Bolivienhilfe and the Group for the Support of Mission and Health (GAMyS) are working together on a project. It involves a dermatology clinic for people with leprosy and a Bible centre, ‘Arche’. Both are to be built on a plot of land. The plot covers 10 hectares and is to be purchased for this purpose. The first payment is due in May 2021. The price is US$175,000. The deposit due in May is to be half the purchase price. This mission project is funded by voluntary donors. In Bolivia, the donation account details are as follows:
Bank details/account for voluntary donations:
Banco Ganadero, Caja de ahorro
Bengamin Doerksen, C.I. 4717523
BS account: 1310605074
US account: 1310605079
Further information via WhatsApp: +591-76676866 (Peter Giesbrecht)
Thank you in advance for your donation to the mission!
“Arche” Bible Centre
This facility is intended to house a Bible exhibition (museum) to offer school classes, youth groups, church groups, etc. guided tours explaining the origins of the Bible. There are plans to build training rooms where music lessons can be held, as well as for other types of training. Accommodation for youth groups and family retreats is also to be provided here. In addition, a sports hall is to be built on the site, which can be used not only for sport but also for larger events.
Mission project GAMyS (Mission and Health Support Group)
Who we
are “GAMyS
”
is a group of Christian volunteers, mainly from various Mennonite congregations in Bolivia. We are supported and sustained by the congregations in Bolivia and by voluntary donors.
What we aim
to achieve Our vision
- A Mennonite hospital for skin diseases, specifically leprosy, staffed by German and local doctors
- as well as the diagnosis and treatment of Chagas’ disease and tuberculosis
- An educational centre for young people from Mennonite colonies
-
Our programme
- Spreading the Gospel through leaflets with spiritual content
- Support for the destitute and those in need
- Support for dermatologists on medical missions in the Bolivian interior
-
Our objectives
- Negotiations are underway for a 10-hectare plot of land opposite ‘Guia de Paz’ near Pailon, and funding is being sought
- A dermatology clinic, an eye clinic and a maternity ward (for births) are to be built on this plot
- On the same site, ‘Bolivienhilfe’ intends to establish a training centre, ‘Arche’. This will house a Bible exhibition, a music school and provide facilities for training pastoral carers and church staff, as well as for organising retreats and sporting activities.
- At the ‘Betesda House’ on 6 de Agosto, medical consultations for skin and other conditions are offered on the last Wednesday of every month.
- The Gamys group publicises the project beyond Bolivia’s borders to find supporters for the work.
- In recent years, thousands of tracts, Bibles and other leaflets in Aymara, Quechua, Spanish and German have been distributed in Bolivian schools and villages. The materials arrive in Bolivia in shipping containers from the USA and Canada
What has been done
-
Medical outreach missions in 2016:
- 508 people were treated by the doctors
- Guarayos
- San Julián
- Montero
- Yapacaní Medical missions in 2017:
- 567 people were examined at these three locations
- Comarapa
- Valle Grande
- Mairana
- A total of around 500 patients
- Brecha 7
- Pailon
- Hotel Los Pinos, Pailon Medical missions in 2018:
- 250 patients
- Camiri Medical missions in 2019:
- A total of around 450 patients
- Puerto Suarez
- Colonie Milagrosa
- Santa Cruz
- Robore
- San José
- Pailon
Medical missions in 2020 were made virtually impossible by the pandemic. Consultations for skin conditions are offered regularly on 6 de Agosto in Santa Cruz.
A heartfelt thank you to all our supporters
. The work was greatly supported by the provision of cars to transport the doctors, as well as by contributions towards meals and accommodation whilst on the road. Some families in need received donations in the form of medicines, food and clothing.
Christian literature, tracts and Bibles are also distributed on such trips. And time and again, extra trips were made with the aim of distributing spiritual literature in schools and villages.
