And the time has come...

Those of you who know Gary, know that he loves the game of basketball. It is something that God has blessed him with here in Cochabamba as well as back home. Gary found a league here in Cochabamba to play with and it has been an interesting experience for him :) He started with a team that wasn't super committed, but over time they've picked up new players, started getting better and better and recently won the championship for their level (there are three A,B, and C). So after the championship in the locker room they were all sooooo excited and decided to celebrate by having a cookout at our house. Gary has been waiting so long to have an opportunity to spend good quality time with these guys off the court, but not to force it. So last Saturday while we were in route to Brazil the basketball team came over and Gary said it went great. I think I'll be finding signs of their presence in my kitchen for weeks to come :) but it was so worth it. It is such a blessing for us on the field to pray for opportunities and watch God bring them in His sweet timing. So please rejoice with us as we continue to reach out to those that God brings across our path.

The locker room conversation that brought all of this about totally cracks me up. As many know, in other countries, drinking is a much more acceptable social habit than it necessarily is in the states. So as the team is sitting around planning the cookout they had decided to have it at our house. Spirits are high and lots of yelling and congratulating is going on as Gary yells across the locker room to his teammates... so at the cookout do you want to drink? YEAH they all shout, do you want to drink beer? YEAH they all shout again and Gary responds, well you'll have to do it before or after 'cause you can't do it at my house :) and it was like letting the air out of the balloon :) the team were good sports and waited until after the cookout to partake if they so chose, but the story just cracks me up. I can just see spirits high in that locker room, energy levels building and then... just kidding :) I was so proud of my husband for taking on the big job of a cookout, with Nathan in tow and for standing his ground :) What a partner I have... in love, in life and in ministry!