Please remember to keep our team members in your prayers daily.
TEAM
MEMBERS
Charles Smith
Laura Smith
Chuck Smith
Fran Wells
Ann Brancroft
Ann Phillips
Christine Reuss
Sheryl Thornton
Wes Thornton
David Hurst
Cully Dorer
Bryan Sisson
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Laura Smith's journal
entry from Saturday, June 21...
Today, Ann P., Christine, and Wes left at 6:00 a.m. for the Santa Cruz
airport. Kay took them, and returned in time to have breakfast with the
rest of us. We slept in this morning, having our delicious breakfast at
8:00 instead of our usual 7:00. We are missing our other 3 team members,
and breakfast was a little more subdued - I think we were a little sad.
Roberto came in his "micro" about 9:00 to take us to Santa Cruz
for the day. Everybody perked up as we started the trip, and we arrived
in the city about 10:00 a.m. Roberto is a very good driver and very knowledgable
about Santa Cruz. He dropped us off at a great shop, and all of us bought
souvenirs. The shop distributed raffle tickets to us, but we didn't understand
what they were until our shopping was done. As we were leaving, they drew
numbers out of a wooden box. Ann and Fran both received a silver souvenir
of Bolivia. It was fun, and how appropriate that our 2 team leaders won!
Later, since most of us were interested in the Bolivianitas (a quartz/amethist
stone unique to Bolivia), Roberto took us to a nice jewelry store. We
all found what we wanted, and were truly given the royal treatment. While
we were jewelry shopping, Kay took the guys (except for Bryan) to the
cathedral across the plaza. We met them at 12:30 to walk to Santa Anna's
for lunch. It was buffet-style and the food was good, but did not compare
to what we eat at the Pinocho.
After lunch, Roberto took us to the zoo, reputed to be the largest zoo
in South America. It was huge, and we enjoyed seeing the unique and the
familiar. The animals, for the most part, live in natural-style habitats,
and the areas were well laid out. It was a relaxing afternoon.
We left Santa Cruz about 3:30 to return to Montero. The Pinocho now feels
very much like home, and it was good to be back. We had a couple of hours
re rest before dinner.
Dinner was delicious as always. Afterwards, during our reflection time,
we again talked about the diversity of our group and how each of us was
able to use our strengths as we worked on the construction project. We
are all proud ouf our group as a whole. We truly worked as a team, each
of us doing whatever needed to be done, without complaint or criticism.
Personally, I am thankful for receiving the courage to "step out"
into something new while feeling very vulnerable - and now realizing that
I can do it again. This experience has provided me with the understanding
that I can trust God more than I knew was possible.
We also verbalized our appreciation of having Kay here with us. She has
made sure all of our needs were met. We have had the royal treatment everywhere
we have been. Kay has made us feel so comfortable here in Montero, a place
she very proudly calls her home. We are all so thankful for Kay and especially
to see the wonderful work she does.
Finally, we called it a night. Some went to bed, and others went for ice
cream. We look forward to another good day tomorrow.