January Newsletter

January 2008
Bolivia, South America
Camp Kewina
 
EL Senor fortalece a su puebl0:  El Senor bendice a su pueble con la paz.  Salmo 29:11
The Lord gives strength to his people:  The Lord blesses His people with peace.  Psalms  29:11
 
We are in the midst of our busiest season of the year.  Camp is full all year around but the “summer break” has been especially busy, booked back to back to back.  There will have been 22 camps from November to February. 

There has been continued construction work and family things to be taken care of.  We are tired.  It is easy for bad feelings, discontentment, anger and the like to fill our hearts.  I have been trying to fill my heart with the words in 2nd Peter chapter 1:3…He has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him WHO CALLED US.  
 
The needs of this world are great.  Many people come to us who are in need.  We feel the weight of their burdens.   We are glad we can help (when we can help) but we get tired. 
 
Political problems are increasing.  More and more strikes are happening.  Road blocks, lies and threats. The news is full of angry people. 
 
We ask for your prayers.  Prayers for perseverance.  Prayers for wisdom.  Prayers for safety.  
 
There is great rejoicing though.  We are not walking depressed people.  Just tired soldiers.  The roof is up on the new mess hall and it can now hold 250 campers at one time. God held the rains back for us just as he did for Elijah.  It seems the day they finished the roofing, the rains came pouring down.  A bit later in the season than normal. 
 
I can’t hardly count the number of campers that have grown this year in their knowledge of the gospel.  Our team is holding together pretty well.  Our volunteer counselors are a more mature group this year and that makes things easier.  We are continuing to work with World Vision kids and are in the process of making a new contract with Compassion International.  There was the need to hold two children’s camps this year because the numbers were so large.  Adventure camp went well in spite of a broken down car.  All in all there was only two small mishaps at camp, one broken arm and one broken nose.  Not bad considering how many kids are running wild in the great outdoors.
 
Our work with World Vision touches 61 communities.  We work with 30 percent of the children in these communities.  That is around 2,000 or so children a year.  World Vision’s main focus is “justice’.  They receive the gospel only during their camps.  This is our fourth year working with these youngsters.
  
Family News:
Benji, 7, was a camper this year.  He only came to our room once for a change of clothes.  He spent all 4 nights away from Mom, and he loved it!

Lydia 5, is tall, for a Lizarazu, and pretty.  Her goal is to have her hair reach the floor when she sits down.  She learned to read small Spanish words and can’t wait to start Kindergarten in February.

Ellie, 3, our little Lizarazu, loves being little. She is 3 ½ and many 2 T clothes still fit her well.  She has the love of a Lab.  You can’t do anything without her climbing in your lap.

Julia, 11 mo., is a mess.  She watches her brother and sisters and tries to copy them.  Her favorite game is chase. We chase her while she screeches like a girl and tries to crawl away.  Her favorite toy is the garbage can. You can always find her looking for a nice sloppy treat.  When we try to pry the “treat” out of her hand she can really put up a fight.
 
Thanks for your prayers! 
I will be sending pictures out sometime or another.
Eric, Emily
Ben, Lydia, Ellie, and Julia Lizarazu
Serving in Cochabamba Bolivia