Order in disorder

Good bright and early morning,

I often have blogging on the forefront of my mind, and think "oh!  I should blog about this!" but than when I sit down at the computer and try to put together a few sentences, it just doesn't turn out.  Today I am determined to post.  Here it goes.

clouds last evening

Last night was the Tuesday night homeless ministry.  A couple weeks back we had a conversation with a Bolivian sociologist who is an atheist   He asked some tough questions about what we are doing in the main plaza and why we believe in Jesus and how this is making any difference.  We hadn't talked with him since than, but last night he showed up and brought two new homeless people to the ministry and left.  I was in the middle of a conversation with one of our friends, who was crying about how people treat him, when the sociologist interrupted and presented his friend and said "he needs to become a Christian" - shoved him over, and left.  I really don't know what to think, if it was sarcasm or what his intentions were, but it was almost unbelievable.

Perhaps some of you might remember the proverb I referenced in the support letter "we can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps."  This verse continues to prove true throughout my time here in Bolivia.  My steps have been led to seemingly random ministries and I do not have a 9-5 ministry to invest in due to seemingly random circumstances.  But our God is a God of order (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40).  In Exodus 23, God tells his people, the Israelites, that he will send an angel ahead of them to prepare the way -

"I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter.  I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run.  I will send the hornet ahead of you and drive the Hittites out of your way.  But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you.  Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land."  Exodus 23:27-30

What if God had not told them the reasons for this entire process?  I'm sure the Israelite's might question why it was taking so long and why the God of power didn't just do things quickly and "efficiently" and get it all over with.  However, God is a God of order and uses wisdom in the present context to complete his decision.  Often times I can't see God's reasons for how my time here in Bolivia is unfolding.  I continue to be involved in random ministries - Tuesday nights in the main plaza - Friday and Saturday with the kids - and other days are spent with Casa de Amistad visiting woman in the jail system.  Other seemingly random events or opportunities take place that develop or strengthen relationships.  It is not the type of order that I had imagined coming in - but I am confident that God is present during my time here and guiding my steps along the way.  So folks, that is all for today.  A quick update (or longer).

Alison Garza

Spending some time with the kids before swimming

Franx doing sit ups at the park - strongest little kid I know

They likes to spin around on this.  I did it once, let go early and flew off and almost hit that bench.  Never again.

Bible Puppets

Tee who I live with - pray for our friendship as it continues to grow.  We will be training together for a race up a mountain these next few months.

Gabby

random.  Just like this entry.  But these are my keys

THIS CAT.  will not leave me alone.  Two nights ago he got into a fight and was crying for a half hour at 3 a.m.  The next day there was a patch of blood on his side.  Ever since than he has been way too (demasiado) cuddly

Cochabamba is full of palm trees