We are back in Santa Cruz after a week in the Bolivian lowlands. La Brecha was the community where we camped, drilled, ministered, and spent time our week. What an awesome and humbling experience we had. This area is so remote it is like driving to El Paso on a single lane dirt road, most of which is so ate up with ruts and potholes. The drive is like a constant rally race to keep from getting stuck. In the middle of jungle, cactus, shrubs, wild animals, and livestock communities pop up that seem to spring up out of nowhere and for no apparent reason. These communities have been here forever. Land and homesteads handed down through generations. There are schools and churches, but practically no basic necessities like electricity, running water, and stores. The indigenous population live in ways that we could never imagine, yet they are kind, generous, loving, and happy. We spent 3 days digging 2 water wells and it was back breaking, bone jarring work. Everyone was wiped out by the end of the day. We all smelled bad, looked bad, and our bodies ached, yet I don´t think I heard 1 person say they would not be willing to come back and do it all over again. The blessing that we received from this experience is much more than the blessing that the community received from our water wells.
On the first night there we attended a local church service that seemed to be given just because we were present. Jason spoke for a few moments, Nathan reviewed one of the daily devotionals we had been doing, and I got to share my testimony. All this was done through translation by our foreman. The young ladies of the church sang some beautiful songs for us and it was an awesome, holy experience. I wish I had known the words. One of the things that touched me the most was that this community came out and put on their best for us. They dressed up in their best clothes, they put on their best service, sang their best songs, and opened their doors and hearts. That was all followed by watching the Jesus video in Guarani. I didn´t understand 2 words but that didn´t matter. There were over 200 in attendance which was just amazing. Even though they do not have much in a materialistic sense, they have an abundance of love and kindness. They put on their best for us in everything they did. They were always kind and friendly even though most of us were terrible in our attempts to communicate with them. One thing that was definitely displayed this week is that love knows no language
On the third day, we almost lost the second well. A section of PVC came unscrewed and the well pipe dropped into a 40 meter hole. By the grace of God, Marcos was able to fish the pipè out of the hole hanging on by a thread. Nathan´s Ninja reflexes got a pipe wrench on the pipe before it dropped back into the hole. We then extracted the pipe, reclaimed the hole and completed the well before dark. All to the applause of the local community. It was totally awesome! I found out later, in talking to Mike, that several of us had been silently praything that God would not let our last 2 days work go to waste. How our prayers were answered and answered immediately was just one of the many miracles we have experienced on this trip! Just being able to grab that pipe out of the hole as it hung onto the edge of the fishing apparatus by no more than .25 inches and the quickness and agility of the whole amatuer team working on the well to reclaim is testimony to the presence and goodness of God.
Another blessing and miracle is the team of missionaries we worked with. Danny, Vanessa, Warren, Jackie, Juanita, Marcos, and Eric are absolutely some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. Their love for the Bolivian people is not only evident in the drilling of water wells and bringing in missionary teams, but also in the transition home that they manage in Santa Cruz. I would highly encourage any of the ladies from our church to try and visit this coming fall. We got to spend a little time there today and help move some furniture and it is evident that the hand of God is present in this place and on these ladies. Vanessa, Juanita, Terry, Jamie, and Caeser prepared most of our meals, coordinated our activities, and held bible study and VBS during our trip! That is an amazing load! They literally took care of us like kings. That was not an easy job. For 2 days the wind blew at what seemed like 30 to 50 mph. Sand blew everywhere and into everything yet they made sure we had everything we needed to keep going on the task that lie before us. They had to fight tents being blown over and torn up, yet they kept everything intact and we did not miss a meal, go thirsty, or lose a thing. In fact I probably gained a few pounds! Danny, Marcos, and Eric are excellent at what they do. They were able to take a bunch of individuals with little knowledge for drilling water wells and turn us into a functional, coordinated team in just a few hours. I don´t think there is any problem they could not have resolved.
I also don´t want to leave out the fun we had and the relationships we developed. Trust me, being around 10 plus stinky, testosterone laced men in tents for 4 days is no picnic, yet we bonded and came together for a greater cause. To bring glory to God and to serve Him in whatever capacity we each have. We each have different gifts and abilities, and God gave us all the opportunity to serve Him through serving others this week.
Gideon
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