2010 Summary and 2011 Short-term Trip

We are gearing up for another short-term trip to Uspa Uspa! Thanks for checking in. I will update this blog from the field as often as possible.

We had an amazing experience on our vision trip last year. We were considering Food for the Hungry's Community-2-Community program, and we embarked on a short-term trip to see firsthand FH's work in Bolivia. We couldn't have been more pleased with what we saw.

Last year's project was to lay the groundwork for a community center/computer lab. The project was to pour concrete on a floor that would eventually become a meeting space for the local church, FH, and other community organizations. We also supplied the community with 2 computers. In addition to the project, we also met with key leaders and heard their vision for Uspa Uspa.

When we returned to the States, we immediately began praying over what C2C would look like for Believers Fellowship. The child sponsorship and short-term trip commitments are substantial, so we didn't want to jump into the project unless we were confident we could complete it. After much prayer and discussion, we decided to partner with Uspa Uspa through FH. Over ten years, we are committed to sponsoring 20 more kids every year, to visiting Uspa Uspa at least once per year, and to praying for the work that FH is doing there.

The second project under the C2C is a clean water project (the first one was the community center). Last Christmas, in conjunction with the Advent Conspiracy, we raised almost $17,000 to bring clean water to Uspa Uspa. Since the water project costs about $100 per family in Uspa Uspa, we sold water bottles labeled with the project description for $100 each. The idea was to purchase a water bottle to give to someone at Christmas instead of buying them a gift that they really didn't need. About 170 people chose to give a loved one a water bottle for Christmas and explain, "This year I got you clean water for a family in Bolivia for Christmas." It was awesome to see the congregation get behind the project like that.

In March, Juan Pablo Belmonte came to Believers Fellowship from Bolivia to update us on the field and tell us about "God's Surprising Solution to Poverty." While Juan Pablo was with us, we sponsored 24 children in Uspa Uspa, bringing our total to 58 kids sponsored. A few weeks later, we dedicated our Easter offering to the C2C (and other outreach projects), and the congregation responded by giving over $30,000. Praise God!

On Tuesday we leave for Bolivia to implement a project that has been a year in the making. Almost 200 families in Uspa Uspa will have clean water thanks to Food for the Hungry and the C2C partnership between Believers Fellowship and Uspa Uspa.

I can't wait to see how the field has changed, and I will update you as often as I can from Bolivia! I appreciate your prayers as our team is on the field!

Matt Edwards