Carnaval

Today is the big day for those who celebrate Carnaval. We've been seeing the kids out in the streets for weeks now- boys and girls aggravating and flirting with each other as they launch water balloons back and forth. Yesterday, as Scotty and I were driving home from the grocery store (and I was SO happy to be in the safety and dryness of my own car) we saw the main streets of the south zone covered on both sides with youth- drinking, spraying each other with foam, and hurling water balloons. A lot of people use these 2 holidays to hang out with family, have BBQs, and go the country. But Tuesday is the day where almost everyone- rich, poor; young, old- "challa" the things that are precious to them. Usually it's land or a car or your house or something else that you want the blessing of the Pachamama on. We have neighbors across the street who have just finished a house for their mother and invited us to the challa celebration today with their family. Scotty and I are praying for the right words to explain (as we've done with them once before) why we won't be a part of the celebration but would be happy to come over later to meet their family. It's an amazing opportunity, but a challenging one, as this family in particular is just participating in "our country's national traditions". To them, this is a custom. They don't see that they are worshipping an idol- no matter how little they really think of her. And of course they believe in God, they've explained. It's tough when you live in a culture that is familiar with God and comfortable with Him, but have also mixed in so many other animistic beliefs.

Later today we have some friends coming over for tea. Jimena, the wife, will be teaching me to make empanadas. Normally, I love the chance for a cooking lesson, but we still don't have any water! So, the thought of frying dough in my kitchen brings to mind big grease stains all over the floor and the oven and who knows what else- with no water to clean it up! But, I am happy for this opportunity to get to know this family better. They will be part of our small group that will start up next month and are so hungry to grow deeper in their faith.

Sunday was a really neat day in the Mallasilla Bible Church. After worship, Scotty got up to lead us into the next part of the service, but had the urge to give people a chance to speak of God's faithfulness in their lives. We had just sung the song- "Tu fidelidad is grande"- Great is your faithfulness (not the hymn)- and Scotty was hoping that there would be many testimonies to attest to that. A surprising and moving one came from Ana, a Cuban doctor. Many Cubans are sent here to work and they are often not looked highly upon by the Bolivian community. But, the Alfaros, whose house we meet in, have been reaching out to Ana and her friends since they arrived. Ana has been a faithful attender of the Friday night Bible studies and church, and on Saturday, she accepted the Lord as her Savior! She shared this joyful news with her church family on Sunday and we had a time of rejoicing and praying over Ana, who will be returning back to Cuba in March. What a gift to see God so at work in our community!