Saturday Post -- 20/02/16

Coming soon to Trinidad, Bolivia. Population: 120,000.

This weekend, Bolivia goes to the polls for a truly historic referendum. We have to be very careful about expressing political opinions here (especially as foreigners), so in describing the current political climate, I will restrict myself to facts that have been widely reported and are widely accepted.

• On the back of a third consecutive presidential election success in 2014, president Evo Morales' MAS (Movement Towards Socialism) party has set a referendum as to whether or not the constitution can be re-written to allow a president to seek a third term in office.
• Morales had the constitution (which allows for two presidential terms) re-written and endorsed by the people in a referendum in 2009, just before his second presidential election victory. Thus, while he is technically already serving his third term, the first one in this case doesn't count as it was under an old constitution. 
• Morales' current term ends in 2019. He is already the country's longest serving president, and a new term would potentially see him in power until 2025.
• In the event of a 'Yes' vote, the parochial, remote and largely unpopular Beni region (where we live) is set to benefit from, among other things, an international airport, according to pro-government campaign material.
• Should the Beni deliver a resounding 'No', questions will be raised as to the validity of last year's gubernatorial vote, in which MAS secured a most unexpected victory. Moreover, in such an event, it is likely the current governor will be removed from office and replaced by a former Miss Bolivia (yes, that one). 
• To mark his decade in office, in January, Morales and his vice-president began the day, a national public holiday, by offering animal sacrifices to Mother Earth at the ruins of ancient Inca city Tiwanaku. Morales then delivered a six-hour-long speech, broadcast nationally, heralding the achievements of his government. The speech was carried by all of Bolivia's television channels, which were threatened with closure in the event of non-broadcast.
• In the event of a 'No' vote, according to Bolivia's vice-president, "the sun will cease to shine and the moon will hide." 
• In the event of a 'Yes' vote, Morales would still have to run as a candidate in 2019.
• Vast sums of government money have been spent on campaigning for a 'Yes' vote.
• Bolivia remains the poorest country in South America.
• On the eve of the vote, polls are neck-and-neck.

Make of that what you will.

Prayer

• It's been a tough week for us as a church community. Earlier this week, a teenage boy who was a regular attender up until a few years ago (his siblings are still very much involved at the church) committed suicide. As is standard practice here, the burial took place soon after, but as a church, the comforting process has only begun. The parents have never been involved in the church, but the father has this week expressed to Craig and his fellow elders a desire to 'return to the Lord'. Pray for healing for the family and wisdom for the church.

Praise

• The staff meetings at FT this week were a great success, with visible evidence in the aftermath of greater unity, and a greater understanding from the staff as a whole as to FT's general direction and focus. 
• Edwin travelled home safely on Monday, after further ministry in Trinidad over the weekend. Give thanks for the great blessing he has been to us here, as a family, as a church, and as a group of Langham students.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig & Amanda