Love your neighbor 101.

"Mr. Scotty is such a nice guy", she says while we watch our kids jump on the trampoline.  "I bet he doesn't even yell at you and hit you!" 

Me: "Uh, no, he sure doesn't."

Her, looking incredulous: "Never??"

Me: "Well, no, never.  Since we're Christians, we take seriously what the Bible says about loving one another, even when we're frustrated with each other."

She smiles and repeats that she thinks Scotty is just the best.  I agree and hope I might have other opportunities to share more with this neighbor of ours.  Earlier that day, I had taken the kids out for a walk- one last chance to hang out before school started up again.  I was feeling particularly convicted recently about how little we knew some of our neighbors, especially the ones that have lived on this street as long as we have.  I was also feeling troubled about the lack of progress Jubilee was making in picking up Spanish.  So, I began to pray about both of those things. 

As we arrived back to the house after our walk, a somewhat mangled looking rooster was prancing around in the road.  Our neighbor across the street, with whom we've had casual conversation over the years, was standing by her door watching him.  I asked what happened to him and she explained that he likes to fight and I wondered what sort of animal was able to pluck out his neck hair in that way.  She asked about our dogs and when her 7 year old daughter came out, I invited them both to come inside to see our 8, month-old puppies.  They agreed and the next thing I knew, our kids were playing like old friends and I was having the longest conversation I've had yet with this friendly neighbor.  After 20 minutes or so, she remembered that she needed to keep an eye on the chicken, so she told me just to send her daughter back over when we were ready.  In another hour or so, both our 7 year-olds had become besties.  If only adult relationships were so easy!

BFFs

After we said "good-bye", Jubilee begged for Stephanie to come back the next day or spend the night or have breakfast with us.  "I love her!" she gushed about her new friend. 

So, it seems that the Lord was pleased to answer my prayers, both for Jubi's Spanish (Stephanie does not speak English) and for better interactions with our neighbors!  Now, the real trick is to maintain contact with this mom, despite our vast differences.  To love her for who she is and engage with where she is in life.  Instead of seeing her as a project, to learn to really care for her.

Evacuation thoughts: Remembering

It is so nice to be home.  I love our house; I love our town; I love the habits and patterns we have here (I loooove routine).  But, it's been interesting how being in this place again has brought up memories from the chaos we left behind mid-November.

When we were out walking as a family a few days ago, Moses saw a group of people coming toward us down the road and said, "Oh, no!  What if they are Evo supporters?!"  (As a side note, we are working with our kids to recognize that we are all broken and in need of grace, no matter what political party we might support.  Prejudice is definitely something we'd like to steer clear of). Then, he came running in from the backyard yesterday and said, "Mommy- there are people up on the lookout!  I think they are spying on us!"  That idea came, unfortunately, from his older sister.  And now, as we catch up with friends and neighbors, the majority of the conversations turn quickly to politics.  How awful it was in November, but how they are all hearing it's going to happen again.  The news is highlighting the ex-president's political party's news that they will begin protesting again on January 22 because that's when they believe the interim president should leave, even though new elections won't take place until May 3rd.

Smoke billows a couple blocks from our house where a mob of people burned tires and public property in protest of Evo's resignation. (Nov. 11)

So, all these things create in my heart and my gut a little knot.  It's one I try not to let grow and I fight to keep my thoughts captive to the Truth that I know, that will never change even if my world falls apart.  Although I didn't handle the last crisis very well, I feel more prepared.  Quicker to get nervous? Yes.  But, I'm hoping that we won't be caught by surprise this time. 

One thing that was of constant encouragement during the hard days was the way the church responded.  And by church, I mean the true believers of all denominations in Bolivia.  I saw and participated in more prayer, both in private and on the street, than I have in a long time.  The peaceful protests that occurred before the president resigned sometimes started with prayer and worship as they formed their blockades.  Pictures of police and military on their knees floated all over the Bolivian internet (I know it's the same internet)- men being challenged to call on the only One would could rescue the country from the situation it was in.  The Bible was returned to the presidential palace with a commitment to make decisions based on its wisdom.  There is a general openness to the hope of Christ than we have experienced here before.  As much as I hate to admit it, cause I really, really don't want to go through what we went through again, the Lord mysteriously works in a special way when people become desperate.  I know He did in my heart and I bank on Him doing it again.