We made it back to Bolivia this past Saturday and in all it was a great trip. All of our flights were on time, all our suitcases under weight, and they didn’t even check them in customs when we arrived. Thank you so much for praying for us because this can be a very stressful time and even though we have lived in Bolivia for ten years, it takes some time for us to adjust back to life here. The first thing we have to adjust to is the altitude. Since the city of Cochabamba is at 8,7000 ft., you can really feel it at first. We all had some headaches and were out of breath when going up stairs. We also have to adjust to the weather. We are in the middle of winter so the weather is cooler, although not too cold the air is very dry. It usually doesn’t rain from May thru the first part of October. Because of this, we have had some runny noses and a little coughing, but nothing too bad. Then we have to face adjusting to the difference in food. This is something that happens when we come to Bolivia and even when we return to the US just because of the difference in food; so we will be a little sick for a week or so. In all it has been a smooth transition and we are very excited to be back where the Lord has called us and to see how He is working in the churches here. We were very pleased and blessed on our first Sunday back to see how the churches are advancing and how their are new families and individuals not only attending, but also helping in different ministries. In both churches they look to the men that are leading them as their pastor and regularly seek them for help and counsel.
On Sunday morning the church in Cochabamba had a special activity to work on the construction of their building. They had service from nine until ten and then everyone started working on pouring the cement for what makes the roof for the first level and the floor for the second. It is different here in that the roof/floor is made of solid cement held up by wooden posts until it drys and then it is sturdy enough to even face an earthquake. To save money the church has hired a mason to direct the project and the people are doing all the work. There was a team mixing cement and another passing buckets of cement up to be poured while the man in charge leveled and smoothed it out. In all it took about six hours to get everything poured with only a short break for lunch because we couldn’t let the cement dry until it was all in place. There was a great group of close to thirty people working that whole time and helping to build their church. Pastor Isaac is doing a great job carrying the load and leading the people forward in church there. If you would like to help them with the construction of the church please let us know because it would be a great blessing to them.
Then on Sunday night I was invited to preach at the church in Quillacollo where pastor Pablo and his wife Evelyn are working. Often on Sunday night, especially in winter, not many people come to the evening service because of the cold, and it is already dark by then. We were surprised to see a great group of close to thirty people that came, some that were at the church before and several new people that have been attending. Pastor Pablo and Evelyn are doing a great job leading and reaching people in an area where they are very steeped in religion. Please pray for them and the church in Quillacollo, and for Evelyn as she is expecting their first child.