Friday, July 19, 2013

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday happenings in Bolivia...ice cream, retreats, breakfast for pastors and wives, and more!


July 18, 2013 10:02 a.m.

Buenos dias!  We are in Miami airport waiting for our flight to Boston.  The past few days have been spectacular and once again a demonstration of the great faithfulness of God. 
 
Monday:  Pastor Jensen and Paige spoke at a pastor and wives breakfast on Monday morning to more than 25 Bolivian pastors and their wives.  The theme was 'perseverance in ministry' and the pastors and their wives very much appreciated what the Jensens shared, so much so that they asked them to come again and share for a longer time.  The women’s retreat on Monday went very well and our OSLC ladies were blessed to encourage the women of Florida Norte.  Wait until you see some of the photos of Connie in her 'ocean/swimming gear!'  She is an excellent and fun teacher for sure!  Monday evening we were privileged to dine with Lorna Bailey, an SIM missionary who previous teams have met as she has been the Guesthouse manager at SIM for years.  We then took the ministry leaders and other church members to Dumbo’s, an ice cream place in downtown Cochabamba.  What a blessing to encourage these dear brothers and sisters in Christ and share in delicious ice cream with them!

Tuesday: Tuesday was a wonderful and emotional day as we visited an orphanage in the morning with Evelyn and Esteban, two of our dear friends from the Florida Norte church.  The orphanage had about 35 children, some with special needs.  We sang Bible songs, shared a Bible lesson using the Evangecube, played games with balloons and visited with these precious children whom God loves very much.  A Bolivian couple runs the ministry and uses the funds that the husband earns from his work wages to fund the orphanage.  We were honored to meet them.  We were able to give a donation to the orphanage through the Florida Norte Church, and the members of the church are going to begin working with this orphanage in the days to come.  Praise God!
      Tuesday night found us at the church for a farewell celebration and missions-focused evening.  Pastor Jensen preached a message on the Great Commission of Jesus, and we celebrated what the church has been doing in their missions ministries while encouraging them to consider some new options as well. We also reviewed some of the ministry activities that had happened earlier in the week to reinforce those.  This fall the Florida Norte church family is sending Ruth, a young adult woman, to Pakistan to work in medical missions.  Ruth is currently raising funds for this, and we are bringing back many of her prayer cards with us.  Because of the generosity of our church family and friends, we were able to donate $500 toward Ruth’s fundraising efforts.  She shared with me on Tuesday night that one of the main motivations that God used to encourage her was our church’s missions ministry and example.  What a humbling thing to be used by God to raise up more go-ers to take the great message of Christ’s triumphant love to the nations!  Only God could use a church from Massachusetts to help encourage a young woman from Cochabamba, Bolivia to go to Pakistan!  To Him be all the glory! 

Wednesday:  Wednesday was a day of packing, shopping, a delicious Bolivian meal cooked by Ruth San Martin (the best cook in Cochabamba), and tearful goodbyes.  I will post more photos upon returning to Boston and other team members will blog as well.

   We love you and thank you for your prayers and love for us!  Together God used all of us, go-ers and senders, for His glory!

Dios es Bueno todo el tiempo!

Mateo Beish

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