Tell The Story: Outreach in Bolivia
Long-time FCCer, Tessa Gourley recently traveled to Bolivia with LIVE BOLD, an internship program through Long View Ranch. LIVE BOLD emphasizes three core values - missions/community outreach, outdoor adventure, and biblical discipleship. Tessa and LIVE BOLD fulfilled all of these values during the week-long mission to Bolivia. Along with serving the community, one of the trip’s purposes was to help, support, and encourage the missionaries who have been serving there for years. The group served alongside these missionaries at an all-boys orphanage called the Bolivia Life Center. When asked about the highlight of her trip, Tessa smiled and said,
“hanging out with the little “pequenos,” (3-7-year-olds) - having fun with them, reading them stories, and loving on them as we put them to bed.”
They also had the opportunity to travel to remote villages, where the villagers had never seen a "gringo," (white person). In those villages, they ministered by conducting sidewalk Sunday Schools, where they sang songs, told Gospel-centered stories, played games, and passed out stockings full of toys and snacks. The children always wanted to share their snacks with her, and it touched her to see how giving they were, despite having so little.
Tessa expected to see "true poverty," but she was shocked to find that they had a deep, spiritually rich relationship with Jesus Christ despite their poverty. Upon returning to America, she had the realization that so many first-world Christians take their relationship with Christ for granted. Her observation was that the Bolivian Christians cherish their relationship with the Lord. Tessa explained,
Tessa expected to see "true poverty," but she was shocked to find that they had a deep, spiritually rich relationship with Jesus Christ despite their poverty. Upon returning to America, she had the realization that so many first-world Christians take their relationship with Christ for granted. Her observation was that the Bolivian Christians cherish their relationship with the Lord. Tessa explained,
“I think it is the difference in the number of material items we have compared to what they have. It seems they are super grateful to God for what he provides, and that carries over to how they see their relationship with God. He is their everything and the one who sustains them not just with food, but with grace, mercy, and love.”
While ministering in the town, they visited three different struggling families and ministered to them with food, prayer, and sharing the gospel. One of the women was a believer who had recently lost her mom. Even with a language barrier, they showed her the love of Christ and comforted her. There was a sweet bond that they shared in Jesus Christ.
Anyone who has ever taken a mission trip can attest that it is life-changing. Tessa describes the change in this way:
Anyone who has ever taken a mission trip can attest that it is life-changing. Tessa describes the change in this way:
“I learned I could love people whose language I couldn’t speak. God widened my worldview to understand He is doing a work worldwide. Before traveling to Bolivia, I couldn’t imagine living or serving anywhere outside of America. Still, after spending some time there and seeing God use me in that capacity, it opened my heart to the idea of missions and serving Him anywhere He leads me.”
If you see Tessa around at the Greeneville Campus, I am sure she would be happy to tell you some more stories and show you pictures of her trip.
Posted in Tell the Story