Day Numero Uno in Cochabamba! by Clare Martin

  Hello friends and family from beautiful Cochabamba, Bolivia!! Today was our first full day here, and the trip has already been full of plenty of fun as well as challenges. I personally have been enjoying all of the spanish practice here! The Bolivians actually take my spanish seriously and understand me which is exciting!!

                Today started off with devotionals along with wonderful pancakes made by Magda (the wonderful cook here at the guest house) . After breakfast, we stopped at a Bolivian food market where the main attraction was GIGANTIC avocados, I'm talking the size of my head! All of the fruit here is so amazing compared to the states I might add! Then we were off to hike 1,000 steps up the mountain  to El Christo, which resembles the statue in Rio de Janeiro (I've been told by the Holman's that the one in Cochabamba is actually taller). The hike was very challenging at times, especially for me bringing up the end of our group! But the view was spectacular and completely worth it. Ryan Mjoen, one of our team members came up with a great metaphor for the hike during our team time which he wrote about in his post!

          Later, our team took part in a "Baby Wash", where we voluntarily washed some of the Bolivian children who may not have access to a shower or bath on a regular basis, which was such an incredibly special experience in itself. It was amazing to me how trusting the  parents of the children were to people who aren't even from their country to wash their children for them. It really put a lot into perspective for me and how fortunate I've been to have the resources I've had for the past eighteen years.

            Thank you so much for all of you readers back home for all of your thoughts, love, and prayers about the team and I! I can't wait to see what God has in store for me as well as the rest of our team seeing how amazing just this first day alone was. Tomorrow my team is preforming our dramatic skit at the church service so wish us luck!!

In Christ,
Clare Martin


         

Eyes on El Cristo by Ryan Mjoen

     Hello, friends and family! We've finally arrived yesterday after a long trip. It was worth the wait and lack of sleep, as we were greeted by the breathtaking view of Cochabamba surrounded by the mountains of Bolivia. I could already see the beauty of God's presence through the small airplane window. We got to the guest house, unwound, and ate some of the best pasta I've ever had. It was incredible because all we ate for the past 24 hours was airport food. They are pasta-cooking masters.

      The next morning, we all had devotionals and some more amazing food before heading off to climb the steps of El Cristo. Before I started the first step, I had the mindset that I was just going to walk. That's it... Just start walking up the steps and get to the top. People told me that it was hard, but I just thought they were being lazy and complaining. However, we reached the first step, and the giant statue wasn't even in sight. As we began our climb up the steps, I quickly realized there is a big difference from climbing steps in Bolivia to climbing steps at home. At 8,500 feet that altitude quickly takes it's toll on you. After thirty steps, I was breathless and gasping for air and El Christo was still not in sight. I kept pushing though, determined to keep going; however, I had to stop and sit down.

      While I was sitting, Carter Fricano walked up and sat down next to me. We both talked about how tired we were and how hard this really was. After a few more sips of water and deep breaths we went back at it. The first few steps were easy, making me think that I could go the rest of the way without stopping. After about ten steps, I was gasping for breath. Carter and I finally had to take another break. We realized that this was not going to be an easy task. While we were sitting there, we saw people riding lifts to the top. Why don't they need to walk? Why aren't we taking these lifts? These thoughts flew through my head, but complaining wasn't going to help get us to the top. Instead, Carter and I started to set goals for each other, each one taking us higher and higher. Finally, El Cristo was in sight! We then decided not to stop and to keep going on pushing. I can honestly say that reaching that last step and seeing El Cristo in all of it's glory made me so glad that I climbed those stairs and didn't take the lift. The reward was so gratifying. It was after reaching the top I started to smile and think about what just happened and how much symbolism was is in it.

     Climbing these steps is like us going through life. It's never easy, and as Christians, we live and walk towards Jesus or "El Cristo." Traveling this path with someone who is going to push you to your limits and who is going to set goals with you can bring you closer and closer to God. Those breaks we took are like the retreats and the mission trips and God moments that give us those "God-highs." Even though they will wear off, we have our family and Christian brothers and sisters to support us. God is showing all of us so many things already, and we are beyond blessed to be here.

Prayers being sent up over the city of Cochabamba

Thank you for all your prayers,
Ryan

(Edited by Dominic)

COCHABAMBA!

We have safely arrived in Cochabamba! Our team is exhausted from travel, but doing very well. Everyone gathered tonight at the Harvest Guesthouse (where we are staying) for a big spaghetti dinner and showers... What a treat! Now we are headed to bed to get some much needed sleep. We climb El Cristo tomorrow morning! 

Santa Cruz...almost there!

We are in Bolivia!! Chilling in the airport, eating Cinnabon, and recovering from a long flight. On to Cochabamba in just a few hours!

On our way!

Through security safely and on our way. On to Miami and then Bolivia bound! 

Adios Amigos!

Hey everyone!

We are less than 24 hours away from taking off for our 12 day mission to Cochabamba, Bolivia. Our team has prepared for months to serve on this trip, and we are so excited to see it come to life. Some of the things we will be doing on the trip:

• Build a Church: Last year, our team helped build the first floor of a building that serves as a community center and Compassion point for the surrounding area. This year, we will be building the second floor which will serve as a church for the same community.
• Baby Wash: It is incredibly difficult for those living in poor communities to have access to water for bathing. Our team will assist in a baby wash, where we will bath children and dress them in new clothes.
• VBS/Kids Club: We will run a VBS program in a poor neighborhood, where our students will share the gospel, play games, lead music, and work on crafts with the kids.
• Community Outreach Event: The organization we are working with will bring in doctors and dentists to provide medical aid to the community, while our students assist them and build relationships with the kids in the community.
• Night of Worship: Our team will partner with an international church in Cochabamba to host a prayer and worship event for youth in the area.

As you can see, it will be a full and exciting trip! Our prayer is that God would be lifted high and that people would come to know Christ through receiving aid, building relationships and hearing truth. We desperately want to see the name of Jesus proclaimed in this nation and are very excited to be even a small part of that mission. Please also pray for the safety and health of our 19 member team, as we travel nearly 24 hours to get to Cochabamba tomorrow.

We will be updating this blog daily throughout the trip, so subscribe to receive updates or check back regularly. The students will be sharing from their perspective each day... you won't want to miss it! 

Thank you again and again for your prayers. Our team is so excited to share this journey with you.

Dan, Linzy & the Bolivia team

The commissioning of mission teams at Christ Church

Bolivia Team 2014!

Hello all!

We are excited to announce that this blog will go live again in a couple of months as we prepare for our Bolivia 2014 trip! We will have a new team going to serve alongside the Holman family from July 24-August 4, 2014, and we are so excited about it. Please keep us in prayer as we begin our preparations. Our prayer is that we would reflect the heart of Jesus as we seek to serve and love on the Bolivian people.

One of our favorite moments of last trip. Our team and the Bolivian people gathered around to pray over the build site and the community the day before we left. 

Our team verse this year is:

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

- 2 Corinthians 4:5 

Thank you for partnering with us as we begin this new journey! We are so thankful for the prayerful support we received as a team last year and look forward to being in touch with you again throughout the next few months. More updates to come!

Dan & Linzy