We are enjoying ourselves in Bolivia, but what a difference!
From tropical Paraty, where sweat runs down your back without effort. To Cochabamba at 2600 meters (8500 ft) with thin dry air, where the sweat doesn’t even get time to shine, but evaporates immediately. In both cases we drink heaps of water, but the experience is completely different.
Living at altitude took some getting used to during the first few days. But a wonderful side effect is that mosquitoes experience the same thing and sing 4 notes lower. What a relief!
The tropical forests near Paraty have been temporarily exchanged for a jungle of concrete skyscrapers. We feast our eyes again, as we are now in an apartment on the 12th floor and have a view of the big city with the mountains on the horizon.
Bolivians are very friendly people and more modest than Brazilians. They are somewhat smaller in stature with somewhat round bulbous faces, which is so typical of Indian peoples. Beautiful people. You also see more folkloric costumes here. Women with pleated skirts, a colored carrier on the back and a hat on.
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- Jungle of skyscrapers
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- Bolivian woman
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- Colored bus
These 2 weeks we are visiting a Bolivian friend, Luis, whom we met 9 years ago and are finally able to visit in his own country. He is pastor of a church and invited us to share the Word and have a healing service.
It is always nice to be able to serve people anywhere in the world. Among other things, a woman was healed of long-term neck and shoulder pain and another woman of long-term pain in her groin. Also, a man who had cataracts in his eye experienced improvement in vision. Thank You Jesus for Your work!
Another local pastor, Andras, also invited us to speak at a Sunday service and at a leaders meeting. The Lord worked powerfully through the Word and at the leaders meeting we spoke of God’s faithfulness and shared how God has led us and is working in our lives. Many of the leaders were very touched and encouraged. No matter what color or size we are, God is the same for everyone!
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- Arjan and Luis share the Word
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- Encouraged leaders after the meeting
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- Amanda encourages the church
During this visit we took a few tourist trips with Luis, such as to the 35-meter-high Jesus statue, which is even bigger than that famous one in Rio. We have fun and it is good to strengthen our friendship.
We also enjoy the rich cuisine of Cochabamba. In fact, this city is known as the culinary capital of Bolivia. Eating like a Cochabambino means a plate with contents for 3 people! Luis likes to take us to different eateries to feast on the local food and drink.
We regularly find ourselves getting into a cab that experienced its best days 35 years ago and whose shock absorbers are in need of replacement. Or we drive around in an import cab, where the steering wheel has just been moved to the other side and you, the passenger, are looking at the counters in front of you.
We do like a little strange and old. It reminds us very much of our travels around the world.
We will spend the last few days in this country further preparing the lessons for the training school. Because Thursday we will travel back to Brazil and next Monday the school will begin in Paraty.
So far, 21 students have signed up from 9 different churches. Very promising!
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- Charquekan, a dish of dried crispy meat
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- Where 2 are gathered in His name, He is in the midst
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- View over Cochabamba
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- The steering wheel moved to the left
One response
So inspiring to read all that the Lord is doing! Starting a Training School, wow! Praying that the church family there grows closer to each other and to the Lord!
God bless and keep you! <3