Blessings from Hardship

At the end of February we were busy selling and packing things in anticipation of our move to La Paz. The movers came the first week of March and packed up everything and took it to the dock in Haina, Dominican Republic.

At the same time, Francisco Tarifa in Capalla, Bolivia was also packing up his things - but for a different reason. The heavy rains of the month of February caused a mega-landslide that destroyed an entire neighborhood. Francisco's house was one of the homes affected, sliding off it's foundation and leaving huge cracks in the walls. Francisco and his family packed up what could be salvaged and were invited by congregation members to stay in an empty room of El Redentor church. He has gone back several times to see the remains of his home but he and his family are planning to stay at the church for at least a year while the authorities sort out the paperwork and relocation of the families. (Foto: El Diario, La Paz)

In the meantime, Francisco is without a home and without work. When we arrived and began our many errands for acquiring a resident visa and finding an apartment, Francisco became our official "helper". He accompanies us on all our outings: to the lawyers office, to obtain documents from the police station and the health apartment, and on our search for an apartment. As we go about these trips, Francisco points out places of historical interest in the city, bus routes, where to pay bills, shopping areas and gives tips on where it would not be safe for us to go. His help has been invaluable and we have appreciated his willingness to accompany us.

At the same time, we have had many opportunities to converse and share things about our past. Francisco has shared with us the story of his spiritual journey. He is very thankful for the classes he received from Larry Retberg and looks forward to learning more about confessional Lutheran teachings. Francisco and Philip have had several long conversations about spiritual topics. Each time, his focus turns more and more to the work the Savior has done and less and less to his own personal efforts or changes. The Holy Spirit is strengthening his faith.

It was hard for us to leave Santiago, DR and leave behind so many dear friends. It was hard for Francisco to leave his home and move his family after the disaster. Out of these hard times, the Lord has brought much blessing. He has brought us together and we have found mutual blessings in the help we receive from Francisco and the spiritual guidance he receives from his conversations with Philip. What started as a difficult situation for both has resulted in blessing for all.

"Many, O Lord my God are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare". Ps. 40:5