Back online

Well, as much as I enjoy Facebook, it is not what has kept me from blogging. Our internet company, who was doing a trial run with us in this area, finally decided to start charging us, but didn't inform us. So, we assumed for a bit that the internet was down, because sometimes it just goes down unexplainably. Then we actually called and they informed us that they had shut it down cause we hadn't paid. You would wonder how we were supposed to know they were going to start charging us, but you sometimes just stop asking the obvious questions and do what needs to be done. So, it's taken a week or so to get someone out to push the magic buttons that turn it back on- and here we are. Ahhhhh...to have internet again in the house. Having a baby and being homebound a bit is tough when there is no internet to connect you with friends around the world.

Anyway, I'm not sure I can remember all we've been up to in the past few weeks. The big news is that the new constitution passed on Sunday- which means many things, many of which I'm not totally sure of. Check out this article for more info: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/01/25/bolivia-newconstitution.html. We had the day off for the big vote, as there is to be no vehicle usage or gathering in groups on vote days- so no church. Scotty had plans to go help our neighbors paint their mostly finished home, but they never showed...so, we had a wonderful day to ourselves with Natalie. We took in a fantastic Piper sermon, as well as some devo and prayer time together, a walk, some reading, yummy food, etc... It was truly a rest day. Scotty started teaching Algebra 2 a few days a week at the Christian school as a big favor to the director. We're really hoping it will be a chance to get to know some of the kids and their families, always wanting to give those who don't attend church the opportunity to come to ours. I've spent a fair amount of time helping Natalie get into a good nap routine during the day- she had gotten to the point where she was only sleeping 30 mins at a time, or less. That was tough for me and I think for her too. We're doing better now, but it's a bit tougher to try to plan events around her naps. I have really been working through a lot of issues as I learn to be a wife/mom/missionary. I want to set up a pattern for my baby to thrive in, while being flexible. I want to balance ministry and time with friends- still thinking about the needs of my child to not be out when she needs to be in. I fight my natural introversion that keeps me from picking up the phone and calling women who need to talk when I am home with my baby. I want to know how to support my husband in the many ministry areas he is involved in, while not getting bitter or jealous that he is able to get out more or see more people. I have a long way to go in figuring it all out, and probably will never do it perfectly, but am learning a lot about being obedient and living out to God's glory the different roles He has given me.

Scotty & Lisa's update from Bolivia

Happy New Year from the Misers in Bolivia!

We're posting our newsletter here in the blog in case you couldn't see it in the email format we just sent out or else to encourage you to sign up to get it in your email inbox if you don't already! Hope you enjoy these photos and recent events in our lives…

Christmas Eve

Ericka and Hugo arrived with their 2 sons, Pablo and Jose, at about 4 pm to start the holiday festivities. We put on some Christmas music while Ericka started laying out all the ingredients in the kitchen for picana, a chicken, beef, and lamb soup. Christmas Eve is the time when Bolivian families get together to open presents and eat this traditional meal at midnight. We have started the tradition of sharing this special evening with our good friends, the Ramirez family. While Scotty taught the guys how to play Settlers of Catan, our favorite board game, Natalie and I hung out in the kitchen while Ericka wildly chopped, grated, spiced and boiled in preparation for our feast. Both families would have preferred a non-traditional, earlier meal time, but it was still 8:30 before we sat down to dinner. The picana was wonderful and we were filled by it and the time of devotion we spent after dinner, contemplating why Christ came to earth. This friendship and participation in a Bolivian custom is a true gift to us at Christmastime.

A New Home for the Mamanis

Picture a family of four: Pastor Edgar, wife Becky, 14-year old son Daniel, and one-year old Sami. Now imagine them hanging out in a bedroom, surrounded by boxes of their possessions, with 2 beds to share between the 4 of them. This room is located in the house of Edgar's parents which is also shared by his siblings and their families. This is what the Mamani family has called home for several years. Pastor Edgar has been praying, saving, and seeking financial help so that his family could have a home of their own and some space to raise their 2 boys. Unfortunately, Edgar is the only Christian in his family and is often taken advantage of by his relatives to pay more than his fair share of bills, groceries and other family expenses. Recently, a friend of ours mentioned that her aunt was selling a small home on a decent plot of land. Our colleagues and Scotty and I had the great privilege of contributing to the house fund, having also joined the Mamani family in prayer over the last year that God would supply a new home for them. Along with an interest-free loan that is designated to help national pastors and their own saved income (Becky has been working two jobs as well as taking care of their children!), they were able to purchase this property in December and move in right before Christmas. How great it is to see the smiles on their faces as they share with us the new freedom they feel in owning their own home. And we give thanks with them in recognizing how the Lord does all things well in His perfect timing and will.

Don't Waste Your Next 5 Months

Of course we have set some goals for this New Year, but recognize how different this year will be from many. We are planning on taking our home assignment from June to December of 2009 and so have the unique challenge of considering how to make the best of 5 short months of ministry here in La Paz. Scotty has kick-started the new year by preaching 3 Sundays in a row on "The New Creation in the New Year (2 Cor. 5:17)". For various reasons, he will not be able to continue in the theological course he's been taking for 1½ years, but has the opportunity instead to fill a much needed role as an Algebra 2 teacher at Highlands. This Christian international school located just on the other side of our small neighborhood of Mallasilla is where we have been holding our church services and where we plan to eventually send our children. We have a special relationship with them and see this as a neat way of deepening our interactions as well as opening doors to reach the students and their families, many of whom are not Christians. Scotty has seen a great need among the men of Mallasilla Bible Church for a study that will challenge these fathers and husbands to fulfill the roles God has for them and hold each other accountable to living holy and purposeful lives. He'll be meeting weekly with them to lead a study of John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life in Spanish, with the aim of finishing before we leave in June. Adding these things to the varied responsibilities he has as a leader of IBM will keep Scotty plenty busy for the next 5 months!

Mama Lisa

My new, constantly evolving role as a mother is one that has been a source of much joy and challenge, continually bringing me before the throne with the desperate need of God's strength and wisdom to permeate my life. Natalie is a beautiful, happy, relaxed baby who instantly wins over all she meets. My hope is to balance this blessed job of taking care of her daily needs with visiting women from church and in the neighborhood, as well as participating in the new, weekly woman's Bible study that is being held nearby. My weekly goal is to have at least one family, couple or individual over for a meal to create and strengthen friendships within the church community. I also hope to help us become more organized in the way we communicate with each of you, doing that more frequently and personally.

Please join our Support Team!

God has graciously provided for all of our needs through your generous support ever since we (separately) hit Bolivian soil in 2003. Now, with a new fiscal year and little Natalie recently joining Team Miser, we need to boost our support level with SIM. If you would be interested in joining our support team, please contact us or you can begin giving here!

We Can't Wait to Visit You This Year!

This past November was the first time we've been home in over 2 years, and the trip was too quick to do much more than briefly see our families and introduce them to Natty. Some might think that 6 months is a long time to be away from ministry in Bolivia (we think so too!), but we see such value in being able to personally connect with our 5 supporting churches and supporters in 14 different states! Scotty will also be able to take a few seminary classes, taking him a few steps further to receiving his masters in Christian Thought from Gordon Conwell in Charlotte. We also have the need to raise more support now that our little daughter has come along. These 6 months will be a special time to travel, visit with you all, see our families, rest, study and ultimately be more prepared to return to Bolivia. Stay tuned to see if you can help meet the various needs we will have when we are in Charlotte and Florida!

Contact Information

Our permanent email address is scottynlisa@gmail.com

Our mailing address in Bolivia: Casilla 3-12052, La Paz, Bolivia, S. America

Our blog: Scotty & Lisa's big fat blog

Our Mission: SIM USA, PO Box 7900, Charlotte, NC 28241

The new creature in the new year

Scotty has been preaching at IBM the last 3 weeks on the new creature in the new year. It's been a great exercise for him to have this challenge to communicate God's word in Spanish as well as a reminder for us personally to not set goals or make resolutions without seeking the Holy Spirit's direction and empowering to carry them out.

I had to take a couple pics of Natty in this adorable outfit that my friend Jana gave me. As I'm figuring out, there are many outfits that are labeled one thing but seem to fit differently that they would lead me to believe. This one says "6 months" but is just fitting her perfectly right now at 3 1/2 months. The skirt won't slide over her chunky thighs for much longer. The first pic shows that no matter what your age, it's not flattering to a lady to take a picture from below her waist...The second one is much cuter.

Natalie isn't sleeping through the night yet and actually seems to be going through a phase of sleeping less than she has been. But, she smiles a lot, is learning to laugh (especially when Daddy tickles her feet with his beard), loves to grab at the toys that hang above her on her play mat, and definitely gets excited when we walk in the room. She is an absolute joy and receives much attention from the neighbors and our church friends- hopefully it won't go to her head.

This and that

It's rainy season. It's holiday-time here in Bolivia, which continues through the end of February, after Carnaval. That means the days are slow and lazy. Scotty and I are enjoying more free time and trying to do more stuff together and with friends. I'm loving it. Natty loves it. Here are a few of my favorite things (key Sound of Music soundtrack):

1. Morning nursing sessions with Scotty sitting next to me in bed drinking coffee. Making Natty laugh afterward.

2. Morning walks around the neighborhood with Scotty and Natty. Stopping in at the local market to say hi to the ladies and buy fruit.

3. Inviting friends over for meals and games.

4. Watching it go from hot and sunny to cool and rainy with big, breathtaking clouds above the mountains...and then back (gotta love rainy season).

5. Cooking new recipes and eating leftovers.

6. Taking walks in town at night to get ice cream and people watch. Walking along the river and in the park with the stroller.

7. Doing devos and praying together in the afternoon.

8. Catching up with old friends.

9. Thinking and talking about how to make the best use of our 6 months in Bolivia this year (the last 6 months we'll be in the states!).

10. Bedtime with Natty- bath (sometimes that involves a lot of crying), PJ's and sitting on the bed to chat and read a story with Mom and Dad- so sweet!

It can be a big challenge during this time to feel like you are doing ministry. The church has all but shut down. School is out for the summer and people travel or do a lot of stuff together as a family. We see an opportunity to do a lot of laid-back "ministering"- just interacting with people in our small group and growing in friendship. The lot of us went out for lunch after church on Sunday...fun times and yummy chicken. We've had a few families over and want to continue to do that. It's strange how things really do get quiet for several months at this time every year. Scotty is preaching for the 3rd time in a row this Sunday- being the only leader left in town right now. But, he's on a roll with a good topic- the new creation in the new year. I think we're making the best of it and I'm thankful to be together more as a family.