Week 2

A bridge in San Francisco square in central La Paz

Now, you´ll have to forgive me for this week's post as the business of life here has led to week two and three becoming merged in my memory. Yes, I know, simply solution Jon; write stuff down, but I'm a boy so...

That Minor Inconvenience...

Suzzie shopping. 

Monday is shopping day. As I've mentioned previously the church cook us lunch everyday but when it comes to dinner and breakfast, we have to paddel our oen canoe. So on Monday Suzzie, Alex, and I had the task of heading into Senkata, (a district of El Alto with a massive market) to perform the weekly shop. As we turned onto the main El Alto highway/street we were met by something we had been warned about but not yet experienced; a blockade. Now I´m not sure about you, but when I think of a blockade, I imagine a sign in the road with maybe two cars parked either side, and maybe some angry looking blokes. I don't imagine, an area of boulders, with signs all around, followed by about 15 large lorries blocking the entire road! Getting around it was a mission and getting back, well, lets just say dinner was served a little late that night!

Our First Guest...

Children in one of the chruch school classes.

Tuesday night was very exciting. Having got to grips with our cooker we felt it was time to invite Carmen and her husband Irwin over for dinner. A simple but affective tuna pasta bake was decided upon and we began preperation in plenty of time. All was in place for a fine cuisine...
Without doubt, it was the worst meal we´ve ever cooked! The taste was acceptable, the texture however was that of baby food, although it was stodgy enough to build a house with. Thankfully we were able to laugh at it and ourselves and Carmen shared with us her testimony, which was the most heartfelt honest thing ever, and more than made up for the sub-standard meal. Carmen works in the kids school and the church with her husband Irwin and although her testimony was fairly 'normal' her commitment to the children at the school and God was inspirering. Despite our massive cooking fail, it was an amazing evening, one that really just reminds you why your a Christian.

Building...

The Church roof w concete beams.

Construction is well underway and materials have all arrived. We had to shift concrete beams for the ceiling/roof (about 30 of them) which were so heavy. We also had to shift then bend, (yes, bend!) industrial sized/strength wire used for reinforcement. Honestly, this construction is the greatest free gym membership ever!!


Just a little footnote; the school that the church run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays is supported largely by the charity Compassion. Carmen told us that around 150 of the 250 children are sponsored through compassion, and out team would love that number to rise, so that every child has a sponsor. If you're interested, please check out compassion and ask for more info, or contact me (although I can't promise a speedy response). I understand that many of you sipport various chaities, including compassion, already but just a heads up that I plan on pushing this when I get home. You have been warned....  

Thank you for you love, prayers, and support. Missing you all..

JJ