And A Very Blessed New Year.
We are so tremendously grateful for everyone who is walking alongside of us as supporters. We have seen time and again, the amazing way in which God provides and leads those to pray for and provide financially for ministry here to continue to reach the hearts and lives of students. Just a quick reminder that there is still some time to get in any remaining financial gifts before this year’s tax end.
This year has been amazing, in both senses of the word. :) ‘Amazingly great’ in how much we have seen the Lord accomplish, and use us in serving students here and the Learning Center, along with newer direction and focus and the huge potential and greater reach that it can have. We have seen how God has provided in allowing us to receive and vehicle after 3 years, and how much of a blessing it has been to have such a smooth residency paperwork process this time around (…relatively speaking). We have also seen how ‘amazingly difficult’ it has been at times, considering the struggle that we have had to endure over the past 12 months. Loss of loved ones, difficult relationships, health struggles and times apart have all been a part of this past year. Through it all we can honestly say that God is faithful. He loves each and everyone of us and continues to lovingly and graciously direct our paths.
This year as we look at the past and also look ahead we can be very thankful for what is present, the gift of Christmas. The gift that Jesus came to earth as a tiny baby! We have been doing an advent reading every night with the kids and they have really been enjoying it. So as we celebrate this year here in Bolivia, we want to say a very Merry Christmas from our hearts and wish you and yours a very blessed time together. God bless you in the coming days and year!
Photo:Donavan wanted a Batman themed birthday party. Cynthia did an awesome job creating the backdrop! All the party guests enjoyed the photo booth that we did afterwards…
including us. ; )new (to us) 2003 Mitsubishi Montero. Well maintained wit
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”
Proverbs 13:12
Project Become.
Continues to take form!
Photo:The ‘hero’ image and finalized logo from the website that is currently under development. The binoculars/‘P,B’ of the logo symbolize looking forward and the hope in what can become.
Over the past few months since the initial idea of the project, several things have started to develop:
- We have a website that is about 85% developed and should be up and running in the coming month and connected to the ‘Project Become’ Facebook page for digital communications.
- We have designed and are currently seeking a quality printer for the much needed resources and promotional items to present to the schools.
- We are working to produce a promotional video to give an overview of the project and are beginning the process of creating digital keynotes to assist in the class presentations.
- We have been made aware of some more key contacts within the schools where we are hoping to present, and…
- We are also looking to engage a focus group of a few national teachers, students, and potential presenters to run through the materials and better contextualize it for use here in Bolivia/Latin America before initial presentations begin.
- Please pray that all will come together in an amazing way.
- Pray for more partners (national/international) and upcoming connections with schools.
- Pray for our energy, efficiency and strength.
More Encouragement.
Thoughts On What’s To Come.
Photos:
Top: Enjoying a small break in the car as we wait for the immigration lawyers so we can submit our 5 year residency visas.
We continue to be encouraged by the interest and overwhelmingly positive response to this initiative. Every new conversation about the project ends with “This sounds great!” “This is what I wish I had when I was in school.”
An interesting fact is that the word for “becoming” in Spanish is “convertirse" (or to convert oneself). This is interesting as the word carries with it religious overtones (especially from a North American mindset). Obviously it is the Holy Spirit’s work to “convert” someone to a belief in Jesus; our hope with this is to open a strategic opportunity to share the gospel.
The materials will give the opportunity for students to recognize that they have been created with unique gifts, abilities, and desires. Sharing with students that they are unique helps them to see that they are valued and valuable. Seeing that they have abilities and gifts to contribute helps them to gain confidence. Showing them that outward circumstances don’t dictate who they are and what the possibilities they can achieve helps them to get up and continue forward when they fall. All of this translates into strong, capable, resilient students who contribute to positive change in society. When a student sees and appreciates themselves in this light, the next question that can be raised is “why?”. The answer to this is that God loves them enough to create them this way. They are valuable to Him. Their fullness of life comes when they realize that the God that created and loves them so much that not only did he give them tremendous gifts for their success, but also gave them the biggest gift of all; a relationship with Himself through through His Son.
Photo:The kids love the Christmas season! We were able to buy a newer tree this year as our older used one final wouldn’t stand up anymore. :)
Our Family:
It has been a very busy a difficult past couple of months for our family. On the bright side, we were able to celebrate Donavan’s 5th birthday. It was a great time with friends and everyone left with a special Batman themed party favour. Samantha had the opportunity to help lead chapel for her class. And Gareth has really started to bless us with his attempts at all sorts of words.
The downside has seen us all get sick or injured at least once. Samantha fell at Volleyball practice and needed to be taken to the hospital with a severe contusion on her elbow. Cynthia has had struggles with her back. Aaron had a recent severe flare up of his condition with badly swollen joints. Both Donavan and Gareth have been sick and just when we thought we were done, Samantha got strep throat! We are glad that that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and are almost all through our ailments.
- Please pray for our continued healing, energies and strength.
Continued Provision!
HumbleTrust.
Photo: The final documents arrived for us to submit our 5 year residency visas. We are thrilled that this is the last time we have to do this much of the process!
As we embark on a project of this nature it is humbling to have to share with everyone that at the time of writing this newsletter, for the first time since we began with the mission, the ministry support account has dipped into the negative. This is partly due to the $6000CDN in unavoidable residency costs these last couple of months (which won’t take place again). But at the same time it does place us in a position of trust and reliance on God’s continued provision. We are so grateful for all of those that continue to hold the line of support while we serve here.
- Please pray that God will provide for the funds lacking in the support account and continue to meet all of the ministry’s needs.
More prayer requests:
- Please pray for potential presenters for Project Become.
- Pray for our continued connection and relationships with students.