), there wasn't much new. Most of the votes had been cast by about 6:00 in the evening, so the news channels began to post results. I made the rounds in the afternoon and evening, visiting people I knew who lived within walking distance...it made the day pass by a little quicker. During my last visit before going home, I stopped to have dinner with some other singles from SAM. We turned on the television to see what we could find out. Basically...the country as a whole voted in favor of the constitution. As we all expected...Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando, and others voted opposing the referendum....however, La Paz, Potosi, Cochabamba, and others voted in favor. So, where do we go from here? We continue to sit, wait, and PRAY! Only God truly knows what will happen from here on out. Praise the Lord that His plan is perfect! The idea therefore, is for us to continue to go about our ministries as God has called us to do...keeping in mind that the ultimate goal is that those ministries would continue, even if we were pulled out of the country...so as SAM's motto states...Build Leaders to Build Churches!

On a lighter note...this week is Vacation Bible School at my church! It starts today and will go until Saturday...every day from 4-5:30. It is quite possible that we will start off with 30-40 kids and then by the end of the week have close to 80 or so. We'd appreciate your prayers as we work to share the gospel/God's love with these children! The theme of the week is "Jesus, el regalo de Dios para ti...Jesus, God's gift to you!" We're also praying that the weather will stay nice all week. It is rainy season, so it is common for us to get a burst of a shower or even a couple of days of rain. However, if that happens many of the children will not be able to come, their parents won't want them out in the muddy streets. So, please join us in praying this week!

Well, I guess that's it for now. I'm attaching a couple of pictures below for your viewing pleasure! They're both pictures from school...one is a picture of me teaching the weekly elementary chapel...the other is a goofy picture of a few of my students. Hope you enjoy!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-18T19:06:00.000-08:00

Here we are...another year has begun! In case you've lost track of me over the past few months...I just wanted to let everyone know that I am in BOLIVIA!

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!

December 6, 2008

2008-12-06T07:52:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are...in two weeks I'll be arriving home for Christmas! How exciting is that! At the same time...it's a little frightening to think of all I wanted to finish before then. Lots to be done...may God give me the necessary strength to get through it!

I have one quick story I wanted to share from this week...
I went to see my friend Avelina on Thursday night so that we could have a Bible study together, she lives in the house next door to the church. Her family lives upstairs and another family from the church lives downstairs. Anyway, when I arrived at the house, the woman who lives downstairs was outside talking to a woman whom I had never met before. It didn't take long for me to learn that the stranger wished to speak to the pastor of our church. She had come by the day before wishing to get some advice from someone and was told the pastor would be at the church in time for the prayer meeting that we have on Thursday nights. She came about an hour early, hoping to talk to him before the service, but he was not there. They asked me if I would call him so I did. Given that our pastor is a single male, it is understandably difficult for him at times to give advice in situations such as these. As it turned out, he was not available to come early before the service and was a little hesitant to do so. He then asked me if I would be willing to talk with her to see if I could help.

I excused myself from my meeting with Avelina and went over to the church with the "stranger" who I quickly found out is named MariCruz. She and I sat behind the church in one of the classrooms so that the person leading the nightly prayer meeting could arrange the seats for the meeting. MariCruz began telling me about a friend of hers who was going through a difficult time and she wanted to know how to help her. As it turned out...the "friend" of whom she spoke was herself. With respect to the confidentiality that I promised her, I won't go into great detail about the struggles that she was experiencing. However, she did say that she is 2 months pregnant and suicide was one of the many problems with which she was struggling (not due to an unwanted pregnancy, I feel I should make that clear)...therein lies the parts that are better left unsaid. Anyway, with no family in the city...she was looking for a place to turn...I do believe it was God that led her to the church door. She was feeling lost, a sinner, a nobody, etc...particularly through her suicidal thoughts mixed with her Catholic upbringing...suicide an unpardonable sin!

Without going into a lot of detail, God used that situation to give me an opportunity to share the gospel with her. To talk about His love for her and the worth she had in his eyes. Although I could not help her much with the situation leading up to her desire to take her own life and the life of her baby...I was able to share Christ with her. She prayed to receive Christ into her life and to become one of God's children. My prayer for her is that it truly was a heartfelt decision. I don't expect that I will see her again...she doesn't live in the area of the church and was making plans to leave town...however, I continue to pray that God will guide her footsteps, carry her when she struggles, and provide for her needs. Oh, that she might truly see the depth of the relationship that He desires with her. Please join me in praising God for her life and that He has called her unto Himself. Also praise Him for giving me the blessing of getting to share this exciting news with her, to love her even with the baggage of her past that she carries with her. Also join me in praying for her continued walk with him, as well as her protection and guidance.

May we not forget, especially during the Christmas season, the saving grace that was sent to live and die for us all. Blessings to each of you this holiday season!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T08:50:00.000-08:00

Hope you're each enjoying time with family and friends on this special day, as you ponder on the many things for which you are grateful!

I apologize for waiting so long to up-date my blog...I guess I have a mixture of excuses...lack of time, still struggling with getting settled, working on my classes, etc. However, I imagine the real reason is that when one is still going through culture shock (as I have been) there are days when it's hard to know what to share. Part of culture shock for me is just a difficulty in the transition...missing family and friends from home, being uncertain of the plans God has for me here, and many times a general feeling of loneliness. The good side is that it isn't constant...it tends to come and go like a roller coaster! Frequently when I'm feeling low, God provides little glimmers of light that seem to make the world a brighter place and give me a great deal of encouragement! For those things I am extremely grateful!

One of those glimmers of light that God provided occurred last Sunday. One Sunday each month, my church has been doing some type of evangelistic event in order to reach out to the people in the surrounding neighborhood. The plan for November's evangelistic event, was to go door to door, passing out tracts and sharing the gospel as well as giving fliers with the times of the church's services. I debated whether or not I wanted to go...I'm never very comfortable going door to door plus my stomach had been a little upset and in general I was busy having a pity party. However, I sort of felt like I should go...so I went! We met at the church to pray and divide up into groups. There was a large number of people who came for a church our size...I think about 20-30 people came. Before I go much further let me explain that many of the churches that SAM works with minister to the lower-class people. Mine is not an exception to that, although, interestingly enough there are also several people that would fit into a middle-class category. They own their own car, rent/own nice houses, have enough food to eat, etc. Typically there wouldn't be much interaction between these two groups so I am always thankful that it isn't a source of division within our congregation. Anyway, for this particular event most of the regular attendees came and even a few children which was neat to see. Then, another woman came in late, while we were praying. She is one of the poorest members of our congregation. Often our church has aided in providing food and meeting medical needs for her and her children. She also is a real talker! The kind of person that you sometimes want to run from if you see coming, because you know that if you start talking to her, it'll be next to impossible to get away from! Many times it is very difficult to understand her which makes the conversation even more of a challenge. After the prayer had finished, I realized that she had come and I will admit I was quite surprised, yet pleased that she was there! Then I began to look around the room...she was sitting right next to me...and in a few minutes we were going to be dividing up into groups of two to go around the neighborhood. I didn't think this was how it was supposed to go, I didn't know if I wanted to do that...mostly because I was afraid of being left alone with her! However, God had other plans! There was a younger woman there so we decided to form a group of three. That seemed like a better option to me! Then we started out for our designated part of the neighborhood. It didn't take long for me to understand how God intended for us to work together and to use each of us for our individual gifts. I turned out to be good at the social skills (greeting people as they came to the door), because of her fluency in Spanish, the younger woman who joined us was great at sharing the gospel and the tracts that we took with us, and the older woman was a much needed part of our team due to her boldness. Both the younger woman and I are a bit more shy, introverts. Yet this woman was on fire for the Lord and wanted to make sure everyone in the neighborhood heard His Word. She banged on the door until they'd come talk to us (since some people needed a little encouragement to stop what they were doing and come). She also pulled us over to people walking by in the street regardless of whether or not another group may have already talked to them. It was exciting to see that even through our differences and our faults, God could use us to get His message out! I loved every minute of it! In all, there were probably 7-10 groups and we passed out 10-15 tracts! Praise the Lord! Continue to pray that through those seeds that were planted...more will come to know Him!

I have one other short blessing that God provided for me this week! A new addition to my family...a one year old Rottweiler puppy named Juan. His owners are friends of mine, but they needed to travel for awhile and asked me to take care of him. They aren't sure how long they will be gone, but I'm enjoying his presence at the house! So far, Chiquito isn't too sure that Juan should be here...but we're making progress. I have been able to take them both for a few walks without any fighting...that is progress as opposed to the first day he came to live with us! He stays outside and Chiquito stays inside so little by little, they're getting used to it. He is a sweet dog, a big baby really! I love having him here!

Well, I guess that's it for now! My pie is about to finish baking and then I'm going to have Thanksgiving dinner with friends! Only a year ago, I was watching Wesley (my nephew) try his first spoonful of sweet potato casserole and enjoying visiting with my Grandfather at my parent's house (before he fell, broke his hip, and moved to a nursing care facility in Ohio). A lot has happened this year...more than can be mentioned in this paragraph! Many things for which I am so very thankful! Blessings to you all!

On Our Way Home

2008-10-24T08:26:00.000-07:00

Katie and I are leaving Peru on Saturday evening at 9:55 PM and arriving in Santa Cruz on Sunday morning around 1:30 AM. Jeff and Beth HAuse, SAM missionaries, will be picking us up from the airport. We are both looking forward to being back in our area of service and sharing what we have learned with folks in Santa Cruz.

Our experience in Peru has been terrific! It has been a privilege for us to see the various SAM ministries in Pucallpa and Puerto Supe...everything from SAM Academy (the MK school), to SAMAir Peru's work in the jungle, and the several Bible training institutes designed for different types of people (Indigenous tribes, Pucallpans, or Mestizos...mixed). We enjoyed hearing the encouraging stories of how God is working in those ministries as well as the specific needs that our fellow missionaries have and how we can be praying more specifically for them. Of course, we also built some wonderful friendships!

I have mentioned working with two students at SAM academy with special needs. It was a joy for me to be able to work with the teacher and staff to enable those students to attend the school. Please continue to pray for the teacher, high school helpers, parents, and students themselves as they progress through the year. In my next blog up-date I will attempt to compile various prayer requests so that you too can be praying more specifically for the work God is doing through SAM in Peru.

In some ways our visit in Peru was almost like a vacation. We were treated like queens at the home of Marilyn and Dave Simmons in Pucallpa, as well as watched as the red carpet was rolled out before us everywhere we went. There is no question about it, we were definitely well cared for! We were also able to travel and see the country while visiting with various missionaries. This past week we traveled to Machu Picchu, the Incan ruins that are a must see if you come to Peru. At first the weather was cloudy and we thought we weren't going to be able to see very much, but while we were there it cleared and we had a magnificent view. Near Machu Picchu, we also stayed a couple of nights in Cusco where there are several other things to see as well! Thanks to Jed and Jaime Benoit for opening their guesthouse to us, so that we didn't have to pay the expense of a hotel (which would have been a LOT given what a major tourist attraction that area is). Now we are back in Lima...enjoying a couple of days here before flying out tomorrow night.

This past week I learned that Dalmiro Ortiz from Bolivia is scheduled to have his visa application reviewed on Monday. I have requested prayer for him in the past because we are praying that he would be able to intern at Abingdon Bible Church. Obtaining a visa into the United States is difficult anytime, but with the current political climate, it is even moreso. We are thankful we serve a God who is in control and into whose hands we can place Dalmiro and his needs.

We have had a wonderful time here...but I think we are both ready to be back home, settling into our old routine! Thank you once again for your prayers!

October 6, 2008

2008-10-07T05:24:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Pucallpa, Peru!

I apologize for my delay in up-dating my blog. I've entered the world of dial-up Internet service which makes spending much time on-line quite difficult. I do however, want to give you a quick up-date of how God is using me here in Peru. The main reason Katie and I were brought to this particular field is because there is an MK school here that SAM has started and the mission thought Katie and I could plug in easily for the time we're here. It is much smaller than SCCLC. I think there are about 10 students in the entire student body!

Upon my arrival, I quickly learned that in the elementary program, in which there are 3 students, there are two students with special needs. One of those was removed from the school setting about a year ago due to behavior, yet the parents and school administrator were interested in working him back into the school setting. Given that no one has training in teaching Special Education, they were all very excited to have my "expertise"!

The elementary teacher was in the states for a wedding so I filled in doing some substitute teaching last week. Now that she is back my role is changing just a bit. My main goal is to provide some instruction for the teacher in teaching students with disabilities, as well as to slowly work the one child back into the school environment (providing what assistance the teacher will need within the classroom and in pulling the child out). Of course, since I don't know exactly how long I will be here, the most immediate need is to provide some suggestions for the teacher and develop a schedule for the incoming student (a schedule which does not involve me teaching him so that I can be removed from the setting when needed). Please pray for wisdom and strength for all involved. The teacher is a little nervous about how this will change the make-up of her class and whether or not it will work. I'm a little nervous about determining how to get involved without students or teachers being dependent on my services.

Katie and I are enjoying being a service to the missionary community. It seems to be a closer community here than in Santa Cruz. Katie describes it as a small town atmosphere and I think she's right. The missionaries live and work closer together here than in Santa Cruz and therefore seem to enjoy each others company more frequently in social settings. Katie and I are enjoying spending time with the singles. They plan activities together at least a couple of times a week...that's fun! We also are filling in occasionally as "baby-sitters" when necessary, which has been a great support to a couple of the missionary families with small children. All in all, we're enjoying our time here immensely!

Our hearts and minds are frequently back in Santa Cruz thinking and wondering about what is happening there, but we're extremely thankful for the huge blessing that this trip has meant and continues to mean to us! The latest word I have gotten from SAM is that we will be here at least until October 20, after that we'll have to wait and see!

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers! They're greatly appreciated! Blessings to you all!

September 20, 2008

2008-09-20T06:07:00.001-07:00

Some of you are probably aware of the political situation in Bolivia. Five departments (equivalents of states) of the nine in Bolivia have expressed their desire to be autonomous: to elect their own governors and departmental authorities, to have more control over local schools, public services, etc., pretty much like in the U.S. The national, or central, government has expressed at various times that it is moving in that direction and is open to dialog, but their actions have consistently and without exception said the opposite. This has gone on for some time, and the five departments have become more and more agitated. Last week there was unrest here in Santa Cruz, mainly in the downtown area, and now there are problems in other areas as well. The differences go beyond political ideologies and include cultural and religious identities.

As a result of this continued unrest, South America Mission has decided to limit the number of missionaries in Bolivia by removing the single missionaries at this time. On Sunday morning, Katie Wells and I will be flying first to Lima and then to Pucallpa, Peru for a period of several weeks. We will be working with the SAM Academy there. Other single missionaries (Elliott Tait and Dana Wilson) were scheduled to go on Home Assignment later this year. They are now returning to the United States as soon as Monday and Tuesday. While this is difficult, we are grateful that the Mission staff have our best interest uppermost in their minds.

As you know, I have been living in the home of a missionary who is currently in the United States on Home Assignment. While I have felt very safe in Santa Cruz, and there has been no violence in the area where I have been living and working; I am concerned about leaving her home vacant. Fortunately there are Bolivians who will care for it in my absence.

Also, if you know me, you know I have a dog, Chiquito. The Lord has blessed me with another SAM family who love dogs and have agreed to keep Chiquito while I am in Peru. This is a clear blessing to me from the Lord. It puts flesh on the verse in Luke 12:6 where Jesus said the Lord cares for even sparrows that fall.

Please pray, especially for the country of Bolivia, the Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center, the missionaries still here and the believers who will be left. Ask for God's grace to be multiplied on them. Also, pray for Katie and me as we pack for an indefinite time, say our goodbyes and begin a new adventure. Help us to be confident in the words from Jer. 29:11, "'for I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

September 1, 2008

2008-09-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Labor Day to those of you living in the U.S.! In Bolivia, Labor Day (Dia del Trabajador) is in May so we have the joy of working today on a normal schedule!

Things have been a little busy for me here, but I just couldn't let another week go by without up-dating my blog! I apologize for being a bit sporadic on my up-dates!

Things you can be praying for:
1. Last week I took my midterm exam for one of my classes and this Wednesday, I hope to take the other one. Finding time to get enough studying in continues to be a challenge. Fortunately, last week and this week I have been able to cut back on a few activities in order to have some extra study time. However, that isn't always the case and I am now down to about two months left to complete these courses with quite a bit of work yet to finish!

2. You may remember me asking for you to pray for Dalmiro as he seeks the Lord's direction to one day serve Him in India. The first step on his missionary endeavors will hopefully be to Abingdon, VA, my home supporting church. They have a mission's internship which would be a wonderful experience for Dalmiro, not to mention it would warm my heart to connect Bolivia with my hometown even in a small way! The most difficult part right now, will be getting a visa! The U.S. government doesn't hand them out easily and Dalmiro's chances don't look very good as there are some requirements that he doesn't currently meet (i.e. he is supposed to own a house here and have so many thousands of dollars in the bank to show that he has a real reason to return). However, I have seen God provide for others...and have no doubt that if this is His plan for Dalmiro, then He can work it out. Please join me in lifting Dalmiro up in prayer over the next few months as he schedules an appointment and then travels to US Embassy in La Paz for his meeting. (There is a picture of Dalmiro in the second picture at the end of this up-date.)

3. I am thoroughly enjoying being back in Special Education and I love my schedule/balance between school ministries and "other" ministries. Praise the Lord for that! On a school note...I'm being reminded of how difficult Special Education can be as I have several students who are truly struggling. I feel like we are struggling to get methods into place to help these students be successful and their parents are discouraged. Please pray for wisdom in working with these students as well as patience as we deal with their parents (who seem to appear constantly, sometimes at the most inopportune moments). Thank you for praying for the shipment the school has had waiting in customs. We were finally able to get that delivered last week and I unpacked boxes and got things put away last Friday! I'm so glad to have that chore behind me!

I know I promised pictures last week, but forgot to attach them! Sorry about that! I've posted a few below for your enjoyment (They're pictures from an outing with a few of the leaders in my church to explore a new area being developed outside of the city where our church is praying about doing some outreach)! Blessings to you all and thank you so much for your faithful support and prayers!

August 18, 2008

2008-08-18T06:34:00.000-07:00

I think this is one of those weeks when I have so many things to share with you, that I'm afraid I won't be able to get them all in. I thought I would try to break them down into sections so that it would help me to organize my thoughts a bit. I also have a few pictures that I'll plan to post in this entry, but it may be tomorrow before they're actually available (I need to get them off my camera and onto the computer first). Anyway, moving on to God's presence in Santa Cruz...

Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center
School is off to a running start, last week was the first week of classes. I have not started working with students yet, as I need to wait until their regular schedules have been set before I can develop my schedule. That has been fine with me, however. I have plenty of things to keep me busy. We have already been exploring a couple of students who will need to be tested for our Special Education program to determine if there is a learning disability...which is part of my job. I am also busy completing informal reading inventories and giving advice as to the appropriate placement for specific students. The school is also awaiting a shipment of supplies which is being sent down from the states. I was asked to help with organizing that and working on getting it out of customs. It is a long and rather complicated process. I spent most of the day last Friday going through the shipment there in the customs warehouse with a couple of other workers from the school. We have to compare everything with the invoices that we have and give an account for each item. The next step is getting the invoices in order and turning them in...after that we may have to go back down and go through the boxes onces again with the customs representative. I'm praying that doesn't happen and that they let us get the things without going through it all again! Anyway...it has been an eventful week!

Church: La Restauracion (The Restoration)
Things have been a little difficult at church lately...not because of anything a specific person has done...only because we have several key leaders right now who are very sick or hospitalized due to surgeries. My pastor has begun joking that we should change the name of our church to "La Restauracion de los Operados" (The Restoration of the Operated!). In the last two weeks there have been at least 3 people to have surgeries and be hospitalized for varying lengths of time. One of them was our pastor's father, Leopoldo, who also serves as one of the associate pastors in our church. Another was my friend Beth HAuse who you may remember me mentioning before. The third was my friend Avelina's husband, Medardo. I know three doesn't seem like many...but let me try to put it in perspective for you. Our church only has about 50 active adults...so three of the most active definitely leave some big holes for the rest of us to fill. Not to mention...they've all been in different hospitals or clinics and things just take longer to do here. Even when I drive to go visit Pastor Leopoldo...it takes me anywhere from 30-45 minutes to drive there, park, and walk up the street to the hospital (due to traffic, not distance). Then the unexpected always happens. Friday night, I went and picked up a couple of guys who wanted to go with me to see him. We drove over there...to find out that the staff had thought visiting hours was a good time to change the dressing on his incision and to do his physical therapy so we weren't allowed to go in. We waited about an hour until we could actually see him. Most people here wouldn't stay for a 5-10 minute visit, typically you should stay for at least a half hour...if not longer. Then it took us closer to an hour to get back because we ran into heavy traffic and there was a broken down car at one point that backed things up! Anyway...all that to say...a visit that in the states you could easily do in an hour if you didn't live too far from the clinic...here frequently takes me 3-4 hours.

I did say that there were several people who have been out of commission. I only mentioned three here, because they're the ones that have been in the clinic...we also have had several people who have been sick or injured and are recuperating at home.

We've decided that this is getting a little old! We're all tired of visiting people in hospitals and miss having them ministering alongside of us. The pastor feels like he's spending all of his time going back and forth to the hospital for his dad so he hasn't had time to do the visitation with other church members that he normally does, which is discouraging. All in all, we could really use your prayers! I can't help but think that as a church...we must be doing something right or else Satan wouldn't be working so hard...yet I just pray that through it all we would continue to look to God for our source of strength and comfort! You can pray particularly for a service that we have coming up this Sunday night at 6:00. The pastor is calling it basically a Spiritual Renewal service and they're encouraging all of the congregation to be present. We will spend a lot of time in prayer and worship. I think it could be a great time for us as a congregation to really sit back and listen for God's voice and to bask in His presence.

Other
You may remember that I asked you to pray with me that Avelina would be open to doing a Bible study with me. I talked to her a couple of weeks ago and she was very open to it. Her day off is now set for Saturdays whereas before it used to rotate. We have not actually started the Bible study due to the fact that her husband had hernia surgery and is still recuperating. We talked about it again when I saw her briefly yesterday, so maybe by next weekend, we can get started on that.

I also have mentioned the outing I went on with the Professional Class English group. Tonight will be their first class for this semester. Although I will not be teaching right away, I plan to go and see how the classes are done and get to know the members a little more. We will start at about 7:30.

CIET classes start again this week! Again...due to illnesses...we are short-staffed for teachers. The director himself had surgery a couple of weeks ago...Pastor Leopoldo usually teaches in CIET but will not be able to this trimester...Jeff HAuses has not been feeling well for at least the last week if not longer...that really cuts down a large percentage of the CIET teaching staff! We might be off to a rocky start. Due to the Professional Class English Group...my English classes at CIET have been moved to Friday night so that I can continue helping in both.

Well, I guess that's it for this week. I'm sure I could think of more things to tell you about...but this is enough to keep you busy for awhile! Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers! They are particularly needed right now! Blessings to you all!

Happy Bolivian Independence Day!

2008-08-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

Due to the fact that it is a holiday in Bolivia...I'm taking advantage of the time to allow myself to be a bit lazy without being too lazy! I still have studying to do after all! I started the day by letting myself sleep in until 9:00! That was exciting! Then I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast while watching a movie. After that I read for a bit and enjoyed a catnap! Now I'll be doing a bit more studying before spending the evening with some friends!

The last few days I have been busily working on trying to get my classroom ready for school to start next week. My classroom this year is actually an old locker room that has been transformed into a classroom. Thanks to the team of young people from Atlanta that came down about a month ago...it looks really good! That got most everything finished up to the paint job! Typically the workmen at school will do the painting, but since we were already working on so much, I decided I wanted to paint it myself! That way I got to choose a color, rather than use the standard white! I had a few friends help me do most of the painting last Friday morning...cheap labor...all I did was buy lunch (which was chicken dinners - two pieces of chicken, rice, french fries, and soda - for all 5 of us plus 4 to go so 9 total...only about $20!!!! Not bad at all!)! Then I handled the touch-ups on Monday morning. After the hard work and an allergic reaction to what we assume was the paint thinner, which caused me to break out in a rash and get itchy...I'm ready to hang up the paint brushes for awhile! Now if I can track down some furniture, we'll be all set to role! I'll be sure to post some pictures next week once things are in place!

On Sunday I went along for a day outing with a few other missionaries. They have been working on ministering to the professional or upper class in Bolivia. One of the main aspects of their ministry is an English group that they have on Monday nights to teach them or help them work on their English. They took a break for a few months, but will be starting up again at the end of this month. I have been asked to consider working with this ministry...so we've moved my CIET English class to Friday nights at the start of the next trimester in a few weeks and I will begin going to the English group on Monday nights. This will be particularly helpful to them since one of the teachers will be going on furlough in October. Anyway, the day outing was just a chance for me to get to know some of the students or families that attend the group. Many of them are not Christians so this is an excellent way for us to share the gospel and God's love with them! Please continue to pray for this ministry. I have a few pictures posted below and will continue to share more about this a little later on as we begin classes again.

I guess those are the highlights for this week! Thank you so much for your continued prayers! They are appreciated! Enjoy the day as we are enjoying ours here!!!!!

July 30, 2008

2008-07-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

I'm so sorry for the delay in up-dating my blog! I didn't get to it last week and then again missed the opportunity this week. I decided I should go ahead and give you a brief up-date of what's going on and fill you in on a couple of up-coming things so that you could be praying specifically for those things.

Today, I finished working with other SAM missionaries in hosting a Vacation Bible School for the English speaking community. I was in charge of teaching 1st - 2nd grades, however, due to the lack of available teachers in order to offer a class for the Pre K and Kinder grades...I also had a few students from those grade-levels who really wanted to participate. By the end of the week I had about 20 students. In short we talked about the truths God has given us. The first day was spent talking about the truth of God's Word. We discussed basic facts about the Bible as well as how we can know it is true. The next two days we talked about the truth of God's Son, Jesus. We not only talked about who Jesus is and why we can believe in Him, but we also talked about what He did for us and provided an opportunity for all to accept Him into their lives. The fourth day was then used to talk about the Spirit of Truth. The fifth and final day was used to talk about the importance of sharing these truths with others. After that we had a closing ceremony as well as games and snacks for the families. It was a lot of fun and a real blessing, however, it has left me pretty tired.

Over the next week I need to finish getting my classroom painted and setup so that I'll be ready for the start of the new school year. There are meetings for the teachers on Aug. 7 and 8, then the first day of classes is Aug. 11. I will be teaching only part-time at the school...half days every day. Please pray for teachers and students alike as we work to get back into the swing of things!

I just got word that my friend Avelina has her day off tomorrow. I have been feeling God prompting me toward beginning a Bible study with her. Her days off are pretty sporadic so she isn't able to make it to church very often. I think it could be a great encouragement to her and a wonderful experience for both of us. I plan to go see her tomorrow so that I can talk about it with her. I have a Bible Study book entitled "Vive lo que Crees" (Live What you Believe) that I would like for us to do together. Please pray for our initial meeting tomorrow as well as diligence to follow through with subsequent meetings.

Thank you as always for your prayers...even when I get distracted and fail to keep you up-dated! Your prayers and encouragement mean so much to me!

July 14, 2008

2008-07-14T18:18:00.000-07:00

Greetings from sunny Santa Cruz! I apologize for not up-dating my blog last week. On Monday I drove up to the mountains for the day. The trip didn't exactly go as planned, but I still enjoyed the day. It meant, however, that I was pretty busy on Monday...then I had a meeting and some other running around to do on Tuesday...by the time Wednesday rolled around I was completely exhausted...then the closer I got to the end of the week, the better it sounded to just wait and write an up-date today...so here I am!

I have a couple of ministry highlights from this week that I would like to share with you.

On Saturday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:00...my church has what they call an "hora feliz" (happy hour) for the children of the neighborhood. We play games or make a craft, present a Bible story and verse, sing songs, and have a snack...basically Vacation Bible School only on Saturday afternoons! The kids love it and we have anywhere from about 20 to 40 kids. All those who want to help with this are divided into groups so that each group is in charge about once per month. This past Saturday it was my groups turn. We have begun studying the Life of Jesus with them and the lesson presented by my group was called "Los Magos Adoren a Cristo" (The Wisemen Adore - or Worship - Christ). It was a lot of. I'm looking forward to the ways in which God can use me further in that ministry both with the children as well as with the other adults in my group.

Also, after the Sunday morning service I sat down to talk to one of the girls from the youth group, Eva. She hadn't made it to the youth activities on Saturday night so I told her that we missed her and made a couple of small talk type comments, which is usually all there is time for on Sunday morning. Within minutes she began to open up to me and share about some difficulties she is having at home. It takes her an hour to get to church since youth group doesn't end until between 9 and 9:30, she arrives pretty late at her house. That is a concern for her parents, understandably, but they also don't want her spending the night with some of the other girls in the youth group and then going home on Sunday afternoon. They are believers, but according to her, have lost a lot of the faith they once had as they aren't going to church or walking with the Lord on a regular basis. She is also studying in one of the universities and is often there taking classes...which I gathered was a topic of disagreement with her parents as well. I won't go into any more details, but she could certainly use your prayers...both she and her parents. Eva and I haven't had many opportunities to talk before so I was especially thankful that she felt comfortable to open up and talk to me, even amidst her tears. I also appreciated the opportunity to pray with her and look forward to the ways in which God will continue to use me in her life. The girls from the youth group will be coming to have a sleep-over at my house on Friday night and I am really praying that her parents will allow her to come. I think it would be a wonderful opportunity for us to reach out to her.

There is a team here this week from a church near Atlanta. A couple of the days they are working out at the Learning Center, mainly helping to get my classroom ready! It's been exciting and I'm really appreciating their ministry here! I spent Saturday with them at the school and will be there with them again this Thursday. The rest of their week is spent working in a place called Posa Verde, it is one of the camps where the Aeyore (an Indigenous group of people) live.

The rest of my week is spent doing quite a bit of visitation, which I love! Tomorrow afternoon, I'm going to visit a friend from church. Her son was born a week after my nephew, you may remember me talking about her. I plan to go hang out with her and her kids for a little while. I also have some English tutoring planned for the afternoon. On Wednesday, I have breakfast with one friend and lunch with another! Crazy I know! In between visitations I'll be working on my classes and helping to take care of a little girl from church. Her grandfather had surgery this morning on his back so her parents have been busy helping her grandparents at that hospital. She spent the better part of the day with me today and plans to go visiting with me tomorrow afternoon. Thank you so much for your continued prayers for my ministry here. It is exciting to see how God is working!

June 30, 2008

2008-06-30T19:10:00.000-07:00

Greetings once again from Santa Cruz! I'm afraid I don't have very much to share and it is getting late so I will just give you a quick up-date for this week!

Highlights from this past week:
1. I spoke at my church on Sunday morning. It was our missions Sunday led/organized by Dalmiro Ortiz one of the pastors at our church. Dalmiro is a Bolivian pastor who feels God calling him to overseas ministry in India. He would like to complete the mission's internship program that my home church, Abingdon Bible Church, offers...starting after Christmas. After that he hopes to serve the Lord as a missionary in India. We are very excited for Him and are praying that God will provide for all of his needs both financially as well as through the paperwork he would need to go to the states and then to India. Please join us in praying for him!

2. On Sunday afternoon, the youth from my church went to the children's hospital to hand out teddy bears that had been handmade by a retirement village in the states and sent down to missionaries here. We visited around the hospital visiting with the patients, praying for them, and where God opened doors...shared the gospel! It was an exciting time and I enjoyed being a part of it! It is so exciting to see God working in the lives of our youth!

Those are the two main highlights from this week! On Friday I will join the SAM family as well as a team that is here for a 4th of July picnic! This particular team comes every year and brings bratwurst and I'm not sure what else...but things we can't find here! It's a great time of fellowship and the team helps to make it extra special! I'll conclude this up-date with a few pictures of my house that I recently took...Enjoy! Thank you for your continued support and prayers! I appreciate the comfort of knowing you are lifting me and my family here up in your prayers! (I'm not having any success with the pictures...I'll try again in a couple of days when I can get to a different computer to see if a faster connection will help! Sorry!)

June 23, 2008

2008-06-23T12:34:00.000-07:00

Cultural Tidbits
As in the up-date from last week, I'll share a little with you about what life is like in the Bolivian culture...particularly Santa Cruz. The two themes I thought I'd share with you today are traffic and weddings (not because I have any big news to share...but because I went to a wedding this weekend and saw many differences).

Traffic
Driving in Santa Cruz is crazy, as you can imagine if you've ever been to a Latin American country. Here are a few tips that I have picked up:
1. Basically the bigger vehicle has the right of way and micros (buses) always win, they own the road.
2. Traffic lights don't always mean what they say...so if everyone else is going, just follow along.
3. Don't make eye contact with police officers on the side of the road or you're more likely to get pulled over.
4. Don't bother trying to look for painted lines to show the division of lanes on the road...no one pays any attention to them (therefore, 2 painted lanes becomes 4 as far as traffic is concerned, the lanes are crooked when they are painted, but most people drive straight so if you follow the crooked lane you'll get hit).
5. Watch out for speed bumps...they're everywhere, huge, and aren't always marked!

Weddings
Last Saturday night I went with my friend Lidia (the woman I lived with when I was here before) and her boys to a wedding. The groom is actually the boys' half brother, because they have the same father. This was definitely considered an upper class wedding, so I'm only going to speak about it from that standpoint. It was also a Catholic wedding, but I'm going to focus on the cultural differences as opposed to religious differences. There were two ceremonies, a religious ceremony and a civil ceremony. The religious ceremony was held at the church. It was supposed to start at 8:00pm...we got there at 8:15 and people were leaving...just to find out it was because the church had a couple of weddings back to back, so we waited until the first wedding party left then we went in, at about 8:30. Within 5 minutes the bride was walking down the isle...no attendants on either side. There were ring bearers and flower girls, but that was it. The bride and groom sat on stools or chairs in front of the priest. The civil ceremony was performed by a lawyer at the place where the reception was held. I am told that sometimes the civil ceremony is performed in the morning with only the family. Both ceremonies contained a part in which marriage certificate was signed by bride, groom, and witnesses. I am told it is a big honor to be chosen to sign as a witness; both bride and groom each get to choose one person. By the time both ceremonies were over it was about 10:30. There was some dancing and congratulating the bride and groom with a toast, then we were served dinner at 11:00pm or so. Dinner was steak, sliced chicken, some kind of crepe wrapped around a cream sauce, au gratin potatoes, one piece of broccoli , one carrot, and some sliced palm heart. After that there was more dancing and drinking (this part would have been left out of an evangelical wedding). The bride and groom went to each table so that they could have their picture made with each group of people and speak to them briefly. Around 12:30 cake and ice cream were served, but there wasn't an official cutting of the cake like is done in the states. Lidia and I left about 1:15am as the bride was throwing the bouquet. I spoke to another friend of mine the next day who was also there and he said he left at about 2:00am...I believe people were still dancing and drinking! There are two other parts that I didn't mention...one was the importance of dressing up for a wedding, particularly this one since it was upper class. Men wore a suit and tie, women wore prom style or bridesmaid style dresses. Most went and got their hair and nails done during the day...remember that this would be anyone attending the wedding...not just the wedding party! It was extremely cold on Saturday night so many people wore fur wraps and things...I kept my coat on all night. The other interesting part about this wedding was that because both the bride and the groom are well-known in this society...several different television stations were present for the whole thing. It was entertaining to watch people interacting with the camera crew.

Ministry News
I do want to touch briefly on a couple of things that happened this week as far as ministry is concerned. Each Monday night I have the privilege of teaching in English in CIET, the Bible Institute. So far I have 5 or 6 primary students who are coming regularly. They are eager to learn and I enjoy the time I have with them. I open each class by praying with them in English. Other than the material in their text books, they are also interested in learning songs in English so we are working on two, one for adults and one for children (Lord I Lift Your Name on High and Jesus Loves Me). Also, on Saturday afternoons my church has an activity for children from 4:00-5:00, "La Hora Feliz", "Happy Hour". All adults who can help are divided into teams so that there is a once a month rotation. I joined the team working this past Saturday and organized the games. Typically, we have anywhere from 40 to 50 kids from the neighborhood. Because of the cold this weekend, our numbers were smaller, but by halfway through we probably had close to 30, which is still a pretty good number. The kids have been learning the story of Esther, which we finished teaching them this past weekend. Finally, about once a month my church has an evangelistic activity in which all are encouraged to invite friends and neighbors. This month, yesterday, we served coffee, hot chocolate, and refreshments. Jeff HAuse shared the gospel and we also sang a couple of songs and handed out some tracts. Again, due to the colder weather, there were not as many there have been in the past...but it was still a pretty good turnout. I saw at least 10 people that I didn't recognize or that I haven't seen in awhile. Well, I guess I have made this entry long enough...maybe some of you had to read it in segments or something, sorry about that! I have also tried to attach a few pictures to this entry, but I'm not having much success today so I will try to send them out in an email instead. If you don't already receive my emails, but would like to, please write and let me know (boycelj@yahoo.com). Thank you so much for your faithfulness to our Lord and your love for me!

June 17, 2008

2008-06-17T06:11:00.000-07:00

I received my first care package last night...that was exciting! Of course, most of what was in the box were things that I had hoped to bring with me, but couldn't fit them in my carry-on. Mom and Dad packed them up right after I left and sent them to the home office, so I was expecting them! However, it was still a nice feeling...even to get some of my own things in a care package. There were also a couple of surprises stuck inside. One of them was a letter from friends in Franklin. They requested that I add a few details to my blog about what the climate and life in Santa Cruz is like right now...therefore...for "Maggie and the girls", I'll try to do just that!

Climate: We're well into the winter season here. Upon my arrival, the temperature was in the 80s and very humid. Only a few days after that, it got very cold...miserably cold for me. The terminology here is that a "sur" blew in, which is a wind coming up from the South. The temperature stayed in the low 50s which is pretty cold for this area. Without any insulation in the house and with the rain/general dampness in the air...it felt cold! I went days feeling like I couldn't get warm...that's when it starts to feel miserable. After a couple of sleepless nights due to the cold, I started adding more layers. Soon I was wearing a mock turtle-neck, a long sleeve shirt, two sweatshirts with the hoodies pulled up over my head, two pairs of pants, and two pairs of socks. On the bed were two sheets, a down comforter, and another comforter doubled over on top of me because it was a size too large for the bed. You'll be glad to know that with all of that...I finally slept well! I didn't want to get up in the morning...but at least I was sleeping well! As it always does, after a few days, the sun started making an appearance again and we were back to sleeveless tops and sandals with temperatures in the 70s and 80s during the day, then maybe a light sweater at night as it would cool down. Another "sur" blew in last weekend, but fortunately, it is not as severe...so far I don't think it has gotten colder than 60 this time and there hasn't been any rain involved.

My House: I am getting more and more settled in my house. It has two bedrooms, one bathroom, family/dining room combination, and a very small kitchen. The size of the kitchen is the only downfall as far as I'm concerned. There is a back porch with a hammock as well as a hammock chair. On warmer days/evenings, I enjoy sitting back there and watching the stars or just enjoying the tropical atmosphere. I'm looking forward to more warmer days when I can do that more often. There is also the laundry room in the back with the spare room where I stayed for the few weeks before my friend left. I will try to take more pictures of the house this week and attach them to my next up-date. There is a wall around the yard with a double gate in the front so that I can get the truck out. I keep the gate locked most of the time, unless others are here with me and/or people are coming and going. I just feel a little more secure that way. There are two guards that patrol the street, one by day and the other by night. They are very friendly and helpful. Often if they are near the house when I drive up, they offer to open the gate for me so that I don't have to get out of the truck. It's a big help! I also am very comfortable asking them to accompany me to my door if there is anything that worries me. That's only happened once...I was out walking Chiquito who tends to attract the attention of a lot of other dogs and as we neared our house I realized the big dog that lives across the street was out and I didn't want any trouble...asking the guard to walk me to the door was just a precaution. Whereas many side streets in the neighborhoods are dirt...my street is not, which is wonderful! It really cuts down on the amount of dirt that gets tracked in or blown into the house!

Last week/weekend I had my first company here in the house. On Wednesday, 4 girls from my mission came over for lunch and to watch movies. Three of them are from the same family. There mom was out of town for a conference in the states so I was helping their dad out a bit. They are junior high/high school age. The fourth one is the same age and her mother was also out of town so it was convenient to have them all at the same time. Incidentally, her younger brother (who I think is in 3rd grade) came over on Friday night with Pablito HAuse (who is in the 5th grade). You may remember me talking about my friends the HAuses...Pablito's mother had surgery last week and his father is still recuperating from a surgery that he had a month ago. Anyway, Pablito and Benji spent the night and stayed until late in the afternoon on Saturday. Then, on Sunday the youth group from church (as well as the HAuses and Heather Mickelson...fellow missionaries serving in my church) came over for lunch. It was a tight squeeze to feed about 20 or so people...but it was a lot of fun!

Well, I'm sure there's more I could share, but this entry is getting rather long so I'll sign off for now! Thank you so much for your support of the work God is doing in Bolivia...it is through your support and God's grace that I'm able to minister to missionary kids and Bolivians alike!

Adjustments!

2008-06-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

One year ago today I arrived in the states for my year long furlough! Isn't it amazing how time flies? Yesterday, a few of us went to a friend's house, Medardo's, in the afternoon. It was his birthday. A year ago, that was my last big outing before leaving the country. We went to Medardo's house and had cake with him and his family. They live right next to the church, Medardo's wife is my friend Avelina, you may remember me talking about her before. They live upstairs in a two-story house, downstairs lives another family from our church. I remember leaving after some tearful good-byes and then having the HAuses drive me to the airport. After that, the year was a whirlwind of activities.

At the time that I left Bolivia, life here seemed so normal to me. I had forgotten how different it really was from the environment in which I had been raised. Things in the states looked strange, I remember feeling a step behind everyone else! It didn't take me long to catch up though, and living in the states felt like home once again. Now, here I am back in Santa Cruz. So much of it still feels natural, seeing my friends again and being able to be a part of the ministry here is wonderful, yet there are adjustments of which I had forgotten how hard they could be...

1. Do you know how much concentration it takes to remember to throw your toilet paper in the trashcan instead of in the toilet?
2. There sure is a lot of dirt here...keeping clean is next to impossible...both on my body and in my house!
3. Are there traffic laws in Santa Cruz? It's a good thing there are enough cars that people can't move very fast...I'm sure there'd be a lot more accidents!
4. I played on the worship team last weekend...we practiced all of the songs on Saturday so that I would know what they were...on Sunday morning, the leader decided to add a couple more that we hadn't rehearsed...why not? Who needs to practice anyway?
5. Dogs are everywhere...and it isn't just the nice ones that are left to roam the streets!
6. Spanish, Espanol....on the brain a lot...definitely a good thing as it keeps one focused...but it's difficult when you're trying to speak in English with someone and the sentence is a perfectly good English sentence, when all of a sudden a Spanish word pops out in the middle of it! Pretty strange!

Well, it's getting late so I'll close with just a couple of other bits of news. My friend, Virginia, left last Thursday so I have now officially moved into the house. Many of my things are still in boxes and basically all of my stuff has to be cleaned as it gets unpacked as it is dusty and moldy, but I'm getting there. I'm looking forward to being completely settled in my new home. Chiquito has settled in quite nicely, he thinks this is a pretty great place! The neighborhood is nice and the guards on the street have been extremely helpful. I brought two seminary classes with me to do via distance learning. So far I haven't had much time to work on them. I'm hoping that will change this week! It is difficult to force my self to sit down and read, because quite frankly sometimes unpacking my boxes and getting settled just looks like more fun! However, I'm praying that God will give me the strength to be diligent this week in getting some studying done! I guess that's the short of it all! On a side note...this weekend is my parent's 40th Wedding Anniversary as well as my older sister and her husband's first anniversary! I'm sure they'd appreciate any well wishes you'd like to share. If you don't have their email addresses you can send it to mine and I'll pass it along! Thanks again for your prayers!

First Week Back in Santa Cruz!

2008-05-27T10:42:00.000-07:00

Greetings one and all! I have now been back in Santa Cruz for one week! It's amazing...in some ways I feel like I've already been back for a really long time and have to keep reminding myself that it's only been a week...other times, I'm struck by differences that I had totally forgotten about.
Right now I am spending most of my time saying good-bye to those who are returning to the states. Some of them are returning permanently, others will be going to college or seminary, and others will only be gone for a year of furlough. When I'm not visiting with people and attending going away parties, Virginia (the woman I am renting the house from) and I are busy making preparations for her departure. She is getting things fixed and making sure I know who to contact in case there is a problem.

Before she leaves for the states on June 5, I am staying in a guest room that she has behind her house. It is appropriately named the castle because it sits up on the second floor (pictured above) with storage and laundry room below. The window/balcony that you see on the second floor (in the picture) is where the top picture of Chiquito and I in the hammock was taken. All in all things are going really well. It continues to be an adjustment...but I'm enjoying being back. Please continue to pray for me as I settle into the neighborhood and am able to get settled into the house after June 5. Also, pray that God will help me to find time, strength, and diligence to work on the classes that I brought with me. Thank you so much for your prayers and letters during this time! They mean so much to be! I feel especially blessed to have the support of family and friends (in the U.S. and Bolivia)! Thank you!

Chiquito and I have arrived in Santa Cruz!

2008-05-21T08:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Bolivia! As you can imagine, I don't have much time today, but I wanted to write a quick up-date so that you know everything is going well! Thank you so much for your prayers of travelling mercies. It was a very uneventful trip down! Praise God for the nice people and conveniences that he put in my path especially in the Miami airport. He worked everything out so that I was able to get Chiquito and take him outside to go to the bathroom before checking him once again for the all-night flight. We sat on the plane waiting to take off for a little over an hour, but other than that we arrived without any problem. All of my bags were here and customs barely took a second glance at my bags or my dog. All I had to do was show them the papers and they let us pass on through. I was expecting one or two friends to meet me at the airport...but apparently there were others who wanted to come too, so I had about 5 friends waiting when I came out the door! It was exciting to see them there!

Chiquito and I are settling into our new home! He seems to be enjoying himself immensely...sleeping under the bed where its cool or on the bed at times in order to keep an eye on me...leaving his scent all over the yard...checking things out...going for walks, getting treats, etc. He even appears to enjoy his new, Bolivian, dogfood which is a blessing for his mom! I'm settling in as well. It is an adjustment...there are things that I had forgotten about before which take some getting used to...such as the fear of electric shower heads and not being allowed to throw toilet paper in the toilet (must go in the trash can), etc. Thank you for your continued prayers! I'll be sure to up-date again next week to fill you in with a little more detail!

One Week to Go!

2008-05-13T11:05:00.000-07:00

Here we are in the final countdown! This is always the weird part for me, because it usually means that the thought most commonly on my mind is..."this time next week I'll be..." In this case, this time next week I will be spending my first day in Santa Cruz. At this exact time, I may be trying to catch a quick nap, depending on how tired I am from the flight, otherwise I'll be unpacking. Of course, things don't always go exactly as planned and I could end up spending time with friends or shopping for groceries and a cell phone, but you get the idea!

I have a couple of very exciting things to share with you about how God has truly blessed me this week! There is a verse in Ephesians (3:20), which has been in my mind a great deal over the last several days. It says, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." This week I have had the pleasure of seeing God do "immeasurably more" than I have asked or imagined! Let me share these things with you briefly so that you can join me in giving Him glory for His goodness, provision, and protection!

1. I think I mentioned last week that I was going to be meeting with the mission's committee from the church here in Suffolk (Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church) where I have been attending with my parents. After the opportunity to share a little about SAM, what I was doing in Bolivia during the last 3 years, and the calling God has laid on my heart for future ministry there...Westminster offered to begin providing the remainder of my monthly financial support! This means that God has now provided 100% of my financial need! Now, as I mentioned before, He actually did "immeasurably more" than that! The church offered to provide enough above what I needed in order to help out with some of my seminary classes and allow for a buffer during months when others may struggle to complete their pledge! God is truly faithful in providing for our every need!

2. Yesterday, I made a trip into Washington D.C. because I needed to get my visa and to file some paperwork so that Chiquito (my dog) could return to Bolivia with me. Of course, just stating that I was going to Washington D.C. makes it sound so simple...for me...I was nervous! I'm not much of a big city girl and this trip was going to involve driving to Richmond, staying the night with a friend, taking the train to D.C., taking the metro to the Bolivian consulate office, turning in paperwork and things, reversing the steps to get back home, and then waiting a few days for them to process and mail me the documentation (hopefully before Monday's date of departure)! Needless to say, getting to Richmond and staying with my friend Amy were the least of my worries...that part I knew I would enjoy and I did! However, I realized how nervous I really had been, because I didn't sleep well Sunday night for fear of oversleeping and missing the train! Anyway, without going into a great amount of detail...I had no problems whatsoever with transportation! God gave me the strength and wisdom to get to all of the places where I needed to go without going the wrong direction first, etc. I was a little uncomfortable in the consulate office mostly because for awhile I was the only female (and incidentally North American) in the waiting room so I stood out like a sore thumb! However, everyone was very helpful and friendly so I had no issues getting the paperwork done! Like I said before..."immeasurably more"...the woman in the consulate office handled all of my paperwork on-sight so that nothing would have to be mailed and I could bring it all home with me. I now have my visa and Chiquito's needed documentation! Interestingly, I even saw someone that I knew in Bolivia...while I was in the office. He was a student at the learning center for a little while and his mom and I are good friends. She is a North American and lives in Bolivia. This teenager is now living in the states with his dad, who is Bolivian. It was so much fun to see a familiar face! If this weren't enough...God made all of this happen before noon so I still had time to have lunch and do a little shopping in Union Station before catching the train back to Richmond! Praise Him for His provision and protection on this journey out of my comfort zone!

As you can imagine, I'm exhausted today...trying to catch up on the sleep I missed the other night, but I'm feeling so blessed to have such strong confirmation from God that I am returning to Bolivia and that Chiquito is to return with me! Thank you so much for your prayers! They are certainly being felt during this time! I still have about 2 or 3 pages to write on my research paper, then my coursework will be done. After that, it will be packing up, stocking up on needed favorites, and organizing things! I'll try to up-date my blog one more time next Monday morning...then...future up-dates will come from Bolivia! Thanks again for your support and prayers, God is using you in more ways than you may know! Blessings to you all!

Two Weeks To Go!

2008-05-06T19:25:00.000-07:00

Time sure does fly when you're having fun! Last week I spent several days travelling through North Carolina; visiting friends and saying a few farewells! All in all it was a wonderful trip! I feel so blessed to have the support of so many good friends! I frequently praise God for the faithful support He has provided through all of you. Please join me too in praising Him for such a wonderful year of furlough. He has taught me so many things this year, yet He has also given me a restful time with friends and family! For these things I am extremely grateful!

As you can understand, I'm feeling the pressure of the many things that need to get done in the next couple of weeks! I won't spend much time dwelling on those things here, but I will mention a couple of them so that you will know how to pray more specifically for those needs:
1. Pray that God will provide the remaining $150 of my monthly support.
2. Pray specifically on Thursday night as I meet with the mission's committee at our church in Suffolk, VA.
3. Pray for me as I go to Washington D.C. sometime in the next week to apply for my visa.
4. Pray for me as I seek the necessary paperwork so that my dog can return to Bolivia with me.
5. Pray for wisdom and strength in completing all of the little things that need to get done before I am prepared to go.

It has been awhile since I have mentioned the political unrest in the country of Bolivia. Let me take a moment to catch you up-to-date in this area. This past weekend, in the department of Santa Cruz where I was and will be living, the people voted 85% in favor of autonomy. This would mean separating themselves more or less (especially as far as economic resources are concerned) from the rest of the country. According to some of the articles I have read, the President is basically denying that this has happened. The other departments will continue to have similar elections over the next few months. It will be interesting to see what kinds of events will follow!

Well, it is getting late and I have a full day tomorrow! May God continue to grant all of us the peace that only He can provide!

Three Weeks Left!

2008-04-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

Well...if any of you have been watching the news today...you may have noticed that a tornado breezed through Southeastern VA this afternoon! Praise the Lord we are all doing fine and Franklin was not touched. However, in Suffolk, the city where our church is located...homes have been destroyed, many people have been injured (although they don't have the official counts yet). So far there have not been any deaths. The tornado passed very close to the church, but we haven't heard yet whether or not there was any structural damage. A friend of mine from Sunday School lives in that same area and we are thankful to know that he is okay as well. One of his cars is totalled and there is a little damage on his house, but nothing compared to other homes in his neighborhood. Of course we have many other friends in Suffolk from church and Dad's school, I know they would appreciate your prayers.

Mom, Emily, Wesley, and I returned last night from a trip to Pennsylvania. We were able to visit with a childhood friend of Emily's, Julie Wade Bakker, and her family. She has a baby girl only a few months younger than Wesley so it was fun to watch them interact with one another. We also spent a few days in Newtown Square with several cousins on my mom's side of the family (it would be her brother's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren). Emily and I have not seen them for many years! We had a wonderful time visiting together! We returned home in awe and yet again encouraged by the amazing family God has blessed us with! Not very many people can talk about the incredible desire even their extended family has to see the spreading of the gospel! I feel so truly blessed!

As for the current status of my funding...
God has provided all but $250 of my monthly support. I am extremely encouraged by how close I am to being ready to return. However, when I begin to think of how my flight takes off in 3 weeks and I need $250 more per month...then I get a little nervous. I know God is in control and He will provide it all in His timing...or else He'll have a reason for me to stay. In reality, all that is needed are...5 people giving $50...10 people giving $25...about 13 people giving $20...I think you get the idea. If you are currently providing financial support, thank you so much for being a part of this team. However, if you are not , yet now feel led to contribute to the work God is doing in Bolivia in this way, please email me at lboyce@southamericamission.org or send a letter stating your monthly intent to the home office (1021 Maxwell Mill Rd, Suite B, Fort Mill, SC 29708-7852)

Over the next week I will be taking my final trip to North Carolina to say good-bye to friends there. I am also still trying to finish up my classwork. There is of course many other things to do as well...getting my visa taken care of, stocking up on those things I want to take, packing, etc. It will be a crazy 3 weeks!!!! There are also...the "last" things...that are now beginning. My mom asked not long ago if counting my final activities ever gets old or makes things more difficult. My response to her was that in some ways it does, but most of the time it just helps me prepare for leaving. Join me in the transition of these last 3 weeks!

Bound for Bolivia...

2008-04-21T16:55:00.000-07:00

Greetings once again...although I am a couple of weeks late. Thank you for continuing to pray for me, even when things get a little hectic!

I am pleased to report that I now own a return ticket to Bolivia. My departure date will be May 19. I will be leaving from the Norfolk airport at 5:00 in the evening and arriving in Santa Cruz at 7:50 on the morning of May 20. I am currently working on writing and mailing my final prayer letter from the U.S. We are also in the process of taking care of things such as my visa and immunizations. I am still about $350 short of being fully supported. I would appreciate your continued prayers for the Lord to meet this need.

This past weekend I celebrated my 32nd birthday. Even though I had to go to Charlotte for class, my friends and family worked to make it an extra special occasion. It all started Thursday night over dinner with Emily, Christopher, and Wesley. I then spent the night with them and in the morning Emily had balloons and a special breakfast prepared. I also had lunch with her and Wesley and then went on down to Charlotte. When I arrived in class a couple of my friends had balloons and flowers waiting on my desk. Then at night, Linda and Bruce Dial ordered pizza and we watched a movie together. Finally, on Sunday afternoon, my mom and dad invited my friends from church over to the house so that we could celebrate together. All in all, it was a very special occasion.

I have now finished my trips to Charlotte. My classes are over with the exception of a few unfinished assignments. All I have left is a research paper, a take-home final exam, and some reading. It sounds like a lot, but compared to how far I've come...it seems like I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. The challenge will be that I would like to finish all of these things within the next couple of weeks so that during the last two weeks I can focus on packing and preparing to leave. That is typically doable, but I also have some travelling to do over the next couple of weeks, so that is where the challenge comes in.

Well, I guess that's it for now. Thank you so much for your faithful support through financial giving, prayers, letters, phone calls, etc. It means so much to have family and friends such as you.

April 7, 2008

2008-04-07T19:18:00.000-07:00

Greetings from chilly Franklin, Va! I do not have a lot to report this week so I'll make this a short entry.

I am hoping to buy my plane ticket sometime in the next week, I'll be sure to let you know when I have a set date of departure! I have also finished one of my classes from this semester!!! Yeah! That's exciting! I turned in the remainder of the coursework for that class and took the final exam last weekend. It is nice to feel like I am on the downward slope. I still have two more weekends of classes and the remainding coursework for those two classes, but I it at least feels like I'm getting somewhere! That is quite a blessing for me!

Also, today is my mom's birthday! She and my dad went to the beach for the weekend and got back this afternoon. It was the first time they have had the freedom to travel without worrying about making plans to have people care for Grandpa. Although they never minded doing that, I know they appreciated the chance to truly relax together this weekend. When they returned I cooked mom's birthday dinner and we had a great time with all of the typical festivities...good food, flowers/balloon, cards, presents, dessert! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful mother and hopefully she realizes how much we all love her...not just today but everyday!

Thank you so much for your continued prayers! I guess that's it...until next week!

Mixture of Emotions...

2008-03-31T09:16:00.000-07:00

I have two major praise items to share with you this week...both of which have brought a mixture of emotions which I will explain as well!

1. God has provided slightly over 80% of my financial support, meaning that I can now purchase my returning flight to Bolivia.

For many reasons this is great and leaves me quite excited...
It's definitely confirmation of God's will for me
I miss Bolivia
I can't wait to be back with my friends there
I'm looking forward to making empanadas with Avelina again
I'm looking forward to walking on sandy streets and riding public transportation (strange I know)
Lately, I have been craving Bits and Cream Icecream like never before
That's enough just to give you an idea

However, this is also somewhat difficult...
I will miss my family and friends (both old and new)
I love being here with my parents...I love this house and my room
I enjoy the convenience that come from being in the states
I can easily get my fill of ALL my favorite candies
There are still so many things that I need to get in order before returning
My condo still hasn't sold...what do I do with the stuff still there?
Again...you get the idea

2. God has granted a smooth transition for Grandpa and those involved.

Again...wonderful....
My parents had an uneventful trip getting there and helping him move in
The women who work at the home are very kind and sympathetic
Grandpa's family is excited to have him so close and are planning outings with him
My parents are feeling a great deal of peace that they haven't felt for a while

Also difficult...
WE MISS HAVING HIM HERE!

As you can see...changes are good, but they can also be hard. God doesn't ever say following Him will be easy, but He does call us to be obedient. The funny thing is that in the journey of obedience there is often joy! Please continue to pray for all of us as we anticipate my departure which I am planning for May 19. God has been faithful in answering our prayers and He will be faithful in comforting us during the sad times too! Thank you so much for your part in this process!