Will you pray?

This week we will be leading three evangelistic Bible studies in Patio Bonito and two connecting communities.

The study looks at the basics of the gospel; who is Jesus, His death and resurrection, repentance, belief and grace.
Throughout the study it is stressed that a decision needs to be made; not to make a decision is to decide not to follow Christ.

Would you consider praying for one of these three studies?

On Tuesdays at 11:00 am California time we will be with Luz, her mother Ana and others they invite.

Later on Tuedays at 3:30 pm California time we will with Jimena and Albiero.  They have already invited several to join us.  We will see who attends.

On Wednesdays at 4:30 California time we will meet in Alba Rosa and Abelardo's home with some of the family members who live with them.

 

We are asking God to use this time to establish the beginning of His church in this community with whom we can continue working in the weeks and years ahead!  All for HIS glory!

What would you do?

You get on the bus, find a seat and settle in for a 30 minute ride across town.
A young kid jumps on the bus with a small black bag.
He distributes 2 hard candies to each passenger.
After explaining  his reason for doing this, he needs to raise money, he lets us know that we can pay any price for the candies.  No set price.

So, what would you do?

• Accept the candies as he hands them out, giving him the hope that you are going to buy them...even if you know you will be handing them back-you don't need anymore sugar.
• Purchase the candies....even though he is under-age which means he should be in school or at home, not working on the streets!
• How much will you give him?  You, the buyer must decide the price.

Life requires God's wisdom in the small decisions as well as the "big" ones!

Cheerful Garbage

Garbage collection days. 

Something old and something new.

The old; garbage pick up is on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays which is quite common here.
The new; a Recycler comes on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights.  He comes to the door, and with a cheerful smile  asks if we have anything (of value) to throw away.  He is well-known and trusted here in the neighborhood.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays you can be sure to hear him at 6:00 am calling out Bas-SU-ra (garbage) announcing the  6:45 am arrival of the garbage truck.

The minute he sees your door open he is right there to take your bag and place it on the curb.  Then he returns to his announcement and always sings a cheerful song as he walks up and down the streets!

I must say, garbage collection days have never been more cheerful!  We expect his arrival the night before garbage pick up days.  While we don't usually have anything of value that he can collect for recycling,  we do always have a little snack to give him as he continues with his work!

Oh Be Careful Little Eyes

Perhaps you remember the children's song; Oh be careful little eyes what you see...I often think of the song while in stores here in Colombia.

If your cast a glimpse at any item in a store window or shelf someone will quickly be at your side saying; A la ordén.  (At your service).  You will never be alone again during your visit to the store.  The salesperson will then follow you around the store, asking questions now and then, picking up an item and telling you about it.  Asking what you want to purchase.  

It is nice to have such great help available but as a teacher I often do not know exactly what I am looking for, I simply need a thingamajig.  By the way, thingamajig in Spanish is Cachivache and some stores sell only thingamajigs!  

Shopping in Colombia-a fun adventure to be sure!

What did you say?

WARNING: Names in Spanish may cause smiles to appear on your face!

The third most powerful political leader in Venezuela is Diosdado Cabello which in English is- God-given hair.
Here in Colombia our president is Presidente Santos, or President Saints;
Equador's president is Presidente Correa or President Belt.
In Honduras, Presidente Porfirio Lobo is President Wolf.
Closer to our Californian borader in Mexico we have Presidente Peña Nieto, which translated literally into English would be Rock Grandson. 

But this is not that new.  In California we have numerous names of cities that cause me to chuckle;

• The town of Lard (Manteca) is close to the Exit (Salida).

• You won't need to go through the bathrooms (Los Baños) if you are headed to the cats (Los Gatos)

• You won't hear the sound (Sonora) of  butterflies (Mariposa) because they are too modest (Modesto). 

• And of course Columbia is quite far from Colombia, but both a wonderful places to visit!  And we are told they have better coffee than.....Starbucks!

  

  
  

Would you do this?

We went to visit our dear friends in Patio Bonito with  one of our UWM area directors.  After visiting for awhile with Rosalba and her husband she said she wanted to serve us  hot chocolate, a common drink prepared with chunks of chocolate.  

Her husband was headed to the little store in  front of their house to buy what was needed.  Nelson insisted on going.  He bought a bag of milk, and the packages of chocolate chunks and spent $3,200 Colombian pesos ($1.79USD)-does that sound expensive?  Well....

Before serving us our hot chocolate Nelson was talking with Abelrado about his business.   He has a small cart that he uses to sell ice cream cones.  The day before he made $3,000 Colombian pesos ($1.67USD).  So, they were willing to spend a days wages buying what was needed to serve us hot chocolate!