a new direction.

Where to start?

With sincere sadness, I have officially left El Centro de Amistad.  In 2006 the leadership of El Centro changed, subsequently changing the vision and focus.  The holistic ministry that I described while fundraising last year just doesn't exist anymore.  Unfortunately, no one explained this to me as I was preparing to come back down here, and I assumed I would jump back into the ministry that I knew from 2004 and 2005.  So after 6 months of searching for a way to use my God-given gifts, all that I've learned from my experiences over the years, and the passions that God has put in my heart, I've had to accept the fact that I cannot serve God and serve the people of Bolivia to the best of my ability at El Centro.  The current leadership is taking the center in a completely different direction, which I do not entirely support, and are not open to any suggestion or outside opinion.  

And so El Centro de Amistad might have been what brought me back to Bolivia, but it's evident that God has other plans for me in Cochabamba, and He has provided some wide open doors.

As I've mentioned in my newsletters, I've been volunteering with another foundation here in Coch called Ninos con Valor (NCV) since the end of March and am excited to transition into working with them full-time.  At the moment, I'm just helping out where I can, building some friendships with street kids and teenagers, and observing/learning from the other missionaries.  It's a blessing to be working alongside like-minded people in projects that are actually helping to transform lives.

I've been spending several afternoons and evenings each week on the streets of Cochabamba getting to know the different groups of street kids and where they live.  I've been tagging along with one of two other staff members of NCV who have already become friends with quite a few of the street girls and kids.  It's kind of giving me automatic acceptance into their circle, but it'll definitely take some time to really get to know them and build trust.  

I'm also helping out at the girls home that NCV runs.  I've started a small group for the older girls in the home, which I'm really excited about.  Once a week, the girls pile into the upstairs rec room in pajamas for devotions and a good chat.  We've only been doing the small group for two weeks, but I'm so encouraged by how open and honest the girls...and how patient they are with my sometimes lousy (but always improving) Spanish.

This is a brand new direction, but it's all very exciting.  The confusion, stress, and sorrow that I felt for six months has just disappeared, and I feel so good about this new project.  Keep checking back, as I'll be posting weekly updates on this blog.