It may be hard to believe, but I’ve already been in Bolivia for over five weeks and, despite the occasional bump along the road, everything is going amazingly well.

I’d like to thank everyone for their prayers regarding my arrival and integration into life here in Santa Cruz. After living a week with the directors of El Alfarero (The Potter) I moved in with my host family. I’ve been received kindly and with great hospitality. I’ve settled in quite comfortably at their home and they have helped me with numerous tasks like setting up my phone, learning the bus system in a very large and chaotic city, warning me of dangerous areas, preparing delicious meals, inviting me to their churches … the list continues. The employees and volunteers at El Alfarero have also been generously helpful as I’ve taken on my new tasks.

As you may have read in my prior newsletter, until I get my university English classes launched, I will be working in the café run out of the El Alfarero building. This has given me great exposure to university students, helped me tremendously with my conversational Spanish, and given me the opportunity to start building relationships with those who work at El Alfarero. Please pray that my time in the café would exalt Christ and provide me with opportunities to publicize my upcoming courses.

In the meantime, I’ve already launched two English classes for students who are a part of the master’s program run through El Alfarero. These are students who need English for their ministries and I’m glad to be a part of that process. It also gives me the opportunity to test-drive lesson plans with them before I start teaching university students. Along those lines, I’ve determined that I will be developing my own curriculum. This will require a good deal of work on my end, but the upshot is that I can tailor the curriculum to the students’ needs and include plenty of opportunities to discuss the Word.

A number of students on staff at El Alfarero have told me that their non-believing friends heard that I would be coming to teach English and they are excited to take the classes. There is a hunger for English down here. Please pray that that would serve as an adequate base to create a hunger for a relationship with Jesus.

PRAYER
~ Answered prayer: God is continually guiding me through the acculturation process as I get accustomed to so many new things down here from food to very hot weather to new friends and co-workers.

~ Prayer requests: please pray for wisdom for me as I continue to go through the process of preparing and publicizing my upcoming English classes. Please also pray for me as I search for a church to attend. I’ve already visited five churches and I already have a few more lined up. I’d like to make a decision in the near future.

I’d love to hear from you. Always feel free to shoot me an e-mail at derekjamesfowler@gmail.com and tell me how you are doing and how I can pray for you.

Grace be with you!

Derek

One of my English classes: