Bolivia Team 2006

2006-08-14T09:41:00.000-07:00

Queridos, I couldn't resist posting this shot as we were going through Miami customs on the way home (and then the big guy with the sidearm tapped on the window and said "NO PHOTOS IN THE CUSTOMS AREA"). But I got away with this one. Gwen, I am so grateful for your nursing expertise - I don't think I could ever speak well of the taste of that hydration fluid, but it was a real help to me. I will never travel anywhere again without packing my own supply. Miriam, and Sarah: what energy and enthusiasm you put into our mission. I know your mom and dad must be very proud of you. I hope we can work together again someday. Please, all of you, stay in touch. I miss everyone from our little team - it was quite an adventure. Marcos

Lessons from Bolivia

2006-08-02T11:56:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

While we were stranded in Santa Cruz the team talked about what we had learned during our time at La Palmera. Well now that we’ve been home for awhile and readjusting to life in America, I’ve been able to more clearly understand what God was teaching me in Bolivia.

The first thing He taught me was about worry. I’m a perfectionist. I like to know the plan ahead of time and for everything to follow that plan exactly. Well, in Bolivia nothing follows a plan. Our journeys both to and from Bolivia were full of cancelled planes and changed plans. Many times while we were in Bolivia we would hear several different versions of what would happen that day – and then what really happened would be completely different! But God taught me not to worry about it. As time passed I found myself caring less and less about the plan and more and more about how God wanted us to use our time. By the time we got to traveling back to Minneapolis, the cancelled flights and changes in plan weren’t that big of deal to me. I praise God for teaching me to trust Him and just follow His plan as He lays it before me.

I also learned what it means to be a cheerful giver. Everyone we met in Trinidad greeted us with open arms. Even if they had nothing to offer, they gave us love. My family went to the home of Carlos Erick for lunch and experienced a hospitality I had never found before. It was an amazing time and I am so grateful that they showed me how to give unconditionally and with great love. People in the United States often give material gifts but fail to give them with the kind of love and joy that we found in Bolivia. The last morning we had in Trinidad a woman gave each of the women on our team a bracelet or necklace. Every time I wear mine I think not of how happy I am to have a beautiful bracelet, but of the time and love she put into making it. Her gifts to us remind me of the woman in Mark 12 that gave everything she had to the temple offering. Jesus said of her “I tell you that this poor widow has put in more than all the others. Everyone else gave what they didn't need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had.” Surely that is what Jesus is saying of the people of Trinidad.

Another lesson I learned was the power of prayer. Seeing people pray to God in Spanish had a huge effect on me both when I went to Bolivia four years ago and this year. There’s something about seeing God worshiped in another language that really touches my heart. It’s a reminder that our God is the God of all the earth and of all people. He is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. The fact that He listens to our prayers, no matter what language, is an astounding and humbling idea. When we prayed with the Bolivians, some of us in English and some in Spanish, I was so grateful to be serving a God who can personally relate to all people. He has no limits and desires to have a relationship with each of His followers. I love serving a God like that!!

And finally, perhaps my most important lesson came from watching the uninhibited praise offered by the children of La Palmera. Although I didn’t know all of the words and couldn’t follow all of the dance steps, praising with the Bolivians was an experience I will never forget. In the United States we often just stand there as we sing. We come to know the songs so well that we’re just reciting familiar words to a tune. In Bolivia it felt like we were really dancing before the Lord. The Bible tells us to make a joyful noise to the Lord and I have no doubt that La Palmera fulfills that commandment each and every day. It was so refreshing to push everything aside and just sing and dance to God. Now that I’ve returned to the United States I long to have one more time of dancing with the kids but God is gently reminding me that I don’t have to be in Bolivia to praise Him. I can be alone and in complete silence and still worship Him for being God. I think La Palmera understands how to praise and I can only thank God for letting me experience and learn from them. I pray that each day God teaches me anew how to give my whole heart to Him and to worship Him with everything that I am. Psalm 150:6 – “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!”

– Laura

they've all arrived!

2006-07-29T18:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who continued to pray for the black bags that have been on a long Bolivian adventure! They've arrived safely in Trinidad now. So, all the wonderful donations for the nursery, preschool, dental clinic, La Palmera in general and the church have arrived safely. May the Lord greatly bless all the donors and pray-ers. After being at La Palmera, I love the fact that I can picture all these wonderful donations and how and where they are being used to both practically help the La Palmera community and to glorify our great God!

Shelly

My Bolivian Experience

2006-07-25T19:23:00.000-07:00

Hola!
The past few weeks have been crazy, filled with cancelled airplanes, eating grubs, sleeping at airports and getting a bit sick. They also have been filled with amazing love, kindness and the Holy Spirit. I found some of the most wonderful people in Bolivia. Upon leaving Trinidad I left a piece of my heart behind. As short as our visit was, I definitely felt some heart ache upon having to leave. (The lovely Bolivian serenade on our last night certainly didn’t help ease the pain).
I miss being in Trinidad; everything from the motos and the plaza, to the camps, singing and dancing, to the school staff and most importantly the children. I must admit that at first I had my doubts about this trip. Just silly worries about not getting along with the group, going alone, getting sick, etc… In the end all my doubt was washed away. The team this year was awesome and I miss everyone already!
My experience in Trinidad will last forever. Seeing the poverty that some people live in made me even more thankful for what I was raised with. On the other hand, it also made me feel like I’ve been selfish and helped me to want to give more to others. (Matthew 7:12) Out of poverty, the people in Trinidad were able to give us so much; so many good memories and so much happiness. God’s presence emanated through their pure Christian love.
I was saved when I was nine years old. I remember learning Bible verses as a kid, going to Sunday school and memorizing the books of the Bible, especially with my grandparents (Far Far and Far Mor). The past few years I could feel myself straying away from God. Not necessarily through doing bad acts, but just not rejoicing in Him or being as much of a Christian as I knew I should be. My Uncle Mark and Aunt Nancy suggested that I go on this trip in hopes that it would be somewhat of a life changing experience. That I would be able to see how greatly God can influence lives. Through this experience, I feel like I grew not only emotionally, but spiritually as well. Just seeing the people, hearing stories about their lives and hearing the testimonies of others got me fired up. There have been a lot of events in my life where God has shown his presence. At the time I didn’t always acknowledge those events as much as I should have as God’s work. Looking back, I realize that He’s always been looking out for me and has always played a great part in my life. It’s obvious that the hand of God is at work not only at La Palmera, but also in the town of Trinidad. Physically, Trinidad is kind of dirty- open sewers, trash on the streets, lots of poverty. Emotionally and spiritually, it’s the most beautiful place that I’ve ever been to. There’s so much love from the people- everyone is so open and honest. I have yet to find another place where everyone gives their love so freely and openly. In the whole time that I was there, I don’t think that I ever saw anyone fighting, being selfish or not getting along with one another. Not to say that it never happens, but in general (compared to most of the kids I’ve seen in America) the children at La Palmera seemed so much more lighthearted. They shared (50+ kids with one Nerf ball), entertained themselves (hard to find a kid in America who doesn’t constantly say that he or she is bored) and were so grateful just for hugs; for us being there with them.
In general, America is looked at as being time poor and money rich, while Bolivia is perceived as being time rich and money poor. Out of the two, I’d rather have more time. More time to be with family and friends. More time to glorify and serve God. More time to lend a helping hand and better my community. More time to live life to the fullest.
It’s still unclear to me as to what my purpose is on earth, though I will continue to ask for God’s guidance in whatever I do. One of my greatest prayers throughout the last couple of years has been about what I want to do with my life. Lately, I’ve felt a great desire for travel and a need to explore what the world has to offer. I’ve always wanted to help people. In Boulder, I’ve been volunteering as a foster parent (for kittens at a local animal shelter) and have also found joy in being a volunteer teaching English as a second language. I just finished two years at the University of Colorado and after changing my major at least four times, I think I’ve finally settled on sociology and possibly an unofficial minor in linguistics or art. I’m taking this fall/spring off to go to Sweden where I will be a nanny for a family and take a few classes. I’m hoping that taking some time off will help lead me to what I want to do in the future, though I will be praying about returning to Trinidad. I hope it is in God’s will that I’m able to return as a short term volunteer for at least a few months. Even in the short time that I was there, I felt so welcomed that it could have been like a second home.
Thank you Lucho and Lorna for everything you’ve done for us. There aren’t words to express my gratitude for all your love, support and hospitality. I’d like to thank Mark and Nancy for helping to soothe some of my desire to travel and leading me to my latest journey in Trinidad- Beni, Bolivia. I’d also like to thank the Minneapolis Team, especially Homer for all your hard work, along with Far Far, Jerry and Mary, and the rest of my family for all your support. I’m so thankful that I was able to be part of such a remarkable group of people. I’m thankful to God for this wonderful experience, thankful for all of your prayers and thankful for my new friends.
I will continue to pray that I will be able to return sometime in the future, hopefully next summer!
Dios te bendiga (God Bless), Sadie

Good News!

2006-07-22T09:53:00.000-07:00

Great news!

I just had an e-mail from Lorna and rest of the blue boxes arrived yesterday. She has already unpacked them and one of the sweet short term guys is going to put the nursery equipment together. Soon all these items will be a blessing in the appropriate places.

The black bags (2) are harder to identify and they are likely in Cochabamba. So we'll continue to pray that they make their way to Trinidad very soon. But the vast majority of stuff has arrived in good shape. Praise God for watching over those bins when we had no idea where they were!

The Bolivia Team 2006

Praise & Worship

2006-07-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

LA TENGO (I’VE GOT IT)

Cristo no está muerto (Christ isn’t dead)
Él está vivo (He is living)
X3

Lo siento en mis manos (I feel it in my hands)

Lo siento en mis pies (I feel it in my feet)

Lo siento en todo mi ser (I feel it in everything I am)

La tengo (I’ve got it)
X4

La unción está sobre mi gloria a Dios (My zeal is for the glory of God)

Porque la tengo (Because I’ve got it)

Bricks, Babies & Schoolwork

2006-07-20T15:34:00.000-07:00

On one of our tours we were able to see where and how the bricks are made in Bolivia. Brick is used for most construction and is often a family run business. I'm amazed at how the Bolivian community takes common raw materials and turns them into a family business. It seems that everyone in Bolivia is involved in some sort of an enterprise, even the children. Hard work is part of everyday life, even in the blistering sun.

And babies are part of what's happening at CCC La Palmera. How a society takes care of its little ones tells us about that society. Babies in Bolivia are well taken care of.

And as babies grow, they need to go to school. Education is one of the fundamental gifts that CCC La Palmera gives to the community. When children are properly and lovingly taught, they gain real hope for a productive and abundant life. What a treat it has been to see so many children receive a quality education through the efforts of CCC LA Palmera. And we've been able to see how these children have grown into community leaders, willing to invest their lives back into the lives of others. Look carefully, because I'm sure you can see tomorrow's leaders at their school work today.

Time for reflection

2006-07-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

Queridos (Dear ones):

I wanted to place a quick post on our Bolivia blog before too much time went by... I am so grateful that in spite of my hemming and hawing, God, in His sovereignty placed me on the team that did arrive, and thrive, and return back home (in one piece, so to speak). To tell the truth, I was not very enthusiastic to go on the trip. I had a herniated disk in my lower neck and could have used that as an excuse to skip the trip. Also, I have been working with my son to try to get his house sold in order for him to pay off some sizeable debts (and recoup the thousands of dollars we have lent him to keep his bills up to date). Finally, we are stranded in the middle of a remodeling project where the guy (name withheld) we pre-paid (to help him with some bills as he was going through a messy divorce) is now not able to help us finish (because of some medical and behavioral issues), so we are going through a process of trying to find a contractor that can help us finish up the work before winter. All that being said, as I wrestled with the decision to go, I thought of that scripture where the various ones are giving excuses to the Lord for not following Him ("I have just bought some land and need to go look at it", or "I have just bought a pair of oxen and need to check them out", or "allow me to bury my father, etc.") and I thought this matched my situation exactly. I realized I had no excuse not to go for if I left those "issues" in His hands and put the gospel as a first priority, that, in His own way, he would take care of those lesser issues. Now, none of those issues have been resolved, but I know I have given them to Him to resolve and I do not feel as much of a burden for those things to get resolved. So, I wait in patience. All of these workings in my heart I must admit are truly works of His grace for the scripture says "by grace are you saved through FAITH and that (FAITH is) not of yourselves - it is the gift of God (He is the author and perfector of faithe itself). So, I hope some of these thoughts are helpful to you who read this posting. There is so much Christ wants to share with us if we are willing to step out of our comfort zone. He is strong (tough as nails I like to say) and able to "keep all that Thou hast given me", yet tender and compassionate to the brokenhearted and the helpless - praise be to his name! I will attempt to load some Bolivia photos from my camera in the next few days - but for now, just wanted to get a posting out. In His name and by His power, Mark Rusnak

A Few Pics...

2006-07-19T15:54:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics of our trip. Note the smiling faces and see if you can tell the gringos from the Bolivians. Each of these photos were taken at Mira Flores, the chaco. The lake at the chaco is complete with jumping fish. The fish jump because of the pet alligators. Swimming is optional.

To Lucho, Lorna & CCC La Palmera

2006-07-18T18:05:00.000-07:00

On behalf of the Minneapolis team, Shelly and I would like to express our deepest thanks and gratitude to Lucho, Lorna and the staff, workers and people of CCC La Palmera for your warmth, kindness and genuine Christian love. These words from Scripture came alive for the Minneapolis team as we learned from the example we were shown:

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you", Ephesians 4.32.

We have been touched beyond words at the display of affection shown to us and especially to our dear friend Homer. We salute you, the people of Trinidad-Beni, Bolivia and believe that your example is exactly what Jesus spoke about in John 13.35, the example that Jesus gave to His disciples. May the Lord bless you each richly in this age and in the age to follow.

Dan & Shelly

Home again

2006-07-18T15:48:00.000-07:00

Hi to everyone

It was certainly good to arrive in the US last night! Our LAB plane did indeed leave on Monday morning. We all clapped when it left the ground in Santa Cruz. We had a stop in Panama and then landed in Miami at around 8 pm. It was a challenging time that God allowed and is using to make each one of us more Christ like. It would be easy to end this trip by focusing on the frustrations of our travels back. And that would indeed be a triumph for our enemy!

But rather than sharing all the challenges, we'll focus on God's amazing grace and mercy. We made it onto the hotel shuttle and arrived in time to board the LAB flight. We all got seats on the full plane and it was a good flight. We arrived in Miami too late to get flights to Minneapolis and Portland. We were left last night with uncertainty about when flights would be, if they would have room, if we would have penalties to pay, etc. Part of our Team stayed the night at the airport and 5 went to a motel over night for a very short night of sleep. That group arrived back at the airport at 6 am. We are ever so thankful there were people staying overnight at the airport. Because God caused a LAB employee to show up at the counter very late that night. (If you have ever dealt with LAB you would understand what a miracle this was. Their counter is rarely staffed!). That LAB employee was able to help the Garbers switch their United flight at no charge, and they flew to Portland at 8:30 am today. They were also able to help Sadie with her messed up ticket. It had her going to Colorado rather than Minneapolis. (Sadie had come in from Colorado). Also at no charge, they got her on a United flight to Minneapolis at 6:30 am today.

For the rest of the Minneapolis Team, God allowed continued uncertainty because the Northwest desk isn't staffed at that airport until 7:30 am. When I (Shelly) called the 800 number, the person was not encouraging about getting a new flight without penalties. We prayed a lot as we waited. And God certainly met our needs more abundantly than we could have hoped. The Northwest ticket desk had one employee at 7:30 am. She wasn't grumpy, but she was initially fairly stern. She no doubt has been mistreated by irate customers as have all ticket counter employees. But as we treated her kindly, the sternness was quickly replaced by kindness. She was very compassionate and really spent a lot of time trying to help us. There was only 1 flight from Miami to Minneapolis today. It was quite full, but there were 6 seats open that she quickly booked for us. That left 2 people out. She put them on standby and also booked them for a later flight to Detroit which could then be connected to Minneapolis. With the supervisor's help, she put Dan and Larry as priority standby meaning they would be the first to get on the plane in the event of "no-shows". But it was uncertain. And God also met our needs in yet another wonderful way - she didn't charge any penalty even though these Northwest tickets weren't connected to our LAB flight technically! She also waved our slightly overwesight baggage through with no problem! We immediatelygathered in prayer and praise to our great and awesome God.

When the time came to board the plane, things didn't look very promising for Dan and Larry. It was a very full fight. But the gate employee was also very nice and wanted to help. She'd heard the whole story and was pulling for us! We 6 boarded the plane and it was nice we were all in a row with 3 on each side. We watched the plane filling up and the departure time approaching. Laura, Charlie and I prayed from our seats. And then we saw a wonderful site!!! There were Larry and Dan coming down the aisle. The rest of the Team broke out in applause! Oh my, what a gracious and kind God we have. I was so convicted as I thought of the anxiety and stress I had needlessly endured for the previous 48 hours! We are told He will care for all our needs, but then we still worry. How much that must grieve Him.

And so the Minneapolis part of the Team arrived in the airport right on time and we are so glad. We got Larry on the road to Iowa, and he has a 4 hour drive in front of him. We are eager to hear of the Garbers arrival in Portland and we'll call Sadie soon to make sure she made it to Minneapolis earlier today.

Please join all of us in praising and thanking God who not only gave us the most precious gift of all - Jesus..... but He also is so kind to take care of all needs both small and large. In the great Name of Jesus, I say thank you, Lord for your magnificent care that is immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine. Thank you for giving us the wonderful experiences and relationships in Trinidad, Bolivia. Thank you for overcoming Satan's evil intent to cause us to focus on the frustrations rather than the joys of being at La Palmera.

Love, Shelly

yet another change

2006-07-16T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hola

Our latest news is that the LAB flight to Miami will leave at 10 tomorrow morning (Monday). LAB is eager to get us out of this hotel, so it´s hard to believe they would postpone beyond tomorrow. This would potentially put us in Miami too late for a flight to Minneapolis. Pray that Northwest will be able to accomodate all of us without too much delay!

Thanks so much for your prayer coverage!

The Bolivia 2006 Team

2006-07-16T09:59:00.000-07:00

Good news. A few members of our Team went to the airport with L and L today and were able to get boarding passes. The plane is in Cochabamba being serviced and is due in Santa Cruz in the early evening. It is scheduled to take off at 10:30 pm tonight. It is overbooked due to cancelled flights, so it is very good that we have our passes for seats.

Please continue to pray that this plane actually comes to Santa Cruz and departs for Miami. Things can change quickly around here, but Lucho and Lorna felt positively about the flight and went on back to Trinidad. We are so grateful for their time with us. They are wonderful people.

Our birthday celebration with Lorna was very enjoyable last night. THe food was great and we so enjoyed our last evening with them.

I forgot to mention something very special aobut our last night at Trinidad. After the terribly emotional goodbyes with our new friends, we headed back to our room knowing we´d be departing the next morning. 10 men from the church came and serenaded the ladies from 1:30 to 2:30 am. We all agreed we had never heard anything so lovely in our lives. They stood right outside our bedroom windows, and it was the sweetest sound you can imagine. None of us had ever been serenaded before, and it was a most wonderful send off for us. I can´t imagine how these dear people could have done more for us. Out of poverty, they gave more to us than we ever could have thought or imagined. What a picture of Jesus´s love to us.

We look forward to reunions with our loved ones tomorrow in Miami!

Shelly

Santa Cruz

2006-07-15T19:28:00.000-07:00

¡Hola!

As you´ve read below we´re here in Santa Cruz for a short visit. Time is different here in Bolivia. Today becomes mañana before you know it and yesterday fades into the past. We haven´t been able to load pictures up on this blog, but will be able to when we arrive back in Minneapolis. Look for lot´s of details to come forward then.

I´ve been thinking about how the Lord has engineered this teams´s activities from start to finish and have gained a new respect for the Lord. His ways are always right, often surprising and usually not like mine. Rather than letting us board a plane and hurry back to our comfortable homes, we´ve had a wonderful time of getting to know the Bolivian culture better, the Bolivian people better and getting to know our hosts, Lucho & Lorno Velez better. The Lord knew that an extra day or two as a time of refreshment were really needed for this team and so that is exactly what He has provided - in my of my best efforts.

But I´ve been asking myself why Santa Cruz, why have we been placed here in Santa Cruz? Santa Cruz is Spanish for Holy Cross. The Cross is the reason for our time here in Bolivia, it is our purpose, and I suspect that has something to do with it. As I ponder the inexpressible joy we have experienced here I´m reminded of a verse which has been brought up several times on this trip. It speaks of Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith ¨who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God¨. His pain, our reward. The cross is humbling - and joyous at the same time.

As I consider the friends I´ve left behind in Trinidad I´m encouraged, and that encouragement comes from Santa Cruz - the Holy Cross. The joy, the relationships, the real fellowship is meaningless unless it has permanence. So much of what goes on in the world will end in the void of nothingness, but not so with the Holy Cross. The Cross is our entry into eternal and abundant life (and there is no other way of entry), and this cements the joy we have exerienced. I have met, I have be able to know, I have had fellowship with my eternal brothers and sisters. There is no ¨goodbye¨, but instead ¨chau¨. I like that. I like the knowledge and assurance that relationships based upon the Lord Jesus are permanent. The cross changes lives forevermore.

While we´re thankful for this time in Santa Cruz, we do need to return to the US. Please join us in prayer that our LAB flight tomorrow evening will fly as scheduled, that we are able to reschedule our connecting flights and make it to our homes and families safely. Also, please pray that the remaining bins to make it to Trinidad. There are 10 bins that have yet to arrive.

There is much more to write, and that will come in due time. Press on, pray on and be blessed.

Dan

2006-07-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Santa Cruz!

We are still delayed until Sunday night but are having a good time in Santa Cruz anyway! Miriam and I (Laura) are loving the fact that we´re still in Bolivia!

This morning Lucho took us to the zoo and it was really neat. It has only Amazonian animals and most of them are native to Bolivia. We saw many kinds of birds and got to walk through a bird sanctuary. There were tons of beautiful (and loud) birds flying around freely and several small critters on the ground.

We also saw huge rodents (capybaras and other kinds), turtles and other reptiles, big cats, monkeys, armadillos, and many more things that I can´t even remember! Lucho is a very interesting guide and had many stories and facts to tell us about each animal.

The hotel we´re staying in is very nice and we have unlimited and free internet access! We´ve got plenty of rooms, there´s a pool, an exercise room, and free breakfast! So in short - we haven´t really had any inconvenience and have been having a great time.

Even though I really don´t want to, I should request prayers that our LAB flight will be on time and go as planned. I personally would rather hear that there will be no flight until the end of the summer and we should just return to Trinidad!! But realistically, please pray for everything to go as planned and that we can arrive back to our homes quickly and safely.

Well it sounds like we´re about to go shopping and sight-seeing so I´m signing off for now. We miss everyone and are anxious to see you again!

God bless,
Laura

we´re in Santa Cruz

2006-07-15T05:20:00.000-07:00

Hello

We made the 9 hour bus ride yesterday to Santa Cruz only to arrive at the airport and discover that LAB had just cancelled the flight to Miami. Why does this not surprise us too much!!! Lorna had been in contact with them even during our bus trip, and all was supposed to be going as planned.

But this time LAB did give us hotel vouchers. I think having Lucho and Lorna along with us had something to do with that! So we are staying in a nice hotel and are about to have our free breakfast. We are so grateful to be in the company of Lucho and Lorna during our time here. Today they are taking us to the zoo. And tonight we will celebrate Lorna´s birthday at a nice restaurant here.

Lorna will be in contact with LAB today, but it didn´t sound like there would be another flight until tomorrow night. So it´s likely we won´t be leaving today. Everyone is handling it well. Some of us are more eager to get home than others! Some of our girls would be happy to find out there isn´t another flight for 2 months!!! But, we will be home soon.

Our last night at La Palmara was incredible. There was a big party for our Team, and we´ll elaborate later. There was singing for us, dancing, gifts of food and other things. There were lots and lots of tears and we said goodbye to friends that we can´t wait to see again.

We´ll try to update when we have more information. Please pray for a flight for us. There are lots of people waiting to get on a LAB plane!

Held by God´s mighty and perfect hand,

Love, Shelly

Some Totes have finally arrived!

2006-07-12T05:30:00.000-07:00

Hola amigos

Lucho drove to Santa Cruz and just returned with some of our luggage. The Garbers got almost all of their luggage (which had been checked through from Portland), and 5 of our big bins arrived. We are so excited and encouraged to have some great nursery supplies, craft items, a little bit of baseball gear, some dental instruments and a few other things. We´ll certainly use them today for the last full day of Primary Camp. Please pray that these supplies will be a blessing for the staff.

Lucho has reminded us again that God wanted us to arrive empty handed and just bring our hearts. This was a huge encouragement to those of us who felt so bad about arriving with nothing to give. And the people here have certainly welcomed us without disappointment about the lack of gifts. Praiase God for His perfect timing. The rest of the totes should be waiting in Santa Cruz for Lucho to retrieve when he takes us there on Friday.

Please pray for our Teammate Mark. He apparently ate some non Gringo safe food and got sick. The doctor and nurses came yesterday and hooked him to an IV with fluids and antibiotics. His diagnosis of salmanella came in last night. He is responding very well to the fluids and antibiotics and is resting and recovering. The rest of us are doing well and are simply a bit tired due to the apparently endless energy of the children and camp volunteers. We had a leader´s meeting last night at 10:45 pm and then had to join the kids for exercises at 6:30 am! Don´t even ask how they wake everyone up! That type of alarm should be illegal!!!! But, seriously, we are having a great time and are enjoying every opportunity. This morning several of us had opportunities to lead devotions for the small groups of kids. Later today Miriam and Dan will share during the conference time. Laura and Sarah shared their testimonies during the community church service and Larry preached the sermon. Everyone else has also had opportunity to share individually and in small groups.

As our time comes to an end, pray that LAB will not cause us problems and pray that there will be many salvations! We love all of you! Shelly

2006-07-09T13:37:00.000-07:00

Hola!

We are having a lull in our day and this is a nice time to reflect a bit. The community church service of La Palmera was overwhelming to each of us today. Our Team and especially Homer were honored beyond words. There was a banner welcoming us, and we were brought up and introduced by name. The pastor mentioned us several times and we felt quite humbled by this. Sarah and Laura gave their testimonies, and both these young ladies shared from their heart and it was a beautiful thing. Our Team performed a skit that we put together yesterday. We sang 2 songs Draw Me Close and Sanctuary. The Bolivians eventually joined us in Spanish on Sanctuary and it was most moving.

Homer was honored and awarded a special plaque in a touching moment. For the first time, we saw Homer unable to speak because of being broken up with emotion. It was one of the most emotional moments we´ve experienced. This is Homer´s farewell trip to Bolivia, and he is much loved here.

The soccer game last night was also quite an experience. We had made a card for each of the players on the La Palmera team (adult men). We each wrote at least one handwritten card for these hard working and poverty striken players. There are many salvation stories through the futball school. Our energetic girls made up a wonderful La Palmera cheer and they enthusiastically and loudly cheered our team on. I think this really encouraged the players and they won 3 to 1. They recogized the girls with a salute at the end of the game. I even saw some of the military police chuckling when the girls would start their cheer or some impromtu song. It was a very enjoyable ending to an evening that had included a lovely and wonderful dinner with Lucho and Lorna and the long term workers and some La Palmera staff. We enjoyed the time of mutual encouragement.

We continue to have many opportunities each day to show love to the children and adults associated wtih La Palmera and the surrounding neighborhoods. This has been the key to seeing people trust the Lord. They are loved into the Kingdom. I dread going back to the USA and not being greeted constantly with a hug and kiss on the cheek by everyone.

The kids on this Team are very much enjoying the Moto taxies. It´s a very cheap and enjoyable way to get around. Lucho took us on more of a tour yesterday and we learned about new areas for church plants, and we met some people with amazing stories of coming to the Lord through La Palmera. Lucho stopped and let us swim in the river. I was sure a pirana was going to chomp down on my leg at any moment. But much of the Team was brave about staying in the water longer. We had a chance to play with some Bolivian kids in the river, and although this doesn´t seem like evangelism.... in fact that sort of relationship building has been the key to salvations here in Trinidad.

I´m pretty sure that you´re not supposed to eat this well on a short term missions trip, but we´re certainly not complaining. Lucho and Lorna have a wonderful gift of hospitality and their kitchen and dining area is a haven for us. It´s nice and cool and we are treated wonderfully by the Velez´s and their wonderful kitchen helpers.

Please continue to pray for our bins and totes to arrive. Someone asked if we had gotten our personal luggage. Yes, we all got our personal luggage from the Minneapolis part of the Team. The Garbers from Oregon haven´t received theirs. They certainly hope to get it tomorrow, but they are being wonderful troupers about this.

I (Shelly) was invited to spend the morning with the Pre Kinder (4 year old) class on Friday. What an amazing time I had. They had worked hard to give me an enthusiastic greeting in English. They made me a huge card that represents much hard work. I will treasure it. The children also sang two nursery songs for me in English. I was most impressed with the work going on in this classroom. I long to bless them with some of the educational toys and crafts we brought on this trip. I´m going to teach them to make Playdough when our stuff comes in. The rest of the Team has been adopted by classes and they will get to find out what this means this week during the Camp at the school.

With the exception of Laura´s stomach sickness, we´ve been very healthy and had no problems. Thanks for all your prayers for us. We love you and we long to continue to be covered in prayer. We´ve taken some great photos and hope to download some soon. Please also pray that our airline arrangments are without problems for our return trip. A couple of the girls are hoping we´re delayed by at least 2 weeks! I know all of us are loving it here, but some need to get back to work and other responsibilities. We certainly could be delayed by a day or two because of the issues with LAB, but Lorna doesn´t anticipate being delayed by very long.

Awed by His great love here in Bolivia, Shelly

Bolivia Team 2006

2006-07-07T20:11:00.000-07:00

Hola Everyone!
I just thought you might like to here that Joseph, Lisa and I did make it safely back home. Joseph was very kind and bought us lunch before the plane ride. After we got home Lisa and I managed to talk our parents into spending the evening together and going to watch fireworks!
We have been praying and thinking about all of you alot these past few days and our glad that you are doing so well. We'll continue to pray about the crates and hope they make it there soon.
Question: Did your suitcases also go MIA (missing in action)???

I also want to tell you guys that I will be headed up to Camp Dellwater to help with the teen staffing next week. Long story short, my sister and I seem to have been an answer to pray for helping with the work up at camp.
Anyway, that's the news from here in the States!
Love and God Bless,
Alicia
P.S. If any of you meet a young lady there that goes by the name of Carolina Desiree give her a really big hug and tell her the Tucker family says hola.

2006-07-07T15:18:00.000-07:00

¡Hola!

After many travel challenges we´ve arrived at La Palmera. Yesterday we had a wonderful time at Mira Flores and the campamento. It was a very special time of welcoming from our wonderful Bolivian friends. Our hearts were touched and we experienced inexpressible joy.

This morning we enjoyed cow´s head soup and several very special baptisms at the Mira Flores lake. Such a beautiful place with beautiful people and now beautiful memories. Eternity will not be long enough to tell of the joy we´ve experienced.

Today we had time for our first siesta - a refreshing afternoon nap. Tonight we´ll be privileged to cheer on the La Palmera Football team. Tomorrow´s plans are full and we´re all looking so forward to meeting even more of our special friends. When our luggage arrives we´ll begin work at the nursery, etc.

Thanks to everyone who prayed for our safe arrival. The hand of the Lord was upon us the entire way. Blessings to all.

Dan

2006-07-07T13:10:00.000-07:00

¡Hola Amigos!

It´s Laura here. There´s so much going on that I would love to share but time is tight and the internet connection is shaky!

We had a 10 hour bus ride from Santa Cruz to Trinidad on Wednesday and arrived late that night. The scenery during the bus ride was amazing!

On Thursday we spent the entire day at the camp and had a wonderful time! The kids´ greeting was so warm and welcoming. The day was spent reuniting with old friends and making new ones. We watched an exciting soccer game and will be going to a professional one tonight!

Thanks for your prayers everyone! God´s hand is very evident at the school and camp here. Everyone is experiencing something truly special and wonderful.

Well I don´t know how long the internet will hold out, so I´m signing out now! Please ignore any typos and mistakes - the keyboard here is slightly different.

I hope all is well in the United States and we´ll be sure to update ASAP.

Lisa, Alicia, Joseph, and Nate - we miss you and are praying for you! We think of you often.

God bless and chau!

Laura

2006-07-07T05:07:00.000-07:00

Hello ' this is Shelly posting from Lorna´s lovely house. Well ' what an adventure we´ve had.

We are so happy to be here in Trinidad. It would be interesting to talk to each Team Member individually and hear how this testing impacted them. On Monday night, several Team members assumed that God had closed the door on this Bolivia trip, and we were making plans to return back to Minneapolis. But others felt this was just a hurdle to get through. I doubt any of us slept more than a few minutes that night. But, amazingly, we came together as a Team in the morning and Dan shared some thoughts from Scripture. Especially from Deut. and Joshua. Be strong and courageous! For me this was amazing. A good friend had given me a necklace with Joshua 1:9 on the back. And then my sister had encouraged me before I left Minneapolis with that same verse. As I lay in bed thinking about going back to Mpls rather than going to Bolivia, I was puzzled. I was so sure that God wanted me to live out that verse. But, so far I hadn´t felt the need to be particularly strong and courageous. A plane trip from Mpls to Miami isn´t that big of deal!!!! The other thing that made it really hard to understand was the fact that this Team has been generously supported in many ways. We were prepared to travel with SO much wonderful nursery equipment, preschool supplies, baseball supplies, dental supplies, etc etc. It seemed so puzzling to know why God would have moved people to be so generous and then close the door.

The next day, several of us begin to realize that God was calling us to be s trong and courageous. He challenged us. We also began to sort out the facts of the problems with LAB and the things we were hearing as rumors. Our final decision to fly was made as we heard from Lorna via e'mail. She had been in contact with LAB, and it didn´t sound nearly as grim as we had imagined. So part of our Team understandably returned to Minneapolis and the rest of us (12 people) decided to go to the airport on Tuesday and see if LAB showed up at the counter and if they would fly. They did FINALLY show up and we discovered that the plane had been in Miami all along and just needed some service. Their customer service is quite bizarre and I don´t know why they didn´t tell people that before! They treated us well and we finally flew out at 10 pm or so on Monday night. The flight crew was nice and the flight was uneventful with a stop in Panama. There´s much more to tell ' but this is too long already.

We put in a full first day yesterday by spending the entire day out at the Camp. I can´t begin to tell you the emotion each of us felt when we got off Lucho´s school bus and began walking up to the Camp. There were the kids and staff all lined up on both sides of the path. They were clapping, cheering, reaching out to touch us and kiss us. I don´t have the words to describe this greeting. All of us felt it and it would be interesting to talk to each person on this Team. We had a wonderful day of hanging out with these incredibly loving children. We participated in small group Bible studies. We formed relationships and we were blessed in ways beyond my comprension! Our ending time of singing and dancing was so joyful and we´ll never forget it. Some of our more adventurous Team mates are at the Camp with Lucho enjoying Cow´s Head Soup for breakfast. Several of us were treated to live catepillar type things that Lucho enjoyed feeding us! Camp was a wonderful experience for us and several are going out in a couple of hours to see the baptisms. Several are going back to hang out with their new best friends! Each of us has been adopted by a grade, and we anticipate spending time and forming deeper relationships with our adopted families.

Please pray hard. Our bins of supplies still haven´t arrived. They went on to Cochobamba (we think). Lorna is working hard to get the airline to get them to Trinidad or at least back to Santa Cruz where the truck can drive the 8 hours back to pick them up. All of our work centered around the contents of those bins, and it has been a test to not be discouraged about this. We are eagerly anticipating their arrival! But there is plently of work to do here, and we will gladly do whatever they want us to do.

thanks so much for all the prayers and love you are showing us. We are hear by God´s grace, and your prayers have been answered in most amazing ways.

So glad to be a child of this strong, amazing and surprising God!

Bolivia Team 2006

2006-07-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

Bolivia Team 2006

Hello everyone, Caroline here again. I got an email from my mom tonight saying that they got to La Palmera safely and that they were really busy but glafd to be there. Hopefully they will have time to blog soon. Please be in prayer for them and the Bolivians.

In Him,
Caroline

Bolivia Team 2006

2006-07-04T21:22:00.000-07:00

Bolivia Team 2006

Hello Everyone,

This is Caroline, Shelly and Dan's daughter who didn't go to Bolivia this year. Just wanted to let everyone know that the team made it on a flight to Bolivia on Tuesday, July 4th at about 10 pm. LAB, the Bolvian airline has been experiencing some delays and that's why it took so long. Please pray for safe travel and there there will be no more delays.

In Him,

Caroline

Bolivia Team 2006

2006-07-04T07:51:00.000-07:00

Bolivia Team 2006

Dan and the team,
I heard about the flight troubles you are having. I am praying for your soon release from Miami. Also, wanted to remind you that the safety belt for Juan is in Lisa's checked bag and if she has decided to return to Mpls would you please gather that article for Juan. It seems that this particular item wants to be rather troublesome in making it's way to Juan. Let me know if there is anything you would like to have those on the home front assist with. Call me if you like and let me know how things are coming together. I thought of you and the team today while reading Acts 12 and know that the Lord is able to send His angel to release you from the grip of Miami just as Peter was released from Herod's grip. He does all things well. Take care good friends.

Beto

2006-07-03T19:39:00.000-07:00

Hi - this is Shelly. What an eventful day we have had. Our time at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport was pretty stressful at first. That is expected when a Team is trying to connect and check through 15 big plastic bins and our personal luggage. We had a very irritable baggage checker at first, and she wouldn't let us get by with a pound of extra weight. I need to remember to be sympathetic and realize I have no idea what is happening in her life. It looked like we might have to pay for extra bins and were unsure about what to do with extra stuff. But then a new person came in and was very nice. She basically just waved the rest of our stuff through with no problem and no extra cost. Praise the Lord with us for this lovely blessing! And all of our bins and personal checked luggage made it safely to Miami. We immediately were helped by two luggage men because it seemed a daunting task to get those 50 lb bins up to the second floor of the Miami airport using theose personal sized rental carts! They were able to load everything into two huge carriers for us.

We had a wonderful blessing on our crowded flight to Miami. Many kids and adults were traveling as part of a Focus on the Family missions trip to Peru. It was fun to talk to them and really wonderful to know we were surrounded by other Christians!

As you know from Dan's previous post, our elation didn't last long. After waiting in line at the LAB counter, Dan was given the news that there was no plane. This was, needless to say, a devastating blow for our Team. However, it was good to remember that we were safe in our own country and were free to consider taking a flight back home. There were Bolivian people in that line that were devastated in a different way; they had no way to get home. I will remember the crying woman with the little baby that couldn't get home to Bolivia. We are so blessed with so much in this country. I will appreciate that more now I think.

The other sad news we had very early this morning was the news that our Teammate Nate didn't get his passport in time. He and Dan tried one more time to get the Passport Agency to help him out; but to no avail. Please keep Nate in your prayers. It's hard to see someone so excited about going and then see that hope dashed. But - God is always good and right and He is working for good in Nate's life as He promises all Believers.

Please pray for us as make hard decisions. We'll check with LAB tomorrow and see if there will be a flight. So much prayer, hard work, and wonderful giving have taken place. We have all the things to set up a very nice nursery/preschool. We have the baseball equipment. We have the dental steralizer and the water purifier. We would still love to go!

We'll update when we know more! Thanks for interceding on our behalf and for the people of Trinidad, Bolivia!

Quick Update From Miami

2006-07-03T15:09:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Miami without incident only to be met with a cancelled flight to Santa Cruz. We're hoping for a flight out tomorrow but are unclear as to when that would happen. The search for accommodations for tonight has begun. More to follow as we have details.

Please pray for a quick resolution leading to God's ultimate glory.

Dan

Packing Night

2006-06-28T20:07:00.000-07:00

We packed our team bags tonight and had a wonderful time. Please join me in thanking the Lord for Al & Mary Mendenhall, Bill & Sue Brody and Bob Devine for their help tonight. You guys and gals have been a great blessing to us all. Below Mary giving a quick farming lesson to Al, apparently a lesson with a bit of humor.

And Bill and Sue seem to be quite shocked at the numbers on the scale. Of course there's more humor because I'm the one being weighed.

Notice Bob in the background. In every picture Bob is working away taking care of all the details. Hard work and deep thought must go together.

Of course it wasn't all hard work. There was time for promoting a fine American product - Jell-O. I think Shelly is putting on the full-court sales pitch and Homer isn't buying. So much for her sales abilities.

I wonder how many U.S. citizens really think about Jell-O no-bake mixes. I can trot off to the local grocery store and pick up just about any food imaginable, including Jell-O no-bake mixes. Shoot most of the time I can have someone else cook dinner for me and even deliver it to my home. But this isn't the way most of the world lives. We complain and clamor about equality and lift this up as a great virtue, but do we really see world-wide equality in the 21st century?

I have so much, I need so little and yet dog gone it all if I don't horde for myself and fail to really live out world-wide equity. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of our supporters who have sacrificially given so that we may inch closer to real equity in this world. I have been deeply touched by your generosity. You have brought the words, "that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack" closer to home. Isn't it a simple yet profound truth that the right thing to do is for those with abundance to supply those who lack? I need to give Jell-O a little more thought.

Thankfully everything fit in the allotted containers and now we trust that it will arrive safely in Trinidad and on time. Here is what we started with just for the nursery:

So again, thanks to everyone who helped out tonight. Many hands made light work and each item was tenderly packed with loving care. You guys and gals are great. Be blessed.

Obstacle...

2006-06-27T14:19:00.000-07:00

Well, we’ve hit our first obstacle in this great adventure. LAB has cancelled our flight from Miami to Santa Cruz, Bolivia. LAB very graciously offered to fly us down a day earlier, but unfortunately there are not enough available seats to get us from Minneapolis (and Portland) to Miami. So, we’ll leave on July 3rd instead of July 1st.

One of the wonderful things about our great God is that He permits (or causes) changes in our plans to bring about a better plan. There is something very special in knowing that God is God and we are not.

As I think about the heartbreak of this team waiting an additional two days to meet and be re-united with the wonderful people of Bolivia I’m reminded of Proverbs 13.12:

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”

Doesn’t that sum up the Christian experience? We long to be with the One we love – and our hope is deferred for a brief moment in time. But hope deferred is not hope that disappoints; it is hope that ultimately becomes a tree of life. So we press on and pray on with confident expectation (hope).

Bolivia Team 2006

2006-06-26T19:42:00.000-07:00

Bolivia Team 2006
Hi Everyone!
Alicia here, I'm new at this so we'll see how this works.
If you have read the previous posts you already know a little about what we are doing and where we are going. Please continue to pray for us as the mad scramble to get all our luggage and anything else together by Saturday, July 1st begins.
Anywho, I don't have much to say, so type at ya later!
Alicia

2006-06-24T17:53:00.000-07:00

Hey - it's Shelly here. Before we leave for this adventure with the Lord, I want to thank each of our prayer partners. Without you, this trip would not be possible. You have already blessed this trip by praying in finances, supplies, the right Team members and so many other things. Thank you, thank you. May the Lord fill each of you with great joy as you partner with us on Bolivia mission 2006. We are excited to keep you updated on details. Please pray that technology will allow us to stay in touch through this website. God Bless each of you richly!

2006-06-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

Here is the team from Minneapolis at our last team meeting. We're missing our teammates from Iowa, Colorado and Oregon.

Demos Gracias al Señor

2006-06-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

Demos gracias al Señor
Demos gracias
Demos gracias por su amor

Demos gracias al Señor
Demos gracias
Demos gracias por su amor

Por las mañanas las aves cantan
las alabanzas de nuestro Salvador
y los cristianos también cantamos
las alabanzas a nuestro Salvador

English version:

We give thanks to the Lord
We give thanks
We give thanks for His love

We give thanks to the Lord
We give thanks
We give thanks for His love

In the morning the birds sing
the praises of our Saviour
And the Christians also sing
praises to our Saviour

Cristo Mi Salvador

2006-06-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

Cristo mi Salvador me guardará
Me guardará
Me guardará

Cristo mi Salvador me guardará
Siempre me guardará

English version:

Christ my Saviour, He will guard me
He will guard me
He will guard me

Christ my Saviour, He will guard me
He will always guard me

2006-06-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Minneapolis - Bolivia 2006 team blog. On July 1st, Lord willing, we will depart from Minneapolis, MN with Trinidad-Beni, Bolivia as our destination. As we have time and Internet availability, the team will post comments to provide our friends, family and prayer partners with up to date details about our team experience. Please join us in praying that we may be used by God to refresh, encourage and support the hard working Christian team in Trinidad-Beni, Bolivia. May the Lord bless.

Dan