My name is Christian Ketschik, I am 20 years old and come from the Lienen parish. Since last October, I have had the privilege of working with Bolivienhilfe, where God has been using me in many different ways. I was converted at the age of 12, following an evangelism course in our church. At that time, I became aware of my own sin and realised that I could only be saved through Jesus. Ever since I accepted Jesus, I have been assured of His forgiveness, and from that moment God began to work in my life. Mission work has often become a priority for me, partly through biographies – such as that of Jim Elliot – or testimonies, but also through the Great Commission in God’s Word, which calls us in many ways to preach the Gospel to others and not merely to remain within our comfort zone. So, last year, God gave me some free time and a friend who suggested I use it for missionary work. After seeking God’s will in prayer and through a series of divine providences, I am now able to serve here in Bolivia.
In recent years, the aspect of church planting has become particularly important to me: God used teachers such as Paul, Timothy and Titus to impart fundamental teachings and knowledge from the Word of God to the young churches of early Christianity, thereby building up the churches and enabling their growth. This is also a priority for me here in Bolivia.
I am currently serving as a schoolteacher in the ‘Neues Leben’ church in Hohenau. In addition, I run discipleship courses with a group of young men and give violin lessons. I am also able to contribute to the choir. I am grateful to God for the diverse gifts He has given me, which I am able to pass on here. Over the past few months, we have also been working intensively on a new edition of the Luther 1545, so that we can print it ourselves and sell it to the Old Colonists at the bookshop in town. At the moment, I am also involved in planning the climbing wall for the ‘Arche’ leisure and training centre.
Even though the ministry here is often very demanding and at times difficult, it is nonetheless very enriching and fulfilling. Thus, dependence on and relationship with the Lord are often stronger in mission work, but also more necessary, as it is a battle on the front line and Satan is trying to gain a lot of ground here. I would like to encourage everyone who has a close relationship with the Lord: be open to the possibility that God may wish to work through you beyond the borders of your own country. I hope that, in this day and age, more young people will be determined to lead a life of complete devotion so that they may be used by our Lord.
