Mission Update: January-February 2011

Dear Friend,

We have all passed through the gates of a new year and for many enduring a bully winter both great and punishing. In our thoughtful moments we wonder what 2011 will bring besides snow. We are carrying with us new resolutions and new dreams. As an extended Christian family we walk together still seeking the promised land, maybe this year we will arrive. Or maybe not yet but we continue to encourage one another to keep walking because we have hope, hope in God's promise. God is great, God is love and nothing can separate us from that love. Let us share that love, bear one another's burdens, and walk along with Jesus in our shared mission to seek and save that which was lost.

Some news:

Ardell and Gordon are completing their final months of church visits together. We are headquartered in Berkeley, CA living in a small apartment with our daughters, Jenny who works here and Hannah who is going to college here. Samuel is living and working in Bolivia. We took a family road trip up the western coast and had a chance to cross-country ski. We really enjoyed being in the tranquil snow covered mountains even though we spent a lot of time flopping around on the ground in the frustration of trying to get our skis back underneath us.

Thiu Rancho is in the good hands of our pastor Gustavo Loza and the Bolivian staff. They continue the work of discipleship, tutoring children, running the retreat center, farming, and construction. We continue to convert the former back dairy barn into dormitory rooms and a small apartment for Ariel, Maria, and Arima as well as work on the coliseum which still requires doors, windows, bathrooms, storage rooms, and a snack shop. We hosted two Volunteer in Mission teams last fall from the Dakotas and Minnesota. We greatly appreciate their participation in the mission activities of Thiu Rancho and the opportunity to enjoy beginning new relationships. We will host additional VIM teams this year to help us continue to build God's Kingdom in Bolivia.

We are very grateful to all of you for your partnership with us in mission. Your support makes it possible to share God's love with hundreds of children, youth, and adults who come to the Center, a refuge of Christian growth, encouragement, educational opportunity, and hope in God.

Please continue to make us a part of your mission outreach by sharing your support through the Thiu Rancho Advance Special #12309A. Thank you very much.

Gordon and Ardell Graner