(Photo Caption: Jaran and Zolah at an orchid garden on the outskirts of Santa Cruz, Bolivia.)
Dear friends and family,
We were privileged to have a team of 24 from Denmark and a team of 9 from Canada at the guest house during our first two weeks of March! Unfortunately, the Danish team had 19 ill, two twisted ankles and a fractured nose. We were glad they were able to rest at the guesthouse before they headed on to Paraguay and Brazil to share the gospel through drama, song and dance.
We have been in need of a few days away. We went to hot, sultry Santa Cruz, Bolivia for a five day visit. It was a restful, delightful time that reminded us of a few things:
- We become collectively grumpy with heat, humidity and bugs. I still can’t believe I asked God to send me to the jungles of Peru back when I first contemplated missions. I’m grateful God sometimes says no. Osvaldo says he is too.
- We are blessed to serve in a mission guesthouse. We stayed at the New Tribes Guesthouse in Santa Cruz. We empathized with the hosts about the joys and frustrations of our purpose and work as guesthouse managers: the constant hellos and goodbyes, the unpredictable schedule, the great privilege of serving those whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
- We are not the same people we were ten years ago. We found a spot by a lake where we’d stood for a photo as newlyweds so many years back. God has infinite patience with us. We look back on our plans and mindset a decade ago and are so grateful for that patience. We had much to learn. We still do.
- We love where God has brought us. We have been through valleys and up mountains. Some of our hardest moments have been the ones that ultimately bore the most fruit. God asks us to give up our dreams, plans and comforts. When we do, He replaces it with so much more.
Our trip gave us the opportunity to step back to ask the important questions:
- Is our strength found in God?
- Are our hearts set on pilgrimage?
- Do we leave the places behind us full of springs?
Oh what a picture these verses paint! May each of us go from strength to strength until we appear before God in Zion!
Until that day, we rejoice in walking God’s ancient roads with you as we serve Him together.
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CONSTRUCTION:
We've been surrounded by construction since the day after Christmas. By the time we are finished, we will have replaced the floors in three bedrooms and the entry hall, painted eight rooms and replaced an 147 foot exterior wall. We're ready for it to end! But we're grateful for the wonderful work crew and the beautiful finished products. Osvaldo took these photos of the work going on yesterday:
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Just a few more bricks before our front door is back in place.
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The new tile is almost complete in the guesthouse foyer!
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PERSPECTIVES:
It occurred to me this week that it is somewhat audacious to plan concurrent Perspectives on the World Christian Movement courses in three of Bolivia's major cities separated by over 10,000 feet of elevation and more than 500 miles. It occurred to me just moments later, that this is God's audacious work. Perspectives has gained momentum in Bolivia by God's design. God will be faithful to bring the details into place, because He knows we can't on our own!
We rejoiced this past week to receive over $5,000 towards the purchase of books for the course! Praise God! We also rejoiced to find one of our last three instructors. We need just two more! We have begun inviting people to sign up. We pray God prepares the hearts of participants even now, provides the time and money they need for the course, and uses what they learn to reap great harvests to His glory!
Please continue to pray with us that God will use Perspectives to ignite a passion in the Bolivian church for the Great Commission.
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Thank you friends and family for serving with us in Bolivia!
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