Saturday Post -- 30/07/11

This week's post comes to you from Santa Cruz, where we managed to arrive in one piece on Wednesday. We got a flight booked for Wednesday lunchtime, well ahead of the trial (on the Thursday) and a major protest march (on the Wednesday afternoon). But as it turns out, the trial itself didn't even end up taking place, with the Beni governor managing to force a postponement. All said and done, it gave us a full week here in the big smoke before our flight to Canada this coming Wednesday, the 3rd of July.

And we're making the most of it. As mentioned last week, we managed to get accommodation with the family of a missionary nurse (not doctor, as I mistakenly said last week) who Amanda had met on the boat trip. Their names are Bill and Bev Smith and they have three children: Nicholas, Jessica and Benjamin. Bev works in a missionary clinic here in Santa Cruz while Bill is a teacher at a school here for the children of missionaries. They themselves are on the point of heading to the US for a furlough year, but before that they're squeezing in another field trip, meaning that, since Friday morning, we've had the house to ourselves. We've already spent many a happy hour reading in their garden (the grass really is greener -- or, more to the point, existent -- in Santa Cruz) and Amanda's enjoyed the company of the dogs, though I'm in the bad books (doghouse?) as I won't let them lie on our bed.

Santa Cruz itself is a pretty good holding-cell for our transition to Western ways. While marked by the typical sprawl and chaos of a third world city, it's got a sizeable upper class and, in certain districts, provides the services they demand. Last night, for example, we went to see a film at a multiplex cinema, surrounded by designer clothes shops and a food court. We're just back in from having a snack at a coffee house in the main plaza that would not be out of place on Byres Road. The internet speeds are way faster than anything we've come across in Bolivia.

In so many ways, it's a cut above Trinidad, and yet, our heart is very much in our home city. Tears weren't quite shed, but as we said our farewells to friends over the last few days there, we realised just how blessed we have been, and in some respects came to see that many considered us greater friends to them than we had even realised. Ministries are important, but at the end of the day, it's the people that matter, and God has put so many of real value in our lives.

It's fair to say that, from January onwards, we've been more-or-less counting down the months, weeks, then days till Wednesday, but much as we enjoy living in Trinidad, we hadn't expected to be so sad. Yet more affirmation, I suppose, from the Lord of our ministry and our place in that particular corner of the globe right now.

We've taken the decision not to commit ourselves to weekly updates while in Canada -- our main news items could involve such hijinks as, say, finding a tiara that's shiny enough for Jessica's wedding. However, I get bored easily and could do with the company, so look out for sporadic updates over the next couple of months. And, of course, there's plenty you can be praying for, so see below for relevant points.

Finally, if you're in Canada, remember that we'll be visiting various churches, so have a look at the list below if you're interested in coming to hear us give a report. And if you can't make it to any of those, or if you just fancy a general natter, drop us a line and we'll look into touching base.

Wednesday, 10th of August
West Fifth Bible Chapel, Hamilton, 7pm

Wednesday, 14th of September
Markham Bible Chapel, 7.30pm

Thursday, 15th of September
Mount Albert Bible Fellowship, 8pm

Sunday, 25th of September
Rosslyn Ridge Bible Chapel, Ajax, 6pm

Prayer
• For Amanda as she oversees various aspects of the preparation for Jessica’s wedding on the 27th of August.
• For our church meetings, that we’d give a faithful and clear account of the Lord’s work in Trinidad.
• For our time with our respective families.
• For safety on the road and in the air.
• For time and space to reflect critically upon our first 18 months and plan for the future.
• For a good rest!

Praise
• For the Lord’s faithfulness to us since January 2010 (and, let’s be honest, way before then too).
• For getting out of Trinidad safely.
• For the opportunity to re-charge the batteries a little here in Santa Cruz.
• For the many friends out there, like yourself, who take time out to read our blog and pray for our ministry – your support is so crucial to what we do out here. Thank you once again.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig & Amanda