Time with the Ayoré Women

Wednesday morning Rocio, Charles and I raced to the market to do some last minute buying for the day ahead with the Ayoré women of Jogasui.

Tuesday had been a paro - a city-wide strike that kept everyone in their homes except for a few as it often gets violent in the streets. As we couldn't leave the house, we waited until Wednesday morning to hit the Abasto, a find-anything market, for the day's crafts and lunch ingredients.

Six women arrived around 10am with their small children (5 in all). These women participate in our Ayoré Young Couples Bible Study and we get together just women once a month. Two of the women are much less active but were brought by the other four who are dedicated leaders in their community.

In our Bible Study we have been going through the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. Recently we studied about what it meant to be 'light and salt' in the world. So the first thing we did Wednesday morning (after tea and Bolivian baked goodies) was memorize Matthew 5:14-16 that was written on an index card.

Matthew 5:14-16 "Your are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

After memorizing the verses (in Spanish) we painted ceramic candlesticks with which to light candles and be reminded of the light we let off in this world.

Each woman painted their candlestick different than the other. We memorized the verse throughout the day.

Later we had lunch - a mix of rice, ground beed and vegetables with salad all prepared by Rocio.

After lunch Rocio and I taught the women how to make cheese empanadas, a traditional Bolivian food. Empanadas are made with flour, butter, sugar, egg, milk and baking powder. They are then rolled out, filled with grated cheese, closed and fried in hot vegetable oil. My reasoning behind teaching the women was to give them the opportunity to make something new for their friends and family but also sell the empanadas like many other Bolivians do to make a living. It was so fun to watch them with the rolling pin and flour everywhere. They enjoyed it and after we made them, we enjoyed hot tea and empanadas.

In addition, we sang Happy Birthday to Jose Luiz, Ruti's son who turned 9 that day. He was more than pleased with his personal chocolate cupcake.

The day ended with a time of prayer for their community, their families, and other concerns. We talked about what God wants of us as Godly women in each of our roles.

The day was fulfilling for me and an incredible way to really fellowship with them. I know I'll miss them when we leave.

Until next time ....