May, 2008
Dear Friends,
May has already been an exciting month, and it has barely begun! On the 4th, the largest departmento (state) held a referendum on whether to declare autonomy from the federal government. Everyone expected severe violence to result, and that perhaps even civil war would begin. The government promised 80,000 anti-autonomy protesters would march here in Cochabamba. Confrontations were feared between the two factions. Most churches canceled services, many folks went into “lockdown” and the city waited in dread of what would happen.
We had planned to launch a new service the first week of June. However, this was an opportunity to reach out to the community. With about seventeen hours to prepare, we spread the word that we would hold a music and prayer service at 10AM. As the troubles were not expected until afternoon, we felt t would be safe if we made sure to get everyone on there way home by 11:15.
We had a great music service, with Cynthia on the keyboard and Nicholas on the guitar. I opened the windows so the neighborhood could hear Christians singing about their Lord! We then had a long time of prayer, focusing on the God’s controlling hand on our country. Finally I gave a brief Bible lesson on trusting God in challenging times.
With so much of the city staying home, attendance was small, but we did have an impact! The guests heard the Gospel! Word has spread and we are receiving inquiries about when formal services and Bible studies will begin!
As for the “troubles”, the marchers marched, the protestors protested, and everyone went quietly home. Cochabamba remained peaceful. There was indeed violence in Santa Cruz, with three dead, and many injured. Now we wait to see what will happen next. Please continue to pray for the troubled nation of Bolivia.

Serving Christ in Bolivia
Steve, Cyn, Thomas, Nicholas, Staton and David Johnson