Tuesday, August 24, 2021

CHARLIE WATTS RIP

CHARLIE WATTS - DEAD AT 80 

Charlie Watts kept an almost perfect rhythmic beat behind songs and performances of the Rolling Stones...He didn't grab the headlines like Jagger and Richards but he kept time for the music and songs on the drums. 



https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/aug/24/rolling-stones-drummer-charlie-watts-dies-aged-80

Sunday, August 15, 2021

THE 7 HOUR DRAGON!

 SPUTNIK 5 - SLAYING THE 7 HOUR DRAGON! 

Inculturation in Bolivia Includes the God given grace to slay the dragon of surviving long queues. And my experience in a massive queue for 7 hours to get my second dose of the Sputnik 5 vaccine  testifies to this Grace. 

I arrived at about 5.45 am at the Gabriel Rene Moreno University, and slipped into the line; a clerk approached me, took his black marker and wrote number, 409, on my left wrist. He didn't say a word. 

I left the University, dazed more than tired, but, fully vaccinated at 1.30 pm. 

Surprisingly I didnt feel drained inspite of the long wait this time around when compared to the tiredness after a 6 hour wait for my first Sputnik dose a few months ago. 

I felt psychologically prepared for a very long wait, this time around. Also, the pleasant weather today offset the previous experience of standing in the queue under the wretched heat. 

A lady behind me yakked away endlessly and LOUDLY throughout the wait trying to attract attention; someone wanted her to shut up, but he bit his tongue. Lord only knows where she got the energy to annoy us with her commentary on politics, scandals, culture etc. 

The growing queue overflows and takes up space in the pavement; people had begun to line up since 4 am this morning. 

Folk know how to hustle in Bolivia: vendors sell coffee and curry puffs for breakfast; young ladies offer to photocopy documents; men rent stools n chairs to those waiting in the queue; and we had an incredibly talented blind singer who put great emotion into his singing. He deserved every cent his assistant collected for his incredible performance. 

I couldn't see a single policeman controlling the massive and growing queue; people sit on rented stools and follow the person in front of them when it's their turn. We're restless, funny, angry and calm, but also nasty at anyone wanting to cut the queue. You get the sense that this extraordinary collective effort at maintaining discipline in the queue might fall apart if a small number decide to get into a fist-fight. 

His Grace n Mercy holds everything together; and more than props up the fragile discipline of the queue. 

I finally entered the dispensary to get my Sputnik 5 second dose with others. The admin staff and the nurses greet us with a smile and do a great job in administering the vaccines to the masses with patience and skill. I leave the dispensary relieved, jaded but also  grateful for His grace. 

Get vaccinated! These vaccines strengthen us in the fight against COVID-19. 

Michelle gets her 2nd dose of the vaccine next week.  πŸ‘©πŸ»πŸ‘©πŸ» 

In the Lord's hands we continue to slay the dragons in battles that leave us in a daze! I have no side effects from the vaccine yet... God is good! Amen! πŸ‡πŸ‡πŸ‡πŸ‡πŸ’ͺ🏼πŸ’ͺ🏼πŸ’ͺ🏼

Friday, August 06, 2021

BISHOP'S MESSAGE

Anglican Episcopal Church of Bolivia
 Episcopal Message
 Rt Rev Raphael Samuel
 06/08/2021

The Anglican Episcopal Church of Bolivia celebrates Bolivia's Independence Day, August 6, 2021. We  thank the Lord for His blessings over the nation, and give thanks for the hope anchored in Christ Jesus - the Lord of the nations!

Bolivia's πŸ‡§πŸ‡΄ destiny continues to rest in the merciful hands of a righteous God in the midst of her trials and tribulations. 

GOD is MERCIFUL - He gives us many opportunities to put aside sinful behavior NOT pleasing to Him. For instance the father of the prodigal son, full of mercy, embraced his son and blessed him when he repented of his selfishness. Likewise, God patiently waits for Bolivia to repent, and yearns for her to return to the place where He has saved the best for her.

God Almighty  extends His mercies to Bolivia by his Spirit with the promise of our restoration in Christ Jesus. 

He is RIGHTEOUS - His commitment to righteousness will sooner or later vindicate and save the oppressed from their oppressors. For example Joseph's brothers abused him terribly — he suffered injustice from his siblings;  but in the end the Lord saved and vindicated Joseph. Likewise, God re-orders the twisted and crooked situations of our lives in order to save us in accordance with His righteousness.

God is re-ordering Bolivia in accordance with his justice and purpose and gives hope to the oppressed with His vindication.

So let's celebrate Independence Day today with the hope of of God's Mercy - He will not abandon us; and by His grace He frees us from the injustices of the world with the promise of His final vindication in us.  ¡Amen!