Our Ministry

“Sowers of Knowledge and Lives for Christ” – written on the emblem they all wear.

The Escuela Cristiana Camireña has been a useful instrument in bringing the gospel to Bolivian homes for just over 50 years. Over the past four years, I’ve had the privilege to serve as the administrator and continue the work of bringing biblical teaching to the kids at the school.

  Kari and I believe the impact this school has on the lives of people is extremely valuable. It stands as “salt and light” in a decaying and unstable society. We have children without parents, and families without hope in need of the Savior. It’s amazing to hear the stories of kids who have gone through the school. Even if they do not come to know Christ during their school years, many realize their need for Christ after they’ve left. It is our desire to see biblical principles instilled in the lives of these children today so their future would be filled with the blessings that follow God’s way of living life.

  Some of our recent finished projects include: two classrooms, a boys bathroom, a library, and a Kindergarten classroom! Some of future projects are: demolishing a classroom and putting two others in its place (one as a computer center), a small play structure for the kindergartners, a girls bathroom, a storage room. We need to replace some of our roofs, floors, redo a wall, the electrical work and put some furniture in the classrooms.

Church life:
We are glad to be a part of a missions minded church in our home town of Camiri. Our fellowship has a strong vision of reaching the surrounding villages for Christ. Many churches have been started through the work of its members. Every week, our brothers in Christ go out to these places to encourage churches or to help reach places that haven’t heard the good news. Here at this local church Kari has been helping with the preschool Sunday school class which forces her to practice her Spanish! I get to share from the word at church a few times a month and help support the youth group in its activities. We also started a Thursday night Bible study group with a few interested people who are very eager to serve. Recently we decided to support a local brother, Felix and his family, who moved to Iguembe, a remote Guarani tribal area to reach them for Christ. We hear he already started a home Bible study with the neighbors!

Out and About:
When time allows, we get a chance to visit places off the beaten path. Last month we were invited to a small conference in Ipati de Ivo where I spoke four messages on the principle of “sacrifice”. It was a fun time for our whole family. The kids enjoyed hanging out with the other kids, seeing animals everywhere, and getting their hands dirty. There are other places we would like to visit, but having three small kids, and work at school doesn’t allow for much traveling.

I recently received an email from an alumni at the Escuela Cristiana, he says, “Hi, my name is Franco Moron and I have to say that being a part of the Escuela Cristiana was wonderful for me, because God placed a friend there who told helped know my Savior Jesus Christ.  I am always thankful to God for this, and I hope that the school doesn’t forget that this is first, this is its esence… to teach of the Lord”.  It is very encouraging to hear how children and youth are changed by the power of Christ.  

In November of 2009, 19 students graduated and we are looking forward to seeing what they will be up to over the next few years.  On the 21st of Jan.  I will be traveling down to Camiri for a couple of weeks to help get things together for the next school year.  Please pray for some of the things we will be trying to accomplish.  Besides the regular maintenance preparations, we need to set up a new system to track the school finances, I am currently working on a “sponsor a student program for 2010″.  This program would not only help the students, but it helps the school reach the minimum amount of students needed to be able to cover its costs.  At this point we have 11 students who are already in the school and need finantial assistance to cover tuition.  The cost is $30/month or $300 a year.  I am hoping that this year we will be able to invite 5-10 other students who would not otherwise be able to do this financially.