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UPDATE:
February 11, 2012
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Often
when driving through a busy intersection here in Santa Cruz you
will see Bolivian youth trying to make a little money by washing
windshields. They walk among the lines of traffic carrying a
plastic bottle filled with water (and sometimes detergent) and a
squeegee. For washing a windshield they will often receive a 50
centavo coin worth about 7 cents, or if lucky a 1 boliviano coin
worth about 15 cents. Sometimes they wash a windshield and the
driver speeds away without paying them anything. A few evenings
ago Dan was at an intersection where there were 5 to 6 youth
competing to wash windows. He noticed that there was a young boy
about 7or 8 years old who was trying to do the same. Since he was
so small he had put an extra long handle on his squeegee to be
able to reach the windshields. Dan saw him and called out to him,
“Hey you can wash my windshield!” He ran over excitedly and
began to work as hard as he could. As the light turned green, Dan
handed him a tract and 2 coins saying, “Good job, here's 2
bolivianos and I'd like for you to read some important words from
this when you have time. He smiled real big and said, “gracias”(thank
you)! As Dan drove away he glanced in his rear view mirror to see
the boy reading these words on the first page of the tract.....You
were created with value and worth. God wants your life to count.
Did you know God loves you and created you to have a personal
relationship with him. We may never see this little boy again,
but Dan planted a seed in his little life and we hope that someone
else will come along to water it.
We
ended 2011 with a wonderful four day celebration of the 53rd
anniversary of our mission here in Bolivia, Mision Evangelica
Bethesda. Then on Jan 12th Dan picked up Dr. Sam Vinton
Jr., president of our mission, Grace Ministries International at
the Viru Viru airport here in Santa Cruz. Our family was able to
enjoy two days with Dr. Sam before Dan took him and two other
missionaries (a five hour drive each way) to Monte Blanco , the
conference center where the CIMA Youth Missions Conference was
being held. Many had been praying for this special conference
which was being directed by GMI missionary, Talo Vergara from
Uruguay. Dr. Sam had been invited by Talo to be one of the
conference speakers. Anticipation was high for this national event
and we were so excited to hear that 10% of the total youth in
attendance were from our own mission churches. Two of our own
leaders from our Km 14 La Gracia Church attended. We have heard
nothing but good, positive reports. Dr. Sam was so encouraged by
the excitement of these youth, he just continued to talk about how
wonderful the conference was.
After
the CIMA conference, Dr. Sam had about a week back in Santa Cruz
before heading back to the states. On Sunday he preached at Fuente
de Vida Church (Spring of Life). Then on Tues morning and
afternoon he was given the opportunity to share two sessions of
teaching and encouragement with the teachers of our Henry Prince
Mission School. Tues evening the pastors and leaders of our Santa
Cruz churches were invited to a doctrinal workshop with Dr. Sam.
Around 70 packed the room with a few even standing against the
wall. (see attached photo) They were challenged to study and
interpret the bible correctly. Study booklets were given out and
each pastor also received a personal copy of Things that Differ
by C. R. Stam, in Spanish. They were so thrilled to receive
these books that they will be able to use in their churches. They
really felt honored to be able to sit in on a time of teaching by
the president of our mission. On Wed morning it was Talo's turn to
teach the morning session for the Henry Prince School teachers,
and then Dan taught the afternoon session. Wed evening a special
worship celebration was held at Jesucristo Vive Church (Jesus
Christ Lives). Dr. Sam's message on Man created in the Image of
God, was both a challenge and blessing to all who attended
from our various churches. At the end of the service a folkloric
music group from the mission played music from the Andes using
flutes, drums, guitars, and a churango (a small guitar sometimes
made out of the shell of an armadillo). Along with the music there
were youth in costumes who presented cultural dances. It was a
very special evening!
Early
Thurs. morning, Dan drove Dr. Sam and Jose (Pepe) Yucra, our
Bolivia mission president out to visit our Camp Buena Vista. This
beautiful camp is located in an area with jungle surrounding it
and the Amboro National Park alongside it. The camp facilities
have been upgraded considerably due to the 18 months of
construction and renovations that Steve and Lorene Gabler
provided. A highlight of this four hour drive was that Pepe was
able to share his heart with Dr. Sam and receive from him counsel
and ideas for ministry. Of course Dan had the interesting job of
driving and translating at the same time during the whole trip.
It's very evident that Pepe's heart was touched by Dr. Sam's love
for God and the ministry here in Bolivia. The trip to camp was
then followed by a special lunch of authentic Bolivian food with
the Bolivian mission leadership committee. As you can see we kept
Dr. Sam pretty busy during his time here. It was great to have him
stay with us, and our family was able to spend time with him
between all of these activities. (see attached photo)
The
morning after Dr. Sam flew back to the states, leaders from all of
our churches gathered for the annual asamblea meeting. At times
there can be some tension at these meetings, but not this year.
Dan started out the morning by sharing a devotional, then each
church gave a report, new leaders were elected for some of the
committees, many things were discussed. There was such a spirit of
unity and acceptance there. Dan felt that the attitude that was
displayed there could only be attributed to the time that these
leaders had just spent with Dr. Sam. They had been refreshed and
encouraged by him and it was very evident in their attitudes
towards each other in this meeting. It was a joy to be a part of
this meeting!
Speaking
of our Camp Buena Vista again, the Jr. High kids from the Santa
Cruz Christian Learning Center are enjoying three days of camp
there right now. Next week Trevor and Tasha will be going out
there for five days of Sr. High camp. They get back to Santa Cruz
on Fri. afternoon and then the next day all of the Bolivian youth
from our churches head out for their annual four day camp. It is
great to see the camp being used like this!
Thank
you for your faithful support of our ministry here in Bolivia. We
are so thankful for your prayers and financial help. If you would
like to donate online to our ministry through Grace Ministries
International, please click here.
We could not be here without your support!
Please
pray:
1. for
Pastor Guillermo Choquebarra's son, Ariel, who left in Jan. for
five months of YWAM training in Costa Rica.
2. for
all the upcoming camps out at Camp Buena Vista.
3. for
the health of our family as there have been many cases of dengue
fever which is spread through mosquitoes.
4. for
the pastoral searches being done in two of our churches.
Praise:
1.
that Lilibeth Ortega is halfway through her two-year ministry
aboard “Logos Hope” We just received word that the ship is in
Cebu, Philippines at this time.
2. for
Dan's recent opportunities to speak at Henry Prince, teach at Vida
Abundante Church (Abundant Life), and teach at the Km 14 La Gracia
Church.
3. for
the wonderful visit from Dr. Sam Vinton.
Serving
through Christ,
Dan,
Mary Sue, Trevor, and Tasha Reed
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