theslantwise » Bolivia

Skyping Bolivia

Alan — Sat, 07 May 2011 21:22:44 +0000

This past week I joined with a group of colleagues on a Skype call to Cochabamba, Bolivia. The purpose of the call was to receive an update on the work of the Baptist churches in Bolivia (particularly those who have a relationship with some of our Canadian churches). My own church has entered into a three year relationship with the churches situated in the bowl of La Paz. The call was intended to give me more information on how the project is coming along and how we can continue to develop our relationship with the Bolivian churches.

As I listened to my Bolivian colleagues speak and share their vision for God’s kingdom, I was deeply impressed with their passion and commitment to see God’s reign blossom in the Bolivian context. The vision included a holistic ministry of education, micro-credit programs, establishment of churches in new areas, and health initiatives. One program of interest to me was their effort to control and diminish the Chagas disease. The Chagas disease is caused by a parasite carried by insects inhabiting the adobe of the rural Bolivian homes. The insects come out of the mud at night and bite the folks who are sleeping. The result for those infected is a devastating disease frequently ending with cardiac failure. The only way to control the disease (in simple terms) is to plaster over the adobe of the house from the inside which prevents the insects from leaving the mud and inflicting their damage on the people sleeping—especially the young children.

The only way to administer this program is house by house. Each house has to be treated individually—time consuming and arduous work. But my colleagues oversee the effort with patience, love and perseverance and the result is a slow control of a deadly, pestilence—one house at a time!

I left the call thankful that I know these folk and that I have the privilege of learning from them. Maybe all real service of love and lasting importance happens slowly one house at a time? Maybe the programs of quick results, big numbers, and flashy appeal aren’t the best way and don’t merit all of our excitement?

Maybe the turtle wins the race after all and not the lickety-split bunny! Maybe the Bolivians have it right and a house to house effort demonstrating the love and compassion of Jesus will build the Kingdom just fine and the banqueting table will be full to receive the eternally young princely king?

Changing Speeds In Santa Cruz

Alan — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:40:39 +0000

My journey to Bolivia begins with a routine flight to Miami, a six hour wait, then a normal but long overnight flight to La Paz. Upon landing the security crew boards the plane and checks each seat with precision before we proceed to Santa Cruz. Then I experience my first Bolivian left turn: the flight to Cochabamba has been rescheduled. The six hour wait has quickly turned into twelve. Not fun.

After some consideration I decide to take a taxi into Santa Cruz and make the best of my delay by enjoying the sites of the ‘plaza mayor’ in the city centre. I end up visiting the old cathedral off the plaza—which I might add boasts a fabulous wooden decorated ceiling; watching part of the Portugal/Ivory Coast football match over a fine cup of coffee; meandering the veranda covered stores surrounding the plaza; and having lunch at the Irish bar overlooking the palm tree covered square (the Irish are present everywhere!).

Sudden left turns. No warning. What do we do with them? How do we receive the changing day? With frustration? Anger? Depression? Or do we make the left turn and see where it takes us…maybe to a new place, a new experience otherwise missed? A change of plan can often be redeemed—’redeeming the time’—a biblical principle often ignored in our proactive, day timer laden society.

The surprising moment, a sudden left turn—a ’gift’ if we have the eyes to see?

Bolivia Beckons

Alan — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:12:14 +0000

Over the past number of years I have been spending a month or more in the beautiful country of Bolivia. Landlocked (not so good for an avid scuba diver), but a country graced with a myriad of beauties other than the ocean. Here are a few photos which demonstrate some if its gifts:

This coming week I leave for the city of Cochabamba which is in the central plateau area of Bolivia. It has a marvellous climate of warm (humidity free) days and cool evenings for sleeping. From this place one can drive down the mountainside and enter the rain forest in 4 hours or drive across the high plateau to the snowy peaks of La Paz in 6 hours.

Happily I will be missing the swagger of the G20 conference in Toronto during these weeks…enjoying instead the simplicity of a forgotten country. I will be reminded (as I am year after year) that there is a world not dominated by English, international financial systems, and North American fast food outlets (actually there is one Burger King in Cochabamba, but that hardly counts!).

Gracias a Bolivia para tu simplicidad y tu descanso a mi alma. Gracias! (Thank you Bolivia for your simplicity and rest for my soul. Thank you!)