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Ministry with Orphans Enriches Student’s Life by Lisa Hicks, REO Mission ’01, Univ. Mission ’03
I find myself at a loss for words when asked to explain my Bolivia experience. In many ways, volunteering in a “Third World” country has changed my life. Some days, I worked together with others at the San Martin Guarderia (Day Care Center). We were able to sanitize the contents, walls and flooring in a room that was completely unbearable. Scrubbing the walls and mopping the floors in the Bolivian heat needed to be done—seeing the happiness inside each child made it all worth it!One morning, our group leader announced that one more volunteer was needed at the Tata Juan de Dios orphanage (where I had been so saddened a few days earlier by the absence of my favorite child from two years ago). I entered the doors of the play room, still feeling emptiness within, when a little 2-year-old, Johvanna, ran toward me and called “mama!” She won my heart at that moment, and I held her close. I began showing Johvanna how to stand up on her own using a yoga ball; it took patience, but was well worth it. Soon after, she was sitting up on her own without crying. I found it all challenging and time-consuming, but the time I spent holding this precious child was inexplicable and worth every second! I’d offer some advice for future Bolivia missioners: keep a journal, always! It’s a way of letting out joy, pain and negative feelings, and so interesting to read later. Also, make every second count; don’t waste time on negative feelings. If you expect nothing, you will gain everything. Finally, take a little piece of Bolivia as you return home, and don’t forget to leave a little behind!
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