Gala 44

Mexican and Chinese food, fluffy Strawberry cake, fireworks, Christmas lights and friends around were the elements that made my birthday # 44 special. I thank the Lord for these years of life, his gift of eternal life, his many undeserved blessings, people and work.

44 and I am shamefaced far from maturity. I still have much to learn and apply what I have already learned. As I stand at the threshold of another year, I enter with HOPE that I will experience a journey of unexplored and untrodden fields of significant chances, unlimited possibilities, exceedingly great opportunities and new doors will open. I enter with TRUST in the one who has given me in his written Word an encouraging contingency plan with the promise that He will ultimately transform me into his image when the race is over.

It has been a good year…have been good 44 years, but they are now in the past; achievements and failures, joys and disappointments; I offer every one of them to You, Lord of All. In Your name I forget the past to press on to what lies ahead for me and I will only remember it to say “thank you”.

A Day in Güembe

Güembe (goo-em-BEH) is a 24-hectare (46 acre) Biocenter located 20 minutes from downtown Santa Cruz. Its major attractions are a butterfly sanctuary, an aviary and a orchid garden. There are several large lagoons, mineral water pools, hiking trails, horseback riding, mountain bikes and many other indoor/outdoor activities and events.

I went with my student, friend and brother in Christ Clever Morón since we both had been invited to attend a graduation of a common friend. Clever just recently got baptized and graduated from the Christian School. He has started to write his own blog to share his experiences in high school and faith in the Lord Jesus. He is an answer to a prayer for eight years. I will have to tell his story in more detail in another blog. For now I rejoice that salvation is still available and God’s wonderful grace is reaching the hearts of these people of this land before his imminent return (2 Peter 3:9).

35 meters high

The best part: the fellowship

Election Day in Bolivia

On Sunday December 6th, 2009, Bolivia went to the ballot boxes to vote for a new president. Mr. Evo Morales won re-election with more than 60%. There are some procedures and rules to follow-on election day in Bolivia. For example: You can’t buy or consume alcoholic drinks, nor buy weapons or drive. You can’t meet in big groups, therefore restaurants and churches are closed. It is kind of “mandatory day off”; at least for me as an “outsider”. This is what I did:  I had a small company of friends over for Breaking of bread, lamb and chicken shish kebabs, swimming pool and a DVD movie. 

Praise and worship

Do it yourself dinner

Meat cubes marinaded with chimichurri sauce

This past weekend 3

This past weekend 48 non-churchgoers kids enlisted to our “military” camp sponsor by World Vision. Nine leaders, mostly from the young people’s group from the Camiri church, took the command in regard to logistics and coordination. I spoke of self-discipline, courage, loyalty, obedience and diligence based on 2 Timothy 2:3 “Endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus”. These new recruits worked their way up through the ranks as they showed outstanding character and single acts of merit or heroism. It was something to see what a plain award made of foamy can do to incentivate, stimulate and inspire these kids to work harder, behave and take part in all the games and activities!  The seed of the Word of God was planted;  I hope that one day might bring forth fruit.

workout routines

Hand salute

Performing "Jody calls" (military candence)

Camouflage contest

Waterbomb balloons

Water games were a hit! just don't get hit by a bomb

Our youngest trainee

This past weekend 2

This past week end, the oldest of the group of elders of the Camiri church invited some of the guys and me to his home for a time of fellowship and dinner. I cannot start to express the impact of his invitation on each one of us. We all left his house encouraged by his loving and youthful spirit. He is an evangelist, setting an example for us and a gem in the church.

This past week end, eleven kids said goodbye to their teacher, assistant/ teacher and classroom of Kindergarten of the Christian School. With their ABC’s well learned, next year they will begin first grade in Elementary School and Lord willing, in 2013 they will be in 4th grade as my students.

This past week end 19 students received their High School diplomas. I was “Profesor Guia” (Guide/teacher) along with Miss Ortuño, their English teacher. We had the roll of guide, counselor, advisor or as the kids said, we were their “second parents”.

This past week-end, after the Baccalaureate and Graduation ceremonies where I was the main speaker, we had a Banquet night for the graduates where I was the main cook. We all had fun looking at a slide presentation I made for them with pictures from their childhood in 4th grade up to their senior year and the most fun dancing a small and simple, but beautiful traditional waltz. All these events and people made the weekend extra special in spite of the 40ºC (104ºF) temperature. Just another good weekend.

This past weekend

This past weekend I spoke to 30 teenagers from AWANA JV club about being careful in choosing friends to “hang out” for sooner or later we will be influenced by them. (Prov. 27:17) I challenge them to make an impact for good to their generation.

This past weekend my heart overflowed with joy to see 5 of my students obeyed the Lord in baptism. Every year when they come to me in 4th grade I and many more pray for each one of them. God has answered these prayers! We need to continue asking God to protect them as they grow in the grace and knowledge of their Lord and Savior Jesuschrist that they may be useful in his Kingdom.

Seven youngsters got baptized

This past weekend Gene Train, founder of the Christian School of Camiri, celebrated his 89th birthday. I thank God for this man, his vision, his example, his work and his life. We had a nice time of fellowship and refreshments. Many long friends/teachers were there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This past weekend was extremely hot (40ºC). This past weekend was extremely busy. This past weekend was extremely good. I will always remember and thank God for this past weekend.

End of the 2009 School Year

It is November and the words of the Christmas carol “Silent Night” are ringing in my head, especially and emphatically in the part “ALL IS CALM”. The 2009 School year has come to an end at the Christian School in Camiri. The teachers still have to come to do paper work and various administrative tasks. The students have started their vacation, except those who got very low grades and have the chance to do some extra work in the following two weeks to improve their notes.

The classrooms are empty. The shouting, uproar and noises are gone. No more “be quiet, please” or “take your seat”. The “he punched me first”  excuse- phrase is a thing of the past.

We colloquially called children “kid” which literally means “a young goat”. Goats are by nature extremely curious, intelligent and easily trained. They simply have to climb, escape from their pens to investigate and are well coordinated to hold their balance in the most precarious places…sounds familiar?

Summer vacation will officially begin in December, but for the moment the pace of school life has considerably slowed down. The school is quiet and peaceful, but it is not meant to be that way and I am already missing those little lovely “young goats”  all around.

Senior Class Trip (more pics)

Ellas - The Girls

(From left to right) Above: Fernanda, Jehudy, Litzy, Helen, Dominga (teacher), Silvia, Alejandra, Meiby, Bety. Below: Nelly, Itzel and Daniela.

Ellos - The boys

(From left to right) Yossimar, Ronald, Alex, Clever, Alexander, Andres (me) and Stephen.

Coimata falls

Coimata falls:

Crystal-clear waterfalls among the hills that make up beautiful ponds.

San Jacinto Dam

San Jacinto:

 

A man-made lake, 5 miles from the city. You can walk along the bridge that spans the dam. There are eateries where the students tried “doraditos” (small crabs) and fried Grass Carp.

 

Senior Class trip

After four years of working on different fund-raising projects, like selling old and used paper to recycle and three times changing the travel dates because of strikes or the guys’ premilitary service, the Senior class trip finally became a reality on October 14-18. The target was the Andalusian-style city of Tarija, one of the major tourist attractions of Bolivia. It is located in the southern part of the country, lies at an altitude of 6,312 feet (1,924 m) above sea level with a Mediterranean-like climate. It is best known for its numerous vineyards, excellent wine production and many flowers. For many of these students this tour was their first expedition outside their Camiri/Santa Cruz perimeter. We all came back with many fond unforgettable memories.

The road

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wine tasting

Trying new food

Spanish Colonial style City

A Good Day

These past days I was  feeling the frustration of infected electronic devices. I was planning on showing you pictures and telling you about my trip to Tarija with the Senior class last weekend, but it seems that my digital camera, USB and school computers are all infested with the so-called electronic viruses. I will have to wait till next week, but my urge to publish a weekly post was stronger. I just want to say that I really admire those genius minds out there that have come with such damaging creation; that I really haven’t lost any data and the files are still there and last, I have many reasons to be thankful and rejoice; a bug in gadgets is not enough to spoil the precious and unique moments of today.

These viruses are man-made, but it is the Lord who has made the day for us to be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24) Let us all choose to HAVE A GOOD DAY.