Would you travel for many hours across the country, during a time of instability and turmoil, to attend a preaching training event? In November last year, preachers in Bolivia did just that – arriving by different modes of transport to avoid road blocks in order to attend.
The event in Cochabamba gathered preachers from across Bolivia for fellowship, support and training on teaching the Psalms. Six people were filmed sharing their testimony of how they found the event, expressing their thankfulness for Langham and what a blessing the training had been.
Alejandra Gutiérrez came from Santa Cruz to attend the meeting, saying it had been “a challenge to come during this time because our country is going through some difficult times, with a lot of political tension and social upheavals very present in our lives”.
“There are many roads blocked, there are clashes with the police, so coming overland was impossible for many of us who live far away. Making the effort to fly in was worth it because we have found refreshment, a place where we can continue to learn from the Word of God. It is a blessing to be here. It is time well spent and it was worth it to come all this way.”
Fifteen hours travelling
Victor Campos, a Preaching Club coordinator in Sucre, nearly did not attend because of the national tensions. But he decided to get a small bus at 7am, and travelled on extremely unknown roads for fifteen hours, arriving at 10pm. He said it was worth it because the event was very beneficial and he could return to Sucre and help his brothers and sisters there.
Willian Maida, Langham Preaching’s Coordinator for Bolivia, said that looking at the Psalms of Lament during the training event has helped them to cope “with the socio-political tension in the country”.
“It’s a difficult time, the Government is divided and we can’t travel. Therefore, many of our brothers and sisters are suffering the consequences with their finance and work. And the Psalms of Lament are accompanying us and helping us so we can be honest with our emotions.
“We wanted to thank you dear brothers and sisters who contribute with your donations and accompany us with your prayers. Thank you dear brothers and sisters. From Bolivia I send you a big hug!”
A huge blessing in the Church
Jersey, another attendee, said that Langham Preaching is a “huge blessing in the Church”, as it helps with their Bible studies and student ministry.
“Thank you Langham Preaching for giving us all the materials and for forming us so we could preach biblically”, he said.
Jersey’s wife Abigail shared: “It has helped us as a couple in church ministry to go deeper in the Bible passage before teaching it and to give a good biblical nourishment to the people we lead in our Church, since we help in the preaching and teaching ministry.”
Pastor Roberto Tamo said that starting a preaching club (escuelita) in his church was a “great blessing”, because when he visits other cities, he knows that others in his church are able to preach well, which gives him “peace of mind”.
Find out more about the Langham Preaching programme.
