It's rainy season here in Bolivia. The tradeoff for cloudy, wet days? Waking up every day to red rock mountains blanketed in a brilliant green covering. I'll take the rain. And, the sun is that much more appreciated when it does make an appearance.
Rainy season doesn't just mean green mountains and clouds. It also means indoor recess, muddy soccer balls and even muddier kids. It indicates that fall (in the Southern Hemisphere) is quickly approaching and seems to make these next few months feel as if they are nearly over. But, as I remind myself, they're not! Just as the Lord has accomplished many incredible things the past couple of months, I wait in anticipation to see what He will do with the few ahead of me.
 |
| A very belated "Merry Christmas!"from the 5th grade at HIS. | | |
|
|
In less than 3 weeks, a team of 6 from Idaho State University Chi Alpha will be visiting Bolivia and I get the privilege of hosting them! As you may remember, last year the same group lead by one of my best friends, Sara Good, visited. This year Sara will once again be bringing a team. We will be spending several days in the Amazon Basin of northern Bolivia ministering to river villages and no doubt having some jungle adventures. After we return to La Paz the team will spend a couple of days with Word Made Flesh, a ministry in El Alto (sister city to La Paz) that ministers to women who are victims of prostitution. The team will end their time by spending the day with me at Highlands and ministering to our precious students. I anticipate a very busy time, but my heart is bursting with the joy of seeing my fellow Idahoans on Bolivian soil! Please be in prayer with me for this time as we prepare and finalize details.
I already mentioned things have been wet around here, but I didn't mention the water balloons. Carnaval season recently ended in South America. Think Mardi Gras to the 10th power. :) During the weeks preceding Carnaval there is no safe zone in the city. Any innocent pedestrian is fair game to be "foamed" or become the victim of a drive by water ballooning. To ensure I received the full cultural experience, I decided to venture to Oruro with a group of friends for the official day of Carnaval. They say the 2nd largest Carnaval celebration in all of South America takes place here. Plus, this year, the guest of honor was Jude Law. No joke! The Bolivian government flew him in to promote the festivities. It was a great day of enjoying traditional Bolivian dances, getting soaking wet (due to rain AND water balloons), being more crowded than I've ever been in my life and eating foam every time some random passerby was brave enough to spray the tall gringa.
 |
| Grateful for these adventurous travel friends of mine! |
 |
| Elaborate costumes! |
 |
| This steady stream of dancing goes on from 9AM to 12 AM. There are tens of thousands of dancers who participate.Unfortunately, excessive consumption of alcohol is a large part of the celebration. By 12 AM, the dancers aren't performing quite so well. |
 |
| Poncho? Check! Carnaval mask? Check! Can of spray foam? Check! Read to venture out! |
 |
| Here we are "engaging in the culture". :) |
 |
| Cotton Candy! |
Last week, two of my former students were baptized. It was incredible to see their joy at taking this step of obedience. What a beautiful moment to be a part of.
 |
| Ashley being baptized. The joy in this photo makes me so happy! |
|
 |
| Rebe being baptized. |
My class continues to do well. Each day they make me laugh, amaze me with their faith and insight and inspire me to learn to love more. Several of my students are going through some extremely difficult family situations right now, divorce, abuse, neglect. It breaks my heart to see and I only pray that through the strength of Jesus, I can be a source of life, truth and joy for them.
 |
| Official Class Photo! Minus Arthur (our new student from Brazil). |
|
|
|
As we begin a new month, praying you will experience the newness and freshness Jesus has for you. Thank you for your love, support and faithfulness.
"The Lord works out everything for His own ends."
Proverbs 16:4
