Bolivia – Update

The road blocks have been lifted and life is getting back to normal for the most part in Cochabamba. They will start up again, but for now, life can go on.There were two camps back to back this past weekend. Mostly village kiddos. Both were part of World Vision Programs. Both were VERY large groups. There were plenty of counselors and helpers this time
and that made the camps go much more smoothly, as you can imagine. However, one little blockage caused major problems. Water. There was no water and with around 300 volunteers and youth you can
imagine the bathroom situations. Many kids used the woods as they were accustomed to, but, others continued to use the bathrooms. Eric and 2 other strong hearted fellows had to dig out the water
lines and lay a new one. Then they had to attack the cabins armed with brooms, a water hose, and soap. He did mention this to me with a bit of a groan. Who wouldn’t…. (wish you were there…) Thanks for your support of Camp Kewina and our efforts to change a world with the Gospel.EmilyEric will come to see us here in the states. He will arrive in Alabama on Feb. 8th for a short stay as we wait for the baby. I am so happy he will be here. School will be starting in Bolivia in
February and there will be a little lull in the camp schedule during this time as well. What great timing!

Update Christmas / New Year 2007

            Bolivia, 2007

Camp news:
Camping season has been a cool one. Using the word cool in both
ways… Cochabamba has seen more rain this season than on record.
Even though it sounds like a nice summer shower, at the altitude we
live in, it gets rather chilly on rainy days. When the sun is
hidden the temperatures drop. The same goes if the SON is hidden
the temperatures of the people drop as well. They are cold and
selfish. Selfishness leads to a multitude of sins. Our hope is
that we can help reveal the SON and warm up the hearts of the people
in the city and the villages we live near. This Christmas (our
summer) we were privileged to have a program that supplied gifts and
the word of God to more than 700 village children in 2 villages
around Candelaria. Shortly after the Christmas program Eric took
more than 15 boys out into the mountains for an Adventure camp
crossing the mountains. Braving the rain and the freezing temps. He
doubled his efforts and allowed a second group of College Students
from Montreat Collage Outdoor Program  to hike with him. They had a
wonderful time, studied the word, helped each other and almost froze
to death. One very exciting and dangerous thing happened on their
return to the city. There was not some, but a lot of rioting going
on. They had not heard what was going on in the city while they
were enjoying their peaceful mountain outing. With dirty unshaven
faces they arrived to the city with people screaming “go away, go
home.” Then they heard about the burning cars, the riots to oust the
newly elected governor. They were happy to see the riot police out
and about but the dirty crew looked suspicious and and they took
some back roads to get to their hotels and homes.Politics:What good is there to say about Bolivian politics. Things are
getting worse and worse. Look how far Chavez has gone in Venezuela.
 Look how far Castro has gone in Cuba. Evo, the president is using
threats, violence, and all other means of corruption to take over
the government at all levels. Violence, unrest, hate. What more
can I say.I just got a letter from Eric saying that there are road blocks all over.  Indefinite road blocks.  The water supply to the city has been taken over by in several places and electricity is next.  All this is supported by the President.  All due to the fact that the governor of Cochabamba opposes the president on many of his shady and illegal policies.  Eric is homebound, hopefully with a bit of food, until the city is cleared.Family:Separated. Yep, but we are counting the days to be together again.
I think we are down to 34 now. Eric will visit us in the States in
February. Our new baby will be born hopefully the end of February
and if all goes well we will complete the papers promptly and return
to our home in Bolivia. Eric may return earlier, we do not have his
travel plans complete yet.This is just a short update. You can call me at my Mom’s in Alabama, just email and I’ll send the number. I have lots more to share to listening ears.Emily for our family