Closing out "The Year"

With 2020 winding down the days have felt long and the days of 2021 have been long anticipated. 2021 brings the hope of starting back in-person classes on February first, but with Covid cases rising in Bolivia and the vaccine a long way off from getting here, it's unknown what will really happen. Audrey was able to head back to North Carolina on December 5th and be with family, while immigration visa issues held Mark back in Bolivia. Long distance once again, this past month has been even more challenging. Audrey returns January 6th, and in-service at Highlands starts on the 7th. There is excitement around school because of the possibility of being back in person, and the fact that by January 7th the entire staff will be in Bolivia and all together in person for the first time this school year.

Before Audrey left, we were able to spend quality time hiking and contemplating what a blessing these past four and a half months have been in Bolivia. It doesn't take much contemplation to recognize all the ways in which God has blessed us and given us a life far greater than we deserve. During the Christmas season our attention has been focused on our biggest and best blessing outlined in Romans 3:24-26: "But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins. God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life’s blood, so that by faith in him we could come to God. And God did this to show that in the past he was right to be patient and forgive sinners. This also shows that God is right when he accepts people who have faith in Jesus." This is a message we hope all receive and is something we eagerly look to spread.

While Audrey has been enjoying her time with family and friends in North Carolina, Mark has sought to utilize his time through Spanish tutoring with Francisco, a former student that graduated from Highlands last year amidst the pandemic. Francisco has been incredibly helpful and has been an answer to prayer. Spanish continues to be a prayer request as we know that it is a major key for unlocking further ministry in Bolivia. Ministry focus number one continues to be the school and the students, and Mark continues to pour into his discipleship group of senior boys through weekly meetings and the ever so often basketball get together. The school community has also been key during this season with various Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years parties.

While we join many in celebrating the end of 2020, we also praise God for the blessing of a year that gave us our marriage and our new life together in La Paz. We both eagerly seek to serve God as best we can in 2021 and look forward to continuing to make Bolivia our home. We have signed on for another year at Highlands, and we are committed to serving God here until he says otherwise. Please keep praying for the country and it's response to Covid as cases are rising again. As previously stated, we also ask that you pray for our learning of Spanish and the Bolivian culture. We appreciate the support and prayer that everyone is sending. This next semester should prove to be a challenging one, but one we are committed to serving in as best we can.