Bolivia Votes "Si"

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!

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

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!

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

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

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

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.'"