'We may have small houses, but we have big hearts' - Pastor Juan

The day of the 14th March was officially the longest day of my life! Having endured a 9 hour 45 minute flight to Miami, followed by a 3 hour wait in departures (including the longest, most extensive boarder check ever) followed by another flight lasting 6 hours 30 minutes, team Bo-ru finally touched down in El Alto airport. Tired, jet-lagged, and already feeling short of breath from the altitude, a rather large group from the church family greeted us with coca tea (made from the same leaves that make cocaine..) hugs and kisses. At the grand hour of 5.30 in the morning, even our destroyed bodies appreciated this welcome.

An hour later, after having our first tatse of Bolivian driving and seat sharing, looking like death warmed up, we had done it. The 27 hour 13 minute (yes, I timed it) journey door to door, Nether Stowey to Los Angeles El Alto, was complete. Time to crash, or so one would think...

The Day...

Before 10 o´clock that evening we had;

• Gone over to the church to look around and meet some people
• Been fed the most massive lunch ever which, although lovely, was an effort!
• Had an emotional ´say a bit about yourself´ session with some of the church members. 
• Taken the most dodgy mini-bus journey into La Paz (mini busses are the main form of transport and the system is ridiculous, as are the drivers) .
• Eaten another meal at a huge pizza place in La Paz. 
• Oh, and the minor detail of our team treasurer's card rejected!

The longest day ever, OFFICIAL!!

Altitude...

For some of you this next bit won't make any sense (the link below may help to explain). However, I can now say that I have chundered in Bolivia (ok its not Peru but its the next best thing!).
Living at 4000m above sea level is hardly a walk in the park, and if it were you'd be out of breath after 100 meters. My headache on the first night was so bad that Ali and Suzzie thought I was was dying, as I fumbled around in the dark lounge looking for some Acti-fast. Alex and I, in true cocky boy style, played football early on and our fitness levels were comparable to that of obease smokers. Needless to say, we lost, and the nationalistic man pride was dented. Altitude makes you feel very sick and out of breath after just the slightest physical activity and although we are all adjusted now, they mean it when they say, take it easy at altitude!

Reception...

Our reception here has been truly overwhelming! When people say our presence here is the answer to at least 5 years worth of praying, if not more, and start crying at our arrival, you can begin to appreciate how amazing out reception has been. The stand-in pastor, Juan, has given us his lovely house to live in, the church has cooked for us every lunchtime, they´ve guided us around the area, and invovled us in so much! Juan summed it up perfectly when we arrived by saying,

"We may have small houses, but we have big hearts"

Our first week saw us;

• Music in Church
• Kids Groups (the church run a school tuesday and wednesday which is attended by a total of around 250 children)
• Construction (which in week 1 included a fair amount of destruction) 
• And of course, generally serving.

We´ve had a little explore of La Paz, an amzing city. and are really stuck in already. Banter levels in the team are high, everyone is mucking in, and illness is yet to impair anyone for more than a day (although we've had our fair share..)

Prayer for energy, imporved spanish, and health would be great, and that we as a team and individually grow in out relationship with God. But once again thatnk you for all of your thoughts an prayers.


P.S . Sorry this is a bit late, I´m likely to only be able to acsess the internet on Thursdays, so the posts might be a week behind, e.g we've just finished week 2 and this is a week 1 report. But I´ll do my best, much love..

JJ  

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKFjWR7X5dU