Cochabamba, Bolivia

Requirements for residency in Bolivia.

2015-05-11T18:33:00.001-04:00

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Here is a couple that was here a while from Sweden.

And some friends from Colorado in a nearby town, Vinto.
Two sisters serving in Vinto, Bolivia.

2013-05-27T21:35:00.000-04:00

Greetings! This took us about 2 hours to load...so we are hoping you all really enjoy it! We have't posted anything since our trip to Tin-Tin which was over 5 months ago. Here you will see a variety of photos from then till now. We were able to go to the zone visit, here in Bolivia back in February. There are some pictures from Memorial, and a wedding we were invited to, a kid's party and even videos including a hail storm we had recently... AND many, Many, MANY of Dakota just getting older and her many end of school year adventures for all you grandparents and family members out there! :-)

Our congregation is doing wonderfully, really growing just to give you an idea we arrived to Bolivia on June 4th, 2011...2 years ago...time flies. When we arrived there were 106 and now we are 142 and counting! There is much work to be done here and all over the world! I love what the sub-co told us on our last visit..."The teacher does much work to give a student a solid foundation to become a witness, showing them how the organization works, what Jehovah expects from his faithful servants, and helping him/her cultivate love for Jehovah...but it's the congregation that makes disciples!" Well, Jacaranda is making disciples for sure there is a wonderful, happy, unified, loving spirit amoungst the brothers and it's a PRIVILEDGE to serve with them at this exciting time!

Dakota is doing very well still preaching with pride to everyone she comes across, students, teachers, from door to door and even on the phone! During this school year she placed many magazines, books and bibles with both staff and students. Even making return visits, and she has 2 for the future we will be visiting with this summer. She really has a true love for Jehovah's work, and we hope to keep cultivating that seed in her little heart! :-)

Char working on his singing skills at the Bolivia Branch.

Dakota and her little friends love to take a hand in cleaning the kingdom hall!

Pique Macho...any and every type of meat you can think of grilled and served over french fries.

Enjoying lunch with friends!

During the zone visit weekend the branch has a very special tour prepared for all of the Bolivia friends!

Bethel Mid Bolivian summer

Zone Visit 2013! Over 14,000 of the 22,000 witnesses of Bolivia attended! :-)

Bethel Fun!

Future sewing department

It was SOOOOO HOT in Santa Cruz at the zone visit...we were wearing layers of sweat! But we were filled with JOY!

Campaign work for the memorial headed out to "La Maica" our farm territory Dakota LOVES it there!

La Maica

One of the many seeds Dakota has sown! Now a regular study of her's and our's our old neighbors! Pablito, Teresita, y bebe.

Just too cute in service, a brother lent her his sunglasses.

Getting ready for her ring bearer responsibilities!

Typical day in service, picking exotic flowers.

Jamil and Koddie, he gave the ring to the groom and Dakota gave it to the bride.

Me and Mery Dakota's Bolivian Grandma, one of the most ZEALOUS pioneers I know! One of the reasons the congregation is growing so quickly!

You know us! ;-)

One of my favorite studies made it to Memorial Amalia. This 84 year old woman is learning bible truths for the first time, it is a joy to see her eyes light up in wonder on every study! And she just loves Dakota!

This is priceless!

At memorial, another sister and I had the privilege of getting the flower arrangements...you can't see it well here, but it really was beautiful. Jehovah blessed our work.

The bride and groom.

At Koddie's school for the science fair.

Some of Koddie's classmates...her own little territory.

Dakota showing us the many wonders of a cow. Their science project was farm animals.

Yumi, the sub-CO's wife, I've never met such a wonderfully encouraging sister that lifts any child's spirits with just a smile! Dakota fell in love with her.

Still taking Koddie to the salon!

Sunday afternoon at the park playing with friends.

Potolos...Dakota's garb for her Bolivian Dance, about farmers cultivating the land.

Make shift Chilindrina!

two Chilindrina's and one Chavo ( VERY famous mexican show for kids...for those of you that aren't firmilar)! At our latest congregation kid's party! Boy did they have fun!

Half of Dakota's class after their dance.

Cutest Chilindrina I ever seen! ;-)

A study at our hall made this cake for the kid's party...how nice!

Headed to Dakota's graduation.

Can you tell I'm wearing 2 different earrings...I was in such a rush, wanted everything to be perfect that I didn't even notice until I got home!

Nice Bolivian tradition, a parent walks the child down on the day of graduation, to show respect, and honor to the parents who also worked hard to give their child a stable future.

It's official I graduated!

Where's Koddie?

At Bethel

At Bethel, this represents one of the languages translated at the branch, Aymara.

2013-01-10T00:27:00.001-04:00

So where do we start...our blog has been on hiatus for some time! We went to the states from Sept-Oct. and after that just BUSY, BUSY, BUSY like all of you. There wasn't anything totally exciting to tell you all...but then we went to isolated territory on Koddie's winter break! So below you can see many pictures of that! It was a wonderful territory...MANY interested ones, real potential. We went for 7 days with a group of 15 approved by the branch.

I will tell you guys 2 of the many wonderful experiences we all had.

On the first day we were there I met a young girl around the age of 16 on the first day walking down the road I stopped her and started preaching to her, was able to read several texts and left her many magazines since we won't be back very soon. She was so attentive I asked her where she lived. Telling her that we would be in town for the next week and that we were offering free home bible studies. She indicated it to me and thankfully it was close to where we were staying and easy to find. We studied that afternoon and almost every afternoon after. Her cousin was in town visiting they were about the same age and they both sat in on the study. The kicker was that in one of our conversations they mentioned that at night they would read the publications we gave them one reading the magazines and the other one looking up all the texts there in. It was great...they were so interested and had many wonderful questions!

Another girl we found was born in Bolivia, but raised in the states. She had returned 5 years earlier around the age of 24. She was extremely interested in our message taking hours to study with us and coming to the meeting. Her question...Why does God permit suffering? She was so distraught going through a horrible divorce and having everyone tell her it was God's purpose....he was testing her. She cried on and off at the drop of a dime because she just didn't understand. When we were able to explain to her with the Bible, she lit up! Literally as if a HUGE weight was taken off her shoulders, her eyes brightened and for the first time she was able to smile! She made us cake and chocolate for the whole group. When we left her she was another person...with hope in her eyes! It was truly touching! She along with the other two girls will hopefully receive studies from brothers in a closer congregation 1 hour away.

We really wanted to make a difference on Dakota's winter break and she just loved it preaching at every door...commenting at meeting. It was great! Below I tried to put a video of a very recent part we had as a family at meeting, hopefully you can all see it! There are a couple of extra pics of us around the city and a kids party the congregation did.

Dakota is really making a lot of progress here...which is our biggest goal! She is learning to read spanish and english at the same time, which will be great for preaching and the school...she's doing really great even formulating her own comments for the meeting according to the words she understands in the magazine. There has been so going on here, I know I'm missing details, but this is the jist of it all! Think of you all often...you are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you very much!

We went to eat fish and this was the appetizer mote... similar to hominy and fried sardines. Which I usually hate, but deep fried...they weren't so bad! ;-P

On a small speed boat ride here by the city.

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This was just cool...the tracks that a few weeks after would lead us to Isolated territory. Tin-tin.

Dakota getting ready for a party.

Dancing the night away.

Headed to isolated territory on the Buscarril...a literal bus set up on the tracks.

Some of the view from the train.

Koddie couldn't get enough of my hat.

Main Plaza in Tin-Tin.

The group of us preaching in town.

An orange anyone?

We walked a few miles to this train tunnel one day during service just for a little bit of adventure.

The inside of the tunnel...halfway in we turned around because there were bats inside and it was pitch black! ;-P

At the river after a long service day!

Some of the door to door shots.

We crossed a small part of the river to reach about 10 homes it was worth it the people were very happy to talk to us.

On the other side of that river a house holder that only spoke Quechua gave koddie this puppy no more than 3 weeks old. His name...Tin-Tin it was just appropriate...he's now bigger we think he's a black lab. Very cute and no worries we have the shots covered.

We met this girl in service and she was so interested she actually spoke english so I was able to preach to her a lot.

At the meeting.

On our way to the river to make a bond fire.

bond fire

Crossing rivers to get to the tunnel.

hiking up hill

At the meeting, Dakota now knows a good 50% or more of our songs in part or fully...she loves singing them. Often after school she comes and tells us, put the canticos on Mom.

These bulls were all over town. One even charged at Char one day when he had a red umbrella...too funny. He threw that umbrella so fast!

The guys walked to another territory we were assigned to for 5 hours more then 12 miles this was part of Char's Journey.

In the town they reached Vila-Vila

Koddie holding on to dad for dear life in the dark tunnel.

On the way to Vila-Vila

Some of the many things the house holders gave us. Including Mangos, Potatoes, Chocolate, cake, and Tin-Tin our new puppy.

On the way to the river for our bond fire.

Another river pic...Koddie fell in half on purpose! It was really hot that day and she dried up in 30 minutes!

You can't tell but this was a VERY steep hill. We were proud of Koddie for making it up, but she was slowly loosing energy...until....

She got Tin-Tin.....she forgot she was tired after that!

Preaching to the locals!

At the kids party.

I was Winnie

There was a drama, Salomon...any kids favorite.

Dakota figured it out right away and blew my cover!

Gift bags for everyone to end the afternoon off with a bang!

With some interested ones!

2012-08-24T20:02:00.000-04:00

Wow, it has been a long time! Now that Bolivia will officially be our home, seems funny to take a camera every where taking pictures of day to day things. Below are some mostly of Koddie's and her new school, and the adventures we have had as a family with this new chapter. It has only been two weeks with Koddie's in school, and she is just flourishing, and at the same time giving an AMAZING witness!

Let me give you all a few examples of that for all you proud, aunts, uncles, and grandparents out there! Today, she had a half day and we went to pick her up from school. So, we took the opportunity to talk to her teacher again about our beliefs and what Dakota would and would not be participating in. Just to give you all a little background here in Bolivia. Teaching religion has been band by the new president for the first time in the history of Bolivia. So instead they teach something called Values...which is basically religion rapped up in a pretty package. This month Patriotism is the value. They don't salute the flag everyday like in the states but once a week they sing both the American and Bolivian National anthem.

So we wanted to review that with the teacher although Dakota had already given her the brochure, but when we came upon the subject, she stopped us and told us not to worry, because Dakota had already told her she didn't participate in such activities and why. She said she respected our beliefs and will always keep Dakota involved in other activities. She said, "Dakota has a wonderful personality and gets along with everyone and even when she does something wrong she realizes it and reasons well about it. She is a pleasure to have in class."

One last experience of many: Dakota is now preaching in studies too adding additional comments to the householder about why we get sick and die, or why we have inherited sin. She makes us glow with pride, we can only imagine how Jehovah feels! She loves service and on her days off from school and one afternoon a week we go out from door to door and to RV's and studies, where she is always taking an active part. The other day she placed 8 magazines and a book at the mobil stand we preach at on Saturdays!

Things here are great, we as a family are reaping the rewards of Matthew 6:33, Malachi 3:10 and so many other promises Jehovah give us! Seeing Dakota grow like this is truly an invaluable PRIVILEGE!!! We love you all and hope to see most of you when we are home from September 18th-October 18th!!! Three weeks and counting! :-)

Our daily bible reading, Koddie drawing pictures to remember and understand.

Walking in the city.

Another city pic.

Koddie getting ready to share the brochure with her new teacher on orientation day.

Right outside of her school, on the way to the bus back home, after her first day.

A few pics of Koddie's Classroom, her cubbyhole.

Her table.

List of helpers.

Circle time area.

Arts and crafts

First day of school, waiting for the Taxi.

At school after several announcements...headed to class.

In front of our house on the first day of taking the bus.

A few pictures of the city on our runs.

Back to school night.

Koddie's bus as it drove away with our little girl, and a little pic of our block!

Can you guess who this is?

Sorry don't know how to rotate! ;-P

2012-05-17T14:49:00.001-04:00

GREETINGS from Cochabamba! We have been quite busy, but only have good news. We have jobs! Which means Bolivia will now be our new home, we will be able to stay and really serve the congregation and the territory! We are very happy about this and EXTREMELY greatful to Jehovah for having given us the opportunity to make this home. We are working as online english teachers, we are enjoying this VERY much. Giving bible studies has always given me great satisfaction and I always thought how great it would be if I was actually a teacher...now I AM!!! Remember when I went with you Karen those couple of time to assist as you taught english, now I am, in a virtual classroom where I actually have backup and the lessons are provided for me! How cool is that?!?!?! And we will make enough money working part-time to live here comfortably possibly enroll Dakota in a private school, and travel home!!! Jehovah is AWESOME!!!

Below you will see some pics of a congregation outing we took a few weeks ago to some falls here in Cochabamba. Also Koddie at a kid's party this Sunday, each of the 28 kids we have in our hall came dressed as a different bible character. Then we played a sort of guessing bible game, each kid gave some details about their character and the others had to guess who they were. Dakota was glowing with happiness all afternoon!

We also have some pics of our new estante mobil (mobil stand) we are now working every Saturday at a Car Fair in our territory...we have started many RV's and BS with this new wonderful tool. People come up in curiosity and we have been able to have many wonderful conversations! This stand can move everywhere and anywhere with it's little wheels. Dakota even started a bible study, with the Watchtower article for 3yr olds in the May 1st mag! I didn't have my camara that day...but next time I will definatly go prepared and take more pics. All by her self she went up to the little girl who's mom had an orange juice stand next to our's and started going over the article with her after I had given the mother the magazines. The lady was sooooo pleased she gave us free orange juice!

Dakota has also been studing the bible story book with the neighbor kids (don't worry they live in the house right in front and Dakota is always inside the gates) they come out to play and she takes her bible story book out when they come out and her MPD player ( as she says...she just can't get the 3!) so they can hear what each story is about! The other day I put the Kingdom Melodies on at home and she runs inside and tells me, "mom put it really high so my friends can hear!" She is doing really great!!! Everywhere she goes she is preaching...how happy she is, and how proud it makes us! She is making a wonderful witness to Jehovah's name!!!

We love you all and hope you enjoy this BLOG!!! :-)

Cute Koddie with growing Pinky! :-)

A group of us from the congregation went to the falls of Parque Pairumani

We walked through a tunnel

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Hiked up 3 hrs, but it was so high and it got late we never got to see the lake at the top! :-( It sure was an adventure though!

Dakota was Hanna, Samuel's mother.

Little modern Isrealites!!!

Dakota hiked up 2hrs....refusing help...she is a little hiker! Reminds me of that time we went to Rocky Mountain National Park and Karen showed Koddie how to hike! Karen she doesn't need anyone's hand anymore! She can even run a straight mile without stopping! We went the other day and we had to tell her when to slow down on our run!!!

Estante mobil, mobile stand.

2012-04-14T14:22:00.000-04:00

Koddie looking after Pinky and Tazo Jr. they are getting along very well now...and we have finally decided to KEEP Tazo Jr. As long as he is outside and I keep away, my allergies do not act up! :-)

At the Memorial we are 109 publishers, and we have 357 in attendance...a few of which didn't show because instead of coming to the hall we rented they went to the Kingdom Hall with the neighboring congregation! What an exciting night!

Koddie with her friends at Memorial

So we went to the Mica to Preach a kinda issolated part of our territory lots of farm land. We walked several miles so I bought the running stroller along so Koddie wouldn't have to walk so much. Halfway there in 90 weather with the sun burning down on us Koddie fell asleep and my partner and I had to carry koddie and the stroller through this river of sorts relly a street washed away by the rain 50 feet of so...we made it, but boy was it an adventure! Jehovah gave us the strength and man I have run many miles with this stroller....but NOW it has my utmost respect!!!

Made it to La Mica!

Mexican Tacos in Bolivia man those brothers ate till they couldn't anymore!

At the Plaza!

Here is our latest update ,past few weeks are flown by. We are enjoying every minute that goes by, and Koddie is blossoming, which is our #1 goal here! Hope all is well back home, we love and think of you all often! :-)

Finally!!!

2012-04-02T22:17:00.000-04:00

Telephone group every Friday night, something new here but the brothers are really taking it seriously!

Some of this 52 aux. pioneers of our 109 publishers 17 of which are already regular pioneers....great to work together for the campaign!

Koddie and Margel....Koddie's best friend!

Some of the many guests and the wonderful wedding we went to!

They did a typical bolivian Dance...it was beautiful, but you might note that the guys look sooooo tired their part was much more detailed and brisk fast movements.

The special Couple Willy and Jaye Cruz!

In our house with Pinky!

We squished 10 people into a two door VW Rabbit it was hysterical....can you tell Sergio is in pain!?!?!

Some sisters asked me to sing with their band for a gathering here some typical Bolivian songs....very nerve racking but LOTS of fun!

Pinky's Dinner Chicken Feet!

Tazo Jr. and Koddie

Dia Peaton (pedestrian day) we rode 20 miles all around the city what a great day below are a few more pics of the city! All streets were car free from 9-5 so everyone could ride their bike or walk on main avenues! Koddie had the time of her life!

Laguna Alayala

Tired after a long day of bike ridding!!!

Giving Pinky a bath!

Fruit salad for lunch....Palmagranite is growing like crazy out here!

We have a minute to update our blog on the last month here. Much has taken place, life is good, we are finally residents after much struggle and MUCH support from many special people out there (you know who you are!) Jehovah used you when we needed help the most and we were able to reach our goal by much prayer, supplication, and hard work! Fighting like Jacob for this priviledge was so worth it! Charlie is now one of two elders at the hall, Dakota is back in her environment. It is wonderful to be back working as a family for Jehovah's purpose! Hope you enjoy the few pics we took in these last few weeks, want to keep you all on the journey with us!

Dakota Get's a Dog!!

2012-03-09T14:54:00.000-04:00

We promised Dakota a dog when we got to Bolivia. So the Neighbor had a little puppy that she wanted to give away. So here's Pinky!!

Our Return

2012-02-06T02:21:00.001-04:00

Got the Objeto Determinado!! We go back March 1st! Hope to experience more and share more!

Koddie

2011-10-26T14:39:00.000-04:00

This new post is all about Koddie...for all grandparents, uncles and aunts both fleshly and spiritual(u know who you are!;-) and everyone that has seen Koddie grow since she was a baby! It's about her small baby steps in spiritual growth, in the pass few months we have been here in Bolivia. Hope you all Enjoy!

Koddie ready to hike up the Tunari when we first came here!

Koddie at the assemby enjoying time with Shina and Fabi, two wonderful little girls that have been well trained from very little to love Jehovah with all their little hearts.

Koddie and Franco, his mom is studing and they come to the meetings regularly. Dakota is often talking to him about what Jehovah loves amount those things good, obedient kids.

This was just cute!

In Arampampa getting the attention of the little ones so she could talk to them about Jehovah.

Hearding the Sheep literally! ;-P

At the Arampampa meeting Koddie's squished herself into the first row so she could show the other little kids where we were at in the Watchtower!

Relaxing in our backyard after a long morning in Service.

Just Koddie!!!

Joining a family at our hall for their family study, it was really great. Dakota had her hand up the whole time, the only problem is getting here to focus on the information, and not just go off on a tangent about the paradise and Jehovah's love. She often raises her hand at meeting, when we haven't even prepared a comment and starts talking about what Jehovah loves and hates, and how Jesus gave his life for us.

Striking a pose at Bethel.

In service, the future pioneers of Jacaranda! Helen and Koddie.

In service again enjoying the beautiful flowers and the avocado's that are just starting to grow.

Fun at the Part after RV's.

Hello Everyone!

2011-10-19T19:24:00.000-04:00

So Julia left and our latest post shows some of the 1000 pics we took on her wonderful, upbuilding trip here. You can imagine that when she left I felt quite sad, after spending 3 weeks together and showing her our home here being able to stay at Bethel and go to Issolated Territory, we took wonderful advantage of everyday we had with her! Unfortunatly though everything good must come to an end eventually! Arampampa was amazing we hiked up hill 6 miles one way for 4.5 hours to reach people that have only been preached to twice...eventually ending up at the tallest city in the world. Many only spoke Quecha, but understood spanish so we spoke and they listened atently! It was soooo upbuilding them coming out to the streets to thank us for coming from soooo far to preach to them, with hands full of candy and Mote, (a toasted sort of corn...Choclo) and after our long hike and wonderful experiences we headed back 8 miles home, a longer route but there were small communites on the way of a home or two at a time and the best part was that it was FLAT!!! ;-) We then spent a week here in Cochabamba preaching and giving Julie a tour of the city, took her back to Santa Cruz, and said our goodbyes. We came home today, and when we first got here I couldn't help feeling sad that Julie was no longer with us, but I had promised two RV's I would visit them this very afternoon. So I got ready around 2pm and headed on my way alone because Charlie was pretty tired and Dakota needed to rest after so much traveling. Sad and praying I got on the bus, but Jehovah answered my prayers quickly, I started studies at both RV's both being VERY happy that I came, thanking me for taking out the time to visit them. One of them was even visiting with a friend when I came and her friend sat in on the study, being very interested on what we learned. Needless to say my spirits are lifted, and I wanted to share it with you all, because sometimes we all feel down, but just hearing a happy thought makes us chin up. Hopefully, this will make you guys smile also! Love you all!

2011-10-19T19:07:00.000-04:00

This is by a small river by the house we were staying ati

This Lady only spoke Quechua and lived off making these BEAUTIFUL kinda afgans. She was soooooo happy we had come and understood spanish so she let us in and listened as we read text after text only shaking her head in agreement, and saying yes in Quechua...Hare. It was so upbuilding only through the smile on her face and the twinkle in her eye could I tell that she understood and that she enjoyed the message!

After preaching to a small village on the way to Arampampa only about 10 homes...by this point we were half way so we had hiked up about 4 miles.

Eating one of the many meals we had together. A group of ten we took turns making meals.

Back in Cochabamba with Julie, just taking her to tour the city.

In service by one of the MANY. MANY beautiful flower filled trees here in a Cochabamba spring.

Still in service.

In our territory.

So your wondering why this picture is here....this is Roxanna and her famous, fabulous Tucumana stand. 3 Bolivianos will get you a wonderful masa filled with potatos and meat or chicken...we had Julie HOOKED by the end of her trip they are WONDERFUL!

Ok so one of the only things I miss from the US besides my wonderful friends and family...you know who you are is SUSHI, So we found a "Japanese" place, it was horrible the joke of the night, but we had a great time anyway. The Tempura was fried Chicken...what a joke....but I don't know what I was expecting in a country with NO coast! ;-P

On our way home from service on a Pasarella.

One of the many, meals the brothers provided for Julie's visit, they are so wonderfully HOSPITABLE!!! This family in particular has had us for lunch 4 times in 4 months, and refuses us to bring anything saying we need to save our money to stay! :-)

3D movies in Cochabamba...Koddie just loved it! But it was expensive REALLY $6...it was a special occation!

At a fountain for kids at a park close to our Cochabamba home.

A Cochala sunset!

Back at Bethel so we can say goodbye to Julie! :-( This was the bed in our room we also had a beautiful living room with a sofa bed.

Julie's Room at Bethel...funny thing is it was the room we stayed in when we got here in June!

Koddie driving the tracter to get the literature out on time to all of Bethel!

We were able to stay Monday night...which meant we were able to go to Watchtower study, at this kingdom hall, it was wonderful!

Outside of the branch with our tour guide....funny thing was that the week before they were in Brooklyn for training and had met Jamie and Lisa, who talked to them about us here in Bolivia, and then by pure coincidence we took the tour with the sister and when we told her our names she remembered, Lisa and Jamie had mentioned us....it's a small world, especially in Jehovah's organization.

Something about this pretty, sweet sister who serves in Bolivia Bethel but is from Germany reminds us of Brittany. Her name is Daniella and she has just captured Dakota's heart!

Taking pics at Bethel

2011-10-10T15:38:00.002-04:00

View from Arampampa

Calle Recto

Painting in town

Our group that took the 6 hour bus ride up!

On our way to 4 litlle communities.

A small town. View from entrance.

After 7 or 8 miles of hiking at close to 13,000 ft we took lunch.

Dakota was so tired she layed down on a rock to nap!

Dakota placing a YPA book with a little kid.

Dakota says in spanish Jehovah likes good kids. Satan likes bad kids. And Jehovah is very important. Here is a book for you to read about Jehovah.

Inmanaya kashanki! Walayhiah. Something like that. A lot of people only spoke Quechua.

38 in attendance at the meeting!

2011-10-04T21:34:00.000-04:00

WOW time flies and here in Bolivia the clock seems to have spead up even quicker! We have had you all in our thoughts, though on our many adventures all around country and in Peru...TRYING VERY HARD to obtain residency....we will keep you posted! Eitherway we have enjoyed the stress filled, crazy, encouraging, travels we have made. Below are just a few of the MANY pictures we took on our expeditions. Headed off to Isolated territory in the morning....and then....here we come Buenos Aires! We appreciate all you loving support and ask you to keep the prayers coming...we need them! :-) Love you all...GREETINGS from COCHABAMBA!!!

2011-10-04T21:30:00.000-04:00

Chinesse Italian meal at hour house....a crazy mix in Bolivia!

Koddie's first part in the school she spoke for a whole minute all in spanish....she has no problem with stage fright!

Entering Peru

Coast line in Peru by Lake Titicaca

Mountains across the street...literally!

Back in Bolivia taking a tour of Lake Titicaca the highest navigatable body of water in the world!

Isla del Sol in the middle of the lake.

Drama Crew, last rehersal night before Sunday. Char was able to help make and move props and I helped with Makeup, and costume changes...what a HUGE privledge!

Drama Men

Koddie with her new puppy Pinky and her lil brother.

Drinking Coco juice with Jimmy and Janet in Santa Cruz.

In the Aviario at the Resort in Santa Cruz

One of the MANY amazing butterflies in the Mariposario.

Koddie LOVES the Wide variety of flowers here!

Walking into Aviario to see the wide variety of birds in Jehovah's creation.

We were in Arms length of this peacock at one point it spread it's wings but we weren't quick enough with the camera.

Back in Cochabamba with Julia.

Koddie working hard after all our travels scrubbing our clothes clean!

Visa residency in Bolivia, Objeto determinado

2011-09-07T16:58:00.000-04:00

We have gone through a lot of paperwork to get a month extension and a possible one year residency in Bolivia. Well I thought that we could give a little insight to those who are interested in coming. We have all the places and requirements all written down. So if u are interested I want to post a list and some pictures of what is required and the cost of it all.

Char

2011-09-04T23:06:00.000-04:00

We would like to call all this BAND practice , the congregation is soon to have a party and we were invited to join the musicians for band practice! Apparently they have live music for an hour or so every party,which is awesome ! This country is RICH with culture and their typical dances are beautiful.We sang for hours and played intruments we have never seen or even heard in preperation! f

This is called Patas de Ovejas or literally they are sheep hoves with this intresting instrument you make a sort of bottle cap clashing together sound that is great in most latin music!

This takes the place of your cheese grater, most Puerto Rican's would recognize this sound it a GREAT salsa!

LLUVIA...or rain because when you turn it up side down sounds like a down pore!

Dakota with the parrot.

2011-09-02T19:06:00.001-04:00

Dakota with the Parrot

A few of the brothers have parrots here.
They say Bolivia has the widest variety of birds in the world. Anyway Dakota the bird lover, wanted to play with the parrot at a sister's house, and sister that owned the bird said it might bite, but Dakota was fearless...keeping it at sticks length the whole time until.... suddenly it sprang onto her back and she was just so excited! Needless to say it did not bite koddie! :-)

Cochabamba

2011-08-29T16:59:00.000-04:00

Our Bethel Room

Hello Everyone

2011-08-22T15:23:00.000-04:00

These couple of weeks have flown by but we just wanted to catch up with all of you! Everything here is still wonderful, the few pictures we post every so often only take a chip off the ice burg of the culture, territory and wonderful brotherhood we have found in this country. Our service has been very productive each of us conducting serveral bible studies, and about to start two studies with couples. Yeasterday we worked for the first time some of out rural territory walking for countless miles, and enjoying the senery and conversations. The brothers here have been nothing short of amazing always looking after us, inviting us...we have to twist their arms to allow us to cook for them, because many of them feel we should use the funds we have saved not to feed them, but to stay as long as we can! Can you imagine that, how loving...but it still doesn't stop us from having a family or two over to our house every week and from constantly being invited. Dakota is now getting pretty fluent with spanish throwing in Bolivian idioms in everyday conversation. She is eager to preach, comment at meetings and is dying to take part in the school...we are definatly seeing the many blessings that Jehovah provides in our family. We have many more pictures, that we will be posting little by little so you all can share in this wonderful experience of ours!

2011-08-22T15:13:00.000-04:00

Our dinning room ;-P there are two chairs missing. Fresh fruit on the table at all times!

Gas tank that fuels stove top, and more storeage area for plates countertop for cooking cutting etc. Purifed water, we but that full "botellon"of water for $1.75 and have it delivered to our home every week.

Our bathroom or at least part of it, shower is in the middle of the room. toilet and sink on either side, basically picture a guest bathroom with a shower in the middle.

Here is the beds. We bought Dakota a fold up bed that turns into a sofa. It's got wheels on the bottom to move around a little. We have tried to make it feel like we are at home. As you can see we have some pictures of friends and family on the bed.

The beautiful sky on the way to Maica

Crossing the bridge to enter Maica

Part of the territory is out in the farm. It has many good studies. It's called La Maica.

Koddie with Ana Maria tied up Quechua style.

The pigs (chanchos) were very hungry practically jumping out of their pen!

Beginning of La Maica.

2011-08-09T02:02:00.000-04:00

We had some brothers over for hamburgers. We had a great time. In the back yard in the shade. The sun is pretty strong here but in the shade it is great. Thank goodness the brothers are very adaptable to different foods, they left no patties nor links left over! That has got to be the first time every single potato chip and french fry were eaten. The food is mostly organic and the beef was very fresh. Well just a small update on our weekend.

2011-08-01T15:23:00.000-04:00

The view from Ruth's roof

At a Bolivian. Each ride cost about 50-80 cents so we rode all 10 :-)

On the Passarela on our walk to the meeting.

At one of many very well kept and entertaining kids parks...entry fee 2 bolivians or 14cents

Not even halfway up the stairs to the CRISTO...half a mile up people that is twice up and down the Red Rocks stairs...feel the burn!

The bridge that leads you up the many stairs to the biggest CRISTO in the world.

This is the bark of a tree.... pretty crazy huh!

With some of Koddie's favorite teenagers in the hall at the park.

Yey we made it to the top of the CRISTO

View from the top!

Charque a Cochabamba specialty...dried llama meet then grilled...very tasty.

Lomo Montando

BBQ anyone?!?!

YUM! The grill next to our apt.

Charlie making lunch

25 Bananas for a Dollar!

Haren and I after my first part in the school of Jacaranda

hospitality at brothers home Cows eating in front yard.

This was incredible Silpancho at the home of the Gomez home a single mother with son and daughter in truth they had hardly no furniture no kitchen sink or real stove in their home, but they showed us the true meaning of hospitality giving us a wonderful, delicious meal and sharing everything they had after service on Sunday!

2011-08-01T14:22:00.000-04:00

Can't remember the name but a typical Bolivian plate. DELICIOUS!

Homemade Ice Cream at Vasvaldo's.

Luz, Ruth y Luica

View of Cochabamba at night