“Serving the orphaned and abandoned children of Bolivia”April, 2009
The Timmers…
A family with a mission
Cochabamba, Bolivia www.IOUBolivia.org
You can call us any time at our Michigan number 616-928-2210
Or email us at: timmermb@iteams.org
The Chapare rain forest is only about a three hour drive from where we live; however, it seems like a different country. As one of the biggest coca growing regions there has always been a struggle between the US DEA agents limiting the coca growth to legitimate purposes and the resident’s desire to plant more of this lucrative crop. Since Evo has asked the US to leave, coca production has hit an all time high. Our psychologist, Aldo, was remembering the 80’s when Bolivians would purchase cocain in the markets just like bananas and bread. He recalled the gross negligence of drying the coca leaves on the school playgrounds. In just a few short months we started to see an emboldened people push back. The local governments in the remote areas are called sindicatos and have been granted autonomy from the federal government. They can
have their own elections, set their own laws and carry them out as they see fit. For the first time in six years we’ve seen some persecution towards the church and the ministry as they questioned the use of our beautiful homes for only 10 children. We’ve managed to talk through our desire to help the most desperately poor in their community but it still caught me off guard. On a brighter note…we met a lovely couple who are interested in being house parents in the third home. Julian and Ruth have two children, Lizeth 2 and Jose new born. Ruth has been a member of our partner church since she was born and Julian is a member of the Pentecostal Church. Julian shared with tears in his eyes how he was orphaned when his father and mother passed away within two years of each other. He remembers not being able to afford the 75 cent
sandals that other children wore and how cold his feet were in the mountain city of Potosi. He said even today when he sees children in the street he gives them what ever food he has on him because he remembers what it’s like to be hungry. We’ve agreed to pray through this opportunity and move forward when God’s made it clear that this is where they belong. As Aldo and I left the jungle we saw coca leaves being dried on the school playground. Many missions are pulling out or holding back from working here; personally I think its time to double our efforts.
have their own elections, set their own laws and carry them out as they see fit. For the first time in six years we’ve seen some persecution towards the church and the ministry as they questioned the use of our beautiful homes for only 10 children. We’ve managed to talk through our desire to help the most desperately poor in their community but it still caught me off guard. On a brighter note…we met a lovely couple who are interested in being house parents in the third home. Julian and Ruth have two children, Lizeth 2 and Jose new born. Ruth has been a member of our partner church since she was born and Julian is a member of the Pentecostal Church. Julian shared with tears in his eyes how he was orphaned when his father and mother passed away within two years of each other. He remembers not being able to afford the 75 cent
sandals that other children wore and how cold his feet were in the mountain city of Potosi. He said even today when he sees children in the street he gives them what ever food he has on him because he remembers what it’s like to be hungry. We’ve agreed to pray through this opportunity and move forward when God’s made it clear that this is where they belong. As Aldo and I left the jungle we saw coca leaves being dried on the school playground. Many missions are pulling out or holding back from working here; personally I think its time to double our efforts.
Please join us in praying for this unique area of Bolivia and a people who desperately need a relationship with Jesus.
The Timmers
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