A few weeks ago, the MCC Bolivia had its annual retreat (usually happens in October) - three days spent away from work, telling each other about our work and life, corporate worship and eating, swimming, and that kind of thing. It's something we usually look forward to. Especially the pool - super especially at the height of the hot season as this was. This year we had kids. And it took all our energy to keep them from drowning and crying. It was exhausting.
However. There were also childcare providers for the morning sessions, and they did great things with all the kids. Above is Jonathan the kitten on his car (very exciting, the car). Below he calmly rides the beast with fierce tiger-driver (cousin), Reuben.
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The other big event in January was two-fold. My cousin, Helga Fehr, has been volunteering at Centro Menno for the past (almost) two years. She lives in the colony of Canadiense II (Morgenland), and makes the 2-hour trip to Santa Cruz weekly. For the last few months she's been warning us that her "term" will be ending soon - "when the Kennert books come."
These "Kennert books" (Auf den Spuren der Mennoniten)are the result of a Jeep trip taken a few years back from Manitoba, Canada to Chaco, Paraguay by the editors of the Mennonitische Post. The 300+ page book is packed with photos, and since they hit several colonies on their way through Bolivia, the Bolivian Low German Mennonites have been waiting with bated breath to see if they made the cut. (Ramont's homemade triple bunk bed is on page 266.) After months of mishaps and waiting, the books arrived just after New Year. Helga has been key in distributing these hot items to the impatient customers. While the rest of us looked for mention of ourselves in the book (above), Helga was busy serving people...
Since Helga worked two days a week, she stayed the night here with us. Through this opportunity to get to know her better, I've come to count her as one of my best friends. I will miss these regular times with her.
Farewell!
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