I just got back from sending Nate off to the states and I think now would be an ideal time to reflect upon our time together in ministry over the past 2 months.  But first, let's get everyone caught up on what we have done since the last entry.

First, we finished the first of three phases in repairing an old classroom so that is can function as an actual classroom (and not a trash dump, as many people apparently thought).  The first phase involved cleaning out all of the junk that had accumulated over the years, and then sanding and painting the walls.

Here is a picture of the classroom in its current state:



Some "before" pictures:





Nate, Brayan, and Gerson sanding the walls....which was in no way enjoyable:



And the painting crew along with some "after" shots:


Phase two, for which we have already received funding via my "ministry account" which is funded by all of you, will be to completely re-roof the room with very durable roofing sheets called "Brasilit." (We have another 2 months of dry weather before the rainy season starts.)  Phase three with then be to put screens and glass in the windows and furnish the room as best as possible.

My boss, Paul, came out to visit us with his family for a few days, and we took a short trip to the neighboring town of Santiago to take in the breath-taking views.  Below are a few of my favorite pics from that trip.






After 5 weeks in Robore we headed back into the city of Santa Cruz to be a part of this year's Vacation Bible School at the city's English-speaking church, which is composed of a variety of people, from US Consulate and DEA employees to Missionaries to oil/gas people.  For the past few years the head of SAM's Children's Ministry Team, Janine, has been asked to run the church's VBS program, and the last two years I have been more than willing to minister to "take a break" from the campo and minister to kids in my own tongue.  This year I had the opportunity to not only act in the morning's opening skits, but WRITE them...which many of you know is a LOVE of mine.  This year's theme was "A Treasure Hunt for Truth: A VBS adventure to last a lifetime," and was very apologetic in nature.  Therefore I created two characters to be the stars of the week's skits.  First, the world-famous British explorer Professor Bernard Clive Aloicious III, played by yours truly.  As I began to write and then act out this character I soon realized an interesting thing about him: he was very much like Julie Andrews.  I don't know if that is because the most exposure I have had to British people is Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music...or because I think all British people - minus James Bond - are simply "fruity" by nature.  Nonetheless, I really enjoyed playing the Professor and developing his character and theology throughout the week.



The second character was none other than the Professor's trusty redneck sidekick, Jimbo, played by Nate.  Nate had very little trouble pulling off the ignorant redneck character because he himself is an ignorant redneck.  Seriously, he is.  No, not really, but he does go to a Baptist school in North Carolina...so you can judge for yourself. 



One of the highlights of our time together was writing, practicing, and performing the skits each day.  It was seriously so much fun.  Nate and I even got to the point where we were so comfortable with our characters and the material that we began to improv many hilarious things during the performances, causing the other to loose character and crack up. 



Anyway, I've spent too much time reminiscing about the skits.  In addition to the opening skits, Nate was in charge of games and I was the 6th-8th grade teacher.  Each day approached apologetically issues like the truth of the Bible, the truth of Jesus, the truth of the Gospel, the Spirit of truth, and telling others about the truth.  It was wonderful to be able to challenge my middle schoolers to think about what they believe and why they believe it, and then equip them with truth to defend those beliefs.  Of course everything had to be over-simplified, but I feel confident that the challenges brought upon the kids has at least begun the process of their taking ownership of their faith and not simply defaulting to "Mommy and Daddy's" faith.

Finally, we rounded out the summer with a four-day trip to two towns which are hardly accessible by land: Santo Corazon and San Fernando.  Some of you might remember that I visited the two towns in February as well.  My responsibilities on the trip were to lead the children's club and to lead worship for the evening service, each of which was done every day.  During the children's club we shared the gospel message via the wordless book, sang songs, played games, and, of course, gave out lots of candy.  But, all of you skeptical dental-hygiene fanatics, we came armed with free toothpaste and a short seminar on how to brush your teeth.  With the aid of my assistant, Nate, we demonstrated proper brushing technique and taught them a sweet song that says, "God gave me a mouth, a mouth full of teeth....AND I LIKE TO BRUSH MY TEETH, AND I LIKE TO BRUSH MY TEETH....!"  It was hilarious. 

Here I am trying to hold the kids' attention:


Nate with the beautiful and loving kids of Santo Corazon:



Me leading worship by candlelight, as there is no power:



After two days of camping out in Santo Corazon we flew 20 minutes to the town of San Fernando, a mere 45 miles from the Brazilian border.  Although they are both very small Bolivian towns in the middle of nowhere, the two towns are very different.  Santo Corazon has 100 families, a strong Catholic prescence, and kids who are outgoing and affectionate.  San Fernando has 50 families, almost no Catholic prescence, and kids who are incredibly shy, to the point of almost being cold.  So that basically means that ministering to the people in each town comes with its respective advantages and disadvantages.  (To go deeper than thought would take some explaining, which right now I am unwilling to do because I am just too stinking lazy :P.) 

But one overal advantage to simply living in San Fernando is the nearby river with its piranas and other flesh-eating fish.  In addition to making an exciting place to bathe every evening, the river makes for some fun fishing.  You will have to ask me to tell you the story about catching fish in the river at San Fernando...or more like NOT catching fish while 4 and 5 year olds pulled them out by the dozens...but we did end up catching some:








On the last night in San Fernando 3 youth gave their lives to the Lord: Mercedes, Edith, and the last name I don't remember.  It was a wonderful way to end a fun but exausting 4 day trip in the campo.

The last few weeks haven’t been all that exciting.  I mean apart from almost dying, Marisa visiting, a team of missionaries from the states changing the roof on the Parsonage in Roboré, and some overdue reconciliation between our church leaders and the church association leaders, there is little to tell.  But if some of you are going to twist my arm about all of this I guess I’ll take some time and bore you to death with some amazing things God has done over the last 21 days. 

“Almost dying” – That may be an exaggeration, but these amazing three weeks began with what some believe to have been a “brush with death.”  It’s difficult for me to concede myself to such a foreign idea – namely, death.  As it turns out, however, on paper it seemed as though I had contracted a serious form of dengue that lowers your platelet count until you spontaneously hemorrhage to death.  Thanks to the prayers of many, unbeknownst to me at the time, and ultimately the sovereign grace of the Almighty, I turned bright red, which in dengue terms means “recovery.”  Seriously.  I felt like I had been in the sun all day.  Even my palms and the soles of my feet felt burnt.  But that was, apparently, a blessing in disguise and, sure enough, after a few days the rash went away and I was feeling much better.  And not a moment too soon…

“Marisa visiting” – At the tail end of my recovery my girlfriend arrived for a two week visit…and it just so happens that she recently graduated from St. Francis University’s Physician’s Assistant program and passed her boards with flying colors.  Yes, I say that mostly to flatter her, but it was also wonderful to have a medical professional there with me through my recovery…you know, telling me what stuff I couldn’t do.  Part of her visit was a vacation time for me, but I was also able to take her out with me to Roboré on that wonderful ten hour train ride and include her in my ministry.  The youth have been waiting to meet her for a long time and they really appreciated my involving more of my life, namely, Marisa, in their lives

In Santiago de Chiquitos, looking out over the Tucavaca Valley...

Marisa's first small-engine airplane ride!

The first youth service with our brand-new T-Shirts.  In English, they read "Salt and Light"

“Team of missionaries” – For the second May in a row Jeff Orcut, SAM’s Director of Development, led a small construction team from his home church in Palm Beach, FL to the town of Roboré.  Last year the team re-roofed the church building and gave ‘er a nice paint job.  This year, in hopeful anticipation of a full-time pastor, the team re-roofed the parsonage.  But, as is true with most teams, it was their interaction with the church members that proved most valuable.  On Sunday as we were all having a final meal together, Miguel, our church’s leader, excitedly told me about the little bits and pieces of wisdom he picked-up from one of the team members throughout the week(via translator).  The presence of this small construction team has pumped new life and energy into the church, and it is my prayer that we maintain this level of life and energy in their absence.

“Reconciliation” – After years of neglecting the church in Roboré the president of the AIEO (Association of Evangelical Churches of Eastern Bolivia) and some of his cabinet finally visited with our church leaders to discuss a handful of things, including the need of a full-time pastor.  From my understanding there were some signs of reconciliation between the two groups, and a basic understanding of each other in the very least.  Knowing part of the history between the church and the church association, that is a huge blessing from God, and I am very thankful.  I pray that dialogue and support remains constant between the two groups.