Tarija

As most of you know, my work will be focusing more and more in the south of Bolivia: especially Tarija, Potosi, and Sucre.

There were UJBB "concilio" meetings (the Baptist Union Jovenes board meetings) held during May 15th and 16th in Tarija and so I was invited to go a week earlier to start getting a better idea of the area, visit the churches, meet more of the jovenes and adolescentes and learn more about Vida Joven which is just starting up in that area. It was a fantastic week; incredibly exhausting mentally with language but very encouraging. I was able to visit every church (6 in Tarija) whether it was a Sunday service or a prayer meeting, etc. and was given the opportunity to introduce myself and bring greetings from both the Canadian church as well as from Cochabamba. I now am sending greetings back to the Canadian churches from Tarija...blessings!
I was even able to visit a jovenes and adolescentes drop-in center that's been running for 11 years and it's run by 3 Canadians working with the Evangelical Free church of Canada...go figure! They also work with street kids.

In regards to the concilio, although it will never be my favorite way of spending my time :) I loved the conversations that took place with the jovenes leaders during the mealtimes and breaks and was able to get to know them a bit better. Friendship and trust is deepening for which I am so thankful. I was especially blessed by my time with the girls during those two days. There was also a joint jovenes church service on the Saturday evening of the concilio. There were close to 300 there...it was an incredible time of worship! God is good!

So...Jim (leader of Team Bolivia) and I met with the General Secretary of the UBB and the Jovenes Coordinator after I got back from Tarija regarding my work and where it's leading and all of us agreed that it does not make sense for me to be staying in Cochabamba. And so, once I get back to Bolivia from home assignment in December, I'll spend a few days in Tarija looking for a place to live and then will be making the move in January. I am so excited and feel complete peace about this next stage. I will miss my church here, the jovenes, my friends and team mates but I know this is the right move and it's called...visits! :)

Grace and peace to you!
rebecca