On our way home

Last night we saw God move once again. This time it was at the airport in Cochabamba. Our airline AeroSur decided to push our flight from coch to Santa Cruz back a few hours and we would miss our flight from Santa Cruz to Miami. The Helping Hands missionary Jess was not satisfied with that and would not rest until we were placed on another airline. According to Jess what happened does not ever happen. God honored His daughter's determination by getting us to Santa Cruz.

Today has been interesting to say the least. If in fact is is today. We thought we were coming home around lunch time but God had different plans. Our plane experienced engine trouble during the push back in Santa Cruz and we sat on the plane for about 5 hours. After that we slept on the airport floor for about another 3 hours. The airline finally decided we could not leave until today at 5:30 pm. They gave us taxi, food, and hotel vouchers for the day. I have grown in my understanding of God's sovereignty. God's plan allowed part of our team to pray for and encourage our taxi driver to and from the hotel. God used us to encourage a brother but we realized we needed our brother to encourage us. Our team will be less rested for the difficulty in our travels but our souls will be more encouraged for the Divine appointment with Brother Luis Alberto, God's taxi driver.

We are now about to board our flight to Miami again. Man's plan is to get us to Miami at around midnight and Atlanta before lunch tomorrow. God may have something else in store and I would rather do that.
Matt Stacy

Brendita give a girl a tract in Kara Kara during door to door evangelism.

Thursday

Today started with some of the girls getting up early to make sandwiches for our morning ministry. We left early to minister to some youth that live in a tent community and are addicted to sniffing glue. Past experiences before have shown us that their behavior when they are high can be unpredictable, so there were many unknowns. We set up in a fenced in soccer court and Jessica and Steve took the bus to pick up the youth and bring them to us. They arrived wearing dirty clothes, some with no shoes, some with shoes falling apart, and glue bottles in hand. Our team showed no fear and began to introduce themselves. We had brought some shoes to give away but quickly realized there was not enough. One of our team members grabbed some duct tape and began mending their shoes. Transitions from one activity to another was very important because if these youth had to wait around long, they would lose interest and leave. Our team was Johnny on the spot, quickly transitioning from introductions to a soccer game. The sad thing was that they wouldn't even put down their bottles of glue to play soccer. One kid had his in his mouth, huffing it while dribbling the ball. After this we fed them the sandwiches and cokes and while they were eating Matt shared the gospel. We passed out tracts and gave them Bibles, shoes, blankets and more. Many of the youth spoke with our teammates and were really open to wanting to change their lifestyle and learn more about Christ. One pregnant youth that was there gave her life to Christ and said she needed help. We asked the ministry coordinator and she said there was a home that she could live at that would help her get off the drugs. The team decided they would pay for this and she will get the help she needs.
The youth really connected with our team and even asked us back to see where they live. We went and saw tents made of tarps, where they live outside among the cacti and thorns. We sat down and spoke with them. They shared with us that they really want to get off the drugs but don't know how. Our hearts broke but the existence of this ministry and the missionaries that work with these kids give us hope. When we were leaving one of the boys said "thanks for giving us a good day".

After we left those youth, we went shopping in South Americas largest open air market, ate lunch, then went to the Statue of Christ. We finished up the day with a prayer meeting at Kara Kara where half the team prayed and the other half ministered to the children. Rachel sang a beautiful song and Hannah shared her testimony. Tomorrow we will go back to Kara Kara to go door to door and share the Gospel.

A.

A glue sniffing pregnant woman gave her life to Christ. The team is paying to put her in a shelter.

Day ???

Our God is so great. This morning we spent time in prayer for God to open our hearts and make our hearts like His as we prepared to enter the prison. We reflected on the fact that the prisoners are God's beloved children and that His love is for them is greater than our greatest love. We of course had some apprehensions about being locked in a high security prison, but what God would do next knocked us to our knees.

Upon arrival we had to surrender our passports and be searched. Then we followed our leaders into a Church in the middle of the jail. We then noticed there was a soccer field, swimming pool, basketball goal, and a very open atmosphere. The Pastor Felix introduced us to all of the leaders of the church, who all were convicts, and they instantly became our brothers.

We had planned a lot of things for the kids visiting but it ended up that we did a massive service of about 125 men. We sang some songs and then Matt preached the Gospel and God met us there in the prison. 76 men came forward to receive Christ. Glory to God! We then had the privilege of praying with many men and worshiping among them. We are all in awe that God would use us.

Then we ate at an amazing place called Tuesday's and made our way to the Nursing Home. We had awesome fellowship with them. We sang songs, prayed for them, and made salvation bracelets for them. We had such an amazing time today. God moved in their hearts, but also changed ours.

Rachel

After praying with this lady at the retirement home, she began to cry and Ashley consoles her.

Today was "Move The Rocks From

Our devotion time this morning was wrapped up by Matt praying that if Jesus carried a cross for us, then there was no way that we were going to complain about having to carry a few rocks for Him!

And that set the tone for our day.

The work that we had to do was backbreaking. We literally picked up rocks - ranging in weight from a couple pounds to a couple hundred pounds - put them in containers, and then unloaded them a couple hundred feet away where the missionaries were building a fire pit for their annual youth camps.

It was such a blessing to watch the team tackle this task with grace and humor. We worked hard - really hard. But we laughed much harder. And after the emotional strain of yesterday, we appreciated having a task that gave our spirits a break.

We used our time moving rocks on the mountain to build new relationships and to strengthen old ones. The fellowship we shared was priceless. And the teenagers on our team - Ashleigh, Emily, and Hannah were nothing short of amazing. They attacked the job with smiles on their faces and NO complaining. We are all so very proud of them.

We were treated to a steak dinner tonight at Las Estancia. I have no idea where it was ... Somewhere in Bolivia, I suspect. But the meal was wonderful. But as good as the meal was, the ride in the van was better. There was theological discussion, teenage girl talk, a little laughter, a LOT if giggling, and many inside jokes that reminded us of the day's labor.

All in all, it was a great day! Now we are all looking forward to tomorrow's challenges - a maximum security prison and old folk's home. PLEASE continue to pray for us - I suspect we will need it.

God bless you,
Steve

The team getting rocks to build a fire pit.

Day 2

Ok I'm really bad at typing on an iPhone. So sorry. Anyway, today we went to the boys orphanage. Christina, we saw the famous Raul. He remembered you and was emotional when I gave him a hug from you. The boys had a blast playing soccer, baseball, kickball and doing all sorts of crazy games. Pastor Matt made sure they got a couple of good doses of the gospel.
When we left the orphanage, the boys gave us some lingering hugs revealing their need for loving touch. I would have loved to hold onto each of them as long as they would have let me.
A highlight of the day was watching Brenda On our team washing the boys feet. She is an amazing woman of God.
A low of the day was driving by some young girls and seeing them sniffing glue. That issue is so complex.
The team is really bonding now. We are constantly laughing. Angela, Karen, keri you would be proud of your girls down here. They are doing Gods work. Mack is doing great and Rachel never ceases to amaze me with the many layers of her faith.
Matt's mind is spinning with possibilities to share God's love, but he's missing Brandi, jack and the twinkies pretty badly.
Babe, I love and miss you, sweet pea and little buddy so much. Thanks for this opportunity.
Steve is a crack up and a source of strength for us. Nora has been constant with a servant's heart. Ok, that's all for now.
Love, Trish

Emily and Steve washing an orphans feet during a foot washing ceremony at an orphanage.

Day 1

The theme for the very beginning of our trip was, "Wait!" We waited at the church for our last team member; then we waited at the Atl airport for check-in, security, (and then security again! Apparently, if you leave the secure area of the airport, they will allow you to do it again! AND, if you left your Passport and Boarding Pass with your carry-on back at the gate, you get to send someone through security an additional time! And the TSA agents WILL show a slight sense of humor when you go through for the third time!)

Got to sit on the plane for about 45 minutes waiting for luggage.

We ate lunch at the Atlanta Airport, ate Supper at the Miami Airport, ate Supper (again) on the flight to La Paz, stayed on the plane in La Paz, so we missed that culinary experience (thank God); coffee on the flight to Santa Cruz; then lunch at the airport in Santa Cruz. Seems like all we've done so far, is eat. And still, at every stop, the first thing out of Matt's mouth at every stop is, "when do we eat?" I'm gonna need two plane tickets to get home.

Out flight from Santa Cruz got cancelled. Had to wait an additional hour. So Rachael broke out her guitar and we had church at Gate 1 in Santa Cruz. Had several locals singing and clapping along with us. Even had a guy from Brazil sit in with us with his guitar. We would take turns - we would sing a worship song in Spanish, then he would sing a love song on Portugese. It was a great time!

Finally arrived in Cochabamba a couple hours late, and Matt was ready to eat!

Bolivia is absolutely beautiful! We are completely surrounded by (Andes?) Mountains. Many of the peaks are covered with snow. But in the midst of the beauty of God's Creation, is desperate poverty. You can't escape it. But the people seem to be truly joyful.

Our first "official" ministry opportunity started about two hours after we arrived in the country. We split into two groups. My group went to a community of what I guess were mud huts, connected by a common wall. Every Sunday, the children from the community gather at the little church for "Happy Hour." They sing, play games, learn Bible Verses; and have snacks. We did a sort of Vacation Bible School. We Sang some songs in English, then had them participate in telling the Creation Story. The theme of the story was that they - the children - were the central theme of God's purpose in creation. Then we split into groups for Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Face Painting, coloring, and sharing the Gospel with the aid of Salvation Bracelet's. The kids ware amazing. They we so full of energy. So loving. And so ready to receive love.

Then after Supper [Matt was ready for Supper], we went to Cara Cara for church. We arrived a few minutes late, and they were already singing. They sing in Quechuan - which requires two translators for us to understand - one to translate into Spanish and another to then translate to English. They were really excited to have us with them.

After a couple of us shared our testimony, we split the group again to minister to the children. I got to share the Creation story and Salvation Bracelets with the teenagers.

These kids - all ages - are so hungry for love. They didn't want us to leave. And they used all of their English. They would say, "chow, bye," over and over.

Our first day lasted nearly 34 hours without sleep. We were miserable - at least when it was just us. But the time we spent with these wonderful people was worth every minute, every mile, every delay, and every dollar it took for us to get here.

Thank you for your support during our preparation. Now we truly covet your prayers as we strive to be the arms of Jesus for a whole bunch of people who simply need to be loved so they can discover just how special they are in God's eyes.

God bless you all.
Steve

Some of the group singing at Kara kara

Pastor Matt preaching at Kara Kara Church

Rachel playing guitar at the airport. A lot of people are enjoying and nodding their heads.

Our team leaving today from First Baptist Buford to go to Bolivia.

Preparing for the trip

The team packing and weighing 22 bags to be 50 lbs a piece.  The team is bringing supplies for their ministry, as well as clothes, vitamins, etc for the next Jungle trip.

The Last Few Months

Wow! A lot has happened in the last 2 months. Below, you will see a recap of the main events.

Tuesday, April 12 was el Día del Niño, or Children’s Day. It was a packed day! First, the CED group from Word of Life went to a local village, about one hour away, Arani and had a program for the school children there. There were 2,400 kids!! The team had lots of crazy games for them and activities, but most importantly, they presented the Gospel. In the end, about 330 students received Christ!!!

Also, back home, at the property, we had a special activity for the students at Aguila Academy. We had ice cream, played relay races and ate lots of food. The kids loved it!

The CED has started again!!! There are 47 Evangelism and Discipleship students this year for Word of Life. They arrived at the first of April. They had a bon fire on Wednesday to commence the year. Pray for these students as they begin this great change in their lives, that God will work and change their lives forever.

We have started the new Aguila Christian Academy school year, at the first of March. It was a CRAZY day, children everywhere! Parents everywhere! Teachers everywhere! Dogs everywhere! The biggest hit of the year so far are the lockers we have this year. We found some old lockers, repainted them and they are all the rave. The kids find any excuse to go and put something in their lockers.

I asked one of our new students yesterday, in 3rd grade, if she likes school. She said, "I LOVE it!" Awesome!


We have students everywhere, there is never an empty room or space during the day, and the bathroom. . . it is never empty ( which means the kids have learned not to wait til the last minute to go. . . )!

The second week of school, a couple of my students found a baby tarantula in the playground. They brought it to school. As you can imagine, this caused quite the excitement. . . the girls screaming at high, ear-piercing pitches, the boys acting tough but cowering when it came near them. The teachers, most of them, not going anywhere near it. . .

I set up a habitat for the tarantula, putting rocks and leaves and a few flowers in it (not sure what they eat besides birds and lizards). The kids came and looked at it all day every chance they got, it was the high-light of their day. Gracie, my 3 year old wanted to know if it was REALLY REAL!?! Many kids asked me where his fangs were and where his head was (the head and rear are very similar. . . ). All in all, it was a good, calm day of viewing, until Marcy (an American teacher) wanted to take a picture of one of her sons holding it. That is when it got exciting! At the end of the day, we walked out side and began trying to get it out of the fish bowl. The squills and shrills began – also random running and jumping . In the end, 5 of the 19 students held the tarantula and 2 of the teachers (myself and Julie). It felt like a giant grand-daddy long-leg in my hand – kind of neat, but don’t want it on my face!!

Afterwards, we sent all the kids home. Esteban, a 9^th grader asked me to let me let it loose again. So, he took it to a rocky area and released it. But, we set the fish bowl with the lid back in the school.

School starts in 3 days. . .

Aguila Christian Academy will start it's 2011 school year on Wednesday, March 9.

This is a school for the children of Helping Hands and Word of Life Bolivia missionaries. It is there on the Word of Life complex in Bolivia. I am the Director, a teacher, the janitor, the cook, the disciplinarian, the gardener, the. . . . Well, you get the idea. We are small, but we do great things. This year, we will have 20 students, ranging from 4 years old to 9^th grade! I have at least one student in each grade except for 7^th, which means we are not just teaching 20 students, we are teaching 10 different grades, all in Math, English, Spanish, History, Reading, Spelling, Science, etc. It is a tall order to fill, but with God’s help, we are able to do it. It is a bilingual school; we have full courses in both English and Spanish. Our goal is that when the students leave, they are fluent in both languages.

The reason we have a private school there on the property is that the missionaries were driving 3 hours each day to take their children into town to school! Losing so much ministry time! Now, they can focus on the ministry because we are focusing on their children! Last year, between the Helping Hands and Word of Life Bolivia, over 30,000 people heard the Gospel!! Águila had a direct part in that!

Our new school year starts on March 9 and runs until mid November. Please pray for God’s hand on the school, that we can minister to the children as well as the other teachers in the school. Also, pray that their parents can effectively share the Gospel this year with the people of Bolivia.