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

Episode 11: Diecinueve

The Langham escuelitas enjoyed a great day-workshop back in early mid-March,
in the 'BC' era. This picture may as well have been taken a decade ago. 

A trip to the zoo...

...yielded monkey-spottings.

Cheer up, Sam! The joy of schoolwork by WhatsApp.

Extra-curricular activities have included the crafting of plasticine aliens.

No social distancing round these here parts!

Prayer Points

• Give thanks for this extended time together as a family.
• Pray for this extended time together as a family!
• Give thanks that we remain, so far as we can tell, untouched by COVID-19.
• Pray for Bolivia as a country, that inter-class tensions would not be exacerbated by current events.
• Pray for the Christian community here, whose work has either ground to a halt or can only be continued via God-given creativity and imagination.
• Be assured that our prayers go with you in these uncertain days. May you know the peace of God, our Refuge and Strength.

¡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

Episode 9: Colombia Records

The conference venue in Armenia, Colombia. Because missionaries are
allowed to have fun too.

Amanda leads a prayer session.

Santiago tunes up.

Colombia beat Ecuador 4-0! (That plant around the perimeter is coffee, of course)

The scenery around Armenia is stunning.

A beautiful old town called Salento. 

Can't wait till we can visit again.

Bajia La Concha, Santa Marta. See caption for first photograph.

Samcastles!

Prayer Points

• Give thanks for the Lord's goodness to us and protection over us in Colombia: we had a really encouraging week at the LAM Canada conference, and plenty of much-needed relaxation the week after.
• Pray for us as we settle back into a more 'normal' rhythm, especially for Sam.
• Remember Amanda in your prayers as she works alongside short-term volunteers (including three recent arrivals) and begins her new biblical counselling course.
• Pray for Craig in his work for Langham Preaching, particularly in preparation for the day-workshop in March.

¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Craig, Amanda & Sam