God used two extraordinary men to turn China’s eyes to Him. Veteran missionary Hudson Taylor wrote to a young Jonathan Goforth urging him to go forward on his knees. Taylor's words became the slogan for Goforth’s push into hostile lands and the beginning of God’s great harvest there.

The slogan resonates with us. We welcomed the new year with an intense sense of vulnerability. The day after Christmas one of our exterior guesthouse walls was torn down. A temporary wall made of sheet metal tied with strips of wire was put up. During the same week I was undergoing immigration and learning of new restrictions on foreigners and our kids’ school was facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Throw in an unusual amount of hard, deep issues people around us are facing, and we find ourselves spent.

Two things God is clarifying for us: (1) no matter how high we build our walls, we are not safe unless we rest in God, and (2) the only way forward is on our knees.

My visa was issued, things are looking up for the school and our new wall is emerging behind the sheet metal. But the fact still remains, our only safety is God! As we look to this brand new year, our goal is to tackle it on our knees. We are grateful for all of you who have been on your knees praying for Bolivia and our ministry. You sustain us. You encourage us. God moves us forward through you.

PROJECTS - Being strategic

Osvaldo is neck-deep in project review and reporting. SIM Bolivia has been taking a long, hard look at its vision and mission since before we arrived. While in the past God has used projects in a powerful way to make His name known, His leading is away from this dynamic and towards a relationship focused approach. Osvaldo has helped close several projects since starting the position. These were good, well thought out initiatives that have simply run their course. One of his challenges, as he gains familiarity with this area of work, is to think critically and strategically about how SIM Bolivia’s work through projects impacts people. Please pray for wisdom and insight for him and SIM Bolivia’s leaders as they continue to pursue God’s plans in this area.

CHURCH and MKs

The past four Sundays we’ve had people arriving and leaving the guesthouse which normally would have meant we would not have had the opportunity to go to church as a family for an entire month. However, the Guesthouse just started hosting a new church plant exactly four Sundays ago in the meeting room. So we’ve been able to be in church every single Sunday this month! Two of our families from the guesthouse are also attending church and hanging out with us. We love having families in the guesthouse! Please pray for the families and especially our MKs, that God would protect them as they learn a new culture and language.

PERSPECTIVES - An Invitation

Bolivia's first three classes start in July in Bolivia's three main cities! But we need books! We are inviting mission minded individuals and churches to partner with Perspectives Bolivia by sponsoring book sets at $40 per set of three books. ($40 is the highest potential cost of the book sets but it may be as low as $16 if we are able to order in greater quantities.) Our goal is to raise at least $5,000 for an initial order. The amount students pay toward books as they sign up for the class will be reserved for future print orders to ensure the class is economically self-sufficient.

If you’ve ever taken Perspectives, you may know why we believe the course can be a major catalyst for awakening Bolivia’s churches to the Great Commission! We hope and pray that God will use Perspectives Bolivia to send waves of Bolivian workers to His harvest.

To sponsor a book set, click here. On the page that pops up add the amount of your donation, and include a note that simply says ‘books’. Please also pray for God to continue His work moving hearts and minds to the Great Commission!

GUESTS - A look at the January numbers

Overnight: In January we had 52 overnight guests of which 12 were children! Our guests came from six countries and ten mission organizations.

Meetings: We had over 100 guests use the grounds for meetings including two groups from Food for the Hungry, church goers of Punto de Gracia, the new church plant that moved from a garage to our meeting space, SIM missionaries for prayer day and a life group and a group of youth with Targuet. 

Please continue to pray for protection for the house as the wall construction continues, for rest and renewal for all our guests, and for good organization as we approach a busy season.