So much happened in January, it’s difficult to know where to start. One of the highlights for me was going on a three day retreat with my colleagues from El Alfarero. We meditated on what it means to be a leader, focusing on Titus 1:7-9:

For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

One of my favorite activities was a time of reflecting on and sharing about our personal lives from 2017. It was a revealing time to learn more about others on a more profound level and thank God for his faithfulness and mercy. I shared about how I left the comfort and familiarity of my family, friends, culture, church, and job in the United States, but that God has faithfully guided me through the entire journey and has given me great joy down here.

I am sharing my reflections on my life in 2017.

After each person shared, he or she was prayed over.

The El Alfarero team.

Yesterday was the first day of the English class that I will be teaching for master’s students and staff at El Alfarero. A majority of those taking the class are interested in using English for purposes related to their respective ministries. Please pray that this time will draw us closer together and that God’s kingdom would be grown through the English they speak with ministry partners and those who do not know the Lord.

The English ministry that I will be leading is officially going to be called The Hive. The name is rich with symbolism: while the United States is an “individual culture,” Bolivia is a “group culture” that subordinates individual rights to group harmony. Similarly, bees sacrifice independence with the aim of working together to create the finished product of a hive. Also, the image of honey is employed often in the Bible to extol God’s provision for Israel, good health, and spiritual blessings. David says that the law of God is “sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb” (Psalm 19). My desire is that these classes will all point to Christ and make known his salvation to those who are not believers.

First day of class! The students from left to right: Consuelo (the receptionist at El Alfarero), Yancarla (a cook at El Alfarero), and Cynthia and Vanessa (who both work for a ministry that helps abused and pregnant women).

This 90 page notebook is the culmination of my efforts to develop quality English curriculum for my students that is conversational, cost-effective, and incorporates faith integration components. A big thanks to Sebastian Escobár Arduz–an El Alfarero employee–who designed the cover and came up with the name The Hive.

I would like to thank all of you who were praying for me as I transitioned from my Bolivian family’s home to my own apartment. I am happy to report that I found a cozy, one bedroom apartment only about 15 minutes by microbus from the ministry HQ.

The view from my bedroom window.

Praises and prayer requests:

~ Praise God that I was able to find an apartment.
~ Praise that recent political and social tensions in Bolivia have cooled.
~ Praise that the English ministry is getting up off the ground.
~ Praise that I finally received my carnet: an official Bolivian document that grants me three years of residency in Bolivia.

~ Please pray that the current English class would glorify Christ and bring increasing unity and fellowship.
~ The next few weeks will be dedicated to developing more curriculum and advertising the English classes for university students who return from their school break in March. Please pray for discernment, wisdom, and endurance as I seek to enroll students in these classes.
~ Please continue to pray for just and peaceful resolutions to complicated political and social issues.

Thank you!

If you’d like to donate to my ministry, go to MissionStream.org.