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Bolivia Trip 2010
NIC Ministry in Bolivia
See the latest photos on our Facebook Page
Rev. Oscar Carrasco, Elgin District Superintendent
Sept. 19, 9:05 p.m.
On Tuesday, September 14, Bishop Jung and I participated in the “Ceremonia Interreligiosa” in celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the “Gesta Libertaria” of Cochabamba, Bolivia. The scripture John 8:32 was the centerpiece of the liturgy:
“Conocereis la Verdad, y la Verdad os hara libres...” “Know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
In addition to the Methodist presence and participation, other denominations and institutions were participants: Anglican Church, Evangelical Lutheran, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, United Church, Prayers Circles for the Unity of Christians, Latin American Council of Churches, Superior Ecumenical Institute of Theology, American Methodist School and National Council of Spiritual Guides.
Cochabamba is Bolivia’s third largest city and is known as the “city of eternal spring.” A city of varied contrasts, it is vibrant and full of flowers. Bishop Jung and I were invited unexpectedly, by Bishop Rojas during our Bolivian trip, to attend the ceremonies scheduled for the early morning hours of the 14th.
We were seated with the other religious groups on the main platform with Bolivia’s President Evo Morales and his cabinet. President Morales began the event with a “pass and review” of Bolivia’s Armed Forces. The Bolivian colors were raised by the President and he participated in an Amyra ritual ceremony calling upon “Mother Earth” to bless, enrich, and provide spiritual cleansing and good fortune.
As we observed these important indigenous rituals, I was reminded again that God does have immeasurable love for the Bolivian Indigenous and multicultural peoples and that this, a 200th Anniversary Celebration of Liberty for Cochabama, is important to the life and vibrancy of all Bolivian people. The Methodist Church of Bolivia was integral to the Order of Worship. Rev. Melby Nina, an elder in the IEMB, Iglesia Metodista Evangelica de Bolivia, delivered the morning sermon. Bishop Rojas gave the final benediction. A significant moment came when Bishop Jung greeted President Morales and offered his sincerest prayers for Bolivia. At the conclusion of the service, a photo was taken of Bishop Jung and Bishop Rojas with President Morales and Vice President Garcia Linera.
Bishop Jung shared with me that he was deeply moved when President Morales raised the Bolivian flag. A prayer poured forth in his heart:
O God, Bless the people of Bolivia!
Let them suffer no more colonialism, no more war, no more racism, no more wounds, and no more divisions.
Bless them abundantly with your mercy and grace.
Let them suffer no more colonialism, no more war, no more racism, no more wounds, and no more divisions.
Bless them abundantly with your mercy and grace.
I added my prayers for the Bolivian people, their President and Authorities. I prayed for wisdom and courage for them to continue to be authentically Bolivian. I prayed that this lovely and loving country with its multicultural richness would be able to prosper and live in harmony. I prayed that Bolivia would maintain their values of a representative democracy and continue to be a blessing to all her people and also to her neighboring countries in mutual work together for the common Hemispherical and Global good.
God's Blessings!
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Oscar N. Carrasco
Elgin District Superintendent
Rev. Michael Mann
Sept. 15, 10:31 p.m.
Monday was a busy day for most of the Bolivian delegation. [Note: I was in my room the entire day
recovering from dysentery – too much feasting and dancing in Chua, I suppose.] While I was sick, the
rest of the group met with church leaders the entire morning. Together, they discussed ways that
we can be in partnership with the Indigenous Methodist Church of Bolivia in the future. During the
meeting, we said how we especially want to hear the needs Bolivian leaders express. This reflects our
mission connection that calls us to listen as well as act.
Monday afternoon, the group visited two projects identified by the Bolivian church. The first was a
women’s ministry (see our facebook page with photos of the building). The second was an area that
was a valley with a view to the mountains. In this space, the Bolivian church hopes to construct a home
for older adults. In this culture, a family often looks after those of retirement age. However, as some
families fall on hard times, those older adults are not always looked after. They are, at times, forgotten.
This space looking to the mountains might be one way to begin a ministry to them.
Tuesday was a special day. The bishop left the night before and went to Cochabamba for the 200th
anniversary of the city. There, he participated in an interreligious ceremony where the Methodist
Bishop, Bishop Rojas, preached and gave the benediction. Our Bishop offered greetings to President
Evo Morales. The papers carried a photo the next day of Bishop Rojas and Oscar Carrasco, who was
traveling with Bishop Jung as an interpreter. We hope to have photos of this event soon.
The other group went to two sites to view projects of the Indigenous Methodist Church of Bolivia. We
went around Lake Titicaca, including one site where we visited a church where the original Methodist
missionaries came to Bolivia. One of those missionaries included a man named Frank Beck, who helped
to set up a hospital for those in the area. This mission site was significant because even though it
was forbidden by law to teach indigenous persons, the missionaries still did it. And they cared for the
whole person, body and soul. These missionaries built a church and a parsonage with a basement,
an invention that was unheard of in Bolivia. However, during times of war, many people hid in those
basements where the military didn’t think to look for them.
Wednesday, Bishop Jung presented the Harvest 2020 Plan and its Five Core Values to a delegation of
national pastors. We took questions and had a time of sharing in questions together. Bishop Jung also
emphasized that Methodists live in the junction of social holiness and personal holiness.
After finishing in the mid-afternoon, we quickly went out with Bishop Rojas to see the ruins of an
ancient civilization at Teohuanacan. We saw several temples and a pyramid. The civilization lasted from
1500 years before the time of Christ until about 1200 common era, when climate change forced them
out. During the drive, those of us in the car overheard both bishops sharing about their families, their
dreams for Bolivia, and expressing hope in what Christ is doing in this country.
Tonight we invited Bishop Rojas to a Korean Restaurant! It was his first experience of Korean food. He
liked it!
Tomorrow, we have more meetings with local pastors and national leaders and then we pack up to head
home.
Note from Rev. Chris Pierson, Director of Connectional Ministries
Sunday, Sept. 12 4:35 p.m.
We all arrived safely in Bolivia yesterday morning to a warm welcome. We were greeted by leaders of the IEMB (Iglesia Evangelical Metodista en Bolivia), UMC Missionary John Funk and of course- a band that played for us in the reception area of the airport and follwed us back to the John Wesley Guest House and played music as we ate breakfast. The afternoon yesterday was spent learning about the history of Bolivia, the IEMB and discussing our partnership between the IEMB and the Northern Illinois Conference. Late afternoon we received a presentation from David Stephenson of the Oklahoma Conference regarding their work here and the partnership they developed that has lasted over 20 years and is still going strong.
I just loaned Michael my camera to load some pictures and video to send to you. Today, we dedicated the church in Chua and had a wonderful worship service. Bishop Jung preached while Oscar Carrasco interpreted from English to Spanish and Aymara. We heard and sang music in both Spanish and And in English. The Spirit really moved in that church today- especially during the time of prayer at the altar. It was a pleasure to participate in the worship service and to watch young people also commit their lives to Christ today.
If you have any questions regarding particulars in any of the photos I will do my best to tell you who the folks are and what was going on at the time. Michael Mann may do that as well as he send the pictures.
Peace from La Paz,
Chris
I just loaned Michael my camera to load some pictures and video to send to you. Today, we dedicated the church in Chua and had a wonderful worship service. Bishop Jung preached while Oscar Carrasco interpreted from English to Spanish and Aymara. We heard and sang music in both Spanish and And in English. The Spirit really moved in that church today- especially during the time of prayer at the altar. It was a pleasure to participate in the worship service and to watch young people also commit their lives to Christ today.
If you have any questions regarding particulars in any of the photos I will do my best to tell you who the folks are and what was going on at the time. Michael Mann may do that as well as he send the pictures.
Peace from La Paz,
Chris
Note from Rev. Michael Mann, Assoc. Director of Mission and Advocacy
Sunday, Sept. 13, 5:35 p.m.
I'm sending you lots of photos from our last 2 days. I will try to write a coherent story for you later (after we debrief in 20 minutes and go to dinner). The important details:
We arrived at 6:45 a.m. on Sept. 11th. We were greeted by a brass band and Bishop Rojas of the IEMB. We spent the morning trying to unpack and get over the altitude sickness. That afternoon, we spend 4 hours meeting with the Bishop and his Cabinet. We then heard another presentation last night. These were to prayerfully consider our relationship together and how we may reaffirm our relationship between the Northern Illinois Conference and the Bolivian Methodist Church.
Today we went to Chua to dedicate the church building. We know many have worked to build it and many have given to make it a reality. After a short couple of hour ride out to the Lake Titicaca area, we were greeted by the people there. The bishop immediately started to make friends, including getting into a little football/soccer game with some of the youth. We worshiped in song for the first hour, singing songs in Spanish and Aymara. During that time, we were welcomed by the Bolivian people who formed a line to welcome us. The second hour, we cut the ribbon and entered the church where we continued worship by singing. Bishop Jung was invited to preach. He preached using three parables from Luke 15 - the Lost sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son. The Bishop focused on the Prodigal Son saying that God has come to us as that father did. God runs to us, and so we ought to run to those in our community who are in need. Bishop Rojas, Bishop of the Bolivian church, underscored that sentiment as he dedicated the church that the doors might be open to the community around and that we might see the reign of God come.
During the third hour, we entered a time of baptism and confirmation as well as the offering up and exchange of gifts. Our Conference gave a plaque and a communion set made with clay from Illinois. The Bishop told them, "remember your brothers and sisters in Christ in Illinois as you use this communion set." Many more gifts were exchanged and then came the time of feasting and dancing. [more to come... gotta go.]
We arrived at 6:45 a.m. on Sept. 11th. We were greeted by a brass band and Bishop Rojas of the IEMB. We spent the morning trying to unpack and get over the altitude sickness. That afternoon, we spend 4 hours meeting with the Bishop and his Cabinet. We then heard another presentation last night. These were to prayerfully consider our relationship together and how we may reaffirm our relationship between the Northern Illinois Conference and the Bolivian Methodist Church.
Today we went to Chua to dedicate the church building. We know many have worked to build it and many have given to make it a reality. After a short couple of hour ride out to the Lake Titicaca area, we were greeted by the people there. The bishop immediately started to make friends, including getting into a little football/soccer game with some of the youth. We worshiped in song for the first hour, singing songs in Spanish and Aymara. During that time, we were welcomed by the Bolivian people who formed a line to welcome us. The second hour, we cut the ribbon and entered the church where we continued worship by singing. Bishop Jung was invited to preach. He preached using three parables from Luke 15 - the Lost sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son. The Bishop focused on the Prodigal Son saying that God has come to us as that father did. God runs to us, and so we ought to run to those in our community who are in need. Bishop Rojas, Bishop of the Bolivian church, underscored that sentiment as he dedicated the church that the doors might be open to the community around and that we might see the reign of God come.
During the third hour, we entered a time of baptism and confirmation as well as the offering up and exchange of gifts. Our Conference gave a plaque and a communion set made with clay from Illinois. The Bishop told them, "remember your brothers and sisters in Christ in Illinois as you use this communion set." Many more gifts were exchanged and then came the time of feasting and dancing. [more to come... gotta go.]
The Background
In 2007, Bishop Jung met with church leaders from Bolivia and our Conference. They were moved to establish a sister Conference relationship and to create a church building together that would allow that faith community to grow in new ways. Across the Conference, churches raised more than $17,000 for this project and even physically went to Bolivia on Volunteer in Mission trips to help construct this church building. Churches in other Conferences also joined us in this work as well.
The Itinerary
On Saturday, September 11, Bishop Jung and the group will meet with Bishop Carlos Rojas and members of the Executive Committee of the IEMB to discuss the partnership and possible projects. On Sunday, September 12, the group will travel to Chua for the dedication and celebration of the sanctuary for the Cristo Fe Esperanza congregation. Your prayers and spirit will travel with the group as many of you have been an integral part of this mission. Every effort will be made to send pictures for posting on the conference website of the celebration.
From September 13-16, the group will visit project sites, attend and assist in preaching and training events, and learn from our Bolivia brothers and sisters. Five team members return to Chicago on September 17. Joyce Carrasco will participate in the FeFeMe and OK Conference Women's Encounter from September 18-September 26 in La Paz.
The next meeting of Bolivia Partners is scheduled for Thursday, October 7, 10 AM, at Wesley UMC in Aurora.
NIC Bolivia Partners