In Bolivia, the celebration of a baby completing its first year of life is a very big deal. All the family and friends are invited, piñatas are bought, all kids of party favours are prepared. A special cake is ordered and a souvenir t-shirt or hat is designed and printed for each guest to remember the special occasion.

Despite this great celebration, most of the children who come to us do not even know when their birthday is. They don’t remember ever having a party, eating a birthday cake, blowing out candles or receiving a gift.

It has been a great joy for me to see the eyes of the children light up when they celebrate their first birthday with us at Casa Segura. It’s so much fun to buy them presents and make them a birthday cake and just show them how special they are. I love being able to give these wonderful children a First Birthday that they will remember!

  

This month I’d like to share something that will challenge us all.

 

Adapted from “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers

A missionary is someone in whom the Holy Spirit has brought about this realization: “You are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19). The true nature of that life in actual everyday confusion is evidenced by the deliberate giving up of myself to Jesus Christ through a sovereign decision. The Holy Spirit interprets and explains the nature of Jesus to me to make me one with my Lord, not that I might simply become a trophy for His showcase. Jesus never sent any of His disciples out on the basis of what He had done for them. It was not until after the resurrection, when the disciples had perceived through the power of the Holy Spirit who Jesus Christ really was, that He said, “Go” (Matthew 28:19). 

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26). He was not saying that this person cannot be good and upright, but that he cannot be someone over whom Jesus can write the word Mine. Any one of the relationships mentioned in this verse can compete with our relationship with God. I may prefer to belong to my mother, or to my wife, or to myself, but if that is the case, then, Jesus said, “[You] cannot be My disciple.” This does not mean that I will not be saved, but it does mean that I cannot be entirely His.

Jesus makes His disciple His very own possession, becoming responsible for him. “… you shall be witnesses to Me …” (Acts 1:8). The desire that comes into a disciple is not one of doing anything for Jesus, but of being a perfect delight to Him. The missionary’s secret is truly being able to say, “I am His, and He is accomplishing His work and His purposes through me.”

Be entirely His!

 

 

Mother Teresa said...

 

“Holy living consists in doing God’s work with a smile”

 

“I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile” (Job 9:27)

 

 

In this life there a chosen few who are called to leave the cares of this world behind… They are not drawn in by the deceitfulness of riches or by the desire for other things... They choose to bless others, even some they will never meet, rather than be blessed themselves... They choose to give rather than to receive… Their roots go deep and they are not easily entangled... They hear God’s word, accept it and produce abundant fruit...More than enough to feed all those around them…

See Mark 4:16-20

 

Wanda Guttierez has been working with us at Casa Segura for almost 1 year now. This month Wanda was appointed the manager of operations at Casa Segura. In her new role, she will continue to run the Orphanage office, but also be responsible for the operation of the orphanage, training of house mothers, maintenance of the property and management of other support staff.

Wanda brings with her a wealth of ministry experience and a heart for children without a home. Prior to coming to Riberalta she worked in various capacities with her church in La Paz for 20 years and also supported Mik Henzell in his work with the street kids during his time in La Paz.

Please pray for Wanda as she takes on this new and challenging role, that God will give her wisdom and boldness to do the job before her.

 

PRAYER ALERT!!! Wanda has just come down with Malaria. Please pray for a quick recovery for her

Over the past several months, new doors of blessing have been opening to Casa Segura, both within Bolivia and in Australia. Through the hearts of just a few people great things are being accomplished.

 One lady in Australia has a gift for making clothes, and through a friend of ours she heard of the children at Casa Segura. Her heart was touched and moved to send some of the work of her hands to Bolivia and many children have been blessed.

A church in Bolivia saw an opportunity to bring their staff to our property for a retreat. Through their desire to get close to God, we too were blessed. A few weeks later they brought 200 students from their Christian school out of a day of activities. They brought a day of fun to our school children along with them.

A group of ladies who meet together to fast pray each month had a desire to give food to orphans. After a few months their desire grew to do even more, so they all came to teach the children about God and cook them all lunch.

Imagine the blessings that you could bring to others around the world, if you allowed God to move your heart...

 

 

Between two borders…

The process of getting a Bolivian visa is never simple.

Each and every time you set foot in an immigration office, there is a new rule, a new problem, and a new person to talk to. However when it becomes necessary to get a visa for Brazil in order to receive a Bolivian Visa things become infinitely more complicated. As Mik Henzell and I discovered a few weeks ago, when he attempted to renew his Bolivian visa.

We set out , as instructed by the immigration office in Riberalta, to the Brazilian border to  apply for a Bolivian visa with the Bolivian Consulate in Brazil. At the end of the day, after 6 hours of walking between immigration offices and police stations in Bolivia and Brazil, crossing the river 6 times, and speaking to countless officials in Spanish and Portuguese, Mik had was left between two borders. Unable to enter Brazil or return to Bolivia, and with no-one offering any solutions, we contemplated camping on the island in the middle of the river for the night...

So as day 2 began, we entered the Brazilian Consulate in Bolivia and for a  moment wondered if we were going to get bounced from office to office once again. Thankfully the Brazilian Consul was moved with compassion and managed to untangle the web of bureaucracy between Brazil and Bolivia in which Mik was trapped. By lunch time he had entered Brazil, been issued with his Bolivian visa and we were on our way back home to Riberalta. Praise God!

So next month it’s my turn...We’ll see what awaits me in what is the confusion of the Bolivian immigration system. Next time I think I’ll take a change of clothes just in case!

Some of our long term prayers have been answered recently at Casa Segura. Firstly, with the arrival of communication to our jungle home. After many years of going to town to make contact with the rest of the world, the Casa Segura office now has a telephone! This is a great blessing to our work and to us personally as missionaries.

Our second long awaited item is a freezer for the kitchen, making storage of food much easier. The money for this important purchase was donated by Dayboro Christian Family Church.

We give thanks to God for His provision and to all of you who faithfully pray with us. We know that God will continue to meet all our needs day by day.

⁷“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

The Casa Segura Office can now be contacted on +591 3857 3545 during Bolivian office hours. Australia time: 10.30pm - 2.00am, 4.30am - 8.00am (AEST).

In this life we all have a choice to give a little and to give a lot. We often here about people who have given a lot. They have given a lot of money, they have given a lot of time, they have given a lot of their lives. These people have a lot to give and are honoured, and rightly so. But you never here about the person who faithfully gives a little.

Jesus told a story about this very thing when He was teaching his disciples about giving.

⁴¹Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴²But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. ⁴³Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44 (NIV).

It is easy to give a lot out of our wealth and feel good about it. And these people should feel good about it, don’t get me wrong, they are blessed and are a blessing to those around them.  It’s so much harder for the one who doesn’t have wealth, but gives out of their poverty to be noticed let alone honoured. But one thing I know is that God notices and God honours your gift.

So whether you give a little or give a lot, know that your gift makes a difference in the lives of orphans around the world. Every dollar counts!

I leave you with this thought.

If you, and everyone you know, gave $1 a week, how many orphans could you feed around the world?

 

What $1 will buy in Bolivia...

·         1 kilo of flour

·         1 kilo of rice

·         1/2 kilo of pasta

·         1/2 kilo of potatoes

·         1 kilo of sugar

·         6 eggs

·         1 kilo of onions

·         1/2 kilo of tomatoes

·         250 grams of meat

·         1/2 litre of milk

·         5 bananas

·         1/2 kilo of chicken

 

By faith we walk. By faith we take action. By faith we overcome the challenges of today. By faith do great exploits in this world.

When Abraham left his country, his home and his father’s household, he did not know what would be facing him around the next bend, but he went anyway, knowing that God had called him and that God would be with him, whatever challenges came his way.

In the same way, we as God’s children should not be worrying about what will happen tomorrow, or around the next corner. Our call is to live by faith, knowing that God is with us each and every step of the way.

So step out. Obey God’s voice. Do the thing that He has told you to do. Then wait to see what God will do! I am amazed everyday!

⁸It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. ⁹And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in a tent. And so did Isaac and Jacob, to whom God gave the same promise. ¹⁰Abraham did this because he was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. Hebrews 11:8-10 (NLT)

²³Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. ²⁴Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:23-24 (NLT)

 

Things to pray for...

·         The orphans of Casa Segura, that they adjust quickly to life in their new family and grow spiritually and emotionally.

·         More orphans  and missionaries to come to Casa Segura

·         Sponsors for all children and workers

·         Provision of finances to cover the monthly operating costs

·         Funds to complete toilet and shower block and to furnish 2 cabins and to purchase an oven and a fridge for the orphanage.

·         Understanding between cultures

·         Protection from Malaria, Dengue Fever and other sickness

·         Strong relationships within the team

·         Strength and wisdom for life and ministry

·         Protection of the missionaries, workers and their families  from all kinds of spiritual attack

·         That God’s Will be done at Casa Segura and in Bolivia!

As I write this I am sitting in an internet booth in the airport in Santa Cruz, waiting for my plane to leave for Riberalta. By this afternoon I will be back in the warmth of the Jungle and in my own house, to see what creatures have moved in while I was away.

 

I want to thank all of you in Australia from the bottome of my heart. I was so blessed during my time there, both financially and emotionally. It was a great joy to be able to catch up with as many of you as I could, and share with you something of the work that I am doing here. Your support and generousity uplifted my heart and on my than one occassion brought tears to my eyes.  Thank you your thoughts, prayers and encouragemet. I pray that God will bless you for your faithfullness to His work here in Bolivia and all around the world.

 

I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things here and that this year will bring joy and hope to the lives of many Bolivian orphans.

I am in Australia at the moment for a short break. I've just uploaded heaps of photos from 2008 so you can take a look.

That time of reflection is upon me again, as I prepare to come home to Australia for Christmas. For me here in Bolivia, 2008 has been the year of the battle. I have seen victories and times of retreat, and though we grow weary at times the battle continues on all fronts and never ceases.

I want to thank all of you who have joined with me in this battle through prayer. Your prayers have brought many victories and accomplished all that is now here at Casa Segura. This year we have seen a school and a kindergarten opened, the first orphans come to live with us, new staff trained, and all staff and their families grow in their walk with God. By the end of the year 9 buildings will have been completed, with 13 more in various stages of construction. We have running water and I have turned responsibility for the office over to Wanda, our new secretary. Many other blessings too numerous to count come our way everyday.

I am praying for 2009 to be the year of the breakthrough. We need financial breakthrough, emotional breakthrough and spiritual breakthrough, especially against the powers of darkness that are at work to steal and destroy all that has been accomplished for God’s glory and for the forgotten children of Bolivia.

And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)

 

I will be in arriving in Australia in the middle of December. I hope to catch up with many of you in January. May your Christmas be filled with love, peace and joy.

This journey we are on to build an orphanage can be likened to a  race. In a long distance cross country race, the finish line is often out of sight and the road ahead is littered with obstacles and refreshment stations along the way.  To keep himself going, the runner must ensure that he has enough sustenance to overcome the challenges along the way and make it to the end.

We are in the middle of our race. Much has been accomplished and there is much left to do. Each day we keep before our eyes the place where we hope to one day be and rely on God to provide all that we need to make it to the end.

Joining us in the race this month at Casa Segura are Rodrigo Bejarano and Wanda Guttierez. Pray that they too will finish their race.

Thank you for your support to this point and please continue to stand with us, cheering us on as we keep on running.

God is the Father to the fatherless! One respected Swiss-based research organization estimates that, based on a survey of 88 countries, there will be 100 million orphans under the age of 15 around the world by 2010. That is huge! Half of them will be AIDS orphans. No wonder God is alerting His people to the need to care for orphans. James reminds us that what God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this – to look after orphans and widows in their distress (James 1.27).  

But God is also looking for more – for children who are orphans to get to know Him as their Father – to learn to hear  His voice, pray, live by faith, reach out to others, plant churches and become nation changers – even by the age of 14! If children can be Olympic stars by this age then surely they can be stars for God too! We hear much about the abuse of orphans the world over. But where are the stories of those whom God has raised up? Moses was an orphan. Joseph as a child was rejected and sold as a slave by his brothers, and became separated from his family.  

Samuel was handed over by his mother to be raised by a priest. David was ignored by his brothers and father from an early age. Yet all of these became stalwarts of faith, trust and obedience to God, and leaders of their nation. He was their Father! God’s word also exhorts us about support for orphans. The tithe was meant for “the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow” (Deut. 26.12). Does that mean that a quarter of our tithe should be for orphans? When crops were harvested, some were to be left for the gleaners - “for the fatherless and widows”.

Source: Brian Mills as supplied by Interprayer

The world today is full of fatherless children. These children have been left without parents because of disease or violence. Each one has their own individually tragic story. We see their faces and look into their eyes and think, ‘what could I possibly do?’ In fact we sometimes even think it might be better not to look at them at all, because of how it makes us feel. So we turn our backs and ignore their plight, rather than turning our emotion into action.

 

God has a plan for the orphans of this world. He is moved to action by their hurting hearts. He sees how they suffer in the evils of this world. He has a plan for their lives, and we have a part to play.

 

 

God’s Part

 

·       Father of the fatherless

 

o       Psalm 68:5

 

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy. Psalm 68:5 (NLT)

·       To protect orphans and defend them against evil

 

o       Psalm 146:9

 

The LORD protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. Psalm 146:9 (NLT)

o       Psalm 10:14-18

 

¹⁴But you do see the trouble and grief they cause. You take note of it and punish them. The helpless put their trust in you. You are the defender of orphans. ¹⁵Break the arms of these wicked, evil people! Go after them until the last one is destroyed! ¹⁶The LORD is king forever and ever! Let those who worship other gods be swept from the land. ¹⁷LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them. ¹⁸ You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so people can no longer terrify them.

Psalm 10:14-18 (NLT)

 

 

Our Part

 

·       Care for the orphans

 

o       James 1:27

 

²⁷Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.

James 1:27 (NLT)

 

·       Don’t exploit the orphans

 

o       Exodus 22:22-24

 

²²“Do not exploit widows or orphans. ²³If you do and they cry out to me, then I will surely help them. ²⁴My anger will blaze forth against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Your wives will become widows, and your children will become fatherless. Exodus 22:22-24 (NLT)

 

·       Give to the orphans

 

o       Deuteronomy 14:28-29

 

²⁸“At the end of every third year bring the tithe of all your crops and store it in the nearest town. ²⁹Give it to the Levites, who have no inheritance among you, as well as to the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, so they can eat and be satisfied. Then the LORD your God will bless you in all your work.

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 (NLT)

 

·       Defend the cause of the orphans

 

o       Psalm 82:3-4

 

“Give fair judgment to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. ⁴Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people. Psalm 82:3-4 (NLT)

o       Isaiah 1:17

 

¹⁷Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17 (NLT)

 

Consequences

 

·       Cursing and public disgrace

 

o       Deuteronomy 27:19

 

¹⁹‘Cursed is anyone who is unjust to foreigners, orphans, and widows.’And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’ Deuteronomy 27:19 (NLT)

·       Blessing and praise

 

o       Job 29:11-13

 

¹¹“All who heard of me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me. ¹²For I helped the poor in their need and the orphans who had no one to help them. ¹³I helped those who had lost hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy. Job 29:11-13 (NLT)

 

My challenge to everyone who reads this, is to open your eyes. Look for the people in this world who are alone and crying, don’t turn your eyes away. Look at the devastation that surrounds you in this world, don’t shield yourself from the things that bring conviction to your heart. Look into the eyes of a child whose whole world has fallen apart, and do something about it.

 

Help those who have no one to help them. Go looking for the orphans and defend their cause, don’t hide yourselves away from their need. Look into the eyes of a child, and see how they will bless you.

This month at Casa Segura, an explosion has begun. The long awaited day arrived on the 14th of August, when we brought the first orphans to live at Casa Segura. The breakthrough came in the usual fashion here when the grass roofing material arrived. Everyday since then has been packed with loving and caring for the all the needs of these orphaned children. Each night as we fall into bed exhausted from the challenges of the day, we can now look at their sleeping faces and know the love of Christ that compels us to go on.

Along with the children came a new list of jobs that need to be done, from collecting firewood to cooking, from buying shoes to buying bibles. By next week the size of our staff will have doubled, as we prepare for the explosion to continue. Please pray with us for the new members of our team as settle into life at Casa Segura, that they will have strength to endure and victory in every battle coming their way.

Last June when I was in Australia, it was prophesied that the struggles of the past year would be replaced by a moving forward. And God has been speaking the leadership here about the explosion that was on its way since the beginning of this year. In the fullness of time, the day has come to see these words come to pass! Our God is faithful!

There is no greater reward for these years of the day to day hard slog, than to look into the eyes of these children and see hope there. Hope for a future, hope in Jesus Christ and hope for a nation!

 

Things to pray for...

·       Completion of toilet and shower block

·       Completion of 2 more cabins

·       Operating with 20 orphans, with sponsors, by the end of the year

·       Sponsors for all workers and their families

·       Provision of finances to complete construction and Regular support for the operating costs of the orphanage

·       Understanding between languages and cultures

·       Protection from Malaria and other sickness

·       Strong relationships within the team and that all workers will have a heart for the ministry

·       Strength and wisdom for life and ministry

·       Hearts of missionaries will be prepared to come to Bolivia

·       Protection of the missionaries, workers and their families  from all kinds of spiritual attack

·       That God’s Will be done at Casa Segura and in Bolivia!

 

Last week we were honoured to have Ps Gary and Judy Levens from Taigum Community Church visit us from Australia. As part of their ministry supporting and planting orphanages around the world, they give their support to us here at Casa Segura. It was a great blessing to have them with us for the short time they were here.

 

These were their impressions of Casa Segura…

 

“To experience the Amazonian jungle is an amazing thing. Beauty on every hand, yet danger and death also is a constant threat.

What a place of contrasts Bolivia is. Enter through La Paz and experience the thin atmosphere of the world’s highest city. Headaches and dizziness come immediately. Off immediately in a tiny 20 seater propeller aircraft to Riberalta, literally carved out of the jungle. First impressions… oppressive heat, humidity, clouds of red dust (will we ever get it out of our clothes?). Then the smiling faces of our friends Mik and Kay waiting for us (or was all the chocolate and vegemite we brought them from Oz the greater anticipation?) Out to Hogar Casa Segura, the amazing acreage property that they have sculptured out of the jungle to be a haven for the multitude of orphans in the area whose parents have succumbed to the world’s greatest killer, malaria.

We were only there a day when we realised what a hostile environment this is. Bug-ville – there are creatures of every size and colour amidst the spectacular butterflies, parrots and monkeys. We didn’t see any anacondas, but we saw plenty of shed skins, some up to 8 metres (maybe they saw us though!! – Scary).

We drove into the jungle one day in the tip truck to collect timber that had been “hand cut” for the CS project. What a trip! Mik said that it was his most hair-raising one to date. Trust me to pick that one to go on! The “road” was actually little more that an animal track that was about wide enough for a small motorcycle. We slipped and slid our way along. I was convinced that I’d spend my first ever night hunkering down in the jungle. My mind played tricks and I imagined being swallowed by anacondas and whatever else. Sharpened up my prayer life. Needless to say we made it back.

The skill of the woodcutter amazed me. He fells the giant Brazil Nut tree and it falls amongst thick forest. He somehow manages to cut it up right there into long, beautiful planks according to the dimensions ordered by Mik. His only tool is a chain saw!

We left Mik and Kay, full of admiration for their grit, commitment and vision. They endure great hardships. Malaria, TB, parasitic digestive illness, discouragement and lack of Christian fellowship are just a few of their constant companions. God is with them. We were glad to be able to refresh them a little.

Back in La Paz last night in the Raddison Hotel we reflected on how our lives go from the sublime to the ridiculous in short time periods. We dined in luxury looking out upon this amazing city that is like an enormous bowl with very steep sides. As we reclined in a hot bath we thought of Kay and Mik without running water in their little jungle chalets and we gave thanks to Father for these unlikely heroes of our faith. Good on ya, you little Aussie battlers.”

 

All of you who have been praying for God to speak to the hearts of people to come and work with us here at Casa Segura will be pleased to know that this week the first person arrived. Maggie Ciranni, from Dayboro Christian Family Church, arrived in Riberalta on Tuesday. Trained in Child Care, she will become the first ‘big sister’ at Casa Segura. Her role will include caring for the first group of 6 orphans, and will also be involved in setting up procedures to help with the operation of the orphanage. We are currently working hard to finish building the cabin she will be living in with the children. The floor is going down and the walls will soon be going up. Soon the only thing missing will be the roof, which always seems to be the last thing to arrive here.

 

Please pray for Maggie over the next few months as she adjusts to life in another country, climate and culture. Pray that she will settle in and learn the language quickly. And most of all pray that she will be able to care for the first group of orphans within the next 2 months.

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.

Matthew 10:42 (NIV)

Through the blessing of three university students, we now have running water on the land at Casa Segura. This marks the completion of another milestone for us here, bringing us one giant step closer to being able to care for orphans in the Amazon Jungle.

Gareth and Kif (from England), and Phil (from Germany) joined us here almost a year ago to complete a water sanitisation project. During 2 stays of three months each, they installed the running water that will serve the needs of the children of Casa Segura. These young men volunteered their time and put the knowledge obtained through their engineering degrees to practical use here in Bolivia.

Their project consisted of 2 wells, which pump clean water to a 4000L tank. This water is then pumped to supply running water to the kitchen/bakery, and the toilet/shower block. Complete with a pressure pump we can now turn on a tap and have an abundance of water that will fill thousands of cups of clean water and wet the mouths of many thirsty children.

May God reward the young men who provided this blessing...

 

 

The wheels on the truck go bump, bump, bump…all the way to Brazil. The time had come to take the plunge and drive the truck the 80 km to the Brazilian border. The gringos needed a tank for their water project and it was up to us to go and buy it and bring it back across the river in a boat to Bolivia and transport it to the project on the back of the truck. The journey took just over 2 and a half hours with a top speed of 50km an hour in the rare patches of decent road. The guys bounced around on the back, eating dirt all the way there.

Upon arrival (or about two blocks beforehand) at the border to cross over to Brazil, we find that the river has risen about 2 metres since our last visit a few weeks ago, and has broken its banks flooding the low lying areas of both border towns in Bolivia and it Brazil. So off we set in a boat through the streets and finally make our way to the river and fight the currents of the overflowing river, through the gate and into the streets of Brazil.

Without many dramas the 4000 litre tank is purchased and we “patiently” wait for the next 4 hours for it to be delivered to our boat standing by at water’s edge. Finally, the man from the shop comes along and tells us that for some unknown the top of the tank that was perfectly intact a few hours before is now mysteriously broken. In the end the tank arrives without its lid and we take it across to Bolivia to be unloaded amongst mountains of pasta, fruit and nappies,. As the sun goes down, we embark on the bumpy, long journey home, minus the gringos who chose to ride in the comfort of a taxi for the return trip.

All in all we saved about $500 by transporting the tank ourselves and now we have a story to tell… And in a few more weeks it will be complete with a new lid...

This month, for the first time in three years the road from Riberalta to the Casa Segura property was cut because of the rain. Jungle life becomes a bit more of a challenge when the only way to supplies is pushing a motorbike through 50 metres of knee deep mud! For about a week there the road was impassable with trucks and cars stuck in the mud whole 24 hours a day as they tried to get through.

Despite these challenges, this year is shaping up to be a year of birth and growth for us here at Casa Segura. Eeni, meeni, minie and mo, our four little pigs were born in the last week of March. They have already doubled in size and are sooo cute! So the agricultural part of the project continues to grow. We now have 8 sheep, 5 pigs, 3 dogs and too many chooks to count (all of which I frequently have to chase out of the office). Along with our abundance of fruit trees we now have the beginnings of a the farm that will later serve the needs of the orphanage.

Our school opened at the beginning of the month. All the photos are on the next page. So all the kids got their new uniforms and at the same time we took the opportunity to make uniforms for the staff as well. For a few days there the office was full of green and gold screen printed T-shirts waiting to the distributed.

We now have children at Casa Segura everyday and it is a great joy to sit in my office and look out at the children learning their ABCs and two times table. To see them playing football and hear them laughing with their friends. It’s a great way to remind myself what I came here for. To bless the lives of children through the love and blessings available through Jesus Christ!