Where we work
Facts about Bolivia
Area: 1,098,580 km.sq.
Climate: Tropical Jungle ('Oriente') to Cold Highlands ('Altiplano')
Capital: Sucre
Seat of Government: La Paz
Currency: Boliviano
People: 39% Quechua, 30% Mixed Race, 25% Aymara, 5% European Descent
Official Languages: Spanish, and all the languages of the indigenous nations and peoples
Religion: 94% Christian (12% Evangelical), 6% Other Faiths/None
Geography and climate
La Paz is one of the highest cities in the world at just under 12,000 feet. Not all cities are yet linked by paved roads, and transport to areas outside the main towns and cities can be unpredictable.
Bolivia is rich in natural resources, especially minerals, gas, petroleum, hardwoods, soya and other crops including potatoes, rice, corn, sugar cane, yucca and bananas. Coca cultivation is on the increase.
Politics and economics
The story of the last decade has been the rising up of the 60 per cent indigenous population, marginalised by the elite ruling class, to protest against perceived injustices. Direct action in the form of marches, strikes and road blocks over issues revolving around land rights and the management of natural resources and utilities has been common, and in many cases effective.
People and society
In 2006, 60 per cent of the population was classed as living in poverty, with 38 per cent living in extreme poverty – the majority living in rural areas.
Family remains important, with the most people living close to their family. However, the economic situation has led to the migration of more than two million Bolivians to Spain, the USA and Argentina. Often one parent goes leaving the husband/wife and children behind. This has led to family disintegration, with the separated parents often taking other partners, or children left to grow up alone. The absence of the mother is seen as the absence of the core of the family. Values are changing with money becoming more important than family in many cases. About half the population is currently under the age of 15.
Religion and the church
This has been a big change because until the New Constitution the Roman Catholic Church was the official church and enjoyed special benefits.
Despite the state’s declared independence from religion, the government promotes the traditional religions of the original peoples. This is causing resistance from both the evangelical church and the Catholic Church, despite its historical tolerance of syncretism. The majority of evangelicals have in the past come from the lower classes, and these are the people being most politicised by the government and encouraged to return to “traditional” beliefs and practices.
The evangelical church has not been very interested in social action until recently. However, some of the Bible and mission training colleges are starting to include integral mission in their syllabus.
Latin Link's work in Bolivia
‘Given the current political situation, we don’t need people who are just theologians. Instead we need professionals to work in social projects and be involved in holistic mission, ready to teach and preach, and disciple believers. The church remains weak in many cases and help is needed to bring it to maturity in a culturally appropriate way. There is a need to prepare leaders and help people see their identity as Christians as more than just turning up for church on Sunday. We need people to come in who are willing to live a lifestyle appropriate to their context and to encourage local believers.’
Meet our team in Bolivia
David and Denise Flynn work in an advisory role among Deaf Christians in Britain and Ireland, Bolivia and across Latin America. They teach Christian Discipleship and Bible Training courses for
Maribel Beyuma Chao, is serving at St Hilda’s Church, Manchester until October. Maribel is assisting with the church’s programmes for young people and families and also reaching out to the Spanish-speaking
Louis and Maribel Woodley are based in Potosí. They are involved with discipleship and training of leaders, particularly young leaders. Louis continues as National Coordinator with the Timothy Institute in Bolivia and travels on their behalf. Maribel is involved in missions mobilisation with
Julie Noble works with Prison Fellowship International in Oruro. She supports the Angel Tree Centre programme, which works with prisoners’ children and their families, and is part of the Restoring Hope programme, which implements discipleship and restorative justice initiatives with
Juan Soza and Anouschka Putschky de Soza
Juan Soza and Anouschka Putschky de Soza, with Emely, Lisa and Jonathan, work in La Paz and El Alto, where they run programmes for children, teenagers and adults who live in the streets, many of whom have drug and alcohol-related problems. They
Joe Stoneham is based in Sucre. He is supporting the El Alfarero (The Potter) student ministry, which seeks to support Bolivian students holistically. He is involved in mentoring young people. CHURCH: HOOK EVANGELICAL CHURCH, SURBITON, SURREY, ENGLAND
Graham and Debbie Frith are the National Directors of El Alfarero (The Potter), a student ministry in Sucre, Santa Cruz and La Paz, which provides holistic services to university students,
Craig and Amanda Cunningham, with Sam, live in the city of Santa Cruz. Craig serves as pastor of Trinity International Church and as Coordinator of the Langham Preaching programme in
Sadie Grace Hammond and Víctor Hugo Villarroel
Sadie Grace Hammond and Víctor Hugo Villarroel are both on the Stride programme, having got married in December 2020. Sadie will be teaching ESL as part of AYLA, a missions
Mission opportunities in Bolivia
The Bolivia team is looking for people with a heart to serve God and be sensitive to the culture here; people ready to live alongside Bolivian believers even when that is not comfortable, and model servant leadership to them; people willing to pioneer, to be prepared to go to places where there are less comforts and where there are no other foreigners.
We want people who have got some real world job experience. Skills may include preaching, teaching, discipling, pastoral, youth and children's work, music, project management.
Applicants must be willing to study and learn Spanish (or the other languages spoken in Bolivia) well.
To find out more about mission in Bolivia, please browse our opportunities or contact us.
Care and Social Action
Bolivia (Vinto, Oruro)
Work with the residents of PRADOS, who are recovering from problems with drugs and alcohol, by means of sports, counselling, Bible studies and accompaniment.
Care and Social Action
Bolivia (Oruro)
Work in the prison of San Pedro and in the My House refuge, where minor offenders are held. There are two programmes working at the moment.
Evangelism
Bolivia (Santa Cruz)
Work in a Christian Café for students in the busy commercial centre of Santa Cruz and build up friendship and trust with the students.
Care and Social Action
Bolivia, La Paz
Work within the IJM (International Justice Mission) office in La Paz, Bolivia. Puedes trabajar en la oficina de MJI (Misión de Justicia Internacional) en La Paz, Bolivia. das IJM-Büro in