Introduction
Thank you for reading Felices Familias. It has been a privilege to have been granted this opportunity by the Canelas family to enter your homes every Sunday morning with this short article.
I sincerely hope that you have been encouraged and your families strengthened. Families are the backbone of every society. They are the training grounds for the next generation of families and the future leaders of businesses and Bolivia. You as parents are the most important element in the future of Bolivia. No matter what ideology is taught by special interest groups in schools, university, government and the media, your children will always have the foundation of what they learn at home. Let’s never allow the “home” as established by God, to fall by the wayside. For this reason I applaud Los Tiempos and the Canelas family for the courage to maintain family values in their weekly magazine.
In August of 2005, Dr. Arnell who initiated the idea of Felices Familias, assumed a position of raising scholarship funds for a major university in California, USA. I was asked to continue this weekly column. With approval from the editors of OH and Dr. Arnell, I have been writing these weekly articles while maintaining his name – a name you trust. I too am a pastor at the Cochabamba International Church and have been receiving your messages through This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I treasure each letter you write. It has become a little confusing when you write me thinking you will talk to Dr. Arnell. To avoid future confusion, I will begin to sign the article using my name, Graham Porter. There will be no changes as I have been writing these articles for close to a year now.
As many of you regular readers know, I am a product of the global community – my father from England, my mother from Sweden, born and raised in Nigeria, W. Africa, attended University in the US, a teacher in Ethiopia, E. Africa, a professional long distance runner competing throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the US, with a Master’s degree in Hospital Administration, 25 years as a Hospital Administrator in the US, author of poetry, drama and many business articles. My wife and I have 5 children. Three of our children are grown, 2 married and our final 2 are with us here in Cbba completing high school. We have called Cbba home for these past 9 years. Lori and I began the CIC 5 years ago and continue to serve as pastors. It is my great privilege and honor to serve you weekly with this short article. If these articles have encouraged you, please write me a short note at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thank you!
- A Fable about Power and Humility (Part 2)
- Details
- Addictions
- Rules make for happy families
- Life!
- New beginnings
- What Enters Our Minds?
- A Wedding Guest List
- Handling Criticism
- Intent or Content
- Influences
- House of Many Lamps
- 10 Principles to teach our children
- Dia del Peaton
- A Gift of Life
- Depression
- Family is community
- The Beautiful
- What would my nickname be?
- Non-verbal communication
- Conversation
- Bars of Ice-cream and Bars of Soap
- Putting others ahead of ourselves
- Purple houses, the Cancha and Different Drummers
- Appearance
- Disappointment
- Gentleness
- What is a healthy way to discipline my children?
- We are Connectors
- Five words that can change your child’s world
- Strong marriages make happy families
- The Touch of a Friend
- Too old to succeed?
- Problems!
- Communication helps assure happy families
- Change
- Valor
- Undivided attention
- Protectors
- Blessing
- What Defines Value?
- Mentoring
- Borrowed Troubles
- Tribute to mothers
- Leadership Qualities
- Prepare children for independence
- Substitute
- His Very Special Day
- Grandparents make the family happy
- Pleasers
- The Twelve Days of Christmas
- La incertidumbre del mañana
- Of Caterpillars and Lizards
- Interruptions
- Do we limit ourselves – our children?
- A safe home is a happy home
- Will someone please help me save my son?
- YOU ARE SPECIAL
- Traditions make families happy
- Prayer
- Integrity
- Uncertainty of tomorrow
- Forgiving Ourselves
- How do our children learn
- Adventure
- Forgiving others
- Example
- Of butterflies and tea parties
- Communication
- Peace, Promises & Provisions
- Giving and receiving
- Flame of Love
- Friendship
- Lectura
- Faithfulness
- Love
- Self esteem
- The Littles
- The other side of pride
- Mistakes
- Introduction
- In giving, we receive
- Reading
- Eating Disorders
- Courage
- The entire story
- Creativity
- Grace
- Contentment
- Provision
- Wisdom from a wildly successful king
- 1st day of school
- Married to a Goddess
- Parenting
- Ambition
- Thankfulness
- Work with a purpose
- Choosing our battles
- Tenderness
- Doubts

Graham and Lori Porter served in Bolivia for 14 years, 10 years building the CIC international community. Now they left back home to the US. The CIC praise God for all the work and love you have given to the church in Christ.
