"Rhonda and Flora"
"The prison. People line up very early on Sunday mornings to get in for a visit"
"Rhonda playing and singing at church"We have been here just over two weeks and already it has been an incredible journey with God´s hand on every part of our lives. Ok, so you might not think it is God when twice thieves have attempted to rob me...that´s right, twice in two weeks (don´t tell my mother, she worries enough) but God was with me both times. The first time my bag was cut with a knife from behind...the thieves made off with 6 altitude sickness pills, funny, huh? The second time someone threw dirt on my neck in a crowded market to distract me while three men tried to crowd me and I caught one of their hands in my pocket. I pulled it out and yelled at them and they left...empty handed. Ok, so how is this an opportunity for ministry? I am thinking that I will photocopy money and let it hang out of my pocket...on the backside of the money I will put the gospel starting with The thief comes to kill and destroy but God comes to bring life and that life more abundantly. I am working on it...keep you posted.
There have been so many great connections made. I made very close friends with Abdul, the husband of the woman who runs are language school. He has spent many many days with me taking me back and forth to immigration and the police department and the consularia in order to secure our Visas for a year. A few days ago the consularia turned us down because our sponsoring church is not internationally registered. Abdul was upset, walked out of the consularia, raised his fist in the air and proclaimed, ¨Ok, now its personnel¨ We went back to immigration and found a way to stay as a volunteer instead of a missionary. God is with us! Of course I still have to fill out a million pieces of paper and get approval by the police and a doctor as well. Keep praying.
This weekend, Abdul and Alix had us over for a bbq. I ate meat, more meat, with meat for dessert. It was wonderful! They have taken us under their wings, helping Sam get into an ecological school as well. They are awesome folks, though they do not share our Christian views, it doesn´t matter to them.
We are making closer friends with everyone in our boardinghouse and we share many conversations including those about the Lord. Flora is the housekeeper of our boarding house. She is Aymara and SHE IS a Christian. She says that she is one of only three from her village. She did not own a bible in her own language so it was our pleasure to give her one from Lovely Feet. She was thrilled and said a most interesting thing when she received it. She said that her children would enjoy it very much along with her. Her children are teenagers. Isn´t that an interesting response? How many americans would say, Oh, my children will be so happy to receive a bible? (Picture of Rhonda and Flora above)
This weekend we visited her village. It is huge. There are hundreds of people, maybe a thousand, but only 3 Christians!
Rhonda blessed our church service this weekend by playing and singing praise songs. Our church of about 30 people does not have live music...or didn´t until now. It was a beautiful service. (picture of Rhonda above)
As far as our own adjustments, there are many. We wash clothes by hand, but what a great view we have while we wash looking over the city. I told Rhonda that I knew what I wanted for Christmas...a wringer...you know the old fashioned clothes wringer, it would really save my hands and my forearms. I think I am developing Popeye arms from all the wringing!
Of course, we don´t have a car here, but taxi´s are cheap. Mostly, we walk up and down streets that have 45 degree angles at times. It is very tiring but we are getting better. I walk nearly 5 miles a day.
God is moving so greatly, so quickly but there is so much to do and so many needs here. We are preparing to go back into a village in the Altiplano in a month or so to minister to the children while Pastor Angel ministers to the adults. This takes alot of preparation and finances. But it is the biggest reason why we are here. We are hoping to be able to take a projector to show the Jesus film to the Aymara, but it won´t be this trip unless God does huge things (which he certainly can). We need a projector and player and an energy source. That´s the tough part. I know of an energy source but we can´t get it to this country at this time. I will update details later.
Another matter for prayer is that by the first of the year or soon after I am hoping to approach the prison about being able to visit. The prison is a very sad sight with people waiting outside in long lines to be allowed to visit. The need is great, but so is the opportunity. (see picture above)
Please keep praying. YOur prayers are making a great difference. WE see the hand of God on things every single day. We love you, Ron and Rhonda.
