The last few weeks haven’t been all that exciting.  I mean apart from almost dying, Marisa visiting, a team of missionaries from the states changing the roof on the Parsonage in Roboré, and some overdue reconciliation between our church leaders and the church association leaders, there is little to tell.  But if some of you are going to twist my arm about all of this I guess I’ll take some time and bore you to death with some amazing things God has done over the last 21 days. 

“Almost dying” – That may be an exaggeration, but these amazing three weeks began with what some believe to have been a “brush with death.”  It’s difficult for me to concede myself to such a foreign idea – namely, death.  As it turns out, however, on paper it seemed as though I had contracted a serious form of dengue that lowers your platelet count until you spontaneously hemorrhage to death.  Thanks to the prayers of many, unbeknownst to me at the time, and ultimately the sovereign grace of the Almighty, I turned bright red, which in dengue terms means “recovery.”  Seriously.  I felt like I had been in the sun all day.  Even my palms and the soles of my feet felt burnt.  But that was, apparently, a blessing in disguise and, sure enough, after a few days the rash went away and I was feeling much better.  And not a moment too soon…

“Marisa visiting” – At the tail end of my recovery my girlfriend arrived for a two week visit…and it just so happens that she recently graduated from St. Francis University’s Physician’s Assistant program and passed her boards with flying colors.  Yes, I say that mostly to flatter her, but it was also wonderful to have a medical professional there with me through my recovery…you know, telling me what stuff I couldn’t do.  Part of her visit was a vacation time for me, but I was also able to take her out with me to Roboré on that wonderful ten hour train ride and include her in my ministry.  The youth have been waiting to meet her for a long time and they really appreciated my involving more of my life, namely, Marisa, in their lives

In Santiago de Chiquitos, looking out over the Tucavaca Valley...

Marisa's first small-engine airplane ride!

The first youth service with our brand-new T-Shirts.  In English, they read "Salt and Light"

“Team of missionaries” – For the second May in a row Jeff Orcut, SAM’s Director of Development, led a small construction team from his home church in Palm Beach, FL to the town of Roboré.  Last year the team re-roofed the church building and gave ‘er a nice paint job.  This year, in hopeful anticipation of a full-time pastor, the team re-roofed the parsonage.  But, as is true with most teams, it was their interaction with the church members that proved most valuable.  On Sunday as we were all having a final meal together, Miguel, our church’s leader, excitedly told me about the little bits and pieces of wisdom he picked-up from one of the team members throughout the week(via translator).  The presence of this small construction team has pumped new life and energy into the church, and it is my prayer that we maintain this level of life and energy in their absence.

“Reconciliation” – After years of neglecting the church in Roboré the president of the AIEO (Association of Evangelical Churches of Eastern Bolivia) and some of his cabinet finally visited with our church leaders to discuss a handful of things, including the need of a full-time pastor.  From my understanding there were some signs of reconciliation between the two groups, and a basic understanding of each other in the very least.  Knowing part of the history between the church and the church association, that is a huge blessing from God, and I am very thankful.  I pray that dialogue and support remains constant between the two groups.  

 

This weekend was easily one of my favorite weekends of ministry so far in Bolivia. 

First, Saturday was, on the Bolivian calendar, the "Día del Niño," which is an important holiday to Bolivians.  (Actually, all holidays are important to Bolivians...)  As many of you will remember, we have our kids ministry every Saturday, so the church decided to do a special kids program in the church, as opposed to the house of some of the church members.  I was a little cautious when I saw how "enthusiastic" the older church members got when we were talking about the special program simply because they are, a lot of the time, all talk and little action.  But I delegated the responsibility of providing refreshments to the older members and let them put their food where there mouth is.  I was pleased to see that, although very last-minute, they came through and did a good job.



Anyway, the program was great and we had over 100 kids show up! 


A couple of the youth even dressed up like clowns and did a funny little skit for the kids.  I was so pleased with my youth and with the other members of the church, and I know the kids LOVED the program. 

The highlight of the weekend, however, was the baptism of 7 of my youth!!  Pastor Juan, the director of our Bible institute in Santa Cruz ,who has put so much time and effort into encouraging our church body over the years, came out to Roboré to be a part of the Día del Niño festivities as well as the baptize the youth in my group.  On Saturday night Pastor Juan talked about what baptism and made sure the youth understood what exactly they were going to do.  Then on Sunday morning we hiked up to a spot in the river deep enough to actually submerge someone and held our baptismal service on the bank of the river.  It was beautiful.




Then Pastor Juan, with the help of myself, baptized 7 young people.  Here are the candidates before they were baptized. (From left to right, starting with the boys - Pito, Toñín, Brian, Miki; and the girls - Yolanda, Luzgardi, and Damaris)



Each youth gave a short testimony of why they accepted Christ and why they were choosing the be baptized.  Here is Toñín giving his testimony.




I was so blessed to be a part of such a huge step in the lives of these youth.  I have spent so much time with them and love them all so deeply that it was almost as if I was baptizing my own children.  I will hold this memory in my heart for a long, long time.  Praise God for such a blessing.




(The first pic of the newly baptized youth!!)

Pray for each youth as we will be talking about spiritual gifts and the different ministries of the church, that God will reveal to each of them how God has chosen them to serve Him and bring honor to His name.