We actually added a new team member on the way back. This is stone face / Grover face / JJ (Juanito Jr). The name is still under debate. He was a gift from the Bolivian national team.
We are all sad because we had to say goodbye to Brooke just now. She’s taking a different flight.
Can’t wait to see everyone!
As we have spent some time thinking through the trip, we wanted to post some short thoughts about what each of us have learned.
Please ask us to share about these things when you get to see or talk to us next!
We learned:
Jonathan: Everyone on the team had their roles, and together were able to bring God glory.
Britt: God is all powerful and working all over the world.
Katie: I learned I can minister to these kids through actions and not just through words. It was amazing to see transformation in the lives of the kids even though I couldn’t talk to them.
Brooke: My identity is not found in what I can do, or what I can say to these kids, but in Christ and his ministry.
Nathan: It’s easy to forget how big God is. I learned that God’s plan is bigger than I can imagine.
Ashley: I learned how intentional God is with my life – there’s a reason that I was born in Texas and not in Bolivia. I’ve met these people for a reason.
Tyler: I have to have faith that God is going to do what He is going to do when I am communicating.
Chuck: I learned patience this week in working with the kids and counselors. And not feeling entitled to things that I’m used to.
Ashliegh: God taught me that love transcends language and culture barriers. It’s in your actions.
Hunter: I learned patience with my kids. The Lord reminded me that I need to be explaining the love behind discipline, that it’s for their good.
John: That His will is being accomplished with or without out us.
Rachel: I learned about dying to myself and being obedient when it’s hard. The things we do here have generational repercussions. It is so not about us.
Taylor: Learning about living life on God’s terms, not mine. Trusting Him when I’m not in control. Being faithful.
Mary: God is the same here. We see him differently in different places, but we worship the same God. The people here have the same passion for the Word as we do.
Jesse: I was reminded how crippling legalism can be and how helpful it is when everyone on the team has the same vision.
Matt: My labor is unto HIM. Also been reminded of how much I love being a part of team with a common mission.
We are about to get back on the plane and continue to Miami!
I don’t think we’ve left on time for a flight yet in Bolivia! We are on the plane now to start the trip to Miami. Check back soon!
We are on the road after our nap (aka night of sleep) back to the La Paz airport. The hotel we stayed in last night was really nice but too short!
For those who would like to know, our flight info is:
American 922 la paz miami 705A 340P
American 588 Miami DFW 620A 840P
Thank you for all the prayers and comments!
We just finished getting checked in to our hotel for the night and it’s really nice! We are all tired from a long day and after a short meeting will be getting to bed. Wake up call is at 4 am for our flight home!
We just got to our luggage in La Paz and look who feels fine and isn’t throwing up!? Jonathan!
We have had an eventful afternoon. After getting lunch at a more traditional Bolivian restaurant we went to a market area to do some shopping!
All that shopping made us kinda hungry, so we went and got some ice cream. They had all the normal flavors, but also some really unique Bolivian flavors like tombo and maracuya.
On the way back to the guest house we had a surprise “invasion” on the road. We were driving back and packed into the back of the safari car and out of no where a water balloon comes in the window and splashes all over some people in the back.
A car of teenagers was throwing water balloons at us from another car! They followed us for a while trying to get another good shot in but Jose Luis wouldn’t let them get to the side.
Once we got back to the guest house we finished packing up and got to the airport. We said all our goodbyes to many of the national staff who came to the airport to see us off. They surprised us with gifts! We were all sad to say goodbye.
Our flight has been delayed now so we’ll be flying into La Paz a little later than planned, but our hotel shuttle will be meeting us there. I have pretty low battery, so I many not be able to post again until we get to the hotel.
(in the car) “Get down! Get down! …oh wait I mean get out, get out.” -Giovanni
“I’m not crying, I’m just upset!” -Stache
While on the trip to see The Christo
“thank you for leading me to Jesus” -Chuck
“no problem, it only cost me a dollar!” -Jose Luis
“Get your poop shoes away from my face” – brit
“Are you aiming for the bowl?” – nathan
“My name is Stoneface” -Grover
“Meduza…” -John Diego
“We love juanito!!” -every girl at camp
“Is John dating anyone?” -Jesse
“He’s dating his granola lifestyle” -Matt
“Will we be kayaking?” – campers
“I hope so. I brought your swimsuits!” – Katie
“ours?”- campers
“this is so weird because even though Jesus is inside of us we are inside of him” -Taylor
“Oh it won’t rain because Matt will ask God to keep it away and Matt is the closest to God.” -Grover
Chuck’s campers trying to cheer him on: “Choke! Choke! Choke!”
“My shoes, find them for me!” – John Diego
“Hold on, stay in the car, I need to go get… something…” – Giovanni, in the middle of nowhere.
The actual cabin name was the Muchachitas Senioritas. Matt on the sport court, “Ok, where are the mamachitas (little mama’s)???”
“Jesse, you look terrible.” – Matt
“Thanks Matt.” – Jesse
“I think this trip has helped me get over my fear of touching people” -Taylor
“you know what, you’re just 12 years old and you can just go away!” -Taylor
“if I’m gonna eat unhealthy I want fruits to get out of the way” -Britt
“if you order pizza and call the police the pizza will get there faster than the police” -Amir
So we just finished up our visit to the Christo de la Concordia. It’s huge! We took the tram up, took lots of pictures, and even went inside!
While inside we actually wrote our names inside of Jesus.
