Rompecabezas

"Rompecabezas" literally means "head-breaker", but is also the Bolivian word for puzzle. I feel very much like God is working the pieces of a puzzle together in our ministry here, in a way we didn't expect or imagine...as He always seems to do. When I left you on Sunday, Scotty and I were about to take a walk around the neighborhood. We spent an hour or so looking at houses and land, and happened to be on a piece of property across the street from the couple we met on Friday (who have been holding an evangelistic Bible study in their home for 3 years) when Carmen (the wife) came out onto the lawn and invited us over for tea. We accepted and happily entered thier warm home again with a table full of snacks and two smiling Bolivians awaiting us to chat. They were anxious to hear about our church plant, what our plans are, and when it will all start. It seems as though they have a garage full of neighborhood kids every other Sunday that have been informed that they will have a church to attend before too long. Carmen and Marcelo invite the children of the area over to watch a Bible cartoon, sing, and do crafts. Initially, most of the kids would join in on the fun, but the children of the upper class began to notice that the lower class kids sometimes came dirty and weren't like them, so they don't come anymore. But, their parents attend the Bible studies on Friday nights. Unfortunately, the lower class parents don't feel comfortable in the home of a middle to upper class family, so they don't attend. Either way, our friends have an inroad into the lives of all those represented in this community. How cool is that?! And to boot, they have the same desire as us and the Hursts to reach both upper and lower classes, and feel that will be possible only in a neutral location, like a church. We pray that will be the case. They shared the history of many neighbors who come, most are hungry to hear the Word and know more about God, but haven't been able to give up their Catholic traditions and background. The street on the right is where many of the Bible study attendents live, after being warmly invited by our friends, Marcelo and Carmen.

Because Bolivia has such a close relationship with the government of Cuba, Castro decided a while back to inundate Bolivia with Cuban doctors, who unfortunately take away jobs from Bolivian doctors. Three Cuban doctors arrived some time back in Mallasilla and while most of the neighborhood was a bit up in arms about their presence, Carmen and two other women decided they would welcome them with cake, flowers, and a Bible. One of those doctors now comes faithfully to the meetings and can often be found reading her Bible in the clinic. So, the pieces are coming together for the beginnings of a church here. Did I mention that Carmen and Marcelo offered us their garage to begin meetings here? We are so excited to see what happens next.