Episode 21: Head First

Do you like our blog re-design? Big thanks to Mr. Pete Bailey!

A bit later than planned, here is podcast episode 21, and here are all our pictorial goings-on from the last couple of months:

Sam marked the start of the school holidays 
by graduating from Kindergarten.

He has plenty more time for this kind of thing now.

We took a few days away to a favourite haunt
of ours: Refugio Los Volcanes. 

Here they are playing in the river.

Craig got excited about football again.

An expat gathering for the Euro 2020 final. Spot the lone 'Italian'. 

Prayer Points

• Give thanks for the recent opportunity to get a break from the city as a family.
• Give thanks that we have been able to return -- once again! -- to in-person church. Pray that we will be able to get as long a 'stretch' as possible, in order to re-establish some kind of normality in areas like hospitality and children's ministry.
• Pray for our Latin Link Strider Maribel, that she will be able to travel successfully to the UK. Pray for wisdom for Amanda and others as they guide her through this process.
• Pray for Bolivia, that the vaccination programme might advance quickly and we can achieve some degree of 'herd immunity' sooner rather than later.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig, Amanda & Sam

Episode 19: A Little Respect

Our time in Canada is coming to its end and we've found time to record a podcast episode looking back on our two months here, while also continuing in our series on cross-cultural differences. Here is the episode: we hope you are blessed by it.

And here, as usual, are a few pictures we've taken recently (prayer points below):

The weather here has been fascinating! This was proper shorts 
and T-shirts weather at the end of March...and it is snowing as 
I write!

Crucially, Sam has had lots of quality time with 
his cousins, Philip and Simon. It was worth the 
trip for that alone.

Sam also marked his 6th birthday here, on the 14th. 
Octonauts to the rescue!

Obligatory visit to the British shop!

When in Rome...

Prayer

• Give thanks to our gracious Father for this time in Canada...
• For the understanding shown by our various ministries, and their ability to cover for us while we've been gone.
• For the chance to tell old friends and new here about what's going on in Bolivia.
• For getting our key administrative tasks here done in good time.
• For the support of family, especially Amanda's mother, who has stayed with us and cooked delicious meals every evening!
• For the extended time we have been able to spend with family, especially Sam with his cousins.
• For the rest we have enjoyed here. What a difference non-stop free evenings make!
• For safety in the face of Ontario's third wave, and the God-given patience and grace to roll with the punches.
• Pray for safe, hassle-free travels and a smooth readjustment to Santa Cruz. We are due back on the 1st of May (next Saturday)
• Sam's school has requested permission from the authorities to reopen. Pray that this might be granted soon.

Finally, our latest email update is hot off the press. If you would like to be added to our email lists, send us an email to cramandaham@blogspot.com.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig, Amanda & Sam

Episode 18: London Calling

Hello, friends! We are now mere days away from the end of our two-week quarantine period here in Canada. For more on this, listen to our latest podcast episode, where we also continue in our series on cultural differences. This time, our focus is on individualism vs group identity.

Some pictures and prayer requests, below. 

Our last major commitment in Bolivia was the Latin Link Bolivia 
retreat. Here we are, socially-distanced and bemasked. Not since 
the first outbreak had we been so careful to follow the rules as a family.

A few days later, we were awaiting the 11pm 
flight to Miami. 

Sam didn't waste time in getting to grips with 
the snow.

Nor did Mummy.

We are glad of our backyard, which has made 14 
days of quarantine a little more bearable.

'Freedom' awaits!

Prayer

• Give thanks for our time with our Latin Link team at retreat; under the circumstances, it probably went as well as we could have hoped.
• Give thanks for a safe, smooth journey to Canada. 
• Give thanks that Sam is able to continue with his schooling from here.
• Quarantine hasn't been as testing as we'd feared. Give thanks to God for his mercies every day.
• Give thanks that last week's Biblical Contextualisation's course, taught by Craig, went well.
• Pray for discernment as things open up here slowly.
• Pray for positive engagement with churches and supporters here.
• Pray for continued rest.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig & Amanda

Episode 16: 19, '20, '21

Here is the link to our final episode of 2020. Please help to grow our podcast by visiting this link and rating 'Los Cunningham'!

Sam made a card for his teacher (sent virtually, of
course). Feel free to insert your name here, friends.

Sadie Grace and Victor said, "¡Sí!".

Sam got his Canadian passport! A big piece in the 'home assignment 
2021' puzzle. 

We've 'done Advent' this year for the first time as a family, with 
nightly readings and candle-lightings. It's been really special.

As mentioned in the podcast, we are so thankful to God for those many people worldwide who have supported us in prayer and financially, particularly in this year of tremendous constraints. Thank you for you continued prayerful support and interest in us.

If you feel led to support our work financially in 2021, click on the relevant link for your country under the 'Support' heading on the right-hand side. 

May you know the 'peace to those on whom his favor rests' this Christmas, and 'the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus [our] Lord' in 2021. 

See you on the other side! 

¡Feliz Navidad!

Craig, Amanda & Sam

Episode 15: Samaipastors

Our latest podcast episode is right here (or on the right-hand side). Here are some pictures from the last couple of weeks.

Here we are in the main plaza of Samaipata, 
where we spent a few days out of the city.

Ta. Da.

This is El Fuerte, a stunning Inca ruin just outside Samaipata.

We went horseback riding!

Napoleon tagged along.

I think it's a sign.

This is Cuevas, a beautiful park about 30 minutes from Samaipata.

We were joined by Mark Hunt, the pastor of 
La Paz Community Church (you can hear an 
interview with him on the podcast).

Here are Sam and Mark, back in Santa Cruz.

Pigeon-feeding in the plaza. When in Rome...

This was really exciting. Dydier, a member of the church and 
one of the Langham students here in Santa Cruz, preached 
last Sunday for the first time!

Sam is learning about money in school (had to 
happen some day!). Here he is playing 'shop' 
for homework. Buying...

...and selling.

And staying with currency, Sam lost his first tooth! 
(PS. Its next-door neighbour fell out a few days later.)

Prayer Points

• Give thanks for the mutual encouragement afforded by Mark's visit with us.
• Give thanks for the chance to get away as a family for a few days.
• Give thanks for the progress of Dydier and other Langham students.
• Pray for continued wisdom for Amanda in her work with Latin Link short-term volunteers.
• Pray for the church, as we move into the season of Advent and hope to see more of our long-term absentees return.
• Keep praying that a second wave might be avoided here.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig & Amanda

Episode 14: Bad Backs and Comebacks

Our late latest podcast episode is right here!

Here are some pictures from the last few months.

Sam on a visit to the Stansberry Children's Home, 
with our Latin Link volunteer Andrew.

Back in black.

Back in the pulpit.

Back to school.

Craig took part in a 120km cycle to raise money 
for a local rehabilitation ministry (don't worry, 
it was mostly downhill).

Sam and friends at the local Lomas de Arena.

A happy family. 

Prayer Points

• Give thanks for Amanda's re-emergence from burnout symptoms recently after a tough six months. Keep praying for this.
• Give thanks for Sam's positive start to the school year. Pray for wisdom as we help him through some behavioural issues.
• Give thanks for the church's re-opening in October and the great encouragement this has been to our faith community.
• Pray for Amanda in her role as Latin Link Bolivia's short-term co-ordinator, as she walks with our younger volunteers during this challenging time.
• Give thanks for a relatively peaceful presidential election in October.
• Pray for rain! This region of Bolivia is suffering from severe drought right now, and there have also been some terrible forest fires.
• A second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is likely on its way. Pray for wisdom on the part of key decision-makers, patience in the event of a lockdown and, above all, for a viable solution to this crisis.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig, Amanda & Sam