It’s hard to find North Americanish food here sometimes. It’s not that I don’t like Bolivian food…I do. But I’ve said it before…and I’ll probably say it again…some days it’s nice to eat something that tastes the way it looks like it should taste. So…when you find something familiar, you stick with it. Or at least I do… Right now I’m eating at a little restaurant that has free wireless high speed internet…and the most amazing chicken wings. It’s likely the greatest combination of random items ever. I think I probably get the same thing every time I come here. Today wings weren’t as good at first, though…they were kind of greasy. I’m not sure what was up, but since I’ve been…well, thinking about trying to lose some weight…I figured the greasy wasn’t so great. But no worries, I solved my dilemma with good Canadian ingenuity…I just covered the grease with BBQ sauce…

Most of the guys are studying nights these days, taking classes to prepare for the entrance exam into university. So for three days a week, that only leaves Jesus (one of the guys…not the other Jesus) and I to take turns cooking supper. Yesterday it was my turn, so I decided to make spaghetti. Jesus fried the hamburger for me, and I started openings cans of tomato sauce. These cans are great too, you don’t need a can opener. They open like a pop can and you just peel back the lid. I tossed four cans of sauce into the pot, a can of mushrooms and a can of tomato paste.

Jesus looked into the pot and asked me what it was.

“I’ve cooked this before! It’s spaghetti!”

“No, that’s what they call it in Italy or Europe. What’s it called here?”

I paused for a moment…I had no idea what he was talking about. “I don’t know…what’s it called here?”

“Lazy.”

Yea, whatever. I’ll stick with calling it Canadian ingenuity.

It’s been a challenging couple of weeks here. It’s hard to know how to explain things exactly. I’ve talked to different missionaries, and there seems to be a consensus that this is a difficult time in their ministries. If you’ve been following along at the blog, I wrote earlier this week about some of the things that have been affecting us. Some of the kids at the homes have taken some fairly serious stumbles in their lives and relationships with God recently. I’ve found that, even after years of being off the streets, many of the guys have not experienced true freedom from their pasts. Many of them are still in bondage to their sins. They don’t really understand who they are in Christ, and the forgiveness and freedom that are theirs. I’ve talked with my co-worker Marcee, who works with the girls at our girl’s home, and she echos this sentiment in regards to the girls.

I’m in the middle of a situation right now with one of the guys. He’s not…pleased…with the fact that I’ve called him on a sin issue that’s been plaguing him for most of his life. And the problem is, he involved other people…so I spoke with them as well. That didn’t make him happy either. =) This is a “save face” culture, which is part of the problem. If you can keep you sin hidden well enough, no one is going to talk to you about it. But I told him that I’m not going to apologize for bringing this out. It’s time for him to experience Christ’s freedom, and be done with this. I think he understands that, but his pride (which is another big issue here with guys) is telling him that he’s right and everyone else is wrong.

So, like I said…it’s a challenge. I love the guys I’m working with right now. They’re eight of the funniest, intelligent and gifted guys I’ve ever worked with. But I would say that of the eight, maybe two are living lives that are free from issues from their pasts.

Please continue to pray for these guys. I wrote in my blog that I know God has a plan and purpose for these guys. I believe that they can all experience the love…peace…grace…joy and freedom that God has for them. But they need to believe that too. Pray that God will show this to them, and that I’ll have wisdom to know how to be a good example of God’s grace and love.

That brings me to my other prayer request. As it turns out, this isn’t your typical 9-5 day job. =) Obviously, I knew that going in…and for the most part it’s fine. But there are…moments…for sure. I would appreciate your prayers about that. I haven’t been sleeping very well lately (I’m not sure why exactly) and when I get tired, the first thing to go is my patience. I was doing some work in a coffee shop the other day, and a lady next to me was using her Palm Pilot. It was making this annoying little beeping noise every time she touched the screen. It was all I could do not to rip the thing out of her hand and stomp it into tiny little pieces. So yea…I would appreciate your prayers. =)

Thanks for taking the time to read this! I’m going to flog the blog one more time and encourage you to check it out. I’ve been trying to stay current with what’s happening down here. As well, I’m posting pictures today of our new place. If you’re interested, take a look. The blog is at kenswitzer.blog.com. You can’t get much simpler than that.

Thanks once again for your prayers and support. That’s what makes it possible for me to do what God’s called me to do here…

Dios te bendiga!

Ken

By the way…I’m home briefly this summer (last week of June to the third week of July). Now’s the time to invite me over for some good Canadian home cooking… =)

Oh yea…and something that’s surprising me…

I’ve turned into my father.

“Turn down the stereo!”

“When you leave a room, turn off the light…”

“Seriously…who keeps putting the juice pitcher back in the fridge with a quarter inch of juice in the bottom? Do it again and I’m not buying Cool-Aid for a month!”

“…and I want my change!”

Go ahead and laugh, but everyone of those statements have come out of my mouth in the last week.

It’s a sad, sad thing….and I probably need to apologize to my dad the next time I see him.