Sylvia and Sieghard Schartner served in Bolivia from 1999 to 2010. For the first four years, they worked in the Mennonite colonies through the MCC. They then answered the call to the newly established settlement of ‘Buena Vista’. This ministry presented a particular challenge for the family. Fostering the spiritual growth of the congregation and the school was their greatest concern. Whilst Sieghard Schartner was particularly involved in church leadership and the school, Sylvia Schartner ran a rural clinic for indigenous peoples (Ayoreos, Kechus, Aymaras) and the local Mennonites.
Today they live in their hometown of Filadelfia and are in good health. They run a shop on the high street, selling beekeeping products. Sieghard Schartner had, after all, always been a beekeeper, which had already led to some good relationships with the Mennonites in the old colonies whilst they were in Bolivia.
Report by Klaus H. Klaassen, photograph by Daniela Klaassen
