A year in Bolivia (clarksinbolivia): Remote territory

Since we have been back from New Zealand we have had the opportunity to do some virgin territory in several places within our territory. Because not many people here have transport, when the territory is beyond public transport range it rarely if ever gets done. Sometimes congregations organize big days with several vehicles, but the harder to get to places just never get done. In addition there are huge tracts of territory all over Bolivia that are unassigned, so obviously do not get done either, especially since most congregations have territory of their own that doesn't get done.
   Some of this territory is surprisingly close to the cities but is over a range of mountains, or up a valley with bad roads or has some other reason that public transport doesn't go there. This is the reason we purchased a motorbike, an off road bike in fact, which gives us access to this territory.
   About two weeks back a group of us did some territory about 1 hours drive from our township. It was pretty rugged, the roads sometimes more like riverbeds, and quite narrow in places on steep slopes with river crossings here and there. At the furthest extent of this territory we saw a house which was rather inaccessible. Two of us took about 40 minutes to find a way across the river and up the hillside to get to the house. When we arrived we met a young guy of about 20 in the field beside the house working. I showed him the "Why study the Bible video" and a few scriptures like Rev 12:7-9,12. After the presentation I said to him that perhaps in the future he would like to study. He said he didn't want to wait he wanted to start one immediately. Well I guess we came here to study with people, but I didn't plan on a 1 hour cross country ride to get to them!
   The first week my son in law and I went back but he wasn't there. Today Lois and I returned and had an awesome study. Lois also showed his siblings some videos and scriptures, and they are keen to study as well. However Lois was less than impressed with having to climb rocky slopes and trust my cross country riding skills. You know how it is brothers, perhaps I made it sound less daunting than it actually was! Anyway she has reluctantly agreed to come with me again next time.
   Last week we went to the end of a valley only half an hour from us that has never been done either. We had to drive down a rough road to a large dry riverbed, by which time the hillsides either side were quite impressively close and high. From here we walked a mountain trail. We found about 7 houses but the trail continued. We walked it to see if any more houses appeared but finally came to a blind end in the valley with a really nice waterfall. We even had condors flying around us. Surprisingly we met a group of about 40 people who had trekked to see the falls. They were a church group and we left them with quite a few magazines. It was a very hot day and the falls had a nice pool below them so Ben and I decided to jump in, in our underwear. Bolivia is an unusual place. You often see men, children and even women urinating publicly without bothering too much to conceal themselves, women breastfeed publicly and leave their breast out while they serve you at the market, but to remove your trousers and reveal your underwear! Shock horror!
   Anyway we have thoroughly enjoyed working this untouched territory and the thirst of the people for true knowledge. It may be hard to get back for studies but the rewards make the sacrifices insignificant.
   Tomorrow we leave for Beni - the jungle for a short break away to catch some piranha and swim with the pink dolphins. 8 gringos are going 6 NZers and 2 Brits. It is also a scouting trip to see what the need is there. Next post I will fill you in on our trip and hope to have a few photos to add.