May 7, 2008
	5/07/08 Dear Praying friends,

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	What a blessing it is to be in our home after such a long trip around Bolivia. We thank you all for your prayers. We were gone from San Lorenzo for 10 days and we covered 1615 miles in 45 hours of driving time.

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It was a long trip but our Lord saw to it that our truck kept running and we did not run into any troubles along the way. Our route had to be altered because of demonstrations and road blocks so we had to take a much longer route up north and come in the back door of San Lorenzo, in a manner of speaking. Sometimes we ask why it is this way, but God has His reasons. When we stopped at a check station in the area of the southern part of the Chapare region which is known for it is coca production, and where there are lots of military and police presence, at this one check point a policeman had asked where I was from, where I was going, and what I was doing. After I told him that I was a missionary he asked me to pray for him. I wondered if I heard him right so I repeated his question and he said "yes and could you do it now". As we were talking a line was forming behind me of others waiting to pay their toll and get on their way. So I prayed for his safety, his knowledge of the Savior to increase, and for his salvation. When we closed I gave him a tract of God's Simple Plan of Salvation. What a great opportunity! I only wish I could have had more time with him. Ok, so the trip was interrupted by demonstrations and blockades and it was 15 hours out of my way, but I believe His plan played out perfectly and so therefore I am content.

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	“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11

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The crisis in Bolivia concerning the national government and the department is ongoing. The Dept. of Santa Cruz had a vote for “Autonomy” or independence; this is not a call to secede from Bolivia but to have more independence from the Central Government. May 4 was their referendum and it passed in favor of autonomy by 85%, there was some violence but we give praise to the Lord that it was not as bad as some expected. The government’s position now is that it disputes the results. Three other departments out of the nine, including Tarija where we live, are set to have their own individual referendums on “Autonomy” in June. Please continue to pray for Bolivia, that their leaders would be able come to an agreement and find a solution to this crisis and that God would see to it that we stay here and minister to these people.

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We have decided to do the Hora Feliz every Saturday in San Lorenzo and the children are excited by this. I have also been very busy helping fill the pulpits of two different Baptist Churches in Tarija while their national pastors are on trips. Please pray for Señora Sylvia Pantoja, she is the wife of Pastor Pantoja who we closely work with, she has been suffering for some time now with a severe back problem. She and Pastor have gone to Argentina in search of better medical treatment for her condition.

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	Please pray for: Graciela our Spanish teacher, Our friends; Oberdan, Armando’s families, and Jose for more opportunities to share God’s Word with them. Sylvia Pantoja’s health. Praises: A Safe trip, our good health and your prayers.

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	Simply His Servants Rick & Sheila Ackerman

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	Note: Please do not send mail to our church address in Alaska. Please send it to us here in Tarija, Bolivia.

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