The Baker Clan
Dear friends,
We´re so thankful to walk this road with you and are excited to share some important upcoming news.
Suti Sana
We’re thrilled to announce the official beginning of our after-care program for women in prostitution. On March 1, Suti Sana will open its doors to 6-8 women who desire to leave the sex trade. Within the program, they will undergo group and individual therapy, discipleship, job training and other life-skill classes. Through alternative employment, in-depth counseling and discipleship, many women will be free to experience a world beyond sexual exploitation.
Suti Sana comes from the Aymara language meaning “healed name,” based on Isaiah 62. “…You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.” Our ladies have been called every name imaginable and even work the streets under a chosen pseudo name. But we hope that one day each woman will claim that she’s no longer what her parents yelled at her, what her uncle called her or what she herself has believed, but rather can say she is a new creation, one the Lord loves and takes great delight in!
So please pray:
- For these upcoming months of finalizing the program, training new staff and solidifying funding.
- That we would have abundant wisdom, patience, grace and love as we walk intimately with these woman.
Sabbatical
After almost 9 years of active service with Word Made Flesh, the community has giftied our family 40 weeks of sabbatical rest. We are exitedly planning what this time could be for us.
Please know that sabbatical is not a glorified vacation, but rather an intentional time set apart for rest, reflection and renewal. We have been encouraged to steer away from any obligation to “produce,” but to seek those things that are resftful and life-giving.
We realize that our bodies and spirits are quite tired and in need of some distance from the intense ministry environment we’ve been in. We’re hoping to travel and explore more of Bolivia, longing for joy-filled and playful quality time with family. Additionally, Andrea has dreams of pursuing music and Andy hopes to explore the outdoors and capture its beauty in photoghaphs. Please pray with us as we dream and prepare for this special time.
In other news, the Baker clan is doing well. We enjoyed a simple Christmas and summer break at home this year, making just a few day-trips that were full of family adventures. Elias finally lost his first tooth, the twins are beginning to take their first bites of food and Luke is still as sweet and witty as ever. Mom and Dad are just hoping for one full night of sleep. Thanks for enjoying the adventure with us!
With much love,
The Baker’s