Scotty & Lisa's March Update from Bolivia

It's our privilege to share with you what we continue to be involved in here, as well as invite you to look forward to some future events with us! As always, we'd love to hear back from you!

Carnaval Barbeque

February is the month of Carnaval- the time of age-old customs that began before the Spanish conquest and center around giving thanks to the Pachamama (earth-goddess) and warding off evil spirits by throwing water. Beliefs vary widely these days, but water-play is still a must and young people will drag it out as long as possible- lining the streets to throw water balloons at each other for the whole month, and closing down everything for the state holidays to splash, soak, foam, and generally have a raucous time. Not wanting to miss the chance to spend free days with our small group, we planned a barbeque for Saturday and were thankful to see the sun shining as we got ready for a fun afternoon. Everyone from the group came, plus the Hursts, pastor Edgar and his younger son, as well as a few extended family members. We grilled, we ate, we chatted, we played with water, we tried to convince Natty she could, indeed, sleep in an unknown place, we chatted some more, we soaked up sun, we relaxed. Although we had to go home early to get Natty to bed, we heard that most stuck around until late, enjoying each other and getting each other pumped up to attend the IBM first annual retreat in April. When the leadership team had asked key members of the congregation about their commitment to attending the retreat, the answers were doubtful at best. But God must have worked in the hearts of many, because we are now expecting a good number! Our hope is to present the vision for this year as a church body, as well as encourage and enable people to become more involved in church service. We'll head down to the camp in the mountainous jungle region called the Yungas to celebrate Easter together for this retreat.

A Home of our Own

Picture with us a modest, inviting home on a hill overlooking our side of Mallasilla and the mountains surrounding this community. A big, green lawn is full of fruit trees and kids playing soccer in the sunshine, while Scotty and the men grill steaks for a few families that have come over after church. I'm inside with the ladies, talking about what each of us learned from the sermon and preparing salad. Ok, maybe it sounds a little dreamy, but this is what we envision as we look out our windows at our property, one block away. Our hearts are filled with the desire to use this gift for God's glory, as a place where friends and neighbors can come and be encouraged, challenged, and prayed for. Building our home is not in the very near future, as we are waiting on the Lord for the funds to do it, but even now we are asking for wisdom to know how to build it, with what architect, and when. We'd like to invite anyone who can get excited about this project to contact us if you'd like to contribute in some way to making this dream a reality, from outright contributions to our SIM personal fund (not tax-deductible) to a no-interest loan, or being part of a work team to come and actually work on our house in the construction phase.

Home Assignment (what used to be called furlough)

We're coming home! Even as I type "home", I realize that we have two homes. It will be mentally and emotionally hard to tear ourselves away from our lives here in La Paz- to realize that we will be missing what God does in our church in the next 6 months and in the lives of our friends. We will be away for Natalie's first birthday, a date that is very important in Bolivian families and a time of great celebration for all who know the child. But, we also long to be with you, to catch up after more than 2½ years away, to know the particulars of what you have experienced in this time and for us to mutually encourage each other. We wanted to share with you our hopes for these 6 months in the states and also let you know of some great needs we have. Flying back in mid-June, we'll spend our summer in Florida with Lisa's family, while taking trips to Minneapolis, to Scotty's family in Tennessee, and a great sweep of the Midwest to visit supporters and churches in a handful of states. In the fall, Scotty will enroll in two classes at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC to continue working toward a Masters' degree in Christian Thought, while we have some time to live in community with a supporting church there where we spent our first year as a married couple. We'll stick around to celebrate the holidays and plan on returning to La Paz at the beginning of 2010. While in Charlotte, we'll need a vehicle and an empty home or apartment, or a place to rent for our home base. There will probably be a significant list of baby items that will be needed as well, so contact us if you are willing to help in any of these ways. As much of a temptation as it is to worry about these big details working out, we know and constantly experience the rich provision of our Lord, and trust Him.

Praises

Natalie is healthy and right on schedule developmentally. She continues to bring smiles and coos from perfect strangers around the neighborhood- opening doors for us.

Although there is a recession raging in the US and globally, God has greatly and faithfully provided for our needs through our supporters.

Our landlord, Edgar, has been asking Scotty more and more questions about God and the Bible.

Prayer Requests

We intended to obtain our permanent visas before leaving because we cannot be out of the country for more than 3 months without losing our current status (2 year visas). We've recently found out that is not possible, but will apply for special permission to be away without having to start from scratch upon our return to Bolivia.

That Lisa will be able to balance new challenges and needs of Natalie with ministry time. For Scotty's ongoing desire to prioritize the many responsibilities he has with the church, school and family.

That we will be able to prepare others to fill in our gaps during the 6 months we will be out of the country.

Especially for our church's retreat over Easter weekend as we share the vision for ministry and invite the members to participate more fully.

Thank You
We truly could not be here without you. Your prayer and financial support are our life-line, making it possible for us to live and minister here among Bolivians. We are eager to see you while we are on Home Assignment in a few short months!

Contact Information
Our permanent email address is scottynlisa@gmail.com
Our mailing address is Bolivia: Casilla 3-12052, La Paz, Bolivia, S. America

P.S. 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 having joined 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!