A Change

Vanesa and her two younger brothers
I've mentioned Vanesa before - both in blog postings as well as ministry updates - she is the young woman that I was to be working with in the Tarija area with Vida Joven (the teen ministry). I found out Monday night that she will be moving tomorrow (Friday) to Villamontes which I think is around 9 or so hours from here via bus for work. Her contract is ending and she was unable to find other work and this job is in the area of computers that she was trained for and it's a government position. She lost her mother when she was about 16 years old and her father left them shortly afterwards. Since then, she has been caring for her younger brothers. With this
new job, she will be able to provide better for them even though she will be away from them. The youngest one is in high school now. She's asked that I keep an eye on them to make sure they're actually studying :)

I ask that you be praying for Vanesa as she makes the move tomorrow and settles into her new job which begins on Monday. Thankfully she used to live there and has friends who can help her find a place to live, etc. It's not completely unfamiliar territory for her.

Also, please be praying for me. Vanesa was a huge help as I started looking at Tarija as my base and is becoming a good friend. She has huge potential. I had really been looking forward to working with her and am going to miss her - both on a personal level of friendship but also work-wise. She'll be returning every couple months or so to check on her brothers and we'll be able to touch base as well.

The jovenes council for Tarija has asked me to be one of their advisors and so we have our first full council meeting this Sunday afternoon and Saturday night will be the joint kick-off service for the new incoming council. We will need to start looking for a replacement for Vanesa this weekend. Please be praying for the new vice-president (all the VP's work with the teen ministry - Vida Joven). Hopefully within 10 days or so they will vote in the new VP. This will be the key person I'll be working with. Please pray for guidance and wisdom for all of us who are involved in this process.

'til next time,
rebecca