Merry Christmas!!

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas as we all celebrate our Christ's birth
and enjoy time with family and friends.

Blessings!
rebecca

Ministry Update

It's hard to believe that this is the final ministry update of 2011. If you're interested in reading it, please click on the link to the right called "Ministry updates".

Blessings!
rebecca

A Time for Giving

I would like to encourage any of you who may be thinking of different ways of giving to go to the Canadian Baptist Ministries website to check out their 2011 Christmas Catalogue. There are opportunities to help with education, agriculture, and health, etc. You can either click on the link on the right hand side of my blog or go to: www.cbmin.org

'til next time,
rebecca

Sin Limites

As you know from my last post, Saturday was very special. I am pleased to say that it was a great day! Both the leadership team as well as the teens who did dramas, were part of the worship team, etc. did a fantastic job. The teen ministry, Vida Joven, is officially launched in Tarija. God is Good!

Prep time beforehand

Youth worship team practising

Some of the youth doing a drama from the Nueva Jerusalen church

Worship time

Drama from the Sion church

One of the leaders, Cleiver, speaking

Introduction of and prayer for the leadership team

Thank you for your prayers...

rebecca

The Big Day

Tomorrow is the big day - the official kick-off of Vida Joven. Tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 we'll be starting (although it'll probably be closer to 5pm :)). This afternoon we have our final planning meeting to make sure everything and everyone is ready. If all goes well, I'll have my camera back today so that I can take pictures and post them.

The verse that we chose as our theme is 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline". And our motto is "Sin Limites" which talks about the impact and potential of the youth - no limits!

Myself and two other leaders will be speaking and interspersed will be drama, music, etc. from the teens on the same themes that we're focusing on. My theme is self-esteem, Rodrigo will be focusing on dealing with pressures, and Clever will finish with making decisions and how they can impact the rest of our lives. Each talk will be 5-10 minutes long.

I ask for much prayer over the next 48 hours; that we're all focused, that God prepares the hearts of those who will be there, and that those who have doubts about themselves and about God will know his love and peace and how special they are. As well of course that my spanish is in top form :)

I'll do another posting (hopefully with pics!) asap to let everyone know how it went. Thanks so much for being a part of this with us...

'til next time,
rebecca

The Plan

The Vida Joven (teen ministry) leadership team is meeting here at my place at noon to continue planning our kick-off event with the youth here in Tarija. It's to be for December 3rd. I'll be one of the speakers and there'll be drama, music, video, etc. Please be praying that all the details come together...there is no doubt that the saying "manana, manana" - basically everything can be put off until tomorrow - could be multiplied down here in the South :)

This leadership team involves all the Baptist churches here in the city but there's one that seems to be struggling a bit and the girl who is to be part of the team working with teens hasn't actually attended any of the meetings yet so we're working on some commitment issues and I'm trying to learn what truly is going on.

It's already mid November which is just nuts! I need to get the December kick-off talk ready and then 2 workshops for the annual jovenes campamento in early January done. I'll be starting that this afternoon. I'm also getting back into Horizons again; that needs to be a priority for the next few months. I need a new brain :) Terry Smith and two others from the CBM home office will be arriving early December for team meetings as well as partnership meetings with the Bolivian Baptist Union (UBB). I must say that it'll be great to see them as well the Guthries and Nachos (and their new little baby :)).

Basically the next month will be crazy busy but exciting so please be praying regarding the kick-off event, the Vida Joven leadership team - commitment, bringing everyone together, etc., cbm's team & ubb meetings and the workshops I'm putting together.

In other words...keep praying! :)

Blessings!
rebecca

Back Home

I took Jeff Carter to the airport a few hours ago. He'll spend the night in Santa Cruz and then will catch the early morning flight out to make his way back to Prague. I ask that you be praying for safety and the time to get caught up on some much needed sleep and family time for him.

I can't say how well the past 11 days have gone...it's been fantastic! The seminars in Sucre, Potosi, and Tarija went really well with good attendance - at least 50 last night here in Tarija! There were good questions and definite interest in Horizons so I'm really looking forward to the upcoming months. A big thank you goes out to Jeff Carter for being such a good sport with the altitude (especially in Potosi) and the crazy schedule I put us through :) As well to Ivan Gutierrez, Humberto Flores, and Diego who helped with translating various times during the trip.

And many thanks to all of you who have been praying. Unfortunately my camera stopped working on the first night of the congreso/convention - I have to take it in to be checked...I'm hoping it's just some dust that needs to be cleaned out - so I don't have any pictures to show at this point but will get some from Jeff and Ivan to post when possible.

'til next time,
rebecca

Off to Sucre

The youth congreso/convention just finished up - at 1am today. The joys of council meetings :) Jeff Carter did a fantastic job with the workshop and keynote address regarding youth and integral mission and he was able to reconnect with friends he hadn't seen in more than 20 years. It was great being back with youth I haven't seen for months and I'm pleased to say that I survived council meetings that went to 2 in the morning.

Tomorrow we head to Sucre to meet with youth leaders there. Then it's off to Potosi on Tuesday. Jeff will be speaking about the Calling of a Youth Leader as well as Horizons. We met with the first to-be mentors of the Horizons program. Danny and Sara want to go through the program and then the 3 of us will do a test run before launching it. It's exciting times!

I'm also excited that the new jovenes national president and vice-president who were elected yesterday are from Tarija! I wasn't so excited about the huge spiders I encountered where we were sleeping :)

Thanks for all the prayers...will write again in a couple of days. It's time to get some much needed sleep.

'til next time,
rebecca

All Systems a Go

I'm now in Cochabamba with Jeff Carter...he arrived without problems (thanks to all of you who have been praying!) and we've had a great first day of conversations and sharing. Please continue to pray as we get ready for the conference/convention starting on Thursday; for health and safety, and all the connections that will be made.

More to follow including pics later this week.

'til then,
rebecca

A Return

I know...it's been way too long since I've written...I think I needed a break from it and so haven't blogged in quite awhile plus I took a good chunk of time off in September to get some rest with my friend, Kristin, who came to visit. It was sooo good to have her here...but more on that later.

Today I head to Santa Cruz to meet Jeff Carter, CBM field staff in the Czech Republic. He'll be here until November 11th to speak at the national youth conference/convention that is taking place later this week in Cochabamba. It's been about 20 years or so since he spent four months here as a volunteer...to say he's excited to be returning is an understatement :) He'll be speaking twice regarding youth and technology as well as a challenge to youth and integral mission and I'll be part of a symposium on teen ministry. Once the conference ends, we'll be traveling to Sucre, Potosi, and Tarija to do a workshop on the Call to be a Youth Worker including promotion of the online training program for youth leaders, Horizons.

I ask that you be praying for Jeff's safety in traveling as well as our travel throughout his time here. We'll be meeting with many leaders and potential leaders both at the convention as well as afterwards throughout the cities we'll be visiting. Please pray for good conversations, an openness to the ideas and Horizons in general. Please pray for health and basically good brain power :) Oh, and sleep would be a good thing :)

As well, November 19th at 5pm will be our kick-off combined service for the teen ministry, Vida Joven!!! Please be praying that all the details come together. I'll write more on this later.

Will keep you posted on how everything is going...

blessings,
rebecca

Important meeting tonight

There's a meeting tonight at my place with leadership from the various churches regarding the Vida Joven teen ministry. This is to bring a better understanding of both the ministry, it's importance as well as what my role is. This is the first step in forming the core leadership team of youth workers. Please be praying...

Blessings,
rebecca

The Guthries and the McBeths

I ask that you be praying for two families from the team: the Guthries have just returned to Canada to begin their three month home assignment. Please be praying for safety in their travels to various churches and communities, a smooth transition, and rest & and good visits with family and friends.

As many of you may already know, the McBeths (Jim has been our team leader) have made the difficult decision to settle back in Canada due to family reasons and a desire to return to full-time pastoring. Please pray for them as they fly back tomorrow and begin the difficult task of transitioning back into life in Canada as well as looking for work.

Thank you,
rebecca

Sand Dunes and Flamingos

This past Saturday Heather, Rachel and I went to Tajzara for the day to celebrate Rachel's birthday. None of us had ever been there but had heard of it's beauty. It's approximately 2.5 hours from Tarija and feels like another world. Just think sand dunes and flamingos!

A glimpse of the beauty of the way there

Llamas are definitely part of life in this area

There was a second lake with many more flamingos but unfortunately
no matter hard we tried to sneak up on them to take pictures, they kept flying away :)

It felt so great to be able to put our bare feet in the sand :)

'til next time,
rebecca

Campamento Pics

I'm finally getting this pics posted from the Nacional Vida Joven Teen Campamento...

Enjoy!

One of the daily morning group sessions

One of the games that worked on teamwork and listening to one another

The ever important football (soccer) match

The last night, there's always a special dinner and many of the guys will ask a girl to go
as their date, this group was patiently waiting outside one of the dorms for the girls to exit...
I will underline again how patient they were :)

A couple of leaders helping out in the canteen

After the special dinner, there was a talent show and I found myself singing with the group from Tarija in both English and Spanish - thankfully I wasn't laughed off the stage :)

Some of the leaders taking a much-needed breather

I loved the quietness of the early morning overlooking the camp
from where many of the dorms were

I talked about my first attempt at llama herding in my last post,
in case you were wondering what he looked like, he's the big one on the left :)

Thanks again for all of your encouragement and prayers!

'til next time,
rebecca

National Vida Joven Camp Part II

I got back to Tarija from the Vida Joven camp and spending some time with the Guthries and Nachos (other CBM staff in La Paz) last week. Thanks for all your prayers...the bus trip there was smooth without problems, and the camp went great. There were about 200 of us including leaders and I was able to begin the research project with two groups of teens from El Alto and Oruro. I was really pleased with the conversations and how open and honest the the teens were with me. We're going to learn a lot and I think it will be a help to the leadership in working with the youth.

And praise God, a number of the youth made first-time commitments to Christ while others recommitted! Like I said, it was a great camp!

It was definitely cold and I made good use of my long johns, multiple layers, etc. but I must say that the most interesting moment I found myself in took place on the last morning when I found myself being a llama herder. Yep, you read that correctly. The place where the camp was held also had sheep, ducks, and 3 enormous llamas. It's quite the feeling when you come face to face with them running free :) On that morning, the biggest one escaped and didn't seem to have any intention of joining it's friends in the pasture area so I ended up trying to herd it back to the camp area but pretty much ended up looking like a fool :) Thankfully a couple of the youth came by and saw what was going on. The extra waving arms helped and we got it back to it's spot safely. I wonder if I should add llama herding to my resume? :):) Yeah, probably not...

Again, thanks for the prayers and I'll be posting pics from the camp in the next couple of days.

'til next time,
rebecca

The National Vida Joven Camp

The national teen campamento is coming up this week...we're trying to finalize numbers (seems like a never-ending process!) and getting bus tickets, etc. We head to the El Alto region on Wednesday for Thursday's start. The camp will finish on Sunday. I'll be leading one of the sessions as well starting the research regarding the teens through focus groups each day.

I ask that you please be praying for safety and good health for all of us, good conversations, as well as a strong connection with the teens during both the focus groups as well as the session. And of course, the never-ending need for my brain to function for Spanish :)

Thanks for the prayers and support...this wouldn't be possible without you all. When I'm back beginning of next week, I'll fill you in on what all happened including pictures and hopefully some video.

'til next time,
rebecca

Loss

On Sunday afternoon, a bus that was travelling from Villazon to Tarija lost control and crashed. 28 died including a pastor and a youth from one of the churches here in Tarija. I was at the funeral yesterday and I can only describe it as bittersweet. Pastor Choque was in his early 30's and had definitely had impact in his community and congregation. The youth was only 15 years old. That's not even talking about the others who died including entire families. But there was rejoicing as well and the pledge to continue to serve God.

Please, please be praying for the families who have lost their loved ones, for the congregation (Gnezereth) that lost their pastor and one of their youth, and for the community in general here.

Blessings,
rebecca

Happy Birthday!

A few days ago was my birthday and I must say that it was the most unique one I've experienced yet! It began shortly after midnight when my doorbell rang and there entered over 20 jovenes and adolescentes and leadership from the church where I'm attending along with a few from a couple of the other churches. It was my first serenade :) It was an amazing time of laughter, beautiful music, worship, and speaking into my life. At the end they prayed for me. Words cannot convey how much the time meant to me. Of course, if I'd been fully awake, I'd have videotaped them singing but as it was, the following are some pictures of both that night along with my lunch party with one of the families in my church and the finale of a "Canadian" birthday celebration of chocolate cake and ice cream with a couple of other friends the following night. It's the first time my birthday has ever lasted for two days. I also enjoyed conversations with family back in Canada, and team mates both here in Bolivia as well as in Canada.

The view of some of them actually singing to me

Some of the guys getting the snacks ready so that I could hangout withe everyone

My new piano arrived that evening so everyone wanted to help break it in :)

A time to just be together

Some had already left but this is the end result of the night

My birthday cake with the Guzman family...part of the tradition is having
your face pushed into the cake...thankfully it was very tasty! :)

La Familia Guzman - a lovely family from the church who has basically taken me in

That evening, a group of the youth from the church took me to the Christian youth drop-in center where they celebrate your birthday in a very unique and embarrassing way :)

Rachel (from Alberta) and Ana (she is both spanish teacher and friend to both of us) helped me finish off my birthday celebration with cake and ice cream (unheard of here) and a movie
- and of course lots of laughter :)

I think it was one of the best birthdays of my life...
I felt very loved and cared for and a part of life here.

God is Good!
rebecca

Santa Cruz

Last week I spent a couple of days in Santa Cruz to meet with a few of the leaders regarding the Vida Joven teen ministry in order to find out what the situation is there. It was my first time that I'd been in Santa Cruz aside from being in the airport. I hadn't realized how modern and big it truly is! The following are random pictures that I took around the main plaza and as I was walking around including the river. I now have a new camera so these pictures were taken as I was practicing and trying to figure out what I was doing (and I must say that I'm still working on that :).

Amilcar (with his aunt) is my main contact in Santa Cruz with the teens ministry

'til next time,
rebecca