Last night we met at the 'Buen Pastor' church in Santa Cruz. Twenty women gathered - several commented on how wonderful it was to see young women and those more mature and even elderly gathered together and sharing and praying with one another.
 
The room was hot. There was lots of extraneous noise from the boys who were playing volleyball on the other side of the wooden door,  shouts from outside and cars going by on the street. But that didn't dampen the spirits of the women as they opened up and listened as we talked about depression. The list of solutions for days when we feel 'down' and depressed included prayer and reading the Bible as well as eating ice cream and chatting with a friend. One woman shared how meaningful it was for her to realize that David felt depressed at times and that others in the group identified that they felt that way sometimes too. Suddenly she didn't feel so alone.
 
Alicia Dykstra from Calgary is with me on this trip. What courage she is showing as she co-facilitates the group in a language she is just learning!  Talk about stepping out of your comfort zone! When we had the Reflection Time, Alicia played her recorder quietly - it was really a 'holy' moment for me, realizing that all of us were asking the Holy Spirit to speak to us as the poignant tones of the music filled the room.
 
Can I ask you to pray for us over the next ten days? We have two separate workshops here . . . the one that began last night and will be completed on Saturday in the afternoon and the one that starts on Sunday afternoon and finishes Monday evening at 2100.  That one will be with Seminary students and pastors. We will also have 45 minutes on Sunday morning to share with 100 or more at the adult Sunday School class.
 
On Tuesday, the 31st of January, we will leave early to drive 8 hours to a tropical area of Bolivia. We will be in Trinidad, the capital of the department of La Beni until Saturday afternoon the 4th of February. There we will once again share the Groups of Hope sessions with women and men. The weather will be very hot and humid so we know we need God's touch for energy and health in the busy time of sharing and getting to know many new people.
 
What a privilege it is to be here! To experience first hand Bolivia hospitality and love and to see God touching hearts that are heavy -  with His love and healing. We know we are here because God has called us and has sent us to be the extension of the hands that are reaching out in love in Canada to Bolivia. Thanks for your love, support and prayers.