Walking With the Poor - Notes From the Field

MISSION AWARENESS TRIP TO BOLIVIA

Sept. 1—Sept. 10, 2006

"My sponsor might live in the U.S. but she lives in my heart"

It is a pleasure to be in touch from Bolivia. Once a part of the Inca Empire, this nation is a huge piece of real estate, comparable in size to California and Texas combined. It snowed on top of the mountains this week, and we have enjoyed cool weather, even in Santa Cruz. Bolivia’s two ranges of the Andes offer majestic snow-peaked mountains and deep ravines. They say here that, if your vehicle ever goes over the edge, you can say a rosary before reaching heaven. When the airplanes land in La Paz, extra oxygen is generally made available for those who are accustomed to lower climates.

Though rich in mineral and energy resources, Bolivia is one of the poorest countries on the continent. The majority of Bolivians are low-income subsistence farmers, miners, small traders or artisans. I believe it is the “wealthy city elites” who are behind the work stoppage and manifestations against the proposed constitutional reform which took place during the MAT in Santa Cruz. Evo Morales is Bolivia’s first indigenous president, an Aymara Indian from an impoverished family. In his youth he was a llama herder and played the trumpet in a band.

Arrival in Santa Cruz

We are fortunate that all the sponsors have arrived in good spirit and with all luggage. It is usually quite warm in Santa Cruz. This time, however, we are blessed with such cool winds out of the Patagonia that we have been wearing jackets.

Our first gathering of this 2006 MAT was at Subproject CM-Cristo Mensajero, a community-based program. Susana, a mother who manages this subproject, is inspiring in her knowledge of each child. This thatched-roof galera has become the neighborhood place to be for 167 sponsored children and 24 aging. CFCA scholars help out with tutoring and organizing.

Dancing gaucho

Eight-year-old Beimar, in full gaucho regalia, danced his way into our hearts with his danzas chaquenas. This little guy can fly. For this gathering, Sister Roberta brought sponsored children from Hogar La Esperanza. In this “Home of Hope,” 120 children of prisoners are offered a chance at life. Forty-seven of these tender and vulnerable children have CFCA sponsors.

On the morning of our final day in Cochabamba, we enjoyed a great dialog with the CFCA scholars. Fernando grew up as an orphan, and speaks of his sponsor with the greatest affection: “My sponsor might live in the USA, but in reality she lives in my heart.” Fernando’s CFCA service project is to tutor sponsored children in mathematics.

Rosa—one year away from a degree

Among all the young CFCA scholars standing in front of the sponsors, a thin mother stood out. She is 33 and abandoned. Rosa cares for an eight-year-old son and an aging father. In her desire to provide for them and to help her community, Rosa returned to school with a CFCA scholarship. She now needs only one year to finish her university degree in social work. Rosa’s service project at CFCA consists in visiting sponsored families and working on child progress reports. I feel good knowing that Rosa is out there.

I will sign off for now. Thank you for traveling with us in solidarity and prayer.

Bob Hentzen
Cochabamba, Bolivia
Sept. 9, 2006