Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2005 7:22 AM
Subject: Water War Things seem to be in progress. Those that were working on their own behalf and lying and doing things illegally were confronted. The head guys were there (sort of like mayors) and told them to do everything with papers and in the “right way”. They all agreed to stop forcing their way in and doing things without permission. The new tank is out of service due to the fact that the man of low character I was speaking about has all the people very scared (poison in the water system etc.) They want nothing to do with the new tank. So, we will continue to work with the people in the town. Thanks for your prayers. Tuesday, October 31, 2005 12:05 PM
Subject: Water War Urgent Prayer Request
As we speak, Eric is on his way to camp. This morning he got a call from the care takers. The villagers want to force their way on to camp property to get water. We have bent over backwards to give them water. Last year we donated the land for a new water tank and helped lay piping to the village. They unfortunately placed the pipes close to a neighbor who is of low character. This man of bad intentions wants water for his community as well, so he fills the water pipes full of sewer and the village gets bad water. They came to us with their minds made up on how to solve the problems. They acted on their own beliefs etc. and not our suggestions of moving the pipe. They want to abandon the new tank and use the old tank. We worked with them on some issues and told them that they would get only water given to them after the camp had enough water for themselves. Whether this was communicated with them or not, we do not know. There are several threats going on for the camp, and the camp staff. Some of this may be due to the fact that Evo says that much of the private land can now be owed by poor people and they have the right to take over. Some of this is due to the fact that they are ill informed. None the less, Eric is headed out with Jose Luis and they are headed out to “work” with these people. The mission keeps getting these letters from the community and the mission asks us. So, what do you think we should do. They are always on our side. That is good! Keep Eric and the camp team in your prayers.
October update: October 23, 2005
Hi everyone. We are well. Thank you. We have had more trips than usual out to camp and we are feeling a bit tired. Our responsibilities seem to be growing and our list never ending. I have a few stories for you all. There are more where these come from but I will keep this letter short for all of you busy folks. In the past 2 years Bolivia has had 3 different Presidential leaders. Two were kicked out due to civil unrest and the inability to please the two dominant groups here in
Bolivia, the educated and the uneducated. Bolivia is now preparing for elections in December. Civil unrest is sure to raise its ugly head. We ask for your prayers as this time comes closer. Each group has their party members campaigning, one group MAS means more drugs and very little in the way of laws or rules. They are responsible for stirring up lots of Civil unrest. The sad truth is that they are growing in popularity with their Robin Hood approach to take from the rich and give to the poor. Our trip out to camp takes us through many villages who support the MAS group. A new tactic. October through February there seems to be lots of time for celebrations to idols. These idols take the form of “virgins” in the Catholic Church. There can be a “virgin” for any occasion or day of the week. There seems to be a new tactic to raise money for these celebrations. The village people block the road with a rope to make a make-shift toll booth. They stand at your window asking for donations. Their zealous intent is so real. Their anger and surprise at us when we say no thanks and drive off is real as well. The rope and the amount of people are intimidating. If I was alone and not bold like Eric what would happen? How
many other Christians are pressured into giving to the idols due innocence and or fear?Life for most poor Bolivians is so hard! It is amazing the depth of struggles the poor of this world face. It is unreal the amount of corruption we hear about and the consistent unjustness of it all…The village is growing but many still struggle. Many single mom’s raise 4 or more kids on potatoes and rice. A little boy playing on the camps soccer field ran up to us. He simply asked us for shoes or clothes. He was about 8 years old and had wet muddy sore looking feet. We had to tell him we didn’t have anything his size on hand but told him to come back in a week and we would find him some shoes. There was a schedule change at camp and we didn’t have time to shop that week so, when he showed up I scrambled to find him something as I had promised. I found a pair of pink flip-flops I use in the shower. With some embarrassment, I took those pink garage sale flip-flops I had brought with me and gave them to him. He was thrilled. What gratefulness! He wore them out of the camp with a smile. Having too much stuff clouds our ability to be thankful doesn’t it?
The medical needs of the people in the camp area are incredible. Some simple illness left uncared for until it is too late and they need some drastic care. On several occasions, people come to us asking for money for meds. On other occasions we have been used as an ambulance to carry people to the city. These are opportunities to be a living witness. We hope we are doing our job well and pleasing to the Lord.
We need your prayers. It is a world without Christ down here.
The camp is so busy and there are so many opportunities to teach each week.
There are always issues of staffing, money, maintenance, transport, weather,
and politics. Two members of the camp team are facing some difficult times right now as well. Please pray as they work through them. The Lizarazu Family
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 2:55 PM
BoliviaKeeping in touch,It has been a good month. We have finally gotten our truck switched over to natural gas. It seems to have not lost as much power as we thought it would. That is good. We are saving about 60 percent in gas costs.
The spring rains have started and this very dry city is getting cleaned up a bit. However, there has been several outbreaks of Typhoid Fever. I do well with the dirty conditions and all but every once in a while, I get a bit nervous. I do thank God for keeping us healthy and safe from so many of these illnesses.
We had a neat camp with a city school. The director had been out to camp 30 years ago but never really liked the Christian atmosphere. However, he decided a camp was the thing for his students so, we accepted. We normally only accept Christian schools and churches, but, they rented our staff and facilities and they gave us freedom to teach whatever we wanted. These kids got 4 days of the Gospel! There were many positive responses too. The director liked it so much he contacted several of his friends and wants them to go to camp as well. The only condition is that WE, as a staff, have freedom to teach the Gospel.
Just keeping in touch. We would love to hear from ANYONE. Emily for us all.
Sent: Monday, October 09, 2005 3:26 PM
Subject: passports A quick request: Aug. 05 we started some paper work. It all expired when 06 hit. We started over. Got it all in by May/June and were to pick up our passports 30 days later. It is now Oct. and no passports. Seems like a man got fired in LaPaz. The passport checker, was issuing passports to folks from
China so they could head to
Europe and get jobs. So, our passports have been sitting in LaPaz for some time. We hope to get them back before we travel in Dec. I am going with the kids to my mom’s for Christmas and will stay until I have the baby in Feb. So, we are waiting. Can you please pass this on and pray during the Missions meeting for a return of our documents (Completed.) Thanks. EM We also have to do a little work on the girls papers but not as much. Supposedly!
SEPTEMBER 2005 NEWSLETTER2 Corinthians 10:18“For it is not he one who commends himself who is approved but the one whom the Lord commends.”It is truly a task for me to sit down and write these updates. It isn’t because we wish to hide things from you or that we don’t like to communicate with all of you. The task lies in the pressure to please, the pressure to awe to entertain. My hope is that our letters will reveal the truth, the needs and the way of life we lead, but most of all, what the Lord has and is doing for us.First off we must brag on the kids because they are just so precious:
Benji is doing well. He just turned 5 years old. He is glad to be back in
Bolivia. He told us, “I remember
Bolivia, but I don’t remember it like THIS.” So how does he remember it? We aren’t too sure.
Lydia: She is as funny as ever. She loves people and she has picked up quite a handful of Spanish, which she used simultaneously wither English. She isn’t afraid to mess up the words and she will go up to a stranger and talk to them in English/Spanish, expecting them to follow her lead. It is very cute!
Ellie, well, Ellie is a handful. She does not sleep well and seems to always be fussy, we ask for your prayers concerning her. When she isn’t fussing, she has the personality of a joker. She loves to get a smile. She has taken her first steps and we can’t believe she turned one this month.We have two new additions to our family: Rocky and Candy. They are little Cocker-mutt mixes and they seem to be good puppies so far.
Our work Jake and Sarah Wetzel were the camp administrators for 21 years. They recently retired and handed the camp over to Bolivian leadership. Eric has taken over Jakes’ role at the camp. He manages small projects and maintenance and general planning and… There are 5 families who work together to run the camp. It is neat how each has strong points that work just as the Bible mandates. As a family we stay at camp about 2-4 nights a week. We come back to the city to wash clothes, organize and take a break.
Home I welcomed the advice of one seasoned missionary. She told us that whenever they went to the states and stayed for an extended time it took them from August until December to get back into the groove of things. Doing house projects, fixing the car, taking over at camp, and doing immigrations for me and Benji has left us feeling like we are chasing our tails. We are lad though. We have thought about completing may of these projects for the past year so whenever we get even just a small project done it feel so good.
Cochabamba is a dry place, but we seem to have a dry neighborhood. We buy our water from a water truck but we hope to get water at our house early next year or so. When this happens, we hope to hook up a water heater. This will make our pocket book happier! The water truck is “expensive” as well as inconvenient and our shower is electrically heated and appropriately named “widow maker.” Soon, someday we will have water pressure and hot water…I can’t wait. We hope to get our car hooked up with a natural gas tank. But, first we must do some welding work and get the spare tire moved and do some other preparations. This has taken almost a month of taking the truck in and brining it home and it still isn’t ready to have the tank mounted yet. But maybe ‘tomorrow’ it will be read?!!! This tank will save us 60 percent on gas costs getting to and from camp. If this had been my first trip to
Bolivia we would have been overwhelmed. Lucky for us we know the ropes. We know where to buy the groceries. We know the kids in the neighborhood. We know a good doctor and pharmacy. It seems right to be here and even though we have some adjusting to do, it has been doable. God allowed me to get my ‘feet wet slowly’ and this time back has been the easiest so far. I have a lady who helps me wash some clothes, by hand and she helps me clean the house a git. She is a neighbor and very flexible with our camp schedule. Her kids are grown and she is very poor. Her family is in shambles and she and I pray together and read some scriptures together. The Bible has its own vocabulary and she is patient when I stumble all over my words. We are grateful for her help.
Church Eric will not continue as an Elder at church. He will however help to organize and assist the mission committee at church. We were going to Benji in AWANA, the memory verse program at church, on Sunday afternoons, but the vocabulary is a bit too much for him right now. We may wait it out this year and start him next year in the Spanish program. We miss you all and think of you often. We do not have internet right now, gbut we hope to get it in the future. We can read our messages at the camp office and I hope to get our website loaded with some cool pictures soon, so please keep in touch. We hope there are still some of you planning a trip here in the future. Camp needs a new boundary wall, a new kitchen and a bathroom. You should visit our website and see the latest pictures. The website is www.BoliviaMissions.20m.comGod takes care of us..Blessings!!The Lizarazu Family
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 4:39 PM
Subject:
BoliviaWe have made it to
Bolivia. Eric has been singing, ever since we got here. Our house was in good shape and we are working on signing more papers. The funny thing is that I worried about losing the house and the owner worried about us not wanting the house when we got back. We were both relieved to talk things out.Another neat thing, Our post office box was not paid for, for two years. Eric walked in and the lady said, I have your mail in my hand marked for return. today was the last day that I was going to keep it. Here you go. So, if you sent us a letter, we got it! We are trying to get adjusted to the food, the altitude, the dust, among everything else. Benji is getting tired quickly and is really, really acting out. Ellie just cut 4 top teeth almost at once and we fought a 104 degree temp. for 5 days.
Lydia is loved by everyone and everyone loves her. Thanks for your prayers. We do not have internet yet. I am at a internet cafe. (I am anxious to get out of it too.) I must run. em for us all
June 11, 2005 We are finally home!!!!!!!
The long awaited return to Bolivia has now arrived, BUT, not without a bit of unrest. We set our travel plans for the 14th of June. Our family and friends living in Bolivia advised us not to return at this time ????!!! We checked the news and sure enough, the people were striking and rioting. Several main cities had been closed for as long as 16 days with no gas, oil, or food getting in. The demads? The resignation of the 2nd president in 2 years, the first one resigned in 2003. Why? !!! There are groups of Campesinos (peasants), Union workers, Miners, Teachers, University students, etc. lead by people with evil intent, who invoke and threaten the peasants to march, strike and make demands on the government. Some of these requests are legitimate, some however border on rediculous and unreasonable crossing over international laws and contracts. Some of the requests are: We need to nationalize the gas industry and rewrite Bolivian Constitution; We want land and if the goverment does not give to us we will take it by force, and many more. If their needs are not addressed, the Campesions (peasants) will retun with more insistent measures in an effort to force the government to meet their demands. On the 10th, the people pressured Congress into accepting the resignation of the next two people in line to take over the Presidency. So, now the Chief Justice is the new President, Dr.Edwardo Rodriguez, and he hopes to set up a call for early elections so the people can choose a “real” President.
So, our trip was on again, off again, on again? I was a bit emotionally frayed as well as Eric. We packed a little and stopped. We didn’t know what to do. It is a big trip and if we were to leave in two days or two weeks determined what we would pack. I have to prepare my mind as well. (An international travel warning had been issued for Bolivia and even though I have been there in some strikes, I have to get my mind/attitude in check). But, in the end, as of today, it seems that we are sticking with our travel plans of leaving on June 14th. It is one of those long trips with kids and we hope we all have great attitudes!
I guess that we need prayers in-Peace and Peaceful solutions in Bolivia, Guidance for the Bolivian Leaders, Pray for those with evil intent. (Sometimes I have feelings of evil intent for the evil intenters)A wonderful transition for us as a family. (great attitudes)
June 3, 2005 10pmEric’s ceremony was today. I wasn’t there but I hear it went well. Eric should have his
US passport by or before the 13th. You should see him in a shirt and tie. (picture on the right) I thought it was special. I haven’t seen him dressed up since we were married. Good thing I like REI gear. EM
May 9, 2005 5pmWe got a letter that said the ceremony will be June 3rd. Eric will be flying to Alaska (we are uncertain of the means, as of yet…) to particpate!!!!!!!!!!
Eric and Emily Lizarazu,
Newsletter May 1, 2005
We are rapidly moving in on a year and a half of our stay here in the states. We originally planned for a 6 month stay max. 1 year. We have stayed with my parents here in
Alabama and with my sister in
Alaska. Homeless-???? No, blessed. Very blessed.
Psalm 65:4-5 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with good things of your house, of your Holy
Temple. You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.
God gave us hope. I giggle at the thought but, we have literally lived day by day this whole year. Rushing to the mailbox each day, we had hope! Our spirits have been dampened a bit with disappointments but, we are alright.
Psalm 65:11 You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
What Encouragement and Thankfulness! Each time we go to the store we have bought something for our trip back to Bolivia. Last year I bought Benji and Lydia an outfit that would fit them “when we got back to Bolivia”. I remember staying at Wal-Mart for a long time choosing sizes that would fit them in the future. They are using those outfits now. When I go shopping, I am most aware that what I have in my basket would not be there if it weren’t for the faithful supporters who continue to believe in us. I wasn’t raised in such a way that I knew people supported missionaries when they were not actually “working”. So, what a tangible way to see our Lord’s provisions!
Thank you all for praying faithfully for us. Our desire is to be a blessing to God’s Kingdom in whichever way he may want to use us. Your prayers are treasured.
Prayer Points
Psalm 66:3-7
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. Come see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf! Come let us rejoice in him.
- Bolivia’s political situation: For the political unrest which affects camp and the programs. The road blocks hinder us from holding camps and spreading the Gospel.
- Camp Volunteers: All of our counselors are volunteers. We want to cultivate good relationships with these youth and encourage them. Weekly meetings are held so they can get to know each other better as well as the camp programs. We want them to have a feeling of belonging and ownership so that they can grow and become more effective.
- Programs: Among the many programs held at camp (over 40) we have had the opportunity to minister to the children of World Vision. We have designed special programs for World Vision children due to the fact that there are 100 or more children per group. World Vision representatives in
Bolivia would like us to help develop leadership programs for their employees as well. - Finances: There have been some administrative changes in the mission (SIM) who once owned Camp
Kewina. These changes have placed camp in a deficit of 4,000 US Dollars each year. There are several ideas of how this amount can be reached, but they all require some kick off money. We will keep you posted as we examine these options. - Community Outreach: We want to be a blessing to the people in the village near camp. We want to reach out to the youth via VBS programs and other outreaches.
- Training: Some members of the camp team dedicate their time to train those who want to run camping programs. This as you can imagine takes a great deal of time and traveling, so please pray for safety, strength, and open hearts and ears of those who will receive the training.
- Outdoor Education and Adventure programs: (Eric’s passion) Currently all of these programs are in the experimental stage, there have been many lessons written and some trials but currently there is no one working in this area. There are however, several that are to arrive in
Bolivia very soon. Among those are Karen Evans, Andrew Coox, Eric Lizarazu and his family. There are several Bolivian volunteers as well. John Jordan from Montreat will be coming down to
Bolivia to share some of his training with us. In the future we plan to use this program to reach schools and universities and several others, such as youth groups, youth leaders, etc.
Pray for the Camp
Team Members and their Families
The Cocas: Ciro, Sara, Abraham and Jocobo. They are the care-takers and camp hosts. Pray for Sara’s work at the village clinic, and wisdom as they are thinking about purchasing a piece of land in the city so that their children can have a house during the school year.
The Claures: River and Ana, Adriela, Obed and Maya. River is the president of the Red del Mundo Juvenil
Bolivia (a youth group that connects youth all over Bolivia and South America). He also helps camp as the camp pastor. Pray for them as they are in the process of raising support from Bolivian Churches so that they can be full time missionaries in youth ministry.
The Wills: Carlos and Maria Elena, Ruben, Carlos, Alejandro. Maria Elena is one of the more seasoned members of the team and is in charge of training new counselors. Pray for safety and time as she juggles between family and church and camp and training. Pray for the children as they share their mom. Mari Elena is struggling with her boys now becoming teenagers.
The Wetzels: Jake, Sarah and their four girls. As you know they have been serving the Lord in
Bolivia for over 20 years. Camp has been greatly blessed. They are about to retire and move back to the states. Pray for their health and for their girls.
Jhanet: She is the camp secretary and a committed Christian, but her brothers are off course. Pray for her brothers so they can go back on track and have a healthy relationship with their mom and Christ. Their father passed away and since his death, they have had a difficult time.
The Lizarazus: (Eric’s brother) Jose Luis and Vilma and Elisa. Jose Luis is the camp
Director and administrator. Pray for wisdom as he administers to both his family and camp. Their greatest desire is to grow closer to Christ and honor Him.
In Christ Eric, Emily, Benji, Lydia, Ellie
Sent: Wednesday April 06, 2005 10:28 PM
Subject: Lizarazu update
Dear Prayer Friends:
Several folks have written and asked us what is happening in our lives. Sorry to keep you all hanging. We are still waiting. I have been waiting a few days and then a few more days hoping some new news would come our way, but, so far, nothing. Eric was informed that he would swear in in 3-5 weeks. That was 4 weeks ago and we haven’t heard anything. So, we wait. Our most recent request before the Lord is that the notice will allow him enough time to get to Alaska from here. If it is too short of a notice, it may cost an arm and a leg. Our wait hasn’t been too bad. It is spring down here, the trees are in bloom and we bought some baby chickens for my Dad. We have been really enjoying building a chicken coop and playing outside.
Prayer Direction for Camp
Kewina: There is a group of children who are attending the camp. They are from a violent village. They know nothing about the Bible or the ways of Jesus. It is an exciting time. Praise God that they can come as well as that his word never returns void!
Pray for peace in Bolivia as well. Sent: Monday, March 07, 2005 5:47 PM
Subject: Eric / papers
Today Eric was approved for Citizenship. It seems that all will be finalized in 3 to 5 weeks. Our prayers were answered today. They told us what to expect and when. We all breathed a sigh of relief as we swallow this new news. We give thanks for answered prayers. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. Eric said there was some doubt that all was well today, but in the end, he was approved. Thanks for hanging in there with us. Eric will be flying back to Alabama today to be with us and he will turn around and head back to Alaska when we get the next notice. We will keep in touch as things come to us.
The news in Bolivia: Lots of unrest right now. Late last week there were several strikes, marches and deathsSent: Saturday, February 12, 2005 1:48 PM
Subject:
Bolivia
Chew! We were making plans to return to Bolivia. February 22 sounded nice. We asked God to clarify if this was the right move or not. He answered with a notice in the mail. (Don’t we all love to hear from God in the mail) Eric has his last interview on March 7th in Alaska. We don’t know what this actually means. It may mean he receives his Naturalization or he may be given a form to fill out and he has to come back again. He has to take his green card and his passport with him. We don’t know what this means. This uncertainty makes it hard for us to purchase a plane ticket 1 week or 2? It will be a gamble to get the best price for this unknown factor.
We are enjoying our stay at my Mom’s down here in Alabama. It has been about 55-60 degrees here. Pretty nice. I have enjoyed the help with the kids too. I have a cousin who offered Eric a job. He works painting auto parts. Eric is so very ready to go to Bolivia. Bless his heart.
Keeping in touch…Thanks for your prayers. Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 8:05 PM
Subject: We’ve heard something!
A final decision will be made on our case in the next 3-4 weeks from now. We should be hearing a yes or a no very soon! God knows best! (He has already made the final decision and we are waiting to see what it will be.)
Thanks for all the prayers. It is our hope that this paper trial will be ending soon! Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2005 11:45 AM
Subject: Happy New Year!
We are still visiting family. We spent Christmas in Arizona with my brother and now we are in
Alabama with my Mom and Dad. We call Alaska almost everyday waiting on the mail. I wish we had some new news. Eric seems to be going stir crazy. Jobless and visiting in-laws…. The kids are enjoying themselves.
Lydia got sick at Christmas and we had to take a trip to the ER. It was our first visit to the ER ever. She was having something like a cold induced asthma breathing problem. They treated her and almost kept her overnight. Other than that, we know nothing new. We covet your prayers and wish to keep you all informed.
