Photo Friday

This week I spent three days out of town with three other great guys as we spent some dedicated time planning for 2014.  We really honed in on the three highest priorities, and the objectives and activities for getting there.  It was a great time of discussion and excitement for what is coming. 

Oh, and we may have had a little fun too....

This was our home for three days.  A quiet place...  right in the middle of a 9-hole golf course.

Dan Collins is our Team Leader here, but we all really pushed each other in a great way.

We used every method you can imagine to bring everything together.

Including good food...

And even a little physical activity!

Truth be told...  We may not be the best golfers!

I'm proud to be a part of this team, and hope you will join us in praying for Bolivia in 2014, as we work to partner with local churches in new and exciting efforts.

Theology of Work

I'm pretty sure you'll end up hearing more about this from me at some point.  One of the things I have really enjoyed while being here is gaining a better "Theology of Work."  All too often we remember that work was cursed, while we forget that work was pre-fall, and a part of God's perfect plan for our lives.

If you're interested in learning more about this topic, there is a great website with a very comprehensive look at the topic available here:

http://www.theologyofwork.org/

Photo Friday

These are from a couple weeks back, but I thought I should still share some photos of our trip to Oruro, where we worked as a team to teach and share with Bolivian youth from all across the country during a national youth conference.

We had to cross some heights in the Andes mountains to get there.  For those of us who are "metrically challenged," that is 14,750 feet in elevation.

And traveling Bolivian roads is not without its hazards!

 But apparently our Bolivian co-worker Jhonny thinks he has the solution.

 Duane Guthrie works for Canadian Baptist Ministries, but also works closely with Emprendimiento Mundial.  Duane has a real passion for sharing and teaching a sound "Theology of Work."

 With my limited Spanish I was able to lead some activities.

 We enjoyed some great conversations with young people from all across the country.

A great time was had by all, and we saw the future of Bolivia stepping out in faith.

Photo Friday

Based on the ceremony alone, Kellton should be ready to go out and get a job now!  Thursday night was Kindergarten graduation, and like any chance for a fiesta, the Bolivians went all out.  The first half consisted of dances from around the world, and the second half was a full-blown graduation ceremony.

Saudi Arabia

New Zealand

Traditional Bolivian with both Quechua and Aymara styles.

And this would be the U.S. entry!  Dana spent weeks working with the kids on the Cha-Cha slide, and she sewed the costumes herself.

Good lookin' pair there.  Too bad the cameraman was a little shaky.

Our kids usually go to bed at 7, and this ceremony finished up at 9 at night!

Congratulations Kellton.

Land locked pirates

With Halloween this week, it felt normal to get in some quick, homemade costumes.  We went to a pirate birthday party for one of Kellton and Astoria's classmates.  Arrrrr!