Day 3 | Sunshine, Smiles & Sidewalk Sunday
Today was one of those full, heartwarming days that reminds us exactly why we came and why we’ll carry this experience with us long after we return home.
The morning started early, with some of us up by 6:30am, moving a little slower thanks to sore muscles (the “more seasoned” among us definitely felt yesterday's play time!). But any lingering aches melted away the moment we were greeted by sweet Emmett—the baby of the missionary family here at the BLC (who we also support through Storyhill). His little snuggles were a precious reminder of God's tenderness and joy.
We gathered for our morning devotion, grounding our hearts in Scripture before sharing a simple Bolivian breakfast. Then it was time to rehearse for “Sidewalk Sunday School,” a children’s outreach program we’re leading. We go into the community as we partner with a local church and minister to kids in the area. Practicing skits and songs beforehand was equal parts silly and sacred—yes, even adults can be animated animals or people when the Gospel is involved!
After that, we spent time with the boys of BLC, the Pequeños and the Naranjas (the two youngest age groups at the BLC). It’s hard to describe the joy of these moments...soccer games, laughter, and conversations (often in broken Spanish and big gestures) that somehow mean everything.
Lunch was a local favorite: Bolivian peanut soup (that actaully has no peanuts in it). It was rich and flavorful, a reminder of the care and hospitality we receive here daily. After lunch, we had a "CIN talk" with the founders of CIN. We took a deeper dive into understanding the heart behind this ministry and how it has shaped over 300 boys lives as well as many (really all) of us who have come down to serve. The boys are brought into the BLC with backgrounds of neglect and abuse, and it is they shared that a recent joy has been seeing boys age out of their homes in several countries as men reshaped by the gospel and seeking the Lord in their careers and marriages. What a powerful God Story.
In the afternoon, we headed out to do Sidewalk Sunday. Some of the middle school boys (Plomo’s) from the BLC joined us. The kids who came lit up the dusty street with their smiles. We played games, sang, shared the Gospel, and got a little sweaty dancing under the Bolivian sun. It was beautiful.
After Sidewalk Sunday School, our team got to attend two homes in the community for home visits. Families in need of physical and spiritual support reached out to the local church, and they allowed our team to tag along as they delivered baskets of food, read scripture over them, and pray for them. These home visits can be hard as we see poverty that can be difficult to process. We leave with heavy, but softened hearts.
Dinner was a special treat with the Naranja dorm, the elementary aged boys at the BLC. We shared a tradition dinner called Pica – potatoes, meat, onions, tomatoes, and hard boiled (quail) eggs. We got to enjoy time with the boys after playing games, laughing, sharing smiles and making memories.
Before bed, we gathered for our team debrief. Laughter filled the room as we handed out the “Gumby Award” (our lighthearted team MVP of the day). Then we had a little downtime, that included laughs, hard questions, and great conversations.
It was a full day, but a good one. God met us in the early morning and carried us through each conversation, each meal, each game. We're tired, yes, but more than that - we’re grateful.
—
With love from Bolivia!
2025 Storyhill Bolivia Team