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

Episode 13: Heidi! Hi!

Not sure why, but the usual episode player isn't loading. In any case, you can find our latest podcast episode by following this link, or in the 'Podcast' section on the right-hand side. Thanks!

Our latest COVID discovery: the local 'beach'; really a river that is dry for most of the year,
which also plays host to a large construction site. It seems that health & safety remain a
less than primary concern in the Bolivian construction sector; suits us just fine!

One of these guys is a tired old dog in need of a shower and shave.
The other is our Yorkie.

Sam's latest COVID hobby? Rugby!

A low sun, petals and a classic Bolivian dusty road. So much beauty in the everyday here.

"When through the woods and forest glades I wander..."

Craig's band now has its very own (personalised) face-masks!

"I don't wanna be the Prrrresident of America..."

We had a Bolivian-style barbecue for Craig's birthday on Monday. We forgot to take
pictures, but the aftermath tells its own story. Truly sublime.

Sam's stated motivation in learning to cycle was being able to ride a motorcycle some day.
Our good friend Lewis kindly gave him a flavour recently. 

Chau!

Prayer Points

• Give thanks for God's sustaining hand over these five months. Remarkably, they have flown by!
• Pray for wisdom and safety as the lockdown eases and the pandemic shows no signs of abating.
• Pray for Sam as he embarks on his new school year later this month.
• Pray for the country as a whole. Pray that we might begin to see reversals in the spread of the virus, and pray for an easing of the political tensions in the country, which among other things are severely hampering the efforts of the health sector.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig, Amanda & Sam

Episode 12: Zombieball

It's not been the busiest few months, admittedly, but here are some highlights...

Sam checks in with his classmates on Zoom, Napoleon in tow.

An impromptu fruit stall in our neighbourhood, visited by
a patrolling soldier.

Before.

After. Bless you, Amanda.

Birthday fort!

Shoppin'. 

Juicin'.

Puzzlin'.

Preachin'.

Clippin'. This is the makeshift barbershop set up in our back garden, as referenced
in the podcast.

With a friend's help, I (Craig) was able to get out for an overnight to one of our
favourite haunts here, Regugio Los Volcanes. 

Prayer Points

• Give thanks for the strength we've received to get through these past three months...and pray for plenty more where that came from!
• Give thanks that Sam's school year came to a really positive end.
• Give thanks for the support we are receiving here from our mission and various friends in our community.
• Pray for beneficial sessions with our counsellors in Scotland.
• Pray for contentment and for an acceptance of God's timing.
• Pray for God's healing hand upon Amanda in particular.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig, Amanda & Sam