It’s been a chaotic week at the Vargas’ house, but God has carried us through! It’s been a great reminder that He is the one constant in our lives. Tuesday night I joined the Vargases at a violin and piano concert in which one of their friends was playing. The Vargas’ car had been acting up, but Hugo, the father, added some battery fluid, and it seemed to be fixed. However, on the way to the concert, it began to act up again. Hugo dropped us off and headed back home. We walked a few blocks to the concert hall and soon got a call that Hugo was stuck on the side of the road. Then Sharleen, the second youngest Vargas daughter, said that the peripheral vision in her left eye was really fuzzy. Soon the fuzziness turned into no vision at all, and she began feeling dizzy and had a headache. Thankfully, the mom of the Vargas’ friend was a nurse, so she sat down with Sharleen and gave her water while Elizabeth (Mrs. Vargs) called her husband back to figure out the car situation. What else could go wrong? The 3 oldest Vargas children and I decided to stay at the concert while the parents of the Vargas’ friend took Mrs. Vargas, Sharleen, and Leeann (the youngest) to the eye doctor. Meanwhile, Hugo got the car towed home. The concert was pretty good and the theatre was beautiful. We enjoyed ourselves inspite of the sense of worry in the back of our minds. But God knew exactly what was going on, and He had it under control. Sharleen also went to a neurologist the next day and found out it was all caused by a migraine. She has felt great ever sense and hasn’t experienced any more problems. The car needed a new alternator, so the Vargas’ were able to purchase that and fix the car. However, still be praying as these were all unexpected expenses, which is expecially tough for missionaries depending on support.
We have continued cleaning and preparing for the team from Ohio that arrives this evening. The older children also went to another concert Wednesday night to see two friends perform and really enjoyed ourselves once again. Thankfully, there was non drama this time! Yesterday was the San Juan holiday, so after some shopping and cleaning, we relaxed and partied! We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, played with sparklers, and had a huge bonfire! Then we ate cake, drank hot chocolate, and roasted marshmallows. After all the fun, we just chilled by the fire. The three oldest Vargas children and I topped the night off by jumping in the freezing cold swimming pool at 12 a.m. Remember it is winter down here, and San Juan is traditionally the coldest night of the year. But it was fun and definitely memorable, and we quickly ran inside to take hot showers! What a blessing something as simple as hot water is, and yet I often take it for granted.
I am loving the layed back Bolivian lifestyle. I think we Americans could learn a lesson from these people. Life shouldn’t be lived constantly stressed out and never getting a chance to rejuvinate. God even commands us to rest each week in the footsteps of His example. I hope I can take what I’ve learned about relaxing here back to the states and remember people are more important than schedules! Thanks again for all your prayers God is teaching me sooo much! You can pray for the team that will be here for the next week or so and also for my family as they fly down to join me next Monday. Pray for the Vargases and other missionaries as well as they minister to the lost and needy people of Cochabamba. Thanks again!