We are thankful for the pastors who recently gathered at Iglesia Evangelica Verdad y Libertad (Truth and Freedom Evangelical Church)  in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, to receive a devotional written by Jeff Orcutt. Jeff and Kathy Orcutt served as missionaries in Santa Cruz in the 80s and 90s, and Jeff’s heart for pastors continues to shine through his devotionals. Please pray that these devotionals will inspire and encourage the pastors as they lead their congregations. We ask for God’s blessing on Pastor Angel Blanco (of Verdad y Libertad) and all those who attended. Thank you for your prayers!

Natalie joyfully serves in Bolivia in mission member care and university student outreach. One of her ministry highlights in member care is being “tia” (aunt) to the missionary kid community. From story-reading, movie nights, afternoon tea, and games, Natalie is grateful for this opportunity to love on these kids as they navigate living overseas. Please pray for Tia Natalie and her “sobrinas y sobrinos” (nieces and nephews)!

Katrina is supporting the work of Paz y Esperanza, a legal group in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, working towards justice and peace in the city. After many months of earning their trust and forming friendships, Katrina is forming Bible studies with the other workers. Please pray for fellowship and mutual support as they learn and share life together.

Marina Shank and her family live and serve in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Marina has many opportunities to use her TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) training, although she does not have a formal teaching position currently. A local friend and English teacher asked Marina to lead a “small” teacher training workshop for her and her colleagues. Fifty current and aspiring teachers participated! Marina noticed a hunger for teacher development in the group. Please pray that God will use Marina to bless this group of teachers and that they can use their profession for the Kingdom.

Eastern Bolivia is approaching the end of the rainy season, except there has been little rain. The wetlands that are usually overflowing by now are dry, cracked soil pits. The drought has been devastating for the livelihoods of those who depend on the annual rains. Many have lost their crops and struggle to keep their cattle fed. Please pray for rain as the dry season approaches! 

The Indigenous Rural Outreach (IRO) team serves individuals and rural communities in Bolivia. The IRO team is developing the Torre Fuerte discipleship center. Responding to the need for well-trained, discipled church leaders, Torre Fuerte serves as a space for individuals desiring to grow in their faith.

Presently, the center hosts camps, conferences, and retreats. Our long-term objective is to establish a three-year educational program. This program will focus on growing spiritually mature church leaders plus developing life skills to sustain their families and ministries. Please pray for God to provide the funding to develop Torre Fuerte fully.

You can find a video from Cesar Surubi, director of Torre Fuerte, on SAM’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Jason and Jenna serve in eastern Bolivia with the Indigenous Rural Outreach team. Jason is an agronomist, and Jenna is a midwife. They work alongside Bolivian ministry leaders and workers to build sustainable, gospel-centered communities among eastern Bolivia’s indigenous and rural peoples. Please pray for Jason and Jenna.

Dalmiro and Laura live in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Dalmiro focuses on church planting, discipleship, and accountability by meeting regularly with pastors and church leaders in Santa Cruz and the rural areas of Bolivia. Laura is the elementary principal at Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center. They have a passion to see students, pastors, and leaders deepen their walks with the Lord and in so doing, strengthen their relationships and impact within their families and the communities where they serve. Pray for the ministry of Dalmiro and Laura.

CIET, the Center for Integral Theological Education in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, exists to provide quality, biblical pastoral training for pastors and lay leaders in eastern Bolivia to see them well-grounded in love, ministry, and doctrine. Please pray that God will provide the necessary resources and funding so that CIET can train more pastors and leaders. Please pray for CIET director Pastor Felix Pedraza and coordinators Joselito Chaves Pedraza and Jeff HAuse.

You can find a video detailing these prayer requests on SAM’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.