Third Week - Mothers´Day

Ever since our friends Luis and Elizabeth arrived we have been going non-stop. Bolivia is a land-locked country, so they are delighted to have the beach available just a short walk from our place. Besides going to the beach and to the pool, we also have been busy ministering. Thursday night was the Bible study at Eduardo's house. The topic was Jesus, the Lamb of God. Luis is an excellent teacher. They kept saying, "Now I get it." It was a very good night.

Eduardo, Arelis and Evans at their house

We were going to go visit Randall and Arleth on Friday evening, but Arleth got dengue fever. Another friend down with either zika or dengue! Actually they can´t tell for sure until the blood tests come back. Please pray for our protection against mosquito transmitted diseases. Saturday night was the couples' Bible study. We took some coils that help keep the mosquitoes away. We are going to do that every Saturday from now on. At the Bible study, John explained what a testimony is using Acts 26, and then Luis and Elizabeth shared their their testimonies. They have lived amazing lives.

Dinner at the couples' bible study

Demonstrating a game

Bible study

Sunday mornings we have to go to two different groups: a small group in our little town and then to the "big church." Luis preached in both places. We had a sweet time of worship in the first group. There is a young man who 15 years old and who is learning to play the guitar pretty much by himself. He led us in worship. I am so amazed to see his progress and how the Lord is using him in this very small group of believers. We had lunch on Sunday at Francisco's house, along with the pastor and his wife.

Luis went fishing with Francisco and a few of the locals on Sunday afternoon. He loves to fish, but had never fished in the ocean before. He was thrilled to catch a good size red snapper. I had told him  not to bring any (stinky) fish into our house, so he gave it to Francisco. Sunday evening we had Luis Carlos and Irene over for dinner. It was a good time for Luis and Elizabeth to get to know them because they are potential leaders. Luis uses every opportunity to teach from the Bible. It is great to see how he turns any conversation into a teaching moment.

Monday was Mothers' Day here, a national holiday. We went to a flower shop in the morning and bought 3 dozen long-stemmed roses. In the afternoon, we drove to our little town and handed out roses to all the mothers we know, whether they are believers or not. It was easy to do because they tend to gather as families where grandmas live; therefore, we could go to one house and had out 10 roses at the time. The ladies were very happy to get long-stemmed roses. Some never had one because they are expensive. We also included a verse from Proverbs with the roses. We finished the afternoon back at Francisco and Luz's house. They surprised us with dinner: fried red snappers form the previous day´s catch. We stayed a long time talking and sharing. It was a beautiful mothers' day. I am lucky to have two mothers' day celebrations a year.

Elizabeth, Yesenia and Isabel

At Lorena's house

Handing out roses

Handing out roses

More roses

Last night, Tuesday, we had Walter and Yesenia over for dinner. I made Mexican enchiladas, which are completely unknown here and in Bolivia. They all loved them. Walter and Yesenia were separated for four months; one of the reasons we were so disappointed after our last trip. She sent their two daughters to Nicaragua to live with her mother while they were separated and now has to travel there this week to get them. We were so sad about the whole situation and are very happy to see them back together. They are very open to talk about their problems. We talked to them about how to communicate as a couple. During the course of the evening, Elizabeth asked them if they wanted to ask Jesus into their lives and they looked at each other and agreed to pray the prayer. What a joyous evening! We send them home with a Bible and home made chocolate chip cookies!

Today, Wednesday, we started with a long walk on the beach. Right now Luis is getting a free golf lesson. The plan was to have lunch with the pastor, but he is sick and canceled. I think we will just take it easy the rest of the day. We have had non-stop activities. It will be nice just to stay home and relax for a day.

Frying red snapper

Luz at the outdoor wood-burning stove

Dinner at Francisco and Luz's house

Prayer requests:

• Pray for protection for all four of us from mosquito-transmitted diseases.
• Pray for Arleth and Irene, already sick with either dengue or zika.
• Pray for Yesenia as she travels to Nicaragua to get her daughters and bring them back. Pray for her relationship to Walter and for their new life in Christ.
• Pray for all those mothers who received a rose and a Bible verse, that they will know the Lord.
• Pray for all the visits, the Bible studies, the little group of believers in this village, that the Lord will bring up a great harvest.
• Pray for protection for our family back home.

Thank you for praying ... until next time... from the beach...