Bound For Bolivia: Church In the Park & Families Aren't Easy

We had been looking forward to church for a few reasons, but one of the big ones is that when we were here last time, it was a wonderfully air conditioned location with great music from Jorge and Tonchi. I am pleased to announce the music is still wonderful but the location was different today. Today church was held in the park under some trees with very loud crickets in them. The service was fine, but we were inching close to 36 degrees by the end which was not the temperature I was looking for this morning.

After service, there was a potluck with many different kinds of food ranging from hot dogs to fried beef and eggs. We were not aware that it was a potluck, but luckily Ken and the boys brought 3 bowls of mashed potatoes so we were covered. After eating, we kicked the soccer ball around for a while and then Logan tried to teach some of them how to throw a football with mixed results. It could have been the teacher and not the students however....

We dropped off the boys back at Kens house and picked up a young guy named Ruddy (a different Ruddy for you long time followers). Every Sunday after church, Ken picks him up and drives him out to La Guardia about 20 miles south of Santa Cruz to visit his 5 and 3 year old sons who live with his ex girlfriend. Ruddy has had a rough past but has been working very hard to turn it around and has only just reconnected with his sons. These meetings are obviously quite emotionally for Ruddy based on today's trip.

While Ruddy played with his son in the park, we walked through the market and grabbed a cool beverage. When it was time to go, Ruddy bought some groceries for his sons and their mother, and was very quiet on the way back to the city.

We took a couple of pictures of him with his boys which we will email to Ken so he can have them printed for Ruddy.