Hello Friends from chilly El Alto!
We are in the midst of full rainy season here in Bolivia. It is a cold dreary time, so pray that the weather doesn’t get us down. GOOD things are happening here, and we are excited about the possibilities for the New Year.
As I write Andy and Heather (new WMF staff) are visiting Santa Cruz, a city in south east Bolivia. They are meeting with two girls to encourage them as they continue to transition out of prostitution. Mari is now working in a plastic factory during the day and taking computer classes at night. Ana Paola has opened her own little restaurant, happily cooking chicken and rice for hungry customers. We are so proud of both of these girls, and so honored to have been able to walk with them through this. It has been a long road, but the Lord has been faithful, and we are beginning to see some fruits of that.
Please continue to pray though, as this transition stage can be extremely difficult. Satan will not let them walk away easily! While in prostitution, life functions in survival mode. Away from it all, the days are long and memories begin to flood. This is the time to confront the realities of a painful past. In addition, they are trying to transition into society, having to learn basic relational and living skills. Pray for a supportive community and financial stability. Pray that the Lord would strengthen, protect, sustain and bring about full healing.
On an entirely different note, we wanted to thank so many of you who sent us Christmas cards! I remember our first year here, we received a handful of greetings – in January – but this year we were flooded with pictures and letters and updates. It was so wonderful to hear your news and feel that we have not been forgotten. Thank you!
Well in closing, we should update you on our favorite little person. Elias is now a full-fledged Baker boy. He’s pretty much enamored with anything that rolls (ie., balls and wheels). These are days filled with family wrestling matches, mini-soccer games, battles of the wills and lots of laughter and kisses. He keeps our days full, our hearts happy and brings joy to so many. Please pray for us as parents, as we seek to teach and guide him in the Lord. We are confronted too often with our incapacities and shortcomings!!
Friends, thank you once again for your continued support and love. We find so much comfort in knowing we are not alone in all this.
All our love to you,
Andrea, Andy & Elias