Goodness gracious me! I can't believe I haven't written an update
since April 7! What a whirlwind the past (almost) 2 months have
been...as you can imagine! I suppose I'll just begin by saying, "We made
it "home"! I seriously wondered there for a while if it would really
all happen and come to pass. Things became quite stressful and
challenging trying to get out of our house in Bolivia, but thanks to my
amazing husband, it happened. We spent our last 3 weeks in Coch staying
in a missionary guest house that some other missionaries had just opened
up. We got to "break it in" and test the comfort level :o)! Let me tell
you, if any of you ever get the opportunity to go to Cochabamba,
Bolivia on mission, it's THE place to stay! It truly is a wonderful
ministry and so very needed in the city. They are putting all the funds
raised right back into other ministries and to help Bolivians in need.
Find them on facebook at "The Harvest Guesthouse".
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| Lowell with Rick, one of his best friends here in Bolivia |
We
had an incredible despedida (going away party) hosted by some of our
best friends, TJ and Tammy Mitchell. We felt very blessed by the
presence of so many dear friends we made in Bolivia. It was
overwhelming! We enjoyed sweet fellowship, amazing FOOD, and a prayer
time led by TJ. We brought along our journal that friends had signed for
us at our going away party here in League City back in March 2011 so
that now, on the flip side, our missionary and Bolivian friends could
sign it. I actually just grabbed it out of a suitcase the other day and
read all of the words of gold that folks wrote for the first time! What a
treasure for ages to come!
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| Shay with some of her friends - both other missionary wives and Bolivian beauties! |
Our
travel back was fairly uneventful, which is exactly what you want when
you are traveling internationally with a family of 6! This certainly
doesn't mean it wasn't hard or challenging, but no major bumps or
serious issues along the way. We flew directly into Orlando to stay for a
week at a vacation home some fellow missionaries in Bolivia just bought
- to use as their home base when they are home on furlough, and as an
investment when they are in Bolivia. We were able to "do Disney" and
made it to the beach one day, which was absolutely splendid after being
in a landlocked country for over 2 years! Ahhh...the coastline! It was
pretty crazy going from 3rd world, developing, poverty stricken country,
to Orlando! Vacation capitol of the world, where everything is super
new and shiny and RICH!!! Whew. But, we had a great time and just felt
so blessed beyond belief to even be there and get to do that!
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| The boys with a few of their best buds (all MK's...a special breed!) |
As
you can imagine, we had some pretty sweet reunions with family and
friends once we returned to Texas. We spent time with my parents, my
brother and his family, and my oldest sister in Brenham, Lowell's
parents, sister, and nieces in Frost, my other sister and her family in
Denton, and were able to see some old friends along the way. It was
great to see how everyone had changed (kids) and how they reacted to one
another after more than 2 years. Funny. Teenagers are just funny :o)
After more than 2 weeks of traveling around and going from place to
place and living out of suitcases, the kids started begging to get
"home" to League City. So, we cut our travel time short and arrived to
LC on May 22. Some of you may remember me asking for prayer for a place
to stay until July. We had an old friend from our days at CCCC offer for
us to stay with her in her large house, so...we are settled, but not
really! We still have suitcases everywhere, still digging around looking
for stuff, still anxious to be really home and settled. We will be here
in her home until the end of June, although one week we will get to
attend a family camp at Mo Ranch with other families from our new
church.
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| A few of our faithful Bolivian students from youth group |
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| God was so good to bring Jake Beaty along to take over the youth ministry! You guys are in good hands! |
Speaking
of our new church. Lowell officially began his new position as Worship
Pastor yesterday and led his first service this morning!! It was
LifePoint's 5 year anniversary big celebration service - so, it was
doubly special! I'm not sure if there is any way at this point to feel
more blessed, but we have already had our hearts just blessed beyond
measure by our new church family! WOW. I could just keep saying wow all
day long over the incredible things God has done and how he has used
folks from LifePoint to take care of us in huge ways. This church has a
big passion for missions and ministry and taking care of others' needs,
let me tell you! This has been so evident even before we arrived. We
received a donation of a CAR from a family, and many folks have offered
up furniture and help.
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| Good friends from the married couples' group Lowell and I were a part of |
I
just don't even know how to put into words the thanks and gratitude we
feel for all of you who have gone alongside of us on this journey that
God called us into. YOU made it possible, through the Lord's prompting
and provision. We are humbled and indebted to you. We do not feel like
this journey is ending, but rather opening a new chapter and starting a
new season! Please, if you'd like to walk it with us still, we'd love to
have you! I plan on continuing the blog (I rather enjoy writing) and
keeping everyone up to date with what miracles God is working in our
lives and in the world around us. We plan to continue being a big part
of what's going on in Bolivia and support our friends who remain there,
on the front lines. We might occasionally share what is happening in
their ministries or share needs they have so that you can pray and give
if God leads.
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| Miriam
was our amazing, hard-working maid...but a much better friend. She was
the most difficult person for me (Shay) to leave :o( Pray for this sweet
soul. | | |
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| Olivia loved Miriam, and Miriam loved Olivia :o) |
We
will soon be hosting a "Post Bolivia Missions Journey" night for all of
you locally who would like to come and hear more about our time there.
We will share photos, videos, and most of all, what God did and is doing
in Bolivia! Look for an evite and/or online invitation soon!
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| Here
we are with Edwin Almanza and his two children, Isabel and Nate. Edwin
played a HUGE role in us coming to Bolivia in the first place. God used
this man to lead us to Bolivia. |
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| Lowell with some of his favorite musicians from the worship team - je je je |
Much love and blessings to you all! God is so GOOD! He is FAITHFUL, LOVING, and TRUSTWORTHY!
In Christ -
Lowell, Shay, Aidan, Liam, Jude, and Olivia
*On a financial note:
Our Ripe For Harvest acct. is currently still open and active, but will
be closed shortly. If you'd still like to make a one time donation to
us and receive the tax deduction, please send it to our RFH acct. asap!
All info is here on the blog - address, auto draft, etc...However, if
you would still like to make a donation to us to help us get re-settled
back here in the states and are not concerned with a tax deduction,
please send to Lowell's parents as we are not yet back at our old
address: Lowell Ballew; c/o Robert Ballew; P.O. Box 293; Frost, Tx 76641 OR, hand deliver locally to Lowell and I over a cup of coffee or some good Tex-Mex!!!!!
