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!