Cuatro de Julio En Bolivia By Ally Lee

Today was our last day of laying bricks and digging trenches, FINALLY! It is a relief to get some rest and to go do other things tomorrow. However, it is sad because we were not able to see the finished product.

Erika had a fight with a root... and she won!

After working all day and taking a picture with the workers, we went back to the guesthouse for some burgers and grilled cheese with french fries. The Holman's came over along with 2 members if the Ross family. We set off some fireworks and had a great 4th of July in Bolivia.

I miss you Grandma and Aunty. See you soon :)

Love,

- Ally

Dontcha Wanna Cancha Cancha. By Arianiz Agosto

Hola mis amigos!

Today we had a break from bricks and concrete and got to venture out into La Cancha, the biggest market in South America. I started out with 280 bolivianos and ended with one keychain, a braided hair extension, eight bracelets, three headbands, a backpack, a journal, a wallet, a scarf, a clutch bag, a reversible hat, and some serious swag pants. Enjoying a little bit too much that American money is worth just a tad more over here. Besides that though, it was so much fun just hanging out with everyone and enjoying different places in Bolivia!

Where's Dombo?

Some of the boys decided to get their hair done...

Got my swag on!

This trip has been an adventure, challenging me in ways that keep pushing me towards Christ. Having a smaller group of brothers and sisters to travel with has brought so much joy in my fellowship with them. I love getting to teach what God has taught me in my life and to listen to what God has been teaching all of these people around me. Though there are many things about this trip that I won't ever forget tonight's worship by far stood out to me the most. I have been struggling with feeling God's presence and have felt conflicted about my struggles however, I finally have been able to break down that wall tonight and I am beyond stoked for what the Lord has planned next!

Team Worship Time 

Miss you mom! Miss you dad! Miss you Machito! Miss you Jay! Miss you Gavin! Miss you Aligator! I'll see you soon :)

- Ari Agosto

God Making a Difference By Bailey Bolke

Wow -- today was amazing and hard at the same time. Waking up early was hard, but work was to be done! I got to talk to some amazing people today. Even though many felt sick and especially I felt very tired, we all worked hard. I'm so proud that everyone is hardly complaining and doing an amazing work for not only God but the Bolivian people as well.

I claimed a dog at the work site named Golden. He is such a good doggy, but he was mean and stole food from a very skinny, weak dog named Snow White. Teo, who works where we build, shared his testimony today, and it was very touching. I'm so blessed and grateful to be born in the family I was born into. I'm grateful my parents provided everything for me and are amazing parents. I thank Linzy for being my mom on this trip when I really wanted my own mother.

Tonight during worship this 4 year old who I never met before, Olivia, came up to me while we were singing and held my hand through all of the songs. It made me feel so happy and joyful. When her dad asked if she met a new friend she pointed straight at me and smiled. It was something small like that that made me so grateful for being here and meeting the people I have met.

- Bailey Bolke

Just Another Day of Building By Ben Laedlein

Hello to all! Today was another great day of building. Many of the guys have been working very hard digging some deep trenches, only to just fill them back in with rocks. These trenches act as the main supports for the walls of the building. 

Swinging that pick axe all day is a very good back workout and we are all sore. Today for lunch we got to try our first traditional Bolivian meal called Sillapancho. It was some of the best food I have had in awhile. 

After lunch, it was back to the trenches and more brick laying. We only have two and a half trenches left and everyone is super excited. At the end we got to play basketball and soccer with some of the Compassion International kids. 

Today has been an amazing day and everyday I am able to see God working in every single one of us. This trip has been so amazing and I know it will get even better. I can't wait to see what more God has in store for us!

- Ben Laedlein

GOOOAAALLLL! By Sammie Rodriguez

Today we had a long, hard work day in Cochabamba, but I had so much fun! The girls laid bricks for the outer walls and the guys dug out holes to lay cement for foundation. I had a great time today especially because I got to deepen many relationships at the site. I did this with the girls I was laying bricks with by telling embarrassing stories and testimonies to liven up the mundane task.

With the Bolivian women and girls, I grew closer with them by talking in Spanish and connecting with them through God. I talked to some girls around my age that told me about their church and how they loved Hillsong, which I thought was so awesome. They invited us to their church on Friday to sing with them in worship and, although we are already doing something during that time, it was just a great blessing to see how God can bring people together who live across the world through music, language, and faith.

With the Bolivian men and boys, we connected through playing the best sport in the world: fútbol. After hours of worksite, we set out onto the soccer field: Bolivians vs. Americans. The Bolivians changed into their soccer shoes, shorts, and shirts and we set out onto the field. We put up a good fight, but we lost 4-2. I blame the altitude, but we're talking about a rematch hopefully tomorrow!

We are having worship and listening to each other's testimonies each night and it's so encouraging. The fellowship with all these students and leaders here is such a blessing. I can feel and see God working in all of our hearts every day and His love is shining through all of us as we push to serve the Bolivians and each other. This trip is going amazing.

I love and miss you Mommy and Papa! I'll see ya soon.

- Sammie Rodriguez

Coch-A-Bamb-A La La La La La By Doug Millar

Just another incredible day in Cochabamba, Bolivia! It was a long one at the work site, digging trenches and laying brick.  I think that it is so cool that we are involved with organizations like Compassion International.  It is one of those organizations where the poorest of the poor are sponsored by people in first world nations, just like us.  These are the kids that are on people's fridges back at home! The fact that we will actually be there with these children face-to-face is wonderful and exciting.  I cannot wait until next Saturday! Due to the impact this building will have on the neighborhood, which includes housing spiritual and medical care, we are all further motivated to keep working on this building, even though it is proving to be difficult.  It is practically a quarry there are so many rocks! 

On the more personal side, one thing that really stuck out to me during this trip so far was the VBS.  I was part of the sports group, so I really did not know what to expect, as nothing we were doing was really spiritual, but was rather intended for the kids to burn off some energy so they could focus during the spiritual activities.  However, I was truly awe-inspired by these children playing, especially soccer. These kids were playing in what was probably their only outfits, which ranged from Cars and Ben-10 t-shirts to well-worn leather dress shoes and dress pants mended to fit.  This is all they had.  Yet, they played with the same excitement and ferocity that we had when we were kids.  When we play sports at home, we want the best, most expensive, good-looking gear.  Yet these kids played soccer better than most of us could in clothes definitely not meant for working out in.  Just seeing their excitement and joy despite their lack of material wealth was jaw-dropping.  These kids live in a third-world country, but they do not at like it! It was a humbling sight to see, to say the least.  

In addition, I just wanted to make a quick shout-out to my parents, who are empty-nesters for about another week.  I miss you guys, and I hope you two are holding up alright.  Love you and see you soon! This is Doug Millar, signing off.  

Good night.

By Doug Millar

Diggin' Holes in Bolivia By Karl Morcott

Hey Errrrrbody. Today we had our third day of building at the work site. Workin a workin mans day of 9-5, the boys digging trenches for the foundation while the girls lay brick. We have made some serious progress. Almost three rock hard trenches were dug up today and almost one wall finished. The weather here is so incredible, something were lucky to have. The Holman family of 11 kids are amazing people. We've been kept really busy out here.

Yesterday we had a day off of building and went to El Cristo, where we were able to climb unstable, rocky stairs to the top and look out. We all felt like true Americans as we climbed the mountain to the top, losing breath and wheezing at every step. It is such an incredible experience working with the Bolivians at the work site. They are extremely friendly and today we even played a 30 minute soccer game at lunch, unfortunately losing 4-2.

The bathrooms here are up to par. But that being said, the pipes are a tad small. We had a 4 hr battle with one of the toilets last night but still won. One of the most tiring experiences of my life. We all told Dan to be more careful next time. That being said, the experience here at the guesthouse has been amazing and were so thankful to have the Holmans here with us. Our whole group has gotten real close and that has made us more effective on our mission here. Last night there were even some tears during worship. That about sums up my blog. Id like to make a shoutout to the fam back at home. I miss you guys and Im sure Ill have a lot of storys to share when I get home. And happy belated birthday mom!

Till next time,

- Karl