March: Mission Trip & Moving Forward

March continued the busyness of February, and brought good opportunities to serve our La Paz community as well as a jungle community through a school mission trip. Most of March for Mark was helping conduct fundraisers and prepare for a weeklong mission trip to the jungle community of Buena Vista. Audrey has been serving the Highlands community well, and making the transition back to the head of the Member Care team. She continues to take classes, serve as librarian, and pour into her female relationships at Highlands. We recognize the many blessings that God has done in our lives and are incredibly thankful for the challenging opportunities to serve him here.

Mark, 16 of his students, and 4 other teachers, spent the last week in the jungle, about 14 hours north of La Paz. Here they served the Tacana indigenous people in a small jungle village called, Buena Vista. The week was spent putting on various VBS days and helping dig a well and install some sidewalks for the school in Buena Vista. The chaplain was able to preach three separate times to the Tacana people, and they held several men's and women's Bible studies throughout the week. For Mark it was an amazing opportunity to serve not only the Tacana people, but also partner in ministry with his students and continue to build relationships and encourage young believers.

The days were hot, long, sweaty, and extremely challenging. Following 15 hours of straight rain, the village was without running water for two days. Despite the difficulties and challenges, the trip was a success, and it was clear the Lord was moving in the Tacana people as well as the Highlands students who went on the trip. A special thank you to those that donated extra to help fund two of the students that went on the trip. Mark returned yesterday with many positive memories and good things to say, which helped outweigh the egregious amounts of bug-bites he also brought home.

Back in La Paz, Audrey spent time with another wife whose husband was also on the trip. She was able to help support her as she has two little ones running around, ages 5 and 2. Whether it is at home or in the jungle, it is amazing to see opportunities to serve and love on others. The service we seek to pour into others helps build the bonds of better relationships and opens the door for the Lord to work in mighty ways. This has been evidenced in the mission trip, in serving the Highlands community, in our discipleship groups, through soccer, a freshman family barbecue, and even chaperoning the prom. We are incredibly thankful for these opportunities that allow us to move forward with our ministry here.

Thank you for your support and prayers. We are committed to serving our Lord and Savior here and are incredibly thankful for the many opportunities He brings our way. We continue to grow through each opportunity, and draw closer to God. Please keep us in your prayers and let us know how we can be praying for you. We hope as believers that we can remember to serve others just as Jesus came down and served us.