Bolivia (MNN) — There's an old fashioned "barn raising"
going on in Bolivia.
Grace Ministries began a camp building project in 1980 with
a summer team that helped missionaries clear the camp
property located 80 kilometers outside of Santa Cruz.
Since then, the Lord has used the camp facilities for
retreats and camps for the young people from many evangelical groups in the
area. But after nearly 30 years of use,
the camp was in need of extensive renovations, and the call for help went out to
GMI churches for manpower to help with numerous projects.
Grace Ministries International, Grace Bible College, and
Grace Gospel Fellowship joined together to present a unique cross-cultural
missions experience for teens seeking to grow in their faith. This summer, numerous teams under GMI's EXCITE missions
program went to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to serve under the leadership of Jerry and
DeAnna Olson and Steve and Lorene Gabler.
They were joined by 16 Bolivian young people from GMI churches
who not only worked with the team but also helped with a children's program in
the village.
The teams lent a hand with the physical work, as well as
evangelistic work, together with missionaries and believers from the host
churches. With their help, the long
trench for the men's bathroom was completed, the hole for the septic tank was
dug, the foundation for the kitchen was begun, and camp house windows were
cleaned and painted.
GMI missionaries focus on evangelism, church planting,
youth, and leadership training. Ministries
to the youth are being provided through three schools (K-12) in which 1,800
students are receiving Christian-based education. A year-round camp and AWANA programs in the
churches enhance the ministry with the youth.
Pray that the outreach events, both in the city and near the
camp, will be used of the Lord to bring many people to faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ.
