This past month in Bolivia was both a great month externally (in what we did to serve) and internally (in what God did to stir things up in me). Therefore I am going to post two blogs. The first discussing the external, the second discussing the internal. So, here we go: external.
We eagerly step off the bus; the landscape is drastically different from the chilly city of La Paz at it's high elevation. We are now surrounded by lush green and towering mountains. Slinging on our packs, we begin the steep walk down the hill to "El Puente Campamento Evangelio," which means "The Bridge, Evangelical Camp." As I descend the hill, I soon realize that the camp's name is more than just a metaphor. Before us lies a swinging bridge strung over a swift flowing river that looks like it could be straight out of an Indiana Jones movie.
Needless to say, I walked very cautiously across the bridge, carrying my 50 some pounds in my pack (yeah, I still pack like a 15 year old girl going to Disney World). We soon had set up our tents set up on the open air basketball court. For those of you from Waynesville who are reading this, it was very similar to Camp New Life, just set in the jungle. It had a pool, soccer field, and bunk houses.
The next morning we met one of the best parts of the whole month: Hermano (or "brother") Lucho. Our whole squad fell in love with this man. He stood all of 5'7"…maybe. But, what he may have lacked in height, was made up for in his godliness, kindness, and humor. He is the director of "El Puente," and took care of us while we were there.
We did a lot of physical labor. Hermano Lucho wanted to turn the dirt paths into cobblestone paths. This was a two step process. 1. Get the rocks out of the river. 2. Lay the rocks to make cobblestone paths. We spent about a week getting rocks out of the river, using our well-oiled assembly line. Although this felt like a tedious process at times, we also had a lot of fun together, too. We would play memory or get-to-know-you games.
Once we had gotten all the rocks we needed, we set out to laying the rocks to make cobblestone paths. It was like a giant jigsaw puzzle. For Herman Lucho and his assistant, Theo, it was like second nature. For us, not so much. At the end of our stay, we had finished a good portion of the paths. But to top it off, we also helped create a "plaza" in the middle of the camp by laying rocks in a large circle and then laying concrete on top. It was the center where all the paths stemmed. Herman Lucho had us make hand prints in the concrete before it dried. The finished product was amazing.
Our last Sunday there, Hermano Lucho told us how we were literally an answer to his prayers. He had told the Lord that he wanted to make the camp more beautiful, but didn't have the work force he needed. Soon after, he was contacted by Adventures in Missions and was asked if he needed any help there at the camp. He was so grateful that God had answered his prayers in sending us. In closing he said that we may never visit the camp or see him again, but we will meet in again in heaven (of course I was doing my best not to cry). He then came to each one of us and gave us a hug and thanked us sincerely.
