"She Just Disappeared"

Of course it was "Mariela*" who didn't show up to SutiSana to work, our youngest artisan barely out of her teens, already a mom of her own two children and raising her orphaned brother.

Eucharistic Community

An update from one of our interns who just completed her internship in Bolivia. Michaela is a senior at Anderson University and is completing her degree in International Relations and Spanish.

Vania*

At 12 years old, Vania* has experienced more hardships than most adults.

Beyond what we can ask or Imagine

Update is from one of our interns in Bolivia. Michaela is a senior at Anderson University and is completing her degree in International Relations and Spanish. She will be working in the community center while in Bolivia. We are excited for her as she joins our Bolivia community for a couple months!

Franz*

While most five-year-old boys are playing fearlessly among a multitude of friends, Franz,* with a limited vocabulary was timidly saving his own life and that of his family.

Arriving in La Paz

My host family is kind, welcoming and incredibly patient with my Spanglish :). There are six kids all living at home between the ages of 15 and about 27 which makes for a lot of energy and good community.

A Safe Space

It’s not uncommon for our therapeutic groups or conversations with the amigas to get interrupted by the inner battle that they face daily — shortened breath, uncontrollable crying, dissociation, anxiety attacks, loss of hope…and so we make space.

Perceptions

Highlights of Summer

When we say ‘Highlights of Summer’ – we’re keeping in mind our North American readers! June, July and August are chilly months in Bolivia, but also a great time of ministry growth.

I Live for Redemption Stories

I walked into a brothel last night. The light was dim, the music bouncing. Hard porn covered the walls. Urinals lined the entryway. The place reeked of urine, beer, & smoke.

We Can Go Further

For many years, the strategy God gave WMFB was to simply be present, to be with those affected by prostitution. That strategy continues today, as groups of staff and volunteers visit local red-light districts. They go to where the women are to get to know them and form friendships with them, inviting them to the activities offered at the ministry center.

Dancing Warrior

"God stand in this place! Settle in my heart, take Your place and come, reign in every corner of my heart, be the Lord of my life, of my dreams, of my fears and my questions. May you be the center of everything, in every process, anoint my heart with your Holy Spirit, and pour Yourself out as oil that soaks and restores the deepest part of my being."

"I No Longer Have Shame Over My Childhood"

A visit to Bolivia will take your breath away. Literally. When you fly into El Alto, Bolivia, you land at an altitude of 13,325 feet. Your body is taking in approximately 1/3 less oxygen than normal and it takes more energy and time to do even simple things, like walking through the airport with your luggage.

Tired & Happy

Perhaps all too often I can get caught up in the weight of this work, the difficulty of true healing processes, and thus trying to take seriously what we do, which is certainly merited. But what if the most healing, therapeutic thing we can do is to hug our child or draw together or laugh?

Labels

“I wish everyone would stop talking about him like he was a drug dealer and a gangbanger. As if that makes it okay that he was killed.”

The (Whole) Christmas Story

At Christmas-time we remember the baby Jesus, but the nativity is not about warm fuzzies. It's love amidst fear, hope in despair, and light forcing back the dark - smirking faces and off-key voices, it's all a part of the Christmas story.

Slouching Towards Bethlehem

Recently, a staff member was ready to hand in his resignation after an exhausting (and rather loud) conflict with one of the women. I listened to his frustration, and realized that he was stuck seeing the small, bloody fights, but couldn't step back to see his vital place in the bigger war.

My New Favorite Superhero!

Every superhero has a tragic origin story, but Wanda's is absolutely horrific.

A World Full of Good People

Subsisting in the middle of urbanity, no one knew how she and her 3 children were suffering: a single mother prostituting, pregnant from gang rape, cooking on an open fire, and all 4 sleeping on one small mattress on the floor.

Hope

“Sometimes,” she said, “You can come home from brothel visits and take it in stride. Other times, the harshness of what they face night after night, and how we can just walk away at the end of the visit, hits home and the gulf between us feels overwhelming.“

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