A team of leaders from Anglican churches in Bolivia spent a busy 3 weeks in Birmingham. We heard their stories, learned more about the opportunities and needs of the churches there and celebrated the faith that binds us together across the continents.
This was the first visit by such a large group from Bolivia since the link with Birmingham started several years ago. The team had a busy programme which included preaching engagements and other events in over a dozen local churches. They visited an inter-faith project, Messy Church, a school and a Spanish club and were able to spend a day on a canal boat as well as visiting Oxford and London.
At Christ Church the Bolivians met with the PCC and leadership team and also with the group that visited Bolivia in 2013.
The visit helped to clarify the way forward for the link, identifying opportunities for further leadership training and sharing of prayer needs. It’s great news that Bishop David will be going to Bolivia in 2017 – his first visit to South America.
Although the two countries are so different from each other the bond of faith and love between us continues to grow.
Pastor Walter Toro preached at a morning service in Christ Church: Monica comes from the same church in Tarija
The Christ Church congregation watched a video about the church in Tarija
Pastor Franklin preached at an evening service at Christ Church
Sonia told her story in an evening service at Christ Church
So many memories to take home: The team visited Messy Church at Christ Church
Margaret was a member of the team that visited Bolivia in 2013
Bishop Raphael, Pastor Walter and Monica met with leaders from Christ Church
Franklin Cuenca is the pastor of the church in Santa Cruz
Monica is from Tarija in the south of Bolivia
Pedro Villareal is the pastor of a church in La Paz, the world’s highest capital city
Sonia is from Cochabamba
Bolivia is a very diverse country and this was especially evident when team members wore costumes representing the four cities from which they come. On a visit to a local primary school the children were full of questions and the session ran much longer than intended. Well, things don’t always go to plan in Bolivia…
The Bolivians enjoyed our historic cities, and our countryside
An afternoon at Waseley Hills Country Park
Find out more about our link with Bolivia on our Bolivia page.