Adventures in Sucre by Alli

Dear Friends and Family,
Well, here I am again writing from Bolivia, but this time in the cold city of Sucre. It isn't freezing, but it is like fall weather all of the time, which quite frankly is a lot differet from Santa Cruz's scorching heat and humidity. I am writing on a really cranky keyboard at an internet cafe, which is a lot different than my luxury of my host family's computer. So if I make some interesting mistakes, it is becasue the computer keys are sticking.
Well, we have said goodbye to our host familys, celebrated New Years (by staying up all night) and completed the training period of SASS/PROJUSE. Our training was rigorous in terms of the ammount of material crammed into one week, but it was worth it. All of us were encouraged and learned things from God. I, for one learned about my giftings in leadership and healing. Also, my spiritual walk got very encouraged by some of the leaders and speakers.
Another amazing thing my team got to do was help lead a friend from SASS/PROJUSE training deeper into her spiritual walk with God, listen to her, and help her see (thanks to God) that she is loved by God despite a really rough, abusive childhood. God really worked in her, and now she is on her way to an amazing relationship with HIM! It ceartainly wasn't us. It was all God. All we did was listen, ask forgiveness, and show her love! Please pray for her continued growth in the Lord.
Now, I am sure you want to hear about how we are doing as a team + how we got to Sucre etc. Well, after terminating our training period, we traveled by bus to Sucre from Santa Cruz. The bus station looked like a small airport and it also provided micro, and train services. So it was a 3 way terminal. I knew it would be a rough ride, but I sure had forgotten what my last experience on South American busses was like. We traveled arround 14 hours with about 3 breaks on windy dirt roads (with lots of pot holes) arround hairpin curves with a few thousand ft drop off the clif if the driver went of the road. Jess and Bethany noticed the drop offs more than me. So, needless to say it was not the most comfortable evening for us. The worst part was that the bus (even though it was a coach bus) did not have a bathroom. So, I once had to wait 3 hrs until I could go to the bathroom.
Well, anyway, thanks to God we got there in one piece the following morning. By the way, we are here in Sucre, with an amazing on fire Christian named Kenia Vasquez Nuñez. She is an amazing encouragemet and knows Sucre well. She was also one of the leaders of the SASS/PROJUSE training.Getting off the bus, we went with the pastor of the church here to a nice hotel to adjust to the altitude and sleep. We are about 13,000 meters above sea level, if I heard correctly. The hotel was nice, and we were able to go shopping in Sucre that day and the following one, before heading to the "Luz y Vida" church where we are working.
We are living with a pastor and his family at the church and are helping with youth and children's ministry. We will all have to share a message and our testimony at some point before the 29th which is our departure date for Santa Cruz. We are also presenting dramas, music, helping with the Youth group, visiting people, and doing a Vacation Bible School. So, needless to say we are really busy. Tonight we have to lead Youth Group. I have to share the message, and we are doing songs, games, and mimes. Kenia is helping us majorly as well. I think that brings us up to date.
Praises: -Safe arrival, opportunity to serve the community, team unity, Holy Spirit movement, safety, time to relax, and so much more!
Prayer Requests: Political Situation in Bolivia, Bethany's back and her cold, Healing for Rachel and Jess's stomach bugs, Healing for Rachel's gastritis/bacteria, open hearts of the Youth and others while we share about Jesus here, peace for us as we are doing lots of things these next few weeks, eloquency with the language while we speak (so we don't get frustrated), safety, and increased growth spiritually + team unity.
WEll, I should probably stop because my internet time is running out and this computer is bugging me because it has sticky keys. May God Bless you all and keep you in His everlasting arms.