Some Bolivian Scenery

These are a few pics we took on the drive to Samaipata.

Samaipata

Last weekend we went on a high school retreat near the town of Samaipata (semi-pa-ta). All week the high schoolers had been listening to Franco Salvatori speak at their school, and they finished off the experience by escaping into the mountains for a few days for some fellowship and some great teaching from God's word. We loved it there! We were 4,000 feet higher in elevation than Santa Cruz, so it was a lot cooler. We even got to wear sweatshirts in the evenings (huge bonus).


The students did a lot of team-building and bonding through various activities. We got to help facilitate some of the games and activities, as well as develop some relationships with the students. It is so much fun to see God at work in the youth here!

Some Pictures

The compound where we live. Our apartment is on the far right behind the tan pickup.




Raining in our back yard.




Shooting hoops with our neighbors. Josh is the little guy on the right.




Just beyond the outside wall of our compound. That path leads to the Christian Learning Center where Chad and Emily Jackson teach.




A visit to Sr. Jackson's classroom.

In Honor of Nathan

Hello readers. This post is coming to you from the illusive, yet quite real wife of the man who has single-handedly set up, designed, and kept this blog running. I make it a point now, to give you our first post from Bolivia because of my brother Nathan's persistent remarks about my absence from 'blog world'.

We want to thank you all for your prayers, for many blessings have occurred within the short time since our departure from the States. The first being, a strange availability of exit row seats on all of our flights, giving Mike much needed and joyous leg-room. Every night since arriving, we have been wonderfully doted on by a rotating cast of missionaries who provide a meal and company for us. It has been a great way to slowly be introduced to all of our co-laborers. We are also being eased in to our roles at the University and in to a completely Spanish environment there. I seem to cling to the hope that God has blessed me with the gift of language and may soon be speaking in full sentences with an abounding vocabulary. However, more frequently, I find myself thankful for the very real and concrete blessing of a husband who can quite capably communicate with taxi drivers, waiters, our new Bolivian friends, etc.

Our accommodations here are quite nice. We often joke that they are a step up from our apartment in Helena. There is a small air conditioner in our bedroom that is much appreciated during the night, and so far, fairly frequent siestas. We have lots of space with an extra bedroom and open dining room and kitchen. We are even said to have the best bathroom in our small gated community since the previous owner had just put in a bath tub a few months before leaving. There are three dogs (a dachshund, retriever puppy, and golden lab puppy) owned by various people in our compound and for an animal lover growing up with a golden lab, I am quite thrilled with their company outside.

We would just ask that you pray now for our newly planted friendships with those within our mission and at the University. Especially with the two Bolivians (a brother and sister) in charge of the sports program with whom we will be working closely. They both speak about as much English as I do Spanish, but are tremendously patient. Gerson, the brother, married a missionary's daughter who is fluent in both Spanish and English. They actually live in our compound, so we look forward to getting to know them. Thank you again for your support and prayers. It is in our plans to have a support letter ready for mail in a few days, and I am confident (mostly in Mike's ability) that pictures are soon to follow.

Dear Helena

We officially have a departure date. Aileen and I are flying out of Denver on October 17 (cheaper than flying out of Billings). That leaves us with about 10 days here in Billings. The time it is a-flyin'.

During the 9 months Aileen and I lived in Helena, the Lord blessed us some amazing new friendships, a great church to be a part of and fellowship with, and some precious and treasured time to spend with Aileen's parents. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you Helenites (Helenians?). You befriended us readily, supported us through all the decisions we've made, and covered us in prayer. We can see, now, why the Lord had us in that place for that period of time. This mission would not be possible without all of you, and we are so thankful to have you partnering with us in this experience. We are confident the Lord will do amazing things while we are in Bolivia, and we look forward to sharing that with you. Thank you for ministering to us, and we look forward to seeing you upon our return.