Ministry in Camiri

 Dear Praying Friends, 

We are now in the middle of our second week here at the Facultad Bíblica in Camiri. I (Leon) have been teaching the students on the subject of Ministry for three hours each morning. The classes are going very well—I’m grateful for the students’ attentiveness, their thoughtful interaction during discussions, and the effort they’re putting into their assignments. It is encouraging to see them working hard and truly learning. 

Some recurring themes in this course have been: 1 Discipleship (mentoring) relationships—believers walking and learning together. This dynamic is vital to a healthy ministry. 2 The life of ministry as a process—not an endless chain of victories, but a journey with ups and downs. 3 Humble and thoughtful service (diakonia)—when ministry is led by the Lord, it will be blessed. Since I am more accustomed to teaching or preaching in shorter sessions, these extended classes have been a learning experience for me as well—one for which I am very thankful. 

Meanwhile, Linda has been spending time with the students—visiting, counseling, encouraging, and praying with them. Our time in Bolivia has been filled with joy: reconnecting with old friends, encouraging the believers, and engaging in many opportunities for ministry. This past Sunday I spoke at the Aposento Alto fellowship on the theme of love and submission in the family (Ephesians 5–6), and in the evening shared on the responsibilities of parents (Deuteronomy 6). 

We are especially thankful for the time we’ve been able to share with our mentors, Mark and Carol Mattix, and for the sweet visits with Jesse and Janel Mattix. We are grateful for the wonderful opportunity they provided for us to come and serve here in Camiri! Looking ahead, this Friday we plan to travel back to Santa Cruz for more ministry, and then continue on to Tarija to visit with Duane and Lori Delzer for a couple of days. From there, we’ll take the bus to Tupiza for a long-awaited reunion with Ana (Linda’s sister) and her family. After a few days, Linda’s brother Arturo and his family will be coming down from La Paz to join us. It has been eight years since we have seen them, so this is a very special time! 

We are deeply grateful for your prayers. The Lord has kept us healthy and has granted us safe travels throughout our time here in Bolivia. Here are a few highlights from the lessons we’ve been studying together with the students:

1. Mentoring relationships: Moses & Joshua (Exodus 33:7–11), Elijah & Elisha (1 Kings 19; 2 Kings 2), Naomi & Ruth (the book of Ruth). 2. The struggles of ministry: Even after a resounding victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah fled from Jezebel’s threats, overwhelmed and asking God to take his life (1 Kings 18–19). 3. The posture of ministry, serving, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5; James 4:6), a truth we are memorizing together from Philippians 2:5–11. Thank you, dear friends, for standing with us in prayer. We feel your support, and it is helping to carry us through this wonderful season of ministry and family reunion. 

With love and gratitude, 

Leon & Linda

Lunch with good friends!

An outing with some of our students!


Welcome to the 'profes' cabin

Visiting at the Seniors Bible study in Santa Cruz



Puzzles and games to sharpen young minds!


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