When I think of November in the US my mind drifts to cool fall mornings, pumpkin lattes and hiking through flame colored hillsides of changing leaves. When I think of November in Bolivia, I envision rainstorms, blooming flowers and mud covered kids coming in from recess. Rainy season is upon us.
As I write, I find myself with nothing "spectacular" to report, but the simple happenings of every day life. Which, given the brevity and beauty of life, I actually think is pretty spectacular.
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| Spring Flowers |
We recently just finished up our first quarter at HIS. The old adage "time flies" stands true. We've had a lot of visitors this past quarter. A large team from Texas spent 10 days with us, ministering to our students and to our staff. During their time with us we saw 6 students make decisions to follow Jesus and several others recommit to following Jesus (I take back what I said before-this is spectacular)! After this visit, we had several staff members from the NICS Memphis home office join us in La Paz. It's always good to reconnect with these folks; I even got to share a meal and an evening with Missy Parks, our "Member Care Coordinator". She basically makes sure all our staff, in all our 21 schools around the World are doing okay and are remaining physically, mentally and spiritually healthy-no big deal, right? :) It was a tremendous blessing to get to spend an evening with her one on one and was a tangible reminder of God's love for me. (Now that I reflect on it, I wonder if I should be concerned that the woman in charge of correcting personnel and intervening when there's a need, took an evening out to spend with just me... ) J
My 15 students are doing well. They are learning and growing
and they continue to bring me so much joy. Last week we went on our first field trip to a large bag factory in El Alto, where a student's Dad works; we ate saltenas, played with the guard dogs and learned all about the materials and machines used to make market bags. Though I loved seeing a new place and learning more about La Paz, my favorite part was probably spending time with my students on the bus. It was so great to just be together, with no agenda other than talking, singing, laughing and admiring the spectacular views of the Andes mountains from the bus window.
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| Super Selfie. Peace signs are universally cool. :) |
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| Got to chat with this little guy all the way to the bag factory! |
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| My girls |
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| My boys (missing one) |
"She's definitely a girl, let's name her Molly!"
3 days later...
"I googled how to tell the sex of a kitten and I'm pretty sure she's a boy. How about Oliver?"
3 more days later...
"Oliver just doesn't fit. Do you all agree? Okay, how about Tucker?"
Thankfully, "Tucker" stuck. :)
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| This is when we called him "Molly". :) |
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| Tuck and me. |
We recently welcomed a new baby into our community! Janet and her husband Leo have worked at our school for many years and are a vital part of our ministry. I happened to be walking with a friend today after a much needed coffee catch up date (today is a national holiday-All Saints Day) and we ran into Leo outside of the hospital; he took us in and we got to meet his newest daughter. I have never seen so much hair on a baby in my life; she is so precious! What a tangible reminder of the joy found in new life.
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| All bundled up in the beautiful sweater Mom made for her. |
I pray this finds you well and holding firmly to the hope we have been given.
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory." Ephesians 3:20-21
