Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Update on Chris' student.

Sunday we went to visit this student of Chris' in the hospital (no name for his privacy) and it was a difficult time for all. He wasn't able to get an MRI done on Sunday because there is apparently only one doctor who could give the MRI and he was no where to be found. Chris' student ended up having to wait until last night at about 6pm to get the MRI.

The result: It's not a brain tumor, but rather a HUGE mass. The family must pack up quickly and leave for the states in order to have the mass surgically removed. Please pray for wisdom on the doctors part and a quick recovery. Also please pray for this family. They are very close to each other and this is obviously very hard for them.

Chris' student said something I thought was pretty remarkable, "If all of this draws the students in my class to God even the slightest bit it will make it all worth it". Wow what a statement! He said this because this year was pretty tough and his class has really been struggling spiritually. He's been a spiritual leader in his class despite a lot of criticism.

Please, please pray for this family and the new challenges they are about to face.

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Sunday, May 23, 2010

Urgent: Prayer Needed!

Please pray for one of Chris' 11th grade students who has had severe migraines and has been vomiting for 3 days straight. He was taken to the ER yesterday and the doctors think he may have a brain tumor. His family has had many trials since they have been here in Bolivia (they came the same time as us last July) and it is clearly obvious that the devil is trying to get a stronghold on their family. They all love the Lord and their children have been a shining light at the school this year. Please lift this family up in prayer! Chris is about to head over to the hospital now. Pray that the prognosis won't be as serious as the doctors have presumed.

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Sunday, May 16, 2010

What makes the world go round?

Soccer & Chicken of course!

This evening Chris took 6 of the wheelbarrow boys to a soccer game. Most of them had never been to a game before so they were more than excited! Especially since life here completely revolves around soccer.

After the game we had the guys over for dinner, and yes chicken was on the menu. Another Bolivian must!
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Olivia had an absolute blast with the guys! She thought they were the most hilarious fellows she'd ever met. She also tried stealing their food on more than one occasion!


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Monday, May 10, 2010

Contentedness.

Being a missionary is interesting because so often it feels like you don't have a "home". Is your home the country you live in? Or is it where your family lives? Or is it where you grew up?

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." I Peter 5:8

Last week, I was desperately craving all kinds of foods from back "home"- Subway sandwiches, big luscious salads (that I can eat without getting deathly ill), Papa John's pizza, and the list goes on and on. Missing comforts from home isn't wrong, but it becomes a sin when it sidetracks you from your walk with God. When you start putting your own needs before others and before God. Lately, I haven't been alert. I haven't been putting my guard up and the devil knows my weaknesses. He knows where to strike me next.

Listening to Chris speak on Jer. 29:11 yesterday was so encouraging and comforting, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord."
God has a plan for my life, he's brought us here for a purpose and knowing that makes me so content. There's no place I'd rather be!

I am so grateful God renewed a new sense of contentedness in my life yesterday. I enjoyed every minute we were able to spend with the wheelbarrow boys. I can't even express the joy I get from having the opportunity to serve the poor here in Bolivia whether it's cleaning baby bottoms at Salomon Klein to baby washing each Saturday. It is a privilege. It's a privilege that we are able to be here because of God's grace, because of those who support us, and because of those who pray for us. So a big THANK YOU to all of you who have stood by our side, who have encouraged us, who have prayed for us!

We really couldn't do it without you guys.

When the devil shoots flaming arrows your way how do you guard yourself? How do you stay alert and self-controlled?

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Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother's Day w/the Wheelbarrow Boys.

This afternoon we had a feast and I mean FEAST for a group of boys who started out working as wheelbarrow pushers in the Saturday market.

This group of well-mannered boys come from the South end of town which is very, very poor. They all come from rough homes where neglect and drunkenness are all too common. However, looking at these boys you could never tell they came from such a rough part of town. They are so happy. They are so filled with joy.

Do you know why I think this is?
A few years ago a missionary couple made the effort to reach out to these boys. This couple had the boys over every Sunday for lunch, they discipled them, and they truly loved them as their own. Unfortunately this couple has had to return to the states as they have retired from the field.

How has this affected the boys?
Instead of these boys running to the streets to find "acceptance" they are thriving in school, one is in Seminary, and another works at a Compassion site! Christ's love is truly flowing in and through these boys!
Olivia thought they were pretty fun and she loved all the attention they gave her!
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How the afternoon went...
Chris began by sharing a devotional in Spanish on Jeremiah 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."

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Then we feasted. There was tons and tons of food- thanks to an amazing missionary named Lorna who cooked and cooked and cooked! Bless her heart!
Main course: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, carrots & broccoli, and cucumbers.
Dessert: chocolate cupcakes w/Hershey kisses (those are hard to find here!), lots and lots of jello (Bolivians LOVE jello!!), and huge servings of ice cream to top it off.
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Somebody sure loves chocolate cupcakes!
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In honor of Mother's Day the boys got together to Skype their missionary "mom". How sweet is that?! And the day ended with a game of soccer, who would of thought??

What a great beginning and ending to an amazing day!
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Friday, May 7, 2010

Why I love this country: Reason #1

Reason #1: Food is CHEAP!

Just a few minutes ago, a fruit truck pulled up to our door loaded with all kinds of fruit: apples, bananas, grapefruit, mandarin oranges, papaya... it's like having the farmer's market right at your door step! I love it!

I splurged and bought 6 bananas and 13 mandarin oranges for a whole 4 bs (.57)! The thing I don't understand is when they give you the prices the quantities are always huge. I mean who can eat 25 bananas before they go bad? They always look at me a little shocked when I just ask for half a dozen.

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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

So they call this winter.

We are going into winter (April-October) can't you tell?

Blue skies. Green grass.
Sunglasses and sunscreen a necessity!
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Olivia's 1st experience with a sprinkler.
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It wasn't quite like she was hoping.
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Some things are better from a distance.
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