Well…I ran into another blockade a couple of days ago. It was the perfect end to the worst public transportation experience I’ve had since I got here (okay….maybe we’ll exclude the riot experience from that statement). It all started when I decided to take a regular bus downtown to the old bus terminal to catch my bus home to Nacer (cheap), instead of taking a taxi (more expensive) to the new terminal where my bus originates (which guarantees you a seat).

I did this in order to save a dollar…yes, you read correctly…a DOLLAR! Keep that in mind as you continue reading.

I confidently hopped onto my bus, only to realize that all the seats were already taken. To make matters worse…it was an old bus…which are shorter…not built for the average Canadian. Standing up, the roof was only about 2 inches above my shoulders. So I had to crouch forward…into the guy in front of me…over an old lady…

I continued this way for the next hour…and yes, you read that correctly…the next HOUR! Let’s refer back to the first paragraph shall we. How much did I save? Exactly…

Enough people eventually got off the bus so I could have a seat (I learned that single white males are in line behind old women…old men…young women with babies…children…young women in general…anything living). I sat down and relaxed…just in time for our bus to start slowing down and pulling off the road. When I looked out the front window and saw the hundred or so cars and trucks and buses parked all over the road and ditches…I knew what was going on.

I hopped off the bus with my stuff and started walking. After a mile or so, I came to the actual blockade. As I said before, in general you’re aloud to walk across the blockade…just not drive. I was feeling a little cautious…there were lots of people yelling and chanting…and it was dark out…and last time people threw rocks at me…. So I was moving pretty quickly when I crossed over. =) I found another bus heading out to the home, so I hopped aboard…and yes, it was full too. So I sat on the engine cover and people piled their stuff on top of me.

But I saved a dollar and that’s what really counts….

The day before this, I was on a bus and another driver pulled out too quickly and the big rearview mirror on his bus hit us and smashed, spraying glass into the open window of our bus. Fortunately I was looking the other way because glass hit me in the side of the head. The entertaining part came when the guy who was sitting right beside the open window (and who got the worst of the glass) jumped up and wanted to fight the driver of the other bus. He took off his shirt (remember?  The Bolivian declaration of “Let’s fight!”) and was yelling and such. Our driver wouldn’t let him off, and eventually he calmed down.

I really want a truck…

For those of you who were disappointed that I didn’t have any adventure stories last time (although I still think a tarantula in your shower counts)…there you go. The best I can do. I actually have some serious things to write about now, so if you can bear with me…

Earlier tonight I had a pretty heavy heart. I’m still not entirely sure what to think or how to feel. The last time I wrote I asked you to pray for a young guy named David. He’s a fellow that I’ve know for a few years here, and I know that I’ve talked about him with you before. He has no family and really struggles with feelings of worthlessness. He’s one of my favourite guys, but he’s a struggle to work with sometimes. He’s been making some bad decisions lately, and Miguel and Edly are thinking that they may have to ask him to leave the home. I agree that something needs to happen, but the thought of him leaving rests very heavy on my heart. On Monday David and I are going into Santa Cruz to meet with one of the missionaries there, who is going to translate for me. I want to talk with him about what’s going on and the choices he’s making. I really need prayer for this. To know what to say, and how to say it. That David will listen and realize that the leaders here do want what’s best for him. And that David will have the strength and will to do what needs to be done and correct the mistakes he’s made.

After that meeting with David, I’m getting together with another young guy who I’ve known for all the years that I’ve been coming here. While I was in Canada, this fellow left the home (after being here for over five years) and more or less went back to the streets. He’s actually living in a little room that he rents…but he’s consuming (doing drugs) and now he’s contracted a fairly serious disease. I saw him yesterday, and couldn’t believe how bad he looked. Skeletal is the only way I can describe him. My thumb and pinky finger can fit around his wrist. We had a good visit (it was one of those moments when my Spanish was working), but Monday I want to talk pretty straight with him about what’s going on in his life. This medical issue needs to be treated quickly. The good thing is, this has given me the opening to talk honestly about his choices…there’s not that much denying he can do. My missionary friend is going to translate for that too.

So Monday is shaping up to be a big day. I’m looking forward to talking with these guys…it’s what I’m down here for…but I’m nervous too. I want to be sensitive to God’s leading, and that He would guide our conversations. It’s pretty big…the future of both of these young guys is up in the air. But I also know that God is at work in them. I spent yesterday praying and fasting for them and I think I can say that I felt God’s presence and confirmation in that. As an aside, when I made the decision to fast yesterday, I didn’t know that it was going to be a celebration day (I’m not sure of what) and that we would be having BBQ shish-kabob’s and cake. So I think God listened really good to my prayers… =)

Thanks again for listening (reading) and for praying. There are lots of really great days here…and more than enough stressful ones too. =) It definitely helps knowing that people back home are praying. Just so you know, Sergio is doing better, and those other young guys are doing good as well. I’ve been able to get to know them better and I can see some good friendships shaping up. When they were decorating for the home’s anniversary, I loaned them my Canadian flag to hang in their dorm. The flag is still there and now their dorm is the “Canadian Dorm”. Whenever I sleep in the dorms (when Miguel’s house fills up, I lose my bed) I sleep in their dorm. It’s been fun, and they enjoy it (very cold…but fun).

Thanks again for praying. As I said, it means a lot to me. Take care everyone and I hope to hear from you soon.

Ken