Just so you know...

We´ve had so much transition over the last few months I (Kristen) thought it would be a good idea to give you an update of who´s still here...
Right now it´s me, Adrian, Katie T., Katie S. and Tiffany. There you have it... Stephanie and Andrea left last weekend. Katie S. arrived two weeks after her scheduled arrival date. They are not messing around when they say you have to have a yellow fever shot (it used to be optional).
Kim + Elaina left a few weeks back.
Jaclyn left the first of the month.
More later...!
(Katie T. and Stephanie are (were) both interns at the center. They live at the Hacienda with us, though).

Devon Park Orphanage

Dear friends,
It's with a joyful heart that we begin the Devon Park Orphanage blog. Bonnie and I with all our children had only just arrived in Michigan (almost a Canadian province ehh?) when we received an email from Randy and Beth Fox. Devon Park Christian School in Frederiction New Brunswick has been blessing Cochabamba with short term teams for the past five years. Each year their graduating class has given of their time and resources to bless the ministries of Bolivia. I had suggested to one of these teams that if they some how could fail their final exams they may be able to return to Bolivia with the next years class and they emmidiately coined the phrase "Failing for Jesus"

Despite my questionable advise to the senior class; Randy and Beth Fox, Drew and Kandi Ingraham along with other faithful staff and parents have had it on their hearts to partner with Bolivia in fundraising for the construction of an orphanage. It's a beautiful testimony to the very reason I.O.U. (International Orphanage Union) exists. Family sized homes, with Christian parents, raising the orphans to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. As you read this please join me in praying for God's clear leading on this project, the students, parents and faculty.

Partnering with Villa Candaleria

We were approached by the Cadwells, Dave and Dana, in early June of 2008. They've had an active relationship with Bolivia for the past five years. Working alongside the Baptist Church Villa Candaleria near Colomi, Bolivia. They were touched by the story of a local widow who cared for the young orphans from the area. This past year the child welfare department decided that her home was not sufficient for the children and they were relocated to orphanages in Cochabamba. Dave and Dana have had it on their hearts to help us build the next IOU orphanage in Colomi. Praise God!

Hey everyone,
My name is Andrea and I am currently an intern for IOU...obviously. This is my third time in the beautiful country of Bolivia. I have been to Cochabamba twice before to work on teams with the Timmers. I had always wanted to come for a longer period of time, so this summer was my chance! I will be here for a total of 6 weeks. So far I am having a great time, getting to know the kids, and learn my way around.
I am from Chicago, and am currently living on the North Side. I have one more year left at North Park University in Chicago. I love it! I am a double major in youth ministry and communications.
God is really taking my time in Bolivia to show me his faithfulness, and how much he loves me if I am willing to accept it. Please keep all of us interns in your prayers and keep reading all of these great blogs!


With Love from Bolivia
Andrea Huntzicker

Orphanage #6 IOU

Let me tell you about an amazing church about 10 km from the third orphanage in the jungle. Villa 14 de Septiembre has most likely the strongest church in the tropics. They have planted several churches themselves and continue to support them. The church has created a Christian radio station that reaches thousands of listeners in the remotest of areas. The congregation, made up of mostly farmers, tithe their crops each and every year and gift them to ministries through out Bolivia. The elder board had approached us awhile back and asked about partnering with us. As we finished the orphanage just up the road they attended the dedication and offered a piece of property behind the church. Because of a few legal issues we opted not to accept their offer and within a week one of the couples from the Church offered us 400 sq mtrs on the main road. Remberto and I decided to meet with the Church last week. When we stopped to speak with them we found that they were at their weekly Bible study and prayer time. We found the location in the jungle and as we approached them down an over grown path I knew immediately this was a Church that loved the Lord. There were nearly thirty members each with their well worn Bibles lying in their laps as they sat on blankets, tree stumps or just in the dirt as I would imagine Jesus and His disciples did. As we visited many of them shared stories of orphaned children that had to be sent to Cochabamba because there were no orphanages in the tropics. God has blessed us with some surplus ministry funds so we will be starting the construction in faith. However, if you would like to consider this project for your Church, youth group, family or business please let us know. We’ve been able to make some changes to the design of the house and keep the construction cost at $20,000 again this year.

The third orphanage is called "The Palace" by many villagers. It did turn out a little bigger than we expected.

We had a great opportunity to witness to the village officials and syndicato as they heard our testimonies and love for the orphaned children of their neighborhood. We were blessed with the evangelical president of the tropics and a half dozen local pastors who shared favorite Bible vs and shared their hearts for Jesus.

The dedication was an amazing time of celebration. We purchased a side of beef and the woman of the church spent all morning preparing a fabulous meal for the community officials and Church members.

Ground Breaking

We've learned a bit more about patience and to wait upon the Lord. Fleetwood provided the funding to build this home last year and we've been waiting and waiting for the lot lines to be drawn. In the land of "tomorrow" it really is tomorrow! Praise God.

We enjoyed the time of prayer this past month with NPU (North Park University) from Chicago. We were able to bring some of the children from the Villa Israel orphanage to join us. It's amazing to think that God has already identified the children and house parents who will call this place home.

Hola! My name is Tiffany Du Mez and I arrived in Bolivia about 3 weeks ago. I will be an intern here for the Timmer family through International Teams until December 20^th (My family wants me home for Christmas J ). The day before I left to come to Bolivia I graduated from North Park University, which is where my story begins….

North Park University is a small, liberal arts college on the north side of Chicago, Illinois. NPU prides itself on pushing into big issues including racism, poverty, and other social injustices. Through this, NPU focus’ on taking what we learn in the classroom and bringing it to the ‘real world’: from the classroom to the community. In May of my junior year I took one of the 8 (Appalachia, New Orleans, Alaska, Mexico, Thailand, Zambia are the others) global partnership trips through our University Ministries department. My eyes were opened, my heart was changed, and I had to go back.

After a lot of good byes and even more prayer, I have found myself living in the Hacenda (house on the hill) with the seven other interns. So far, I have seen things I have expected to see, while felt things I could never have imagined. Although each day is a struggle to be away from my family, friends, and mentors the smiles we create, the change we see, and the hope we bring makes each day worth it.

Joys and things I’ve learned:

1. Always carry toilet paper
2. Futbol games mean business in South America
3. Ketchup is International
4. God is faithful

Prayer requests

1. I am still very much learning the language (and still will be in December) so I pray that I will be given continued grace with my abilities. And continued growth with my skills.
2. Continued safety and health. I have been so blessed to not become sick as many around me have and I am very grateful for that.

I think that’s about it. More of my adventures can be found at my own blog (tdumez86.blogspot.com)

Love and blessings

Tiff