Dear Family and Friends,
Merry Christmas! I know everybody says this, but we truly mean it. I can’t believe Christmas is here! We are having fun decorating our house and trying to guide our kids in having the right spirit during this time; although it has been pretty hot in Santa Cruz.
For me, this is the hardest time of the year. It makes me feel homesick—missing family, friends, places, food...snow... Anyway we just want to tell all of you that we miss you horribly and think and pray for you a lot. And most of all thank you for all of your support, thank you for your prayers, your thoughts, thank you for being our friend even though thousands of miles and almost another year separate us.
Please keep sending us your e-mails and cards. We love them. If you have changed your email address, or are not getting our email updates, please drop us an email so we can add you to our contact list. Thank you so much for your confidence and support of our ministry both economically and through prayers. We hope that during this season of giving you will remember Bolivia and our ministry with the orphanages and water well drilling. We know the Lord will multiply his blessings on you, so we want to encourage you to keep supporting us. If you have not done so already, please consider making a monthly pledge of support for the coming year.
This Christmas we will have three celebrations. One with our family and our friend and worker Carlos (before Nathaniel goes to KY). The next one will be with the kids and staff of the home Talita Cumi and the last one will be with our EFCCM mission family. We hope and pray you will also be surrounded by loved ones and mostly by the Spirit of our Lord himself; that this special time will be a reminder of God’s unexplainable and limitless love for you. If I could hug you right now, I would. Times like this just get all my emotions going! We love you very much. If possible please send us a photograph of you and your family so that our children know who we are talking about and so that we can continue praying for you. We just would love having you on our fridge!
With lots of love,
Daniel and Vanessa Beams
EFCCM
Casilla 3740
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Email: beamsclan@yahoo.com
Bolivia Telephone: 011-591-3351-1087
Blogs: www.beamsclan.blogspot.com, www.simplewatersolutions.blogspot.com
Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/beamsclan
Monday, December 31, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Out There with the Beams -- November 2007
Dear Family and Friends,
We trust that you had a fun filled Thanksgiving holiday. We enjoyed swimming on Thanksgiving morning and then shared a turkey dinner with several other missionary families in our neighborhood. We plan on traveling to Cusco, Peru right after Christmas to spend some time with Vanessa’s cousin who lives in Lima.
The last couple of weeks have been chaotic in Bolivia. In general, missionaries are cautioned to stay out of politics in their host countries, but even still it is sometimes hard to avoid the affects of political and civil unrest around you. I just wanted to share a little bit of what is going on so you can be praying for peace and prosperity in Bolivia. We live in the department of Santa Cruz. It is the largest department in Bolivia, taking up the eastern third of the country. Santa Cruz has been seeking economic and political autonomy within the country. They would like to keep more of the tax revenue from oil and gas, and agriculture within our department rather than share it with La Paz, the seat of the national government. The current president, Evo Morales and his MAS party are socialist and are closely aligned with Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. Morales is the first indigenous president ever elected in Bolivia. He has promised many reforms that will address the disparity between rich and poor, and the discrimination against the indigenous population (75%) of Bolivia. While he appears to have some good ideas and the ambition to make change for the betterment of the country, he is attempting to ramrod his changes through a stalemated legislature and is threatening the democratic process in Bolivia. For example, last week the delegates rewriting the constitution met and voted to approve the new constitution. The problem is only the MAS party delegates were present to vote on the Constitution (155 out of 258 total delegates). Of course everyone opposed to the MAS party is calling foul. In general there is a culture of resistance among minority political parties and groups who block and confound any attempt to govern the country.
Most of the opposition to the MAS party is centered in Santa Cruz; and actually 6 of the 9 departments are governed by groups opposed to the Morales government. They are continually calling for civil resistance against the government. That often means they call strikes of various kinds and will block major highways for weeks at a time. A “paro civico” is a general strike where everything and everyone comes to a halt for 24 hours. All businesses and schools close and no one is allowed to drive their cars on the road. If you do so without special permission you risk having your windows broken by an agree mob of protesters. The kids have missed a number of school days in the last couple of weeks due to the “paro civicos.” Road blocks often mean you cannot travel to other cities around the country without the risk of either not being able to get there or not being able to get back home. There are so few highways in Bolivia, that a simple road block at a key bridge can paralyze the economy of millions of people.
So how have we been effected? Our SUV runs on diesel and diesel has been scarce in Santa Cruz for over two months now. Santa Cruz is only receiving about 1/3 of the diesel they need for the city and for the current agricultural campaign. The result is super long lines at gas stations. To fill our tank with diesel I have to drive all over town asking at gas stations when the next delivery of diesel will occur. Then I have to get to the station several hours before the tanker arrives and wait in line. The problem is, trucks wait in line 12 or 24 hours for the diesel to arrive and then the get it all before anyone else has a chance at it. Gas stations are only receiving 5,000 to 10,000 liters of diesel several times a week. This means once they start pumping, the supply only lasts for 2 or 3 hours. For example, two nights ago I got in line at 7:00 in the evening waiting for diesel that was supposed to arrive at 9:00. I was the 47th vehicle in line. I finally got to the pump at 11:15, but they were rationing how much they sold each customer and would only sell me about six gallons. I think I need to buy a gasoline powered vehicle. The scarcity of diesel is affecting all aspects of life in the city. There are only about half the number of busses running as normal. The majority of the city population does not own private cars and moves around on city buses. This means that most buses are too crowded to board and passengers often have to change buses lines many more times than before. So for a person who previously paid 3 bolivianos a day for bus fare may now have to change buses three times and pay up to 9 bolivianos a day for bus fare. An average wage in Santa Cruz is about 40 bolivianos ($5 US), so fully ¼ of a daily earnings goes to commuting. There are also shortages of fresh vegetables and other staples in the markets, and the cost of all food items is rising rapidly. People are really beginning to worry about the affects of seemingly out of control inflation.
I hope I haven’t depressed or confused you with the details of politics and economy in Bolivia. It really is too confusing to convey in a short letter. Just remember to continue praying for Bolivia as a country, and pray that we can have an impact on the folks we are working with.
Thank you so much for your continued support of our work here. As you think about giving this holiday season, we hope that you will think outside of the box, and consider giving to the people of Bolivia through our ministry. If you would like to make a special designation to the water well drilling project or to one of the children’s homes that we work with, please indicate that with your special gift or monthly pledge. We also hope that if you have not already made a monthly pledge to our ministry, that you will consider doing so for 2008. I am confident that God is completely capable of supplying the financial needs for our family and ministry. Please pray about what part God would have you play in our ministry.
Vanessa also asks that you pray especially for her brother Paul and his family who live in Cajamarca, Peru. Pray that he God will be honored through the decisions he is making about his life and family.
Blessings,
Danny
Daniel and Vanessa Beams
EFCCM
Casilla 3740
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Email: beamsclan@yahoo.com
Bolivia Telephone: 011-591-3351-1087
Blogs: www.beamsclan.blogspot.com
www.simplewatersolutions.blogspot.com
Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/beamsclan
We trust that you had a fun filled Thanksgiving holiday. We enjoyed swimming on Thanksgiving morning and then shared a turkey dinner with several other missionary families in our neighborhood. We plan on traveling to Cusco, Peru right after Christmas to spend some time with Vanessa’s cousin who lives in Lima.
The last couple of weeks have been chaotic in Bolivia. In general, missionaries are cautioned to stay out of politics in their host countries, but even still it is sometimes hard to avoid the affects of political and civil unrest around you. I just wanted to share a little bit of what is going on so you can be praying for peace and prosperity in Bolivia. We live in the department of Santa Cruz. It is the largest department in Bolivia, taking up the eastern third of the country. Santa Cruz has been seeking economic and political autonomy within the country. They would like to keep more of the tax revenue from oil and gas, and agriculture within our department rather than share it with La Paz, the seat of the national government. The current president, Evo Morales and his MAS party are socialist and are closely aligned with Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. Morales is the first indigenous president ever elected in Bolivia. He has promised many reforms that will address the disparity between rich and poor, and the discrimination against the indigenous population (75%) of Bolivia. While he appears to have some good ideas and the ambition to make change for the betterment of the country, he is attempting to ramrod his changes through a stalemated legislature and is threatening the democratic process in Bolivia. For example, last week the delegates rewriting the constitution met and voted to approve the new constitution. The problem is only the MAS party delegates were present to vote on the Constitution (155 out of 258 total delegates). Of course everyone opposed to the MAS party is calling foul. In general there is a culture of resistance among minority political parties and groups who block and confound any attempt to govern the country.
Most of the opposition to the MAS party is centered in Santa Cruz; and actually 6 of the 9 departments are governed by groups opposed to the Morales government. They are continually calling for civil resistance against the government. That often means they call strikes of various kinds and will block major highways for weeks at a time. A “paro civico” is a general strike where everything and everyone comes to a halt for 24 hours. All businesses and schools close and no one is allowed to drive their cars on the road. If you do so without special permission you risk having your windows broken by an agree mob of protesters. The kids have missed a number of school days in the last couple of weeks due to the “paro civicos.” Road blocks often mean you cannot travel to other cities around the country without the risk of either not being able to get there or not being able to get back home. There are so few highways in Bolivia, that a simple road block at a key bridge can paralyze the economy of millions of people.
So how have we been effected? Our SUV runs on diesel and diesel has been scarce in Santa Cruz for over two months now. Santa Cruz is only receiving about 1/3 of the diesel they need for the city and for the current agricultural campaign. The result is super long lines at gas stations. To fill our tank with diesel I have to drive all over town asking at gas stations when the next delivery of diesel will occur. Then I have to get to the station several hours before the tanker arrives and wait in line. The problem is, trucks wait in line 12 or 24 hours for the diesel to arrive and then the get it all before anyone else has a chance at it. Gas stations are only receiving 5,000 to 10,000 liters of diesel several times a week. This means once they start pumping, the supply only lasts for 2 or 3 hours. For example, two nights ago I got in line at 7:00 in the evening waiting for diesel that was supposed to arrive at 9:00. I was the 47th vehicle in line. I finally got to the pump at 11:15, but they were rationing how much they sold each customer and would only sell me about six gallons. I think I need to buy a gasoline powered vehicle. The scarcity of diesel is affecting all aspects of life in the city. There are only about half the number of busses running as normal. The majority of the city population does not own private cars and moves around on city buses. This means that most buses are too crowded to board and passengers often have to change buses lines many more times than before. So for a person who previously paid 3 bolivianos a day for bus fare may now have to change buses three times and pay up to 9 bolivianos a day for bus fare. An average wage in Santa Cruz is about 40 bolivianos ($5 US), so fully ¼ of a daily earnings goes to commuting. There are also shortages of fresh vegetables and other staples in the markets, and the cost of all food items is rising rapidly. People are really beginning to worry about the affects of seemingly out of control inflation.
I hope I haven’t depressed or confused you with the details of politics and economy in Bolivia. It really is too confusing to convey in a short letter. Just remember to continue praying for Bolivia as a country, and pray that we can have an impact on the folks we are working with.
Thank you so much for your continued support of our work here. As you think about giving this holiday season, we hope that you will think outside of the box, and consider giving to the people of Bolivia through our ministry. If you would like to make a special designation to the water well drilling project or to one of the children’s homes that we work with, please indicate that with your special gift or monthly pledge. We also hope that if you have not already made a monthly pledge to our ministry, that you will consider doing so for 2008. I am confident that God is completely capable of supplying the financial needs for our family and ministry. Please pray about what part God would have you play in our ministry.
Vanessa also asks that you pray especially for her brother Paul and his family who live in Cajamarca, Peru. Pray that he God will be honored through the decisions he is making about his life and family.
Blessings,
Danny
Daniel and Vanessa Beams
EFCCM
Casilla 3740
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Email: beamsclan@yahoo.com
Bolivia Telephone: 011-591-3351-1087
Blogs: www.beamsclan.blogspot.com
www.simplewatersolutions.blogspot.com
Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/beamsclan
Sunday, November 04, 2007
October Newsletter
Hi Partners,
We trust you are having a great Fall. The rains have finally started falling in Bolivia and the trees are turning Spring green. It is such a relief to have the smoke filled skies of the dry season behind us. October was a busy month as we prepared for and hosted a mission work team from Crossroads Christian Church. Eight people ventured south to Bolivia to help us with a water well project at Talita Cumi children’s home. This home already has city water, but by putting in a private well and a water tank we can help the home save about $50 a month in water bills. The team had a great time getting dirty and drilling the water well, but I think they had an even better time getting to know the 30 or so kids at the home. Unfortunately we didn’t finish the well while they were here. We hit a hard layer of rock at about 50 feet and could not get through it before they had to leave. We will keep working on it. If you would like to see pictures from the week, they are available at http://www.pbase.com/beamsclan/cccoct2007.
The well drilling project is beginning to pick up steam. Carlos, is working full time for the project now and we are installing our workshop/training center on a rented farm about 20 minutes out of town. It is a beautiful piece of property with fruit orchards, forest, pasture, and a river. A number of people and institutions are showing interest in supporting the project, but we are still financing the project with a shoestring budget almost completely out of our own salary. There are so many doors opening up to work in rural communities and to provide water well drilling training to other institutions. Pray that our resources will expand to meet the need for water in Bolivia. I visited, Nueva Esperanza, a community of flood refuges near Cuarto Canadas several weeks ago where 130 families are getting water from a single well. These families have had to leave their farms and communities because of severe flooding. They established a new community on higher ground, but now they are now living on small house lots and only have enough space for a house and a small vegetable garden. In the mornings and evenings they have to stand in line to fill their water jugs to carry back to their homes. We have promised the community leaders we will come back soon and drill two new wells at each end of the community so people will not have to stand in line or have to carry their water so far. We would also like to help the community build a water tank and an irrigation system for the vegetable gardens. This would really help them increase their productivity. There is not yet a church in Nueva Esperanza, but there is a group of Christians meeting in a home each Sunday. They have asked us to help them purchase a lot and build a church building. The land they would like to purchase will cost about $400.
Thanks so much for you continued support of our work here. We could not be working here without your prayer and financial backing. Bolivia is sometimes a hard place to live. Violent demonstrations, strikes, road blocks, and fuel shortages are daily worries. Two days before our team arrived, the Santa Cruz airport was the scene of cancelled flights, protests, a military take over, and then more protests that kicked out the military. The scenes on the television on Thursday night looked like an all out war. I didn’t think our team would be able to come in, but by Sunday morning when they arrived everything was back to normal. Despite all the poverty, and political and social turmoil, God is working here in the hearts of many people. It is encouraging to see the positive spirit and hard work of so many Christians working to share the gospel and to help those in need. You are all a part of this work as well. We are excited about a number of teams that will be coming down next year. If you would like to come and help out a while, you have an open invitation.
Blessings,
Danny
Daniel and Vanessa Beams
EFCCM
Casilla 3740
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Email: beamsclan@yahoo.com
Bolivia Telephone: 011-591-3351-1087
Blogs: www.beamsclan.blogspot.com
www.simplewatersolutions.blogspot.com
Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/beamsclan
We trust you are having a great Fall. The rains have finally started falling in Bolivia and the trees are turning Spring green. It is such a relief to have the smoke filled skies of the dry season behind us. October was a busy month as we prepared for and hosted a mission work team from Crossroads Christian Church. Eight people ventured south to Bolivia to help us with a water well project at Talita Cumi children’s home. This home already has city water, but by putting in a private well and a water tank we can help the home save about $50 a month in water bills. The team had a great time getting dirty and drilling the water well, but I think they had an even better time getting to know the 30 or so kids at the home. Unfortunately we didn’t finish the well while they were here. We hit a hard layer of rock at about 50 feet and could not get through it before they had to leave. We will keep working on it. If you would like to see pictures from the week, they are available at http://www.pbase.com/beamsclan/cccoct2007.
The well drilling project is beginning to pick up steam. Carlos, is working full time for the project now and we are installing our workshop/training center on a rented farm about 20 minutes out of town. It is a beautiful piece of property with fruit orchards, forest, pasture, and a river. A number of people and institutions are showing interest in supporting the project, but we are still financing the project with a shoestring budget almost completely out of our own salary. There are so many doors opening up to work in rural communities and to provide water well drilling training to other institutions. Pray that our resources will expand to meet the need for water in Bolivia. I visited, Nueva Esperanza, a community of flood refuges near Cuarto Canadas several weeks ago where 130 families are getting water from a single well. These families have had to leave their farms and communities because of severe flooding. They established a new community on higher ground, but now they are now living on small house lots and only have enough space for a house and a small vegetable garden. In the mornings and evenings they have to stand in line to fill their water jugs to carry back to their homes. We have promised the community leaders we will come back soon and drill two new wells at each end of the community so people will not have to stand in line or have to carry their water so far. We would also like to help the community build a water tank and an irrigation system for the vegetable gardens. This would really help them increase their productivity. There is not yet a church in Nueva Esperanza, but there is a group of Christians meeting in a home each Sunday. They have asked us to help them purchase a lot and build a church building. The land they would like to purchase will cost about $400.
Thanks so much for you continued support of our work here. We could not be working here without your prayer and financial backing. Bolivia is sometimes a hard place to live. Violent demonstrations, strikes, road blocks, and fuel shortages are daily worries. Two days before our team arrived, the Santa Cruz airport was the scene of cancelled flights, protests, a military take over, and then more protests that kicked out the military. The scenes on the television on Thursday night looked like an all out war. I didn’t think our team would be able to come in, but by Sunday morning when they arrived everything was back to normal. Despite all the poverty, and political and social turmoil, God is working here in the hearts of many people. It is encouraging to see the positive spirit and hard work of so many Christians working to share the gospel and to help those in need. You are all a part of this work as well. We are excited about a number of teams that will be coming down next year. If you would like to come and help out a while, you have an open invitation.
Blessings,
Danny
Daniel and Vanessa Beams
EFCCM
Casilla 3740
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Email: beamsclan@yahoo.com
Bolivia Telephone: 011-591-3351-1087
Blogs: www.beamsclan.blogspot.com
www.simplewatersolutions.blogspot.com
Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/beamsclan
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Smoke in Santa Cruz
For the past month or so the air pollution in Santa Cruz has been getting worse and worse. Lately, there has not been a cloud in the sky, but in middle of day if feels and looks overcast and you can actually look directly at the sun. Visibility is less than a quarter mile at times and the local airports have had to cancel flights because of poor visibility. It is also causing health problems (eyes and lungs). The cause of the smoke is the burning of the forest by small farmers who are slashing-and -burning their way through the jungle (like the farmer from Yapacani pictured here). I don't blame them for wanted to farm and support their families, I just wish it didn't have such an affect on the rest of us during the dry season. The local newspaper reported there has been more than 14,000 fires in the department of Santa Cruz this year, up 25% from last year. There are techniques farmers can use that do not require burning (and in fact the Hooglands, an EFCCM missionary family in Yapacani are teaching such techniques on their farm), but the easiest way to farm the jungle is to cut it down, let it dry out, and then burn everything before planting. In some cases the fires get away from the farmers and unintendedly and uncontrollably burn large tracts of land. The first rains of the season should be here sometime in October or November. These will signal an end to the burning season and the beginning of the planting season. I'm sure the air will clear up again and beautiful skies will return. I just hope that in 10 or 20 years, Bolivia still has some intact rain forest. I love the wildness and natural beauty of Bolivia, but I am afraid it will practically disappear within my lifetime.
Talita Cumi Fire
Here are a couple of pictures for the fire at Talita Cumi that we mentioned in our newsletter. A storage room full of paint and cleaning chemicals caught on fire around 8:00p on a Sunday night. Several of the older girls were trapped by the fire on the second floor and had to jump from the balcony to excape the flames. Thankfully no one was seriously injured. The total damage was about $3000US.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Out There with the Beams -- September 2007 Prayer Letter
Hello loved ones and partners in ministry,
This month has been kind of crazy but good (mostly). Danny has finally found a workshop/farm, about half an hour from home, where he and Carlos will build tools and parts for well drilling. The little house, which will be used as an office, is on a big piece of land which will be used to demonstrate well drilling techniques. So that is one answer to prayer! Even our kids are excited about the property because it has lots of room to run around and lots of mandarin and mango trees. We want to ask you, however to pray for our friend Carlos to find the way to move back to Santa Cruz and start working with us.
Some exciting news—a work team from our church, Crossroads Christian in Lexington will arrive on October 21st. We will be drilling a water well and building a water storage tank at Talita Cumi that will be used for laundry and showers. Can you imagine how much water is consumed to wash the clothes of some thirty plus kids?? A lot! Also we may still be working on some of the repairs still needed at the home. Sadly to report, last week there was a big fire at Talita Cumi—but praise the Lord for his wonderful mercy and protection, nobody got severely hurt. Wilma (one of the oldest girls and sweetie pie) jumped from the balcony and hurt her arm, and several of the kids especially the oldest girls are still pretty shook up and refuse to sleep back in the bedrooms upstairs since they saw their steps on fire! Needless to say the material damages are a lot! They lost most of their tools which had been stored in the little room where the fire started which also gone now and the steps and roof over the patio need to be replaced. It was about $3000 in damages. As you can imagine this is a big deal for a home that struggles just to buy food each month for more than 30 kids! So please everybody lift the kids and the staff up in prayer and also pray for some more help to come to them.
I am so thankful for all of you who I know you are here with us through your prayer and your support. It also makes us feel so good when you guys write us asking questions about the people we are involved with. Thank you! Please keep praying for Fernanda. She is going through a time in her life when she needs to decide what she wants. I still haven’t figured it out. She tells me she wants to keep going, become a teacher or social worker. But she has not yet attended one of the counselling sessions I had arranged for her. One good news is that she is also working now for a family as a nanny and cook. She should graduate from high school in December. Please pray she won’t try to fill her need to feel loved and accepted in a way that will only bring more pain into her life. Also pray for forgiveness and salvation for her mother. Many times I have wanted to hurt this woman for selling her little 8 year old into prostitution but I realize she is just so lost and sick. I don’t think this woman would ever have the ability to face the horror of what she has done. But I know Jesus does!
Here are some other names and things we need you guys to lift up in prayer:
Cristo Viene girls home, please pray for a renewal of the staff. Pray the Lord will provide more Christian workers and for the Salvation of those who are there now.
Lily, Shirley, Vicky and Elvira who have also left the home. Pray for protection and discipling and for the Lord’s provision.
Our working team of eight and the impact they are going to make here in Santa Cruz.
Our health since the city has been very smoky for more than two weeks now, our kids are having a smoke day (as opposed to a snow day) from school today.
Isaiah he is having some separation issues I guess since he has started school and it is the first time we are separated for a long time every day.
Luciana and Nathaniel for wisdom and protection at school and home.
Danny and Vanessa for wisdom, self control and protection.
Our prayer for you today is that the Lord will go with you wherever you go and that He will show you His provision and purpose for your life. And that you will feel his presence. May our God also multiply his blessings for you today, as He promises to those who bless. Believe me you bless us every day!
Please visit our blog and photo websites to see pictures and read a little more about our work and about Bolivia. We love and miss all of you, please write to us, call us or better yet come and see us!
We appreciate everyone’s faithfulness in supporting our ministry, whether through a monthly pledge or a one-time gift. If you are new to our ministry or need another donation card, simply open the attached PDF, print a donation slip, and mail a check to Owingsville Baptist Church. It’s that simple.
Love,
Vanessa
Daniel and Vanessa Beams
EFCCM
Casilla 3740
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Email: beamsclan@yahoo.com
Bolivia Telephone: 011-591-3351-1087
Blogs: www.beamsclan.blogspot.com
www.simplewatersolutions.blogspot.com
Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/beamsclan
This month has been kind of crazy but good (mostly). Danny has finally found a workshop/farm, about half an hour from home, where he and Carlos will build tools and parts for well drilling. The little house, which will be used as an office, is on a big piece of land which will be used to demonstrate well drilling techniques. So that is one answer to prayer! Even our kids are excited about the property because it has lots of room to run around and lots of mandarin and mango trees. We want to ask you, however to pray for our friend Carlos to find the way to move back to Santa Cruz and start working with us.
Some exciting news—a work team from our church, Crossroads Christian in Lexington will arrive on October 21st. We will be drilling a water well and building a water storage tank at Talita Cumi that will be used for laundry and showers. Can you imagine how much water is consumed to wash the clothes of some thirty plus kids?? A lot! Also we may still be working on some of the repairs still needed at the home. Sadly to report, last week there was a big fire at Talita Cumi—but praise the Lord for his wonderful mercy and protection, nobody got severely hurt. Wilma (one of the oldest girls and sweetie pie) jumped from the balcony and hurt her arm, and several of the kids especially the oldest girls are still pretty shook up and refuse to sleep back in the bedrooms upstairs since they saw their steps on fire! Needless to say the material damages are a lot! They lost most of their tools which had been stored in the little room where the fire started which also gone now and the steps and roof over the patio need to be replaced. It was about $3000 in damages. As you can imagine this is a big deal for a home that struggles just to buy food each month for more than 30 kids! So please everybody lift the kids and the staff up in prayer and also pray for some more help to come to them.
I am so thankful for all of you who I know you are here with us through your prayer and your support. It also makes us feel so good when you guys write us asking questions about the people we are involved with. Thank you! Please keep praying for Fernanda. She is going through a time in her life when she needs to decide what she wants. I still haven’t figured it out. She tells me she wants to keep going, become a teacher or social worker. But she has not yet attended one of the counselling sessions I had arranged for her. One good news is that she is also working now for a family as a nanny and cook. She should graduate from high school in December. Please pray she won’t try to fill her need to feel loved and accepted in a way that will only bring more pain into her life. Also pray for forgiveness and salvation for her mother. Many times I have wanted to hurt this woman for selling her little 8 year old into prostitution but I realize she is just so lost and sick. I don’t think this woman would ever have the ability to face the horror of what she has done. But I know Jesus does!
Here are some other names and things we need you guys to lift up in prayer:
Cristo Viene girls home, please pray for a renewal of the staff. Pray the Lord will provide more Christian workers and for the Salvation of those who are there now.
Lily, Shirley, Vicky and Elvira who have also left the home. Pray for protection and discipling and for the Lord’s provision.
Our working team of eight and the impact they are going to make here in Santa Cruz.
Our health since the city has been very smoky for more than two weeks now, our kids are having a smoke day (as opposed to a snow day) from school today.
Isaiah he is having some separation issues I guess since he has started school and it is the first time we are separated for a long time every day.
Luciana and Nathaniel for wisdom and protection at school and home.
Danny and Vanessa for wisdom, self control and protection.
Our prayer for you today is that the Lord will go with you wherever you go and that He will show you His provision and purpose for your life. And that you will feel his presence. May our God also multiply his blessings for you today, as He promises to those who bless. Believe me you bless us every day!
Please visit our blog and photo websites to see pictures and read a little more about our work and about Bolivia. We love and miss all of you, please write to us, call us or better yet come and see us!
We appreciate everyone’s faithfulness in supporting our ministry, whether through a monthly pledge or a one-time gift. If you are new to our ministry or need another donation card, simply open the attached PDF, print a donation slip, and mail a check to Owingsville Baptist Church. It’s that simple.
Love,
Vanessa
Daniel and Vanessa Beams
EFCCM
Casilla 3740
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Email: beamsclan@yahoo.com
Bolivia Telephone: 011-591-3351-1087
Blogs: www.beamsclan.blogspot.com
www.simplewatersolutions.blogspot.com
Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/beamsclan
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Isaiah Climbs 300 foot Radio Tower
This past weekend our family went out to Pailon to help put the roof on a quechua church that the Friesen's and the EFCCM are helping build. We also went out the the RTM radio station to relax a while and visit with the Friesen's and a several other missionary families working with the Mennonites and Quechua's. Last month Nathaniel and I climbed the 300 foot radio tower on the property, so on this visit Isaiah wanted to do the same.
Here is a picture of Isaiah starting out on his climb.
If you look closely, you can just make out Isaiah climbing on the outside of the tower about 50 feet below the crows nest, where he could finally get a rest.
Here is a picture of Isaiah starting out on his climb.
Here he is about half way up. His little arms and legs were getting tired, but he kept going.
If you look closely, you can just make out Isaiah climbing on the outside of the tower about 50 feet below the crows nest, where he could finally get a rest.
Note: Of course this is only a joke. Just wanted to see if anyone is reading this blog. I would never let Isaiah climb up this tower. He really did want to climb it, but I only let him go up about 10 feet for the picture. Nathaniel, Jonathan, and I really did climb it, but we used harnesses and a safety rope.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Family Outing
These are a few pictures from a recent family outing to the Lomas de Arena, which are some sand dunes and lakes 30 minutes from our house. It is such a great place to relax in the solitude of God's creation.
Our Diesel Nissan Patrol
We have a 1997 Nissan Patrol 4x4 SUV. I don't think they sell this model in the U.S. It is a great vehicle for both a family car and to use in the the rural communities. I just bought a winch for it from our pastor so we won't get stuck in the mud when the rains start again. Thanks to price controls, both diesel and gasoline is a good bit less expensive than in the U.S. Diesel costs a little less than $2.00 a gallon. The only problem right now is that it uses diesel. Diesel is in short supply in Santa Cruz and more often than not the gas stations are out of it. I have to spend several hours a week driving around town looking for diesel, and when I find it, I sometimes have to wait in line for several hours. We have to park it occasionally and take taxis because we are down to fumes in the tank. The papers say the short supply of diesel is a logistical problem. The MAS government has nationalized the gas and oil industry and now they are having problems providing enough fuel for the national market. The Bolivian refineries are working at maximum capacity but they can only provide I think 70% of the diesel necessary for the country. They are trying to import diesel from Venezuela, but it is slow in getting here. I read that they are negotiating some private contracts with companies in Brazil and Argentina. It will be a real crisis when harvest time comes and there is not enough diesel for the tractors to harvest the soy and other export commodities. I would love to get another work truck to use in the well drilling project. We need a small 4x4 pick-up or jeep with a trailer so we can get back into the rural communities and carry in our well drilling equipment. That way I could leave the Patrol here in town so Vanessa would have a car while I am away.
The Dollar in Bolivia
I just want to gripe for minute. The value of the U.S. dollar in Bolivia has been dropping for several months now. It was as high as 8.05 Bs (Bolivianos) to one U.S. dollar. It has been slowly dropping and is now at 7.70 to 1. I'm not sure who is in charge of adjusting the exchange rate. I read in the paper that Bolivia wants to adjust it so that they are on a competitive par with their South American neighbors. When the value of the dollar goes down, the price of imported goods goes down, but the price of exported Bolivian goods goes up, thus decreasing the competitiveness of the Bolivian economy. I am griping mainly because we get paid in U.S. dollars, so our buying power is less than it used to be. This, combined with an annual inflation rate of over 8% this year, is hurting our family economy. I guess I shouldn't complain too much, our salary is well above the average in Bolivia we are still able to live at a level that is better than we could in the U.S. In general, most imported items (electronics, clothes, cars, etc.) cost more here than they do in the U.S., but food, housing and other basic things cost about half of what they cost in the U.S. For the average Bolivian this still isn't too helpful because, when they can find steady employment, they earn about $5.00 a day. That is about like someone from the U.S. trying to support their family on $10.00 a day. How would you like to try that?
Friday, August 31, 2007
Talita Cumi Birthday Party
This is a picture of Vanessa and the kids from Talita Cumi at our latest birthday party. Every other month we invite the kids to our house who have had birthdays for a big party. We invite friends to sponsor each child, buying them clothes and other gifts for their birthday. It is always a lot of fun to see the expressions on their faces when they eat the cake and open their gifts. I wish we give each of them their own loving family. We so appreciate the work of Graciela, the director, and the other staff and board members of Talita Cumi. God is really blessing the lives of these kids through this ministry.
August Newsletter
Dear Mission Family,
It is so exciting to share with you how God is working here in Bolivia. We are sometimes impatient to begin working on what we think we ought to be doing, but when we wait on the Lord, it is so much more rewarding to work alongside Him in the things that He has been preparing. Thank you for your faithful support of our work. It is a powerful feeling to know that you are behind us in prayer.
Danny has again begun drilling water wells—It is such a blessing to watch the expressions on people’s faces when they see clean cold water come straight out of the ground right on their own property. Having clean water available near one’s home saves hours a day in labor (most people care water in buckets from a river or distant community well), and it helps improve the health and productivity of the family and the farm. Last week we helped train national students who are studying at a New Tribes missionary school how to drill water wells. They will use this technology to help bring clean water (and the gospel) to remote areas where they will be working with tribal peoples in the jungles of Bolivia. Pray for Danny as he makes connections with communities that need clean water and need to hear about the love of Christ. If you would like to learn more about the water project and see how you can become personally involved, please visit our new blog at: www.simplewatersolutions.blogspot.com.
Vanessa is counselling with several older girls from orphanages who are trying to make the transition to the “real world” – living on their own. When these kids turn eighteen the homes can no longer continue to care for them and they must begin working and living on their own. Many of them are behind in school and have not earned a high school degree by the time they have to leave. Fernanda is one girl who I hope you will keep in prayer. She left the girls home last month and moved in with an extremely poor family in a bad part of town. She is living with a single mom who is raising seven kids of her own. They are living in a board shack with dirt floors. Fernanda is trying to finish high school, but she cannot afford the text books and is having to borrow them from a friend each night to do her homework. She hopes to finish in December and then enrol in a teacher’s college. Fernanda’s mother sold her into prostitution when she was eight years old. She had a baby when she was eleven. Thank God she was able to escape that situation and has grown up in the care of a Christian orphanage. She is now a Christian and is on the right path, but she is still emotionally immature. She now has to live in an extremely difficult situation and begin functioning as an adult. Pray that Vanessa can be an encouragement to her and help her to begin to deal with her past emotional trauma and move toward a stable future.
What is really needed in Santa Cruz is a “halfway” house where these kids can begin to make the transition to adult life in a safe environment—where they could finish school, or learn and trade and begin working for themselves. This is something that is financially beyond our ability to provide, but it is not beyond God’s. Pray with us for these girls and for a safe clean place for them to make the transition to adulthood. We just read a story during our family devotional time about the life of George Mueller. That is certainly a testimony to the power of prayer.
Also, remember to pray for the country of Bolivia. The current president, Evo Morales, is aligned with the leftist governments of Venezuela and Cuba and is quite anti-American. He is proposing some radical changes in Bolivia that could really affect our ability to live and work here. Pray that many more people will come to know and understand God’s love and grace and that country can overcome it crippling social and financial problems.
We will be sending out these “real paper” updates every three months because many of our friends are not yet on line. We are sending out email updates monthly. If you have an email address but are not receiving the email updates, please contact us at beamsclan@yahoo.com so we can put you on our list. Also, please send us an update if you change your email address or mailing address.
To all of our faithful supporters, thanks for being a part of this ministry with us. We will be hosting a mission team from Crossroads in October and cannot wait to see how God will use them here. We would love to have everyone come down to Bolivia and take part in the work with us.
Blessings,
Danny
Daniel and Vanessa Beams
EFCCM
Casilla 3740
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Email: beamsclan@yahoo.com
Bolivia Telephone: 011-591-3351-1087
Blogs: www.beamsclan.blogspot.com
www.simplewatersolutions.blogspot.com
Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/beamsclan
It is so exciting to share with you how God is working here in Bolivia. We are sometimes impatient to begin working on what we think we ought to be doing, but when we wait on the Lord, it is so much more rewarding to work alongside Him in the things that He has been preparing. Thank you for your faithful support of our work. It is a powerful feeling to know that you are behind us in prayer.
Danny has again begun drilling water wells—It is such a blessing to watch the expressions on people’s faces when they see clean cold water come straight out of the ground right on their own property. Having clean water available near one’s home saves hours a day in labor (most people care water in buckets from a river or distant community well), and it helps improve the health and productivity of the family and the farm. Last week we helped train national students who are studying at a New Tribes missionary school how to drill water wells. They will use this technology to help bring clean water (and the gospel) to remote areas where they will be working with tribal peoples in the jungles of Bolivia. Pray for Danny as he makes connections with communities that need clean water and need to hear about the love of Christ. If you would like to learn more about the water project and see how you can become personally involved, please visit our new blog at: www.simplewatersolutions.blogspot.com.
Vanessa is counselling with several older girls from orphanages who are trying to make the transition to the “real world” – living on their own. When these kids turn eighteen the homes can no longer continue to care for them and they must begin working and living on their own. Many of them are behind in school and have not earned a high school degree by the time they have to leave. Fernanda is one girl who I hope you will keep in prayer. She left the girls home last month and moved in with an extremely poor family in a bad part of town. She is living with a single mom who is raising seven kids of her own. They are living in a board shack with dirt floors. Fernanda is trying to finish high school, but she cannot afford the text books and is having to borrow them from a friend each night to do her homework. She hopes to finish in December and then enrol in a teacher’s college. Fernanda’s mother sold her into prostitution when she was eight years old. She had a baby when she was eleven. Thank God she was able to escape that situation and has grown up in the care of a Christian orphanage. She is now a Christian and is on the right path, but she is still emotionally immature. She now has to live in an extremely difficult situation and begin functioning as an adult. Pray that Vanessa can be an encouragement to her and help her to begin to deal with her past emotional trauma and move toward a stable future.
What is really needed in Santa Cruz is a “halfway” house where these kids can begin to make the transition to adult life in a safe environment—where they could finish school, or learn and trade and begin working for themselves. This is something that is financially beyond our ability to provide, but it is not beyond God’s. Pray with us for these girls and for a safe clean place for them to make the transition to adulthood. We just read a story during our family devotional time about the life of George Mueller. That is certainly a testimony to the power of prayer.
Also, remember to pray for the country of Bolivia. The current president, Evo Morales, is aligned with the leftist governments of Venezuela and Cuba and is quite anti-American. He is proposing some radical changes in Bolivia that could really affect our ability to live and work here. Pray that many more people will come to know and understand God’s love and grace and that country can overcome it crippling social and financial problems.
We will be sending out these “real paper” updates every three months because many of our friends are not yet on line. We are sending out email updates monthly. If you have an email address but are not receiving the email updates, please contact us at beamsclan@yahoo.com so we can put you on our list. Also, please send us an update if you change your email address or mailing address.
To all of our faithful supporters, thanks for being a part of this ministry with us. We will be hosting a mission team from Crossroads in October and cannot wait to see how God will use them here. We would love to have everyone come down to Bolivia and take part in the work with us.
Blessings,
Danny
Daniel and Vanessa Beams
EFCCM
Casilla 3740
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Email: beamsclan@yahoo.com
Bolivia Telephone: 011-591-3351-1087
Blogs: www.beamsclan.blogspot.com
www.simplewatersolutions.blogspot.com
Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/beamsclan
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Progression of a Portrait
This is a series of portraits I took of a Mennonite woman at a Bible School in Pailon, about an hour and a half east of Santa Cruz. The Mennonites are low-German speaking colonists who have moved to Bolivia in the passed couple of decades from Mexico and Canada. They are farmers and live in isolated rural colonies in the department of Santa Cruz. Although, they are traditional "Christians," most have lost the true meaning of the gospel. There is a pattern of alcoholism, drug use, and physical/sexual abuse in many of the colonies. Mennonites, like this woman, who have accepted Christ as Savior, either choose to leave the colony or are asked to leave. Life is economically and emotionally difficult inside or outside the colonies. Those who find the true gospel have hope for a better tomorrow. Pray for these new believers as they try to break old patterns of thought and behavior are seeking a new beginning in Christ.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Out There with the Beams -- July 2007 Newsletter
Dear Friends and Family,
It has been a long time since we last saw you or talked to you. Sorry! We have been kind of busy getting settled back in Bolivia. Our first month and a half has been fun and interesting. Also praise the Lord, it has been safe. Thank you all for your prayers.
After being here for three and a half weeks, we had two boys staying with us for almost a month. These two young men are Kris Gorton and Jonathan Miller from Lexington, KY. They came here to do some mission work and to find out what it would be like to be a missionary in South America. It was a blast having them here. Both guys very helpful and friendly. We (all the Beams family) have enjoyed and learned lots from both boys.
Danny has been working on restarting water well drilling projects and has already being involved in two wells, one of them took place at about 5 hours away from Santa Cruz and the other one closer to the city. He was going to start another one last week but we had to cancel due to the bad weather.
I, Vanessa, have been very busy but finally finished translating 60 pages for the Centro de Vida. This translation was part of a counseling manual which will be used by Life International in all the Spanish speaking countries where they operate. Very interesting, I learned a lot during the translation process.
Our two youngest kids (Luciana and Isaiah) are currently attending Vacation Bible School which has been brought here by a super nice mission team! Praise Jesus! Nathaniel has been sticking around helping his dad with wells. All three of them are excited to start school again. If the radical politics of Bolivia don’t get in the way, they will start on Aug. 9th.
I am enjoying a little break in between jobs. Soon I will start my weekly meetings with my girls from Cristo Viene and Talita Cumi children’s homes at my house. We will be reading the book “The Healing of Memories” and also making crafts. I will also start volunteering at our kids school on a weekly basis. Oh ya, I will soon need to throw another Talita Cumi birthday party!
It has been a huge blessing to be able to adjust life in Bolivia much faster this time around. Our community of friends and brothers and sisters in Christ has made us feel loved and welcome.
Praises and Prayer Requests
Praise the Lord for a safe trip back to Bolivia. Also for a safe place to live at. Praise Him for our new friends Kris and Jonathan and for His amazing love and peace!
Please pray for Liliana and Fernanda from the Cristo Viene home who have left the home at the moment, please pray for their salvation and future. Pray for our friend Carlos (Danny’s partner in the well ministry) as he becomes a more mature and committed follower of Jesus. Pray also that if it is God’s will we may find another house to rent, we are having some problems with our landlord. Also pray for our children’s safety, protection and character as school starts again. And pray for my health as I have been enduring another urinary tract infection and four rounds of antibiotics including painful shots! And please pray for patience for Danny as he works on setting up the well ministry and for safety for him all the time. A special request would be for a little 6 year old little girl from Cristo Viene, called Rosario who has been recovered after much abuse and neglect. She is now unable to walk and very weak, she needs vitamins and calcium and lots of love, please pray for her healing both emotional and physical.
Thank you for being with us in prayer and for being our partners as we try to be Jesus’ hands and feet. We couldn’t be here without your support. We appreciate everyone’s faithfulness in keeping us with your monthly pledges. If our ministry is new to you and you would like to contribute to our ministry please open the attachment called “How to make a Donation” and follow the instructions.
We pray that God’s presence will be with you right now, we pray you will hear Him and feel Him and see Him today too.
We love you and miss you. Come visit us soon!
Vanessa (for all the Beams)
Daniel and Vanessa Beams-- EFCCM Missionaries
Email: beamsclan@yahoo.com
Bolivia Telephone: 011-591-3351-1087
Blog: www.beamsclan.blogspot.com
Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/beamsclan
It has been a long time since we last saw you or talked to you. Sorry! We have been kind of busy getting settled back in Bolivia. Our first month and a half has been fun and interesting. Also praise the Lord, it has been safe. Thank you all for your prayers.
After being here for three and a half weeks, we had two boys staying with us for almost a month. These two young men are Kris Gorton and Jonathan Miller from Lexington, KY. They came here to do some mission work and to find out what it would be like to be a missionary in South America. It was a blast having them here. Both guys very helpful and friendly. We (all the Beams family) have enjoyed and learned lots from both boys.
Danny has been working on restarting water well drilling projects and has already being involved in two wells, one of them took place at about 5 hours away from Santa Cruz and the other one closer to the city. He was going to start another one last week but we had to cancel due to the bad weather.
I, Vanessa, have been very busy but finally finished translating 60 pages for the Centro de Vida. This translation was part of a counseling manual which will be used by Life International in all the Spanish speaking countries where they operate. Very interesting, I learned a lot during the translation process.
Our two youngest kids (Luciana and Isaiah) are currently attending Vacation Bible School which has been brought here by a super nice mission team! Praise Jesus! Nathaniel has been sticking around helping his dad with wells. All three of them are excited to start school again. If the radical politics of Bolivia don’t get in the way, they will start on Aug. 9th.
I am enjoying a little break in between jobs. Soon I will start my weekly meetings with my girls from Cristo Viene and Talita Cumi children’s homes at my house. We will be reading the book “The Healing of Memories” and also making crafts. I will also start volunteering at our kids school on a weekly basis. Oh ya, I will soon need to throw another Talita Cumi birthday party!
It has been a huge blessing to be able to adjust life in Bolivia much faster this time around. Our community of friends and brothers and sisters in Christ has made us feel loved and welcome.
Praises and Prayer Requests
Praise the Lord for a safe trip back to Bolivia. Also for a safe place to live at. Praise Him for our new friends Kris and Jonathan and for His amazing love and peace!
Please pray for Liliana and Fernanda from the Cristo Viene home who have left the home at the moment, please pray for their salvation and future. Pray for our friend Carlos (Danny’s partner in the well ministry) as he becomes a more mature and committed follower of Jesus. Pray also that if it is God’s will we may find another house to rent, we are having some problems with our landlord. Also pray for our children’s safety, protection and character as school starts again. And pray for my health as I have been enduring another urinary tract infection and four rounds of antibiotics including painful shots! And please pray for patience for Danny as he works on setting up the well ministry and for safety for him all the time. A special request would be for a little 6 year old little girl from Cristo Viene, called Rosario who has been recovered after much abuse and neglect. She is now unable to walk and very weak, she needs vitamins and calcium and lots of love, please pray for her healing both emotional and physical.
Thank you for being with us in prayer and for being our partners as we try to be Jesus’ hands and feet. We couldn’t be here without your support. We appreciate everyone’s faithfulness in keeping us with your monthly pledges. If our ministry is new to you and you would like to contribute to our ministry please open the attachment called “How to make a Donation” and follow the instructions.
We pray that God’s presence will be with you right now, we pray you will hear Him and feel Him and see Him today too.
We love you and miss you. Come visit us soon!
Vanessa (for all the Beams)
Daniel and Vanessa Beams-- EFCCM Missionaries
Email: beamsclan@yahoo.com
Bolivia Telephone: 011-591-3351-1087
Blog: www.beamsclan.blogspot.com
Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/beamsclan
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Out There with the Beams -- May 2007 Newsletter
Dear Friends and Family,
As most of you are aware, we are headed back to Bolivia on May 19th to begin our ministry with the Evangelical Free Church of Canada Mission (the EFCCM). I can’t believe the time has finally come for us to return. For a while it felt as if we had been in the U.S. for too long, but now that we have to say goodbye again and it feels too quick!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your love and friendship. Also thanks to those of you who opened your homes to us in the last few months. Thanks to those who have decided to be our new financial and prayer partners. Thanks to those of you who were already our financial partners and are continue to support our ministry!
A special thanks too to all those who in one way or another have contributed to our work in Bolivia. We know many of you are making a sacrifice to support our work and we would like to let you know we really really appreciate it!
It has been great meeting so many new friends in Texas, Indiana, and Kentucky with whom we have been able to share our ministry. If you are new to our support team, welcome aboard. We pray that many of you will feel God’s leading to begin supporting this ministry. We are still short of meeting our budget. Either a monthly pledge or a onetime gift will be greatly appreciated. I’m sure God will do a magnificent work with your investment in His work in Bolivia.
We are looking forward to getting back into our ministry work. Danny will continue drilling water wells in poor communities, helping families gain access to clean water for household use and for their livestock and farm crops. We hope to develop a number of unique ways to help poor farmers increase their income and be able to better provide for their families. Our goal is to share the love of Christ in both word and deed.
Vanessa will be focusing first in an emotional and spiritual healing program with the girls on her puppet and clown teams (ten girls). She will continue to volunteer at Talita Cumi, the Cristo Viene homes and the Nacer children’s homes. She will also be helping at our kid’s school and the Centro de Vida (a pregnancy crisis center).
Please stay in touch through e-mail or phone calls. We love hearing your latest family news and also prayer requests. I know you guys are always praying for us and one way we can give back to you is by praying for you together with our church in Bolivia and with the kids (ours and our adopted ones).
We are excited to know several of you will be coming to visit us soon!! We can’t wait. The more the better. It just makes life so much better and fun when we see people we love more often! And work together for the Lord!
Please continue to pray for Vanessa’s health as she is considered at high risk for breast cancer. Please also pray for our family as once again we embark on a new adventure. Pray for His protection and provision. This time, praise the Lord, things are much different. We have great friends in Bolivia and feel as if we have a family waiting for us! Literally, our friends have fumigated our house, filled the pantry with groceries, and are waiting for us with lunch!!! How awesome is Jesus! How great and generous!
Special thanks to Brian Hershinow who so graciously let us live in one of his apartments in Lexington, and to Danny’s parents who have hosted us for the last month and a half!! Talk about unconditional love! This letter should have been a huge list of thanks to all of you!!! Not enough paper!
We are happy to share that Nathaniel, our oldest son, is also coming with us this time, though 3 weeks later. He’ll be with us for the school year! And Luciana is now the Junior High Mountain Bike State Champion of Kentucky. Last but not least Isaiah has learned to ride his bike without any training wheels!
Please visit our blog and photo gallery. We will try to keep it updated regularly.
www.beamsclan.blogspot.com
www.pbase.com/beamsclan
See you soon,
With tons of love,
For all the Beams (Danny, Vanessa, Nathaniel, Luciana and Isaiah)
As most of you are aware, we are headed back to Bolivia on May 19th to begin our ministry with the Evangelical Free Church of Canada Mission (the EFCCM). I can’t believe the time has finally come for us to return. For a while it felt as if we had been in the U.S. for too long, but now that we have to say goodbye again and it feels too quick!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your love and friendship. Also thanks to those of you who opened your homes to us in the last few months. Thanks to those who have decided to be our new financial and prayer partners. Thanks to those of you who were already our financial partners and are continue to support our ministry!
A special thanks too to all those who in one way or another have contributed to our work in Bolivia. We know many of you are making a sacrifice to support our work and we would like to let you know we really really appreciate it!
It has been great meeting so many new friends in Texas, Indiana, and Kentucky with whom we have been able to share our ministry. If you are new to our support team, welcome aboard. We pray that many of you will feel God’s leading to begin supporting this ministry. We are still short of meeting our budget. Either a monthly pledge or a onetime gift will be greatly appreciated. I’m sure God will do a magnificent work with your investment in His work in Bolivia.
We are looking forward to getting back into our ministry work. Danny will continue drilling water wells in poor communities, helping families gain access to clean water for household use and for their livestock and farm crops. We hope to develop a number of unique ways to help poor farmers increase their income and be able to better provide for their families. Our goal is to share the love of Christ in both word and deed.
Vanessa will be focusing first in an emotional and spiritual healing program with the girls on her puppet and clown teams (ten girls). She will continue to volunteer at Talita Cumi, the Cristo Viene homes and the Nacer children’s homes. She will also be helping at our kid’s school and the Centro de Vida (a pregnancy crisis center).
Please stay in touch through e-mail or phone calls. We love hearing your latest family news and also prayer requests. I know you guys are always praying for us and one way we can give back to you is by praying for you together with our church in Bolivia and with the kids (ours and our adopted ones).
We are excited to know several of you will be coming to visit us soon!! We can’t wait. The more the better. It just makes life so much better and fun when we see people we love more often! And work together for the Lord!
Please continue to pray for Vanessa’s health as she is considered at high risk for breast cancer. Please also pray for our family as once again we embark on a new adventure. Pray for His protection and provision. This time, praise the Lord, things are much different. We have great friends in Bolivia and feel as if we have a family waiting for us! Literally, our friends have fumigated our house, filled the pantry with groceries, and are waiting for us with lunch!!! How awesome is Jesus! How great and generous!
Special thanks to Brian Hershinow who so graciously let us live in one of his apartments in Lexington, and to Danny’s parents who have hosted us for the last month and a half!! Talk about unconditional love! This letter should have been a huge list of thanks to all of you!!! Not enough paper!
We are happy to share that Nathaniel, our oldest son, is also coming with us this time, though 3 weeks later. He’ll be with us for the school year! And Luciana is now the Junior High Mountain Bike State Champion of Kentucky. Last but not least Isaiah has learned to ride his bike without any training wheels!
Please visit our blog and photo gallery. We will try to keep it updated regularly.
www.beamsclan.blogspot.com
www.pbase.com/beamsclan
See you soon,
With tons of love,
For all the Beams (Danny, Vanessa, Nathaniel, Luciana and Isaiah)
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Support Raising Update
We are still in Lexington, Kentucky raising support for our ministry. We hope to return to Bolivia in April. We recently had a great visit to Texas where we visited with family, with long-time partners, and shared about our ministry with many new friends.
If you would like us to share about our ministry with your family, a small group, or your church please contact us so we can arrange a date.
We currently have partners who have pledged to contribute approximately $3000 a month, but we still need another $2000 in pledges to meet our basic ministry budget. We also need special gifts designated for the Water Well ministry in Bolivia.
Bolivia is going through a time of political and economic crisis. Please pray about your involvement in our ministry. Join us in sharing the gospel and providing a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in Bolivia.
If you would like us to share about our ministry with your family, a small group, or your church please contact us so we can arrange a date.
We currently have partners who have pledged to contribute approximately $3000 a month, but we still need another $2000 in pledges to meet our basic ministry budget. We also need special gifts designated for the Water Well ministry in Bolivia.
Bolivia is going through a time of political and economic crisis. Please pray about your involvement in our ministry. Join us in sharing the gospel and providing a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in Bolivia.
Flooding in Bolivia
Floods have devastated Eastern Bolivia again this year. Here is a recent article:
Around 40 people have been killed and tens of thousands have been left homeless by floods in the eastern lowlands of Bolivia. Most of Beni province, which is roughly the size of Britain, is under water. Christian Aid partner, CIPCA, which had been working with residents to prepare for floods, report that many people have been cut off from food supplies and are eating their livestock to survive. The chickens and sheep - given to them by CIPCA - were meant to provide food and income for families who can no longer depend on hunting wild animals in the rainforest.
The floods are thought to be part of the El Niño effect which is being felt all over Bolivia with drought, hail and freezing temperatures in highland areas killing animals and crops.
Recent floods in Mozambique and the Philippines are also linked to El Niño and have affected thousands of people. Andrew Pendleton, Christian Aid's senior climate change analyst said: 'This is yet again an illustration of how the lives of vulnerable poor people are at the mercy of the weather. 'This El Niño phase gives us a glimpse of what the world might have to cope with as the climate changes invoke greater extremes of weather. It's not a pretty picture.'
In eastern Bolivia, the effects of the flooding are made worse by the large scale deforestation of the Amazon basin by large-scale cattle ranching and soya production. CIPCA has worked in the area for 10 years. Director, Oscar Bazoberry said: 'We understand that floods are a characteristic of the area, and that they may get worse because of climate change.'
They believe that government and local groups must work together to make sure that communities are able to survive these extreme weather conditions. CIPCA hopes that many of the longer term crops they have helped communities plant, like cocoa trees, will have survived the floods, allowing families to recover quickly from the disaster.
Around 40 people have been killed and tens of thousands have been left homeless by floods in the eastern lowlands of Bolivia. Most of Beni province, which is roughly the size of Britain, is under water. Christian Aid partner, CIPCA, which had been working with residents to prepare for floods, report that many people have been cut off from food supplies and are eating their livestock to survive. The chickens and sheep - given to them by CIPCA - were meant to provide food and income for families who can no longer depend on hunting wild animals in the rainforest.
The floods are thought to be part of the El Niño effect which is being felt all over Bolivia with drought, hail and freezing temperatures in highland areas killing animals and crops.
Recent floods in Mozambique and the Philippines are also linked to El Niño and have affected thousands of people. Andrew Pendleton, Christian Aid's senior climate change analyst said: 'This is yet again an illustration of how the lives of vulnerable poor people are at the mercy of the weather. 'This El Niño phase gives us a glimpse of what the world might have to cope with as the climate changes invoke greater extremes of weather. It's not a pretty picture.'
In eastern Bolivia, the effects of the flooding are made worse by the large scale deforestation of the Amazon basin by large-scale cattle ranching and soya production. CIPCA has worked in the area for 10 years. Director, Oscar Bazoberry said: 'We understand that floods are a characteristic of the area, and that they may get worse because of climate change.'
They believe that government and local groups must work together to make sure that communities are able to survive these extreme weather conditions. CIPCA hopes that many of the longer term crops they have helped communities plant, like cocoa trees, will have survived the floods, allowing families to recover quickly from the disaster.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Just a little note from Vanessa
I just wanted to thank all of you who told me you like my letters. Your comments have cheered me up and encouraged me to keep sharing our experiences with you all even if they are silly or too emotional.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Out There with the Beams -- February 2007
Dear Friends and Family,
This is Vanessa writing this month. We love all of you so much. It has been a lot of fun being here in the States for a little over six months and seeing you all and hearing about your lives and plans for the future. I personally have enjoyed getting to know some of you better and reconnecting with already close friends. I can finally say I am ready to go back to Bolivia. I knew we were going back all along but it is always so hard to see people we love and not wish we could be here a little longer.
Even here I continue to see God’s provision for us. We are very thankful to Mr. Hershinow for letting us stay at this cute house that has pretty much turned into our home for the last months. And also we are starting to see some responses for financial support for our ministry. But the neatest thing in my eyes has been that as we travel I tend to talk a lot, especially with other women. As I have shared my story many times, and sometimes in great detail with some of you, I hear all these words and truths coming out of my mind and my heart and the person sitting in the back of my ear cannot believe it!!!
I say to the Lord: “Really Lord how great you are You took my life and made it new and now I follow you because you want me to.”
My life is very different now. Jesus’ promises are true!! I just want to jump and turn and scream!!! I sure hope those of you reading this letter won’t think I have totally lost it.
I do want to clarify that even though Jesus has brought lots of healing and changes into my life that doesn’t mean I am perfect or that I have it all together because I sure don’t. Even last night the devil was attacking me with some new bad memories. But this time again my beloved husband listened to me. Prayed for me and held me. God bless his heart! I am sure he was thinking “Ok, how long more do I need to hug her! My arms hurt.” But even then I see Jesus taking care of me. He chose Danny because He knew I needed a big tall guy with whom I feel his love and protection. Thank you Jesus for my husband!!
As I was going through a crazy doubtful morning trying to have some quiet time, my mind repeating over and over: “be still, be still, be still for He is God” my heart wondering: “what is next Lord, please show me!” I started reading an article my beautiful friend Melissa gave me and it said: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” Isaiah 61:1-2 And I knew then again Jesus has called me. Not just my precious husband but me! And I am petrified!!!! I mean I have known this for quite a while but not like this not so clear. Do I know some sweet hearts that are broken? Do I know some poor kids? You bet! Do I feel I can teach them anything? No! But can I reassure them Jesus does love them?? Can I certainly tell them that in the darkest times of their lives He was the only one looking out for them and crying with them? Yes! Can I share my story? Yes! Can I tell them again and again His promises are true and He can turn everything around and make our weaknesses our strengths? Yes!
When Jesus wants to speak truth to us He will do so and we will hear it! At least it has happened to me. All these different people—pastors, counselors, friends, co-workers, missionaries, children, sisters in-law, neighbors, books, movies, circumstances, songs, etc. have been used by God to reveal truth to me that was perfect to heal specific wounds and have just been printed in me. I want to be one of those people to my Bolivian kids! I want to be used to pass on Jesus’ truths by talking, listening, praying, hugging, sharing, or maybe by just being there!
Something else happened to us recently that I want to share; my beautiful sister in-law, Susan, as she always does, was sharing a neat way of finding scripture to pray over our families. It is called birth verses. Using a webpage you are given a Bible verse that matches the month and date of verse of each loved one. Here is my husband’s who was born on July 7th 1964: “Ask, and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened for you” Can you guys believe it? I mean aren’t we raising money and looking for prayer partners?
The reason I shared this is to thank of all of you who graciously take the time to read our letters, thank you! Also those of you who have already pledged to our ministry with so much generosity, thank you! And all of you who pray with and for us, please pray this verse with us! Help us cling on to God’s promise of provision and protection for our family.
Also I just know that the Lord is so wise to have given this verse for my husband’s date of birth since he is our leader and family provider. And you know what else?? He has already kept that part where it says to knock and the door will be opened for us. I mean I still can’t believe we are already part of a new mission that has just taken us in with open arms and enthusiasm!
So there, dear friends and families, please keep partnering with us as we are still and wait for the Lord patiently.
Our prayer to you is that He may multiply his blessings over you and your family, may healing and rebirth come to you, provision and protection be given to you too and may His presence be in all the spaces you are in!
With tons of love,
Vanessa
For all the Beams (Danny, Vanessa, Nathaniel, Luciana and Isaiah)
Daniel and Vanessa Beams-- EFCCM Missionaries
Email: beamsclan@yahoo.com
KY Telephone: 606-674-9253 or 859-368-0094
This is Vanessa writing this month. We love all of you so much. It has been a lot of fun being here in the States for a little over six months and seeing you all and hearing about your lives and plans for the future. I personally have enjoyed getting to know some of you better and reconnecting with already close friends. I can finally say I am ready to go back to Bolivia. I knew we were going back all along but it is always so hard to see people we love and not wish we could be here a little longer.
Even here I continue to see God’s provision for us. We are very thankful to Mr. Hershinow for letting us stay at this cute house that has pretty much turned into our home for the last months. And also we are starting to see some responses for financial support for our ministry. But the neatest thing in my eyes has been that as we travel I tend to talk a lot, especially with other women. As I have shared my story many times, and sometimes in great detail with some of you, I hear all these words and truths coming out of my mind and my heart and the person sitting in the back of my ear cannot believe it!!!
I say to the Lord: “Really Lord how great you are You took my life and made it new and now I follow you because you want me to.”
My life is very different now. Jesus’ promises are true!! I just want to jump and turn and scream!!! I sure hope those of you reading this letter won’t think I have totally lost it.
I do want to clarify that even though Jesus has brought lots of healing and changes into my life that doesn’t mean I am perfect or that I have it all together because I sure don’t. Even last night the devil was attacking me with some new bad memories. But this time again my beloved husband listened to me. Prayed for me and held me. God bless his heart! I am sure he was thinking “Ok, how long more do I need to hug her! My arms hurt.” But even then I see Jesus taking care of me. He chose Danny because He knew I needed a big tall guy with whom I feel his love and protection. Thank you Jesus for my husband!!
As I was going through a crazy doubtful morning trying to have some quiet time, my mind repeating over and over: “be still, be still, be still for He is God” my heart wondering: “what is next Lord, please show me!” I started reading an article my beautiful friend Melissa gave me and it said: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” Isaiah 61:1-2 And I knew then again Jesus has called me. Not just my precious husband but me! And I am petrified!!!! I mean I have known this for quite a while but not like this not so clear. Do I know some sweet hearts that are broken? Do I know some poor kids? You bet! Do I feel I can teach them anything? No! But can I reassure them Jesus does love them?? Can I certainly tell them that in the darkest times of their lives He was the only one looking out for them and crying with them? Yes! Can I share my story? Yes! Can I tell them again and again His promises are true and He can turn everything around and make our weaknesses our strengths? Yes!
When Jesus wants to speak truth to us He will do so and we will hear it! At least it has happened to me. All these different people—pastors, counselors, friends, co-workers, missionaries, children, sisters in-law, neighbors, books, movies, circumstances, songs, etc. have been used by God to reveal truth to me that was perfect to heal specific wounds and have just been printed in me. I want to be one of those people to my Bolivian kids! I want to be used to pass on Jesus’ truths by talking, listening, praying, hugging, sharing, or maybe by just being there!
Something else happened to us recently that I want to share; my beautiful sister in-law, Susan, as she always does, was sharing a neat way of finding scripture to pray over our families. It is called birth verses. Using a webpage you are given a Bible verse that matches the month and date of verse of each loved one. Here is my husband’s who was born on July 7th 1964: “Ask, and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened for you” Can you guys believe it? I mean aren’t we raising money and looking for prayer partners?
The reason I shared this is to thank of all of you who graciously take the time to read our letters, thank you! Also those of you who have already pledged to our ministry with so much generosity, thank you! And all of you who pray with and for us, please pray this verse with us! Help us cling on to God’s promise of provision and protection for our family.
Also I just know that the Lord is so wise to have given this verse for my husband’s date of birth since he is our leader and family provider. And you know what else?? He has already kept that part where it says to knock and the door will be opened for us. I mean I still can’t believe we are already part of a new mission that has just taken us in with open arms and enthusiasm!
So there, dear friends and families, please keep partnering with us as we are still and wait for the Lord patiently.
Our prayer to you is that He may multiply his blessings over you and your family, may healing and rebirth come to you, provision and protection be given to you too and may His presence be in all the spaces you are in!
With tons of love,
Vanessa
For all the Beams (Danny, Vanessa, Nathaniel, Luciana and Isaiah)
Daniel and Vanessa Beams-- EFCCM Missionaries
Email: beamsclan@yahoo.com
KY Telephone: 606-674-9253 or 859-368-0094
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