Operation Bolivia

I was just reading the Bolivia page on the Operation World website, a site dedicated to helping Christians know how to pray for mission work around the world. Even though I've been involved in mission work to Bolivia for over a year now, there are some facts that continue to shock me and remind me of the need for prayer.

Some things that stood out to me:

-Even though the literacy rate is 77%, the "functional literacy" rate is less than 50%.

-The drug trade is a growing problem in Bolivia, and, due to diplomatic tensions between Bolivia and the US, the DEA was expelled about a year ago. And, while I completely agree that the drug trade needs to be eradicated, it's easy to see why there is so much resistance. When you are a poor farmer, it is hard to see how growing bananas is going to support your family as well as growing coca would.

-Over 80% of children live in extreme poverty, and over 80,000 are known to be addicted to drugs.

Not all of the facts are depressing, though. The evangelical church has a growing presence in Bolivia, despite the challenges it faces. In fact, the Bolivian church is even sending missionaries to places like the Middle East (see the blog post I wrote a few months ago about how Hospitals of Hope is helping with this). God is at work in Bolivia, and he is using his people to carry out that work.

If you get a chance, check out the Operation World site and take some time to pray about what you read there, as well as for our staff, volunteers, and patients in Bolivia.