April 2002

Dear Praying Friends,

   Greetings from Bolivia, South America! It's hard to know where to begin to catch you up on all the news since our February letter. We had several delays getting into the building in San Luis, but praise the Lord they were resolved and the baby work there is now averaging 20. There is still painting, ceiling repairs, and a bathroom that is only partially finished, but we are off and running! It's exciting to see a comunity that is very traditional and staunchly catholic, being exposed to the light of the gospel! That point was driven home last night, as we arrived at the building to find that someone had damaged the electrical wires. I suppose in an attempt to stop the services, but they took place by flashlight. Even a small light shines brightly in a dark place!

   The Bible Baptist Institute of Tarija just finished its first month of classes. We have 21 students enrolled! I'm teaching a "Survey of the Old Testament" and Barbara is training workers to teach children. The Institute meets two nights a week.

   Easter Sunday I preached at the ordination service of Roberto Arias and then, the Bible Baptist Church of Tabladita voted him in as their new pastor. We planted this church during our first term in Bolivia and Roberto (a young teen then) and his family were our first converts in Tabladita. Four new Sunday School rooms are nearing completion, but one still lacks a roof, all lack floors, windows and doors. Please pray about the $1,500. still needed to finish the project.

   Finally, God has opened a door to minister in the prison. Barbara read one day about children who lived in the prisons in Bolivia because their parents were in prison, and there was no one else to care for them. We decided to visit the prison here in Tarija to see if there were any children there. As we waited outside massive iron gates for the guard, small children gathered on the other side to peer through the bars at us. Once inside we were searched (Barbara said she was glad she didn't know ahead of time that was coming!), and then questioned why we were there. We said simply that we had come to teach the children the Word of God. What a blessing when they rounded up the children and their parents to meet with us. They even gave us a room to meet in! Please pray as the seed bears fruit in this needy field!

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Paul and Barbara Frizzell