Ministry Update
Well after months of research and prayer, we have finally decided on our ministry focus: sexually exploited women and children. It is estimated that 800-2,000 girls are currently working in El Alto, where we live. Sixty percent are believed to be underage. However, we have not found a single group, church, or mission agency working with this population. Prostitution is legal, and therefore there are a few government organizations working to “control” the situation. Because of the reality of the situation and what we also believe to be the Lord’s leading, we have decided to pursue a work with these woman and children.
Realizing our inexperience in this area, we have been learning as much as we can. There are a number of publications we have found that give quite a bit of insight into the women in the area. We have also mapped out every nightclub, alojamiento, bar and brothel in the “Ceja,” one area of town where we know many girls work. On just one street we found over 20 brothels.
One institution in particular, Defensor del Pueblo, has expressed an interest in working together in terms of human rights issues for these women and their families. They have been so helpful in opening doors and will be a powerful resource in terms of addressing the larger structural issues.
As we continue to learn, our minds race with ideas and future hopes. However, we want our ministry to stem from personal relationships with the people; therefore, we are now concentrating on building relationships – meeting the girls on the streets and inviting them to our home.
As we begin planting these first seeds, please pray for us and the girls we meet. Pray that the Lord would liberate them and that they would find Him sufficient for their every need.
Please Pray…
- We are still in the process of finding a home church. Pray that the Lord will lead us to the right group of people for us and our ministry.
- For our physical and spiritual protection. We have felt especially attacked lately, as a result of our decision in terms of ministry focus. We are entering a dark world, and your prayers are coveted more than ever.
- For those who prostitute themselves on the streets and in the brothels – for their protection, healing and salvation
- For open doors in terms of building relationships with the girls.
- For the protection and health of our little baby. Pray that he/she would also come to love the Lord and His people and be a voice to the nations.
Bolivia Quirks
- We are a land-locked country, but have a Navy
- Because of our high altitude, we have to fry our rice and noodles before we cook them in water
- Many Bolivians live in adobe (mud) houses, but have cell phones
- Where we live, hail and lightening storms are common occurrences
- Bolivians use mayonnaise as much as North Americans use butter
- You can receive money from the ATM and then shop in the open-air market
- Urinating in the streets is acceptable for both women and men
- We are the home of the World’s Most Dangerous Road (ask us about it – we traveled it!!)
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