In March of 2005 we started a journey that has brought us a long way from Illinois. Dan had worked at John Deere for thirty-one years, and I was a registered nurse. We had long thought of serving the Lord on the mission field when Dan retired. And........, as everything, God amazes us daily, as we allow "Him" to direct our paths.
Hello friends and family,
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord," plans to prosper you and not toharm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Greetings from Bolivia! Yes, we are back in the land “down under,” in South America that is! We arrived Wednesday morning at about 10:00 am, about two hours later than scheduled. As it turned out, American Airlines had over 1,000 flights that they canceled on Tuesday for maintenance. Our flight just happened to be one of the ones which flew despite grounding issue. In our minds, that just confirms that we are where God wants us to be.
While we waited to departure on Tuesday, Donna Burlingame and Diane Lambert surprised us, and came to see us off. What a sweet gesture, thank you!
The flight was relatively uneventful, accept for the chaos we experienced in La Paz as some people got off the plane, and then others got on to fly on to Santa Cruz or Miami. Due to security issues, everyone’s seat and belongings had to be searched on the plane. People were standing in the aisles and it was difficult for anyone to go anywhere. Meanwhile the overhead speaker kept on instructing people to sit down during the inspection. The plane heated up, and combined with the high altitude I started to feel short of breathe. The plane was poorly lit, we were all hot, and since we were all in such a small space, I started to feel really claustrophobic. I panted off and on for a while, and had we not taken off when we did, I probably could have had a panic attack! “God is good,” and we were finally underway. In just a short time I started breathing comfortably again, saving everyone from witnessing this 50 something from making a scene.
Not much has changed at the guesthouse since we left last September. A few rooms have been painted and the wall around the compound has been raised by another two feet. Today three men came and put sharp spikes on top of the wall all around the compound to discourage thieves, (ladrones), from entering.
We also now have another dog. “Schatzie,” which means “sweet heart,” in German, is a four month old German shepherd pup. Since our one year old Labrador has proved to be a poor watch dog, (she wags her tail and licks would be robbers), we are suppose to try to teach Schatzie to protect the base. So far she seems to be nothing but a playful pup. We hope that her bark will scare intruders away.
Rosa the maid and Nancy our cook were very pleased to see us. Nancy, who has had issues with her eyes due to glaucoma, is actually doing better than when we left. This is a real answer to prayer, since we really depend on her when we have work teams.
“Steamy,” is the best word I can think of to describe how it feels to be in Bolivia. Temperatures have been in the upper 80’s and the humidity is very high. This is quite a change coming from the mid-west. When we left Illinois it was approximately 45 and raining, and today it was about 95. It will take some time to acclimate to this change.
A work team arrived last Friday night. While it is not a big team, only 10 members, they keep us busy just the same. Wednesday was our usual prayer meeting day with group meal to follow. Last night we fed over fifty people. We had milenasa de pollo, (which is a type of fried chicken), mashed potatoes, a large garden salad, and a choice of apple or lemon pie. Everyone was satisfied. However, when there are a lot of people, there is also a lot of work. I was still cleaning last night after 9:00 pm and then I started working on things for breakfast the following morning. Since the team is not planning on having any more evening meals at the guesthouse, I have given the cook the next week off, and I will be preparing the remainder of the team’s breakfasts, and taking care of her food needs. It is just one way that we can save a few dollars and keep a healthy guesthouse budget.
It was good to see old friends, and fellow SAM, (South America Mission) missionaries. Since we left in September, a number of people have left the field, and still several more are planning to leave on furlough.
Right now the economy of Bolivia is in about the worse shape than it has been in a long time. Prices are higher and the dollar continues to drop in value. The inflation rate is at 15%. We spent close to $100 today for groceries to buy basics and replace necessities. We plan to be a little more frugal this term, primarily out of necessity.
Traffic on the streets has gotten congested, and seems worse than we remember; so much for getting anywhere in just a few minutes.
While in the states it appeared as though things in Bolivia had remained politically stable, with relatively few real problems. Now that we are here we are finding that tensions are on the rise and we may see first-hand some political turmoil. Right now tempers are rising over a simple thing as vegetable oil. The country of Bolivia has long been divided into two groups, the “Collas,” or highlanders, and “Cambas,” or lowlanders. A good many of the collas are indigenous, (Indians). Our Presidente, Evol Morales is also indigenous. Since so many of the collas are complaining about the cost of vegetable oil, Presidente Morales has made a ruling that no one, (especially the lowlanders), can sell their vegetable oil out of the country. This has created a hardship on the farmers, those who process the grain, truckers and merchants. It all trickles down and the country loses more and more money each day.
Another conflict is over bus fares. Santa Cruz depends on buses, also known as “micros,” to transport the masses of people that live here around town, to work, to school, and to the market. For several years bus fares have been one and a half bolivianos per person. The bus companies say that they cannot make a profit so they have raised the average fare to two bolivianos per person. The people refuse to pay this increase, primarily because they cannot afford to do so. Even though the fare is two bolivianos, people continue to pay only the one and a half bolivianos. This cannot, and will not continue for much longer. Something “will” happen and it will not be pretty. Bolivians, on the whole will not give an inch. They are right and that is all there is to it. Let’s hope and pray that a transportation strike settles the problem and there is no bloodshed.
On May 4th the nation of Bolivia will be voting on two separate referendums. Presidente Morales wants to give 150,000 hect acres of land, (belonging to the Cambas/lowlanders), to the collas, (indigenous people). This referendum seeks approval to do this. Of course the “collas,” or highlanders, primarily Indians; Presidente Morales people, are organizing and planning to vote in record number. It is anticipated that this referendum will pass and the nation will be split. If the referendum does past, this will bring the country of Bolivia one step closer to civil war.
Also on May 4th, the people of the east, mostly “Cambas,” will be voting for “Autonomia,” (Independence) from the nation. They have already done this twice, but with each referendum, the country is pushed closer to all out war with their neighbors. Let’s pray that it does not go that far.
We experienced a little frustration today……. When we went to the grocery store to purchase groceries, Dan tried to withdraw money out of the ATM. The machine gave Dan the desired amount of money, but then it proceeded to eat his card! When we got back to the guesthouse we called the bank which owned the ATM and we were instructed to call our bank in the states and have them put a block on our card until they could find it and we could retrieve it. I did do this, and have been reassured that once we get our card back that we can have our card re-activated. It was just a little scary at the moment. Dan ran back up to the grocery store to get the required information off of the ATM and it appears there were others that had the same problem. A number of people were standing around the ATM, as frustrated as Dan, trying, without any luck to get their cards back. Believe me…… it was not a fun experience.
Right now our schedule for the next few months goes as follows: April 4th-14th Bridgeway/Ligonier Church April 16th-24th Veterinarians April 16-24th Mission of Hope, working Ayore Indians, April 26th-May 2nd ACSI, Educators here to work with the SAM school. May 23rd-25th Charles and Hanna McCall stay with us as they prepare to leave for the U.S. May 28th-June 8th Jeff Orcutt here with work team/going to Robore, May 29th-June 2nd Krestan Family at Guesthouse preparing to leave for the U.S. June 12th-June 24th Lagroner Evangelical Church June 26th-July 6th Orange Hill Baptist July 12th-July 19th East Cobb Baptist July 22nd-July 30th Killian Hills Baptist
Prayer Requests:
1. Please be in prayer regarding the May 4th referendums. Pray for a peaceful solution. Pray that God’s will will be clearly shown.
2. Pray that we will be able to retrieve Dan’s debit card without any problems and that it will be reactivated before we run out of funds.
3. Pray for us as we get settled, get acclimated to living in a “hot zone,” and that our lives will demonstrate the love of Jesus to those around us.
4. Pray for our families we have left behind. For our children and for aging parents; that they will be of good health, there needs met, protection from evil, and that they will seek out God and His counsel in time of difficulty.
We want to thank everyone who has supported us in our decision to serve God in Bolivia. It was not an easy decision to make, but we know that it was what God wanted from us. We wanted to be faithful to Him in all we do. Please continue to pray for us and we will keep you in prayer as well. May God richly bless you all.
In Christ, Dan and Neva Abbott
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
What is a Guesthouse?
"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who labor labor in vain."
The South America Mission Guesthouse was built aproximately 40 years ago on the out-skirts of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. At the time people wondered why they were building so far out of town. However, the city of Santa Cruz has grown dramatically in the past few years and now the "SAM" guesthouse sits relatively close to the center of the city.
The guesthouse sits on about 1/4 of a city block. Our address here is: 639 Nuno de la Cueva. The guesthoue/ SAM base consists of a building which houses the "sala" what Americans would think of as a living room, a dining area, kitchen, computer room and our apartment. There are two buildings on the grounds that house our guests. All total we have seven rooms which our guests live in. Each room is made differently, but the majority of our rooms have a full size bed and a set of bunk beds in them. There are communal bathrooms, (with locks for privacy), which have a shower, stool and sink. In total we can accomodate aprox 22 people comfortably, depending on number of each sex and whether there are families being housed. We also have a library with a variety of reading materials. At the back of the compound is a pastors training center called the "El Atrio." It is just one of many ways that SAM reaches out to the community, training potential leaders for God's work.
The SAM guesthouse was created primarily for our SAM missionaries. There are times when our missionaries are traveling through the area, or are in a time of transisiton and need a place to stay. Often missionaries are in periods of "limbo" when they are preparing to leave the mission field to go back to the states on furlough, returning to the field from the states on furlough, have have family and friends that are visiting Bolivia which need safe, comfortable housing.
Another important focus of the guesthouse is to house work teams that come down from the states to provide support to the missionaries, and work in areas of construction, medical support, evangelism, musical ministries, Christian education and much, much more. These teams stay at the guesthouse where we provide a clean, comfortable bed to sleep in, and delicious, nutritious meals that are safe to eat. Our busiest times are in the summer months, June through August, when churches in the states can organize missions trips to the area.
Another focus of the guesthouse is to be a meeting place for SAM missionaries in the area. Each Wednesday afternoon the guesthouse becomes a hub of activity where missionaries come for their weekly meeting to pray together, study the Bible, and to offer emotional support to one another. Following the meeting we sit together for a communal meal and fellowship together.
Important meetings and activities are centralized at the Guesthouse as well. It is an important aspect of the South America Mission ministries here in Santa Cruz.
Dan and I are often up at the crack of dawn working on meals. The days can be very busy and very long. Although we do have employees, (Nancy, Rosa, and Zaco), who work week-days, our work can be tiring. We are a support ministry, and that support does not have regular work hours, or a job description. Every day is a surprise and we try to be as flexible as possible. That is where our trust in God and His provision keeps us strong and helps us through the day. We serve a great God who is control of all things. Praise God for that!
Below is the offical document we keep at the guesthouse for visitors to help them should they have questions. Perhaps reading through the document will help our readers understand the guesthouse, the rules, how we financially operate, and our functioning capacity:
Welcome to South America Mission Base and Guest House
We hope that your stay with us is pleasant, relaxing and encouraging. In order to make your stay as comfortable as possible, please read the following information:
Security: Upon your arrival you will be given a room key, a key to the living/dining area, and two keys to the gate, one for the small door and one to open the paddle locked double doors used for vehicles. The gate is locked at all times so please keep your keys with you. We suggest that you lock your rooms when you are off the base premises. If you get locked out of your room the base hostess has extra keys. If you are locked out at the front gate, please ring the doorbell. If you leave the city for a period of time but plan on returning to the base, please leave your key with the host family. Please return them to your hosts when you check out. Please understand that lost keys can cause major concern. A fine will be assessed accordingly. Parents please do not let children answer the doors.
There is a full time guard at the “El Atrio,” which is the big building at the rear of the compound. Be mindful that we do have a 24 hour guard and he does walk through the property occasionally.
Quiet Times: Please observe a quiet time from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am nightly.
Telephone and E-mail: Please keep your calls short and record “all” phone calls on the phone log in the sala. Be sure and document the time prior to dialing and the time after you hang up. It is necessary to do this because often guest’s guesstamate their time and the guesthouse must eat the cost. Rates are posted in the front of the phone log. The expense of using the phone will be added to your base bill. There is a computer available to guests at no charge for the purpose of e-mail/ internet use. Ask the base hosts if you have any questions about e-mail. This is a Christian facility and we expect out guests to use wisdom as they surf the web.
Bathrooms: Please do not flush toilet paper down the toilet. The plumbing system here in Bolivia does not function in the same way it does in more modern countries. Put all paper and sanitary products in the trashcan. Please ask your hostess or maid for another garbage bag when you need one. The maid will dispose of garbage for you.
Base facilities: The living room, dining room and kitchen are for guests and you are welcome to use them when you so desire. Feel free to use these areas for reading, TV relaxation, or entertaining guests. Children are welcome as well. Please leave the area neat for the next person’s use.
The balcony area above the patio is also a great place to relax. If you use this area at night, remember that sound carries and be considerate of other guests and base personnel. Children under the age of twelve are not permitted on the balcony without being accompanied by an adult. Teens may use the balcony, but this is strictly at their parent’s discretion. Teens should ask for parental permission prior to using the balcony. For the benefit of all, no alcohol or smoking is permitted on the premises.
Outlets: Your room has both 110 and 220-VOLT outlets. The 110 outlets are brown or black and the 220 outlets are white. For the sake of your appliances, make sure you use the correct voltage. We are not responsible for damaged appliances.
Showers: The showers have electric showerheads and the water is heated as the water passes through. Therefore you have a choice of slower running hot water, or quick flowing cooler water. For your safety, do not touch the showerhead or switch on the wall during your shower. This is to avoid electrical shock.
Room Care: Towels and linens are provided and can be exchanged for clean ones by asking the hostess or base maid. The base maid will clean shared bathrooms but will not enter a private room unless asked to do so during your stay.
Kitchen: There are two refrigerators in the kitchen. Guests may use the first refrigerator as you enter the kitchen for storing smaller items such as sandwich meat, cheese, juice, soda pop, etc. You may use the kitchen to cook meals or use the micro wave oven. The kitchen is fully equipped with pots and pans as well as dishes and silverware needed for putting together a meal. We do expect our guests to clean up after themselves and to put back all used items where they originally found them.
Maids and Workers: Please do not ask favors of the employees of the Mission. If you need assistance contact the hosts for arrangements.
Laundry: The Guest House provides laundry service most weekdays. Rosa, the base maid, is responsible to do this. You will find a hamper in your room. When you want clothes washed, put your hamper outside your door in the morning. If you have special instructions, please let us know so we can advise the maid. We ask that guests not use the laundry room except for ironing or hand washing of articles of clothing. Laundry is done Monday-Friday except in case of an emergency. If you need to have something washed on the weekend, please talk to the Base Hostess. Clothes are hung out on the clothesline if the sun is shining. Laundry Cost: $1.50 per load of wash. $1.50 per dryer load. The maid keeps a tally of washer and dryer loads in the laundry room. You will be charged for laundry at the end of your stay.
Children: The base or the base host and hostess do not provide babysitting services. Please be ready to supervise your children or make arrangements for someone else to watch them. Younger children should be supervised at all times. If you need to be away from the base, please make sure that your children have a responsible babysitter. Children may play outside on the playground equipment at their parent’s discretion. If your children play inside the Guest House, the parents are responsible to see that toys and other items are put away. Please do not allow children to eat in the living room area unless otherwise approved by your base hosts. Please let the base maid know if a plastic sheet is needed on your child’s bed. As good stewards, we want to protect the mattresses and assure a sweet smelling sleeping area for the next guest staying in that room. Portable cribs available on request. Children are not to play in the parking area or on the roof above the host apartment. . Children are not to throw the fruit, and fighting with sticks or poles is not acceptable. Children are to respect one another as well as those adults around them.
Water: Filtered water is available at all times. Each room will be provided with a thermos and cups, and cold water can also be found in the big blue igloo located on the counter between the kitchen and the sala. Glasses can be found in the cabinet above. While the water in Santa Cruz is relatively safe, for your health and well-being during your stay we recommend you use the filtered water provided.
Room Privacy: For obvious reasons unmarried males and females should refrain from spending time together in individual sleeping quarters.
Pets and Animals: Please do not bring animals without prior clearance from the hosts. We don’t allow pets inside the guest rooms.
Toy Closet: In front of the kitchen pass-thru is the toy closet. Please be sure all toys are put away in the toy closet when your children are done using them. A variety of games are also available but children using them taking care that the games remain intact. Small children may often put toys in their mouths. If your child is observed doing so, after they are finished playing with the toy, please place it on the kitchen counter for cleaning.
Library: Everyone is welcome to use the base library located at the rear of the base between Room #6 and the bodega. The library is often locked, and a key can be obtained from your hosts. Books and tapes removed from the library should be recorded in the library log on the center library table. They should be returned within a reasonable time, and when returned placed back on the shelf, and a line should be drawn across your name in the library log. Children under the age of 12 should only use the library when there is an adult present and library items can be checked out with the help of an adult.
Noise: Bolivian’s love to party and because of this we often have a night or two of loud music. We have found that the best way to handle this is to close the window of your room and turn the air conditioner on. There is however a $2.00 fee per night for air conditioner use per room.
Wednesday nights: Most Wednesdays at 4:00 pm S.A.M. personnel have a Bible study and prayer time in the El Atrio followed by a family meal at the base. Rather than using the kitchen on these evenings, guests are encouraged to join in and participate in the fellowship meal. Reservations can be made with the hosts or kitchen staff no later than 10:00 am the morning of the meal. There is however a $2.50 charge for each adult and children are charged between $1.75 to $2.00 depending on age. Everyone staying at the base is welcome to join us in the El Atrio for Bible study and prayer time as well. If the weather is good, children are expected to play outside during Bible study unless they choose to attend with the adults. Cold water will be provided by the porch swing with cups. Exceptions can be made for those children who need to do homework, and they will be permitted to work on their studies in the sala. If it appears that they are not studying, then base staff can choose to expel them from the sala.
Base property: The fruit, plants, flowers, limbs, etc….. should remain as they are. These things are here for “everyone’s” enjoyment and therefore should not be picked, played with or destroyed.
Repairs and Suggestions: Please let us know of any needed repairs as soon as possible. We always want the rooms and property to look their best. Any suggestions you have will be appreciated and will be thoughtfully considered. Thank you for your help!
Room Rates:
S.A.M. Missionaries: $3.00 for adults, and $1.50 for children
Individual Visitors: $6.50 for adults, and $3.50 for children
S.A.M. Teams: $6.50 for adults, and $3.00 for children
Non-S.A.M. Teams: $8.00 adults, and $4.00 for children
Paying for your stay: Please check with the Base Hostess before leaving, regarding payment of your bill. You will be charged for your room, meals that you may have eaten at the base, phone calls, air conditioning used, and laundry. You may pay in Bolivianos or dollars.
May the Lord bless our fellowship together during your stay. Let us know if we can be of help to you. We are here to serve you and to make your stay enjoyable.
If you have any questions or problems, please feel free to speak to the base hosts.
Guest House Phone Number: 352-2636
Mailing Address: Casilla 2010, Santa Cruz-Bolivia
Street Address: 639 Nuno de la Cueva
Hosts: Dan and Neva Abbott cell# 700-91166
e-mail address: danevabbott@yahoo.com
The South America Mission Guesthouse was built aproximately 40 years ago on the out-skirts of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. At the time people wondered why they were building so far out of town. However, the city of Santa Cruz has grown dramatically in the past few years and now the "SAM" guesthouse sits relatively close to the center of the city.
The guesthouse sits on about 1/4 of a city block. Our address here is: 639 Nuno de la Cueva. The guesthoue/ SAM base consists of a building which houses the "sala" what Americans would think of as a living room, a dining area, kitchen, computer room and our apartment. There are two buildings on the grounds that house our guests. All total we have seven rooms which our guests live in. Each room is made differently, but the majority of our rooms have a full size bed and a set of bunk beds in them. There are communal bathrooms, (with locks for privacy), which have a shower, stool and sink. In total we can accomodate aprox 22 people comfortably, depending on number of each sex and whether there are families being housed. We also have a library with a variety of reading materials. At the back of the compound is a pastors training center called the "El Atrio." It is just one of many ways that SAM reaches out to the community, training potential leaders for God's work.
The SAM guesthouse was created primarily for our SAM missionaries. There are times when our missionaries are traveling through the area, or are in a time of transisiton and need a place to stay. Often missionaries are in periods of "limbo" when they are preparing to leave the mission field to go back to the states on furlough, returning to the field from the states on furlough, have have family and friends that are visiting Bolivia which need safe, comfortable housing.
Another important focus of the guesthouse is to house work teams that come down from the states to provide support to the missionaries, and work in areas of construction, medical support, evangelism, musical ministries, Christian education and much, much more. These teams stay at the guesthouse where we provide a clean, comfortable bed to sleep in, and delicious, nutritious meals that are safe to eat. Our busiest times are in the summer months, June through August, when churches in the states can organize missions trips to the area.
Another focus of the guesthouse is to be a meeting place for SAM missionaries in the area. Each Wednesday afternoon the guesthouse becomes a hub of activity where missionaries come for their weekly meeting to pray together, study the Bible, and to offer emotional support to one another. Following the meeting we sit together for a communal meal and fellowship together.
Important meetings and activities are centralized at the Guesthouse as well. It is an important aspect of the South America Mission ministries here in Santa Cruz.
Dan and I are often up at the crack of dawn working on meals. The days can be very busy and very long. Although we do have employees, (Nancy, Rosa, and Zaco), who work week-days, our work can be tiring. We are a support ministry, and that support does not have regular work hours, or a job description. Every day is a surprise and we try to be as flexible as possible. That is where our trust in God and His provision keeps us strong and helps us through the day. We serve a great God who is control of all things. Praise God for that!
Below is the offical document we keep at the guesthouse for visitors to help them should they have questions. Perhaps reading through the document will help our readers understand the guesthouse, the rules, how we financially operate, and our functioning capacity:
Welcome to South America Mission Base and Guest House
We hope that your stay with us is pleasant, relaxing and encouraging. In order to make your stay as comfortable as possible, please read the following information:
Security: Upon your arrival you will be given a room key, a key to the living/dining area, and two keys to the gate, one for the small door and one to open the paddle locked double doors used for vehicles. The gate is locked at all times so please keep your keys with you. We suggest that you lock your rooms when you are off the base premises. If you get locked out of your room the base hostess has extra keys. If you are locked out at the front gate, please ring the doorbell. If you leave the city for a period of time but plan on returning to the base, please leave your key with the host family. Please return them to your hosts when you check out. Please understand that lost keys can cause major concern. A fine will be assessed accordingly. Parents please do not let children answer the doors.
There is a full time guard at the “El Atrio,” which is the big building at the rear of the compound. Be mindful that we do have a 24 hour guard and he does walk through the property occasionally.
Quiet Times: Please observe a quiet time from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am nightly.
Telephone and E-mail: Please keep your calls short and record “all” phone calls on the phone log in the sala. Be sure and document the time prior to dialing and the time after you hang up. It is necessary to do this because often guest’s guesstamate their time and the guesthouse must eat the cost. Rates are posted in the front of the phone log. The expense of using the phone will be added to your base bill. There is a computer available to guests at no charge for the purpose of e-mail/ internet use. Ask the base hosts if you have any questions about e-mail. This is a Christian facility and we expect out guests to use wisdom as they surf the web.
Bathrooms: Please do not flush toilet paper down the toilet. The plumbing system here in Bolivia does not function in the same way it does in more modern countries. Put all paper and sanitary products in the trashcan. Please ask your hostess or maid for another garbage bag when you need one. The maid will dispose of garbage for you.
Base facilities: The living room, dining room and kitchen are for guests and you are welcome to use them when you so desire. Feel free to use these areas for reading, TV relaxation, or entertaining guests. Children are welcome as well. Please leave the area neat for the next person’s use.
The balcony area above the patio is also a great place to relax. If you use this area at night, remember that sound carries and be considerate of other guests and base personnel. Children under the age of twelve are not permitted on the balcony without being accompanied by an adult. Teens may use the balcony, but this is strictly at their parent’s discretion. Teens should ask for parental permission prior to using the balcony. For the benefit of all, no alcohol or smoking is permitted on the premises.
Outlets: Your room has both 110 and 220-VOLT outlets. The 110 outlets are brown or black and the 220 outlets are white. For the sake of your appliances, make sure you use the correct voltage. We are not responsible for damaged appliances.
Showers: The showers have electric showerheads and the water is heated as the water passes through. Therefore you have a choice of slower running hot water, or quick flowing cooler water. For your safety, do not touch the showerhead or switch on the wall during your shower. This is to avoid electrical shock.
Room Care: Towels and linens are provided and can be exchanged for clean ones by asking the hostess or base maid. The base maid will clean shared bathrooms but will not enter a private room unless asked to do so during your stay.
Kitchen: There are two refrigerators in the kitchen. Guests may use the first refrigerator as you enter the kitchen for storing smaller items such as sandwich meat, cheese, juice, soda pop, etc. You may use the kitchen to cook meals or use the micro wave oven. The kitchen is fully equipped with pots and pans as well as dishes and silverware needed for putting together a meal. We do expect our guests to clean up after themselves and to put back all used items where they originally found them.
Maids and Workers: Please do not ask favors of the employees of the Mission. If you need assistance contact the hosts for arrangements.
Laundry: The Guest House provides laundry service most weekdays. Rosa, the base maid, is responsible to do this. You will find a hamper in your room. When you want clothes washed, put your hamper outside your door in the morning. If you have special instructions, please let us know so we can advise the maid. We ask that guests not use the laundry room except for ironing or hand washing of articles of clothing. Laundry is done Monday-Friday except in case of an emergency. If you need to have something washed on the weekend, please talk to the Base Hostess. Clothes are hung out on the clothesline if the sun is shining. Laundry Cost: $1.50 per load of wash. $1.50 per dryer load. The maid keeps a tally of washer and dryer loads in the laundry room. You will be charged for laundry at the end of your stay.
Children: The base or the base host and hostess do not provide babysitting services. Please be ready to supervise your children or make arrangements for someone else to watch them. Younger children should be supervised at all times. If you need to be away from the base, please make sure that your children have a responsible babysitter. Children may play outside on the playground equipment at their parent’s discretion. If your children play inside the Guest House, the parents are responsible to see that toys and other items are put away. Please do not allow children to eat in the living room area unless otherwise approved by your base hosts. Please let the base maid know if a plastic sheet is needed on your child’s bed. As good stewards, we want to protect the mattresses and assure a sweet smelling sleeping area for the next guest staying in that room. Portable cribs available on request. Children are not to play in the parking area or on the roof above the host apartment. . Children are not to throw the fruit, and fighting with sticks or poles is not acceptable. Children are to respect one another as well as those adults around them.
Water: Filtered water is available at all times. Each room will be provided with a thermos and cups, and cold water can also be found in the big blue igloo located on the counter between the kitchen and the sala. Glasses can be found in the cabinet above. While the water in Santa Cruz is relatively safe, for your health and well-being during your stay we recommend you use the filtered water provided.
Room Privacy: For obvious reasons unmarried males and females should refrain from spending time together in individual sleeping quarters.
Pets and Animals: Please do not bring animals without prior clearance from the hosts. We don’t allow pets inside the guest rooms.
Toy Closet: In front of the kitchen pass-thru is the toy closet. Please be sure all toys are put away in the toy closet when your children are done using them. A variety of games are also available but children using them taking care that the games remain intact. Small children may often put toys in their mouths. If your child is observed doing so, after they are finished playing with the toy, please place it on the kitchen counter for cleaning.
Library: Everyone is welcome to use the base library located at the rear of the base between Room #6 and the bodega. The library is often locked, and a key can be obtained from your hosts. Books and tapes removed from the library should be recorded in the library log on the center library table. They should be returned within a reasonable time, and when returned placed back on the shelf, and a line should be drawn across your name in the library log. Children under the age of 12 should only use the library when there is an adult present and library items can be checked out with the help of an adult.
Noise: Bolivian’s love to party and because of this we often have a night or two of loud music. We have found that the best way to handle this is to close the window of your room and turn the air conditioner on. There is however a $2.00 fee per night for air conditioner use per room.
Wednesday nights: Most Wednesdays at 4:00 pm S.A.M. personnel have a Bible study and prayer time in the El Atrio followed by a family meal at the base. Rather than using the kitchen on these evenings, guests are encouraged to join in and participate in the fellowship meal. Reservations can be made with the hosts or kitchen staff no later than 10:00 am the morning of the meal. There is however a $2.50 charge for each adult and children are charged between $1.75 to $2.00 depending on age. Everyone staying at the base is welcome to join us in the El Atrio for Bible study and prayer time as well. If the weather is good, children are expected to play outside during Bible study unless they choose to attend with the adults. Cold water will be provided by the porch swing with cups. Exceptions can be made for those children who need to do homework, and they will be permitted to work on their studies in the sala. If it appears that they are not studying, then base staff can choose to expel them from the sala.
Base property: The fruit, plants, flowers, limbs, etc….. should remain as they are. These things are here for “everyone’s” enjoyment and therefore should not be picked, played with or destroyed.
Repairs and Suggestions: Please let us know of any needed repairs as soon as possible. We always want the rooms and property to look their best. Any suggestions you have will be appreciated and will be thoughtfully considered. Thank you for your help!
Room Rates:
S.A.M. Missionaries: $3.00 for adults, and $1.50 for children
Individual Visitors: $6.50 for adults, and $3.50 for children
S.A.M. Teams: $6.50 for adults, and $3.00 for children
Non-S.A.M. Teams: $8.00 adults, and $4.00 for children
Paying for your stay: Please check with the Base Hostess before leaving, regarding payment of your bill. You will be charged for your room, meals that you may have eaten at the base, phone calls, air conditioning used, and laundry. You may pay in Bolivianos or dollars.
May the Lord bless our fellowship together during your stay. Let us know if we can be of help to you. We are here to serve you and to make your stay enjoyable.
If you have any questions or problems, please feel free to speak to the base hosts.
Guest House Phone Number: 352-2636
Mailing Address: Casilla 2010, Santa Cruz-Bolivia
Street Address: 639 Nuno de la Cueva
Hosts: Dan and Neva Abbott cell# 700-91166
e-mail address: danevabbott@yahoo.com
Friday, April 18, 2008
At the Guesthouse
We have three employees: Rosa, the maid works Monday through Friday, cleaning up after teams and keeping facilities looking nice. Zachideus, (Zaco, we call him), is the gardener and handy-man. Zaco works Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. And Nancy is our cook. Nancy was retired about three years ago but she still comes in when we have work teams to cook for us. She also comes in on Wednesdays to help with the evening communal meal. We don't know what we would do without her. Also shown in these photos are our living room, known as a sala, the kitchen and dining area, the Wednesday fellowship time and some of the SAM people eating their Wednesday night meal.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Work Teams
Campus Crusade Team from Florida who cam to work in the local schools and churches
Orange Hill Baptist, (Georgia), came primarily to do construction and to work with the Ayore Indians
This is a team of young people from a church in Paraguay which came on a missions trip to Bolivia to "serve" the Bolivian church.
This team came from Tennessee and served the SAM missionaries during our annual Field conference, providing a Bible school for SAM children so their parents could take time to study the Word and to fellowship with one another.
This team came from Killian Hills Baptist Church, (Georgia), and they worked at Stansberry Home, an orphange for children that are either orphaned or have been abandoned.
This team is with Evangelical Missions, and I believe that they were from Indiana. They were a construction team, working on a church building.
I believe, ( I lose track), that this team was from Texas, and they were a construction team that came to work at our Pastors retreat center, Palmar.
This team came from Pennsylvania and came to work at Stansberry Home Orphanage.
This team was a group of college students from Liberty University. They had a music ministry, pounding away on five gallon drums. They performed in the streets, at schools, and at the plaza, downtown. They sounded like the music group, "Stomp," and the "noise" they made attracted large crowds which allowed them to share the gospel with large groups.
This team was from Palm Beach Atlantic College in Florida. They came to work with the rural churches.
Orange Hill Baptist, (Georgia), came primarily to do construction and to work with the Ayore Indians
This is a team of young people from a church in Paraguay which came on a missions trip to Bolivia to "serve" the Bolivian church.
This team came from Tennessee and served the SAM missionaries during our annual Field conference, providing a Bible school for SAM children so their parents could take time to study the Word and to fellowship with one another. 
This team came from Killian Hills Baptist Church, (Georgia), and they worked at Stansberry Home, an orphange for children that are either orphaned or have been abandoned.
This team is with Evangelical Missions, and I believe that they were from Indiana. They were a construction team, working on a church building.
I believe, ( I lose track), that this team was from Texas, and they were a construction team that came to work at our Pastors retreat center, Palmar.
This team came from Pennsylvania and came to work at Stansberry Home Orphanage.
This team was a group of college students from Liberty University. They had a music ministry, pounding away on five gallon drums. They performed in the streets, at schools, and at the plaza, downtown. They sounded like the music group, "Stomp," and the "noise" they made attracted large crowds which allowed them to share the gospel with large groups.
This team was from Palm Beach Atlantic College in Florida. They came to work with the rural churches.
I have mentioned that one of the reasons we have a guesthouse here in Bolivia, is to provide a safe place for people from the U.S. coming down on missions trips to stay as they come and work with our Bolivian brothers and sisters in Christ. Here are a pictures of just a few of the teams that we have worked with:
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Our SAM Missionary Family
This is Elliott Tait, one of the newest member of the SAM Bolivian team. Elliott works in an area called Robere with the youth and churches of the area. 
This is Virginia Swartzendruber. Virginia has been a teacher at the Christian Learning Center, which is a SAM operated acredited school for missionary children here in Santa Cruz for many years.
This is a picture of the 2006 annual Field Conference. I really wanted to put this picture first but when you are not real computer savy you get what you get.
This is Virginia Swartzendruber. Virginia has been a teacher at the Christian Learning Center, which is a SAM operated acredited school for missionary children here in Santa Cruz for many years.
This is a picture of the 2006 annual Field Conference. I really wanted to put this picture first but when you are not real computer savy you get what you get.
Dana Wilson works with Bolivians instructing them in Missions and providing locals with the tools to become missionaries. 
This is the Strebig family, Dan, Jenny and Rachel and Katherine. They have since had another baby, Elizebeth. Dan works with teams, planning, transporting, and helping them navigate the area. His wife Jenny is Bolivian and works with our Children's ministry program.
This is the Throssel family. Tom works for SAM air as a mechanic and takes care of scheduling and clarical responsibilities. They have two boys, Peter and Phillip. Janine also works in our children's ministry program.
These are the Vanderzwaag's. Steve is our financial officer and therefore is in charge of funds needed both by the mission and by individual missionaries. Steve also works on a number of committees and has a big responsibility at their local Bolivian church. His wife Laurie works with the youth at their church and also with their women's ministry. They have three boys; Cody, Jonah and Jordan.
This is Frank and Luz Zajicek. They work in San Ignacio, a rural area in church planting and growth. They now have two children. Marie Victoria is in the picture, but they also have a son named Steven.
These are the Kienzle's. Paul and Laura work in church planting, and work with the professional class, teaching English, offering Bible study and support ministries. They have three girls: Erica, Rachel and Becca. (Laura by the way is originally from Bettendorf, Iowa)
These are the Krestans. Unfortunately the Krestans are leaving the Bolivian field, seeking God's leading as the chose to serve Him in the states. While here Kenny and Diane worked with the professional class and with local Bolivian pastors in a support ministry. They have three children: Rachel, Kendra and Kenny Jr. (also known as Rudy).
These are the McCalls, Charles and Hannah. Charles and Hannah are also leaving the mission field at this time. The Lord is leading them in another direction and they are faithful to follow His leading. They have a new baby, the newest member of the SAM family. Her name is Lily.
These are the Mercados. Both Placido and Toni are doctors and they work with the Ayore Indians in a variety of areas. They have two children: Jose and Emily.
This is Laura Boyce and she is a teacher at the Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center, a SAM school for missionary kids.
This is Greg Dahl. Greg is a pilate with SAM air. SAM air provides emergency flights to rural areas and is a support ministry of South America Mission. They also fly pastors to rural areas that would be difficult to reach by car or bus.
These are the HAuse Family. Jeff and Diane have worked for many years in urban ministry. Jeff also has a leadership role with SAM, directing and providing direction. His wife's name is Beth and they have four children: Marie, Brittany, Stephen and Pablito, (little Paul)
This is Katie Wells. Katie works at the Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center and she is an art teacher.
This is the Strebig family, Dan, Jenny and Rachel and Katherine. They have since had another baby, Elizebeth. Dan works with teams, planning, transporting, and helping them navigate the area. His wife Jenny is Bolivian and works with our Children's ministry program.
This is the Throssel family. Tom works for SAM air as a mechanic and takes care of scheduling and clarical responsibilities. They have two boys, Peter and Phillip. Janine also works in our children's ministry program.
These are the Vanderzwaag's. Steve is our financial officer and therefore is in charge of funds needed both by the mission and by individual missionaries. Steve also works on a number of committees and has a big responsibility at their local Bolivian church. His wife Laurie works with the youth at their church and also with their women's ministry. They have three boys; Cody, Jonah and Jordan.
This is Frank and Luz Zajicek. They work in San Ignacio, a rural area in church planting and growth. They now have two children. Marie Victoria is in the picture, but they also have a son named Steven.
These are the Kienzle's. Paul and Laura work in church planting, and work with the professional class, teaching English, offering Bible study and support ministries. They have three girls: Erica, Rachel and Becca. (Laura by the way is originally from Bettendorf, Iowa)
These are the Krestans. Unfortunately the Krestans are leaving the Bolivian field, seeking God's leading as the chose to serve Him in the states. While here Kenny and Diane worked with the professional class and with local Bolivian pastors in a support ministry. They have three children: Rachel, Kendra and Kenny Jr. (also known as Rudy).
These are the McCalls, Charles and Hannah. Charles and Hannah are also leaving the mission field at this time. The Lord is leading them in another direction and they are faithful to follow His leading. They have a new baby, the newest member of the SAM family. Her name is Lily.
These are the Mercados. Both Placido and Toni are doctors and they work with the Ayore Indians in a variety of areas. They have two children: Jose and Emily.
This is Laura Boyce and she is a teacher at the Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center, a SAM school for missionary kids.
This is Greg Dahl. Greg is a pilate with SAM air. SAM air provides emergency flights to rural areas and is a support ministry of South America Mission. They also fly pastors to rural areas that would be difficult to reach by car or bus.
These are the HAuse Family. Jeff and Diane have worked for many years in urban ministry. Jeff also has a leadership role with SAM, directing and providing direction. His wife's name is Beth and they have four children: Marie, Brittany, Stephen and Pablito, (little Paul)
This is Katie Wells. Katie works at the Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center and she is an art teacher.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Local pictures of people and things in the area.
This is a picture of a women drying her beans on the sidewalk.
This is a picture of people standing in lines for something. Every where you go..... you stand in lines.
This is actually a picture of a clothing store. People here purchase bales of clothes from Good Will in the states for about $25.00 a bale. They then seperate the bales and resale the clothes in little neighborhood markets like this and make a small profit. The government does not like them to sell clothes in this manner because they have no way of taxing them.... also, it intrudes on profits of clothing manufacturers here in Bolivia.
Isn't he sweet? He is a little boy that lives at Stansberry Home which is an orphanage here in town.
We drove by in a taxi and I saw this little girl peeking out of her doorway and could not resist taking her picture. Notice that she is all bundled up. It was probably about 65 degrees out. People here think that is cold.
This is a common scene. Local women use a cloth to carry their children. If they don't have a child on their back, they more than likely are hauling groceries or kindling, or something to or from their home.
This is someone selling coca leaves. Coca is a plant that cocaine is derived from. Here many people chew it. Often you see men with a big chunk of it stuffed in their cheek. The coca leaf when chewed produces a stimulant which helps them work harder and longer, and it also diminshes their appetite. Coca leaves are often used to mae tea. The tea is good for your stomach. It is also drank when you plan to go to the mountains because it helps with altitude sickness.
Here is another cute kid that lives at the Stansberry Orphanage in Santa Cruz.
This is a cemetery. Most graves are stacked one on top of the other.
Buses (or micros as they are called here), can be very crowded, especially on a Friday or Saturday night when people are getting off work, or in the afternoon when high school students are coming and going to school. Some times you feel like you have to be a cantorshanist just to ride the bus. Many of the young men are very polite and let and old lady like me have their seat. They also give away their seats for women with small children.
Believe it or not,............. but this is the hardware store. We call it the Kotchibotchi. There are no home depots or Menards here!
Again, a common scene of a women carrying her young on her back. By the looks of them, I would say they are indeginous.
Often you see women sitting along busy streets selling peanuts, chips, vegetables or fruit. This is how they make a living.
This is just one of the local buses. Number 14...... we ride it a lot.
An indian girl. Note the mud hut made of simple sticks. This is all that some of them know.
There are many poor people. I'm surprised they allowed me to take their picture. Most of them are pretty camera shy.
This is what the road to the mountains looks like. It is very dangerous to take these roads at night. Sometimes the roads wash out, and........... animals wander around on these at night as well. There are no rules of the road.... only suggestions, so people usually drive in the middle of the road. You can not see arond the curve. You just pray real hard all the way up the mountain.
Here is a bus that got over too far because someone tried to pass them. They ended up getting stuck in the little side ditch on the side of the hill.
This is what a micro looks like from inside. I like to go to the back so I can see all that is going on.
Again, traffic......... going up into the mountains.
The fish market
Women playing with their tarro cards in the market.
This guy looks to be happy at what he does. He is a shoe repairman. No one throws anything away here............... especially shoes. No matter what shape they are in..... they will fix them.
Don't look down!
A women selling her wares next to the bus stop on the third ring.
These are some boys selling oranges in our neighborhood.
One of the many meat markets.
This is a scene from a local market.
This little girl is a Qiathua Indian
This is a typical street scene. Fortunately it isn't real busy.
The wall around the SAM Guesthouse. We had it raised by 2 more feet!
These are two kids on the micro that just loved the idea of getting their picture taken.
A local church is having a party for some of the kids.
Two little girls with their shaved heads. There are two reasons for shaving their heads. For one thing it is very practical, since there is a problem with lice from time to time. Also, many Bolivians practice a birthday custom of shaving the childs head at a certain age. I never really did figure that one out.
This is Adrena Sprouse and one of the girls from the Jesus de Ninas (girls home).
Unfortunately, there are people that live in the ditches in town.
This women is sellling coca leaves................
This is an ambulance. It is not very big inside...... there is nothing but a gurney, and.... the gurney does not come out. You have to carry the person into the ambuance to put them in the gurney. There are no life saving drugs, oxygen or aparatus inside the ambulance to help the victim should they need medical help. The only thing the ambulance is transport people. And...... if you are an American .... forget it! You are probably too long to fit in the ambulance.
This is peanut soup. Yes,.......... that is right, that is a chickens head in the soup. Aren't you special to actually get the head!!!! Many Bolvian soups are made with chicken and the use the "whole" chicken, head and all. Even the feet are thrown in the pot!
Very few Bolivians have their own transportation. Most Bolivians use the buses or take taxis to get from place to place. A few lucky families do have their own motorcycle. You see here a family riding somewhere together. I've seen as many as six people on a motorcycle at one time. What is rare is seeing someone with a helmet on. Most people don't have helmets.
The rainy season here starts in December and ends in February. The last couple years have been real hard for flooding. I got this picture out of the local newspaper. You can see that some people had it really hard.
This.... believe it or not is a cocheroach! I did not take this picture, a friend did. They had been working outside late at night with lights on so they could see what they were doing. The lights attracted this bug to their work site. Fortunately we keep things pretty clean at the guesthouse so I haven't had to encounter anything like this.
Whoops! I must of put the picture of the ambulance in again....
ANTS!!!!! They are everywhere!!!! This picture is a blow up of some ants that were attracted to the kitchen counter when a speck of cheese was left behind. These ants are really minute in size and they are real pests. They get on your skin and crawl, but they are so small that you can't see them some times. It is something that you really need to get use to. One team came and had candy in their room to give to the kids at the orphanage. The ants got into it before they could put it in a safe place and devoured much of it.
This is a picture of people standing in lines for something. Every where you go..... you stand in lines.
This is actually a picture of a clothing store. People here purchase bales of clothes from Good Will in the states for about $25.00 a bale. They then seperate the bales and resale the clothes in little neighborhood markets like this and make a small profit. The government does not like them to sell clothes in this manner because they have no way of taxing them.... also, it intrudes on profits of clothing manufacturers here in Bolivia.
Isn't he sweet? He is a little boy that lives at Stansberry Home which is an orphanage here in town.
We drove by in a taxi and I saw this little girl peeking out of her doorway and could not resist taking her picture. Notice that she is all bundled up. It was probably about 65 degrees out. People here think that is cold.
This is a common scene. Local women use a cloth to carry their children. If they don't have a child on their back, they more than likely are hauling groceries or kindling, or something to or from their home.
This is someone selling coca leaves. Coca is a plant that cocaine is derived from. Here many people chew it. Often you see men with a big chunk of it stuffed in their cheek. The coca leaf when chewed produces a stimulant which helps them work harder and longer, and it also diminshes their appetite. Coca leaves are often used to mae tea. The tea is good for your stomach. It is also drank when you plan to go to the mountains because it helps with altitude sickness.
Here is another cute kid that lives at the Stansberry Orphanage in Santa Cruz.
This is a cemetery. Most graves are stacked one on top of the other.
Buses (or micros as they are called here), can be very crowded, especially on a Friday or Saturday night when people are getting off work, or in the afternoon when high school students are coming and going to school. Some times you feel like you have to be a cantorshanist just to ride the bus. Many of the young men are very polite and let and old lady like me have their seat. They also give away their seats for women with small children.
Believe it or not,............. but this is the hardware store. We call it the Kotchibotchi. There are no home depots or Menards here!
Again, a common scene of a women carrying her young on her back. By the looks of them, I would say they are indeginous. 
Often you see women sitting along busy streets selling peanuts, chips, vegetables or fruit. This is how they make a living.
This is just one of the local buses. Number 14...... we ride it a lot.
An indian girl. Note the mud hut made of simple sticks. This is all that some of them know.
There are many poor people. I'm surprised they allowed me to take their picture. Most of them are pretty camera shy.
This is what the road to the mountains looks like. It is very dangerous to take these roads at night. Sometimes the roads wash out, and........... animals wander around on these at night as well. There are no rules of the road.... only suggestions, so people usually drive in the middle of the road. You can not see arond the curve. You just pray real hard all the way up the mountain.
Here is a bus that got over too far because someone tried to pass them. They ended up getting stuck in the little side ditch on the side of the hill.
This is what a micro looks like from inside. I like to go to the back so I can see all that is going on.
Again, traffic......... going up into the mountains.
The fish market
Women playing with their tarro cards in the market.
This guy looks to be happy at what he does. He is a shoe repairman. No one throws anything away here............... especially shoes. No matter what shape they are in..... they will fix them.
Don't look down!
A women selling her wares next to the bus stop on the third ring.
These are some boys selling oranges in our neighborhood.
One of the many meat markets. 
This is a scene from a local market.
This little girl is a Qiathua Indian
This is a typical street scene. Fortunately it isn't real busy.
The wall around the SAM Guesthouse. We had it raised by 2 more feet!
These are two kids on the micro that just loved the idea of getting their picture taken.
A local church is having a party for some of the kids.
Two little girls with their shaved heads. There are two reasons for shaving their heads. For one thing it is very practical, since there is a problem with lice from time to time. Also, many Bolivians practice a birthday custom of shaving the childs head at a certain age. I never really did figure that one out.
This is Adrena Sprouse and one of the girls from the Jesus de Ninas (girls home).
Unfortunately, there are people that live in the ditches in town.
This women is sellling coca leaves................
This is an ambulance. It is not very big inside...... there is nothing but a gurney, and.... the gurney does not come out. You have to carry the person into the ambuance to put them in the gurney. There are no life saving drugs, oxygen or aparatus inside the ambulance to help the victim should they need medical help. The only thing the ambulance is transport people. And...... if you are an American .... forget it! You are probably too long to fit in the ambulance.
This is peanut soup. Yes,.......... that is right, that is a chickens head in the soup. Aren't you special to actually get the head!!!! Many Bolvian soups are made with chicken and the use the "whole" chicken, head and all. Even the feet are thrown in the pot!
Very few Bolivians have their own transportation. Most Bolivians use the buses or take taxis to get from place to place. A few lucky families do have their own motorcycle. You see here a family riding somewhere together. I've seen as many as six people on a motorcycle at one time. What is rare is seeing someone with a helmet on. Most people don't have helmets.
The rainy season here starts in December and ends in February. The last couple years have been real hard for flooding. I got this picture out of the local newspaper. You can see that some people had it really hard.
This.... believe it or not is a cocheroach! I did not take this picture, a friend did. They had been working outside late at night with lights on so they could see what they were doing. The lights attracted this bug to their work site. Fortunately we keep things pretty clean at the guesthouse so I haven't had to encounter anything like this.
Whoops! I must of put the picture of the ambulance in again....
ANTS!!!!! They are everywhere!!!! This picture is a blow up of some ants that were attracted to the kitchen counter when a speck of cheese was left behind. These ants are really minute in size and they are real pests. They get on your skin and crawl, but they are so small that you can't see them some times. It is something that you really need to get use to. One team came and had candy in their room to give to the kids at the orphanage. The ants got into it before they could put it in a safe place and devoured much of it.
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