Hello again,

Contrary to some belief, we are not dead. We are actually having a blast here, and working hard too. As work around the orphanage, we´ve cleaned gutters, prepared a flat area for a patio, built a bridge (and it works, just tested today!), took care of the front garden so that all the weeds were gone and all the rose bushes were actually noticable, and emptied the pool in preperation for painting. It was alot of hard work under the hot sun, but we did get to play too.

Peter took us into the largest air market on tuesday and if not for him we would´ve been lost. They sell everything you would ever want, and for a super cheap price. Need a dried llama fetus for a sacrifice? They have them. John bought a guitar for about $35, he´s now been entertaining the kids almost every night. They love it.
Wednesday and thursday we worked hard and played with kids at night. We usually cap off the night by playing some serious games of euchre.

Friday and Saturday we had half days of work. In the morning on friday we got to take the kids on a small hike up the one of the mountains following a river (Peter drove us up most the way). They thoroughly enjoyed it, and we got a workout at 10,000 feet.

Saturday we worked in the morning and then took a taxi into the open air market (by ourselves, and yes we got lost). The taxi into Chochabamba costs about 2.50 bolivianos. One US dollar is about 7 bolivianos, and the taxi ride took about 20 minutes. Now thats a cheap taxi! After wandering through the market, and seeing many things we did not want to see (dried baby llamas) we found what we wanted to got gifts for ourselves and others. Saturday night we had a play date with some other local gringos at the secondary school gym. A couple friendly games of baskteball went down, and after a few warm up games for us four plus hector (computer genuis for Peter), we started laying down the heat and winning our last couple of games. Of course we are not used the the altitude, which was killing us. We played against some high school kids and parents, who were good, but not good enough at times.

Today (sunday) we woke up and went to an english church service. We found many close connections, such as a missionaries kid who is going to Calvin next year (go figure). Then we had another play date at a soccer field, in which we expected to get dominated, but instead, we dominated. It was a good time, but most of us feel like we´re 40 years older, its hard to walk our muscles are so sore. I think we need a hot tub.

mountain hike

The bridge building

John and his guitar

Throughout this week we have been getting the know the kids very well. It´s very interesting to hear what kind of family they come from and what they´ve been through before the got to BCM. Here is a picture of Rene. He´s 8 years old and came from very abusive parents. They would take knives and heat them up, then put them on his arm. He has multiple scars from that abuse on both arms. His chest is covered in one large burn, this came from his parents throwing alcohol on it, and then lighting it on fire.

Its amazing to hear stories like this, and to still see smiles on their faces. Every one of these children has a story, making them even more special then they already are.

We wish for you to continue to pray for us the and orphange. Also pray for the children and the upcoming election in Bolivia, as they bring a very large change to Bolivia, and possibly not in a good way.

Again, thanks for all your prayers and support. We are having a fantastic time here!

Love you all,

Zach, Cam, Alex, John