It is the graduation time here in Portachuelo.  In town there are five high schools plus an adult education school that gives a high school diploma.  The teachers college and the agriculture institute each graduate a class.  I am not sure how many kindergartens there are in town, at least five, each one will have a graduation.  Across the street from our house is the Rotary Club center where most of these events take place.  They are usually all night affair with the partying going on till 6:00 AM.  The narrow street will be lined on both sides with vehicles and we won’t be able to get in or out of our garage until the party is over. 

Next week is the festival of the town, there will be another all-nighter across the street.  The noise doesn’t bother us too much anymore.  Our bedroom is at th e back of our house so we avoid a lot of the noise.

There are invitations to the family dinners for these graduates.  We are invited for two dinners Saturday noon, one on Saturday night and one Sunday noon, all for different graduates.  There goes the diet.

The Kinder graduates

The Christian school has their graduations at the school.  Praise the Lord for the roof over the basketball court.  Wednesday night was the kindergarten graduation.  Twenty five six year olds, twenty of them boys sang and recited and acted and acted up to entertain the crowd gathered to make the time special.  They acted out the story of David and Goliath.  The picture shows the kids with their diplomas in hand and the back drop translates, “Greatness does not depend on the physical size.  A giant can be overcome with God's help.”

Next Saturday is the high school graduation.  Another 12 students who have passed through the school and have heard the message of the Gospel many times.  At least one of those graduating has made a profession of faith.  May the good seed sown produce an abundant harvest in the life of these young people?

The new school year starts in February but there is already a lot going on with plans and documents that need to be turned in to the District Director of Education. The government wants to see all of our plans and projects for the coming year. We are looking for another school director.   Pray for the person of the Lord’s choice.  We praise the Lord for the liberty to continue reaching these young lives with the Gospel but the government wants to control more and more.

Praise the Lord for funds that have started to come in for the new building project.  So far we have $5300 towards the $30000 needed.

Greetings from Washington State.

I am finishing a visit with Cathy and family, getting ready to fly to Chicago on Wednesday.  From there I will be visiting a number of churches in the Midwest, returning to Bolivia on October 22.  Your prayers are appreciated for protection while traveling and the leading of the Spirit in sharing the vision for the work in Portachuelo. 

I am able to speak with Marion almost every morning.  She has extra responsibility when I am away.  Please pray for her at this time. 

The group who were baptized

We had one of those very special times shortly before I left Bolivia.  Six teenagers who were raised in the Assembly were baptized.  They need our prayers as they struggle to live as Christians in a very permissive society. 

The Portachuelo Christian School faces a constant challenge to uphold Christian values in a society that is more permissive all the time.  The administration of the school has their hands full dealing with students, parents and staff.  Pray for the Lord to give wisdom and grace.

Two weeks ago the students presented a talent night; music, poems and drama.  Each class from kindergarten through high school presented something in the program.  Everything had to have a Biblical theme.  I was surprised at the response.  I have never seen so many people out to a school program.

Talent night at the school

Back from Cochabamba

We are back from Cochabamba and Marion’s kindergarten workshop.  Thank you for your prayers.  The workshop was held at the American Institute in Cochabamba, a school that was started in 1909 by the Methodists.  They have almost 4000 students enrolled.  The workshop was attended by 50 kindergarten teachers from various parts of Bolivia.  Marion had been told to expect 15.  The response to the curriculum was varied.  Some people thought it was expecting too much for the kids.  Others thought it was great.  The first day the director figured we had an 85% approval rate.  By the end of the second day he figured about 98%.  Rosa, the kindergarten in our school took along a niece and nephew, both were her students from last year, to demonstrate the results of the program. 

We are half way through the winter vacation at the school.  Continue to pray for the school.  The folks at the American Institute have the same complaint we do.  The government requires so much paperwork the teachers hardly have time to teach.

Aldo and part of the family

Aldo Osinaga is one of the men who is working with me in leadership in the assembly.  He also teaches Christian Education at the school.  His wife Magdalena teaches first grade.  Here they are with three of their four boys.  Their oldest boy has his own bicycle but we have seen the whole family on the motorcycle.  Aldo has developed into a good preacher.  We appreciate this family.

I wanted to go to the city the other day and buy tires for the van but Santa Cruz is in a fuss with the arrival of the Pope, so I’ll have to wait until next week.  The most interesting news from the Pope’s visit was that he changed his clothes at Burger King before going to the nearby stage that was built for the program. 

Dr. Mefi and parents

Marion needs to renew her driver’s license.  It should already be renewed but they found that she was in the system twice and it takes two weeks to get it straightened out.  She can’t drive until they untangle the problem. 

We celebrated Mephibosheth’s graduation from medical school.  (We call him Mefi) Two of his brothers have been working in London for years to help pay for his studies.  He is doing his internship right here in Portachuelo.  Mefi grew up in the assembly and we all rejoice in the achievement.  Mefi is serious about a walk with the Lord.  Here he is with his parents.  He says he still has to look around to see who they are talking to when they call him Doctor. 

A number of our teenagers have asked for baptism.  We started a class for those who want to be baptized.  Six teenagers were with us for the first class.  Most of them have been raised in the assembly and know what they believe.

Sunday night a brother from the assembly in Montero was with us.  After sharing from the Word he presented a number of Bible study helps that are available online.  Almost everyone has access to the Internet now.

Last week was Holy Week in Bolivia.  Things were a bit solemn here in Portachuelo until today.  The popular religion dictates that one is supposed to be sad and not do fun things doing Holy Week.  I was in the city Friday and the supermarkets had the liquor section roped off.  Thousands of people being religious for a few days thinking that the Lord is pleased with an outward show of piety.

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Rom 6:4 

There are 26 in kindergarten this year.  20 of them are boys.  Rosa, the teacher, has trouble with discipline.  Her helper Angela is much on disciple either.  Marion goes in for a while each morning to help with the ones that are having trouble.  She takes them into her ice cream shop and works with them one on one.  There are some perks involved in working one on one with Grandma.

We are still in the process of getting all the school documentation transferred to the Koinonia Foundation.  The lawyer was here today dealing with the Alcaldia (City Hall) concerning taxes.  The present city government did not win the elections.  We have three month before the new group takes over.  We want to get everything done before then.

Last Saturday was the baptism for Helen and Raul.  We went to a nice little river not too far from Portachuelo.  The water wasn’t very deep so it didn’t help us with the weight.  When we were lifting Raul out of the water my foot slipped in the sand and at the same time Oswaldo stepped on a piece of wire.  It is the first time we almost lost someone.

Fabian, Melisa and Melanie

Fabian and Melisa was here Saturday.  They came to show off their newborn daughter, Melanie.  Much pray has gone up for Fabian.  Maybe the responsibility of a family will help him be more serious.  Continue to pray