Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Home Sweet Home
Can two weeks already have passed so quickly? We made it back home safely today. Thanks to everyone for their well wishes and prayers. Our mission trip was amazing, God's awesome creations in nature so inspiring and home is so appreciated after being away for 2 weeks. Many blessed memories, the people of Cochabamba have so much to share with us. I'm grateful to have met some of our brothers and sisters in Christ living in South America. They are working to be the face of Christ and it is a very humbling experience to have been allowed to work with them. Vickie
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Machu Picchu here we come!
We have made it to Cusco! And with only a little change in the plans.
Originally we were going to be flying this AM straight from Cochabamba to Cusco but Aero Sur, being the trustworthy airline that they are, made a change in our plans. Instead we left last night and stayed in La Paz, but it definitely could have been worse. Since Aero Sur changed our plans, they accomodated us with a 5 star hotel..aka the Radisson, cab fare to and from the hotel and a delicious dinner and breakfast. Needless to say, their mess up was a blessing for us. Plus Bolivian Independence Day is coming up and there were lots of people out practicing their dances for the parades.
Another bonus was that we actually got to see a little of La Paz, last year we drove around the outskirts on our way to Puno, Peru. La Paz is breath-takingly beautiful at night, it looks kind of like a big bowl and with all of the lights at night, its just great.
We were off this morning at the early time of 6:30 and back to the airport for a quick flight over to Cusco. We did a city tour today...which really meant we went out of the city and saw lots of the different archeological ruins. Very interesting but we did get a little tired.
Tonight is going to be a very early night for us because tomorrow morning we leave for Machu Piccu, and when I say early I actually mean early. We have to leave our hotel at 4:30 in the morning, yep that is right, 4:30. We have to catch a train at a certain time that will take us to another train, that will take us to a bus, that will take us up to the top of a mountain where Machu Piccu is. But let me tell you it will definitely be worth it.
As always, prayers are always welcome!
Michelle
Originally we were going to be flying this AM straight from Cochabamba to Cusco but Aero Sur, being the trustworthy airline that they are, made a change in our plans. Instead we left last night and stayed in La Paz, but it definitely could have been worse. Since Aero Sur changed our plans, they accomodated us with a 5 star hotel..aka the Radisson, cab fare to and from the hotel and a delicious dinner and breakfast. Needless to say, their mess up was a blessing for us. Plus Bolivian Independence Day is coming up and there were lots of people out practicing their dances for the parades.
Another bonus was that we actually got to see a little of La Paz, last year we drove around the outskirts on our way to Puno, Peru. La Paz is breath-takingly beautiful at night, it looks kind of like a big bowl and with all of the lights at night, its just great.
We were off this morning at the early time of 6:30 and back to the airport for a quick flight over to Cusco. We did a city tour today...which really meant we went out of the city and saw lots of the different archeological ruins. Very interesting but we did get a little tired.
Tonight is going to be a very early night for us because tomorrow morning we leave for Machu Piccu, and when I say early I actually mean early. We have to leave our hotel at 4:30 in the morning, yep that is right, 4:30. We have to catch a train at a certain time that will take us to another train, that will take us to a bus, that will take us up to the top of a mountain where Machu Piccu is. But let me tell you it will definitely be worth it.
As always, prayers are always welcome!
Michelle
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Reconnecting
Well, i have not had access to a computer or cell phone for one entire week. I know that our younger and more connected team members have updated you faithfully. Personally, I have enjoyed being unplugged. Coming to Bolivia calls you to release yourself into a way of living and being that truly restores one´s soul. Our work has been challenging! We have moved rocks. Lots of rocks! We have mixed concrete. We have carried concrete in wheelbarrows (which is heavy) and shoveled and poured concrete into wooden forms to create a concrete fence. We built what will be forever known at Luz de Vida as THE WOMENS WALL. The foreman Adon, was skeptical...but we proved we were hard workers and STRONG! We surprised them all with our strength and tenacity!
Christie, Ruth Ann and Angie also built a much needed bridge that linked the church work site to the neighborhood. Janet Graves ( I mean Janet Childs) taught the women of Luz de Vida how to bake brownies, sugar cookies and brownies! Ruth Ann, Michelle and Sarah prepared and taught 3 vacation bible school lessons that were well received. We ministered to 50 children in 2 days with Vacation Bible School and Vickie and Michelle set up a brand new laptop computer for Emmanuel Church.
I was invited to preach this past Sunday at Luz de Vida by Pastor Juan. We worshipped together in a house...a REAL HOUSE CHURCH...just like in the Apostle Paul´s day! I am so thankful to our team members and to the member of FIRST UMC LA PORTE for supporting our work in Bolivia. We have many stories to tell!
I want to send a construction team in January or February for a 7 day trip. 5 work days and 2 travel days...it will be much less expensive and only for a week. The church needs crews to continue year round in order to finish the church as soon as possible. I hope each of you will consider coming for a construction only trip this winter (which will be summer in Bolivia!)
I will close for now. Blessings to each of you. I look forward to returning and sharing more of our trip.
Pastorita Kelly
Christie, Ruth Ann and Angie also built a much needed bridge that linked the church work site to the neighborhood. Janet Graves ( I mean Janet Childs) taught the women of Luz de Vida how to bake brownies, sugar cookies and brownies! Ruth Ann, Michelle and Sarah prepared and taught 3 vacation bible school lessons that were well received. We ministered to 50 children in 2 days with Vacation Bible School and Vickie and Michelle set up a brand new laptop computer for Emmanuel Church.
I was invited to preach this past Sunday at Luz de Vida by Pastor Juan. We worshipped together in a house...a REAL HOUSE CHURCH...just like in the Apostle Paul´s day! I am so thankful to our team members and to the member of FIRST UMC LA PORTE for supporting our work in Bolivia. We have many stories to tell!
I want to send a construction team in January or February for a 7 day trip. 5 work days and 2 travel days...it will be much less expensive and only for a week. The church needs crews to continue year round in order to finish the church as soon as possible. I hope each of you will consider coming for a construction only trip this winter (which will be summer in Bolivia!)
I will close for now. Blessings to each of you. I look forward to returning and sharing more of our trip.
Pastorita Kelly
The Power of Jesus through 8 Women
Finally, I am able to get to the Internet cafe to give a small report on our trip.
WOW! The 8 of us have really accomplished a lot this last week.
Ruth Ann, Angie and I built a bridge to replace these old planks that were very unsturdy over the ditch that connects one neighborhood to the new church of Luz de Vida in another neighborhood.This was very important to me as I hated walking those planks last year. The neat thing was that right after we placed it, an older couple came walking down the road and they were the first to use the bridge. They were very grateful for the new safe way to get from one side to another.
Then we were all able to help build the concrete walls for the front of the church. Lots of lifting and mixing...but all worth it to see this building come to life. The really cool thing is that we work side by side with the members of Luz de Vida to build this building.
Next we just finished VBS afternoons with about 27 children. They acted out the stories of Noah, Moses, and Daniel. The time spent with them has to be my favorite. They are so excited to see us everyday and it will be hard to say "Good-bye" tomorrow.
The people who take care of us are VERY amazing! The love that pours out of them is a perfect example of the love of Jesus! I am already sadden to leave them as well. But I know God wants me to take what I have learned and experienced back to my church family in La Porte...
Well I better sign off for now!
In His Grip,
Christie
WOW! The 8 of us have really accomplished a lot this last week.
Ruth Ann, Angie and I built a bridge to replace these old planks that were very unsturdy over the ditch that connects one neighborhood to the new church of Luz de Vida in another neighborhood.This was very important to me as I hated walking those planks last year. The neat thing was that right after we placed it, an older couple came walking down the road and they were the first to use the bridge. They were very grateful for the new safe way to get from one side to another.
Then we were all able to help build the concrete walls for the front of the church. Lots of lifting and mixing...but all worth it to see this building come to life. The really cool thing is that we work side by side with the members of Luz de Vida to build this building.
Next we just finished VBS afternoons with about 27 children. They acted out the stories of Noah, Moses, and Daniel. The time spent with them has to be my favorite. They are so excited to see us everyday and it will be hard to say "Good-bye" tomorrow.
The people who take care of us are VERY amazing! The love that pours out of them is a perfect example of the love of Jesus! I am already sadden to leave them as well. But I know God wants me to take what I have learned and experienced back to my church family in La Porte...
Well I better sign off for now!
In His Grip,
Christie
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