October 2022 Update

This past month has been a blessed and busy month.  We have had many things pending due to our furlough but since being back we have been able to get a lot of those tasks accomplished.

We have completed some publishing projects.  We sent 1.2 ton of scripture and tracts to a national pastor in Cochabamba.  He uses these not only in the local churches but also in his prison ministry. We were also able to complete some Sunday School packets we had ordered for different missionaries and churches. Two years ago, the bookstore couldn’t fulfill these orders but finally, this project has been completed.  We are in the process of trying to order more sets for other churches. 

After several months of paperwork, the property for the new church is finally ours!  In the past, the property transfer happened the same day we agreed and had the money available. But this transaction took longer because of how the previous owners had done their paperwork.  We are thankful for this process to be behind us and we can now start construction.  We have already ordered the installation of power and water, and that should be installed any day now.    Our goal is to prepare a structure that allows for future expansion without having to tear down or redo anything. After discussing the construction process with 2-3 builders, we have settled on the same builder who helped us with our last church building, since he is familiar with our vision. We are looking forward to getting started as soon as possible.

I have mentioned in previous letters that we are planning for a medical team to be here in November to conduct a free clinic.  The purpose of this clinic, in addition to the obvious meeting of medical needs, is to reach new souls in the area of our 1st church plant, Mount Carmel.   We would potentially have 1,000-2,000 people hear a personal presentation of the gospel during the week. This team has grown to over 40 people from the states plus our local helpers.  We are in the process of finalizing the clinic location so we can print invitations and signs.  However, we have an urgent prayer request.  Our state is protesting the federal government’s attempt to move the national census date out by 1-2 years.  This change would reduce the amount of authority the state has and reduce the finances they receive from the federal government because our state has grown so much since the last census.  An indefinite civil strike is planned just days before this medical team is scheduled to arrive. During these strikes, citizens block streets and refuse to work until they get what they want. We have seen these strikes last 2-3 weeks in the past. If that happens, it could render useless all the work and thousands of dollars that have been put towards this clinic so far. Please help us pray that the state and the federal governments come to an agreement quickly, so this protest doesn’t disturb the clinic and the opportunity to reach many more souls with the gospel.

It is a joy to be in the ministry for the Lord.  Thank you for helping make this possible.  Thank you for your continued prayers for our family and the ministry here in Bolivia.