My friend – don Julio

A big smile, extended hand and a “Buenos dias hermano” in a rather high nasally voice greeted me as I walked through the gates to Carachipampa Christian School in July 1997. I smiled and shook his hand – not knowing a word he had said. Little did I know that this gentle, gracious and humble man would become one of my most valued friends during my 14 years in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Julio grew up in a 5 house pueblito called Plia Verde. Like most of the Quechua families living in the shadows of Mount Tunari at over 5000 meters above sea level, Julio’s family had a little plot of potatoes cultivated at 45 degrees on the rocky mountainside. He took turns with his sisters caring for the family’s sheep and llamas. After harvest, he would help his family bury some of the potatoes in mounds of earth serving as a year-round refrigerator. Some of the choice potatoes were stepped on to remove the moisture and stored under ground as “chuño” for soup and fiestas all year long. The rest of the crop along with wool from the sheep and Llamas was loaded on the backs of llamas, and Julio would start on a 2 week walk to Indipendencia. The money he would get from the sale would be used to buy batteries, salt, pasta and other things not available in rural Bolivia.

En nuestro mundo actual es común medir  el éxito por la cantidad de dinero que posees, el tamaño de casa que posees, el tipo de automóvil que conduces, etc. Hace algún tiempo un consiervo me pregunto cuántos miembros tenía mi iglesia, dándome a entender que el éxito en el ministerio se mide necesariamente por la cantidad de feligreses que concurren. Si el éxito en la vida se midiera por la cantidad de títulos, bienes, o tal cantidad de miembros, Noé seria el hombre mas fracasado de la historia. Noé predicó el mensaje de Dios a la gente de su generación por 120 años y no obtuvo ni un solo convertido. ¿Cómo mides el éxito en la vida? No estoy negando la importancia de obtener logros en la vida. Recuerdo muy bien a un sabio profesor del seminario Bíblico que dijo una vez, “el éxito en la vida no está necesariamente en acumular gran cantidad de bienes terrenales o logros personales, sino en hacer lo que Dios nos dijo que hagamos” Noé anduvo siempre fielmente con Dios, haciendo lo que Él le dijo que hiciera. ¿Cuál es la misión que Dios te encomendó? Toma un minuto para meditar.

Edwin Almanza G.

Mily and John Mark plan their wedding for Saturday, April 23. It has been our privilege to have John Mark living in our CIC Mission’s Guest Room and joining us for our Tuesday morning devotions. They have visited several area churches, presenting their vision as a couple, serving in the Middle East. Please maintain your prayer and financial support for Mily and John Mark.

Jimmy & Yaqueline Salas are our missionaries, living and working in churches in - and around Cobija. Jimmy also travels to cities around Bolivia leading Envoy Mission Seminars. Yaqueline serves in children’s ministries in their home church in Cobija.

Inocencio and Daria were our very first missionaries. They have faithfully served in Oromomo for more than 5 years. Their home is always open for Bible Studies, counseling and just showing love to everyone along the rivers in the Beni. Because of the floods in the Beni and an annual health check-up for Daria, Inocencio and Daria have been with their family in the Chaparre. They intend to return to Oromomo the last week of March. Please continue your prayer and financial support for this amazing ministry.

Red Vida Esperanza is directed by Dr. Jorge Gareca and a team of other healthcare professionals. They travel monthly to rearely visited areas in the provinces of Potosi, Chuquisaca and Cochabamba. They work with children, with community social needs - all demonstrating the love of God to meet practical and spiritual needs.

Carla Rojas Cuba is serving in a church in England for one year. She works with children, women and young people. Life is always a challenge when you miss home, the familiarity of faithful friends and "normal" food. Let's keep Carlita in our prayers.

Operation Miracle is our newest mission venture. A group from the CIC join with jovenes from other area churches every Sunday afternoon to visit children in area hospitals with the love of Jesus Christ. They use music, drama, games and lots of hugs.