The good news, the bad news and the surprising news…

The good news is, all the campesinos (highland people who oppose our civic government here in Santa Cruz, and who support our president) who’ve been marching towards us for the past weeks suddenly decided that they would not enter the city. This was a welcome piece of news for sure. At one count, there was over 8,000 of them bearing down on us here, most armed and all angry. They were told that they could enter the city, but not with their guns. Perhaps the idea of a fight with the police before they even got to the city was enough to deter them. They held rallies and demonstrations in smaller towns surrounding the city (and still are in some places), but that’s as far as it’s gone. We need to be cautious though. Although some groups have disbanded, others are still active. The blockades between here and the Boy’s Home out in San Luis are still up and last I heard, there are a LOT of people still demonstrating. But all in all, it’s obviously good news.

The bad news is Evo our president. I’ve stated before that I appreciate some of his ideas and if he could implement them in a rational, thoughtful way…I might be more supportive of him. But it seems he can’t. This week he spoke to the United Nations, and by all accounts, parroted Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. This is not good news. The most disturbing part (that I know about) was his comment that, “Bolivia is for Bolivians…” That`s basically exactly what Chavez said about his country before he kicked out all the missionaries… The difference here in Bolivia is, of course, Evo doesn’t have the same support from the masses that Chavez had. But still…not what one wants to hear…

The surprising news is that another missionary organization is pulling out of Bolivia this week. Gospel Missionary Union (Corina’s mission) made the decision over the weekend. That makes two missions to pull out in the last week. It’s surprising because (in my opinion) things are much more peaceful this week. But they were bothered by Evo’s speech at the UN, and decided that it was time. I’m sure that there were other considerations for them as well. I was telling my friend today that of course they (GMU) have to think about families with kids and whatnot. Not just single guys like me who are mostly oblivious.

It’s hard though. That means more friends who are leaving. Corina will be staying (her husband isn’t able to leave) but Heidi (who runs the children’s ministry at El Jordan) has to go. She is not happy about that. She loves being here. I think it would be easier if there was a sense of impending doom or something…but like I said, there’s really not. So they all have to be gone by the end of next week.

Please pray for us here. It’s a bit of a confusing time. Some people are very concerned…others not at all. TV reports are contradictory…one station says one thing and another the complete opposite.

But in the end it’ll work itself out. For the time being, I have no doubt I’m where God wants me and that’s good enough. It’s nice to be able to tell the guys that I’m staying with them. It makes them smile every time. We were making plans today on how to defend the house if/when the fighting starts. We’re planning on a big tower on one corner of the property and a tunnel out the back if we have to escape (for future reference…we’re definitely watching too much TV). I said we needed to make bows and arrows to defend ourselves. One of the guys told me he knew where to buy illegal guns.

Good to know.

Thanks for praying everyone! I’ll keep you updated as best I can…