Youth Missioner Discovers New Ways to Share Her Gifts in Bolivia

As I prepared to return to Sucre, Bolivia for the third time in July, the Bible verse I focused on was Ephesians 3:20, “God is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine.”  Throughout the trip, I was amazed at all the things God had planned for me.  I spent the month working in Holy Trinity Parish, run by the Trinitarian Fathers and Sisters. 

   During the day I worked at the day care center, and at night I taught English classes to the children.  I visited with many parish groups, such as the catechists—who are just 17-19 years old, and walk an hour to teach children of the barrios about Jesus. 

Rachel Bernardin gathers with 36 of her new friends at the San Martin “Guarderia” in a barrio outside Sucre, Bolivia.

   I was able to visit the poor village of Quila Quila, where they have no electricity, no running water, and just recently opened a school.  Their church dates from the 16th century and their retreat house is in absolute shambles due to its age.  This small community has an inspiring faith, yet they have so little and their conditions are so poor. 

   At the San Martin Day Care Center, donations are not sufficient to feed the children two meals a day, pay the teachers, buy supplies, or pay for upkeep.  The Center’s primary focus is to meet the children’s physical needs. 

   The children are well cared for compared to other children in the barrios, but have no toys or educational materials.  They didn’t know their alphabet, numbers, colors or shapes.  The Day Care Center had only six puzzles for 36 children, and 20 “Legos.”  Their crayons were old and broken, and they had no pencils or paper for the children, no toys besides some stuffed animals.  Walls were barren (tho’ clean from the previous mission’s work!—Ed. note) 

   During the month in Sucre, I spent funds from my parish to stock the classroom shelves and decorate the walls.  I was able to buy enough puzzles and other toys for all of the children to develop their fine motor skills.  Funds covered art supplies and kitchen supplies as well. 

Toy shelves at the San Martin Day Care Center are newly stocked, thanks to the generosity of St. Mary Parish in Mokena.

   One of the reasons I love Bolivia so much is that it’s easy there to see God working in our lives, to see Him in the eyes of our brothers and sisters.  I was touched countless times by the selfless acts of the people around me.  There is something about their simple lifestyle and amazing faith in God that motivates one to be more like them,  grateful for every single thing they have. 

   There is so much for which I am grateful, and I hope to return again to Sucre … to try to give back the strength, hope and inspiration the people have given me.