Branch Tour

We had the privilege of touring the branch here in Santa Cruz and we're invited to stay for lunch with the Branch overseer and his wife--Doug and Saray Little. Beautiful, as you would expect. There are approx. 130 bethelites that serve here.  Even though the country is very different, one thing stays the same--Jehovah's organization.  Lots of love.

We are still trying to catch up on sleep. Can't get a full night with all the peritos and traffic but we are adjusting--siestas!!

Friday we leave for our congregation in Cocha-what? We can't wait.  They say about the people there: "They live to eat".  We'll put that to the test.

Thanks for all the comments, we love reading them.

Our new service vehicle....we wish

Where they have Bethel family WT study

Finally here!!!

Well, after what seemed an eternity we have made it to Bolivia.  Sorry we weren't able to post yesterday, just got internet connection.  We have had an eventful day.  We met two missionary sisters, one from Canada, and one from Mexico.  Both live above the KH in an old missonary home.  They have been in their assignments for a combined 80 years!! Both are very humble and warm.  We went with sister Cruz (Mexico) to a doctor's appt. and afterward we were going to eat together but her appt. ran long.  So there we were, 4 gringos by ourself in La Plaza (middle of town) of a city of 3 million.  We passed our first test--picked a restaurant (and didn't get sick) and negotiated two taxi rides, one for less than the going rate.  We were so proud.

.....in La Plaza........

plato tipico de comida (typical Bolivian food--chicken con aji (spicy pepper), potatoes, plantains.

Passed Security

All bags checked, made through security check point, even Ricci with all his gadgets.  Finally able to take a breath.  Now, 12 hours of flight.  Everything has gone very smooth, suprisingly so.  Miss everyone!

50 pounds is not a lot.....

I know this looks like we have a ton of stuff, but 2 bags per person at 50 pounds each doesn't get you much.  We are in Washington DC and tomorrow is lift off.  Miss everybody mucho already!!

Last Meeting

We took a congregation photo after the meeting......

Less than a week and no cold feet

Thanks again to all who have emailed us and wished us well.  We have been in contact with two brothers in Bolivia that are arranging several things for us.  One is Bro. Rios in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.  He is going to give us a place to stay while we tour the branch and see some of the sites of this city.  There is also a missionary sister who lives next door above the KH.  She attends a congregation in the indigenous language of Aymara. She graduated Gilead at the age of 18 (single) and has been in her assignment for over 35 years (still single)! She may or may not have a spitting llama--reports are unclear.

Brother Remberto lives in the town where we will end up--Cochabamba--and also attends our future congregation, Los Robles.  He has found an apartment for us to stay in and has been extremely kind and warm.  He seems very humble.

We'll send pictures to back up these accounts soon, especially of the spitting llama

Hi all---
Just a quick note to thank everyone for their support and kindness.  The countdown is on--12 days left! We will do our best to keep the blog up to date with the happenings.