August newsletter

Family News

As you can imagine, we were relieved to return to Bolivia on August 3^rd after more than two months in the U.S.A. It was such a blessing to have a home to come back to and for Dr. Heather Mickelson to take care of our place while we were gone. Amara and Aleyna started school on the 11^th and are getting back into the groove of the school-year schedule.

We've had some projects going on around the house even before we got back and they have continued ever since. One project is replacing our kitchen cabinet doors that were old and crooked. We will also be sprucing up some of the outside around the gardens and pool.

On the political scene, tensions are at an all-time high (if there is such a thing in Bolivia), as the government forces new referendums into place to make their new constitution into national law. Opposition has made firm statements that they will not support such a referendum nor will they accept the new constitution.

Also, despite the recent turn-around of the US dollar valuation, the Bolivian Central Bank has continued to make commitments to appreciating the national currency. This appreciation has been slower than neighboring countries due to the resistance of the current 18% inflation. We foresee a coming economic crisis that is perhaps a plan of the national government to make us become dependent on a socialist system.

Ministry News

On August 9^th, we held our eight module of our missionary training school. Our graduation is scheduled for November 1^st.

Alan has been busy making preparations for an exposition event in Cochabamba that is coming up in September. He will be driving there to manage a display stand representing Bethany Mission in Bolivia. Please pray for God to make a way to arrive in Cochabamba safely as there are road blockades almost weekly during this tense political time.

Key Quote: “Faith is to believe what we do not see; and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe.” - St. Augustine

Thanks you all again for your constant support and encouragement!

If you are interested in looking at a recently updated needs report of our mission you can download the file on this page.

In favor of the least reached,

the Holcombes

newsletter July 2008

Family News

We stayed around in NY until the 7^th so we could attend our home church's annual picnic and then headed out on the 8^th to Michigan to stay with Alissa's aunt. Before we actually left, though, we met with Dr. Rechlin, a lung specialist from our home church. Praise God, Alissa was able to get some answers about her lung problems that have bothered her for the last year.

After a brief stop in Wisconsin to see a friend, we drove to Minneapolis to attend a two-week furlough seminar. There were eight couples in the seminar representing Brazil, Ghana, Azerbaijan, Japan, Slovenia, Mexico, China (and us from Bolivia). Our seminar was a real spiritual blessing and surpassed our expectations. Also, our kids were cared for every day and the older two enjoyed a VBS in one of the local churches.

From Minnesota we drove directly back to Texas, where we leave from August 1^st to return to Bolivia.

Ministry News

Our main ministry goal while on furlough was to do support raising for our personal budget and for the national mission. The most hopeful contact has been an oil investment firm in Texas that has committed to set up specific investments to help support the mission. We thank our home church in NY for their unparalleled support for us and the initiatives they are taking to put together a mission board to attend to our needs on the mission field.

Prayer Needs

• Safety on our flight back to Bolivia (Aug. 1-2)
• Our transition back to the field
• Our girls start school August 11
• The national referendum to revoke the presidency of Evo Morales (August 14)

As always we send our sincerest appreciation to all of you for your prayers and simply taking the time to read our updates!

Blessings in Him,

the Holcombes

Bethany International Ministries

6820 Auto Club Rd. Suite D

Bloomington, MN 55438

Casilla 3385

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

SCZ – BOLIVIA

family wesite: www.aaholcombe.mysite.com

ministry website: www.betaniabolivia.org