Our Projects
We have numerous projects in Bolivia that we’re involved with. From children’s education and new church construction to support for David’s ministry. All of these projects benefit both the IEMB and the OAC in numerous ways. Unfortunately, each has its own way of recieving donations.
Take a look through the projects that our partnership supports. And if you see one that touches you, please, click the donate button and help them out.
Donate through your church.
Mail your donation.
Donate online.
The Bolivian Pastor’s Fund
Â
The Methodist pastors in Bolivia are some of the hardest-working people in the country. They minister to as many as 10 churches every week, and some walk for days between their churches. They visit their church members, train local lay pastors, and perform sacraments, all on less than $300 a month.
Christian Children’s Education
Â
For many people, they’re first introduced to the stories of Christ’s love when they’re children. Through Sunday school and church, they come to know the stories and lessons that we can learn from the Bible, and how they apply to modern life.
In Bolivia, however, children don’t have that luxury. Sunday school materials are few and far between, and the classes are often taught by teenagers who have no training, no supplies, no curriculum, and no spiritual growth opportunities for themselves.
Women’s Handicrafts
Â
Women’s handicrafts are one of the primary exports of Bolivia. Found in the markets of La Paz or even for sale online, these lovely hand-woven pieces are unique works of art.
Unfortunately, very little of the purchase price – often only 5 percent to 10 percent – actually goes to the woman who made the craft. The merchants and website owners are the one who make significant profits off these women’s creativity, skills, and labor.
Evangelism Equipment
Â
In the poor, underdeveloped, and relatively illiterate culture of rural Bolivia, the IEMB has discovered a wonderful way to spread the gospel.
Methodist pastors and lay leaders are often invited into remote villages without a church of any kind, and asked to explain the beliefs of Methodism and to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Transportation
Â
With most of the IEMB’s 200 churches, congregations, and preaching points scattered throughout the rural areas of the country, transportation for pastors is a serious and pressing need. Because only 30 or so pastors serve these churches, they’re responsible for around 10 congregations apiece. It’s not uncommon for a pastor and his family to walk 6 hours or more between churches in order to be present for weekly worship.
Good transportation is vital to help the pastors travel between the churches and better serve their many congregations and church members.
Rural Church Construction
Â
The heart and strength of the Methodist Church in Bolivia (IEMB) does not lie in the cities or urban areas, but in the rural, outlying areas, where the indigenous people live. Because of the IEMB’s work in strengthening communities and in human rights for indigenous peoples, it has truly become a church of the people.
Long-standing churches often have to rebuild, especially in rural areas. While the adobe construction is inexpensive, it’s not durable, and adobe churches don’t last much longer than 20 years. Also, the congregations often outgrow their buildings, leading to more construction needs.
Parsonage Construction
Â
The IEMB desperately needs help with parsonage construction. In Bolivia, the quality of parsonages available to the clergy declines as they move into the rural areas. While urban areas have housing that pastors can rent, in the rural villages scattered throughout the country, pastors and their families must depend on church-owned parsonages for shelter.
The Methodist Women’s Federation
Â
Most of the people in Bolivia live in poverty. Unfortunately, this keeps women permanently marginalized, socio-economically, ethnically, and educationally. Seventy percent of illiterate people in Bolivia are women. The percentage of women in leadership positions is very low, and jobs and opportunities for salaries are limited. Bolivian women also have a high mortality rate, due to problems during childbirth and uterine cancer.
And yet the Bolivian women have great spiritual, cultural and creative strengths that help the survival of their families and communities.
Return to top
