Our first short term Missions Team!

This past week we said goodbye to 11 new friends. For 6 days we were part of hosting a short term mission’s team from Mt. Christian Church in New Mexico. Mt. Christian Church has partnered with FH Bolivia to establish a C2C (Church to Community) relationship with a neighborhood bordering Sucre. This was Mt. Christian’s second trip to Bolivia over the past year so a good relationship between the neighborhood of Horna C’Kasa B and the church has been established. The team of 11 members helped with various events throughout the week and participated along with the families of Horna C’Kasa B in a variety of activities. On Sunday FH hosted a community wide event along with the local church, Shekina, to celebrate family and the importance of God’s role for the family. There were a variety of trainings focusing on the role of the father, mother, obedience by children etc, as well as games for all ages. Below are a few pictures of participants in the games.

John giving a lesson on honoring your parents to a group of 6-12 year olds.

Mom and Daughter egg race

Winners of the Father and Son three legged race

Another highlight of the week was the opportunity that the team members had to visit their sponsored children and the child’s family. The worth that the families in Horna C’Kasa received from having “friends” come and share with them was immeasurable. You could visually see the excitement they had to share their story with their visitors and welcome them into a glimpse of their life. The visits were extremely powerful as well for the team members. To have the opportunity to meet and hear the story of these families is humbling, exciting and heart wrenching all at the same time. It was a blessing for Jennie and I to be apart of these visits and help facilitate the translation process.

The visit from Mt. Christian Church was a great reminder of the power of obedience by God’s people across the world. They came with such great attitudes and desire to see God honored with their time in Bolivia. They were an encouragement to us as a family and a blessing to share a week with. We are looking forward to their next visit in July!

Everyday Life

The kids ministry at Hope Church in Mason, Ohio has been one of our biggest supporters. They raised over $1,000 for our ministry (see previous blog entry), gave us a huge going away party, and even sent us little valentine notes of love and encouragement. This Sunday we are being highlighted as missionaries in the kids ministry and were asked to send some pictures of our everyday life. Last Monday, I took the camera with me (Jennie) while I ran errands and was out and about the town. I thought maybe our blog followers would enjoy seeing some of these pictures as well.

Our apartment building. We are the top window in the yellow section.

View from our living room window. We like watching the storms come in over the mountains.

Our family room, when it was decorated for Christmas.

Kitchen

Entrance into the Central Market, just 3 blocks from our apartment. Part of it is outdoor and part is indoors. We buy all our produce here.

Part of the fruit section

Bananas have their own section.

Veggies

One of many meat stands. I spared showing you the stands that sell the faces, hooves, teeth, and other various animal parts. (We don't buy our meat here! Can't get over the flies and smell yet.)

Our favorite little tienda just a block from our home. Milk, butter, eggs, condiments, toilet paper, juices, soda, candy, laundry detergent....you would be surprised at all the stuff in this little space. Kind of like a CVS. (Shout out to my brother Dan!)

Tigo office, where we go to pay our internet bill each month.

Post office

Inside the post office, where we pick up all the packages so many of you have lovingly sent us!

A Micro. Public transportation which we use often. 0.20 cents per person.

Church that John is working with in Horna K'Casa, a neighborhood outside of Sucre.

Inside the church

John and Pastor Elvis! They have become quick friends.