Happy New year to you all. We were thinking of you all at 8 pm (our time) as you clinked glasses and celebrated 2008. Things were a bit different here. Our church organised a supper for everyone on the evening of the 31st December of traditional Bolivian soup. We welcomed in the New year together and then we invited all the “young” people of the church back to our house to play games and have a party. It was Pastor Phil’s idea to give them an alternative to going out onto the streets and buying cheep, nasty alcohol called cheecha. It was good fun. We got them playing lots of silly games… all the Crossover / Big Crunch favourites and a few new ones too. We managed to explain most of them with our limited Spanish and lots of sign language.
On the 3rd January we went to Trinidad with Chris ( LLink co-ordinator). The bus journey was up and over the mountains and into the jungle. We had a bit of excitement when the driver told us that the bridge had collapsed because of the floods and we would have to carry our bags across. This meant a 1 mile walk in mid- day heat (35 degrees), clambering down a mud bank and crossing a river on no more than a few planks of wood tied together with a couple of shoelaces. Then getting on a different bus the other side. OIB – only in Bolivia…
Trinidad is in the Beni jungle, it was hot and humid and full of creepy crawlies. So thankful for our mozzie net. We visited a church and a few future projects. Dean now has 800 acres of jungle named after him … just don’t ask how…. Dino’s Place!
We arrived back in Sucre today and are getting ready for our workshops that start next week and re- starting language school on Friday.
Thank you so much to all those who sent us parcels and goodies for Christmas, they are beginning to arrive and it is a lovely surprise to go to the post office and have Christmas spread over a few weeks. Thank you… muchas gracias.
Images: Ruth in her birthday poncho, last cups of English tea, new year party games and the river crossing.
Dean and Ruth's Diary 
“young” indeed. At least they enjoyed the games. I spent New Years praying and worshiping at SSW. Good stuff. I love reading and hearing about what going on because it is the Lords work.
In other news I got an iMac, Dean. One of those awesome G3’s from the early 00’s. Oh and it has crashed, many times so I want no more smugness.
I keep praying for what you’re doing, and I know the Lord hears me because of what I read here.
God bless
Ian
Hey guys,
Great to hear from you.
Keep up the good work.
Dean, Jo Liversidge is getting married in November and has asked me to preach at her wedding….. how old do I feel????
Hello luvlies!!
It did make me smile to see those kids wrapped in pink loo roll!!! Hahahaha! Crossover games are going global!
The walk across the river looked a bit Biblical and I expect it increased everyones prayer life, at least until you were all safely on the other side.
It made me imagine how the Hebrews must have looked, carrying all thier belongings, children and cattel etc thru the muddy path made by the parting of the Red Sea!
Loving the Poncho too Ruthie! Mucho luvly-o hahaha!
Thinking of you all and hoping to catch you on Skype for a Crossover link-chat again soon
Stay Blessed!
KA xx
dudes! it actually looks amazing!
seriously… if i was wearing a hat now, i would take it off to you, but its upstairs at the back of my wardrobe!
looks like your having fun, giving fun and learning loads (best was to live)
still thinking of you guys out there, all the best
jo
x
Hi Mr and Mrs Such,
Its Nicole here. Lots of the children were talking about your website so I thought I’d take a little look and I think it’s fantastic. Despite how much we miss you we all think you did the right thing. Before you left you explained to us how hard it would be to breath, so how are you coping? Year 7 is great and I’m really enjoying it. You look like you’re having great fun and I wish you the best.
Email me back because I’d love to hear from you both,
Lots of hugs and kisses,
Nicole Birley
xxxxxxxxxxx