Hello All!
Our plants are blooming! As we enjoy warmer days before winter breaks, our trees, plants and herbs are bursting with beautiful flowers, adding color and vibrancy to our home. With very little green around us, our plants remind us of life among bland El Alto.
In the same way, we are making major strides in the ministry. It’s as though our years of work and harvesting, are now beginning to bear fruit. The ministry is alive and growing, and watching each progression unfold has been immensely fulfilling. We hope that as you read all that you’ve been a part of, you too will be blessed.
Highlights and News from the Field….
- We have begun the first stages of a rehabilitation program for women desiring to leave prostitution. Five women faithfully participate every Wednesday and Friday afternoon. So far it seems to be a success! Focusing on our four main ministry areas (spiritual, psychological, economic and education), the girls participate in discipleship, interactive therapy, budgeting classes and skills training.
- After a discussion of trust, I asked the girls, “So, do you guys trust Andres?” A resounding “SI!” followed. Andy may be the only man they have been able to trust, which is a pivotal step towards their healing, and says a lot about him too!
- We have a beautiful new Chapel in the House of Hope! Our desire is that it is a safe place for the girls to open their hearts to the Lord. We also have recently constructed a storage room and medical exam room. Our next project is a children’s area.
- Pedro was baptized recently after a year of walking faithfully with the Lord! He is truly a transformed life. Now his desperate prayer is that he would be able to provide for his family, so his wife would no longer need to prostitute.
- Literacy classes have begun at La Casa de Esperanza. Women of all ages (our eldest student is 62 and a grandmother of 4) are learning to read! They are so eager to learn, their self-esteem is growing and they’re having fun!
- We also have had the opportunity to collaborate with a team of doctors, who will offer free, in-depth, professional medical exams to the women and their families. Meanwhile, the girls will also participate in health and nutrition classes.
WMF Bolivia, Financial Needs
As we continue to grow, our ministry needs increase as well. Unfortunately, we are limited in what we can do without that green stuff. So, we are at a point where we need to clearly communicate some of our financial needs.
- La Casa de Esperanza – We are now utilizing the drop-in center 5 days a week. We have also done major renovation and construction work on the building. It is an ideal place for us in 1000’s of ways. So we are hoping to buy the place, WITH YOUR HELP! We need $80,000 to make an offer.
- La Palabra Hecha Vida – We currently employ six part-time staff, with a desire to hire at least one more ministry staff person. Our yearly ministry budget is $20,000. We currently need $14,000 to finish out the year.
- The Baker’s – We are feeling the burden of raising support for both the field and our family, and our personal support account is suffering.
Please consider helping in any of these areas. We would very much appreciate any contribution you could make. We love these girls and desire to give them our very best.
Family News
- We have a new “sobrinita,” Miss Selah Jo Baker, was born Friday, April 22 to Andy’s brother Brian and wife Tiffany. Congrats Tex-Bakers!
- Andrea’s sister Eve is engaged! Her wedding is planned for this December, so we’re all planning on coming home for a visit. J
- Elias is talking up a storm these days; he’s even begun counting in his third language, Aymara, which is the local Andean Indian idiom.
- The whole family is doing really well. We’re all happy, healthy, and for the most part, sane. We love ya’ll!