thoughts on piercings/tattoos

So I have four tattoos, and my ears are pierced. I want to pierce my nose too, but a lot of people are giving me negative feedback on the idea. So I want to know yall's opinions. Also I, obviously, don't think its a sin to have them. Again thoughts? Should I get my nostril pierced or no?

My Dream House

                        I want a tree house( I know crazy ) 2 stories. 2 bedrooms and a kitchen living room on the bottom story, a bedroom and library on the 2nd floor with a wrap around balcony with stairs leading up to the balcony inside the house and outside. Outside I want a pond dug with a grassy bridge crossing it, with tilapia or catfish. I can live without electricity for a while, have a shower with 2 heads one for a hot water heater and one with a 50 gallon barrel to heat water and put it in. I want an out house. And a 2 bathrooms in the house one upstairs and one down. With gas a stove, and 2 wood burning stoves. With solar panels when I do get electricity. To be self sufficient. Also I want a good sized garden, some chickens, rabbits, meat cows and milk cows. Room for a wildlife refuge and/or zoo, some quail, maybe a peacock, ect...

         

             For house pets I want 2 ball pythons, 2 corn snakes, a few lizards, hamsters, mice, 2 canaries, fish (fresh and salt water) a hedge hog, hermit crabs, a dog, a cat, a caiman/alligator, maybe a rabbit, a scorpion, a tarantula, some turtles, maybe a frog, salamanders, that may be it…lol

     I want my tree house to be in the middle of the zoo/wildlife refuge. I want my kids ( far off in the future,) to grow up there working/living/playing/learning. I want them to grow up with a passion for conservation and for God! And I think the best way to do that is to raise them learning about those things and seeing my enthusiasm for them. If yall have any pointers on this they are welcome. :) 

      And of course I want a partner in crime to join me in this adventure. My life has always been an adventure, and I pray the adventure never stops. I may change the name of this blog to Cole's adventures or something like that, any suggestions? Also, if there is anything that my readers recommend I start or change, a nice encouraging message would be nice! I am open to suggestions. :) 

November plans update

                So I have been thinking a lot about what I want to do with my life. As I mentioned in October, I have 3 plans. I have changed that...hehe. I now am looking more in to Wildlife Conservation projects and such. I am planning on getting my basics done at SPC ( South Plains College ) and then going to LCU ( Lubbock Christian University ) and majoring in Natural Resources Ecology and Conservation, along with a Minor in Animal Sciences. I want to apply to work at Walters World of Pets to get hands on experience working with exotic animals. Also maybe an internship at the Clovis Zoo. My goal with this is to either, own/run a zoo, or own/run a wildlife refuge in my area of Texas. 

            I will be moving back to Amherst in December. After living here in Cochabamba, Bolivia for almost three years, with ups and downs, I decided it is time to move back. I miss my family and friends there. Now I know I will miss my friends here, but I think it is time. God has shown me in many ways, one of those being I fasted and prayed for two days and I just felt led and decided that it was time. Thank yall for all the prayers and support. It has meant the world to me and others who we have blessed. 

        I of course will continue to work and be involved in ministry, I want to influence as many people as I can to 1. love this earth and treat it right. and 2. Teach people to love a God and to follow him. I have a passion for wildlife and just animals in general, and for God and spreading his word. 

      I am very excited about this decision, it means a lot to me. As always I appreciate the prayers. I hope yall are as excited as I am, and I hope I can excite all about animals and Gods word!

Love yall, 
Cole Rodgers

october post

28 de octubre de 2018

Cole Rodgers

Mission Cocha

Lanza Chuquisaca 

Edificio Vedra Depa 1 A

Dear supporters,

How are y'all today? Hope everyone is well! I am still having ups and downs, but am doing better. I have finally gotten my Visa, on Monday I should get my ID. I talked to Butch about the depression and such, and he recommended to me that I go back to the states to deal with that. I have also talked to a few other wise people who recommended me the same thing. My main worry about that was at first my permeant Visa, but they all told me to not worry about that, then i was worried about moving back to the states and thinking what if i don't move back to Bolivia. But in talking to Richard that fear was calmed. He said, “ well if you dont move back here, you'll go to Ecuador, or Nicaragua, or Mexico, or to a small town in New Mexico, But where ever you go, you'll be serving God and thats what matters.”That made me feel a lot better. 

Now as far as plans go I have 3:

1. Go to Sunset and get a degree in bible, form a team and HOPEFULLY return here,
2. Go to LCU or ACU and get a minor in Bible and a major in Spanish education, and HOPEFULLY return here, or stay in The States and be a teacher and travel summers to mission trips, maybe be a youth minister. 
3. Go to SPC and then to LCU get the same major and minor before mentioned, and go to the Navy Reserve, and still serve the Lord in any way I can. 

Now the hardest part about this is, I have no idea which path to take, although as my mom always says “ the heart of man makes the plan but the lord directs his steps.” ( this is found in proverbs 16:9) I know which ever path I decide to take I will serve God. The most appealing path ( today…) is path 2 or 3.  But which ever path I take I will start school in August. So please add this to prayer lists. 

Now I have decided to move back in December or January, but today looking at tickets its cheaper in December. The other thing is, I committed to go to Ecuador in February, In talking to my mom we both think that I should go, the only problem that this brings is…If i move back the end of December, I would personally want to get a job, BUT It wouldn't be fair to get a job in January and ask off in February, therefore  I would get my job in march when I get back from Ecuador. The good thing is I have a Voucher that is worth $1000 with american airlines, so I have my ticket!!! I will live with my parents so I wont have rent ( Boy i hope not…ill ask..) which makes things easier. 

Thinking about everything I kinda want to stay in the states for a good while, I miss my family, and friends from there. I think this is why plans 2 and 3 look so good to me cause as a teacher I get summers and I could travel a bit, although its kinda pricy…! Also I really miss Mexican food, and living the country. The other day I had a dream that in my apartment I had a milk cow and chickens, and my landlord didn't know!! oh boy! So that will be nice moving back, having chickens and such. 

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns just email me at colerodgers333@yahoo.com or whatsapp me at +59160749468 or just Facebook message me Col Rodgers. Also you can ask my mom or grandparents. 

God bless,

Cole Rodgers

Late september post

19 of September 2018



Good morning!
Hope everyone is doing well! todays newsletter is gonna be a little different than the last few. I’m going to be talking about the struggles of the last few months. I’ll start out with saying these last few months have been HARD. Butch and Trish went on Furlough. They got back on friday the 14th. While they were gone life continued as normal. In August my visa expired and I went to renew it. All I had to do was go with all the requirements, easy right? no! I have and have had all the requirements that they told me the first time. A letter from the church in Santa Cruz saying I am working with them, A medical checkup, copies of my last three bank statements, and proof of address. So I went a week before my visa expired to renew it, with all of the above, my passport, and my Bolivian ID. ANNNND got denied. They told me I needed a  contract from the church to say I worked there. OK I went home and emailed the church. A week later I had that. So I went again. And this time I was certain I would get it. My visa had expired so I was illegal, and going to have to pay a fee. I made it to the desk fairly quickly, the gentleman seemed nice enough. He looked through all my papers and everything seemed to be in order! he said “Excuse me im going to go upstairs real quickly because I need to ask about this.” holding up my expired visa.
  “Ok.” I said. and immediately started praying. He came back down about five minutes later.
“ You’re missing a few things.” he said. “you need the tax free paperwork, and a letter from the church here in Cochabam”
I cut in, “ The church here doesn't have legal status, Thats why its with Santa Cruz.”
“Do you live in Santa Cruz?” he asked
“No I live here.” I responded “ Do I need to go to Santa Cruz to do this paperwork?”
“No. It has to be done in the city where you are living. But if you can get all the missing stuff by 2:30 pm today I’ll send it all in.” he said kindly.
“ Thank you. I’ll see what I can do.” I said leaving.

I went home and called Butch. He said that there wasn't anything he could, do seeing as he was in The States. So now it was just to wait and see. I decided to go agin with all my stuff and the tax free form and see if they could or would give it to me. I got the same guy as the last time. He said that I needed the paper from the church here.  So now all I could do was wait for Butch. He also informed me that I only had five attempts, and that I had better be sure the next time.

So I went home and prayed. “Lord if this is what I am supposed to do, please help me. Make this happen.” All this time I had been struggling with my ministries, with depression, and just kinda feeling lost and like maybe I needed to just go back to The States.

So the work in Villa Pagador, has been super difficult. The youth out there say they want to do things, but oney have the weekends free. So saturdays and sundays we planned events to which they RSVPed and we bought food and such. Then when the day came we were there and NO ONE showed up. EVERYTIME! OK so maybe they didn’t like the activity. so we asked what kind of things they liked to do. Food, sports, and leave villa, ok we’ll do stuff in Cochabamba! didn't work either. We are still planning events and such and people still aren't coming, so thats been very discouraging.

Depression, It kinda has to do with everything thats been going on. There have been days where it seems like all I can do is get out of bed. And that is a challenge in its own. I struggle with Insomnia and have trouble sleeping. But in these months its either I get two hours of sleep or twelve. I talked to Butch and my Mom and a few other people about this. They all recommended I try a natural treatment first which helps but doesn't fix. I am still struggling with this, and just wondering if I should go ti a Doctor and get on meds or…? But there are days where I just want to cry all day, and days where I just am angry all day, or I just feel down. Even the days where I feel good and happy I am sad and just down. I am dealing with this the only way I know how, Praying and staying in Gods word.
Feeling lost, I have been felling lost and like maybe Gods plan for me here was to suffer and I know there will be a lesson at the end of it. But not only that, just thing that happen that make me want to pack up and leave that very instant. But I am determined to make it until may and then go back. I want to be a man of my word and keep my commitments. But even with my determination its hard. I have until april on my lease and my internet contract so I have to make that work.

Back to the visa, now that Butch is back, on Monday nights we have family night. So we were just there talking as usual. and Jess (from South Africa) is needing to work on her visa to the states. “Butch, what must I do to get my Visa being here in Bolivia?” she asked in her accented english.
“All you have to do is, go to La Paz and do the interview at the US embasy.” Said Butch in his American English.
“oh thank you.” Jess said pleased.
“Speaking of Visas,” I said “could we plan a time to write the letter for my visa?” I asked hopingly
“Oh, I cant write you that letter.” Butch said disgruntled “We dont have legal status as a church.”
“So, what do I need to do?” I asked a little annoyed
“Get in contact with the Guys’ lawyer.” He said shortly
“ok” I said ending the conversation.

Now I might add that the two new AIMers have a visa lawyer, they are paying him $1000 each!!! I dont think I will be doing that. So I talked to Pablo, one of the leaders if the church, to see if he could write me a letter. He said of course! So we will see how this goes. I have now been illegal over a month. Each day I am here without a visa is a fee of 25 Bs which doesn't seem like much, but I now owe over 1000 Bs…so it adds up. I been praying and thinking about this and if I get denied this time, I have no choice but to go back to the States. Now I could try to apply from there, but I think if I go back to the states now it would be better to just stay? So please add that to yall’s prayer lists. If it is time for me to move home God may be making it overly clear.

When I move back I plan to get a job, study Spanish and education, ignorer to be a teacher. I want to join the Navy or Air Force Reserves, and of course continue serving God in any and every way I can. I would like to come back here and visit, but i don’t know if I would move back here for a while. Although if God were to call me I would, of course, answer that call.

But even through all the struggles I know God is with me. I know he has a plan for me here. And I know he loves me and that I have a huge support group back in The States. I love each and every one of you. I covet your prayers. I pray for y'all everyday and hope to see y'all soon!

God bless,
Cole

July in Bolivia

Cole Rodgers 

Lanza, Chuquisaca Edificio Vedra nro 670 Depa 1A

Cochabamba, Cochabamba, Bolivia

+59160749468

colerodgers333@yahoo.com

30 de julio de 2018

Lanza, Chuquisaca Edificio Vedra nro 670 Depa 1A

Cochabamba, Cochabamba, Bolivia

Dear Family and Friends,

Hey ya’ll, This month has been a month of ups and downs, with more downs than ups. I have missed The States more than ever, missed my family and friends, missed my old routine, I've even missed the hard ranch work that I used to hate so much. I’ve been homesick and just sick in general. I feel better now, but it sits in the back of my mind always, the thought of moving back. I’ve talked to some of ya’ll and I’m sure they have talk to the rest of ya’ll. But just in case they haven’t, I took two days to fast and pray, I was just having a horrible time and decided I needed to do something about it. So I took a Monday and Tuesday and fasted and prayed. The decision I came to is, to finish the year that we all committed to, and try and get my permanent visa so I can return easily. wether that be for a visit or to live. 

But I’ve also had good days here. We, Lesli, Juan Pablo, and I, planned many youth events for the youth of Villa Pagador, now this is also been a rollercoaster, we have been working out there almost three months and have panned events every weekend, events that they said they would enjoy…, and they have come to one event. This last Saturday we planned a evening of fun and worship in my house and then we were going to get together with the youth from Cochabamba Centro, well we had one person from Villa come. But thats better than no one. 

I also have started taking night classes with Lesie, we are studying Cosmetology. I’ve gone one week and have already learned to perm hair. In the end it is a year of courses and I will graduate with a degree. I will be a listened Cosmetologist. It cost 50 bs a semester which is $20 a semester, and the classes are from 7pm till almost 10pm Monday to Friday. I have really enjoyed the classes, I have made quite a few friends and its definitely been worth it so far. I will get a “summer” break, summer here is in December, and will have to apply again for the fall term. We get a school “breakfast” at like 9 pm usually its milk with cookies and fruit. I’ve really enjoyed it. 

Prayer requests, My friend Fernanda, She is in the AME program in Brazil, her cousin committed suicide. Hollie is moving back to The States this Friday. The new guys and their ministries. Butch and Trish are on furlough right now. Me as I apply for my new Visa. The youth in all three churches in the state of Cochabamba. The churches of the world, along with the Governments of the world. 

Love y'all and appreciate your help in this journey. I covet your prayers as i struggle through. I remember the verse in Romans 5:3-5 NLT

“3We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

God is good and always gives me reminders when I need them. The day that I was fasting I was listening to some singing and sermons and such, and the song Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus came on, it was an amazing reminder that when I try to do things myself they don’t work out, but when I trust in God and let him work through  me, thats when things work out. Ok last verse and I’ll go Romans 8:28  

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

God bless,

Cole Rodgers

Hey Everyone! 

Sorry it has taken so long to get a letter out. Its been a busy and very eventful month. So when I got back here I immediately started looking at apartments and such. It took me about two weeks (I think) to find one. On the 23rd of April I signed on the apartment and moved in. I had very little. I had my bed and mattress, a coffee maker, a couch, and a book shelf. So we got all that moved (with the help of the jovenes(youth).) Then the women of the church helped me to get all of my kitchen stuff! They have been a great blessing! Now my apartment looks like someone lives here :) 

Other than that I got back into my prison ministry, Cometa. Now this is kind of a sad story. The director of volunteers in Cometa, I wont say her name, asked all of the foreign volunteers to pay a monthly fee of $50 to work out there, on top of paying for supplies and meds for the guys. I didn't think that was right, so I started digging. What I found out shocked me…Now she is the director of a non-profit Servre Abroad, and non-profits can ask for a voluntary donation but cannot obligate anyone to pay. So I asked her about this and she told me “Well in Bolivia thats how it is. I can make you pay.” So I dug some more. In the church here we have a few lawyers and government workers, I asked them and they told me “ No! Thats not right, as a matter of fact you could sue her and win for making you pay.” So I went to her again and tried to talk to her and ask questions. She told me “If you dont pay you dont go!!!” Told her I would look into it. Before the next time came around she sent me an email of 3 pages with very big words all in english that I didn't understand, what i did understand was the law she added that was in spanish, stating that bolivian volunteers shouldn't pay. But upon further digging I found that NO volunteer should pay, so I asked my lawyer friend again and she told me we should dig and investigate her for embezzlement, sue her for racism, and incorrect use of power. I told her i didn't want to do that. THE NEXT DAY she, the director of volunteers, wrote me and told me i would not be going to Cometa anymore. and not to worry about paying anything. That she had already let everyone know i would not be going. Which had seen coming so I told the guys the week before what was probably happening. Thank goodness! Just minutes after that I got a call from the mission team in one of the suburbs, they asked me to evangelize with them on fridays, I asked what time and they told me from 2-6 THE SAME TIME I WENT TO COMETA, Now tell me God doesn't open and close doors!!!!

We also finished putting up the wall and doors for the Christian Connexion. We have already opened the ministry there. We have devotionals tuesday-friday mornings from 8-8:20 more or less. Then one of the youth people and I go and train Kick Boxing from 9:30-10:30. Then at 11 I “teach” english to two of the youth. Usually unitl about 12. Then Cami, Les, sometimes Juanpi, and I eat lunch. Then Les goes to class, Cami stays and helps me, and Juanpi goes to his parents print shop. Mondays at 7 is family night, Tuesdays I dont have anything in the evening, but I usually do something with one of the Jovenes, Wednesday we have a youth night at different peoples house or we play sports, Thursday is portugeese class and I have Les and Bryan come over and we cook and just hang out, sometimes les brings friends, Bryan is wanting to move in with me which I told him sure so now he is talking to his grandma. He lives outside of town and has a 1hr 30min transport back and forth and he has class in the university at 6.45 am and at 7.45 pm so he has to get up early. Friday I “teach” english to one of the young guys at my house and we eat.  Then saturday is my “day off” but i get bored… I dont have wifi yet…hahhaaha…so I usually end up calling someone and hanging out all day. Then Sunday morning we have worship service here in Centro, then Lunch usually with Les and Bryan, then we play soccer or something like that depending on how we feel sometimees x box with the Jovenes then its usually dark and we all go home. 

Now you may be wondering who Les and Bryan are, Les is one of the more active youth, she plans to go to aim this year if she gets accepted. And Bryan is one of her friends, we met at the aim house one night while Les was living there, and became great friends. Now the three of us are inseparable. we are great friends. Ill have more on them next week :) 

Chau hasta la próxima ,

Col ( Cole) Rodgers