October 2020 Update

It is a joy to update you once again on the ministry here in Bolivia.  Our family is still doing fine.  Bolivia is still slowly getting back to some normalcy.  Just like in the states, our virus numbers are slowly rising a little.  We hope this doesn’t mean another lockdown in the coming weeks.  For now, we are able to do most of what we need to on a day to day basis. 

This month we were able to ship scripture from the container we received in August.  We shipped approximately 50,000 scripture portions and 200,000 tracts.  We sent these to churches or missionaries in 4 different states of Bolivia. To send 50,000 scripture portions might sound like a lot but some of those places are already asking for more.  We hope to send them more soon since we still have plenty available.

Last month we had a meeting of our Bolivian mission.  This mission is a legal requirement for both churches and missionaries to be able to operate within Bolivia and we are required to meet once a year. My pastor and others from our mission board preached online for this meeting.  Then each Bolivian pastor took time to introduce themselves and speak about their ministry.  During these testimonies some needs were mentioned as prayer requests.  God worked in my heart and in the hearts of those from our mission board.  Within 1 week we had raised the finances to build restrooms at a church, put a roof on another, do construction on a church in Venezuela and another in Argentina, and buy a motorcycle for a pastor who needed one.  Then, as of this week, to also purchase property for a church in Venezuela.  It was fascinating to watch God work through a little meeting here in Bolivia, touch hearts and provide for various needs in 3 different countries!

This has been an election month for us.  We cast our absentee ballots in the states and Bolivia voted for a new president.  Last year's election was claimed to be fraudulent and the Bolivian people pushed out the president who claimed the win.  This month they voted on the new president and, to our surprise, the same socialist party that was kicked out last year won with ease. We still are not sure what to expect from this new socialist leader or how it might affect our ministry. 

With the country being a little more open, we have been able to do more at the church.  We are having services outside in the yard under the trees.  We are also able to start visiting homes again.  For now, we are mostly visiting the homes of people who already attend the church.  This has given me an opportunity to get to know the people a little better.  It has also allowed me to watch the man we are preparing to serve as pastor and his wife. This pastor and his wife have created a strong bond in this church.  I have enjoyed watching their interaction and the bond of trust that I have rarely seen in other churches.  This has been a good reminder that discipleship is more than just going through a course on Bible basics.  It is also about earning the trust of the people.  As the trust is built, they will open up in other areas where they can be taught from scripture.  I believe many of our churches have lost this wonderful opportunity because they no longer disciple their new believers.

We are looking forward to the days ahead.  We have some exciting things happening and hope to be able to tell you about in the near future!