A Very Memorable Memorial….

First, thanks to everyone for all of your encouraging e-mails, and for letting our family know you’ve not forgotten about us. I promise I’ll be responding very soon to everyone's e-mails!

The last few weeks have been really busy (like it is for all of Jehovah’s people this time of year). We’ve been busy with the invitation campaign for the Memorial, and the response has been very nice.  Bolivian people are just naturally respectful -- it’s their culture! So it’s been nice to talk to people where they take the invitation, also take the magazines, smile, and are just really friendly and receptive. 

The groups in the country always appreciate a hand in covering their large territories, so we had the chance to visit some friends of ours that serve in the town of San Lorenzo (about 30 minutes away).  It’s a diverse group that sets out that morning including myself, my girls, a sister from England, a brother from Sweden, and 2 Bolivians. FYI, Connor is now also serving with the group in San Lorenzo -- HOORAY!

There is only room in the truck for 2 people (I’m one of the fortunate ones), and the rest of the group piles into the back of the truck.  At first we’re driving on paved roads heading towards the mountains. But then, things start to change.  I notice we start driving over fields, across shallow streams – and I begin to wonder, “WHERE IS THIS BROTHER TAKING US?”

I see small farms and homes nestled in the mountains -- but far from each other. The road (if you can call it that) is now non-existent, and the drive starts to get very bumpy.  I have this sinking feeling that we’re going to hit a bump and one of my daughters will go tumbling backwards over the side – BUT IN TRUE LEWIS & CLARK STYLE THEY KEEP THEIR BALANCE!

We go over a couple of small streams, not to daunting… But then we come to a stream that’s wider and deeper than the others.  I think, “Surely we now have to stop and turn back – there is no way across!” Not only that, but on the other side of the stream is nothing but trees.  Even if we manage to get across, there is nowhere for the truck to emerge.  But do we turn around -- NO! Using true Bolivian initiative, the brother finds a more shallow area of the stream, gets out a large tool, and begins clearing a path. Not to be deterred -- the friends take advantage of each opportunity to invite ones to the Memorial!

The brother cuts a path -- to cross the river -- to walk across the fields -- to get to the house that Jack built. THEN WE ARRIVE – WELL, SORT OF! 

We can’t go any further, so at this point it’s time to get out of the truck and go on foot.  Except, we first must cross another stream. Taking off our shoes our little group carefully walks through the stream to the other side – OK, NOW WE ARRIVE! 

I later discover that we would have to do the whole taking off your shoes and going through streams several times that day - let the fun begin!

We finally reach the territory and for the next 3 hours it feels like we're on this incredible nature walk -- except we're searching for people to invite to the memorial. In the distance of the territory there is a beautiful waterfall, and I think how amazing it is to be here. 

But let me go back a moment.....

As I stand here surrounded by beautiful mountains, a waterfall, and all sorts of gorgeous wild flowers, I can't help but reflect a bit on the incredible journey and the circumstances that occurred to get us here. I’ve always tried to write blogs that were encouraging, humorous, but also an honest portrayal of our experiences in Bolivia.  It’s hard to ignore all that’s happened the last19 months or pretend like it didn't happen -- I don't much see the point – IT DID! After battling cancer (and almost losing), and then your husband leaving you 1 week after your 25th year anniversary, it's easy to sometimes feel a bit bemused at being in Bolivia. It's not like you're a Missionary -- you aren’t a Special Pioneer -- not even a Regular one.  On top of it all you aren’t even the support of an appointed man.  You think to yourself, “Why am I here? I can’t really contribute much.  My value here is minimal at best!  But then on this particular morning, in this particular territory (BY THE WAY, IT'S MARCH 26TH, AND I TURNED 52 YEARS OLD TODAY), as I take off my shoes and begin walking across the stream, it suddenly dawns on me that despite how you feel about yourself -- Jehovah sees something of value! 

I'm a bit in awe that at 52 years old I'm having amazing experience. I’ve always had a desire to serve in another country – AND HERE I AM! And I begin to really understand all the loving care and support Jehovah has given to our family, and I finally begin to know that everything is going to be OK. It was a wonderful day, and as we go across our last stream….

I take one last look at the beautiful mountains surrounding us, hear Priscilla’s laughter floating in the air from the back of the truck, and it sounds like sweet music to my ears. 

FROM HOT TO COLD TO REALLY HOT…..

The following Monday (March 30^th) we leave the warm weather of Tarija, hop on a plane, and fly to La Paz where it's alot colder.  We spend the night and get ready to catch a bus and prepare ourselves for the 12-hour bus ride to reach Connor in hot & humid Tipuani……

Bolivia is a somewhat small country and so you can fly to almost anywhere in less than 2 hours (that is to those few areas that have an airport). So, the first part of our trip we fly 70 minutes to the capital city of La Paz -- a trip that would have taken 16 to 18 hours to drive because of the mountains. The airport is located in El Alto (13,600 feet above sea level, and the highest major metropolis in the world).  Because of the high altitude, when you get off the plane it’s very common to feel light-headed and have difficulty breathing.  You feel nausea, have headaches, and your fingers and toes start to tingle = a really weird experience! We quickly catch a taxi and head to La Paz (a mere 11,800 feet - I’m being sarcastic!). 

But despite having some physical effects, I’m amazed by the sheer magnitude of this massive city that has been built into the side of mountains. I'VE NEVER SEEN A CITY LIKE THIS!

The streets are teeming with lots of people, and it reminds me of pictures I've seen of the streets of Shanghai. There are narrow streets packed with people, shops everywhere, and people selling things on the sidewalks. Everywhere I look there is activity, and cars go along sometimes driving within inches of the masses amount of people. The buildings look as if they are built on top of each other, and seem to take up almost the entire surface of the mountains they were built on.

Unlike Tarija which has a strong influence from Argentina, La Paz is definitely Bolivian with lots and lots of Cholitas (traditional women). 

The next day we hop on a bus (to me it resembles more a school bus than a bus designed to take travelers comfortably to their destination), and begin a 12-hour bus ride from La Paz to Tipuai. My fingers and toes are already numb -- I’m a bit dizzy -- and yet the bus begins to climb higher and higher into the mountains. I start to feel a bit woozy and think how high are they going to go -- how high can humans possibly go up without passing out? I AM SUCH A DRAMA QUEEN!

The mountains of La Paz start off rocky, are not very green, and are massive. The landscape is absolutely gorgeous. I've never seen such beautiful scenery in my life. The Andes are amazing, majestic, and breath-taking! 

I have never seen so many natural waterfalls in one day - I counted 16 total. Some were smaller but some started at the top of the mountain and went all the way down - all of them were beautiful! The first 3 hours are on paved roads with a lot of guard rails for protection -- I'm sort of feeling proud of myself, feeling good, feeling brave, thinking I'm fearless. .... It's taken me 5 months to build up the courage needed to brave the long road to see the mountains of Bolivia - AND HERE I AM! 

SIT BACK FOLKS AND ENJOY THE AMAZON...

As I said, I was feeling brave and fearless AT FIRST.  Then, after about 4 hours the road (which was paved) changes into a hard dirt road, and the guard rails (which I loved) are now gone! The mountains which were rocky turn lush and green - - so dense that you can't even see beyond the trees that face you. We now are on a curved, winding road that sometimes is mud (because of all the rain), and in some places is only wide enough for one vehicle to pass.

Admist all the wonderous beauty and excitement of being here, one emotion quickly over-shadows all the others -- SHEER PANIC - more drama queen!  But after a long bus ride (did I mention the bus was broke down for 3 hours),   Connor and Ebron meet us at the bus stop in Guanay, where one of the Elders is waiting for us  at midnight with a taxi. From Guanay the 6 of us now ride another 3 hours to reach Tipuani (by the way, the taxi also got a flat tire). We finally reach Tipuani at 3:00 am. Two of the friends have offered to let us stay with them (Victor and his wife Ada). This is them!

There are 14 Jehovah's Witnesses in Tipuani and up until Connor and Ebron came, the group was only having one meeting each month, no ministry school, no set plans to preach, and none of them have been to a Circuit or Regional Convention in years. I'm really impressed by the friends here and how they've been able to keep going these many years. Tipuani itself is one of the most depressing towns I've seen since coming to Bolivia. It's a Gold Mine town that in it's day was rich and was nicer. But, the gold is now almost gone, along with a lot of the people and businesses. There is next to no work here and almost no way to earn money. The friends are struggling and many of them don't know how much longer they can stay. Then, 4 months ago (right after Connor arrived) the river flooded and washed away many homes and damaging many others. LIKE I SAID -- DEPRESSING!

But even among the ruined and deserted buildings and unkept town there is still beauty to be seen – both manmade and the Earth’s natural beauty.

Day #1 - we wake up and in usual Bolivian custom, Ada has made a breakfast for us of bread, tea, and coffee. We notice they don't have much food, but we brought alot of supplies with us, which we readily share with our new friends. Next, a quick trip to the local market to but more food that we all can share.  Lunch includes rice, one fried egg, and some lettuce (this is our main meal  for the next few days). Then, Victor gives us a brief tour of Tipuani....

Next, it's off to clean the Kingdom Hall because the Ministry School is that night. There is a nice group at meeting of about 15 people (including us).  It's funny because Connor and Ebron have to do all the meeting parts, even the talks on the Ministry School. So, the two of them just take turns the whole meeting - UP AND DOWN ON THE STAGE! Aubri and Priscilla were asked to do a demonstration.

Day #2 - The rigors of the trip to Tipuani catch up with me. Aubri and the sister that came with us (a friend of ours from New Zealand), go with Connor to pass out more Memorial invitations (Pris and I were a bit wiped out). Then it's back to the market for supplies to make our new friends homemade bread and a cake with chocolate icing -- the Bolivians love it.  

The couple we're staying with are really nice and have made us feel like we're family.If coming here does nothing more than encourage them -- it was well worth it. 

Ada is 48 years old and reminds me of a Bolivian hippy -- she's totally into nature and animals. She rescued this parrot with a broken wing. It can't fly so they rigged up this long branch from the house to the trees that it walks along. During the day it chills out back in their avocado tree and then sleeps in the house at night. 

Victor is 61 years old and a very nice brother. You can tell that the two of them were primarily holding the group together before Connor and Ebron came.

Day #3 - After a breakfast of homemade bread, tea (New Zealander's beverage of choice), and coffee, we head off to the Kingdom Hall to get things ready for the Memorial. The Kingdom Hall needs a lot of structural work done and before we arrive Ebron and Connor paint and do some plaster repair. But today the whole place needs to be bleached and given a good scrub -- from the walls to the floors. But, it cleans up nicely and while the brothers wish more could have been done, I think it looks pretty  nice.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The congregation has 13 Publishers and there were 80 attendees at the Memorial. Due to the shortage of brothers, the girls had to help pass the wine and emblems, and Shiela and I had to be attendants. It was such a special evening.  While most of the people there were not Jehovah’s Witnesses, I was really impressed at their respect for the event. The congregation only has a few Bible Studies so most of the people that came were not Bible Students, but had received the invitation from Connor and Ebron.  Many of them brought their own personal copy of the Bible, looked up the scriptures, and followed along. Ebron gave a very nice talk and helped everyone to understand why they should not eat the emblems or drink the wine! 

After the Memorial, the group throws Connor an unexpected Going Away Party. We all get really choked up. Your heart really goes out to the friends that are living here and the struggles they have in just trying to survive. Many of them don't know how much longer they can stay in Tipuani, and with Connor now coming to Tarija, Ebron isn't sure how much longer he'll be able to stay either. But, we tried to be there for the friends, met some very sweet brothers and sisters, and hopefully we'll be able to all see each other again in the the New World.

Oh yeah, the kids also resuced a female puppy which we then had to get back from Tipuani to Tarija. Welcome the newest addition to the Hughes Family.  Unlike all our other dogs she's big, blonde, and blue-eyed! But we love her and she'll definitely be coming back with us to the United States.

 Day #4 – It’s time to go home. It’s been an amazing trip but we’re all feeling a bit emotionally drained and teary at having to leave the dear friends in Tipuani.  We feel a bit like we’re abondaning them, but at the same time there is only so much you can do and we’re all ready to get back home, But, it’s an experience none of us will ever forget. As I hug Ada good-bye I feel my eyes fill with tears, and I look over to see Sheila also has tears in her eyes. 

It was a memoriable memorial that none of us will ever forget.  

Oh yeah, on our return trip home we make another stop in La Paz where I see a cancer specialist and he tells me I'm doing really good -- YEAH!  Until next time.....

Love the Hughes Family