Pastors in El Alto

Last week we went to El Alto in the highlands of Bolivia to visit pastors involved in our church planting project. The project includes training through T-Net, proclamation of the Gospel with the JESUS Film and follow-up using the audio Bible from Faith Comes by Hearing in Spanish, Quechua and Aymara.

It was astounding and moving to hear the pastors' stories. People's lives are being transformed! This is a picture of Julia who was paralyzed for much of her life. God has healed her to be able to minister to other Aymara women. We met Julia in her home along with several of the women she ministers to. They gave us a traditional lunch. Please pray for Julia and the pastors in El Alto.

CineCenter Invasion

The biggest multiplex cinema in Bolivia is right here in Santa Cruz. It also the biggest hangout for kids in town, since we don't have a real mall. The CineCenter, does, however have a big food court. It is sort of like a big mall, minus the stores (OK, it has a FEW stores).

I have been meeting with a couple of small groups of guys for lunch there for a year and a half. We have pizza and talk about Jesus and His word. Well, this school year (just started), I decided to make the CineCenter lunches an incubator for new small groups and also to start inviting the girls.

This week we had a total of 60 students, divided into 15 small groups eating pizza and studying what Jesus says about worrying in Luke 12. There were 8 girls groups and I had 7 guys small groups. Can you imagine the joy of seeing 15 new small group leaders caring about the guys in their groups, leading discussion and praying with them? I am excited! Please pray that the groups will continue to multiply and that many students will come to know Christ as Savior.

Also ... please pray for the management at CineCenter. They are a little overwhelmed by our numbers. I guess as long as we keep buying pizza they can't throw us out :)