Update

Hey everyone...if you're interested in reading my latest ministry update, just click on "Ministry Update" under the section: "Links" on the right.

'til next time,
rebecca

Looking to the New Year

I had a wonderful Christmas with the Guthries, Whittles, and the MacBeths. Great company and mouthwatering food - twice! (I'm happy to say that I'm healthy once again :) And now two things are on my mind: New Years and the National Jovenes Camp in early January.

I must admit that I have no plans for New Years but I can't help but think of the upcoming year and this is what comes to mind...
- I want to stay as healthy as possible (haven't been doing so great with that this past year :)

- there will be a lot of research and prep time for starting to help with leadership development of the jovenes leaders of Vida Joven (Young Life -the new ministry with teenagers)...high levels of perseverance, motivation, and wisdom will be key

- I will be finishing up language learning at some point in the upcoming months (so to speak...the learning will never actually stop). I must admit I will do the dance of joy when I have my last class :)

- it's going to be a stressful first year of figuring out and starting my ministry so I'll need to be careful to deal with the stress in healthy ways

- personal time with God, friendships, and downtime will be really important

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I leave for Tarija on Sunday evening with a group of jovenes and leaders. The trip will take about 18 hours by bus. Please pray for safe travels and an incredible week. I'm finishing up the last of the prep and practise (for my spanish :) throughout the week. My next blog update will take place after I return on January 11th.

I cannot thank you all enough for your support, prayers and encouragement throughout the past year. And I have to say it needs to continue now more than ever. Thanks for being a part of this with me.

Happy New Year!

'til next time,

rebecca

Feliz Navidad!

Hey everyone...Merry Christmas! I'm sorry I haven't posted anything for awhile but here are some pictures of Team Bolivia's Christmas Party from last night held at the Guthrie home.

June's daughter, Eliana, and her husband, Craig, are here for a year working at Carachipampa and June's son, Arturo, and his wife, Emily, just arrived to spend Christmas with the family.

Proud father, Jim MacBeth, with his daughter, Amy, who arrived a few days ago on
Christmas break from college.

June, Brian and Norma relaxing after a wonderful meal.

Duane and Carin Guthrie

Our fantastic kids of the team:

Matt and Sarah Whittle, Caleb and Paige Guthrie, and Pedro MacBeth

Ivan Gutierrez and field staff, Suzanah Nacho, in visiting from Argentina with her adorable new daughter, Sofia.

It was a wonderful time to be together with great conversations had by all.



Ivan's wife, Christina, and myself.

Feliz Navidad!!

Prayer

Sorry I'm a bit late with this...I ended up getting sick so I'm only finishing this now. There's about a week left of classes and then it's break time and I must admit that I'm really looking forward to it. I had a group of about 20 jovenes (young adults) at my place Sunday afternoon. They're the incoming presidents/leaders of their church jovenes groups from around Cochabamba. It was a time for us to get to know one another a bit better, share, laugh, and pray together.

I'm wondering if you could please be praying for the following:

- Kallie Josephson, who has been our intern for the last three months, returns to Saskatchewan, Canada this evening. It's been a joy to have her here with us. Please be praying for safe travel and a smooth transition back into life in Canada for her.

- health...I've been getting sick quite frequently from food, water, etc. which is unusual for me but am on antibiotics right now. Please pray that my health improves long-term and that this round of antibiotics kills any and all amoebas, parasites, etc. and that they won't return - at least for awhile :)

- energy and perserverance...I think all of us on the team in language learning feel incredibly tired both physically and mentally and that we should be farther ahead in the language (or at least that's something I struggle with depending on the day). Please pray for patience, energy and a positive attitude.

- National Jovenes Camp in Tarija (January 4-9)...They're expecting approx. 300 jovenes to be attending. They've asked that I give an indepth testimony and I'll be helping in another plenary session. I'll also have time with the girls each day. Please pray that it all comes together smoothly and that I'm understanding what God is wanting me to share.

- Homesickness...please be praying for all of us (especially the kids) that our first Christmas here will be one of joy and peace and that new traditions will begin that will help us during this special time of the year.

Thanks so much!
'til next time,
rebecca

Foto Friday

It's been a couple of busy days so we'll just pretend it's Friday :) I thought I'd take a few pics of some of the flowers and plants from around my yard this morning.
Enjoy!

Gratitude

I wanted to give thanks today...

- a weekend of relaxation

- putting up the Christmas tree with Kallie (our internship student)

- hot chocolate with melted candycane

- Christmas tree ornaments from home

- safe elections

- afternoon naps

- skype

- Christmas music

- laughter with friends

What are you thankful for?

'til next time,
rebecca

Foto Friday...So to Speak :)

Some of the Joys and Craziness of Team...

Celebrating Canada Day together

Slaving hard over the bbq

Special moments at Casa de la Amistad

The MacBeths - Our newest arrivals

The Lone Ranger and his trusty sidekick, Tonto :)