Hello great big world!

Well, things have been interesting the past couple of weeks. First, I had a tooth pulled 2 weeks ago. I have another one that gets the same treatment Thursday. The alternative was root canal and crown for both, but that was a bit out of our budget. The dentist I have is awesome. He studied dentistry in Boston, so his English is great, and he got addicted to classic rock and roll, so instead of hearing Kenny G’s version of some pop song, I get to hear Bob Seager sing “Turn the page!” He is good at what he does too, which is a bonus!

Second, I had another QBE event. We are gearing up here for the 20^th Anniversary of the UAC. During this time, we will have activities every day for the 1^st week of October. Alumni, Donors, Fund Board members, and friends of the UAC, will be here seeing what has become of the campus, and celebrating the past, present and future of the UAC. The students have a competition with the other departments, or carreras. There are athletic events, talent shows, and many other events, like theater.  The reason that I point out theater is another amusing story of locking the dorms at night. I went up to quiet some of the Ag students that were practicing a tradition Bolivian song that they will perform. This involves a big Bass Drum, a Snare Drum, and a number of various sized Pan Flutes. These kids were playing and singing so loud that we could hear them through the wall and feel it in the floor. They were sorry for being so loud, but they were really enjoying themselves. So I locked up that dorm and came back to our apartment. I had just gotten into bed when I start hearing shouts and noises from that same floor. I thought the band had reformed. As I walked to the door, I realized that it wasn’t the band but the room next door. I heard the Spartan cheers from the movie “300.” I would hear the movie version, and then I would hear students copying it. When I pounded on the door, it swung open. The first thing I saw was a student standing on a wooden foot locker, waving a machete. I thought that I had gotten there just in time to see bloodshed. Then everything slowed down as my gaze moved about the room to see where the nearest threat might be. Being observant, I took in that everyone had a machete, or a wooden sword. I also noted that everyone was wearing a cape of some kind.  But when I saw the painted on beards, that was when I decided that there were no threats here. They were thespians practicing for their production of “300.” I actually laughed out loud in the room as I told them to quiet down for the night. Never a dull moment!

I had the honor of being a "tourist" for one of tourism students. Eddy had to give me the tour of the upper and lower campus. I dressed for the part, as you will see in the pictures that Susan posted. It was a great honor to be selected by Eddy, and I appreciated the effort that he put into showing me the campus, and telling me all the ins and outs of the UAC!

I have been working on a new project. Susan will post pictures of it the next time we are in La Paz. I am building a railing that is attractive, with ferns and flowers planted in 2 liter bottles and old gutters. It will keep students and children from falling 5 feet onto the concrete floor below, and be aesthetically appealing at the same time!

Things have changed here so much in the past 12, years that I have seen. I can’t imagine what the first students would think of us now! I am just so glad, and blessed, to be a part of this wonderful mission. The students and faculty here are just so thankful for the assistance that we provide. It is always a good feeling to know that you are making a difference.

It is also very comforting when I am having a bad day, fighting with the projects I have, or being sick, to feel a light but solid weight in the middle of my chest. The cross given to me by our home church has been a wonderful touch of home.

That is all for now, but know that each and every one of you is in our prayers, as we hope we are in yours!

Peace,

Jeff