Unlike Last Sunday, my team and I went to a Spanish speaking church. The atmosphere was totally different. Instead of hymns we sang praise and worship songs. Of course in Spanish. I did know two songs. Well the English version but I sang with the Spanish words on the screen. It’s was an amazing experience and I could feel the presence of God in the room while we were singing. People were clapping and dancing around the room. When the pastor came up to speak, I’m gonna be honest, I had no idea what he was saying. I knew where he was teaching from but other than that, no idea. After about 20 minutes a girl came and sat by me and she told me she was going to interpret for me. Hallelujah! Thank you Lord for someone who was there to help me out. She was telling me every now and then what the pastor was saying and where he was in the outline. I remember her interpreting a section of the sermon and she said “When times get tough you never give up, you keep on believing in God. Just like when things are going bad you never give up on God because He has never given up on you.” It’s amazing how I had no idea what was going on in the sermon or what the pastor was preaching about, that God sent an interpreter for me to tell me the message He had for me. Yeah it’s frustrating sometimes to not understand but God was saying I got this. Don’t worry I am right here and I will always be here for you. What an amazing time in a church that I didn’t know the language but I got just the message I needed to hear.
After church we went to Dumbo’s. It was amazing. All month long we have been trying to not splurge but me, Ash, Rachel,and Dillion went in on this meal. I got the chicken wings which were fantastic and split Dillion’s sandwich with him. Desert was also a must. Pretty much we were stuffed. After some time of walking around the city of La Paz we got picked up and went to go pick up a couple from one of the houses here because they just had a baby. While we were waiting for them to get out, Reuben our driver drove us around and we took pictures and believe it or not we found a Star Wars house with graffiti on it. I was in heaven. After a quick photo op with that we drove to another location with an amazing view. Personally I enjoyed the day because it was a great day out on the town with my team and we finally had a day to explore together.
Back at my ministry site with the boys it was hit or miss. Some days they had stuff for us to do and others they didn’t. All week I just kept hearing that line from my interpreter saying when things are bad or not going as planned keep your eyes on God because He’s got this and He is working something even when you don’t see it. One day Dillion, Derek, and I got to the house after lunch and we were helping them bake bread. They had the dough but now we were rolling it into balls and then baking it in the oven. I have never before done that but I enjoyed it. The bread was amazing! We got to take some home with us for the rest of the team. Today though we went out and it was soccer again. Of course I’m about to have a heart attack running all over the place and trying to catch these kids but I kept on. Yea soccer isn’t my sport but the joy it brings the kids we work with here. I may be winded but its something that puts a smile on their faces. It’s crazy to think this is the last week I will be here in Bolivia and then we are heading to Lake Titikaka and some ruins this weekend. When we told the boys we were leaving they were telling us that we were not allowed to leave and had to stay with them. It is gonna be weird to leave these guys and head to another country but I am so grateful for the stories and the memories I have experienced here with them. I have seen God working and moving in El Alto and it’s been great to experience what He’s done so far and can’t wait to see what Peru will hold for me and my team.
