I’m back….actually I arrived back about five days ago but have been fairly tired and so I haven’t written anything yet on my blog. For those who haven’t been following my blog or for those who don’t know me personally, I was in Bolivia for about ten days visiting and serving with my friend Ken Switzer. Ken ministers to Street Kids in Bolivia with International Teams.
Before I comment about my experience let me tell you about my good friend Ken… He is one of the most relational and caring guys I know and I was reminded again and again of those gifts in his life as I witnessed his ministry first hand in Bolivia. God is working powerfully through his life and it was sincerely my pleasure to hangout in his world for a while. Thanks again Ken and you rock!!!!
In terms of my experience…I think I was most profoundly impacted by the people I meet and interacted with. Although Bolivia is a third world country with poverty and injustice visible everywhere, it was the human faces of injustice that impacted me the most. A lot of the guys and girls I meet and visited had been sexually and/or physically abused, addicted to various substances and most profoundly and above all, just kids/teens/young adults. I was confronted with an evil I didn’t expect, not the stereotypical pitch fork and horn sort of evil, but an evil that is equally as sinister and demonic. It’s an evil that is more subtle and yet in its inconspicuous nature, is more damaging – evils of injustice and abuse in our world. Witnessing the effects of such evil has changed me in ways I am even still discovering.
Through my trip there were so many amazing experiences from teaching guitar, preaching (my first time preaching through a translator), visiting, encouraging and just seeing, hearing and witnessing the work of Jesus in our world.
I am not sure what the lasting effects of this trip will be in my life but there will be lasting effects for sure. These effects have already changed my perspective and outlook on the world in which we live in.
I know many of you are curious, so here are some pictures…
These are pictures of some of the guys I worked with, the crazy/scary spider in Ken’s Bathroom, Teaching some of the guys guitar, preaching with my translator (Marca), and my friends Ivan and John (El Presidenta) who taught me some spanish.
Grandpa says:
Welcome back home. I’m sure the kids are excited to see you.
Was good of you to share some of your experiences, and I look forward to hearing more.
I tried to browse Ken’s webpage, but could not click on any of the links. Perhaps you could reach him and let him know, or else tell me that everything is working except my browser.
Welcome home.
Bryce, good to hear from you again. I wish we could catch a movie and a coffee so I could hear more of the details. It sounds like a very eye-opening and challenging experience but I pray it has many rewards for you and the lives of the people you met.
Give me a shout some time next week. I’d love to hear more!
Hola mi amigo! Como estas? Glad you made it home safe and sound. Wow, I sound like a pretty amazing guy eh? =) The guys have been asking about you and wondering when you’re coming back…just so you know! =) I’ll write more soon buddy, but thanks for coming to visit me. It was awesome. By the way…yo tengo una cita este noche con mi amiga. =) I’ll let you know more later….
Miss ya bro.
Hey,
We don’t know each other, but I want to thank you for your excellent insights into your bolivia trip. Ken Switzer was my youth pastor (more than 10 years ago)..he also married my husband and I and is a cherished friend. I have never known anyone so faithful to the call of God. I pray the Lord continues to bless you not only for the service and friendship you provided to Ken while you were on your trip, but also in your future endeavors as you continue to seek. I am so excited for you, that you were able to spend time with such a man of God…who also seems to have the most halarious stories of life and messes that have come his way. Thank you for blessing me with this site!
Sincerely, Crystal Haynes, Gravehurst, Ontario