Time keeps moving forward...

May 11, 2007
Written by: Rachel Albrecht
Blessings to everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord! I must start with an apology for the lateness of my letter. You see, I seem to have gotten into the Bolivian habit of being late. I was realizing the other day just how Bolivian I´ve become. Actually our whole team has become more Bolivian. We´re almost never on time (in American standards) to any event planned or unplanned, but we usually do make it on time by Bolivian standards. We also have gotten quite accostumed to hot humid weather down here, so when the winds blew and the rain fell and brought colder temperatures we all nearly froze! We tend to get cold once it gets below 80 degrees Farenheit and this past week it´s been getting down to the 50s at night, and sometimes during the day too. And we´re not even into winter yet! We are currently in autumn and the winter weather is yet to come in June and July, though I´m told it should not get much colder than it was this unseasonably cold week in May. Thank the Lord!
On to more important things....Last week we had a prayer team from Pennsylvania come down to lead some sessions for the kids at the children´s home and also offer prayer to anyone who wanted it. We really enjoyed gettting to know the team and helping out with some of the festivities. I had the privilege of translating the Sunday School lesson for the kids on Sunday. It was my first time doing so for a group of people and I was amazed at how far my Spanish has come in the time we´ve been down here. Praise God for His providence!
Also last week, Jess and I were both struggling with stomach problems again. We found an American missionary doctor that has a free clinic here, and were very grateful for her services. We are now taking amoeba medication and hoping that will cure us (along with your prayers of course!) I also found out yesterday that I had some other ¨friends¨ living in my hair. I killed them with lice shampoo when I got home from work. Surprisingly though, having amoebas and lice didn´t really freak me out as much as it might have before. It´s pretty common for people to have them down here, and if loving on my kids in the daycare means I get their bugs, then so be it. They need all the love and care they can get. I had 4 kids move up to the next age-level class this week and I seriously almost cried. I think I understand now how moms feel when their babies go to kindergarten...
Thanks for your prayers, letters, emails, etc.! We really look forward to hearing from all of you and welcome it at any time! May the Lord make His face shine upon you this week!
In Christ,
Rachel Albrecht
Praises:
Rachel and Jess found a good, free doctor and treatment for their stomach problems
We are loving (in general) our work at the guaderia (daycare) and hogar(children´s home)
God has been providing for all of our needs we didn´t even know we had!
Prayer Requests:
Health and safety for the team
More opportunities to share our faith
For God to be preparing our hearts for our departure in July
That we would make wise decisions and maintain good communication