Greetings from Peru

After spending almost two wonderful months in La Paz, Bolivia, I finally made it to Lima, Peru. I left behind many wonderful friends that I will greatly miss, but I leave them in the loving hands of God, knowing that He will finish the work that I had begun, as I have done for all my friends In South America. My leaving was not necessarily my choice, but because of the laws of immigration in Bolivia regarding tourist visas.. Upon arriving at the airport to go to Bolivia, which I had already paid for, I learned that I also had to have an exit flight from the country within thirty days. In order to enter Bolivia in the first place. However, I was able to book a flight to Peru for $250 at 5:30 but it didn;t specify am or pm which I tried to find out, but I was unable to. I thought that it would be very difficult to get up and find someone to take me to the airport two or more hours earlier in the morning. However, after sitting in the airport that evening we learned my flight did indeed leave in the morning and I would have to rebook and pay again with no refund for the missed flight. So Daniel, a new friend, helped me rebook again for a flight 19 days later, and I got to spend more time with friends, and see other places and touch more lives for the Kingdom of God, including a work within the Mormon Church. So I arrived at the airport on the 23 of October, to take my flight to Peru, only to learn that I also had to have an exit flight from Peru before I could go to Peru. This was crazy, but I had no choice. I had a choice to book a flight through a travel agency at the airport or try to book my flight through Daniel on their family credit card, which he could do, because he also wanted the American couriency which I had with me to pay him. The plane fare to New Zealand was $2,100. Very expensive compared to my flight from Portland to Santiago, Chile which was $650, three times as much, But this was the direction I believe God was taking me, since I have to leave most countries within 90 days and I want to be in an English speaking country for a change. Unfortunately, after trying twice to book the plane fare to clear their credit card account, too much time was lost and I was going to miss my paid flight to Peru. However, I was able to rebook a flight three days later for another $100 penalty fee. The next day, Daniel was able to get the funds to clear their account on their card, so I was set to go for my third try to fly to Lima Peru. Daniel was such a blessing that he even printed a photo of Carlos who was going to pick me up at the airport in Lima so I would recognize him and he had photo of me. I was a little nervous about landing in Lima because of immigration and asked God's angels to go before me and clear my way through, and they did. I never went through so fast, no questions asked, Then got my luggage. They didn't even stamp my passport, which I was a little disappointed because it wouldn't be on my Passport.of countries I had been to, but not all countries stamp them, so I have learned.. When I got to the exit of the airport, Carlos and I spotted each other at the same time, and we greeted each other with a big hug, what a relief that was. Then we went outside to the street to meet his friend who brought him to the airport, and left for my new place of residence. I would be sharing an apartment with Carlos in a second bedroom. On the way there I also noticed a very large statue of Jesus Christ like the one in Brazil, on the shore of the Pacific Ocean and a large lighted cross about a mile away from it, they were just a few miles from my new home. It was a very nice large apartment, with all modern appliances including a microwave in the kitchen. My bedroom is 8x12 with no windows to look out. There is a bunk bed and it was long enough for me to sleep on the lower bunk. Also, a large desk with shelves above and below to store food and other stuff and a place to sit with my laptop. But there is no closet, however, I am able to hang my shirts on hangers from the top shelf on either side of the desk. The only bathroom is one that you entered through a gated garage, which he also shared with the neighbor who has two cars. There is no hot water to the shower or any other faucet in his apartment, So cold showers were once again my only choice, along with a toilet with no seat either, all for the Kingdom of God. The next day Carlso took me to a bank to get Peruvian currency to pay my rent of $250 per month and to buy food from the supermarket a few blocks away. There was also a super four story mall there too and the market was on the basement floor. Then we took a small enclosed three wheel motorbike taxi back to the apartment so we didn;t have to carry the food all the way back. I am excited to see what God has instore for me here in Lima, Peru. He has given me a new friend who is very kind, but does not speak English just like Oscar didn't, but we can still communicate with his phone and emails. God is so good and faithful, and a joy to work with Him, and I am expecting great things to happen here, in this new city for the hearts and souls of South America.

Authority: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Part II

Oscar headed his car towards a spot where the tourist driver said was a site of interest that he wanted to see, but just before we got there all of a sudden I was in need of a bathroom and it looked like none would be there. I needed to find a private area soon. I told the man at the site, I need a bano, but he said, there wasn't one. So I headed toward a small remote wall of salt blocks about 300 feet away from the tourist site and people's view, where I could change and clean myself up, because I could not stop what was happening to me no matter how hard I tried, before I got there. I cried out to God, "Why?" Where were my angels when I needed them? The enemy,satan, had struck me again for what I had just shared back with the group of young Columbians. The salt blocks are made of very sharp cristal that could cut into your hand or feet, even your clothing if you were not careful, and I was already weak from lack of sleep and the altitude. I can't describe how painful, difficult and awkward this was getting out of my pants. I finally got out of my underwear and cleaned myself as best as I could. I left my underwear there along with the toilet paper I had with me. and walked back to the car and Oscar waiting for me, a totally humbled and humiliated man. When I got there Oscar helped clean some of the soiled spots on my jeans so that it would not get on the carseat. Bless his heart. and then we washed our hands with some drinking water and some hand sanitizer I had with me. Then we headed across the salt lake in a different direction in which we came, because Oscar thought we could save some time and miles. However, there was no waren path and the salt crystal would cut into his already worn tires. So I convinced him to turn around and go back the way we came for the long drive back home. We eventually stopped to eat something, even though I didn't feel hungry, but I knew Oscar was. We also need gas, however when we pulled into a gas station we we told they were out of gasoline, but a tanker would be arriving in about two hours. So we parked his car to be first in line when it came. As we walked through the small city I had opprotunities to meet and bless more people and pray for them. Then we saw another gas station that was out of gas, with a long line of cars waithing for the tanker truck also. After we ate, the gasoline finally came and we filled Oscar's car. A little later, we stopped and pick up a couple of middle aged men. They were very friendly and with us for the next couple hours. While we drove we listened to some worship music and I heard them talking about Christians. One of the men eventually even drove for an hour so Oscar could get some more sleep. As we drove, I could see a storm was in front of us, and by the time we got to the city where the two men were getting off, the storm had dumped 2-3 inches of hail and the ground was all white, but the hail was slowly melting. It was quite a site to see. Once the men were gone, we still had a three and a half hour drive and Oscar was hungry again. So we found a little restaurant I was able to use their bathroom and eat. However, it their bathroom there was no water to flush my mess and the seat was also cracked. From what I have learned so far in most public restrooms in Bolivia, they have no seats to sit on, and often no water, plus you pay a small fee and then you get some toilet paper that you dispose of in a trash can next to the very dirty toilet. But, bless Oscar he asked the manager of the restaurant for a pail of water to flush the toilet. Then we ate our chicken and rice meal before heading out and got some more gas too. Along the drive there are many toll booths and checkpoints and many speed bumps that you have to keep an eye out for, plus a lot of potholes in the road to avoid. Oscar is a very good man and I love him, but he has a bad habit when it comes to driving. He drives way too fast for a small taxi. Plus, he often cuts people and cars off when in traffic, to save time. Thank God for His angels protection around this taxi, because he has no car insurance and does not own the car, his brother does and he pays him a fee. As we drive it is often a very jerky for passengers or me riding shotgun. And my bathroom situation did not end back at the the restrant. As we continued back I became more uncomfortable, and Oscar stopped a number of times to take a short nap because he was having trouble staying awake. By the time we got to my apartment I was glad to get out, and have a real bathroom again. However, I still wanted to thank Oscar for the trip. It was now 2am and I was ready to sleep as long as I was able to considering my situation, but that was about to change again by morning, when I started throwing up several times the meals I had eaten the night before, long with the other issue. For another few days, I was very weak. However, my strength was slowly coming back and have regained some of my lost sleep. I continue to thanked God for His faithfulness throught this trial and other issues I have had to deal with in my life and other difficult situations here in South Ameriaca. He is always there and living in me even through every trial no matter how painful or ugly they may be, wheather they're physical, emotional or even relational ones. I for one, will continue trust Him. Even Jesus humbles Himself to become a man and suffered many things during His life and ministry, even to the point of death on the cross. The reason I am sharing this article is that no one is exempt from the trials and testings of life, which Jesus himself said we would face. Look at the life of the Apostle Paul. I'm sure he could have gone into much more detail about his ordeals, that would make most of ours trials pail in comparison. But the love of God motivates all God's sons onward toward the Prize. Paul still had God's authority, just as Jesus did, yet they suffered in many harsh, ugly and painful situations. Yet, they didn't draw on their authority to change God's plan.  We today as God's son and daughters have been given even more authority to bring His Kingdom to Earth, and we see more of this power in the days to come, if we continue to endure and do our part. The past will become meaningless compared to the glory that lies ahead.

Authority: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

I had just woken up and Oscar was at my door at 10am with a light breakfast meal and coffee.Wow what a way to start the day. I knew this was to be a special day because of the long trip he planned, but would it be as special as I had hoped. We were going to see a beautiful sunrise over a very large lake. And a Bill Gaither song came to my mind, "Then comes the morning" and all the words Sheldon had declared about resuression and restoration, and this man Israel knew he is in need of both (and by faith I believe I already have it). This had been my thoughts that this would be a really special day especially after having to drive so far. We stopped for lunch at about 2pm where we had the house special which was plate of three medium boiled potatoes, two hard boiled eggs still in the shell, on top of a bed of something like white lima beans, then the specialty of cooked shredded alpaca meat with a chunk of natural cheese on top, (does that just make your mouth water) with hot sauce in a side dish. Then everyone there ate it with their fingers. We also got a pitcher of some kind of juice which was the color of apple juice, served at near room temperature, but still good tasting. Most drinks in Bolivia, including soft drinks, are served at room temperature, with no ice. Then hours later we arrived at a cheap hotel twenty minutes from the lake, but Oscar did not want to leave his car on the street, so the night manager let us park in the garage of the hotel at about 10pm and that is where we stayed, with a large bottle of water and some cookies, along with another car that came inside later, but no one was sleeping in that one. While Oscar slept, I watched a movie on his new computer radio, about the burial site of Jesus (dum ending.) The alarm on Oscar's phone was set for 5am and so I still had about three hours to pray and worship God.and to say "Not my will but Yours be done," several times, before the alarm went off and Oscar woke up. Then we  had to wake up the manager to move the car in front of us so we could get out. When we arrived at the spot to see the sunrise at 6:30, all there was was a giant flat salt lake as far as you could see, with some mountains in the far distance and a cloudless sky. Yes, I was disappointed to say the least, because nothing had happened as I had hoped, but I still thanked  God and trusted Him for His timing and ways are always perfect. After spending about an hour there and Oscar taking lots of pictures, we returned to the hotel, because we still had a blanket that they had given us. However, Oscar still wanted to see some other sites which were back at where we had just come from. I was growing frustrated, but I had nothing else to do. So I let God lead through Oscar. We still saw nothing there, but I noticed 5 tourist SUVs going one direction so I suggested we follow them. They finally stopped in the middle of nowhere and people got out and started taking pictures of themselves and a big salt lake. Oscar went over to get some information and came back saying they were all from Columbia and to me they looked like singles of equal males and females and in their mid twenties. However, I learned one of the drivers could speak English. So I went to him, and this is where God steps in and I let Him speak through me as I share about my ministry in the  five South America countries and His desires for them to know His love and power. Then I blessed the whole group, and started  back to the Oscar's car, but then turned back and told the driver that Trump would be President, and he would make America great again and many other countries would follow his lead. Plus, God was going to do good things all over the world, including Columbia. And God would bless him and his family for many generations. He liked that and then I asked if he had any children and he replied a young girl and I said that was a good start. He chuckled and liked that too. When I went back to the car, I told God, this is what it was all about that made the trip all worthwhile. Over 20, young Columbian, plus drivers were blessed by God. But things were about to change.

A Special Trips

I got to spend another day with Oscar, and with his niece this time, who is about 15 and had a great laugh. A few days ago we tried to go to Lake Titicaca, which means gray puma,a large mountain cat that roams the shoreline. Titicaca is the largest high alpine lake in the world, but the roads were blocked about half way there, so it didn't happen. However, the roads were open again, so we left at 9am yesterday. It was over a 100 miles away and took about 5 hours because of a lot of traffic going through the city to get there. As we went through the city the main road was lined with hundreds of food stands with very large bags of potatoes and onions and other vegetables. There were also about a hundred small round 16'metal trays that had small chunks of wood burning on them or would be burned later. Oscar informed me that these burnings were offered by witches as a sacrifice to the gods of the earth for a good harvest. They also lived along the road in metal sheds. I told Oscar that I would pray for them that God would open their eyes to the truth that it is the Lord God who blessed the harvest, and all of this was communicated over his cellphone. Then a voice came over the phone that stated she had been listening to our conversation and said she agreed with what I said. Wow! I asked God to bless her. Then we continue on our journey. The lake, Titicaca was huge and a beautiful two colors of emerald blue and green like the seas around many of the tropical islands. It was over a hundred miles long and it borders Peru on the other side and central to the Andes mountain range in South America. We had to take a small narrow three car ferry to cross about 2 mile the narrowest part of the lake to go to where Oscar wanted to eat. It turned out to be the small city of Casablanca, same name as the Capital city in Morocco in North Africa. This small town overlooked a bay full of boats. We were all hungry and ordered lasagna at a restaurant with outside dining and enjoyed the view while we waited and ate. The meal was very good and filling, and I paid for it, which I wanted to do to show my appreciation to Ocsar. Then we stopped at a very old, but beautiful Catholic church that is now a museum, I think, because of the police that guarded it. As we started to enter the church we noticed a poor hagged old woman sleeping on the concrete just as you entered the doorway. So I gently woke her and gave her some money, and told her God loved her. She was now a very happy old and toothless woman, but still one of God's children in need of His love and provision. Then we went in and prayed. My prayer was that those who came here would come to know the Truth and be set free. I also declared that this church would not be standing in the Kingdom of God as it is today. Afterwards, we headed back for the long drive yet it was now sunset and even more beautiful, with evening shadows and some thunderclouds and some rain showers in the distance. Back in the city it was bumper to bumper traffic and it seemed like every other car was a silver or gray extended taxi van taking people home. We didn't get back to my apartment until 8:45pm. It was an end to an awesome day and I thanked God for the wonderful friends He has given me. Another time we went to visit poor people who were sick at the local hospital which was very old and far from the standards you would expect to see in America. However the staff was very friendly and helpful in taking me to see different patients that I could pray for and also give them some money to help with their medication expenses. I saw almost a dozen patients young and old, male and female and it was one of my most rewarding experiences as I also got to declare their healing and restorations also. A few days later Oscar took me to The Summit which was the divide in a pass in the Andes Mountain range, in Bolivia, which also runs the length of western South America. It was about 20,000 feet in elevation and yet there was no snow there, which I found amazing, but it had been a very warm winter here. However, in the distance I could still see higher peaks with glaciers on them. From my standpoint I could see both east and west of Bolivia and the very steep roads that lead down the deep reviens on both sides of the country. At the summit there were still small fires burning that had been made by witches, making their offerings to the gods of the earth. So I dealt with these "high place" altar and offerings and brought down that evil influence off this country. I also prophesied over the future of Bolivia for the Kingdom of God and His children. Then we went and ate at a restaurant on the other side, from La Paz, that specializes in fresh trout meals. After our delicious meal we continued going down the other side of the mountain range and the foliage was so different, it was like a jungle, lush and green with tall trees of various kinds, including banana trees, and it was also a lot warmer as we descended down to about 2,000 feet and 90 degrees. Then we had to drive back up to La Paz which is at 14,000 feet in elevation and a lot cooler. It was a long, but beautiful drive, and we even picked up a few paying customs that I got to bless, as we were also in a taxi. But the best part of the day was getting to spend more time with Oscar, who God brought into my life for the Kingdom of God.

Mormons

A week ago Daniel introduced me to some young friends who wanted to meet me. They turned out to be three young people, one male and two pretty young ladies and they all were in their early twenties and they were also mormons from the name tags I saw on their shirts. Then one of the girls handed me a small pretty sunflower wrapted in dedorative plastic. and I thanked her and blessed all of them. A few days later Daniel asked me if I wanted to go to a meeting for a couple hours while he went for an interview, I said sure, because I like meeting people. It turned out to be the same two young ladies and one spoke very good English. Then Daniel left me with them and she asked me how I liked Bolivia, I told her I loved La Paz and the people. Then I shared a little of my experience in South America. After about fifteen minutes an older couple showed up who looked like they were American. He looked very distinguished with gray hair and glasses, and the lady was a very attractive blond. And they were maybe in their mid fifties and they both spoke english. Wow this is getting better, then I noticed their name tags, and he was an Elder. They asked me where I was from and they told me they were from Utah. Okay, this was getting very interesting. Then she started to hand me the Book of Mormons, and I told them that I had already read it and that I had gone to Bible school for four years and studied many other religions while I was there. However, I did not graduate because I was six credits short. But, after four years, I had come to the conclusion that all they taught me was about God, but not how to know Him. I continues to explain that I had came to relize that it was God who make us a minister and not the degree of an educational system. Then I went on to share more of my life, including my name change, the home prophetic fellowship I was a part of and also watched on Zoom in Vancouver, and Sheldon, who was a great influence on my life. I then also shared the call of God on my life, as a prophet to the nations. I also shared a number of miracles that happen in Mexico and here in South America including breaking the drought in Chile and the year before in California, like Elijah did in the Bible. I also shared some of the maricale that God did for me in having a taxi driver return my coat that I had left in his car with my Passport in it. And also of the taxi driver named , Angel, who helped provide all my needs in one day being together. However, this Mormon couple was also very passionate about their faith and they asked me what I thought about it. I share that religions divide people and often causing them to believe they are better than others or to even hate others, Yet it is God's desire for us to love one another and to one body in His family in the Kingdom of God. However, they saw it that way too, but through the growth of the Mormon Church. I told them that the Mormon church did many wonderful things, and that I personally had come to know about some of them in my past. However, all those accomplishments come through human endeavor, where I chose to walk and live by faith and trust God to provide for all my needs including my health, authority and power, prosperity, I did not rely on the banking systems where people use credit to get what they want. Nor did I rely on the medical system. Jesus Christ is my life and everything I need. They also told me that they had apostles and prophets in their religion and because of their persistence, I guess they wanted to add one more to join them. I also shared that we, as human beans, know so little about God and His ways yet most think they know Him well enough. At the end of about an hour taking, they had one one the young lady who spoke English say a closing prayer and when she was through asked if I could say a prayer and they agreed. It was short, simple but powerful prayer. I asked God to give us all  a greater revelation of who Jesus Christ really is, plus His love for all of us and His plans for our lives and for future generations. When I was through, Daniel came in and joined us and I thanked everyone and blessed them before leaving them, knowing that God will answers my prayers and their lives would change, because the power of God is greater than any manmade religion. Then Danial and I went out to have hamburgers and fries, to top off a wonderful evening. God is so Good.

A Night at the Theater

Wow, this week is not over and it keeps getting better. This afternoon Daniel invited me to have lunch with Oscar and other family members, just after I had fixed myself and ate cheese sandwich, but I don't pass up eating with friends. So I joined them in the last chair at a table set for eight and ordered what was supposed to be a smaller plate of food, because I just had a sandwich. However when it came it was a full plate of smaller fish, deep fried minoes again with some potatoes and half fried banana and another vegetable. I ate just half of it and brought the rest back to my apartment. However, before I left I was invited by a couple, to go to some place that I did understand, that would be three hours long. But again, I don't pass up opportunities to meet more people to love and claim for the Kingdom of God. Then about an hour later Daniel knocked on my door and said he had some friends who wanted to meet me. So I went down to meet them, and it turned out to be three Mormon friends who wore name tags on a Mormon badge, two of them were young ladies, and one of them handed me a small sunflower as a gift held in a plastic casing, like from a gift store. I was touched and blessed them all, and later prayed for them to come to know the Truth and be set free from their religious system, when I was back to my apartment. It was getting cloudy and a forecast of rain coming soon. And I was wondering if the people would show up, and they did. I thought they might be taking me to some Mormon event. However it turned out to be a musical play with about 50, mostly young people, but some children starting at about the age of 5 or 6 and also couple of adults. The theater seated about 500 people. We sat in the third row in the balconey. As I sat there for three hours I had a lot of time to pray and prophecy and ask God;s presence to fill the place. Plus, I got to enjoyed beautiful music and watched them dance in hopes,twist, turns and twril, plus they acted-out certain historical scenes and sing all to prerecorded music with a great sound system in the theater. When it was all over and went back to their car, the couple that brought me and paid for my ticket, the wife handed me a box of chocolate covered cherries wrapt in a gold decorative wribben. I was so touched and thanks them. Then later, they asked me if I wanted a hamburger and I thought I would if they had one also. So they pulled over at a hamburger stand next to the curb and got one for all of us,including her sister, who had come to the play, and a couple more for Daniel and a girlfriend we picked up just a little later. The hamburgers also came with fries and a spicy sauce that was really good and again I thanked them and told them I loved them when they dropped me off at my apartment at a little after 10pm. God is so good and I still have another day with Ocsar tomorrow, to see a special place, What a week this has been. I am so blessed and thankful. I will really miss this unique place. La Paz for the Kingdom of God. P.S. I also shared my chocolates with them after we ate our hamburgers, to show my appreciation.

A Day with Oscar

My day with Oscar began at 12:15pm. I had been invited to join him to go to an annual city wide flea market, up on the plateau near the airport. We started off with having a lite lunch at a small restaurant a few miles from our apartments. He ordered for us and when it came it was a mound of deep fried mashed potato with some ground beef inside and a small salad next to it. It was very good and cost about $2:50 for each of us. Then we headed to the sky tram station, which is the La Paz mass transit system that covers miles of  the city from the air at about 75 to two hundred feet off the ground. A city of about one million people. Each gondola is inclosed and holes about 8-10 people and they are about 150 feet from each other. However this is not a totally flat city. The valley floor is about 14,000 feet and then it is wall-in with steep hills, ravines and distant mountains that are covered in snow and are five to six thousands feet higher than my apartment. Marco parked his car at the curb and we walked to the first station and paid our fare. After we got on, and traveled miles, Marco would point out certain sites. However it was a city of mostly red brick and concrete apartments many five or more stories high and businesses with the airport in the distance. There were also more modern buildings in between, with more color and design to them. From the air I could also see miles of covered concession  booths, where people were selling their wares in different streets, not just one main boulevard. As we walked, was amazed by what people were selling and how they ever got all their stuff there. Such as car parts, batteries, hardware tools and supplies, plus clothing and almost anything you could name or carry, it was there. However I would not want to buy something like a car battery and then haul it around and back to my car. After walking for a while at 16,000 feet it was still a challenge to walk for me so Oscar would have me put my hand on his shoulder to help study myself. Bless his heart. Then we got back on the tram and headed in another directions.and saw more of the city from another point of view. Finally after several hours of tram sightseeing, we went looking for a place to eat. We decided on Pizza and finally found a place after walking about a mile, called Eli's Pizza, and ordered two 14" pizza, one ham and cheese and another with the works including jalapenos slices, which were too hot for Oscar, but I ate them, and we split a coke.The we got back on the tram and headed back to where we first started our trip. It was just about sunset and the shadows and color of the view was awesome, however Oscar was having a hard time staying awake as he held the box of our leftover pizza. On the way back to my apartment, we dropped the leftover pizza with a lady friend that Oscar knew. When I got out, I thanked Oscar for a wonderful day and then He reminded me that he was taking me to another place on Sunday, starting at 9pm. What an incredible man God has sent my way, during our traveling that day, I got to meet many people and bless and help them. and I even got our photo taken together by a young lady who also wanted to have her picture taken with me after Oscar explained why I was in Bolivia. Through God's love, we are touching lives and changing the world. When I got back to my apartment it was after 6pm. What an awesome day I got to spend with my new friend friend and taxi driver from Bolivia.

Out to Lunch

Last Tuesday morning I heard a knocking on my entry door at about 10 am. It was my two new friends that the Lord gave me in La Paz, Bolivia, they showed up at my apartment unexpectedly. However, I was very glad to see them. I was about to go back to bed, but this was much better. After a warm greeting we sat down and talked, but Daniel, who is 26, was the only one who could speak English. However, as we talked , I looked over at Oscar, who understood everything we said by reading it on his phone. Wow, that is great  technology. I talked to Daniel about a friend he knew in Lima Peru who he thought would be able to help me when I arrived there in a month, the same way they helped me here. And asked him to send the young man my email address so we could communicate. After about an hour of talking, Oscar asked if I would like to go for a drive and then out to lunch. I said yes.  As he  drove a short distance he pointed out that this was his bravieo, Spanish for neighborhood. It was a community of red bricks and concrete among steep gray jagged hills and deep ravines with small streams flowing through some of them with a few trees among them. From this vista, we overlooked the valley of La Paz far below covered in smog, that even extended up to here and was listed as poor for your health on the news, and some people who were walking around, wore face masks. The roads were mostly dirt and rutted and some were paved in cobblestone or concrete, and there was some construction going on with a new sewer system going in, but with no safety warning of the big holes in the ground next to the road. Most of the houses were made of red bricks, some new and often quite large and several stories high. Oscar also pointed out certain businesses, schools, churches, and even the local cemetery. This was the place where God had brought me to and I am happy to be here, and to bless this community. After about a half an hour tour, we stopped at a small restaurant that was just around the corner from where I was staying. It was very busy with mostly men having their lunch. We got out of the car and found a small vacant table in the back corner and sat down. Oscar gave the lady our order and as we waited I noticed the walls had some posters of Jesus in different settings, and I concluded this place was run by a Christian woman, which Oscar then confirmed. When our meal came, it was a very large platter with a sampling of several kinds of fish, with potatoes, a large serving of rice and some noodles and a cooked half of a banana and two other vegetables. Plus there were two bowls that came, one of hot sauce and another had small crunhy deep fried fish, one of which I realised a later were whole minos, but they tasted very good. I always liked to try new foods whenever I could with friends. As we ate we were both eating off the same large platter and Oscar would tell me what the items were. When we were almost through finishing that platter, the lady brought over another one of the same which we had  been eating from plus a large bowl of a green fish broth, which I tasted, but passed. However, Oscar enjoyed it. I was really going to be stuff and I sure he was too. Oscar also got us a bottle of water and a small coke which we split, to help wash it all down. I was really enjoying this, and then the owner came over and he explained to her who I was and what I was doing here in La Paz and that I was living next door. She was very pleased and thanked me and I blessed her, and thanked Ocscar for the wonderful meal.  After we left the restaurant, we went to Oscars uncle's house where I helped him pressure wash his taxi car, then on the way back to my apartment he played worship music through his phone and on the car radio system while we drove. Then he showed me his small one room apartment unit next to mine, but it was five floors up with no elevator. There was a patio area just outside his door where there was a small shared bathroom and a washing station where Oscar said he was soaking his laundry. This was the simple life of the wonderful man that God brought into my life. I was tired and told Oscar that I need to go and take a nap and I thanked him for a wonderful day. God is so very Good

Walking by Faith

God is always faithful. I left Thursday morning with Luciano who was driving me to the airport and helping me to get checked in. I had already paid for my flight over two months ago. However, when we went to the check=in counter we was told I also had to have a check out flight as to when I was leaving Bolivia, and here I am still in Paraguay.and that I had already paid to leave the country and that Bolivia has a 90 day tourist visa. However, I was shown in their tourist visa requirement that I had to have an exit trip booked within 30 days from now. This was crazy and they agreed, but it was Bolivian law requirement. The lady said she could book me a one way ticket for $300 to leave Bolivia. It told God I needed his help and we went looking for it downstairs at the immigration office. Then he sent us to the man next door who might help and spoke very good English and we explained the problem, so we went back up stairs to the check-in counter where my luggage was still waiting behind the counter. I was also told that my carry-on was too big for the small plane that seated 50 passengers and had to pay extra for all three to be sent to the capital in Bolivia where I would get on my next flight to La Paz, Bolivia. They all agreed it was a stupid law, so we went back down to his office. Has we walked I thought maybe he could book me to Lima Peru and I asked him when we got to his office he said he could to Lima, Peru. but flight, here was leaving in less than an hour now after all this wasted talking, However, he was fast and was able to get me a flight for $250 and I was able to pay in cash to save time, and then we all went back up to the check-in and I was able to leave and send my luggage to the plane, I thanked every one and blessed them all and said good-by to Luciano and gave him a big hug. I still had to get through immigrations where I was then told I had overstayed my tourist visa by one day and would have to pay $88 more, I told God it was His money and gave them a $100 bill and she gave me back a $10 bill, Then I continued to the screening and xrays.area. I had a large voltage converter with my laptop bag and was told I could not take it aboard the plane, that I could go back and ship it also, I walked back about 50 feet and said forget this, I only needed it for my shaver and I could buy a new one if necessary, and gave them and then started the xray screening when a young lady met me and asked as I was putting my belt back on, if I was Israel David. I said yes, and was told to follow her. We then boarded the plane and they closed the door behind me. I was the last one to get on and the plane was moving in just a few minutes. I thank God that that was all over, but that was just the beginning of my trip. We landed at the capital of Bolivia where I had a one and a half hour layover before I boarded the next larger plane to La Paz and had to go through all through the check-in and screening again. I was very tired with less than three hours of sleep the night before. I had a window seat again, but this was just a short flight, and before we landed all I saw out the window was bare mountains with no trees. We landed in La Paz which is almost 15,000 feet in altitude, at 3:55pm. I was seated at the front of the plane so I was able to get off quickly since I had no carry-on and I needed to find a restroom soon. I passed the luggage area and nothing had arrived yet so I went looking for a Bano. I passed people who were there waiting for friends or loved ones to arrive and wonder what it would like to have someone waiting for me.But, I had no one waiting that I knew, then I saw a man sitting on a wooded bench all by himself by the exit of the airport where taxi drivers stood waiting to take people to their next destination, accose from them was a bathroom, but when I went in there were only two stalls and the one that was available the man before did not bother to lift up the set and just sprayed every area he could. I wonder what he was thinking and why. So I cleaned it up and finished why I was there and then washed my hands and left. The middle age Bolivian man was still sitting there and I thought I should see if he could help me. I had a phone number of a taxi man who said he would be happy to help me when I arrived in La Paz, however he never responded to my last two emails, but I still had his phone number and thought I would try one more time. So I went over and sat down next to the man and asked if he spoke English, he said just a little. Anyway, he seemed very friendly so I showed him a piece of paper I had with me. And I asked him if he could call this taxi man, and he did but got no response.He even text the man, with the same result. On the piece of paper was also an address for an apartment for $200 a month and I asked him if he could take me there. He said he would for $10 and I still had that one I was given in my wallet so I gave it to him, and then he said he was a taxi driver. I didn't know what to think, but to just trust God that this taxi driver was waiting for me. We walked back to the luggage area and by this time there was no one left there and my three bags were stacked on a lone cart waiting for me, with a bright orange tag straped to one of them, that said PRIORITY in big white letters. This was beginning to look like a divine appointment. The man took the cart with my luggage and we walked out of the airport and passed all the taxis that were waiting there. I was also laughing to myself at what I was doing by faith. At the edge of the parking lot was his car and on the dashboard was small sign said TAXI. Then he told me his name was Oscar and wrote it on my little piece of paper. As we drove, he would point out certain sights like a tourist guide. However, what really caught my eye was, we had been on a plato over a thousand feet above the heart of the city of La Paz with all its high rise apartment and office buildings far below us. As he drives down the busy winding pothole road, he has his phone talking to someone. Then we stopped and picked up a young man named Daniel Baptista who could speak English. Wow!  He was 26 and Oscar was his uncle and he would be leaving Bolivia in just a couple more months. As we drove, I shared with him my purpose for being in La Paz, and some of my experiences in South America and my faith in Christ. When we got to the valley floor, they were taking me to another apartment and said it would be 1100, and I asked if that was american dollars or Bolivian. He thought it was Bolivian. However when we arrived I since there would be a problem, because it was a tall beautiful all blue glass highrise with a large supermarket on the next block. I told God I would like a nice place, but this was too good to be true. They took my luggage up the 16th floor just below the top penthouse and we walked into a beautiful furnished three bedroom apartment. Okay I said how much is this really and it was american dollars.  I said I can't do that and help poor people too. I offered $400 and a blessing, but he wanted the full amount or asked if I would be willing to share with someone else, I said no. So we loaded my luggage back into the car. It was now 7pm and we left the airport at about 5pm. They asked if I was hungry and I said no, but they were, However, Daniel had another idea, and offered to let me stay at his house for the same amount, and he would stay with a friend close by, and he could still help me if I needed it. When we got there, Daniel and his mother, Jeanieth, came over and helped move all his clothes and change the bedding and cleaned the bathroom.and then I gave him the four $100 in american currency. I also gave Oscar an extra $50 for all his time and help to split with his nephew Daniel Baptista, who just helped me to have a nice place to live for a month. Later that night I sent them each an email thanking them again for all there help. The next day I got a responce from both of them, offering to help me in any way or go any where. By trusting God and taking steps of faith , I saw God answer all my prayer in coming here. The house was a large one bedroom apartment, with all cream color tile floor and a 11 foot ceiling with white crown molding on the edge. There are very large glass window with drapes coverings. The walls were clean and painted in Spanish pink. The bedroom had a queen size bed and a tall beautiful wood cabnit closet with drawers and rods to hang my clothes. The bathroom was small and had no shower doors by design, and a working toilet. All the fixtures were blood red in color. The living area had only a 4'desk and a 5' table with a chair, but that was all I needed and the room was over thirty feet long by fifteen and then a large dining area to the side. The kitchen is about 7'X20'and had a new modern gas stove and oven. However, there is no microwave or refrigerator, if you want something to stay cool, I was told, you keep it outside with a door at the end, since it is cold here, but learned doesn't snow here, only rain. But other people and animales could get to your food, not to mention bugs. The temperature here for the next week is in the upper fifty during the day and about mid to low 30 in the morning. This was a typical winter time here. My eating habits was going to change again for the love of God and all His children here in Bolivia. Great thing are going to happen, because the Kingdom of God is coming to earth. P.S. The taxi man who bailed on me, I had sent him an email before I left Paraguay and said that I forgave him, and that God would provide someone else to help me because He is faithful. In the long run, God had chosen someone else much better,also who was waiting for me, and He wanted to bless all of us, especially Danial Baptista.and Oscar my taxi driver sent by God. The next day I learned, manager of the beautiful highrise apartment was Oscar's son.

Lead by His Spirit

Last week I took two of Luciano's sons to get a double scoop of ice cream which they really enjoyed, however their dad has a health issue so he passed on the ice cream for now. I think he has a sugar intake problem, that he has to control his amount of sugar intake. However I know that God will heal him soon. With it being so hot, 92 degrees, the next day, I went and had a double scoop again with chocolate and one scoop of chocolate chip mint on a waffle cone. It was very good and refreshing and only cost about $1.50, incredibly cheap. Then that night at about 8pm I went for another walk and I started to go my usual way, but changed my mind, because I felt I should go back to where I had gone the night before where there is a large park, that I just found, a few blocks from where I'm living. It has a large fountain and lots of trees. And it's all lit up at night, for people to come and walk or sit and talk with friends or just relaxs and watch their children play on things. Plus, there are a few food venters selling their items at the edge of the park. So on my way there I passed a family with three young children and one was small boy was carrying a bucket and he was holding his father's hand with the other, as they walked. However, when I got close to them, he turned and looked at me with a longing in his eyes and made me wonder. So when I got to the end of the block, I stopped under a lamp post and waited for the family to get there. When they did they stopped for a moment and that is when a miracle took place. The young child, about 5 or 6 with the bucket, looked at me and dropped his bucket and then came to me with outstretched arms. I could tell he has a mental issue and his face, arms and legs where deformed, but he came to me with a big smile on his face and I knelt and embraced him in a big long hug and told him that God loved him very much and then I placed one hand on that crown of his head and blessed him and declared healing and restoration. Then I finally stood up and blessed the family, they were all taken aback by what had just seen take place with a total stranger, and they thanked me. However, the boy knew who I was and he wanted a hug from God, who lives in me, and he got one that he will always remember. As I left, God reminded me why I was there, to touch lives for the Kingdom of God and all His children.