January 2007

It rarely hits the news in the USA, but Bolivia is in serious turmoil. Our city has been under siege for a week, as a showdown between the national government and the state governors has heated up. Detailed reports are on our web site: www.exhort.com

We have not been in real danger, but I now know what tear gas smells like! Cynthia and I spent some time pinned in our taxi as rioters marched by, carrying clubs (with nails), gunpowder and gasoline. Fortunately, God is on the Throne and our lives are protected in His mighty hands! When we talk about missions being exciting, this isn’t what we had in mind! This has given us new opportunities to share the Gospel. Pray particularly for Adriana and her family.

Blessings on blessings!

Thanks to individual contributions, we were able to purchase the motorcycle that we’ve been praying for! This will save us over $100 a month in transportation costs. A taxi will still be needed to transport the entire family, but many of our trips are one or two people, so the “moto” will do very well! I was teasing with one of our Bolivian friends who is a motorcycle enthusiast. I asked him why, since a motorcycle is such a “macho” vehicle, the proper word for it was feminina (motocicleta). He assured me that in Bolivia, it was called a “moto”, which is masculine and very macho! Thank you again for this tremendous blessing!

The picture is from the day we took delivery. Richard (the dealer) is explaining the operation of the alarm system to me, while our friend Marco looks on.

Our language school has picked up after the Christmas break. Again, thanks to a private gift, Cynthia has been able to start classes once a week, until that gift runs out.

Challenges!

The violence in the city made it impossible to get around. With the city blockaded, no food could be brought in, even for the small markets that were able to stay open. We are unable to stock up enough meat to get by for more than a few days. A chest freezer has become a necessity.

We have access to well water for emergencies, and our water filter can clean it to acceptable levels.

Our daughter Lorien was to join us for Christmas, to begin her studies here. Her passport and money was stolen as she began her journey at the KC airport. Thanks to several churches helping, we have ordered her replacement passport, and if the bureaucracy moves smoothly, she will be able to join us by Valentine’s Day. All of the kid’s Christmas presents were in Lorien’s luggage, so their first Christmas on the field was a bit thin, without sister or presents, but they were troopers!

Thank you for your faithful support!

Steven and Cynthia Johnson, Thomas, Nicholas, Staton and David!