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

Happy Birthday

Many of you will remember Enrique, who visited with us in the States several times.  He is now 18 years old.  He graduates from high school this year and plans to study civil and petroleum engineering.

Marion and Enrique

We went into the city to be with him and his family to celebrate his birthday.  Just like in most other places these celebrations are accompanied by lots of food.

This is cattle country so we eat meat.

and more meat

The young people from their assembly in Santa Cruz were there to help celebrate.  When Christians get together there is singing and food.

There is always a guitar and choruses