Why Bolivia?

A lot of people often want to know why Bolivia. What is there? Why do you want to serve there. Please allow me to tell you my story. Early in 2010 a friend came to me and told me about an opportunity she had to go and serve in Bolivia at a Christian Hospital. She wanted to know if I was interested. I thought the opportunity sounded interesting but my heart was not quite there. Over the next few weeks she continued to bring up Bolivia, which prompted me to do a bit of research. I read online about an organization by the name of Hospitals of Hope. I started praying in March of 2010 and asking the Lord if He wanted m

e to consider it. Throughout the following months my heart began to be transformed. Bolivia became more then than a country; it became a passion.

Then summer came and I returned home and continued to pray about it. At this point there were four of us who wanted to go. We kept in close contact and continued to pray that the Lord would give us "green lights" and make it clear to us if it was his will. That summer I was working part time and taking a microbio

logy class (I wanted to be a nurse). One weekend, the Lord spoke to me in a very clear voice and told me that He wanted me to go to Bolivia. Ironically enough it was when my brother was speaking at church about his missionary experience. I went down to the front teary eyed to tell my brother that I was GOING to Bolivia and working in the hospital. As it turns out, a fellow team member got a similar message shortly thereafter. But the Lord seemed to have a different idea.
A few weeks later my heart began to be transformed yet again, but this time it was regarding my future. After much prayer I decid

ed that nursing was no longer for me but Elementary Education and loving on children was where my heart was. But how does this fit with Bolivia?! My heart began to ache at the idea of not being able to go but I could still hear the Lord saying "go to Bolivia." As it turns out, Hospitals of Hope has MANY opportunities, one of which is orphan care. My heart melted as I read the stories and saw the pictures of the children whose lives I may influence. I came back to college knowing that my next summer was going to be spent loving on the forgotten children in Bolivia.

As the time got closer, the team dwindled down to three people. We began praying about a fourth team member and shortly afterward a lady I serve with here at college heard me talking and told me that she had been looking for a trip to serve this summer. She was very excited about the prospect of serving w

ith us. Long story short, Sarah joined our team. Over Christmas Break we hit a surprising bump in the road where our team was cut again to three people, possibly even two. My heart broke. It was so invested in Bolivia the very idea of not being able to go brought me to tears. "What is your plan Lord? Why would you do this to me? I thought you said to go to Bolivia...it's all I think about. If this is your will Lord make it happen." This was a daily prayer for the next two days.

THIS IS WHERE THE STORY GETS INTENSE.

One night I turned on the news and saw a story ab

out a lady who was making dresses to send to orphan girls overseas. I took a step of faith (believing God would pull through and I would go) and dialed the phone number. To my surprise, the founder of the organization answered the phone and told me she would LOVE to send me dresses to take to Bolivia. I smiled and thought to myself...that's got to be a God thing. So I posted the link to my Facebook page. Then, I got an unexpected comment from a friend from high school who said she was also going to Bolivia this summer. I got excited and sent her a message telling all about Hospitals of Hope and the dates we would be there. This is one of those moments where I knew God must have been smiling. Sure enough, Rachel was going TO THE SAME PLACE!!! We will be living in the same house for about two weeks this summer!! I was overcome with joy. Not only did the dresses come through, but a friend was going to the same place at the same time. God had gone before me in a major way. While I know th

is is a bit confusing, the very fact that Rachel is going was not only further proof that this was the Lord's will, but it provided my family with a bit more peace. As if that's not enough, the next morning at church our pastor had a message that spoke STRAIGHT to me. He literally preached about missions and how there were some of us in the crowd that had nations BURNING on their hearts. That was me!! Bolivia was so burned into my heart I couldn't sit still for more than one minute without thinking about it. As if that was not enough, the verse that I had found for my trip was put on the big screen!! The was all the conformation I needed. The Lord was working especially when I heard our third team member was in!

So we have decided on a six-week service trip in Bolivia. I will be primarily working in the orphanages and hopefully some with the street kid

s along with some work in the hospital. We will be living at the guest house behind the hospital and serving in many different ways. I will be working with, clothing, and providing medical care for the lost, the hurting, and the forgotten people and children of Bolivia. This has been a long journey but with each day that passes my heart breaks and burns more for the often forgotten country of Bolivia - a country of homelessness, poverty, low medical care and social unrest. I can only imagine what the Lord has in store for me this summer while serving his kingdom in South America this summer.

If you have any questions about Bolivia

a, I would be glad to answer.

Here are some quick facts
-64% of people in Bolivia live below the poverty line
-52 of 1000 babies will die in the first year of life (compared to 7 out of 1000 in the US)
-There is 1 hospital bed per 1000 Bolivians
-Bolivians are more prone to seek healing from a witch doctor before going to a hospital
-there are 10,000 homeless children in the capital alone
-23% of the population live on less than a dollar a day
-95% of Bolivians are

Catholic

I will keep you posted on my trip as it continues to work out...the cost is right at $3,200 dollars and I would love your prayers and support as I continue to raise money.

~Anna~