Bolivia bound
ANSWERING SOME FAQs
Where is Bolivia again?
I’m going to be in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. It’s in the Southern Hemisphere, so this year I get to enjoy two spring times! The weather is pretty tropical, getting into the high 80s with high humidity.
What exactly will you be doing?
My role is teaching intern. Much of my work will be helping develop curriculum and teaching English to students ranging from five years old through high school.
Many of the children I will have the privilege of working with have trauma in their past, so I am working to become TBRI (Trust Based Relational Intervention) certified as well.
I imagine my free time will be filled with playing games, reading with, creating for, and generally loving on the kiddos at the home.
How many kids are at the home?
Right now, they house 40 children and have nurtured more than 400 since their founding in 2004.
Why are you going?
“Whoever gives up [her] life for my sake will find it.” Matt 16:25
“Pure religion and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction.” James 1:27
“I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” Psalm 82:3
“And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10
“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35
God clearly commands us to care for the weak and orphaned. I’m seeking to obey Him and love others with the time and talents He has given me.
Do you need to raise funds?
Yes! I will be working as a volunteer but still need to raise living expenses and travel costs. Check out my gofundme which will cover medical insurance, flights and basic living costs:
Or to help cover rent and local travel expenses, give directly to the organization:
Are you going with an organization?
The home that I will be staying at is part of a larger organization, Haven of Hope International. You can check them out here:
How long are you going for?
I will be working August 2023 to August 2024.
So, is this just a short-term thing?
I doubt it. God cares for vulnerable, often forgotten, populations. While I don’t know what the future holds & am taking life one step at a time, I would be surprised if missions work was only one year of my life. Instead, I see this year paving the way for a life of service.
LOOKING AHEAD
I am excited to see how God changes me and uses me through this experience. I have a mixture of emotions going into this upcoming year: leaving what I know and love is hard, but I know far greater things lie ahead than any I leave behind.
