Reflections on Villa Alba
It was such a joy to finally be able to serve people who were victims of the flooding. The smiles on these children’s faces were priceless. Still it was sad to see such extreme poverty. Some children were running around barefoot (possibly laziness). Nearly all were dirty. It was so encouraging to see some of them coming over 30 min early for camp and waiting for us to eat our breakfast and start up. It was obvious they hadn’t had this much fun in a long time.
When we arrived on Monday, we started by putting together a place we could use for showering since in the Bolivian countryside, people shower with a bucket of water, pouring water over themselves with a large cup. It’s strange to think there are still places in the civilized world that are without electricity, without running water. It was a glimpse at what life must have been like prior to electricity. No television, no computers, no internet, no music (other than live music from a guitar), no lighting. These people are the poorest of the poor and live in a state of poverty that probably all of us will never fully comprehend. Still, they are some of the nicest people I have met, truly grateful for what little they do have and with a sense of hospitality that is second to none.
We brought a generator, but it stopped working after the first night, I think the Lord wanted us to live without the comforts of electricity for one week. One thing that was amazing were the stars, they were so bright and you could even see part of the Milky Way Galaxy!
The other thing that struck me was during our time of community service. I went with my group to a house about a 15 min walk from the center of the village and we were demolishing a traditional thatched style roof house made of palm branches (typical for homes in the Bolivian countryside) that was damaged in the flooding so the people could start over rebuilding it. Bats, wasps, numerous bugs and even a poisonous snake were found living in it!! To think that these people are starting all over in rebuilding this home. It'll take several weeks at least for this home to be rebuilt.
I am convinced the Lord was at work in all of us. It certainly made me appreciate the simple gifts God has given me and the others that were with us. At least we live in an area that is more modernized. Sixteen kids accepted the Lord out of 50, a fantastic number! Two of our girls from the group as well entrusted the Lord. By the end of the trip you could feel a sense of team spirit and cohesiveness. The people on this trip are the core of our Jovenes group and I hope their team oriented attitude rubs off on the rest of the people who attend.
When we arrived on Monday, we started by putting together a place we could use for showering since in the Bolivian countryside, people shower with a bucket of water, pouring water over themselves with a large cup. It’s strange to think there are still places in the civilized world that are without electricity, without running water. It was a glimpse at what life must have been like prior to electricity. No television, no computers, no internet, no music (other than live music from a guitar), no lighting. These people are the poorest of the poor and live in a state of poverty that probably all of us will never fully comprehend. Still, they are some of the nicest people I have met, truly grateful for what little they do have and with a sense of hospitality that is second to none.
We brought a generator, but it stopped working after the first night, I think the Lord wanted us to live without the comforts of electricity for one week. One thing that was amazing were the stars, they were so bright and you could even see part of the Milky Way Galaxy!
The other thing that struck me was during our time of community service. I went with my group to a house about a 15 min walk from the center of the village and we were demolishing a traditional thatched style roof house made of palm branches (typical for homes in the Bolivian countryside) that was damaged in the flooding so the people could start over rebuilding it. Bats, wasps, numerous bugs and even a poisonous snake were found living in it!! To think that these people are starting all over in rebuilding this home. It'll take several weeks at least for this home to be rebuilt.
I am convinced the Lord was at work in all of us. It certainly made me appreciate the simple gifts God has given me and the others that were with us. At least we live in an area that is more modernized. Sixteen kids accepted the Lord out of 50, a fantastic number! Two of our girls from the group as well entrusted the Lord. By the end of the trip you could feel a sense of team spirit and cohesiveness. The people on this trip are the core of our Jovenes group and I hope their team oriented attitude rubs off on the rest of the people who attend.
Labels: camp, Villa Alba
posted by Jimmy Bollinger at
8:55 AM
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