Bolivia Mission Report
After attending the discipleship workshop in Chicago, I left for Bolivia on June 22. I thank God for allowing me to attend this conference and allowing me to spend time with some family and friends before finally leaving for Bolivia. This is the first time I've been so far away from my family and for so long. During the two months of preparing for this mission trip, God taught me so many things. I was challenged to somehow get support for this trip and not depend on my parents or just the church. I sent out many support letters asking for financial and spiritual support. I was praying to raise $2,500 for my two months here, but God was so gracious and provided me with almost double the amount. I was so shocked by this provision and realized that missions is more than just going to a country. The time before, during and after a mission trip is so important. God taught me that he provides exactly what someone needs. On my way to Miami I was able to sit next to a missionary family and they helped me at the airport. Supposedly, people usually get altitude sickness when they arrive in La Paz, but I didn't feel anything. The Cho family was waiting for me at the airport so I did not have to wander around. After a 14 hour trip, I was very happy to see them.
The first week I spent a lot of time with the two daughters, Maria and Ester, who are very talkative and open. They both speak English and like to ask a lot of questions. I pray to be a good older sister to them as I spend time with them. I am finally getting used to walking around the city and don't mind people staring. I joined their Friday discipleship meeting and will start English services on Friday evenings. Their Sunday service was spirit-filled, even though I did not understand the language. I pray that God will allow me to pick up the language very soon.
I volunteer at a daycare on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with children ages 3-4. I teach two English classes on Mondays and Wednesdays (1 Beginner and 1 Intermediate). The teacher at the daycare even came to English class! I pray that through my classes I can be a blessing to the people of Bolivia. I also teach children classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I also privately teach Daniel Cho, the youngest in the Cho family. I will also help others with speaking. Saturdays I will be visiting an orphanage with Maria and Ester. We also want to walk around the city of Santa Cruz and feed the hungry. There are many poor people here; Bolivia is the poorest country in South America.
I am experiencing culture shock, but I do my best to live without an ethnocentric attitude. Everything here is so cheap, so open, so hectic, but I am slowly getting used to it. I also believe God sent me here so that I can grow as a woman after God's own heart. I thank God for opening up this opportunity for me to visit this nation.
I thank God for everyone who is praying and who financially and spiritually supported me before I left. Everyday he is teaching me how I need to depend on him.
I pray to be a blessing to the Cho family and the UBF ministry while I am here for two months.
I pray to serve the students and children unconditionally and with patience. Please pray that I can prepare well for each class.
I pray that I can also grow in my personal relationship with God and not become burnt out while I am here.
