What a week

Well last Saturday night as I watched my little boy puking his poor little guts up, I imagined that would be the worst of our week. Boy was I wrong. From that point on things seem to get crazier and crazier, in our house, and in our city. Sunday was stay home and recover, make pallets on the floor and watch movies day for Nathan as he continued to feel bad. Then Monday Gary went to work as usual, but early in the afternoon called me to let me know that there was some conflict going on downtown and that he felt like it would be better if went ahead and came on home for the day.

We have all known that Cochabamba has been in turmoil lately, not serious turmoil until here recently... but Monday a group of leftists from the "campo" (or country) had entered the city and were protesting against the local governor who is moving to make a referendum for local autonomy from the national government. See this link for the CNN coverage Bolivia CNN Update.

It all gets confusing, but basically these two groups have met in the streets everyday this week... until today, thank our amazing God! (and mind you in the middle of this we are moving forward with plans to have our church launch/inauguration this weekend in which 24 people were coming from the states to be a part of... not counting brothers and sisters from La Paz and Santa Cruz who could not get through because of the blockades that the "campesinos" had set up blocking pretty much all roads coming to and from Cochabamba).

The protesting/rioting this last week ranged from groups roaming the streets with bats and sticks, rock throwing, sling shot throwing of rocks, and burning the governor's office. Three people were killed this week and many more injured in the violence.

(Back to Nathan... trying to stay in the timeline here :) We finally broke down and took Nathan to the doctor on Tuesday. His fever was just not breaking and I was getting concerned. So the doctor started him on an antibiotic and took a stool sample (we are turning into pros :) and we later found out that he did have a virus in his system as well. So Wednesday we pack up Nathan and take him over to the Sandoval's who have graciously agreed to watch the little man (sickies and all) while Gary and I both travel to Santa Cruz to pick up the group coming in from the states. It was really nice to get away with my husband, just the two of us, but heartbreaking as usual to leave my Nathan.

So as we are in Santa Cruz the violence escalates and the two deaths occur. Much of the fighting is taking place outside of the Sandoval's and Forbess' apartment building and they are exposed first hand to what the rest of us are seeing on the news and in the newspaper. All the while, we're in Santa Cruz, confirming flights and getting our visitors settled in. That has to have been the highlight of the week for me. Watching our friends walk into the airport has to be one of the funnest moments I've had in quite awhile. We get them settled in the hotel for the day (as our flight doesn't leave out for Cbba until later that evening) and talk plans. Do we go ahead and take them on into Cbba, or book them flights back home, understanding too that we have reservations for them on the main strip downtown, where the majority of the fighting is going on. Because of the road blockades going out of Cochabamba, there are many travelers who are stranded in the city and all the other hotels are full. What do you do?

We decide to go on and head back to the Santa Cruz airport and try to catch our flight out. We get there at 5:30pm for our 7:15pm flight. I could get into all the details, but let me just summarize by saying, at 5:00 the next morning we got on a plane bound for Cbba. Many giggle fests over lack of sleep, card games in the airport, cricks in the neck because of sleeping on a bench, and emotions of frustration we arrive home. Only to realize that we really don't feel safe for Gary, Nathan and I to return to our house just yet. Gary has been the acting tour guide for the group and if we go home, and something happens on the bridges or in between us and downtown, there would be no way for Gary to get to anyone. So... we camp out at the Sandoval's (who work hard to cook meals for the group of now 30+ when you add team members, because all the restaurants and stores are closed in protest of the violence)... and I thought a little vomit would be the worst of my worries :(

So that brings up to today, Nathan and I got up, rested (because now I've got the stomach part of his virus) and came on home to our own house. The protesting has died down for now and roads and businesses seem to have opened back up. We just keep praying for the country of Boliva, which is in such unrest right now. We pray for the launch tomorrow, that the contacts we have made here and invited will be able to make it into the city and come. We pray for our travelers, some from Santa Cruz and La Paz who may try to make it in by bus now that the blockades have lifted and for our travelers from the states.

So many have told us, and we firmly believe that there is a reason all has come to a head this week and this weekend. Satan knows that God intends to claim this city and reclaim souls, and he's shaking in his boots. He's trying to do anything within his power to dampen our spirits and efforts, but we refuse to yield. Just please keep us all in your prayers. A week like this last one makes a weary mommy, daddy, and kiddo. We want to be fresh tomorrow to praise our God and show and give his love to all who walk through those church doors for the first time. God bless Bolivia, Cochabamba, the souls that lie here waiting for harvest, our prayer warriors back home, and us as we seek to serve him, no matter the conditions.