Day Two, Cochabamba

Well we landed safely last night in Santa Cruz, where we met Ivan from CBM. We took taxi to the hotel and we all felt like we were on the Amazing Race. I was in a taxi with the three teens, and Ethan kept telling the driver Jose Carlos Vroom Vroom and he would start passing everyone. He was pretty cool, even though we could not speak Spanish and he could not speak English.

We got to the hotel we were supposed to stay at and the reservations were mixed up, so we then had to go to another just up the road. The first one was a three star we were supposed to stay in, and we ended up in a four star hotel instead. Before anyone gets excited, can anyone say the old White Spot in Kentville. That would have been a four star hotel in Santa Cruz, lol but we survived and were up early again to catch a fight to Cochabamba.

The we made our way to the CBM guest house which was not far from the airport. It is a court yard that is totally surround by walls with a great big date tree in the middle of it.

We had a great breakfast of eggs, toast, yogurt, and fresh Mango’s that taste nothing like you can get at home. They were definitely the highlight of the meal. We then went to church with Ivan, which was the Spanish service, and he did his best to interpret for us.

He then took us out to eat lunch at Puerto Madero's which everyone enjoyed and it was an adventure to try some Bolivian food. Ethan, Marcie, Emily and I tried the cows tongue and deep fried bananas to name a few. We spent the afternoon just catching up on some much needed rest from the last few days. Tonight we will have our orientation to the county with Ivan, which will be nice to get under way.

We are headed to Mizque tomorrow morning around 10 for a week. It is about from Yarmouth to Liverpool away from Cochabamba (150 km)but will take 3 ½ hours of driving to get there. We are not really sure what the chances for an internet connection might be, but will do our best.

We are leaving today

We made it safely to Halifax yesterday and met up with the folks from New Tusket. We all went to Swiss Chalet as a group for our last real meal till we at least get to Bolivia. We had a short meeting and passed out team t-shirts, so we can keep track of everyone, and had prayer. `We would like to thank the couple who felt lead by God to pay for our rooms last night, thank you the place was very nice. Well the day started very early, like can you say 3 am anyone. We made our flight no problem in Halifax and I find myself sitting in the Toronto airport waiting our flight to Panama that leaves in 45 minutes. Everyone took time to contact home one last time before leaving Canada.

We took the following photo before departing Halifax, and next stop is Panama and Sana Cruz Bolivia by 10:30 or so tonight Yarmouth Time.

So the highlight of our trip from Toronto to Panama was Ethan watching a screw work its way out of the wing of the plane.

The other two highlights were the three teenagers sleeping all but 50 minutes of the trip Toronto – Panama and learning that there is such a place as Central America (and not sure what they teach in school).

By the time we landed in Panama we were looking forward to a good stretch in the airport. We had about an hour and a half to get off the plane and find our other plane that takes us to Sana Cruz. Most of us went to the food court, where we found Quizzno’s, Domino’s Pizza, Hagan Daz, Cinnabon, and many others. We also found out that in an airport they really know they have got you, and the prices are astronomical. It felt like we were at the food court in Mic Mac Mall, except for the prices. Everyone is doing good on the trip so far, just a little tired. It has felt like we have been flying all day.... wait we have.

We are all looking forward to getting to Sana Cruz and our hotel for the night, The Hotel Alaska (kind of a funny name). We will be able to get some sleep before we then fly out Sunday morning to Cochabamba and meet up with our CBM partners. I do believe that Sunday will mostly be a day to catch up from our 15 + hours of traveling today. Keep us all in your prayers, for health, the work we will be completing and relations that will be developed with our STEP partners.


Well all this time we have been preparing to go, and it is here. For our family, church and friends you probably want to know this, 



We took a team photo at the airport this morning before we left, thanks Sheridan for making the T-Shirts on such short notice.

Less than 4 days

            &                  New Tusket

      Baptist Church

 

   

 Short Term Missions Trip

  

Keep us in prayer as we travel

Going to Bolivia

Jan 19   Flight                     Origin                                   Departure            

AC603                   Halifax 5:35 am                 Toronto    7:04 am

CM471                  Toronto 8:40 am                 Panama City 2:12 pm

CM125                  Panama City 4:08 pm        Santa Cruz 10:09 pm

Motel     in Santa Cruz @ Hotel Alaska 

Jan 20^th OBO572                Santa Cruz 7:50 am           Cochabamba  8:35am                      

Returning Home

Jan 31    OBO650                Cochabamba 19:00           Santa Cruz  19:45

Feb 1                     

CM126                  Santa Cruz 2:37am            Panama City 6:22 am

            CM470                  Panama City 6:18 pm        Toronto 11:41 pm

Overnight at Hampton Inn & Suites Toronto Airport

Feb 2                     

AC606                   Toronto 11:41 pm              Halifax  1:46 pm

Bolivia 2013

Well it is hard to believe it is almost time to leave for Bolivia, 11 days and counting.  We all met last night at the New Tusket Baptist Church in order to make final arrangements and chat about any concerns or questions our up coming trip might bring up. We signed our team covenant and got to know one another a little bit more then we had previously, and we were treated to Lorna's cookies which were very good, lol. 

We leave bright and early on the 19, say 5:30 am and head from Halifax to Toronto, then Panama City to Santa Cruz and finally arriving in Cochabamba on the 20th. For many it is the first time out of the country and some even out of the Atlantic Provinces. We will try and keep you updated, God willing and as we will have access to the internet. Please pray that God would speak to each member of the team, for direction not only on the trip but in our lives. May He also use us beyond our abilities to minister to those in Bolivia that we might build relationships with and that CBM already work with. Please pray, Thanks

Garissa and the Kennys

This is from the blog FiveKennys, I met them in Kenya, and was actually in Garissa

Praying for Peace in Garissa

Holes mar the side of the Utawala Church

after this Sunday’s attack in Garissa, Kenya

This week we are meeting with Garissa pastors and Christian leaders for a Canadian Baptist Ministries’ gathering in Nairobi. During the three-day gathering, Erica and Laura will be training seven women leaders on the self help group approach to women’s empowerment, and Aaron, Yattani, William and Michel will be following up on the church-based community development training that we began with the churches in August. We are also thrilled to have our colleague Laurena Zondo joining us to help the pastors and church leaders with communication during times of crisis. Laurena is not only a specialist in communication, but she leads an effective peace and reconciliation ministry among youth in Rwanda. This is a critical time for the people of Garissa, it is a community that needs prayer and healing.

Over the past year, the Garissa Churches have faced a high level of insecurity and persecution. Despite increased police presence, the violence has continued to escalate. On this past Sunday morning, the Utawala Interdenominational Church, which meets for prayer and worship within the Garissa Police barracks, was attacked by militants. Among the 14 wounded, was the pastor who died upon his arrival to hospital. Three members, of the congregation of 30, were air-lifted to Nairobi and are in critical condition. Please remember this church, the family of the pastor and the injured. As we pray for peace in Garissa, we hold on to our faith that God is concerned for the well-being of the vulnerable, and that our Hope is the power and grace of God’s Spirit to transform the hearts and minds of his people.

Thank you for praying

Reformation Day 2012

I came across this by John Piper and wanted to share

After Darkness... Light (Video from Geneva)

  John Piper | October 31, 2012

Dear Friends,

Today is Reformation Day. Martin Luther posted his explosive 95 theses October 31, 1517. In the wake of Luther’s life, an army of Reformers soon emerged. Foremost among them was John Calvin. Together they recovered for the church the supreme authority and clarity of the Scriptures. Grace-erasing tradition had buried the glory of the gospel. But now light was breaking out. So the Reformers took up a Latin phrase to describe the wonder: “Post Tenebras Lux”—“After Darkness... Light.”

In honor of Calvin’s ministry and, even more, in celebration of the God who restored the gospel to his church, we are making this video available today. My prayer is that it would stir in your heart a fresh passion for the majesty of the word of God.

In spite of his flaws, the essential meaning of Calvin's life and preaching is that he recovered and embodied a passion for the majesty of God and his word. The labor of exposition through preaching was the supreme work of his life.

I am no John Calvin. But I do stand with him as a fellow preacher of the majesty of God’s word. Preaching has been the central labor of my life. I pray that God will give me a mind and voice that enables me to preach this word as long as I live. What a gift and privilege that would be.

http://youtu.be

Iamsecond.com

It has been over a year now since I was in Quebec to a conference with the French Baptist Union. While I was there I meet a fellow pastor named Jeremy who had just come joined a new ministry group called E3 full time. He also introduced me to there one of their affiliate ministries called Iamsecond.  I have watched a few of the videos and found them very well done, and have encouraged others to watch them. If they are into baseball, then Josh Hamilton has his testimony , If you like to watch NASCAR then Darrell Waltrip is on there, and many more. One thing I always try to remember is that just because we are Christians, we are not perfect, we will make mistakes this side of glory. I encourage you to not only listen to peoples testimonies but to write yours out. When did you meet Jesus? When did He save you? What does He continue to do in your life?  When we testify to what God is doing in our life, He not only becomes more real to us but to those around us.