One day Shaggy entered the school gate with the students. It has happened before that one dog follows his owner, but when inquiries were made; Shaggy did not belong to anyone. In short, we adopted him.
He needed attendance from a vet and is receiving his vaccines. He walks in a “funny” way with one of his back legs as if he’d have had a joint injury, but it does not prevent him from running after the ball when students are playing futsal.
He now has a big family.
Today is a day off school. It is Bolivian Teacher’s Day. I should have had my piano 
lesson, but my teacher also needs to enjoy his day of rest. Yes, I am a teacher and a student. Efrain is a talented guy who plays different instruments and knows music by the book. My attempts to learn how to play piano began in my early teen days and I have had different classes and teachers at various times. I realize that I am not young anymore, but here I am giving it one more shot. Hopefully this time I hit the nail on the head.
Learning from those I taught is a tremendous wonderful experience. Teaching is never a one way street. It is a reciprocal impacting, shaping and lasting life experience.
It also gives me the chance to sit in the learner inexperience chair and fully sense the process students pass through to acquire new knowledge and skills.
These lessons are more than just entertaining myself; they are about trying, persevering and working every day. I am passionate about this whole thing of education. Ultimately, it is about staying a student for the rest of my life.
The team from Canada that visited us in Camiri last year to help us in different projects around the school came back this year for another week of hard work, generous support, wonderful comradeship at church retreat, school people, other workers and I myself certainly enjoy each minute of having them here to share the vision, talk and fellowship over meals and cups of tea.
Last October when I had the blessing to visit this church and their fundraising banquet; the project was explained and discussed. It was accepted as a challenge since the funds were not sufficient, the time was short and ultimately the rainy weather and the festivities of Carnival also joined in as complications to be able to accomplish the goals set for that week.
Miracles do still happen. In spite of the noisy festival in the streets and the moments of pouring rain, by Saturday, the day of their departure, the concrete for the second floor room was getting dry by the warmth of a sunny morning. The plan had worked out and the mission had been attained. We had behold God’s hand every step of the way.
Phase 1 is done. Now the second part is to begin soon and hopefully in the course of this year, the school will have this multi-purpose large room to be used for chemistry experiments, Choir rehearsal area, teachers/parents meeting hall, faculty and staff lounge, place for chapel time, workshops, seminars, etc.
If anyone would like to be part of this work, drop me a note, there are many ways you can get involved and anyone with a heart to bless others is qualified. Come and let’s build together and each other.
Read more of their week experience in their own journal: Oakridge Bible Chapel 2018 mission trip
Andres SGV17's Weblog 