Bolivia Day 2 | Bubbles, Basketball and Being Still
There's something special about starting a busy day by slowing down. Before breakfast, our team spread out across the Bolivia Life Center for 30 minutes of individual quiet time, reflecting on the words, "Be still, and know that I am God." It was a simple but meaningful way to begin our first full day, allowing our hearts to settle before stepping into everything the day would hold.
After breakfast, it was time to prepare for our first Sidewalk Sunday School! Our team jumped into learning dances, practicing the skit, and getting excited for what was ahead. These songs and dances will become a familiar rhythm throughout the week as we visit neighborhoods alongside local churches to spend time with children and share the love of Jesus.
Before heading out, we toured the Bolivia Life Center. We walked through classrooms, homework spaces, dorms, and the places the boys call home. Not long after, soccer balls were rolling, basketballs were bouncing, and our team found themselves laughing and playing alongside the boys. It's amazing how quickly a game can become a friendship, even with a language barrier for some.
After enjoying a delicious lunch of Milanesa (a thin, breaded, and pan-fried meat cutlet usually served with rice). The afternoon looked a little different for everyone. Some of us joined Allison's Lilly's Dance class to get ready for Friday's pizza party, others caught up on some much-needed rest, and a few gathered around card games before it was time to load the bus.
Our first Sidewalk Sunday School was one we'll never forget. As the music started, children came running from every direction. Soon the streets were filled with bubbles, chalk, soccer balls, laughter, and smiling faces. The dances and skit came together beautifully, but more importantly, we had the opportunity to spend time with kids, learn their names, play with them, and remind them they are deeply loved by God.
Back at the BLC, we shared dinner (fried chicken and french fries) before one of the Tíos led our evening devotion, translated by one of the summer interns. Together, we reflected on the promise that we are never alone. It was a message that encouraged both us and the boys who live here. Throughout the day, we continued to be humbled by their servant hearts. While we arrived thinking we were coming to serve them, they have already shown us so much kindness, generosity, and joy.
The evening wrapped up with bonfires and sports. The younger boys kept everyone laughing with endless games of tag and playful energy. The older boys? They welcomed us into what may have been the most competitive basketball game in Bolivia. Down 17–4, the "gringos" somehow battled all the way back before Dylan hit the game-winning shot to complete an unforgettable comeback.
As we ended the night reflecting together as a team, one thing became clear, today wasn't just about activities. It was about relationships. It was about slowing down enough to notice where God is already at work… in the quiet moments, in conversations across languages, on a basketball court, and in the joyful chaos of bubbles floating through a neighborhood street.
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With love from Bolivia!
2026 Storyhill Bolivia Team
