I have made it into Bolivia with many ups and downs to get here. On our way here we travelled through the mountians and we went up, up, up into the sky. No; we did not fly to Bolivia, we took a 50 hour bus ride. Thats right 50 hours on a few buses with 30-something people from my squad. You would think we all would have gone nuts but actually several of my squadmates got altitude sickness. Who doesn’t love the sound of barfing when you yourself get car sick, luck for me someone gave me some amazing motion sickness meds that last 24 hours rather than my usual Dramamine that only lasts 4-6 hours.
We got to Bolivia safe and sound, with a few still sick and it was honestly just nice to not be on a bus anymore. We were all so eager to hit the ground running with our new teams and our hearts on fire for the lord, we could not wait to live like 24/7 missionaries that we were dying to put into action. We had to wait another day or 2 before all that could happen. Until then we got to go to the U.S. Embassy (that was pretty cool) to have a little informational meeting about Bolivia and the government and safety precautions. We also got to spend time bonding with our new teams.
*I don’t know if I have said this yet but we have new teams. My new team is Karly, Emily, Jenna, Ray, Lindsey, and Michelle (who will be joining us next month). These girls are my new family and together we are Team Motley.
Our ministry this month is with Kaya Children International in La Paz, Bolivia. Every Wednesday through Friday we go to the Kaya Center and help kids with homework, feed them, and do a devotional with them. Sometimes on Wednesdays and Fridays I got with the littles (age 4-6) to the Russo school which is a place where they can get extra help with homework and learning but in a fun school environment; their teacher Mrs. Ruby is amazing. We only get to spend 3 days a week with the amazing children of the Kaya program and we already only have a few days left. Our real heart break this month will be leaving our boys.
We are at the Kaya center 3 days a week and have Monday and Tuesday off for rest and adventure days. The rest of our time is spent living life and living with 20 amazing boys. We sleep, eat, watch movies, and play at a boys home and it is the best ministry we could ever have received. Emily, Jenna and Lindsey hang out with the older boys and Karly, Rae and I spend our time with the younger boys. I never knew I could love and have so many laughs and amazing moments with these boys as I have. I get to live every day of my life with them while I’m here and it is beyond amazing.
Because we live with them I get to see them when they are happy, sad, frustrated, encouraged, and I get to witness every emotion first hand. I also get to see the conditions they live in. These boys are pulled from their home because their at home situation is not safe for them, most of the cause of children being pulled from homes here in Bolivia are because of Alcoholism. For these boys, this is their home and these other boys are their brothers. Their house parents are the greatest and most loving people that take care of them and love on them so well in a christ-like way. The team and I are trying to get the boys some new shoes because their poor toes are sticking out and no child should have to wear shoes to school that could fall off or apart at any moment. If you can donate anything please donate to the link below.
