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...