What's Next?

In my last blog I was going to share my plans for next year, but I put it off for this week.

As I get older, the more and more I realize that we cannot know the future. Our plans and speculations fall far short of the materialized future. In a world full of surprises, it is a comfort to know that our futures are in God's hands. I am a planner--big time! I continually need to learn to "let go" and "let God".

Right now my future is a big blank. I have no commitments and no concrete plans. As I spend this time in La Paz with my family, I want to seek the Lord and wait on Him to guide my steps.

Though I have no concrete plans, let me share what I am tentatively thinking...

I just got back from a week spent in Potosi with my dad where I was able to renew my Bolivian driver's license and catch up with lots of old friends. I hope to stay in La Paz for the month of December. During this time I hope to serve and be a blessing to my family and friends and get my batteries recharged for whatever comes next. In January I would like to do some traveling around Bolivia and see some friends I have not yet been able to see. By February I hope to have made some decisions and be settling down to something. I am considering taking some courses and becoming a certified sign language interpreter. There are some courses in Cochabamba that would take me several months. There are also intensive week long courses I could take that would not require me to actually move to Cochabamba (which my sister Elisa really doesn't want).

Another option I have begun to consider is to study gastronomy here in La Paz (I could do this and also take the intensive sign language courses). I do not regret having gotten my degree in Bible and Theology, but it would be nice to have a degree that is a little more practical and useful in terms of secular employment. Studies in gastronomy would also be very helpful if God were to allow my dreams of starting bakeries/cafes/restaurants to materialize down the road. My dream is to start small businesses and generate employment for deaf individuals.

Deaf Friends

During my time in Potosi, it was special to reconnect with some of my deaf friends. Wilma (in the first picture) is a deaf teacher who works at the deaf institute in Potosi (where I volunteered for many years). She came to know Christ through a Bible study we did together in her home.

My deaf friend Paty and her deaf husband, Jairo, are the couple in the second picture. Jairo is from the city of Tarija (southern Bolivia) where he and Paty are now living. They happened to be visiting Potosi, and it was special for me to see Paty and meet her husband (they are newly married).

Blessings

-A safe trip to and from Potosi (This in spite of the fact that I did some of the driving! Bolivian highways have only two lanes, and if you get stuck behind a slow moving vehicle and want to pass, it can be quite the hair raising experience!)

-Getting to see and reconnect with old friends in Potosi.

-The whole process of renewing my license went smoothly (doing any sort of paperwork in Bolivia can be quite the ordeal sometimes!)

Prayer Requests

-Wilma's continued spiritual growth.

-Paty and Jairo's spiritual salvation.

-Clear guidance for next year.