I’d like to thank all of you who have been praying for Ruth’s House. Nicol’s transition from Talita Cumi to Ruth’s House will be in January. In the meantime, I’m excited to share with you a Ruth’s House video that you can watch. Feel free to share it with churches, friends, and family to raise awareness about the ministry and raise funds for Nicol and the future young women at the transition house.

Thank you for praying for my devotional times with Lider (16 years old) and Juan Pablo (14 years old). As I mentioned before, we are going through the book of Proverbs. We recently touched on Proverbs 6 and how we should be industrious and hardworking like ants who lay up provisions for the future. We also learned from Proverbs 9 what it means to fear the Lord and why fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.

As many of you are aware, I taught English to university students at El Alfarero (The Potter) for about three years. I moved over to Talita Cumi and Ruth’s House full time in July. One of my former bosses at El Alfarero, Pavel, expressed his gratitude for my years of ministry and presented me with a beautiful plaque at the El Alfarero café. I’m thankful for his words of encouragement and I look forward to introducing the boys and girls of Talita Cumi who’ve turned 18 years old to the community at El Alfarero.

We’re expanding the silk screen printing shop at Talita Cumi and a group from a high school recently came and did some painting; for example, a large heart on a brick wall. Next month I’ll send along a picture of the completed print shop.

Please keep the children in your prayers as they near the end of their school year in late November and early December. The kids have been working very hard and could use a break. Please continue to pray for Ruth’s House and Nicol’s transition coming up.

Thank you.

Blessings,

Derek

It’s been quite the eventful month since my return to Bolivia. The kids were excited to see me, and I’m delighted to begin this new chapter of ministry focusing exclusively on Talita Cumi and Ruth’s House.
 
At the children’s home I’ve started a new tradition of bringing the older boys Lider (16 years old) and Juan Pablo (14 years old) to my home for weekly devotions on Saturdays. Free from the distractions and noise at the children’s home, we’ve been able to dig into what it means to grow into a wise man of God. We’re making our way through the book of Proverbs, a book geared toward encouraging young men to be responsible, industrious, and fear the Lord. Please keep this special time of discipleship in your prayers.

Another special moment occurred a few weeks ago when I was able to visit Cristian who used to live at Talita Cumi, but ran away and consequently was placed in a new children’s home. Once you’re a part of the Talita Cumi family, you’re always a part of it, so we seek to make sure he’s taken care of in his new home and that he knows we still love him.

Ruth’s House, the transition house for girls aging out of Talita Cumi, is marching forward nicely. Nicol is on track to move out of Talita Cumi on December 1. She has been facing some challenges from her mother and other family members who have been pressuring her to move in with them. Needless to say, this would be a dangerous and tragic option, so we’ve been coaching Nicol on how to stay strong and continue with her plans to live at the transition house and pursue her education. Raquel, the guardian of Ruth’s House who will be living with Nicol, has been inviting her to her home for overnight visits so she can get used to the new surroundings. She has also included Nicol in ministry outreach in the countryside, which Nicol has really enjoyed. Thank you again to everyone who has been praying for Ruth’s House and for Nicol. Please continue to pray that she remains firm in her decision.

Recently I was able to get my Bolivian driver’s license and I hope to purchase a vehicle soon. This will give me more options to take the kids out on special trips and will help facilitate my work for Ruth’s House. This past Sunday I drove the younger boys to church in the Talita Cumi minivan. 

I’m grateful for your prayers and support. Blessings.
 
Grace be with you,
 
Derek