Happy Birthday Darren!

Today is Darren's 28th birthday and I am going to speak for him when I say it was one of the best birthdays he's had. The picture to the left is of some of the Casa kids giving him a birthday hug after they all sang him Happy Birthday in Spanish. I cannot think of a better way to spend a birthday then with a bunch of adorable kids who attack you with hugs every chance they get.

It was our second day at the Casa with the kids today. We are in the Casa Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Yesterday was a little crazy being it was the very first day of school for the kids after summer holidays. All the teachers were amped up from the retreat last week and all had rules and plans for the new school year (the main Casa rules are posted in the main eating area and can be seen in the picture above). Our group split up into the four classes at the Casa (pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, grades 1-3, and grades 4-12) after the main assembly and met our own individual challenges. Lyn, Darren, and I (Shenaigh) went with the pre-kinder/kinder classes and spent time playing games, singing songs, and eating lunch. Much like Brian had warned us it was "like herding cats" and they definitely kept us busy. Ken, Brian, and Lois went with the grades 1-3 and unfortunately the teacher had to leave to register her daughter in school and they were left with teaching/ supervising the class for the morning. This was a little frustrating to the team as they were forced to attempt to teach the class with little Spanish, lack of respect, and no teacher.

Today was much more organized for all of us. In the morning we all went to a meeting with the UBB (Union Baptiste Bolivia) and spent time together in prayer, devotion, and coffee. Brian shared how much our partnership with the UBB/CBM meant to our church and how it has transformed our church. Ever since we began this partnership our church has become much more outwardly focused on others and our community. We thought it was very important to share to them that not only does our partnership benefit Bolivia but it also greatly benefits our church back in Edmonton.

After lunch we went to the Casa and had a much more organized day. After spending a little time with the kids Lyn, Darren, and I helped prep some supplies for the class to help reward kids for following rules. This took up a large chunk of our afternoon but we were glad to do it because we knew that the teachers would not have time to do it. We were also very excited that the teachers were implementing rules and rewards for the kids to follow discussions that arose last week at the teacher' s retreat. Brian, Lois, and Ken took their kids outside to play parachute games with the parachute that our kids at our church purchased with their own fundraising money. After that they helped the kids with their homework (writing letters, sentences, drawing pictures etc). Norma and Randy helped the older kids with homework as well.

After our afternoon at the Casa we went for a nice iced coffee treat to cool ourselves off (it was a beautiful plus 25 today) and later on we went out for Italian food as spaghetti is Darren's favorite food. Now the team is yelling at me to finish the blog so we can play a card game so I should probably go now.

We are all enjoying our time with the Casa kids and our saddened at the thought of leaving soon. God has done incredible things with and through our group and has truly transformed us as a team.

Love and blessings to you all,

Shenaigh

Transformation

These last 2 days we were working hard at the Casa. We spent Thursday and Friday removing several years of garbage out of each room. The carpet was installed in the new office location for Carla (psychologist), Darren and Shenaigh Lyn and others scrubbed wooden chairs for the pre-kinder and kinder classes, Ken hung curtain rods for Sonia (Primaria I) and Cinda (kinder), many walls were washed, months of dust swept away. New posters were made by our talented artists (Lois and Shenaigh), desks were re-varnished and of course just for Brian an electrical problem or two. While the list is long it is not comprehensive as many other jobs were accomplished by a very dedicated group of loving people I call my friends. God has shown himself in so many ways, but for me, it’s practically in the way our group has given of themselves in each and every task they have done.

Friday morning as I sat in the kindergarten class scrubbing layers of filth off the little tables I began to weep in prayer for the children who would sit at that table. As I continued to pray and intercede for these precious children, while listening to a song called “Jesus feed Us” by Steve Bell, God showed me that we all are like these filthy tables, covered in grime and sin and it’s only by the redemptive blood of Jesus that we can be clean. The picture of his love and forgiveness was a very literal experience as I watched the transformation of the tables and indeed the whole building as we finished up Friday afternoon.

Late Friday morning we performed probably the greatest symbol of transformation. We had contracted a large truck to come and remove the many years of accumulated garbage that was strewn around the comedor (eating area). Brian’s face was beaming as we completed this year long dream for him of ridding the Casa of the few last things that prevented it from having the appearance of newness. The symbol was not lost on Brian and others who realized that often we miss the step of removing those last remaining things that linger in the corners of our lives. Once the garbage was removed we turned out attention to the comedor where we cleaned all the tables and benches made dirty but the construction next door, put all the furniture in place and swept and washed the floor. The physical transformation was complete.

With the physical transformation complete, the last thing we did Friday afternoon was to go through the Casa room by room and pray. The entire Casa team had taken Friday off as a day of prayer and fasting so now that we had completed the physical work we joined then in prayer. We entered each room with our eyes open and asked God to show us that for which we should pray. We prayed for the things that God brought before us and then worshipped together with a song as Brian played the guitar. Each song was a blessing we prayed for that particular room. Each room was powerful but, by far, the most powerful room was the newly painted and carpeted room of tia Carla the psychologist. The profound sense of the deep hurt and pain that was felt by the children who would visit the room was brought to light by the power of the Holy Spirit. We cried and prayed and asked for the physical transformation of the room to be a symbol of the transformation the children would find in that place.

We finished the day in celebration. We had planned to have a fun day with the entire Casa staff but for many reasons that was not possible. Our solution was to go to a nice restaurant and treat the whole staff and their spouses (some brought their children) to a celebration. Brian stood and thanked them in Spanish for their hard work and simply invited them to simply enjoy and then we did just that! Brian circulated and translated as we ate and laughed. Conversations happened, photos were discussed, dictionaries were used but in the end we all enjoyed ourselves. Brian commented to Rodrigo during the meal that this dinner was a glimpse into heaven. A group of believers from different languages and different cultures who share the same heavenly father, gathered around a table laughing and sharing and drinking deeply from the cup of His grace.

Blessing to all,

Norma

Working with God and His people

One of the greatest blessings we have received from God in Bolivia was the opportunity to put on a workshop for the whole Casa staff. Prior to coming here, Brian and I (Ken) met to plan a retreat for the teachers. You will be pleased to know the teachers' retreat was a huge success! Brian made a wonderful decision to hire Toni to be our facilitator. Toni is fluent in English and Spanish and has been teaching missionaries Spanish for many years. A photo of the retreat is at the top of this blog.

Each day began with singing and worship. This was a wonderful time of bonding with the Casa staff. Then we followed with a needs assessment where the Casa staff focused on some goals they wanted to accomplish and how we could help them. Their greatest need was having the opportunity to talk and plan together as a team so the retreat would really meet their needs. In the afternoon I presented a session on establishing routines, rules and procedures in schools. Toni was magical as she has such a strong background as a teacher. We came specifically at this time of year so we could help the Casa staff set up for the start of the school year. Establishing these routines sends important life messages to the students:we love you, we care for you, you are valuable and this is a safe place. On Wednesday morning after worship, Randy, Lyn and Carla(the Casa psychologist) presented a session on supporting and caring for families. It was heavy as we heard some case conferences of some horrific situations for children here. There were many tears and hugs and we recommitted to constant prayer and working together to support the children. You will notice in the photo that on this second day half of the team stayed to work at the Casa. There is a long list of improvements we have made at the Casa this week which has kept us extremely busy everyday. In the afternoon, we gave them a choice of planning for the first day of school or working further on responding to student misbehaviors. They chose to focus on responding to student behaviors.

On Monday, we meet with the children so please pray that we will develop relationships with them quickly and that we continue to share the many talents our team has.

Thank God that on Monday morning when we first met with Casa staff, there was a meeting with all the Obades big wigs and we were able to meet with all of them when we met the staff. Thank God that we had also prepared introductions of ourselves in Spanish for this meeting. Our church has a tremendous reputation here. On Sunday we were introduced in church and publicly recognized. On Monday, we had finished two coats of paint on a classroom and now the teacher has moved in with new carpet. We have made a huge difference physically at the Casa all while we were putting on a major retreat. Please thank God for the impact we have been able to have already. Please pray for renewed energy for the team as we have been running hard since we got here. Please forgive us for not communicating with home as well as we might like as we are very exhausted at the end of each day.

Please give thanks for the Whittles whose relationships and ability to speak Spanish have opened many doors for our team and we have had many opportunities to put our faith in action. The Whittles are well loved by the staff at the Casa.

Much love,

Ken

Prison visit

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and oh what I would do to have a picture of the San Antonio men’s prison to share with all of you. Unfortunately though, that is illegal! My words cannot possibly capture the sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and feelings that encompass life for the men and children in this prison (or for me as a visitor), but I will do my best to share my experience with you briefly on the blog, and in more detail when I return.
Yesterday Randy and I were invited to join the Casa staff in the prison. After passing security clearance and being greeted by men hanging off the prison gates, we climbed a narrow metal ladder and met in a small upper room - the prison chapel. The room was full with the 8 of us from the Casa, as well as 15 men and 5 of their children (sons and daughters). The staff shared their job descriptions and expectations for the upcoming school year, the chaplain gave an inspiring message from 2 Tim 1:7, and then the men who had birthdays from Jan-Mar were celebrated with crème puffs and coke! This was a big honor to these men as we recognized their value and worth and showed them the dignity they deserve as fellow humans (something that is quite foreign to them in prison life).
These men, along with their children, live in concrete cells that are 6’ x 10’ at best, with a single mattress on the floor and a blanket covering the 5’ x 2’ entrance. Others who can’t afford a cell sleep on a blanket in a common area. Men and children wader throughout the prison, some men use their skills to hand craft bed frames and build model ships, others weld BBQs and metal door frames, all to sell on the outside, still others cook or work in the prison office and store handing out goods to purchase. Everything costs something - food, clothing, cells, blankets, showers, laundry etc - nothing is free. Children roam freely; all have greasy hair and scraggly clothing (girls dressed in Hannah Montana shirts, boys in soccer jerseys). The smell is unbearable; indescribably horrid. Large garbage heaps are piled throughout the prison. It is dark, filthy, and completely inhumane.
During our visit I was captivated by three children in particular. Ruth, a 5 yr old girl, took me and Randy by the hands to guide us on our prison tour. She clung to me for most of our visit. I wondered if she has a mom, and if she does if she ever sees her. She seemed to long for some motherly love. She spoke nonstop, obviously delighted to have our attention, although the only word I recognized was the name she called me: “Tia” (auntie). She melted my heart. Another young boy, maybe 6ish, had the most beautiful dark brown eyes. He looked somewhat sad, yet also content to be in his dad’s arms – he has probably known no other life. His gaze was mesmerizing. It spoke so loudly of the love of Christ. A toddler sat across from me, hiding behind her dad’s legs every time I smiled at her. She enjoyed playing hide and seek but was quite attached to her dad. The love from these children for their fathers was evident.
I often pray for God to break my heart with the things that break his heart. My heart has reached a new depth of brokenness as I come to realize how deeply God’s heart breaks at the gross injustice that takes place in these prisons. No one, no matter what they’ve done, deserves to live like this. My life has been forever changed by the images I now have engrained in my heart and mind. God, I pray that you will bring justice.
Posted by Lyn

Safe and Sound

We are here! We all arrived safe and sound in Cochabamba early this morning. Unfortunately two of our luggages did not (but arrived a few hours later on the next flight). Bolivia is beautiful. The weather is perfect. The people are so nice. We are truly blessed to be in this gorgeous country for these next few weeks. The day was spent getting accustomed to the city, with a few attempted naps, and some delicious food. Brian, Norma, and Randy enjoyed getting to see some familar faces and the rest of us were eager to finally meet people we had only heard about in stories or saw in photos.

Fatigue started to set in after dinner however so please pray for a good night's rest for us so we are ready to go for the teacher's retreat on Monday.

Our time here so far has reminded some of us of the well-known story in Exodus. When God first meets Moses within the burning bush He tells Moses of his plans for him and how he is to rescue the Isrealites. At first Moses replies with "Who am I that I should go to Pharoah and bring the Isrealites out of Egypt?" God replies with "I will be with you". Such a simple reply from God for such a fearful servant. Moses was terrified at the responsibilty of his calling, afraid that he wouldn't know what to say, or what to do, and certain that there was someone much better than him to do this job. Much of this story relates to how some of our team is feeling right now. Though we all know we were called to Bolivia for a reason, some of us still are unsure of what that reason was, and what good we will/can do. Fact is, I truly believe that each and every one of us has our own amazing gifts and that we will all make a difference in some form or another. We are not alone. God is guiding our way through this journey and will be with us every step of the way. And just as He is with us now and will be with us forever, He has also been in Bolivia far longer then we have and will remain here far after we leave. This is not our mission trip, this is His mission trip. He has such big plans for this country and I am so honored that I was chosen to be part of it and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us.

Many blessings to you,

Shenaigh

Almost there!

We can almost see the end of our long journey to Bolivia. After having an amazing final commissioning from our church on Wednesday night we got driven to the airport. After a quick hop to Toronto and a small skip to Miami, we have spent ten hours in the Miami airport waiting for our next flight. I can honestly say that I would much rather a layover in Miami than in Toronto- snow compared to gorgeous sunshine. After trying to figure out what to do we kinda wandered outside to enjoy the sunshine and ended up napping for two hours enjoying the beautiful weather. It was a much needed break from the squishy airplane and freezing cold airport. Darren mentioned afterwards that he thought that God actually led us outside because he knew we needed that small dose of beauty for the last half of our trek, and I couldn't agree more. We are slowly getting more and more emmersed in the Spanish culture and although it will bring challenges, I know our team cannot wait.

Thank you for all your prayers. We send you much love from warm and sunny Miami. :)

Love,

Shenaigh

Pre-Trip Challenges

Three more sleeps and four more days until this fantastic team of eight go leave for our adventure. I think I speak for the rest of the team when I say how excited we all are to finally go after months of planning.

This past week has been extremely tough on our team. It seems like the devil is attacking each individual member in a variety of ways to discourage us, we even got kicked out of our church for Sunday morning service because of some construction in the basement. We ended up having our final commissioning service in a small chapel next door in a senior's lodge. A change that in my opinion, made our final Sunday before we left incredibly powerful and one to remember. It amazes me to look at everything that is going on in our teams lives right now and see that instead of being discouraged and distracted from our main focus, we instead have bonded together in love and in fellowship, all looking forward with excitement and anticipation at the amazing things God has planned for us. I know we are going to do incredible things in Bolivia because if we weren't, then the devil would not have to try so hard to give us reasons not to go.

So as we draw nearer to our departure date please pray for strength and for peace, pray for our families and the things we cannot control, praise God for calling such an encouraging, compassionate, and loving team together, and remember that with Him, all things are possible.

Much love to all of you.

Shenaigh

Is it time to go yet?

In 12 more days 8 of us will begin the journey to Bolivia. For some of us it's a return trip with excitement to re-connect with familiar faces, sights, foods and yes even smells. For others this is a new adventure with hopes and dreams and maybe even fears. For all it will be 16 days of another culture, language and stretching of ourselves.

Am I pumped? Absolutely yes! Not only do I get to return to a country where I lived for a year but I get the opportunity of leading a team of 7 other fantastic people. I am excited to see the plans God has for us, the ways in which He will use us and grow us and the ways we will gel together as humans. We will be working directly with our church's partner the Casa de la Amistad during those 2 weeks. The first week with the teachers in a supportive workshop setting as well as in their classrooms preparing for the new school year. The second week we will be at the Casa as the program begins a new year, helping and supporting however we can.

We want to invite you to join us as we together begin this next phase of our ongoing partnership with Bolivia. Your prayers and support are crucial to this ministry. You are as important in that role as we are going and for that we are thankful.

Stay tuned and we will try our best to keep you up to date as we journey along.

Norma Whittle