Our First Winter in Bolivia

It is winter in Bolivia. That means that the temperature is lower and they say that the insects are less. Watching the weather in North America we realize that the temperature has much less variation and I am not sure that it ever gets as hot as it does in some of the areas in North America. We spent some time in Cochabamba and it was very cool at night, cool enough that I wore a sweater. While in Coch airconditioning was installed in our truck and we bid farewell to our good friends, the Watts, who are returning to Canada. I also signed up for a couple of weeks of Spanish lessons starting August 21. The month in Canada was a good one. We arrived in time to attend our grand daughter’s play, the anniversary celebration of some good friends, another grand daughter’s graduation, as well as birthdays for Marg, Tim and KerryAnne. Jake’s was busy tying up the business and getting solar panels and a generator to take along. He also made a low flying trip to his family in Iowa. And all of this in three weeks. Next time he might have to stay longer! Marg’s 94 year old aunt was hospitalized and is nearing the end of her life. Although we thought she might die while we were home, she didn’t. Marg spoke at a couple of churches and hosted a dessert and information night. Jake came back to Bolivia on July 7 and has been busy organizing the materials for the house. The windows and doors are ordered and the bricks are on site – well, close to the site at the road. Men from an adjoining community have been hired to help build the house. Jake attended the dedication of the evangelical church in La Pista on July 14,15, and 16 – a three day celebration was filled with singing, sermons, and food. It started Friday night about 7 and lasted until Sunday at about 3 in the afternoon. Our little truck took about 22 people from Patajusal each day. As well, about 250 people came from neighbouring communities to celebrate. About 30 to 40 people came on an old International farm truck which served as there motorhome. The excess people slept in the old church. The community gave their all and were very happy to share their meals with their neighbours, even though it was very little by North American standards. Both baptism and communion were celebrated on Sunday and the sermon was delivered by Matther Zoller, a missionary with World Concern. It was the one sermon that Jake could understand. It was a great time for Jake to get to know the men on the community. And where was Marg – she was having her last day with the kids and grandkids in Canada. Marg arrived back on the 19th. We spent couple of days in Santa Cruz and then headed for Cochabamba to spend some time with our friends, Kent and Susan Watts and their daughter, Anna. Kent has served the last year as the minister to the Baptist English congregation, Susan acted as head librarian at the Baptist Seminary, and Anna attended school. They are returning to Canada at the end on July. Marg also signed up for another couple of weeks of language school in the end of August. Keeping up with the language in the community has been difficult. Our life now will be centered in the community. Marg will spend many hours on the road between Yapacani and Patajusal bringing materials for the house. She will also drive each day to La Pista to provide transportation for the men who will be helping with the house. Jake will supervise the building of the house and a driveway. We plan to attend church services in La Pista and provide taxi service to the members of Patajusal. We are scheduling a visit to Santa Cruz once a month to attend an English church service and visit with the rest of the EFCCM team. And about the weather here. We do get some cold nights -- or at least cool! I ended up wearing a couple of sweatshirts a couple of nights and one day I wore one for most of the day. The next day the sun was shining and it was back to shorts and t shirts. Oh, what a winter!