Bolivia

I wanted to thank all of you who have prayed for us through this trip. Bolivia is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Rows and rows of mountains and an ever present cooling breeze. Tucked away in these mountains are a group of people, known as the Simba. They have quite a story, many parts are shocking and sad, but the Lord has reached a few which brings much joy and excitement. As well as a misison to reach those many villages that are yet unreached. It wasn't until the 60's that this people group was even acknowledged as having souls. They have been born as slaves and used as such. The children who are born to these people belong to their masters, to be used as they desire. This may be in their own home or if they desire to, they would even sell them. Five years ago the government finally allowed for them to have documentation of their existence.

These people are a protected group, anthropologists want to protect their heritage. More than what is above is the spiritual heritage, that of witchcraft, animism, alcoholism that comes with weeks of celebrating different holidays, part of the tradition includes drinking day in and day out something they call Chicha (an alcoholic beverage they make from corn, peanuts, etc.) for up to seven days. As Easter is quickly arriving please remember these people, the believers espeically as their have been threats that they will be kicked out of the village if they do not participate in this holiday. For several of them these celebrations are still a very strong temptation.

Work down there pays $3 a day. This was a great sacrifice for these men to volunteer a week of work to assist us in the construction projects. One of the things they have been working on down there is for the people to take ownership of their church. Larry, who is the American missionary, offered to pay them half a days wage and told them they would need to volunteer the other half. A group of five men told him that they would work the whole week without pay. This was a huge step of faith. We believe it won't be long before the President of Bolivia follows in the steps of Chavez and Castro, where missionaries will no longer be allowed in the country. It is pertinent for these people to be able to run this church, to be able to sacrifice what it takes to walk with the Lord, to reach those areas that we already aren't allowed into.

Mariella, Jenny, Miguel, Gerson and Javier spent most of the week alongside us as they have not yet reached school age. They helped out in all kinds of ways, making mud, digging, supervising, putting things together, and always bringing opportunities to play.









And so joyful on Friday when they got to "really help" when it was time for clean up. It helped all of us tremendously as we knew that the goodbyes were only hours away, these little ones kept us smiling instead of crying.

Anticipation

Little Talyver Kaysa is expected to enter our world at any moment. She will be the first child of one of my dearest friends. Each and every day I anticipate her arrival, to see her little face, to hold her little hand, to whisper words of our Savior in her ear. To see the look of awe on her parents' and grandparents' faces. To see the tears of joy. To hear her voice whether it be a cry or sighs of contentment. I know she will arrive when the Lord knows that she and her parents are ready to embrace, how I hope it is when I am here to be part of this once in a lifetime event.

I started writing this before I headed to Bolivia. I had the pleasure of being with her mom through most of the morning as we awaited her arrival on the 18th. But the time came too quickly for me to head to the airport. I contacted the hospital just as we were called to board our plane and was informed by her nurse that she had just been born 10 minutes earlier. Rach consistently told me that this little one would be here before I left Richmond, well, she was right. Talyver arrived a half hour before our plane took off. But actually being there in the hours before was such a blessing and not a place I have ever had the pleasure of being. What excitement was in the air as we watched the monitors, held hands, encouraged through the contractions, most often speechless. Such hope, so many feelings that just could not be expressed. I don't know that my friend will ever know the fullness of this blessing to me, the honor to be with her, her mom and husband during this time.

As I arrived home Monday, I went and spent a few hours with this precious little one. She is beautiful. What a blessing it will be to watch her grow, to watch my friends lead her in the way of the Lord, to be even a small part of all this is such an honor.

Psalms 33

Well, we are less than 2 weeks from heading to Bolivia. As I was reading the Word yesterday morning, the Lord gave me this Psalm.

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto Him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto Him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.
For the word of the Lord is right; and all His works are done in truth.
He loveth righteousness and judgement: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breadth of His mouth.
He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: He layeth up the depth in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.
The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: He maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.
The Lord looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men.
From the place of His habitation He looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
He fashioneth their hearts alike; He considereth all their works.
There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his strength.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him upon them that hope in His mercy;
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waiteth for the Lord: He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.
Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in Thee.

As I read this Psalm yesterday, I know it is for this time, for the team I am traveling with and myself. We had a meeting on Saturday evening, one to get to know one another, to share what the Lord has been doing over the last month to prepare each of us, so many praises. We were also informed of some dangers we may encounter, things we need to be in prayer for.

This chapter encouraged me, covering so many aspects of this time.

Some answers to prayer:

• Almost all of the $18,000 has come in, we are only a few hundred shy of that.
• We were able to get the additional seat needed for our remaining team member.
• The Lord provided free tetanus shots to all team members who needed them.
• My medical concern has been taken care of that I can now safely travel.
• The Lord has reconciled some relationships within the families and friends of some of the team members through this journey.

Prayer requests:

• The government is planning on putting up a road block which will force all missionaries who are currently in the village we are traveling to out and also keep us from going in. The plan is to have it up within the next week or so.
• One of our team members is of Canadian citizenship and has been having difficulty obtaining approval for his passport.
• The remaining portion of the money to come in.
• There is a team member who has some fears of leaving the country, he knows he is to go and knows that the fears are from the enemy.
• If the roadblock goes up, heart to clearly receive direction from the Lord as to where He would have us work down there. The roadblock will not be one intended to keep foreigners out of the country.
• The native missionaries faith to be strengthened. That they would have complete hope and trust in Christ.