Blog

I have found myself at a loss for words when asked about how our Bolivia trip went, because there’s simply too much to say. The 8 days that we spent in Sucre and Santa Cruz were packed full of meaningful moments that I will never be able to describe fully. The only way I can give you a taste of the sweetness is to tell you about the people I met who impacted my heart in the biggest ways. One day you’ll meet these people in person, if not here then in heaven when we’ve finished our races together.

Our translators:

Cintia, Camilla (Cami), and Mauricio (Meow Meow). These three people became our dearest friends. They worked tirelessly to keep us fed and hydrated, to help us communicate with everyone around us, to make us feel at home, welcome and loved, to get to know us, to hear our stories and share their own, to pray with us and help us understand the culture we were in. They were with us through everything and served us so much more than we deserved (even on days when Cami felt sick and Mauri was bummed about the outcome of the Bolivia play-in game to the World Cup).

The FH Staff:

The FH Sucre office included over 30 people. Worshipping together (in both English and Spanish) during morning devotions was something that we all agreed gave us a little glimpse of heaven. These people were so warm and welcoming, worked so hard to communicate with us (even with our limited language), and put so much effort into helping us integrate into various churches, homes, savings groups, schools, and children’s clubs.

My biggest take away (at this moment) from the trip came from experiencing the Christ-centered love that the FH staff shows their community an a daily basis. These staff members are intelligent and capable and could move to more prosperous areas to find better jobs, make more money, or live in more security. Instead, they stay where they are planted because they love the people of Sucre. The beautiful thing about this is that these people are uniquely qualified to bring change in the Sucre community because they are part of it. I pray that the Lord will continue to bring opportunities for each of us to be part of His work in our own community.

The parents of Villa Margarita:

Most of the adults we interacted with during our home visits were women, due to the fact that many of their husbands were traveling hours away from the city to find work. Nothing about the lives of these women is easy. The women we met were strong, dedicated to their work, intentional in their relationships with each other, determined to give their children the best lives possible. They exemplified perseverance and fortitude and I pray that the Lord brings them rest and continues to bless the work of their hands.

The children of Villa Margarita:

By God’s grace, many of the children we met in Bolivia had hope for the future. You could see it in their eyes, you could feel it in their hugs, you could hear it in their excitement as they talked with us about their lives. Some of the older kids and teens were clearly feeling the weight of adulthood approaching and that was hard to see. These peers are the ones who weigh heaviest on my heart. They are being met with countless attacks from the enemy and from a broken world. I pray that our partnership (as individuals and as a church) with these young people and their families will be a tangible taste of hope for them. I pray that they will experientially know the love that Jesus has for them and that His love will continue to transform them and their communities. 

If you would like to be a part of the next trip to Bolivia, to experience first-hand what the Lord is doing in the Sucre community, reach out to anyone on the Missions team.