Patty, our first grade teacher has been the subject of much prayer.  She had surgery three weeks ago to remove a large tumor from between her right kidney and the spine.  The doctors have determined that the tumor was malignant.  Now they are considering various options. 
Please be in prayer with us. 

Alberto and his family were among the first to respond to the Gospel when we came to Portachuelo.  They have been an important part of the work here.  Alberto has his ups and downs.  When he is on top of things he is a real asset to the work.  We have often asked for prayer for his son, Hilton.  Hilton has been battling a drug problem for years.  He has been in at least four different rehab facilities and run away each time.  He goes home and causes chaos.  He continually steals to support his habit.  Right now he is in the local jail for six months.  The family has enjoyed a period of peace.  Soon he will be out and they are anxious about the future.  Please continue to pray for this situation.

In two weeks the school will be having our winter vacation.  Yes, south of the equator winter comes in the summer time.  The builder has promised to finish the stairs for the new classrooms during the vacation.  The stairs are usable but they need to be finished with ceramic tile.  The builder hasn’t been real good about finishing things.

Many of you have prayed for Fabian over the years.  He continues to make bad choices.  He seems to have steady employment in the city.  He has learned to lay ceramic floor tile and is in demand for that skill.  The people he chooses to associate with are not a help to him.  Several months ago we had to tell him that he is not welcome to stay overnight at our house any longer.  We haven’t seen him since then but he has called and said he is trying to avoid the people that are a bad influence.  Some of those people are in Portachuelo so he doesn’t come here anymore.  Continue to pray.

Oscar Asaeda, is a new student in our junior class this year.  His father is a doctor here in town and director of one of the hospitals.  He spends a lot of time in our house with our Oscar.  Last week was Teacher’s Day.  The junior class prepared a meal for the teachers at the doctor’s house.  His mother was in tears as she shared with Marion the relief she felt that her boys had a family with other values to associate with.   Pray that the seed sown will find good soil in the heart of the hearer.

For two weeks the students have been involved in interschool sports competitions.  These competitions are required by the government.  They take a lot of time away from studies.  Our teams have started winning some of these games and have to travel and sometimes stay overnight in other towns.  The parents pay for their kids’ expenses but the teachers who accompany them have had to pay their own way.  We have been looking for ways to help with the extra expenses to the teachers when they have to make these trips.  Marion has started selling ice cream at the school.  On Mondays the upper grades have classes until 4:00 PM.   Marion and Rosario make goodies to sell on Monday afternoons.  This provides funds to cover extra expenses at the school. 

Marion and Rosario with the Monday goodies.  I have the responsibility for quality control of the goodies.  I know its a nasty job but someone has to do it.  So far the quality has been excellent and the products are rated "yummy".

Visitors

We have know Luis Enrique for a number of years.  He worked at the school and lived in our home for a year before he went to Spain and spent eight year in the Canary Islands.  He called several weeks ago and said he was coming to Bolivia for a visit.

Friends get together

One morning I heard someone call at the door and there he was.  He came direct from the airport and spent five days with us before taking off for Trinidad to see his parents.

Bob and Luis Enrique comparing toys.

We had a get together so everyone could catch up on eight years years of news and gossip.  He will be staying with us again for a few days before flying back to Spain in June.

This afternoon Oswaldo's girls, Asiel and Samara were in the house and decided they wanted to learn to make donuts.  Marion loves to teach so before long the delicious smell of donuts frying filled the kitchen .Dunkin Donuts, move over, you have competition    I am looking for sympathy, I was forced to eat donuts. I couldn't help myself.

By the way in the last post I told you about Aldo and Magdalena and baby number four.  They now have four boys.  Jafet, Joel, Jeffrey and the newest, Jairo.  Remember the Spanish J, sounds like the English H.

ANOTHER OSINAGA

Saturday the teachers from the school decided to have a baby shower for Magdalena.  Not only the ladies were invited the men as well.  They decided to have it at our house so we had a lot going on Saturday.  The ladies brought home made goodies.  If you have never had pan de arroz (rice bread) you are missing out.  Rice bread is delicious.  It’s made with yucca and rice flour.  

Magdalena with the cake made of diapers

Aldo

The folks visiting

Aldo Osinaga and Magdalena have three boys.  They don’t know what this one will be but I think they are hoping for a girl.

 Aldo grew up in the assembly; he was involved with the youth group as a kid, now he is the leader of the youth group.    

While the adults visit the kids are at the computer.

Aldo and Magdalena both work at the school; she is on maternity leave right now.  We are thankful for them and their ministry.  Pray for this family Aldo, Magdalena, Jafet, Joel, Jeffrey and baby.

BACK HOME IN PORTACHUELO

For those of you who asked "Are the stairs finished?" 

BEFORE

 I have photographic proof.  Maybe I shouldn't say "finished".  The ceramic tile is not in place yet.  It is ready and waiting to be installed.  Praise the Lord for Cerabol, a local tile factory that gives us a good price on their seconds.  All the floors in the school are finished with this natural red tile. 

AFTER

There are no lights yet and the doors are not hung but the second and fourth grades are having classes in the new classroom.

Use your imagination and picture another building, just like this new one, facing this one with the second floor accessed from the first landing of this stairway.  That is our next building project. 


EATING
I shared with the folks in the States about the about the local custom the believers here have of inviting reasons to get together and eat.  We haven't been able to break the habit, it continues to this day.  They had a welcome supper for us when we got back. 

Before and after pictures will not be included for the eating category. 

La Quinceañera

In Latin America a young lady's 15th birthday is the big one.  It is when she is presented as a woman.  The tradition here is to have a really big party.  Dancing and drinking are a big part of it.  What about the believers.  What do they do?

Martha and her four children have been a part of the assembly in Portachuelo for years.  They are involved in many activities of the assembly .  Martha's daughter Rosa's 15th birthday was coming up.  What to do?  The father is not a believer and he wanted a big party with all the things that the world expects.  Martha asked if they could have the party at the church so she could avoid that.

Praise the Lord for providing a place for things like this.  Our basketball court gets used for many things.  This Saturday night it was the scene for Rosa's Quince (15).

Lots of room for special occasions.  

Teddy Campbell from Santa Cruz spoke to Rosa and the group about the things of the Lord and the decisions one makes for their future.

Rosa with her parents

Everyone wants their picture taken with the "Quinceañera".

Rosa and Oscar

THREE FAMILIES

These three young men are the responsible brothers who are sharing the leadership with me in the assembly in Portachuelo.  They have not be named elders yet, but they are doing the work of an elder.  They are also the leaders at the Christian school.  Pray for them and their wives.

Aldo, his wife Magdalena and their three boys.Joel, Jafet, and Jeffrey

Aldo teaches Christian Education, he is also the school "regente".  That means he keeps an eye on things, like discipline and attendance, and the buildings and grounds.  That frees the school director (principle) to attend to the academic side of things and keep the Department of Education happy.

Magdalena is the teachers aide in first grade and maybe will be the school secretary next year.

Bismar, Ruthy and their boysAbdiel and Paulo 

Bismar is the school director.  His job comes with a lot of pressure.  He is responsible for academics.  as well as representing the school to the legal authorities.  A big part of his job is handling people.

Ruthy is the second grade teacher.  She is always beside Marion to help when there is baking to be do

Osvaldo and Kathy with
Osvaldo, Samara, and Asiel

Some of you will remember Osvaldo and Kathy from their time in the States.

Osvaldo teaches English, computers and is involved in the administration of the school.

Kathy is a public school teacher.  She travels 50 miles everyday back and forth to her school in Mineros.

INTRODUCING

Carmen Rosa Vargas
When  school enrollment for the current year started in January there was no school secretary.  Via the grape vine Carmen heard that we needed someone to fill the position.  She came with experience as secretary in a Christian school in Sucre.  She is a big help in keeping things running smoothly.  Carmen is the friendly face that greets everyone visiting the school.  We praise the Lord for sending her to us.

Carmen and her husband have been married for five years and had no children.  They were in the process of adoption when she started to work.  Just a week ago they welcomed fourteen month old Fernanda into their family.  Fernanda comes to school each day with her mother and is cared for by the caretaker's wife.

Carmen and Fernanda

Bob Mc Elmurry
Bob has been with us for a number of years.  Bob is a retired chemist from Madison, Wisconsin.  He came to help teach English.   His job grew and he now is the one that keeps the computer lab up and running.  Thanks to Bob we have a computer lab that is the envy of many schools.   He is constantly looking for ways to improve the program.  He also writes programs to help the teachers.  We praise the Lord for Bob and his dedication to the school.

Bob is also the resident grandfather at the school.  The younger students seek him out, especially when he has balloons in his pocket.

Bob in the computer lab