We hadn’t heard from Edwin and Ana Alvarez for some time, so we called them. It was great to hear their voices. Edwin explained that there have been some stresses at church recently, but on the positive side he’s begun youth discipleship classes on Saturdays that are well attended. You’ll recall that Edwin is the associate pastor we mentored for the last two years in Bolivia. Both Edwin and Ana are very concerned for their daughter Belen’s health since she’s having acute intestinal problems.

Edwin mentioned that Johnny, whom I discipled, still teaches children’s Sunday School, and continues as youth group leader.

Hadit, whom Marilyn mentored, dropped out of college for a semester to help her mother make sweaters to earn money for the family. She continues to be sponsored by Compassion International and lives with our missionary friend in Cochabamba. Hadit is bright and so promising, in spite of the extreme poverty of her family. We have written to encourage her to keep on with studies.

We were overjoyed to hear that Ermy continues to attend church regularly since we were concerned that she might drop out after we left Bolivia. To avoid that possibility we had worked hard to connect her with people at church so she’d feel like she belonged.

Freddy and his sisters: Dinar, Silvia and Maria Elena are all well-grounded Christians from a godly family. I led Maria Elena, to the Lord when she was just a child. Freddy and Dinar studied at a teacher’s college and are the most creative teachers in the primary Sunday School Department. Dinar teaches school as she pursues a higher degree.

We hope to see Hugo, Claudia, Marco, Daniela and their cousin Marisol grow in their Christian walk. We are glad to hear that Marisol attends the Saturday discipleship classes.

We’re glad we made the phone call! Both we and the Alvarez were encouraged and we found out news to pass along to you. Let’s claim Christ’s promise that he will continue the good work that he began in each one! Remember especially little Belen in her health problem.