Hello all,
About once a week, I'll head down from El Alto to the center of Bolivia's capital La Paz to do visa paperwork, or meet with a Bolivian church that supports our work, or just get a café con leche and read a good book. As likely as not, I'll run into an expat or missionary acquaintance and they'll ask how I'm doing.
How's work, they'll ask.
The problem with this conversation: there's the answer I give, which is usually short and doesn't require follow-up or committed emotional involvement. And then there's the more complicated, convoluted truth.
So when they ask, how's work, I answer: As good as can be expected.
Which means: We see girls making progress and backsliding all the time. There are tragedies and triumphs. We're getting better at what we do and how we do it, but we still mess up all the time. We have finally worked out a time-line for our Economic Project/Rehab Program (HOPEFULLY starting June 2009) but there are so many unknown factors that could still affect it.
Which means: I just four fantastic month had my last amazing Servant Team and it was sad to see them go. And now I'll transition into a position as “Economic Development Assistant,” a position I wasn't trained for and can't guess what it involves, but where the Lord seems to be pointing me.
And how's your community, they ask.
We're still alive, I answer.
Of course, if they know us well I elaborate. That Heather just celebrated her 30th birthday in Bolivia with a cake that should have been banned for breaking fire codes.
That Luke Baker just celebrated his second birthday in an airplane-themed party (ever play “Pin the Pilot in the Plane”?). But a few weeks before, he had what appeared to be another epileptic seizure, his first in a year and a half. His medication was adjusted and there haven't been any more scares, but he could use prayer.
Also Andrea Baker was just diagnosed with a hemorrhaging disk in her neck. Yes, THAT explains why her left arm has been going numb for 3 months. She's on medication, but if things don't improve, she may need spinal surgery.
And what do you think about all these crazy politics, they ask.
This, dear reader, is a subject for a future prayer letter (hopefully soon). There are rumors or civil war and approaching Communism, exaggerations and misinterpretations by the media, the realities of marches and blockades and strikes, but we are still safe, secure, and trusting in the Lord to guide the leadership and direction of Bolivia.
Then they ask, how's the weather up there in El Alto?
Cold, I say.
Which is really the only uncomplicated truth. Winter showed up on Wednesday with a lots of snow. For my birthday last week, I received 1. A sweater 2. A sweatshirt and 3. A down comforter. Evidently friends think I'm still dressing for Africa.
Much love in Christ,
Cara Strauss
*Somewhat related, because of recent political and economic changes (read: relative chaos) American Airlines has the only flight to the States. They have adjusted their prices accordingly (read: unheard of price-gouging because of their monopoly.) If anyone has any AA frequent flier miles that they wouldn't mind donating, it would be an amazing gift. Thanks for all your help.