Home again

So just in case you didn't hear we are in fact home. After doing our part for the Bolivian economic stimulus package and helping out Florida as well, we arrived home as scheduled on Monday night. Henry decided that since he had a good grasp of Spanish he would take on the challenge of Portuguese and so he stopped for a few days in Brazil. We look forward to his return on the weekend

It was a good trip full of new experiences, good memories and I think some personal growth as well. It is somewhat difficult to explain what the experience was like and how it affect us. For each of us it was different, but for each of us rich as well.

I think that I can speak for the whole team when I say that we felt blessed to be your representatives in Bolivia and that we would love to share our memories with you. Just ask us.

ciao

Wayne

Homeward Bound

Hello,
Well, the team is only a few hours from home and no doubt looking forward to it!  Part of me wishes I was there as well but I have taken the opportunity to visit our daughter Catherine who is serving as a Canadian Baptist Volunteer in Brazil.  So I arrived safely and spent a good day at Free Flight, the community center that Joyce Hancock has begun and is developing (and where Catherine is working). 

We had a good day in Santa Cruz as a team on Saturday, getting in from Tarija on the plane at about 1:30 and then getting an opportunity finally to shop for souvenirs.  That went well, Ivan found a place that had about 3-4 stores beside each other with all kinds of items that are typical of Bolivia.

In reflecting back on our time together, one of the questions we are asking ourselves is "what pulled us during our time in Bolivia"? or to put it another way, "what moved our hearts"?  These questions will help us think about the things that we will remember for a long time & perhaps indicate where God was at work.  We are convinced that God still has work to do in our hearts as we reflect on where we have been and what we have experienced.

This coming Sunday, we hope to present a Bolivian flag to the church family; one that was presented to us by the Bermejo "Canaan" church. It will be good to greet you in person & tell you about our experiences.  We are so appreciative of the time many of you have taken to pray for us and to encourage us with your emails & blog comments.

Praise to God and Dios te bendiga (God bless you!)

Pastor Henry

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Additional Photos

Here are a few more photos for you, our friends and family. Thank you for your continuing prayers. We have made so many friends that Wayne and I decided we needed to fill 2 posts today with some images of what we have been doing and who we have been meeting. May these pictures bless you as you think of us. As I said, to God be the glory! He has moved in each of our hearts and in the hearts of the new friends we have made.

- Donovan

Lord of the Sabbath

We are all so grateful for the comments you have been sending us on this blog site. You are a deep encouragement to all of us, and your prayers have strengthened us through days of intense heat, exhaustion, joy and homesickness. There are so many emotions we are experiencing during this time of transition. We long to remain with our new friends in Bermejo, Tarija and Cochebamba. Indeed, it already seems like another lifetime since we left Bermejo yesterday morning to begin our trek home. But we also long for our home -- for our families, our friends and our own beds, the feeling of our familiar showers, the sounds of your voices, the touch of your hands. So, we are both physically and mentally in this place that is somewhere in between.
For this reason, we give thanks that tomorrow is the Lord´s day. We need not worry about work, or about what is going to happen next, because we get to enter into the house of the Lord tomorrow to worship God with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We seek refreshing, relief and reassurance that God will provide whatever it is that we need whether it is rest, peace, or anything else. We are in God´s arms of love, and as we worship here in Santa Cruz at 11:00am we will be mindful that in Regina, or BC, or Bermejo, or Tarija, or Cochebamba, or wherever you may be, you will also be worshipping the Lord. So, with one voice we sing His praises together from all over the world, and feel His arms of love around us. May we all hear His voice calling our names as we worship Him. To God be the glory!

Last days in Bermejo

Well... a couple more days in Bermejo. Then its off to Tarija for a day, then to Santa Cruz, then to begin our long journey home by plane.

Yesterday we finally got some of the metal pillars we had constructed up. First of course we needed to hammer and saw the concrete to find the rebar to weld. That was a lot of work getting through that concrete. It was a fairly slow work day. Then we had some Api, which is a red corn drink with lemon and sugar. It was a hot beverage. It tasted somewhat like a saskatoon berry syrup, but not as sweet as syrup. Hot though, temperature hot. Caliente, not picante.

Dono, Wayne, and I went to an ESL school for elementary school aged kids. Its an extracurricular thing. The 11-14 year olds spoke much better english than all of our spanish combined. One of the pastors of one of the churches wives is a teacher there.

Then we went to a service at the Bethel church. They sangs hymns that we recognized and somewhat sang along to.

We are finally really at the point where we have developed good friendships with the people here. But are realizing that our time is coming to a close and we may never talk to these people again until we are in glory together. We know some of their fears, their hopes, their dreams, their struggles and we want to know how things go in the future of our friends, so its hard to think about leaving for now. It will be hard when the time comes as well.

Today is another work day at Canaan. Some of us are a little sick (enferma) so please pray for that and for energy for our last days here. We also are preparing for our presentations to the people and the churches that we have encountered here in Bolivia. Its a cool day again today. Thank you all for you many prayers.

--Patricio (Dustin)

Bolivian Time

Back in Canada I am consumed with the schedule, ¨When does this activity start? how soon do we have to leave to get there? No I can´t read you a story now because that would make me late for some other seemingly important event¨.

Here in Boliva, God through His infinite grace has removed that compulsion from me once again. I am sure that my wife wishes that it was a permanent healing and not just a special South American dispensation. I am struck by how much the people here love to be with each other, within in the church and just the culture as a whole.

Everywhere you look you see people sitting and talking, enjoying the day and each other´s company. This starts in the morning and lasts until after 10:00pm. There seems to always be activity on the streets and at the little shops that surround it. The people here seem to have grasped the idea of living in the moment and making the most of it. They don´t wait for the weekend or retirement to enjoy life. ¨ I am living life right now so why not enjoy it right now?¨

I think that we could learn from that

Adios

Wayño

Glimpses of Beauty

We saw beauty in the faces of the children in the Sunday School. Jimena and carlita came and gave us a hug when we arrived. They all call out for ¨Patricio¨ (or Dustin as you may know him)

Dennis and Emigdio, the two äbuelos¨(grandfathers) played with the boys after sunday school, hitting balloons and trying to break them on the ceiling fan. I am not sure who had more fun the old kids or the young kids. Dennis has taught the kids to give him ¨high fives¨. Kids are the same everywhere. They crowded around us as we gave out stickers and pencils. One young lady is wearing the Canadian flag pins as earings.

We see beauty in the faces of the women of the church who have prepared wonderful meals for us with what we would say is a very limited kitchen.

There is beauty all around us when we look for it.

Dennis and Leone

Hola from Bev

Yesterday we had a late leisurely breakfast, followed by a team meeting. The remainder of the morning we had some free time for resting or shopping. Yesterday, and today as well, we have been blessed with cool rainy weather. We went for lunch yesterday to the home of a cousin of Juan and enjoyed a delicious Bolivian meal followed by freshly popped popcorn. We returned to the hotel and changed and went to the church to work. Some worked at bending and cutting rebar while Leone and Delores led another quilting session.

Supper was our gift to the leaders and their wives. We hosted Carlos and his daughter Katherine from the Bet-tel (Bethel) church;Marcello and Elizabeth from Libre en Christo (Free in Christ); and Juan and Valentina, Ernesto and Delia and their two sons, and Faride, a deaconess, all from Nueve Canaan ( New Canaan). After the meal, Henry presented Carlos with some books for the seminary and he also presented books for the pastor´s personal libraries. Delores presented gift bags to the ladies as well as pins. Bob presented key chains.

Free in Christ is a thrivig new point of preaching and is beginning to build a church building. I has a helathy congregation with whole families attending.

Bet-tel is also a healthy church. they have outgrown their building and have plans to builid a new church.

Bev

A Monday hello!

Hello,

As has already been mentioned on other contributions to the blog, we have had many opportunities for `ministry´.
- Dennis, Leone, Dolores, Bev, Bob & Dustin had all shared their testimony. Dustin did so at a `youth´evening.
- Dennis & Wayne have each led a Bible study for men and Leone & Bev had led ones for women.
- Donovan had led a 2 part Sunday School Teachers´Seminar with help from Leone.
- Dolores & Leone have had 2 quilting sessions
- Wayne & I have preached
- Donovan & Dustin have sung & played some songs at a church get together
- Wayne, Bob, Dennis, Dustin, Donovan, Bev & I have put in some tough hours helping put together some rebar columns
- we have all enjoyed numerous conversations in stilted Spanish, had times of great singing & fellowship and generally very much enjoyed the time we have spent here.

Thank you again for your prayers - we sense that we are being given some great times because of them.

Please check out the blog for some pictures & other comments.

Pastor Henry

From Bob & Dolores

Hello from Bermejo!

This morning (Mon) was a free morning. After our Team Meeting we did a little shopping. At noon Ivan took us for a surprise dinner to a Bolivian family´s home. We had a wonderful time. The food was good and there was lots of laughter. Ivan & our host, Juan and another member of the church played guitar & the ´charranga´. We had a wonderful time.

Tonight we are having a special supper with the pastors and leaders from the Baptist churches in Bermejo (3) along with their spouses. We did the same in Tarija last week & so think this also will be a great time. It will give Dolores another chance to give out the ´packages´of small cosmetic items that she made up from the gifts that some of you gave. They were very well received in Tarija & we think this will be the same here.

Bob & Dolores

Similarities

5 things that are the same in Bolivia and Canada:

1.) The floor drain in the Bathroom is located in the highest part of the floor
2.) Dennis makes more noise than the kids he is playing with
3.) Coca-Cola
4.) A child´s hug can brighten your day
5.) Taxi drivers are not the best example of safe driving

Wow it is hard to believe that we have been gone for a week. So much has happened. Our senses have been inundated by sights, sounds, and smells that we have never tasted before. We have eaten pollo (chicken) in more ways than I thought was possible. We have struggled with our Spanish but amazingly have been able to communicate without our translators better than we thought possible.

Each of us has been stretched in different ways. For me, the biggest stretch was preaching a sermon last night. (I know that you all scrolled down to see who is writing.) It was a neat experience to listen to my words being translated and see the reaction of the people in the congregation . We met outside in what would be similar to a carport. The service started at 8:00 pm and lasted until around 9:30. There was singing and sharing and lots of handshakes and hugs. I had the privilege of delivering the greetings from Westhill Park. And in turn the brothers and sisters from Free in Christ congregation send their greetings back to you.

God is good and we feel that we are being an encouragement to the people here. At times we feel inadequate, but God has taken our small gifts and multiplied them and allowed us (me) to minister to the people here.

Thank you for allowing us to minister on your behalf.

Wayne

Times of Praise

Hola from Bermejo!

It is cloudy and cool, and we had some rain last night. It feels good to have some relief from the heat. Today is national Celebrate Pastors day for the Bolivian Baptist Church. It appears to be a monthly thing on the 20th of each month... Congratulations to pastors and all of those of the Royal Priesthod of Christ, everywhere. Today is your day.

We are all healthy -- a little tired and worn down from the heat and humidity, perhaps, but we are fairing well. Some us us have had more trouble than others adjusting to the climate, food, and insect bites, but seem to be settling.

We have been blessed beyond belief by our experiences thus far. Our devotional time this morning helped us to remember the diversity with which God created all the earth and all the people. We read from Genesis 1:31, which tells us that God looked upon all his creation and saw that it was very good. We spent some time talking about the beauty that God has created, and the beautiful things we can identify here in Bermejo. Much of the beauty we have seen is in the relationships we are forming. Many of us spoke of the relationships with the children here, who have such a fire for God, and cling to our sides for hugs and conversation at ever possible chance. There is beauty in the countryside, in the marketplace, and most especially, in the worship time we have shared with our friends here. Many of us had the opportunity to share in communion last night, and it had a profound impact on us as we passed the bread and the cup, and the Bolivians at the service began to sing spontaneously. It was such genuine thankfulness and praise, and we got to be a part of a deep spiritual experience.

Many of us have already shared our testimonies, and have also heard the testimonies of some of the people who live here. It has been a time of great joy as we celebrate together what God is doing in our individual lives. We all have much in common, in spite of the diversity with which we have been created. We are sharing our joys, sorrows, hopes and dreams as well as disappointments. We are, most especially, recognizing the richness of Christ in each other, and the real ways that God is providing every day, with great intention, for each one of us. In the same way God created all things with great intention, we also hold to the truth that he has also created this opportunity, and has brought us together with the same intention. This gives us confidence to do whatever it is we are doing with confidence and with the same intention and attention to detail. This is whether we are cutting vegetables for a meal, or cutting rebar for the construction of the church.

Psalm 104:14-15 says, "He makes grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate - bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart." We see his provisions for us and for our friends here in the churches we are visiting. We see and praise God for his faithfulness to us and to the Bolivian Christians. We also praise God for our family at Westhill and our own immediate families, for we see his provisions there as well. To God be the glory this day and in the days to come!

- Donovan (a.k.a. Tony Montana ... don´t ask)

Friday Note

Hello from hot &´sticky´ Bermejo!

Our missions trip is now well underway and having done some cultural & "touristy" things, in the past few days we have been entering fully into meeting with our Bolivian brothers & sisters. It was been very good. They are so friendly and warm towards us.

Two days ago we had a ´men with men & women with women´Bible study in Tarija and tonight we will do the same in Bermejo. We expect it will be just as rich a time. It is so moving to have the opportunity to talk about our faith & to have them talk about their faith as well. And then to hear them pray for us is a rich experience to have.

Yesterday was a long hot ride to Bermejo from Traija and today it is stickY & hot.

We are pleased to be here & glad to know that we will spend a number of days here& in that way get to know some of the people better. They are so warm & welcoming that it is quite moving. In the midst of all the cultural differences we clearly sense that bong links together.

Thanks for all those who are praying & have prayed for us. We are pleased to be your representatives here.

Adios.

Pastor Henry

Saludos from Bermejo (Spanglish)

Yesterday at lunch we met with the Leaders and their wives for lunch at a local steak house. The food was very good and we tried to communicate with each other in our broken spanglich. we were able to share some gifts with them of theological books and a plaque aknowledging our partnership. They were grateful and it was good to connect with some of the same people that we saw in 2007. After lunch we travelled by van to Bermejo, in the very south of the country. It was a very beautiful drive with many many curves, cattle, and children on the road. Total time was 4 hours but it was paved the whole way. We dropped quite a bit in elevation and the humidity and temperature rose.

--Wayno

This morning we went to the Canaan Church, and worked tying cutting and bending rebar. Leone and Delores spent the afternoon with some of the women demonstrating quilting. They started with four women and by the time they were done they had 17 women and a few children watching.

In case you were wondering the temperature is similar to a frying pan with a tea kettle boiling beside it. but hey its a wet hot. so far no snow.

We have sensed God´s protection and guidance as all of our luggage has arrived safely and so far we are all well. Praise God. We have had a chance to meet a number of the people here in the churches in Bermejo we will be spending our time with three different congregations.

Greetings from Tarija

We have taken our last arrival flight, and are now in Tarija, Bolivia. We met last night with the Sion church where we participated (well....kinda) in a worship service and after Wayne led a mens bible study and Leone led a womens bible study. Above is a picture of the men from Sion and our men. They welcomed us with such love and hospitality. It was a Spirit filled experience all around. We are having lunch today with some pastors and their spouses, and then off to Bermejo this afternoon.

Heres a few more pictures from Bolivia.

We have arrived

Buenos dias!

We have arrived. The flights were long and crammed. We were tired and exhausted. The brief break in Miami on the way there was nice. Most of us took a bus ride for a couple hours and saw some of the city. We stopped and dipped our feet in the Atlantic. Then off again to Bolivia. Such a long flight. But we made it.
Its very hot and humid here in Santa Cruz. We had breakfast and some naps, recovering from flying. We also went shopping a bit in the markets. A nice breeze has come up and it looks like it will be a very nice evening. Hace mucho buen tiempo!

Hasta luego!

T-Minus 6 hours

Here we go. Most of the team is sleeping right now (maybe). I can't really sleep (and to be honest I still have a bit of packing to finish up). But we are leaving! We're stopping in Minneapolis, Miami and then to Bolivia. I'll try to update all you blog faithful people as often as I can... maybe some pictures, or a video (if it doesn't take days to upload.)
Keep checking the blog! Houston, we are go.

--Dustin

Final Preparations

Well, the final preparations are underway for STEP Team 2!  We are busy packing - trying to sort through what to take & trying to take more things all the time.  There are gifts & small Canadian/Saskatchewanian mementoes to take.  There are books & materials to use in the Sunday School Teachers seminar we are presenting and of course there are clothes & personal items. Packing & repacking!

 

In the midst of it all there is a growing sense of anticipation, excitement & fear all rolled into one!

 

We as a team have been so pleased with the support we have received - the prayer of commissioning and the applause on Sunday morning were very much appreciated and gave us a strong sense that the congregation is behind us.  We were so pleased that many signed our "prayer pictures", that many of you stopped us in the hallways or the narthex of the church to wish us well & assure us of your prayers.  We feel privileged to represent Westhill to the Bolivian people.

 

One of the passages from the Bible that we looked at in our last meeting comes from Matthew 25:31-45 where Jesus commends those who cared for him when he was hungry, thirsty, naked and in prison.  These verses reminded us that Jesus is in all those who have needs and that our actions toward them - our kindness, compassion and expressions of love - are in fact our way of expressing our love for Jesus.  It is not some great project or heroic effort that Christ demands, it is simple acts of generosity and genuine love.  God helping us, this is what we will do!

 

Pastor Henry

See us off at 05:45 Monday Morning

Itinerary:	**All times listed are local time.
Date	Leaving Time	City	Arriving	City
Monday, April 13, 2009	5:45	Regina	8:45	Minneapolis
	10:40	Minneapolis	15:08	Miami
	23:05	Miami	8:05 + 1	Santa Cruz
Return Trip:
Date	Leaving Time	City	Arriving	City
Sunday, April 26, 2009	23:05	Santa Cruz	5:50 + 1	Miami
Monday, April 27, 2009	17:27	Miami	20:26	Minneapolis
	6:00	Minneapolis	22:20	Regina

Less than Three Weeks???

It is hard to believe that three weeks from now these nine Gringos from Canada will be in Bolivia.  Our time of preparation is nearing an end and soon we will be in the doing mode.  This is exciting and fearful at the same time.  I have the great joy of returning again to Bolivia.  This gives me an advantage over some of my teammates but I still have some nervous anticipation of what will really happen.  I guess that is all part of the adventure of this journey we are on.  I know that once again God will be faithful and we will come back full to overflowing of what we have seen and how we have been touched by our Bolivian brothers and sisters.

This past weekend our team had a great time together affirming one another's gifts and strengths.  I really could sense us bonding together as a team.  I am so looking forward to being with these guys in Bolivia and watching them see things with new eyes.

talk to you later

Wayne

Spanish Music

As we prepare for our trip to Bolivia, Donovan and Wayne have been discussing music, and how we might be able to enhance some of our experiences through sharing the gift of music.  With Donovan/Henry playing guitar, we plan to learn some common hymns and modern worship songs in Spanish, and be able to sing both the Spanish and English versions in various appropriate settings.  We are already learning songs such as "Come, Now is the Time to Worship" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."  What are some other common songs that you, as our reader and support, would love for us to be able to share with our Bolivian brothers and sisters?  Please post a comment below with your suggestions.  Gracias!

Donovan Mutschler

My name is Donovan Mutschler.  I have attended Westhill Park Baptist Church since 1999.  I have never been on a mission trip to foreign soil before.  However, in 1997, I took a group of high school students to southern Manitoba to assist with flood cleanup after the Red River Flood.  In spite of my lack of experience, I felt a call to join the Step 1 Team, but circumstances did not allow for me to go on the first team.  When the opportunity for a second team was announced, I still felt the same sense of call and proceeded to apply for the team. 

 

I am excited to travel to Bolivia to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ there, and to minister to them and allow myself to also be ministered to and encouraged by them.  In spite of their deep poverty in relation to many Canadians, I have been repeatedly impressed with their sense of joy, contentment and high rate of literacy and employment.  It is an encouragement to me that money does not bring happiness.

 

I am seeking prayer for focus and protection.  I know that Bolivia has a high first nation population with a tight tie to the customs and spiritual ways of the Inca and Aymana, including practices of witch doctors.  I am very sensitive to ways of witchcraft and pagan worship and can sometimes become distracted and overwhelmed due to these sensitivities.  Therefore, I ask for prayer to be protected from these things.

 

We are embarking on a mission to build relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  I ask that if you are interested in this journey, please continue to check in with our blog site to find out what's new, see pictures, and hear of our experiences. 

 

My dream comes true

            Hola, my name is Dolores Wilcox.  I've been attending Westhill Baptist Church for a little over two years.  I've never done missionary work before nor do I have any experience at foreign travel.

            I remember that day Wayne Rempel was telling everyone at church about his previous mission trip to Bolivia, and that they needed more people for a Step 2 team.  At that time only two people had signed up. A voice kept telling me to go and sign up. What are you waiting for ? This is something that has always been in the back of my mind to do,  but never thought I'd have the opportunity to do.  But thanks to the great people at Westhill Baptist Church my vision is being fulfilled for myself and my husband Bob.

            I have fears that I won't be able to communicate well with the people of Bolivia.  I just have to remember that God will be there with me and everything will be fine.

            I very excited about meeting my brothers and sisters in Bolivia to see how they live and worship. Based on what I learned so far about Bolivia and the churches there, I am just amazed to hear how simple they live, but yet they are  so content and happy  with life.

            I pray that all the people left at home will continue to pray for a successful journey for all the team, and that everyone going and staying  will have good health.

                                                                        Mucha Gracias

Countdown to Bolivia

Yes, as Pastor Henry said only five weeks to go before we leave for Bolivia.

There have been quite a few waves smashing into our boat over the past few weeks,fears,doubts,etc..

Remember team, God is with us, this is his mission, we are only his servants.  We are praying for each and everyone of you and your families.God bless you all.

Bob & Dolores

Preparations Continue

Hello!

Last Saturday (Feb 28th) our team met at our place (Henry & Eleanor Friesen's) for Brunch and a team meeting.  It was great to sit around the table & just chat about a variety of topics. It was good for team building!

 

Our meeting was also good not only because we talked about entering another culture & clearly communicating our love for them but because we talked about our fears now that the trip is becoming a "near reality".  As we had done at our first team meeting, we read the story of Peter walking on the water and imagined where we were in the story.  Some of us felt as if we were less eager to walk on the water this time and others of us felt like we were sinking & need Jesus to "save us".  We were encouraged to read the words of Jesus:  "It is I, do not be afraid!"  At the same time this did not take away all our fears - we committed ourselves to be supporting & praying for each other in the weeks ahead.  We really would appreciate others doing the same.

Pastor Henry

Fundraising Banquet Huge Success

The 2009 Step Team hosted a fundraiser banquet at Westhill Park Baptist Church on Sunday, Feb. 1st. There was a friendly atmosphere as friends and supporters enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Charlotte's Catering in Moose Jaw, listened to engaging speakers, and Spanish music, and enjoyed each other's company. Donovan emceed the evening, entertaining us with little known facts about Canada and Bolivia. The stage was set for travel to South America, by a special music group from Avonhurst Pentecostal Spanish Church leading us in worship in Spanish. Though the group was not from Bolivia, they helped to give us a taste of what the Spanish speaking churches in Bolivia will sound like to the team scheduled to visit from Regina in April this year.
Dale introduced the members of the 2009 Team, and we heard from several of the team members. The guest speaker for the evening was Dr. Tim Stabell, Assistant Professor of Mission at Briercrest College. Over 130 people attending this evening, and gave generously to support this project.

Submitted by Deanna Tanner

Introducing Bob & Delores

Dolores and I are very excited about going to Bolivia . We know God will lead and show us how to help our brothers and sisters there and in turn I am sure that they will show and help us. We are still in awe over the turnout for the banquet, may God bless each and everyone of you at Westhill Baptist Church.

Please pray for us as we prepare for this mission. Also pray for good flights, and good health for all the team members.

May God keep you safe,

Bob & Dolores

Here's the 2009 Team

Dale introduces the 2009 Step Team at the Fundraising Banquet.
Donovan, Wayne, Henry, Delores, Bob, Leone, Dennis (other team members not present Dustin and Bev)

Introducing Leone

I am looking forward to the opportunity to go beyond just learning about missions to seeing what it is like to minister in another country. Pray for good health and safety as we travel and pray that we will grow spiritually through this experience.

Leone

Muchos gracias!

I think I speak on behalf of all the members of the 2nd STEP Team when I say 'muchos gracias' or thank you very much for the wonderful support shown to us by the Westhill church family at our Fundraising Banquet last Sunday. I was pleased by the attendance, by the questions & comments and by the generous gift of money that was given for our trip expenses.

One of the things that I really appreciated about the evening was the way Dale introduced the team and voiced their prayer requests. Hearing those requests gave me an insight into the hopes, dreams & fears that are part of all of us as we prepare to go. I am committing myself to voicing those requests to God and looking for ways to notice how he might answer those before and during our trip to Bolivia.

Que Dios te bendiga! (May God bless you)

Pastor Henry

Update from Pastor Henry

Here it is less than 3 months until STEP Team Two leaves for Bolivia. My the time is slipping by quickly and partly because there is so much we are doing to prepare. We have had 3 very good team meetings including an "orientation" session with Dennis Shierman from Canadian Baptist Ministries in Calgary. He did a great job of not only telling us important things to remember but reminding us how important it is for the Bolivian Christians that we go to see them and affirm them.

The big thing on our agenda this week is the Fundraising Banquet on Sunday night. Would you believe it, we have sold 120 tickets so far! I'm sure it will be a great evening what with a Spanish singing group, a special speaker from Caronport and some sharing from a couple of team members. And not to forget a great meal!

As the team leader and as someone who went to Bolivia with STEP Team One, I am very pleased with the way this team is coming together and the way the church community is showing their support for us. We are eager to see God at work both in the time of preparation that lies ahead and in the time we will have with our Bolivian brothers & sisters in Southern Bolivia. Please pray that we as a team will have the eyes to see what God is doing and the heart to give thanks and participate where we can.

Pastor Henry Friesen

2009 Team is in Preparations

There are 9 courageous members of the new Bolivia Team. These individuals include some from the 2007 Team and a few new ones, who have heard the call to missions, and have begun the preparations for this years trip. In the coming weeks we will be bringing you some interviews with the members, and some interesting stories about the people, the country, and missions in general. Stay tuned!