Our Own March Madness

College basketball wasn't the only thing that could be called "March Madness", as our March was filled with lots of craziness. Things like; the high school mission trip, the first ever basketball tournament for Highlands, landslides that forced a week of virtual school, a spring break trip to Chile, and visits from old coworkers kept us plenty busy and always needing to be flexible. The past month was a fruitful one filled with many opportunities to both spread the Good News and continually foster relationships through our ministry at Highlands.

It started with a basketball tournament that featured the first ever basketball game that the school has ever competed in. Mark helped start the basketball program back in 2019, but had both opportunities to compete crushed by political protests in 2019 and the pandemic in 2020. However, in early March they were finally able to participate in a tournament against five other local schools from La Paz. History was made as they played in their first ever game on Monday, and earned their first ever victory on Tuesday. Coaching basketball has given Mark an increased opportunity to pour into different student relationships and invest further in many of the young men at Highlands. After the tournament more and more students have expressed interest in joining the team and it has increased the opportunity for more mentorship. Mark is hoping to get into another tournament one more time before the school year is over.

Interestingly enough the tournament occurred during a week of virtual school due to a massive amount of landslides and mudslides throughout La Paz. Record setting rains ushered in a massive amount of damage to the city infrastructure, including the main road up to school. The road to school that runs alongside a river was destroyed as it was partly eroded on the river side and covered in fallen sediment from the mountainside. Many in other areas of the city have had their houses destroyed, and reportedly 50 have died as a result of this natural disaster. It has been a tough reminder of the problems that can occur in underdeveloped places like La Paz.

It was a reminder of the flexibility that is often needed on the mission field, and it almost jeopardized the start of the high school mission trip. Mark, along with 4 other teachers, led 18 students on a week-long trip to the village of Buena Vista in the Amazon jungle portion of Bolivia. They went last year as well, and were able to build upon those relationships established from the previous year to continue in supporting the local church, putting on multiple vacation bible schools, and helping with different work projects in the village. They also held three different church services and took every opportunity to share the Good News with the 80 family community in Buena Vista.

The mission trip was incredible and Mark was able to see the Lord work not only in the people of Buena Vista, but also in the 18 students that went. Please continue to pray for those students and the work that the Lord did in their hearts while on the trip. It is a massive blessing to be able to serve alongside many of the students and spend that week with them. Despite the intense heat and insane amount of bug-bites that everyone endured, the trip went very well, and many returned with a new perspective and new memories that they shared in chapel to the rest of the school.

The mission trip is always a highlight of the year for the students that go, and Mark can echo their sentiments. It is a great opportunity for the Lord to work in and through everyone who goes. It not only opens the eyes of those who go, but also the hearts. It is also a reminder to pray for those serving in places like Buena Vista like Pastor Benjamin. (Squatting in pic below)

Meanwhile back in La Paz, Audrey was able to visit with some old coworkers and friends that used to work at Highlands and were back visiting. It was an enriching time of connecting with old fiends and reminiscing about old times serving together. Relationships continue to be a large part of the ministry here, both with students and with staff.

Luckily one of our old friends stayed to celebrate Easter Sunday with us before she headed back to the Chicago area. It was a blessing to have encouragement from people who you have shared in ministry with and understand what it's like. We have both been thinking a lot about our ministry in La Paz and how the Lord has navigated our time here. We fortunately had lots of time to think and reflect on God's goodness in our week long spring break tip to Arica, Chile. The break came right after Mark returned from the mission trip, and was a much needed getaway for both of us. We very much enjoyed the coastal city of Arica, which is just a nine hour bus-ride from La Paz. The refreshing view of the Pacific Ocean, the experience of a new country, and the time to just be free and be together was a huge blessing. Arica is a cool coastal city with a rich history, fun activities, and for us some tastes of home which we cannot get in Bolivia. (Yes, we went all gringo and ate at Wendy's, KFC, Dominos, McDonalds, and even enjoyed some Great Value brand ice cream at their branch of WalMart)

We also enjoyed some Chilean food, don't get us wrong, but there was something special about eating things that we cannot get in Bolivia and remind us of the United States. Overall the trip to Arica was refreshing for our hearts, bodies, and minds, as we prepare now for the final quarter of the school year. We are very thankful for the opportunity to travel and get away, and we feel very blessed for the chance to do so. Now as we enter April we have just finished our first full week back at school and the final parent-teacher conferences of the year. In her new position as guidance counselor, Audrey got to have her very first fun filled two day stretch of parent conferences! Somehow is wasn't as fun as exploring Arica, but not all new experiences are created equal. Nevertheless we are off and running in the final quarter, and are asking for prayers to finish strong and finish intentionally to make the most of every opportunity the Lord will provide, especially with the seniors and departing staff. The final quarter of school can be an opportunistic one to have some deep conversations and get real with many of the students. Thank you for your prayers and taking the time to keep up with our life and ministry here. God Bless. - Mark & Audrey Kreiss