Sometimes the hardest days are the best ones. (Chad's experience).

To sum it up, it was one of the hardest times of my life, but also maybe the best time of my life.

(Chad on left shared this reflection from the most recent Bolivia trip

). 

It was one of the hardest times of my life physically (at least when we were travelling to the villages). Our food was bland, but there was at least a decent supply of it, and I ate as much as I could, since I knew that the time might come when it would it would be coming back up and I wouldn’t be able to eat anything (and that time came). We often had to get up early. Sleep was priceless because, even though we had plenty of time where sleep was an option (like the many hours on the bus), it was just difficult to get to sleep. Most people were really tired when they got back from the trip and could get plenty of sleep in their own nice, warm beds. Most people seemed to have been in poor health at some point in the trip due to sickness, injury, dehydration, etc. Also, white people who have spent the last couple of winter months inside don’t do too well when they are suddenly put under the blazing Bolivian sun for hours at a time (next time I will bring a hat and some sun screen). We quickly ran out of clean clothes, and there were no showers or washing machines. Maybe I should have asked Rosa if she would wash some of my clothes for me (just kidding). The altitude was pretty rough too. I would get tired and light headed after a tiny amount of exercise, and a lot of times my head would start throbbing when I moved it (like it does when I have the flu).  I’m not complaining; that’s just my honest opinion of how it was. But as bad as that all was, for me the good far outweighed the bad.

None of the insignificant things mattered much in the villages, like how a person's clothes look or how the person smells, or things like that. And we found ourselves caring less and less about these things, largely because we couldn't do anything about it, since we didn't have anywhere to shower or enough clean clothes. Instead we were caring less about ourselves and more about others. 

We pulled together and shared our resources, since we each individually didn’t have everything we needed, but together we had much more. Actually, it was a lot like the early church in Jerusalem, as described in Acts 4:32, "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common." The team got along very well, and everyone was willing to help. I got sick for a day or two, and everyone took great care of me when I was sick, and I think the same was t

rue for everyone else who got sick or injured. It was a group of Christians acting like we should. I'm not trying to romanticize it, but it was definitely a wonderful and unique experience for me.

As I listened to the testimonies, I realized that most of the people on the trip had gone through a period of significant spiritual growth sometime in the last few years, where they had turned their lives more completely over to God. It was exciting to see that it was a group of people who were not stagnant in their faith, but were passionate about the Word of God and about serving God.

Under those conditions, being stuck with the same people pretty much all of the time for ten days, we developed relationships very quickly. It strengthened my existing friendships, and I made some new friends as well. All of our different personalities seemed to work well together, and our differences made us stronger rather than weaker. We had a great time just enjoying each other’s company.

The time in the villages was a lot of fun, for us and for the kids we were ministering to. The kids loved the attention, the gifts, and the entertainment, and we loved spending time with them. The villagers were helpful and friendly. I sensed no hostility toward us or our message (but I also don’t speak their languages, so I could be wrong).

I must admit that I was a little skeptical about how effective this method of evangelism would be, but now I see the merit of it. The majority of our time was spent in playing with/entertaining the kids rather than explaining the gospel. But since the kids wanted to come and do those things with us, they did half of the work for us by spreading the word and getting people to come from hours around to gather in one spot. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to reach that many people in such a short amount of time. 

It was convicting to see how little the people were content with, and how they were willing to walk for hours over the mountains to go to school or church, and how the teachers and pastors would choose to live that way so that they can teach.

Altogether, it was a great trip. It strengthened my existing friendships, and I made some new friends as well. I had a lot of fun. I got to see what life is like in another culture. I got to see Christians acting like Christians, and I got a little bit stronger, physically and spiritually. I would love to go back, and I recommend it to anyone who is considering it. 

God with us. God in us.

Exerpt from Katie (in the green vest):

There are so many things from the week that struck my jaded heart. 

The faces of Nallely and Alexandra who laughed and smiled as they said 'what's your name' and 'how old are you' and then would respond to the question ten thousand times in hopes that they would earn English.

Experiencing the joy of worshipping the Lord together with our Bolivian brothers and sisters, singing with abandon--for hours; never wondering what time it was or when we could leave-- as I often do at my own church. We wanted to be there, soaking up every minute of it.

The church leaders who gave a week of their time to travel to their neighboring villages to meet people there that they could encourage and follow up with at a later time.

The gentle serving of my brothers and sisters as they loved on children they had never met and each other. There was such respect and kindness in their interactions that I rarely see in others or even in myself.  

And through the whole week resting in the fact that God is with us. Always with us. May I always see Him and seek Him as the treasure of highest price.

When the things of the world are stripped away (technology, materialism, self-centeredness) and replaced with the things of Christ (presentness, contentment and serving) we get a glimpse of heaven. Of life how I'm sure He meant it to be. 

I wondered how I would go back to work. A place that is mostly absent of the things of Christ--because the people in it are of the world. But as I walked into my workplace Monday morning God said, "YOU. You are a glimpse of heaven to a world that needs to see it".  

An alumni writes!

This is from Julie (who's in the middle in the pink jacket) who went to Potosi with us in 2012.

My favorite part about Bolivia was while we were in Potosi. We had just hiked to a village and then spent some time with the people, played games with Carlos and his son, and helped out Dr. Jorge with various things. They said we would have a church service that night too, but when it had gotten late and we still hadn't had any kind of church, I assumed we were skipping it. But it turns out, people just had to travel very very far to come for church and they were on their way! I don't remember what time it started, but it was late, and I was tired and freezing (Aka, not having the best attitude)! But then we started and God blew my mind. He taught me that night how beautiful it is to meet with people who have a common goal of worshipping the Savior and how often I take that for granted. I couldn't understand basically any of what was going on, but that was maybe the best part. God knows every language and is pleased when His people praise Him. Despite the cold and the uncomfortable seats, that was seriously one of the best "church services" I've ever been to. Seeing these people travel for hours, in the freezing cold, through mountains, to meet with fellow believers was so cool and helped me realize that God is worth it, no matter who you are, where you live, or what language you speak. God opens and softens hearts and uses any situation to glorify His name!

Romans 10: 8b-15.

Team 2013-2014

My name is Nicholas M. I was born in Amherst, Ohio on November 9, 1991. The most treasured moment of my life occurred at the age of 18. It was then that God revealed to me His glory and love that are in Jesus Christ, His Son. Currently, I work in construction and landscaping. It is my desire to attend theological schooling and spend my life in foreign missions.

Laura: I'm just a 23-year-old-soon-to-be-college graduate who's just waiting to see what adventures the Lord has for me as I enter a whole new stage in my life. In December (2013), I'll be graduating with a major in social education, and hope to be able to work and minister to a wide variety of groups of people with that. 

This is my fourth trip to Potosí, and I'm already super excited to see what the Lord has for all of us this time around! 

I have 2 younger brothers and both of my parents are teachers. Another huge part of my life is our family's Saturday afternoon Kids' Club, an outreach to children who come from low-income families, definitely a ministry I plan on continuing being involved in for a loooong time. :) 

Katie lives in Texas.  She is a receptionist for an electrician's office. She also recently started volunteering as an advocate for children in foster care. This will be her 2nd time to Bolivia. 

Kristen: This is my...7th trip to Bolivia (I have to count on my fingers now)!  I'm in training to be a full time overseas missionary.  I think the message of the love of a Savior for broken human beings is the best message ever and want to be a part of making sure it gets to everyone.  

Chad: I am 24 years old, and I have lived in Wellington, Ohio, all of my life. I was saved when I was three years old or so, after my dad explained the gospel to me. I was baptized several years later. I have been attending Camden Baptist Church continually since around 1999. I was home-schooled from third grade on, and I graduated high school in 2007. I attended the University of Akron, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 2011. I have been working at Superior Dairy since 2011 as an electrical engineer.

Mariel is from La Paz and is planning to go to Potosi for her 2nd go-around.  She is studying in the university and her mom is a childhood friend of Laura's mom. She's also fluent in English and Spanish which is a great help! 

Jon is a diesel mechanic and is also my little brother.  He doesn't like cold weather, but is always up for an adventure.  This will be his FIRST time in Bolivia and I hope I've given him a realistic impression of what to expect. :)

Hello my name is Shannon V.  I'm in my last year of electromechanical engineering.  I am 22, the 2nd of five children.  This will be my first trip to Potosi.  I've heard about this trip through my cousin Laura who has been there multiple times.  I want to serve the Lord  where I can and this trip looks like a great opportunity to continue doing that. 

Eduardo is an auto mechanic.  He currently works in the jungle through the end of the year.  He helps with the youth at his church.  He has been to Potosi once with us before, but always graciously chauffers us around the city even when he has been unable to get a leave from work to go to Potosi with us. 

Tom is also a mechanic from Ohio.  He grew up on a dairy farm and still helps out there.  He is a member of a baptist church in Ohio.  This will be Tom's first mission trip out of the USA, but he has been expanding his Spanish vocabulary in preparation for this trip.

"Hi, my name is Meghan, I live in Cochabamba Bolivia. I am very excited to be going on this trip after hearing about it for so long. I can't wait to see what God has prepared for us." (*Megan is Shannon's sister and Laura's cousin. )

"My name is Christen. I have 9 siblings. I was born and raised in Ohio. And I love Jesus with my whole heart and soul!"

A chance for EVERYONE to be involved!

We love to take donations for the children and their families!
Here are a few things we have found to be blessings (and a few that they've suggested they would like/can use).
-Hygiene items (shampoo, soap, lotion)
-Toothbrushes, toothpaste (Sometimes dentists will donate these things if you tell them what it's for.)
-Multi-Vitamins (kids and pre-natal)
-Anti-parasite medicine (*also can request donations from medical supply places)
-Antifungal creme
-Antibiotics: Ciprofloxacin, Amoxicillin, Omeprazol, Ranitidin.

-Small toys (for girls and boys--nothing that requires batteries or has ghosts, monsters, etc)
-Coloring books (Spanish ones, ones with just pictures, or Bible stories are great!)
-Crayons (they are surprisingly hard to find here!)
-Small flashlights (solar?)
-Sunglasses (because we're so close to the equator the sun is super strong-plus it's really dusty)
-gloves, hats, mittens, socks (because it's COLD)

-Clown face paint (*after halloween sales?--Carlos says it is hard to find good stuff that stays on long enough, and cleans off.  This is important!)
-School supplies (pencils, crayons, erasers, pencil sharpeners)
-Prayer! We know this is essential to safe, effective, and efficient week. :)
-Sponsor a team member! So far there are about 10-12 interested. Mostly bolivians-and include university students (medicine, engineering, etc), pastor, mechanic, teacher, etc. I'm excited!
-For $10 your money can go so much farther by purchasing the hygiene/school/kid items here in Bolivia. Email me if you want more info!
-Supplies for activities with the kiddos. We've utilized puppets, parachute, and pictures. (CEF has some good resources).

It's a blessing to serve alongside of each of you.  I know I say this, and I know it sounds cliche, but it would be impossible to do this without the help of YOU.  I count it a privilege to represent you over in Bolivia knowing that you have made sacrifices and choices to help me get there-and to help me provide the missionaries with resources that make their job of reaching those who need the Gospel easier.

Your Team! 12/31/12-1/10/13

Before: Katie, Mariel, Rachel, Cristi, Kristina, Katie, Laura, Kristen & Jorge

During: Front from L-R, Katie, Jesus, Katie, Carlos, Mariel & Jorge, Back from L-R: Cristi, Kristen, Laura, Rachel & Kristina

After! From L-R: Laura, Rachel, Katie, Katie, Kristen, Eduardo (our faithful chauffer who was unable to get off work to go with us.), Cristi, Mariel, Kristina & Jorge

Meet Felix

Felix Vargas is a Bolivian Missionary from the Sucre/Chuquisaca region. He is now 62 years old and approximately 12 years ago he dedicated his life to serving in far away communities of Potosi Bolivia.  Potosi is well known for it's high altitude, cold, poor, desolate ambiance.  

Although Felix is illiterate he learned Quechua and now speaks it with ease-he has also basically memorized Quechua hymnal-including page numbers!

Vehicles are hard to come by in Potosi so Felix regularly walked through the mountains to neighboring villages to share the Gospel-sometimes walking from 3 hours to an entire day to reach his destination.

During his time in Potosi, Felix has planted 3 churches and built 3 buildings to hold meetings with the believers. He continues to faithfully disciple the new believers and be involved in the preaching in the church.

There’s just one thing that makes all of this more significant:

Felix has been crippled by arthritis for the past five years. 

He is single and has no family close by.  He works with the believers around, but lives alone-and one can imagine that would be a lonely life.

Felix depends completely on others to care for him-and sometimes the help is sporadic.  The church is small and many of the believers live far from there.  Sometimes they forget to come or sometimes they can't make it back into the village. There is little to no focus on hygiene (When we met Felix, he was living in a dirty room, with old clothes and his fingernails and toenails were incredibly long).  Felix receives no financial support-although he is given food. The church there in Tomaycuri is very poor and although they try to help out to sustain Felix with food and to get him in his wheelchair and outside, they do not have the means to help with any treatment to keep the arthritis from advancing. 

Why would he stay there?  He easily could’ve just given up and gone home and no one would have blamed him considering all that he has accomplished and all that he is suffering.  What could have prompted him to stay??

Felix hopes not in circumstances but in the sovereign trustworthy God.

In conversation with Felix, he said he was just “waiting for death"...not to escape pain He can’t wait to see the Lord face to face, but in the meantime is content to spend his life now in a way that would glorify the LORD.. 

Felix identified with Paul who in Phil 1:23 said, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,”

Although Felix is crippled, his lips aren’t sealed, he faithfully keeps preaching and discipling believers in Tomaycuri and the surrounding villages. 

He knows there’s more to this life than one can see and is spending his life for the next...

My interactions with Felix have convinced me that your perspective is what makes ALL the difference:

I want to share what I've learned about the greatest motivation for obedience 

Hebrews 11 is commonly known as the faith chapter:

in context you will see a long list of the Patriarchs faith: Three famous patriarchs Moses, Noah, and Abraham demonstrated faithful obedience to the Lord although it seems that they didn’t understand what he was asking necesarily or why, they took God at His word.  and they and a long list of others are remembered like this:

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

I pulled three reasons out of this passage that motivated these heroes of the faith to obedience:

1. They trusted that God is faithful to keep his promises
1. They trusted that their obedience for greater purpose than what they could see in the present time. 
2. All made a choice to believe God’s word or focus on circumstances. Their faith based on promise of what He was going to do regardless of what their current situation looked like
3. Obedience in spite of uncertainty: Abraham offered his ONLY son when asked by God, I'm sure he was wondering how he would ever become the father of many nations at this rate; Moses’ parents disobeyed the kings edict to kill their baby-even though they were likely choosing to face death
4. Knowing that God is bigger than death, struggles and pain. Abraham believed that if God asked him to sacrifice his only son, he could certainly raise Isaac from the dead.
2. They forgot what is behind: Not forget in the sense that they couldn't remember, but they chose not to remember/focus on what they had given up to obey the Lord
1. IF they would have fixed their gaze on the land they left they could have returned-but denied themselves the right to consider that possibility-they recognized their “true position citizens of heaven and thus aliens everywhere on earth”-Leon Morris
2. “An understanding of heavenly citizenship moves our focus from fleshly and worldly values to eternal values of Christ and His work” Mike Sullivan
3. Moses gave up his royal rights (as an adopted child of the royal family) and chose rather to “endure ill treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin (Heb 11: 25)”. He refused the pleasures of Egypt because he had something infinitely more wonderful to live for (Warren Wiersbe, Be Joyful p. 122) 
3. They anticipated HEAVEN as the ultimate reward
1. These Heroes of the faith represented God well on earth and He was not ashamed to be called their God
2. Just like the Israelites/Moses anticipated arriving at the promised land we look forward to the place that God is preparing for us. 
3. I think we all have experienced that looking to earthly rewards produces disaster! (see Phil 4:17-19 the enemies of the cross... “set their minds on earthly things”) v. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven—and we also eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” As believers our lives should reflect this.

All these men/women who are recorded as great heroes of the faith are remembered because of what they did:

Accomplished great things for God-they often never saw even a glimpse of the fulfillment of the promise.  Heb 11:33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 ...escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; ... 35 Women received back their dead, [who were] raised to life again.

Endured great sorrows for God-for all those who accomplished great things, there were so many others who served God through incredibly difficult circumstances: Heb 11:35b There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection... killed...misplaced— 38 the world was not worthy of them. 

  In both ends of the spectrum, these men and women endured horrible things and accomplished great things because they “considered Him faithful who had promised”

In the same way Felix chooses to remain in Tomaycuri-dependent on the other believers, persevering through physical pain and hardship and often going without necessities and comforts.  He knows he could return to comforts of home but is content to be serving the Lord and community of  Tomaycuri as long as the Lord will allow him to continue. 

I hope to follow Felix’ example of faithful obedience.  Even if I only get 12 years to serve the Lord, I hope to remain firm in my resolve to spend every day trusting in His faithfulness, by relying on what He has promised that he will do even if I never see the results.  In the same way as the fathers of the faith, I want to be able to trust in the faithful God to fulfill his promise and keep my focus fixed towards heaven even though today might look like a wreck. 

I want to encourage you all also to be convinced of the goodness of God, be convinced of the future glory of heaven and let us live in a way that someday when we stand before the Lord he will welcome us in unashamed to His heaven which he has prepared for us. 

Although you aren’t living with the same challenges as the patriarchs or even Felix; you also have many challenges and struggles and will you choose to trust in a faithful God to fulfill his promises; will you forget what is behind and focus on heaven as your ultimate reward as your daily strive to follow the Lord.  Make a choice to live with an eternal perspective. 

(Felix getting a manicure/pedicure!)