Dear to my heart.

 I never got the opportunity to introduce to you our lovely puppy Lola. Lola was an early Birthday present from some dear friends. She was PERFECT timing for me because I felt like I needed something else to take care of and speak english to. :)  She was SO TINY when she arrived...only six weeks old. We named her Lola after the Barry Manilow song "Copacabana"...you know... "Her name was Lola...she was a showgirl...haha. Anyway...just a fun, silly name.

Lola quickly grew on my heart and she really seemed to care about me. I love it when animals care about me...We kept her inside until we thought she was big enough... then, much to my dismay, we put her little bed outside and she seemed SO happy to be out there. She loved terrorizing Dudley who didn't want to have anything to do with her. She however, thought he was her best friend. =) It was so cute to watch them together... All the guests that visited here really loved her too...she made friends easily and we never worried about her. She was alot to handle...but we loved the responsibility...

Monday (11/29) it had rained all day long. I stayed upstairs and worked on the computer trying to get our newsletter finished... Andy and I went to the flower shop later that evening and when we returned I remembered I still hadn't seen Lola all day...I was a little worried but decided not to panic quite yet...Andy said he had seen her playing in the grass earler. We planted the flowers and then hunted through the yard for her...she didn't come when I called her name...and we looked everywhere. I got really nervous. Andy said the dogs had been in the back shop throughout the day because of the rain...so we hesitantly went back there. I took a few steps and then I saw her back legs...she was underneath one of the shelves on a towel. She wasn't moving and I knew right then she was dead. It took me a few seconds before the sobs began. I really really loved that dog and she meant so much to me! Andy hugged me for awhile then grabbed a shovel and burried Lola in the yard. When he came upstairs he told me he had found a half eaten square of rat poison right next to where Lola was...and some pretty convincing evidence that she had died from poison...

I'm so sad that i didn't post more pictures of her before she was no more. I guess things just work that way. This has been such a hard month with Thanksgiving (pictures soon. :)) and missing my family and... just alot. I will miss that little dog terribly...she took up so much of my time. I just wanted you all to finally meet her so you could miss her too. :) Here's Lola.

so tiny

I got her a shirt...but she didn't like it very much.. :/

She loved her naps with Daddy

Love her.

So... I almost forgot my password it had been so long since I'd been on here. Sorry guys...life is crazy right now.

First of all let me just say that down here under the equater...it is HOT. Hot and WINDY... I am not a huge fan of the heat and enjoy the days when it rains even just a little bit. I'm missing snow and cold right now...it will be interesting to be spending Christmas in hot weather...but just makes for more memories I guess. :)

Here in Bolivia the school year for students is coming to an end. Andy and I had the privilege of going to a graduation ceremony for ETNOS. I've mentioned ETNOS before...it is a Bible school down here along with missionary training...much similar to the NTBI in Wisconsin. ETNOS is the only Bible school in South America that offers the kind of missionary training necessary for reaching tribal groups. It has been AMAZING to be able to fellowship with believers out there. We enjoy Monday evening volleyball and I definitely have probably learned the most spanish from just simply being out there... We were so excited to be able to attend the graduation ceremony for four students out there. One of them was a Paraguayan girl...another was a Brazilian and his wife (Bolivian)...and the other was another Bolivian. We got their at around 7...(when it was supposed to start) and it really didn't end up starting till around 8 I would say. We were definitely one of the first ones there...SO LATIN. :)  The place was PACKED to see these students make that huge step. Family, friends and church members all came to witness it. I couldn't understand much but Andy's Dad sat right next to me and translated...SO NICE. These students really have given up SO MUCH to go and reach the lost. I even got teary eyed as they hugged their teachers and excepted their new shoes as a symbol of their new calling to go reach the world with the gospel of Christ. Such a touching moment. I thought the shoe idea was SO GOOD. We are all called to follow in the path of Christ to pave the way for those in need of a Savior. Such a good reminder. Afterwords there was cake and sandwiches...good fellowship. I'm amazed at all the giving hearts that work out there to make sure these students are well-equiped for the job they are going to do.

That same weekend we went to a wedding back out at ETNOS. The Paraguayan (Melissa) that just graduated married another Bolivian student there (Ronald). They are practically starting off just like Andy and I. She graduated two days before her wedding...and he still has a year left for her to be there. The same...basically. :) They are such a sweet couple. The wedding invitation said to be there at 6:30...so...after grad had started so late we got there at like...6:40. We were STILL the first ones there and the decorations hadn't even been set up. Nobody was dressed. It was so funny. I was humiliated to be there so early...but hey, I was assured that they know we are foreigners and it is totally ok. haha  So...two hours later the grooms parents had arrived and the show finally started. :) It was a beautiful ceremony. Oh, but it was only the civil ceremony. That just means its technically before the law...but not the church. Their "Church" ceremony will be in Paraguay on the 28th of this month. So...after that whole party the bride and groom went to their separate rooms and will be together as man and wife after the 28th. I told Andy that that was the first "fake" wedding I'd been to. ;) I couldn't imagine planning that whole thing and then having to do it all over again in a few weeks. How awful. It was a wonderful party and I SO WISH we had not been dumb and taken our camera... UGH...I'll hopefully find some pictures to put up soon. There was a Mariachi band and everything!!!! SO FUN!!!

Thanks for enduring this long post. THe longer I wait to post things the more I have to say. Thank you all for praying for this field! It is amazing to see Bolivia take steps on their own to reach tribal people. I guess most people believe that the missionaries have to be the ones that come from another country...but here, they are really working to make it a Bolivian goal. It is amazing to see! Thank you for praying!

The Narrow Escape

Yesterday at about 4:45 we were headed to the airport to drop off my in-laws who were headed home. It is about a forty-five minute drive...depending on traffic. We loaded the car... Andy driving, his Dad in the passenger seat, me behind Dad and Mom next to me...we were pretty squished in there with all the stuff we had to take and had TONS of suitcases in the pick-up. Andy and I have made this trip several times and Andy has become a very confident driver.

We were joking around having a good time...and came to stop at an intersection that we ALWAYS pass through. It was rush hour and very hot. Tons of people walking as well as driving.  We stopped at the light and I caught a glimpse of a cop standing in the intersection scanning through the crowds of people. His eyes suddenly came to rest on our very full car of gringos. He looked from Dad to me (he was on our side) and then he began walking towards the car. My thought was that I wasn't wearing my seat belt...but then I remembered that there was not a seat belt to wear. :) He asked Andy for his papers and Andy passed over what he had. I don't think the police man knew what Andy's international drivers license was... He asked us to pull along the side of the road...basically double park as he decided what to do about the situation.

Andy and I don't have our year visas yet...they are still in processing...Turns out...Andy and I were supposed to carry with us at all times a certain document that states that our papers are en transito...The police man (Alfonso) was very upset...and there was much discussion about what should be done. It was clear that Mom and Dad could miss their flight and once Alfonso heard this he wanted them to go ahead and take the car, leaving Andy and I  with him to resolve this whole thing...well, THANK THE LORD FOR PARENTS...they did not leave us and just kept assuring the guy that we didn't have that paper and that it was with our lawyer in Cochabamba and that Andy and I would NEVER leave the gate again without it...no good. We got on the phone with the mission lawyer in Coch and he talked to Alfonso...there was really nothing he could do except go get Andy out of Interpol (police station) later...so...Alfonso got in the already squished vehicle and we headed to Interpol. By this time I was on the verge of tears and so incredibly embarrassed and SCARED. My main thought was..."ok...no matter what just DON'T let them take Andy away! Stay with Andy!"

***

A few blocks later we dropped Alfonso off...and he gave us directions to the airport (cough cough). We thanked him for his help and PROMISED we would get that entransito visa paper right away from our lawyer and we would never leave the gate without that ever again.

All I have to say is THANK YOU LORD that we had people who knew what they were doing in the car with us. Dad is a very good communicator and it was by his help we were able to avoid any serious implications for not having our proper paperwork.

Andy's parents made their flight home safely...and Andy and I very CAREFULLY took the drive back. All I said about anything at the end of the evening was... "I want to go home." :)  But God has us here through good days and bad days. He's definitely watching over us! I'm thankful my husband didn't get imprisoned...and that was definitely a good lesson to learn. ALWAYS HAVE YOUR PAPERS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES! ALWAYS! =)

sorry no pictures...I didn't think that would be the wisest thing to do at the moment. ;)

...Update...

The three month mark of us being here arrived the end of September. It seems crazy to think that we have been here that long. It still feels like we are adjusting...and I imagine it will for quite awhile yet... 

Just a few highlights of the past three months-

• We have had 69 families stay here at the guest house. We've already seen alot of faces come through here and are so thankful for the relationships we've built.  
• We are figuring out finances and havn't had any mishaps with money which is a huge relief!
• I had my first Spanish phone conversation...it was SO AWKWARD...and the poor guy had to shuffle through all my wrong words...but I got the point across. I just told him that Andy was gone and would be back in like 15 minutes. =) So...that was HUGE for me!!!
• We have had a missionary couple here for almost a month now who had an accident and both had to have surgery. So we've had fun waiting on them and wheeling them around in wheelchairs to their Doctor appointments. They are recovering now and hopefully will be back in their tribe soon. I've found out that missionaries don't sit still very well. haha
• We have had our FIRST Saltena! A Slatena is a sort of empanada type except it has like a soup mixture on the inside...SO GOOD! It is probably the first thing I've had here that I don't think I can live without in the States. :)

.....
My in laws are here! They've been traveling all over the U.S. and have returned bearning MANY gifts! :) This is my birthday month and I LOVE BIRTHDAY MONTHS! I'll be 21 on the 17th and I am pretty excited for this Birthday with just me and Andy.

These days I'm missing fall...I LOVE fall season in the states with the changing colors and the pumpkins and the weather... The other day Andy and I were both just WANTING something from the U.S.A. So...we hopped over to the Burger King across the street and paid WAY more than we should have for a burger and fries that tasted WONDERFUL! I couldn't believe how wonderful it was to have that taste in my mouth. haha  Burger King over here is one of the most expensive places we eat... about ten bucks for the both of us...still cheaper than the U.S. :)

Thank the Lord for Burger King! =)

Dia De Santa Cruz!

Dia De Santa Cruz is basically fourth of July for this City. Every city has their own celebration for their anniversary...this 24th of September was Santa Cruz' 200 year anniversary!

Needless to say the city gets pretty excited for this...they all wear Santa Cruz colors (Green and White)...and there are many many nights filled with ENDLESS fireworks. :/ Not always enjoyable especially for our very cowardly dog Dudley...yeah, Dudley's had a rough week.

Another highlight of this anniversary celebration is EXPO CRUZ!  This was SO fun for us because neither Andy or I had ever been to the Expo...Usually Andy has been everywhere and he just tollerates things on my behalf. But this time we both were experiencing something new. It was fascinating. We were able to go the second night it was open (Sept 18)...at about 7:30pm and didn't leave till about 10:30. How I would describe it is kinda like a Worlds fair...every country or even big business has its own booth/tent at the fair grounds and you just go and see what there is to see. We saw the new Samsung 3D televisions, the Argentinians new tourist plan, the award winning cattle of this country(MASSIVE COWS), the newest cars (I'm guessing Toyota...I forget...) and so much more. Probably the most ehem...memorable of the things we saw were Latin Americas most BEAUTIFUL women! I'm not kidding. Expo Cruz is famous for all the models they have there. Each business probably had at least 5 gorgeous girls advertising outside for them.  The models have nothing to do with the product necessarily...they just are there to attract customers...  I was really in shock at first that that little of clothing could be ALLOWED out in public...but hey, this sure isn't america. :)   Three hours was definitely long enough for me to decide that I probably wouldn't want Andy to ever come back. =) Or even me for that matter...too many pretty girls.  BUT, Expo Cruz was definitely a memorable experience! We ate some great food and had some great times with friends!!

Wow...you know its big when ANDY is dwarfed by it. :)

Andy was excited to see all the new toys with wheels

Andy and I shared the BIGGEST steak I've ever seen!!!

The Browns and us... :)

After... I think we did pretty good. Ate the all the yucca, most of the steak...and the potato salad. YUM

Other news is that Spring has officially arrived bringing its 95 degree temperatures and scorching sun...oh my goodness I can't even imagine what summer will be like. Right now we are praying for rain...all our plants are dying. Rainy season begins mid October. :) NOT TOO MUCH LONGER!

Thats about it I guess...things are good. We go to take the finance office our books for the month tomorrow! I can't believe we are nearing our third month in this country. I still feel like there is much adjusting to do. Andy's Mom and Dad come back home this weekend! We are so anxious to see them!

Viva SANTA CRUZ!!!

Our first get away!

Here at the mission home, our main job is to BE HERE! Answering phones and welcoming guests involves our presence obviously...so we don't get much if any time during the week to just pick up and leave. Well, needless to say, cabin fever does set in sometimes and we were so thankful for a slow weekend so that we could take our first real trip away from Santa Cruz and the Guest Home! We went with two veteran missionaries along with a single lady from Canada who was visiting to see if Bolivia is the place for her. (I hope she comes here!!) We went to visit an Ayore tribe that is about an hour by car from Santa Cruz. After growing up in the Philippines and having to fly into tribal locations because there were no roads, I sort of laughed at the idea of DRIVING to a tribe that was only about an hour away!!!

We started the drive and I realized very soon that driving here is move like...maneuvering. Haha I was SO THANKFUL for a driver who knew what he was doing. We definitely had to be ready for anything. We drove on pavement for awhile, but then on a dirt road the rest of the way. Andy drank his terere (Paraguayan drink kind of like a cold tea) and I was shocked that it didn't fly out the window...the road was mostly pot holes!!

Andy drinkin his terere.

We made a quick stop to get cheese and yucca flour to make Cunape. Cunape is the main cheese bread here in Bolivia...made from Yucca flour(what we use to make tapioca), cheese (very "real" cheese made by the Mennonites in the area), milk, salt, a little sugar, eggs, and pig fat. (I'm sure I forgot some ingredients...) Anyway, so we get the the village, meet the missionary family, and then they begin teaching me and Julie how to make Cunape! It was FASCINATING to watch them. My only real contribution was grating the cheese...I definitely want to try this on my own sometime. SO YUMMY! :)

Kids welcoming us to the tribe! =) Or maybe just excited to jump on the truck...

Learning how to make Cunape

Our lovely teachers!

We had a quick tour of the village...and man, I wasn't laughing at calling this a tribe anymore. The people there live in such pagan beliefs...even with being so close to a major city. A couple of the beliefs really got to me. The members of the tribe make their houses out of clay and wood...very flimsy...and this is because if a member of that household dies, they MUST tear down that house and build another one to live in. Also, the young women of the tribe are taught to "gain experience" before marriage by exercising prostitution in the nearby towns. It was so very sad to me to see normal looking people, living in such a corrupted way. The missionary in that village said that it was a struggle for him to know how to lead the people in some areas. He told us of some young ladies who came to him with money as an offering to the church...but he KNEW that money had come to them by prostitution! ITs just such a sad situation...such a harsh people group. They only have about fifteen members of the church. I know Church is not measured in numbers, but I couldn't help but be saddened by all the people I saw who were still living without a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. So often you hear the stories of missionaries who go to the tribe and within months have a church with hundreds of members and they all get saved and start growing and put off all their sinful beliefs. And here we have a tribe thats had missionaries in it for years and years and yet has only fifteen tribal members and still has such awful sin amongst them! I was heartbroken and really challenged not to "judge" a tribe by its accessibility. I can't believe I did that. Just because those people aren't in the middle of the Bolivian Jungle doesn't mean they aren't lost.

The red building is the church. In the Background is the missionaries house.

houses...

 

You can be the poorest of the poor...but you'll still have a basketball court! :)

We so enjoyed our day away and are proud to be a part of the work that goes on here in Bolivia. I think it made our job a little easier...seeing a little bit of what the "real" missionary deals with...I see why they would need a break from it and even room to get things done...and that's exactly the purpose of the mission home here! To provide a sort of haven for the ones out in the tribe that need a break, a cheap travel in-between, or even get some dreaded paper work done. :) This trip really energized us with our task at hand!

Taking a break...

Hey guys-

I thought I would take a quick break from my Spanish studies to tell you that...WE FINALLY HAVE A CHURCH!!!! Last week was our second week and since no major "problems" have arose, we are pretty confident we'll be staying there. :) I guess I should take some time and explain...

I told you we were getting involved in a BOlivian church and had three options...We loved option number one!!!! Then, after visiting option number two, a smaller baptist church, we decided to opt for option one without even LOOKING at option three. This reason was because of the closeness of the church as well as how it "fit" us... Well, we found out three weeks into church going that this church "Templo Cristiano" was part of some movement that we (as missionaries) probably shouldn't be a part of...so, here came option number three, a small Brethren church that is still in walking distance from home! The Brethren church is sweet, and we have already made friends...the only "problem" is that I have to wear a head covering...It is basically a doily on my head. And I really don't have any spiritual problems with this...I mean, I don't believe women should have to cover their heads in church...but I am not opposed to wearing one if its for the sake of making the other Bolivians comfortable. The only discomfort I have with it is simply that I am vain...I always take time to look my best for church...and I feel like an old lady when I have to put a doily on my head. So there. The truth is out and I am a very worldly, vain woman. :/ Sorry.

But anyway, after surveying the crowd last Sunday, we're not really sure WHO wears the head coverings. Not all the women do, at least not in this church. We're thinking its just the older generation? Does anybody know anything about brethren churches who could offer some advice?? We will eventually make good enough friends where we can ASK them...but for now, I feel a little funny. I hope wearing one is the better option than NOT wearing one. :) Either way its a funny situation to be in. I have decided to study the Brethren doctrine/head covering beliefs...This week I plan to read up on Paul's teaching in the Bible on such things. :) Let me know if any of you guys have a vast knowledge of the Brethren Church!!! =) We are definitely not put off by this difference and are VERY anxious to get involved with these believers!! Yay for fellowship... :)

Ok, back to my Spanish...

Two REALLY BIG THINGS!!!

So, basically the SAME day that I posted that last post, God totally dropped two really huge things on our laps!

The first thing was that we got a call from a lady named Lori Esteel...she is Bolivian but was adopted by an American missionary lady when she was very young...and now she lives here! She called and said that she would be willing to tutor me Spanish!!! And get this...only 20 Bolivianos an hour!!! Which is like...not even three dollars! She's giving us a special price because we are missionaries with New Tribes. :) SO WOW! I had my first Spanish lesson Monday and my second yesterday. We are doing three days a week for an hour and a half! I have probably doubled my language learning time every day and so now my head continually feels FULL...

The second thing was that I went to the grocery store all by myself!!!!! Praise the Lord! Andy was busy so i just did it...and it wasn't that awful. I picked the worst night to go...they were having samples given out...so people kept asking me if I wanted this and that. One lady actually cornered me in the tooth paste isle and so instead of getting the "Crest" brand that I was intending, I got a cheap Bolivian brand...that I'm not even sure is tooth paste. :/ Oops. I didn't know how say (in Spanish) anything but "no thank you"...and she wasn't taking my "no thank you" for an answer...so, I just said. "Ok, thank you." Oh well, better next time. Minus the tooth paste tragedy it was a success...and Andy was quite proud of me! :)

So those are my two big things!!! Praise the Lord! He blesses us every day with something unexpected and wonderful!

Here's some pictures of life lately:

We got a kitty cat stuck in our avacado tree... :/ Andy climbed up there to get it...but it was too high...


We go out to the Bolivian Bible School (Etnos) almost once a week...Andy plays volleyball with the students and staff...he is literally two times bigger than most of them! Its so funny...


Getting the mail...it scares me every time. We wind through a maze of P.O. boxes, down really dimly lit isles...a good place for mugging if you ask me. :/

Blessings-

So, I have SO MUCH to write about...I've been trying to prioritize what to write about first...SO, I decided to take this time and just tell all of you how the Lord has blessed us and all the prayers that have been answered!

-Probably the number one blessing has been the overwhelming amount of financial support that has come in!! We have honestly been in complete shock over how many people chose to give to us. For the month of July we received the entire amount that we had hoped to receive. This money has helped us to FEEL so secure. We now have money for rent, food, other necessities as well as some minor niceties. We still are hoping to jump right back into school in a year and therefore need to save for initial fees as well. This of course, is only for the month of July...but we know the Lord will supply for all our needs!

- Another huge blessing is our health! We have not had any problems with the food or water here, which is very uncommon. The first few days we were here, we realized we had been using tap water to brush our teeth...oops. :) From then on we just decided to go with it and not worry about every little bit of unfiltered water we drink or about every questionable thing we might happen to eat. We're still careful, but learned that our immune systems can take it.

- The Lord has really worked in our hearts within the month that we've been here. We are so blessed to be a part of reaching the unreached people groups here and now I believe we have a greater understanding of the work that goes into that. I'll write more about that in the near future. We see the huge need that Bolivia has within New Tribes Mission... It will be so very hard to leave, knowing how much they need people here!!!

- We are building friendships!!! We have met some amazing missionary families who have blessed us beyond belief!! A few ladies have gone out of their way to make sure I feel welcome...taking me out for coffee...helping me buy curtains...(Yes, I have curtains now)...just being my friend. And I have realized that I still do need friends. :)

- I feel as if we came on this journey knowing we would be stretched, but not really knowing in what specific way that would be. Andy and I have really been learning so much about each other...this job is very self-disciplined... and it has been fun to decide our day together, plan for projects, and then follow through with them. I'm very thankful for this time we have together!

There is so much more, but that is just a few of the highlights...Please continue to pray for our Church situation...I still havn't caught you all up on that either, there is a kinda sticky situation we are in. :/ When I know more I'll tell you guys more! Also, along with this whole self-disciplined thing...pray that we continue to keep our focus and serve these missionaries as unto the Lord. Pray that we continue to work as a team. I am so thankful for the prayers and support of all of you! I'll leave you with pictures of our decorating project. I told you we were going to do it..and we DID!!!!! A whole week later and we are finished for now. We found the frame place, found the paint store, and found curtains! All of this with help from our friends of course...so here are some pictures!

Before-


After-

CULTURE SHOCK!!!

Ok...so things aren't always wonderful and happy go lucky, even if you are EXACTLY where the Lord wants you to be... I know this...and yet I still get into funks.

These last few days have been...frustrating... I was so independent in the states. I would go shopping within the budget, put it all away in the house, fix dinner, and still have time to bake something yummy before Andy got home from work. He would always commend me for my abilities and proceed to shovel the meal down at lightening speed.

In Bolivia, things are a bit different. I can't go shopping by myself. Therefore, Andy and I go shopping in the evenings, after things have slowed down here. He has to read me the names of cans on the shelves so I know what to buy. I can only purchase half of what is on my list because the other half well,... doesn't EXIST in this country...Its always frustrating to spend more at the grocery store than I thought we would...Without knowing exactly where to get things cheaper, its hard to stay in budget right now...After checking out, we pay the little door guy to push our cart to our gate, and hand him five Bolivianos in return. We then unload practically everything in the fridge so it won't spoil. Then I begin the often times TWO hour process of making dinner. This process usually involves me breaking down in hysterical sobs because the macaroni has turned to mush or I CANNOT manage the flour tortillas I am trying to roll out. The meal is, just barely edible and Andy...still shovels it in at lightening speed...but I feel silly when he commends me on a "job well done" because to me, it is a COMPLETE AND TOTAL DISASTER!!!!!! I hate that I can't go shopping by myself, I hate that I can't even READ labels...I hate that none of my meals turn out...and I HATE that I have to rely on Andy for domestic type jobs. He does so much for me. I love the time we have together, but I know that Andy would much rather be doing other things...I am mostly just completely humbled...and realize that I'm going to have to suck in my pride while learning to do things here. I might cling closely to Andy for a little while yet, and I'm going to have to be ok with that. Shopping and cooking are just a FEW examples of things I can't do alone here...don't even get me STARTED on decorating... Exactly WHERE do I get things framed in this country??? And are you serious ALL the walls are CEMENT????!!!

Anyway, this is my culture shock. Bolivia is still where I KNOW we are supposed to be, I'll just have to learn a little better how exactly to...be here in a functional way... The hinge that all this depends on is Spanish. I am learning Spanish and determined to continue to learn. Pray for me as I try to accomplish tasks by myself here in this maze of a city. This next week begins my decorating task...Oh yikes!! :/ Pray for patience for Andy as he deals with his inept wife. =)

Driving...

So, after about three weeks of being here Andy FINALLY let me drive!!! We had to make an airport run at 4 a.m. and so on the way out there, I convinced him to let me be the driver! Now, the ONLY reason he agreed was because it was, like I said, 4 a.m. and there were maybe a total of ten cars out and about that early! =) So...off we went...all the while arguing about what I was doing wrong. (I never have done very well with constructive criticism)... :/ Driving in Bolivia is hard to describe. People basically are always prepared for the unexpected, honk their horn just simply to let their presence be known, make up their own rules as they go... try to avoid pot holes (or craters)...and above all else, try to get to their destination as quickly as humanly possible! So, off we went and as I was going through every intersection that was unmarked with a stop sign or light, I would honk to let people know I was coming...pretty soon we started getting looks from the few people who were already setting up shop downtown...so that was awkward. But, at least we didn't get hit right? A few highlights of the trip were that I remembered my way there!!!! Also, I ran my FIRST RED LIGHT...and then I did it three more times!!! haha Like I said, the rules are kind of optional down here. I thought I did a pretty good job getting all the way to Viru Viru (the ariport)...but Andy hasn't let me drive since then. :/ So...I'm guessing I did worse than I thought. It is quite a difference to be driving for a living as a school bus driver...and then go to being banned to the passenger seat! Oh well...I'm thankful that he is willing to be the designated driver though.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my driving story with you and show you a few pictures that I've captured of the experience so far. Non of these do it justice. You'll have to come visit to see for yourself!

Our one lane suddenly became three...very crooked ones.


He does so well...



This is the point where I laughed and then got REALLY scared! :)

Church!

Ok...so like I promised, I'm going to give ya'll the run down of our church situation...

Basically, New Tribes Mission has asked that all the missionaries down here get involved in a Bolivian Church. I'm very excited about this because I know that will greatly improve my language learning! So, they gave us about three different churches to try and this last week was our first one. It is called Templo Cristiano. Its only a block from our place. The service we were going to was supposed to start at 10:30 a.m. Andy said that we wouldn't leave till 10:45 because churches here never start on time! I was pretty distressed because in my mind...thats 15 minutes that church has been going on...and we've missed it! Might as well not even go right?? WELL...we get to church at like 10:48..and the FIRST service was still going on!!! I laughed out loud. Andy had been right...and we felt so out of place being early...and right in the way. :/ Oh well...I learned my lesson... Our service didn't actually get going till 11:09. Yikes! So latin america...

The service was good. I actually understood many of the songs...because they were american tunes. So that helped me learn the Spanish words for things... It was quite a roudy church...much different from our church at home. But I still really enjoyed it and there were many young people that Andy would LOVE to get involved with! So, we'll see...next week is a church farther away. We still don't know the name of it...we might have to take a taxi...

So, I'll keep you posted on what we decide! It'll be like House Hunters on HGTV...but instead of houses...its churches! Haha... The reason that its so important to find a church where you "fit" is because churches down here are like your family. They have TONS of social events and really reach out to you...So, that is why we're on the hunt...I'll keep you posted. Thats all for now I guess!

Where do I start?

These last few weeks have been a whirlwind...I think we both had a bit of physical and emotional exhaustion at the beginning! We jumped into things so quickly, with moving, saying goodbye and then adjusting to a new life! We have been busy at work for the past I guess three weeks and have LOVED LOVED LOVED every minute of it!!!

The hardest part about being here is that it is SO COLD right now. It was beautiful when we first got here and now it has suddenly (like within the past week) plummeted down to lows of 4 and 5 degrees celsius. (about 40 degrees fahrenheit) It is threatening tonight to break a record for the coldest night Santa Cruz has ever had...making it down to 3 degrees celsius!! The big problem is that the people here and the buildings aren't used to such cold. Our floors are all cement tile and no heaters...and our walls are cement too. All of which are COLD COLD COLD. We went and bought an extra blanket for our bed and even had to let the dog in tonight...poor Dudley! I knew it was a big deal when the little corner store down the street was closed during the day!!! That little old lady is open usually ALL DAY EVERY DAY! There were headlines in the newspaper of homeless people stuffing their clothes with newspaper trying to keep warm! Anyway, what makes that hard on US is the motivation factor. Before the cold we were working in the yard every day and enjoying organizing this place. Now that it is so cold we've found things to do in our house...and tried to go out as little as possible. So I'm READY for warmer weather so I can get to work!


Our jobs have been...alot of different things. =) We are here for the guests that come, so our schedules have to be very flexible. We have had a lot of EARLY mornings taking people to the airports...and many late nights waiting for people to get in. But, the best part is being able to be together! Andy is SUCH A GOOD DRIVER here!!! It is CRAZY driving in the city! I was so impressed by him...he has just adjusted so well. Driving here is not quite as bad as Manilla, Philippines...but CLOSE. Everyone just does what they feel like. Regardless of the rules. Rules are more like suggestions here. haha I love it.



We have like I said, worked in the garden alot. This place has lots of plants...and papaya trees. Andy and I aren't crazy papaya eaters...but they've been a blessing to others as we BEG them to pick them all from the trees... =)

I guess thats all for now. I don't want to write too much...I promise to be more consistent with this...I do have the time for it, just the motivation is the hard part...Tomorrow is our first Sunday at our potential church. I'll let you know what that means and how that goes tomorrow! =)

Our New Home!

Our gate...lovely yellow walls...


The Santa Cruz guest home!! Nine total rooms/apartments plus our house...


The wonderful yard...with TONS of plants and Papaya trees!


The door in the corner is our house...


Here it is! Our first actual house...


living room/dining room- Even after unpacking our four suitcases the place still looks empty. :) Lots of space for us!



Kitchen!!!



Bed room


Other View


Papaya! Yum!


Dudley the dog




So here it is!!! We made it safe and sound...more pictures on my facebook!!! =) I'll post more later. Today our first guests arrived so Andy and I had to figure things out in a jiffy...It was kinda embarrassing how much we questioned ourselves, still figuring things out! We had two days of orientation and a tour of the area! There is so much in walking distance which makes things alot easier. Already I have learned that you have to buy baking soda at a pharmacy...not in grocery stores. Milk and yogurt come in bags...weird. The cheese here is affordable but interesting...I like it though. Its HARD to find seasonings that I like. (Italian mainly) Um, the food here overall is EXCELLENT, especially the breads!...

Thank you for your prayers! =) More to come later!

Mindy

Uh, Miami??

Ok, so we're half way through our big move down to Santa Cruz! The whole thing is a bit funny... We made the flight from Wichita to Dallas, then spent the next 8 hours in the Dallas airport!!! We asked for an earlier flight but apparently, they don't do stand by seats with American Airlines anymore... ? So, after eight hours got bumped to about 9.5 hours, we knew we'd be lucky to make our connection in Miami going to La Paz. And...yes, we did miss our flight in Miami...we ran to our gate just in time to see the walk way being pulled back. :/ BUT I was SO happy to get to spend the night in a cozy bed! I know thats sad...but its true. American Airlines paid for the hotel and meals...so all is well! We had to wait 24 hours for another flight, so we will be leaving Miami this evening on a 10:45 flight to La Paz, Bolivia. I think its about a seven(?) hour flight...then from La Paz to Santa Cruz! We'll arrive at around eight o'clock tomorrow (Sunday) morning...

Flying with a bi-lingual person is SO FUN!!!! The majority of airline workers were Spanish speaking...and so he really really really helped things move along! :) Just a little fun fact... Oh, and we got to meet my mom in Dallas for lunch...she left later from Wichita on her way to California so we got to bring her a Happy Meal from MacDonalds at her gate! That was fun and made saying goodbye a bit easier.

Well, I guess thats it for now, thanks for your prayers guys!

-m

We're In Kansas!

We have made the first leg of our trip!! We managed to pack everything in two cars...(with the help of some friends)...and head to Missouri to a Christian music festival that my mom was speaking at. It was WONDERFUL to finally meet my nephew Tristan who joined us with his Mom and Dad. He is the sweetest little thing and I can't help but love him more and more every day! Andy calls little Tristan "T" which makes all of us laugh really hard. =)

After a weekend of helping my mom with book sales, we said some more goodbyes and made the five hour car ride to Rose Hill Kansas where we will be until next Friday! It has been such a good time of laughter with family! We have missed being all together. My brother Jeff, his wife Sarah and their baby Tristan are headed to Botswana Africa next month so we are all busy packing and giving out prayer cards and talking about mission work...it is so bizarre! We will miss this though, that's for sure.

WE HAVE THREE SUPPORTERS NOW!! The number is growing and we feel so blessed! We are sending out our prayer letter sometime within the next few days so if you want one let us know! =) We have quite a lot of addresses already so we'll be busy with that for the next few days!

I think that's about all I have to say except for some pretty awesome praises to report! I already mentioned that we have three supporters. Praise God for that! Also I have got my passport back, which allowed us to send in for our Visa's, which we received in the mail end of last week!!!! So, we're all ready to go! The only thing left to do is to finish packing, send out our prayer letters, and say our goodbyes. It will be especially hard to say goodbye to little Tristan because I know he'll be so much different next time I see him!

Pray for us!!!! We still need it so much!! Things are falling into place but right now, we're facing the reality of it all...its hard not to think about all the unknowns...But God is GOOD and He'll get us through!


Crossover Festival in Missouri with Tristan!!!


I LOVE this kid...

Our most productive day yet!

Today started out a little rocky... Andy has two more days of work but this morning it was three...and we both just didn't want to face another day of getting things done!

I got up, headed off to work, then headed to my doctors appointment and proceeded to get four vaccines! Yellow fever, Typhoid, Influenza, and Hepatitus A. I had only planned on getting the Yellow fever because that's what I needed for my visa, but the nurse was very persuasive. I have a tendency to be like my mother and can't say no. :) Needless to say my arm is KILLING me right now!!

The rest of the day is a LONG LONG tale of me trying to get money orders to send to the Visa company, forgetting my debit card pin number, traveling BACK to work because one of my schools had an early release, attending a surprise baby shower, FINALLY getting something to eat, going once again BACK to work to do my regular routes and then going to the post office to mail our Visa package to be reunited with my passport that we are waiting on. WOW, what a day...and meanwhile Andy was at work the whole time. =)

Today was also SO relational!!! Even though the morning was a complete maze, I was SO encouraged to go to a baby shower for one of my dear friends. It finally has hit me that I'm saying goodbye for awhile. Also, this evening after the post office saga ended, I got to go see a sort of mentor of mine who has blessed me beyond belief with her friendship!! I will miss both these women terribly!

Some LONG TIME family friends from my childhood in the Philippines showed up here today! We had supper with them and they finally got to meet Andy! I was so proud to introduce him to my "Uncle" Lance and "Aunt" Laura!

We are SO BLESSED with our friendships and family! These past few days have been AMAZING for us to just spend with the people we love and will miss. Its not like we're saying goodbye forever but it still makes you wonder if our lives will really cross again in a year...We have built SO MANY relationships here and just need to look forward to coming back and reuniting with all these wonderful people!

Here are some pictures of some of the many friends we will miss...The Crisostomo family has been such a blessing to us! These are some of their youngest members...




Paul and Connie got married a day before us and are great friends of ours... =)


Love Chicago trips with the girls!


Andy's friends in front of our school...We'll miss this old building too...


Oh I guess I should just re-cap...right now we are waiting on my passport. Now that all our other visa stuff is ready, (vaccines and money orders) all that can be sent in together as SOON as we get my passport back!!!! So, pray that this all gets done before we leave! We are leaving Wisconsin on Wednesday to meet with my mom! Its getting close!