Col 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom. . . with gratitude in your hearts to God." Today after a very busy morning of work we were all invited out to a Mennonite homes on a colony about an hour northeast of us. Through Radio and later home Bible studies they had understood the gospel and given their hearts to Christ. Lisa heard we had come from Canada to help with the work and just wanted to have us come for a meal. They completely filled their small living/dining room with tables and borrowed chairs and serves us a beautiful chicken dinner. We had a wonderful time with them and were able to present her with a little gift bag. Lisa and Henry have three boys. God has so blessed them they just wanted to bless us!

Rom 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Tuesday evening three of our Low German speakers were invited to travel about an hour and a half east to one of the Mennonite Colonies for a Bible Study. It was already raining and and the roads are not gravelled here. Everyone was extremely thankful for the 4X4 they were traveling in. The group was smaller because of the rain but they still had a good Bible study led by Jake Neufeld. An unforgetable experience. The father of the family gave his heart to Christ about a year ago and only wishes he could grow in his walk with Christ faster!

Under our "serve one another" command we have all enjoyed taking our turn in kitchen duty. It is always two of us, usually a couple. Here are Ron and Ursula who cooked us some tasty meals on Monday. The "Ranch House" (the cookhouse-Dinning room which holds about 20 comfortably) was the first building that was put up at the RTM (TWR) property. Now the Studio is in the New Building where we all sleep--we'll show you that later. The kitchen doesn't have a lot of counter space but as you can see (with Lou smiling) it is quite adequate.

Rom 15:7 "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Tuesday was another productive day at the Bridge and the Women's Shelter. However we have some highly qualified electritions, so Art and Randy stayed at the Radio Station and put in a new three phase service for the property and balanced all the phases so needless to say, Jake Fehr is very thankful. All of us are enjoying the benefit! Please continue to pray for our health. two of our numbers, Karen Friesen and Jewel Schartner aren't feeling well. Thanks for joining us. --Len

Rom 12:16 "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." Monday was a another great work day. Things at the "Bridge" are moving right along. Ceilings all up, lights and other electrical all done and painting getting close. Painting is directly on concrete and is a lot of hard work. Filling and sanding,sanding...sanding!

Hi,

I had written something up earlier, but we lost internet connection and it disappeared. I and two others finished putting in the ceiling tile today at the Bridge. I think that will wrap up the work at that place for now. Some of you have asked about the knee problem, it is very strange, it still hurts a bit when I am walking and I can feel that it is not right but from the start down here I have been climbing scaffolding and ladders every day and it does not seem to get worse. I am up and down a ladder 150 times in a day so it really is remarkable how it is doing, I know it is because of the prayers. I am looking forward to sharing some stories of the people here when I get back home.

I was on the radio the other night and gave a short sermon by way of an interpreter who spoke Low German. It was fun and interesting to do. One man who stopped by the radio station today said he had heard me speaking.

Right now it is cloudy and beginning to rain. Well, it is supper time so I am going to close for now.

Thanks for you prayers, talk to you again in a couple of days.

Steve

Sunday morning we all went back to the Ibnias EFC for their 9:00 Morning Service. It was most enjoyable. About 85 people were there. Great worship. They also had us sing three songs. Ron Boshman from Lethbridge led us. We sang "I Have D.ecided to Follow Jesus," "I Stand Amazed," and then the men sang "How Great Thou Art. After Testimonies--a couple of people had given their hearts to Christ this week!--and prayer, Pastor Norm preached in Low German! We were all really thankful for hour well he did. That evening several members gave their testimonies on the radio, the team sang their songs and Pastor Norm preached from 11:30 to 12:00 midnight. A full Sunday to say the least!

Saturday afternoon we all went to the EFC church located near the Women's Shelter project for a special Mennonite picnic get together called a "geiso." This is the name of a special soup cooked over a campfire in cast iron pots. The soup is served with buns and something to drink. It was a really good social time meeting a lot of the Low German Mennonites who have become Christians. There were about a hundred people there counting the children.

I urge then, first of all, the requests, prayers, intersession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. . . pray for one another. I Tim 2:1 & James 5:16. What a blessing to thank God for each other as we go off to work on these projects. Here is Ernie from Vernon setting the hinges on the 12 hardwood doors (without a router!) for the "Bridge" ministry center.

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." -Eph. 5:21 What a delight when we recognize the presence of Christ in all our relationships! Sorry about the delay in the Blog, but the internet has been down for a couple of days. So here goes. We want to jump back to Wednesday evening because several of the team got to minister on the RTM (Trans World Radio) live broadcast in Low German. Tonight several more of the team will be giving their testimonies. Please pray that God will bless local people throught this ministry.

Gal 5:13 "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love." We continue to thank God for all of you that are part of the team through your prayers. We are getting lots done and thankful for many hands. The goal is to have the Women's Shelter official opening on April 3rd, soon after we leave and to have the Bridge Ministry center open sometime in May. So the outside of Building are being sealed and painted. Walls are being sanded and painted. Suspended Ceilings are being hung. Electrical wiring being done. Doors hung. And meals being prepared. We'll try to include enough pictures to help you visualize the fun and challenge we are all enjoying--not to mention the sore muscles, sweat and camaraderie.

The final 3 members are from 3 different Churches: Ernie Penner from Vernon BC, Helen Blackburn from Pincher Creek EFC and Steven Regier from Okotoks EFC. Our verse for today was "Love one another as I have loved you...by this all men will know that you are my disciples..." John 13:34-35. We are very thankful for this team and our leaders. Please pray that Christ's Love will be evident in our relationships as we work and minister together. Thanks, Len

Hi, we have pictures of the rest of the members of the EFC Bolivia Partnership Work Team. Here are the 8 members from the Lethbridge EFC: Left to right: Ron and Ursula Boschman, Lou and Sandra Pizzingrilli, Frieda and Art Isaak and Lorraine and Harold Kuehn (team leaders).

We split up into two groups (besides a kitchen crew) and went to work!! At The Bridge, the men started on ceiling tile and hanging doors. The women worked at sanding walls. At the Women's Shelter we painted bricks. It was hot and muggy but we tried to stay out of the sun as much as possible. For supper we had a Bolivian BBQ: steak, pork sausages, yucca and tomato salad. Some of the team members will be sharing their testimonies in Low German on the Radio this evening! We are thankful that every one is in good health and we are thankful for your prayers. -Karen Koop

Praise! All 18 of us arrived safely at about 8:30 this morning (March 16th). Nothing wrong with us that a good night sleep won't cure. Again we praise God and thank all who have been able to participate in prayer with the team. All of our 54 bags arrived safely and made it through customs without any hassel (under the watchful eye of Warren McCaig). After a wonderful breakfast at Rudy and Erna Friesen's place in Santa Cruz we traveled on to the Radio Station (about an hour and a half outside the City) and sorted all the items into the various ministry projects they will be used in. After supper we were briefed on our work tomorrow--we have been split into two teams. One will be working at the Bridge and one at the Woman's Shelter. Lots of finishing up to do: Doors to hang, sanding and painting inside and out, suspended ceilings, etc. Also each day 2 of us will help with kitchen duty. Randy and Jewel volunteered to start us off tomorrow. We just spent some time in prayer and everyone is ready for a good night's sleep. Praise. We continue to thank God for the team he has called together here in Bolivia and for all of you who are praying with us. Thanks, Len Perry

Hi well we're all here getting ready to go. There's a buzz in the air. Should be good. Lots of bags to weigh! Bev

We just had a great time of worshipping of our awsome God. During the services the church prayed for us and commissioned us for all God desires to do in and through us as a short-term team. Here are some prayer requests from the Team:

Team health. Lord willing, we would all like to arrive there at 8:05 on Tuesday morning in good health and energy ready to serve.

• God has graciously provided many of the items (even dishes) needed for the opening of the Women's Shelter. Pray that our luggage will all arrive in good condition.
• We are thankful for the wonderful unity we have in Christ; pray that each of us will choose to depend on the Spirit of Christ in us to guard this unity of Spirit, which our enemy would love to disrupt.
• We will meet our other 11 team members (from Lethbridge, Okotoks, Pincher Creek & Vernon, BC) later this aftenoon as meet in Calgary. Pray for good fellowship and the joy of sharing our spiritual journey as we serve Christ together.
• Please pray for God's peace and blessing on our family members who are holding the prayer ropes back home.
• Eph. 3:14-21!

Thank you for being part of the team with your prayers, Len Perry

We had a Bolivian meal at Denise Lockhart`s today for lunch. We had peanut soup, pique macho and freshly squeezed lemonade, Bolivian coffee, mate (Bolivian tea) and a birthday cake!!

Had lots of discussion about our trip...excitement is growing!!

Karen Friesen

Tomorrow, Sunday 7th March the Three Hills contingent will be enjoying a Bolivian Meal and some cultural input from veteran Bolivian missionary, Denise Lockhart. Here is a picture of the seven members from Mt Olive EFC, Three Hills. Hope we can get pictures of the rest of the team members this week.

Test Run

Hi from all the EFC Bolivia Partnership Work Team 3-10. This is a very brief test run. We are all new at blogging but we are excited about this means of keeping our prayer support team and churches informed. We know that God works in response to the prayers of His people so we are counting on you being on the team with us as we partner with our EFC team in Santa Cruz.