After six days of traveling via bus, we
have finally made it to Cochabamba, Bolivia! Let me just start out by saying
that prior to getting here I really knew nothing about Bolivia, aside from the
fact that it’s president is Eva Morales, it is the poorest country in South
America, and its people dress in colorful clothes. That seriously sums up my
knowledge of Bolivia. I had just never really given it a second thought.
have discovered what a beautiful and incredible place Bolivia really is. The
drive in the bus took us along the shores of Lake Titicaca, up into the Andes
Mountains, and along expansive desert plains, all of which were completely
breathtaking even from our spot on the bus. No more are the gray skies and sand
covered expanses of Peru, we are now in a country where pictures do not do its
beauty justice.
amidst the Andes at around 12,000 ft. Temperatures range from 60-80 degrees
(perfect, if you ask me) and we have seen nothing but perfect blue skies and
sunshine so far. The mild climate and beautiful weather, and add to it the
rustic European architecture of many of the homes and town squares, and the
overall friendliness of everyone you meet, and Cochabamba is pretty hard to
beat.
extends to our ministry and contacts as well. We are living this month in the
guest house for the International Orphanage Union ministry contacts. There are
roughly 5 American families that all live here and work with the orphanage, and
I have been able to get to know quite a few of them already. It is incredible
to see their hearts for children and Bolivia. Our main contact is Mike, a jolly
American from Michigan here with his 6
daughters and wife. We are also living with three other Americans in the guest
house who are working on different aspects of the ministry as well. This guest house makes us feel like we are
pretty much at home back in the states; we have hot showers, beds, a fireplace,
a full kitchen, a backyard, a grill. It’s pretty swanky. Here are a few pictures of our guest house:
I am going to write another blog on the
ministry itself, but in short it exists to operate orphanages, reach the
community, and incorporate business ventures to fund the construction of the
orphanages in and around Cochabamba. We have spent some time already working at
Café Ole, a restaurant started four months ago that funds the orphanages. Our
time will be spent between working there, doing construction at the orphanage
sites, and doing orphanage visits.
but I have already seen first had that it is a country that needs healing. There
are beggars, mostly kids and elderly lining the streets; Catholicism is deeply
rooted and tough to break through;
orphans are abandoned and left to die by their parents: the need for
Jesus is great. I am excited to see how God is going to work here this month.
I’m excited to love on some kids. I’m stoked to explore the mountains
surrounding us. I am eagerly anticipating waking up every morning and seeing
the beauty around me. I yearn to learn
more about this country and its people.
Keep me and my team in your prayers as we
continue on in month three here in Bolivia!
