Saturday Post -- 10/07/10

The last couple of weeks have been something of a rollercoaster. More Space Mountain at Disneyland than Nemesis at Alton Towers in terms of ferocity, but stirring nonetheless. It all began what seems like light years ago, a week past Sunday.

We were enjoying lunch in Trinidad's main plaza, while watching Argentina demolish Mexico (an Argentina victory? Told you it felt like light-years ago!). We were about to pay the bill when we realised we didn't have enough change, so I popped across the road with Amanda's card to perform my famous Latin American disappearing card trick. To the uninitiated, this involves me withdrawing money from an ATM and immediately walking away, overlooking the fact that down in this neck of the woods, the card is given back after the withdrawal, and not before like everywhere else. It was first performed in Cusco, Peru back in the summer of 2003 and was granted a repeat performance, alas, two Sundays past.

Of course, you never realise these things until some time after the event and, sure enough, The Boomtown Rats' classic 'I Don't Like Mondays' was fighting for headspace the next morning. Unfortunately the card was never retrieved and a potential shadow of sorts was cast over the week. It will likely be about a month before we can order a replacement, though I at least still have my card.

A couple of hours later, however, things took an unexpected turn for the better when we received notice from the Immigration office that our carnets had finally arrived from La Paz. Indeed, of the 300 or so cards that they had been waiting to be delivered, ours were in an initial batch of eight, with no telling how long the others were going to take. For this, we were indeed thankful and we immediately made arrangements to pick up the carnets and, on the Wednesday, sort out what we'd really been waiting for: our driving licences.

After about 101 moto rides to several different agencies, by Thursday afternoon, we were finally in proud possession of our Bolivian licences, meaning that last weekend, we could finally take hold of our car, which we had paid for over a month ago. As you can imagine, we're delighted to have this mobility. Indeed, as Amanda pointed out the other day, it's the first time since we got married that both of us have been legally certified to drive in the same country. So Amanda can do the shopping without me now. Well, not quite...

The car came in handy on Wednesday as we somewhat disbelievingly marked our third anniversary in a local restaurant. As always, it presented us with a great opportunity to reflect on the past three years and how far we've come -- and how much further we still have to go! This week, we've both been assisting at FT's five-day club for the local school holidays with one of our duties being to go over the memory verse of the day with the 80-strong group of kids. On Wednesday, Amanda presided over the memorising of the oft-quoted Jeremiah 33:3: "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." As I considered the verse on our anniversary, I was struck by just how true this has been of our lives so far, pre- and post-wedding. We have by no means been faithful to the Lord's calling at every moment throughout our lives, but when we have cried out to him, the answers have not always been what we sought, yet not one of them can now be questioned -- not least, our presence and work here in Trinidad, Bolivia, something we were certainly not planning for in the first year or so of our marriage, but which has so far proved a significant blessing in our lives.

As far as work has been concerned over the last fortnight, preparation for, and execution of, the five-day club have been foremost in our thoughts. And, in a sense, we've only really just begun. This week was something of a dry run for next week, when we will, God-willing, set off for the remote village of San Pedro to take the club on the road! The trip, mainly on dirt roads, will be embarked upon not only by the five-day club team but FT's health staff (with Amanda switching roles for the week) as an opportunity to carry out health checks and health education sessions among a remote people group. We're travelling there and back, so it'll be a great opportunity to take our new set of wheels into their natural habitat. You won't find me driving a Chelsea Tractor!

Finally, predictions for the weekend? My heart says Holland (the Orange Scotland, let's be honest), but my head Spain, which will be music to the ears of my boss, Dr. Diego. Perfect timing after Andy Murray's gift-wrapped surrender to Rafa Nadal. At this rate, who's to say even perennial loser Sergio Garcia can't go on and win the Open Championship? Come to think of it, I may get lucky on that front -- there's more chance of me never losing another bank card.

Prayer
• For focus, energy and a faithful witness as we embark on next week’s treks.
• For Craig as he assists in writing FT’s six-monthly report.

Praise
• For a great first five-day club this week.
• For the provision, at long last, of our carnets.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig & Amanda