The cabin at Truady's that we called home for the night.

This is what happens when Aaron doesn't have his Mt. Dew!

What a beautiful view of God's creation!

We saw some beautiful waterfalls!

Tara jumping off the waterfall.  (Don't worry, J and J, I didn't let Alyssa jump!

We had smores and a time of sharing Saturday night.

We started Sunday morning with a worship service.

A view from top of the Inca ruins.

Here is our awesome team!

Here is our fabulous guide at the Inca ruins, Moses, aka Bill!

The Inca ruins.

Well, we couldn't blog last night because we didn't take the computer to Samaipata.  I think that was God's plan, as we spent time with him and among his great creation, the Andes Mountains.  We had an awesome Saturday.  After we found our bunks at the cabin, we went to see some waterfalls.  WOW!  I am always blown away by what God creates.  After a return to the cabin, we had smores and decided to share some of the trip.  We shared for over an hour on what we had seen God do while we were here.

Sunday morning we started the day with a church service.  Aaron led the music, then Lee led the devotion.  He had us go outside and simply listen to God.  Although he said come back in about 10 minutes, it was a good 20 minutes before we were all back together.  Just hearing how God spoke to many different people during that time was amazing.  When we close our own mouths and open our ears and hearts to what God wants to tell us we can learn a lot!

That afternoon we headed to the Inca ruins.  Bill was the best guide as he took us thru the ruins and told us all about it.  We learned a lot, but also got the most breath taking views while we were there.  Again, God is the master creator.  We then traveled back to the GATHER and packed up so we are ready to leave at 5:30 am to head back to the states.

We all have learned a lot on this trip.  Our team has gotten along very well and I hope we have listened to God and answered His call, no matter what the situation was.  We come here hoping to touch lives, but we always go away more touched I believe.  The people of Bolivia, the missionaries, the kids at Talita Cumi and everyone who works with them are so welcoming and loving.  Lee has challenged us to see God this week and make note of it.  I know we all have seen God in the people we have come in contact with during this amazing trip.

PLEASE keep the people here in your prayers.  Also, if you have been looking for a good cause to invest in, talk to us about Talita Cumi.  You wouldn't believe what sponsoring a child here, or making a donation, does.  We have so much in the US!  Pray specifically for Talita Cumi (and everyone associated with it), Noel Kempf (the Christian school the kids attend), Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center (where the Friesen's taught and attended school), the church where the kids go, the GATHER and Bill and Heidi.  We have seen first hand what the power of prayer does while we have been on this journey.  Praying doesn't cost anything except some time, and the reward is priceless.

Thank you to all who have supported us in anyway!  It has been greatly received and appreciated.  We will see you all soon!

David Ediger and Team Bolivia 2013

Last day at Talita Cumi ;( :(

This is a bathroom we worked on last year at Noel Kemp school.

My dad (David) talking at Noel Kemp.

 Part of our team shared at the school.

Zoey in our skit about seeds and soil. It is a parable 

 The good seed!

Finishing up the girls dorm.

 The girls in their new living space.

 The tias did all of our hair, even Morgan's!


Today was our last day at Talita Cumi. We finished the girls' big living space in the new addition. The girls loved it. We did a skit at the school where the TC kids go. I was the seed that fell on rocky soil.
The tias did our hair. We had HUGE pizzas at TC. We also had cake. Saying goodbye was hard, but we will see them again soon. If not on earth, in Heaven.
Mallory Ediger

Thursday

Kids playing name game. 

Praise God! Many prayers were answered today! All of the kids got new mattresses that were donated today. They were very excited about them. A new oven for their kitchen was donated as well! And finally enough funds came in the last 2 days to pay some bills that the staff at Talita Cumi were worried about. Thank you for your prayers!

Today we split into two groups, boys and girls. All of the boys went to the church that the children attend. We started to help with a large project that the church hopes to accomplish over the next few years. They want to add a second floor and some classrooms, so they have more room for Sunday School. As of now the 4th-8th graders have to meet outside for their class. So what we did was tear down some walls that were cracked and looked like they could collapse at any moment. One of the walls came down very easily, however we learned very quickly the other one was a bit more sturdy. A few hours and a lot of sore muscles later, we had about half of the wall torn down. The pastor of the church asked us to continue to pray for them as they try to raise funds and find workers to help finish the project.

The kids didn't have school today so our ladies got to spend the entire day at Talita Cumi with them.  They continued to work and paint on the girls house, teach the girls about sewing, and love on the kids.

I look forward to sharing more once I get back home, but for now we continue to ask for prayers for strength, health, and that God would guide us in all of work and interactions for the rest of the trip. God Bless.

Aaron

 Dave and Ryan working on the wall

Gustavo carrying his new mattress to his room

And they all fall down...   kerplop!!

Zoey and Nicole in front of New Mattress's

Betty showing the girls how to sew, a skill they can use the rest of their life.

Wednesday - A day of many adventures

We played with a huge beach ball with the kids.
They had a great time!

This is the group of girls who live at the teenage mothers' home.

These are some of the flip flops we purchased from the girls' home.

Betty helped Teresa make a bag, headband and glasses holder.

Hey, Bob and Denise!  We missed you at Los Lomitos!

Today 10 of us worked and played at Talita Cumi, then some of us went to a teenage mothers' home.  We were given a tour, and met these young mothers.  Some of us purchased flip flops that these girls had made.  This home was just started a year ago, so we spent some time praying with Deborah, the founder.  Maddie, Clemmie and Mallory all said they thought the young mothers were so brave.  We finished the day at Los Lomitos, which has become a family favorite.  Thank you all who are reading our blog and praying for our team!

Michelle Ediger

                                                 Indiana Jones and the experimental station

Several members of our group traveled to the Bolivian lowlands; north east of Santa Cruz, to tour and work at an experimental farm.  The manager of the farm Ruben, was more than excited to share with us some of the farming and ranching practices that are used on the grounds.  Several members of Ruben's family live on the property and act as model farmers to show the natives that they can sustain their families off just one hector of land.  After our guided tour we assisted Dr. Bill (Indiana Jones) by vaccinating and ear tagging the cattle on the farm.

                                                       

                                                               Ruben and Ryan

Aaron getting some first hand experience

                                                     

                                                   Ruben explaining 3 tier forest farming

TUESDAY- alot of work and alot of Play! oh and GREAT food!!!

This is when the girls made duct tape pens that Maddie and Clemmie showed them.

This is Betty and Clemmie showing Teresa some sewing tips.

This is DAD ( Lee ) when he misses the ball--which happened a lot!!!  :-)

 Sadie Jantz

MONDAY

The kids at SCCLC getting ready for their "last day of school" presentation.  

Morgan helping Juan Carlos put on his WWJD bracelet. 

Zulema's beautiful duct tape pen! 

Even the tias got involved with the pens!

Kitty did me and Mallory's hair. 

    Today we had another great day! Part of our team went to the school that Friesens taught at and attended, SCCLC. I didn't go, but those who went really enjoyed their tour.
    We continued our work on the girls' room, plus primed a closet, hallway, around a window, and the top of a bathroom. We had to halt in the big room for a little while because they had to put in electricity, but we were back to work on the ceiling quickly!
   The kids got back at their normal time, and we had a delicious lunch of peanut soup! After lunch we divided the kids into boys and girls for crafts!! The boys made WWJD bracelets. Even though they were in English, they liked it after it was explained. Clemmie and I showed the girls how to make duct tape flower pens. They really enjoyed it, and the tias jumped in too. After we finished, we got back to work, and later we went to the cancha to play! It was the perfect end to the day!
Maddie Ediger

Sunday at Church and the Plaza

Lunch at Church / Peanut soup and Empanada(cheesey biscuit) Very good.

WOW what a day!!! I  am so amazed that i can be thousands of miles from home and or half way around the earth and when we sing and praise the Lord it is so awesome!!! As soon as we started singing i felt the Holy spirit move in a mighty way and i was remind of previous mission trips in Mexico and Africa. I was at ah  of how GOD is the same all over the earth, and i was reminded how much i LOVE worshiping with other believers in other parts of the world,

I got to give the lesson in Sunday school to the adults this morning. The theme of my lesson was from one of my favorite authors  Brenon Manning, it was "God loves you as you are, Not as you should be, because you are never going to be as you should be." I then gave some of my testimony and shared when i about drown in the pacific ocean years back and how God saved me. It was a blessing to share how God has worked in my life even with some of my setbacks he still loves me just as much as he does Mother Teresa or Billy Graham, and he still is at work.
 Lee Jantz

The group during Sunday school did VBS type lesson and crafts for the kids.

We went to the Plaza and got to get some ice cream, shop for Coffee, jewelry, and many other knick knacks.

This evening we went back to the house relaxed and play some games. 

A good day had by all!!!