MAY 2026 PRAYER LETTER
After our medical leave was extended due to a death in the family, we are thankful to finally be back home in Bolivia. Saying goodbye to family was especially difficult this time, but we are confident that we have returned to the place where God has called us, and we are grateful to be back serving and working once again.
A few months ago, we mentioned shipping four pallets of Bibles to Bolivia. We neglected to let you know in our last letter that they arrived safely without any issues. After about two weeks in customs, they were delivered so our team could unload them into our storage container. One of the pallets was designated for another missionary who has faithfully distributed BEAM Bibles over the years. The remaining pallets are being distributed throughout Bolivia with plans to send some into neighboring countries as well.
We are still waiting on the Guaraní Bibles that were supposed to arrive in January. Here we are in May, and they still have not been delivered. Now that we are back in country, I hope to put additional pressure on the printer so we can finally receive them.
One of our immediate goals is to establish a nonprofit organization within Bolivia. Our home church has used a similar structure to operate in countries that are closed to religious organizations. While Bolivia does not currently restrict religious groups in that way, we have encountered many logistical hurdles that would be much easier to navigate under a nonprofit organization rather than under a religious ministry.
When medical teams come to help with clinics, they bring a large amount of supplies, medical equipment, and medications. Getting all that through customs is often a lengthy and difficult process. Entering under the umbrella of this nonprofit should be a smoother and more secure method. Beyond medical teams, it would help with importing Scripture, building materials, and other ministry supplies. Our ministry in Venezuela operates under a similar structure and we hope it will be as effective here as it has been there. Although the government would recognize it as a non-religious organization, our true purpose remains the same: to help spread the Gospel throughout Bolivia and across South America. Our hope is to expedite the paperwork so the organization can be established and ready for the medical clinic we have scheduled for August. Please pray with us as we begin this process.
In April, we were able to hold a small medical clinic near Samaipata. Operation Renewed Hope had sponsored the medicines for several clinics that were originally planned for last year, but political unrest in Bolivia forced us to postpone them. We were finally able to hold the clinic in a small rural church that has been heavily damaged by flooding over the past several months. The clinic had a steady flow of patients each day providing approximately 200 people with medical care, free medicine, and most importantly, a clear presentation of the Gospel.
Looking outside of Bolivia, I want to tell you about a church property we would like to buy in Venezuela. For security reasons I cannot publish his name, but this pastor has labored many years in that area and has worked under our board since before I met him in 2019, prior to becoming ABMI South American Director. They are meeting in a rundown rented property they have been slowly fixing up and now it is available to purchase. The property is slightly larger than most of our church properties here in Bolivia which tells me it is large enough to handle his needs. We can buy the land with the existing structures for $3,500. Would you help us pray over this need? The church members are trying to save towards the purchase price, but when the average family income is only half the cost of living, it will be very difficult for them to raise that much. With the political situation in Venezuela, we would love to be able to secure this property before prices start increasing again.
Every blessing mentioned in this letter has only been possible because of your faithful prayers and support. Thank you for allowing us to serve here on your behalf.
