Location: El Alto – La Paz, Bolivia
Activity: Children’s evangelism and prison evangelism
Beneficiaries: 120 children and 270 inmates
BACKGROUND
The city of El Alto is an urban center with nearly one million inhabitants in the department of La Paz,
Bolivia. As a rapidly developing city, it has experienced massive population growth; consequently, several areas
within the city face poverty and social risk.
There is a high percentage of impoverished families and children at social risk. To address this, a social support
initiative involving the distribution of 120 school backpacks will be carried out in the Tilata community of Viacha.
Thanks to the support of Pastor Carlos Montaño and Pastor Butch Guidry, hundreds of backpacks were assembled
for distribution in areas of need.
Additionally, thanks to the Montaño family and Pastor Butch, 260 bags containing cleaning supplies and Bibles
were prepared for distribution during an evangelism outreach at the Qalahuma prison in Viacha, La Paz, Bolivia.
OBJECTIVE
To evangelize and share a message of faith and hope with children from families at social risk in Tilata, and to conduct
evangelism and social outreach among young inmates at the Qalahuma prison in Viacha.
ACTIVITY CARRIED OUT
Over the course of two weeks, the mission team organized the logistics for assembling school backpacks and bags
of cleaning supplies; they also secured the necessary permits and organized the team of volunteers for the activity.
Early in the morning, a group of 15 volunteers assigned to this task set off for the city of Viacha. Upon arrival, we were
immediately assigned two cell blocks where we could share the Gospel and distribute the supplies.
In each block, Pastor Carlos Montaño led worship songs and conducted an evangelistic devotional, calling the young
inmates to repentance. A team of counselors prayed for and ministered to the needs of those who approached them,
while a team from Gethsemane Church prepared over 270 meals and refreshments, which were diligently distributed.
At the conclusion of each event, a supply bag was handed out containing biblical materials, toothpaste, a toothbrush,
a bar of soap, toilet paper, and laundry detergent; additionally, 24 Bibles were presented to the prison chaplains.
After the activity, part of the team headed to the Tilata area to conduct an evangelistic event for 120 at-risk children who
had been gathered by a host church.
Parents attended this evangelism event, and teachers organized a program featuring songs and special performances, in
which Pastor Carlos Montaño and his wife, Lorena, also participated.
At the end of the activity, 120 school backpacks were distributed to all the children present; each backpack contained:
– 2 notebooks
– A folder and paper
– A box of colored pencils
– A pencil and pens
– A ruler
– A sheet of poster board
– A sharpener and eraser
– An educational toy
The pastors and families were deeply grateful for this gesture and presented certificates of appreciation and gifts
to the Montaño family and the volunteers.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Pastor Bucht Guidry, as well as Pastor Carlos Montaño
and his family, for their ongoing support of the ministry. We also thank all the volunteers; may God bless you all.
Blessings.
