J.D. and Rhonda have served in Bolivia since July 2011. J.D is a regional consultant for Theological Education throughout Iberoamerica and the Caribbean. He is the administrative coordinator for the Masters of Theological Studies Latino/a Ministries Program (MTS) for Palmer Seminary of Eastern University. He works with IM partners and global servants to help train pastors and church leaders throughout the region. Rhonda is a nurse (BSN) who oversees the House of Hope (Proyectos Esperanza) in the cities of Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. House of Hope encompasses an array of health and development ministries led by local churches focusing on urban ministries to families and at-risk women and children.

They write – Each summer we have a flurry of activity at the House of Hope in Cochabamba.  With projects, mobile health clinics and volunteer teams, we provide two basic opportunities for volunteers to serve.  Of course, one is through the teams that partner with us to do vital work in the Cochabamba area.  The other comes as we try to bring college-aged students along with us so that they can explore what it means to serve God in a cross-cultural setting.  This summer, we were excited to welcome Alyssa Chapman into that role.  Alyssa is a junior at Marshall University in Huntington, WV.  On top of being a great student, she is on the leadership team in the Baptist Campus Ministry (insta: @mubcm) and also facilitates a small group called an “i-Team”.  It was a great summer with Alyssa as our intern.  She was a huge help to the ministry.  Read her words below as she describes what her summer in Cochabamba was like…

“Last fall, I felt the call to intern with the Reeds for a month during the summer of 2018. After praying and talking with those closest to me, I talked to the Reeds and got things set up.  …

“On June 7^th, we arrived in Cochabamba with the first team from Duluth, Georgia. They were a small team of seven people, so getting to know them was quick and easy. I had the opportunity to help with one of the dental clinics in the community …

“I learned so many things during the month that I was there. I learned to be flexible with plans because things will always change. Being flexible is one of the most important things to remember while serving in a cross-cultural setting. I also learned how important a community is and how big of an impact they can make in someone’s life. I experienced the hardship of working alongside those who don’t speak the same language as I do. It was the most fun and the most difficult part of the whole trip. It was great learning things in Spanish while teaching them some English. …

“The House of Hope has an incredible ministry that gives many of the local people opportunities to learn and provides the resources that they need to do their ministry.  Sometimes people simply need encouragement to realize that they have the capacity to do God’s work in their communities. Being able to work with this ministry was one of the most incredible experiences I have had.”

Read their full journal at https://internationalministries.org/in-her-words-alyssa-chapman/