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 17: About Time

Happy new year! After a fairly restful start to 2021 for us, and a wee bit later than planned, here is our first podcast episode of the year. We're embarking on a short series exploring the differences between 'hot climate' and 'cold climate' cultures. These are pretty fascinating, and even after 11 years in a 'hot' context, we're still learning so much. 

Thank you for all your show feedback! In response to this, we are trying to keep the episodes a little bit leaner and meaner; this one clocks in at a relatively nippy 21 minutes. 

As usual, to accompany the episode, here are a few recent photos, and some prayer requests (below).

We got away for a few days between Christmas and new year. 
Sam and Amanda contemplated life over a bag of goldfish 
crackers in this stunning fern forest. As one does.

Samaipata -- geddit!

It's been exciting to relaunch the men's Bible study over the last 
month. We are studying J.I. Packer's 'Knowing God' together.

Hora de selfie.

Prayer Points

• Give thanks for a period of rest over Christmas and new year.
• Pray for Sam as he embarks on a new term of virtual schooling.
• Pray for wisdom for Amanda in her work with short-term volunteers, particularly those who are 'on the move' at this time.
• Pray for Craig as he teaches the Biblical Contextualization course next week.
• Pray for some solid fellowship and spiritual growth at the Latin Link retreat next week.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig & Amanda

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 10: Out of the Overflow

It's been a remarkably dry 'rainy season' this year, as
evidenced by this dusty road near our house.

Speaking of roads, these cars were getting a layer of mud applied so as to
prepare for the carnage of Carnaval (they spray paint at you here). A not
uncommon sight.

Sam in silly-selfie mode. There's definitely a west-of-Scotland thing going on here.

Remember Mariana from Trinidad? She graduated from Etnos last week! This
is a seminary with a particular focus on tribal missions and unreached peoples.
Here she is with husband  Nathan (they married just a couple of months ago).
Craig has known her since she was just eight years old and, of course, we served
alongside her at Fundación Totaí for many years. What a joy to see her graduate!

Sam with his friend Zoe, at church.

More of the same. I think that's quite enough for now.

Prayer Points

• We are busy, but very much serving from 'the overflow of the abundance' of God's grace. It's an exciting place to be. Give thanks.
• Give thanks for the progress we are seeing in Sam.
• Give thanks for the opportunity to come alongside other church and ministry leaders in Santa Cruz in the last month.
• Pray for our upcoming travels: Amanda to Cochabamba and Oruro (11th-14th), Craig to Scotland (17th-26th).
• Pray for the Langham event taking place today (Saturday 7th) and for preparations for the Level 1/2 event in June.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig & Amanda