Latest on Raul O.

Raul Ocana (pictured left) came to have dinner at our apt. the other week. Raul is part of the 1st graduating class from the "El Camino," boys' restoration home now 3 years ago. He had some big news to share w/ us, that he is now dating a girl from his church! As a true gentleman does here, he asked the girl's parents for permission to go out w/ her, is being mentored at church & has also brought his girlfriend to meet the family at the reintegration house. Raul is very happy & well on his way to a successful future.

Raul just finished up the theoretical & practical portions of his coursework in printing & development. He is working part time at a local printing press - in order to study graphic design this year & add more skills to his skill set.

Nestor Arrives!

Mr. Nestor Ramirez (pictured middle, flanked by Dona & Ingrid to the left & Patty & Larry to the right) ladies & gentlemen - came to us from a rural, coca (& subsequently cocaine) producing area of the country. He is Juan & Francisco's (of the reintegration house) nephew and is 18 years old. Nestor's story is unique in that he doesn't hail from a big city here, but wound up deep in cocaine & on the streets after attempting to kick his habit & start afresh in a new town. Nestor, like many youths from the coca growing region where he's from, got pulled into the drug trade & actually for many years helped produce Bolivian cocaine from the abundant coca leaf crops. He eventually wound up being shot at and chased by police on one occasion, where he & another friend narrowly escaped. Despite his eventful past, Nestor is quiet, hard-working, eager to study & has a good heart. He accepted the Lord as his personal Savior at the reception house & we'd like to ask you to please help us pray for his complete restoration; as we PRAISE GOD THAT THERE'S NOW 1 LESS DRUG PRODUCER here in Bolivia!

The Hike

Charging up the lush, green mountains - in the amazon basin area of Bolivia w/ 9 of our bravest boys from the 'El Camino,' boys' restoration home was absolutely exhilirating. We took a bus about an hour south of the boys' home & began our hike shortly after lunch. Our path followed a mountain creek bed & was full of phenomenal sights, vegetation, rock structure & critters along the way. It took several hours to make it to the top, but the scenery from above made it well worth it.

On our way back down, Luis Enrique sliced my hand w/ the machete as he was chopping at Lord knows what - lesson learned: Never walk in front of the guy w/ the machete.

As we got to the bottom, the guys jumped into the river & it soon began to pour the rain. We had to jump into the back of a rock loaded truck as it was becoming dark & raining. Shortly after we were fully drenched, a bus came near & we all leaped off & boarded the bus back to the home. It had been an unforgettable weekend adventure.