Some developments

Since I last wrote, some significant things have happened in my life and in Bolivia. The situation here continues to be fragile, but this past Monday after nearly two weeks of a closed road between Trinidad and Santa Cruz, the MAS supporters (pro Evo) in the east decided to lift their roadblocks. Gasoline arrived yesterday with lines over three blocks long in most places (3-5 hour wait). Food is also beginning to arrive again and I believe diesel too. Things are returning to normal, although the government and opposition have not reached an agreement. MAS supporters (pro Evo) are threatening to bring back the blockades if the opposition doesn't agree to the government's offer by Monday. Most government offices have been returned too and all airports in the country are operating as normal again. Basically, we're back to status quo.

In the church, this weekend we are having a Bible reading marathon. September was the month the first Spanish Bible was translated, so we are doing a non stop reading marathon for about 36 hours. Apparently it takes ~70 hours to read the whole Bible, so we should be somewhere in Psalms when we finish. People from our church, other churches, the school, other schools and random people have all read a little bit (including me). Tomorrow are having a special all day outing with the church where we will have a morning service, eat lunch together, play games and then go for a swim, have some baptisms and then do our communion services. Should be a fun filled day.

And now to my personal news. My good friend Lidia who has been in Chile the past year more or less involved with a YWAM counseling school returned two weeks ago and contacted me last Tuesday. I called her and talked with her at great length. Apparently after discussing our relationship with her mentor in Chile just before she left and sharing some emails, particularly one of my later emails that was pretty honest and direct her mentor said, "Lidia, you should pray about this, this guy seems serious about being with you and entering ministry with you". This got her attention as you can imagine. So returned and she told me she wanted to spend more time with me and pursue the possibility of marriage in the near future. However due to the political situation, she's been stranded in the south border town of Yacuiba where her parents live and has not been able to return yet to Santa Cruz. But we have spent a good amount of time (hours) on the phone sharing things with each other and getting to know each other on a deeper level. I feel the Lord bringing us closer together and each time I am sad to say goodbye on the phone. She is planning to return to Santa Cruz this week (if the blockades don't return) and so I am planning to go see her next weekend which is perfect since have Monday and Tuesday off too for a couple of holidays! I'm SO excited to spend this time with her and am praying the Lord gives both of us wisdom as to timing and future plans together. I am falling in love with her more and more each time we talk and get to know each other.