Tuesday, July 1, 2014

July 2014 Potosi Team

This year we are doing something a little different... Previously we've gone to a different village nearly every day, seen lots of kids, but not had enough time with them (*though we will probably always feel like we don't get enough time with them!)  Well we've brainstormed and decided that rather than taking money and buying toys, we will buy food and invite them to come to a central location and stay for a few days for a Bible camp.  It's exciting to get to share more of the story of God's great love through creation, Old Testament stories, and finally the arrival of a Savior to redeem us. Plus we'll do lots of games, songs, skits, memory verses, etc.
We have a smaller team than the last few times, but that's okay!  We have lots of kinks to work through and I believe we have just the right people to do it!  Without further ado, I present the July Potosi Team!

KALLIE:
Kallie has been living with her husband in Cochabamba, Bolivia for the past year. She worked as a fifth grade teacher at Carachipampa Christian school and will be working this next year with various community development organizations in Cochabamba. Kallie has been pulled toward missions for as long as she can remember, participating in missions trips to Cuba and across Canada while she was in high school. Kallie went on to pursue missions during university where she majored in Global Ministries and undertook a four month internship in Bolivia in her last year. After getting her degree, Kallie spent two years at two different jobs that each compliment the work she does in Bolivia. As a youth leader in a multicultural church located in the core of Montreal, she gained further experience in youth leadership and serving in a cross-cultural context. Her second position was with a face-to-face fundraising organization who perform contract work for NGOs such as Doctors without Borders, UNICEF, and Plan. The company also arranged for her to do a six month internship with Oxfam. Through the posts she held, Kallie was able to hone her administrative and managerial skills while becoming well acquainted with the non-profit world.

ABBY
Hi, I'm Abby and I currently live in Cochabamba. I grew up in midwest USA, but moved to Bolivia after graduating college to work as an elementary teacher at Carachipampa Christian School. I have loved every bit of my year in Bolivia thus far and am excited to expand my experiences to Potosi. I absolutely love working with children and can't wait to share the love of Christ with those we meet on our trip.









LAURA
Laura graduated from the University in December with a degree in Social Pedagogy.  She loves going to Potosi and enjoys helping plan for and hosting teams while in Cochabamba.  She is currently working as a tutor for several students and seeking direction as to where the Lord will have her serve. 







EDUARDO (*pictured on left)

Eduardo is a mechanic 
works in the jungle (Chapare).   He helps with his youth group on the weekends.  This will be his third trip to Potosi. 












KRISTEN
Kristen is in training for full-time, long-term cross cultural ministry.  She is finishing up at a training center in Santa Cruz, and then Lord willing, will stay on and work in Bolivia to help see unreached people reached with the message of the Gospel.  
















DR. JORGE
Jorge is a doctor and is originally from Potosi.  He speaks Spanish and Quechua and is learning a few other languages too.  He travels to these communities often, and is patient and gracious enough to invite us to come along and help!  He, along with a few others, founded Red Vida de Esperanza (Life of Hope Network) that we help through various fundraisers and short-term trips. It is a joy to serve alongside of this man who loves the Lord and loves these people. 








Please PRAY for us as we are traveling, figuring out what we are doing, teaching, and trying to stay healthy.  We love the opportunity to serve in this way--and to represent those of you who cannot go.  (*But know that you are invited to join us next time!).