{"id":330,"date":"2011-08-10T12:30:36","date_gmt":"2011-08-10T16:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/discoveriesofawanderer\/?p=330"},"modified":"2011-08-10T12:30:52","modified_gmt":"2011-08-10T16:30:52","slug":"a-letter-to-the-mothers-and-fathers-of-bolivia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/discoveriesofawanderer\/2011\/08\/a-letter-to-the-mothers-and-fathers-of-bolivia.html","title":{"rendered":"A Letter to the Mothers and Fathers of Bolivia"},"content":{"rendered":"

I am happy to say that this\u00a0post was recently featured on the World Vision blog<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"A<\/div>\n
\n

\u00a0<\/h3>\n

To the incredible mothers and fathers of Bolivia,<\/h3>\n

This journey has been an opportunity to give a voice for the voiceless. To put a spotlight on the unseen. To shed light on what life is like through the eyes of Bolivians. I hope that I have shared and will continue to share your stories with the accuracy and thoughtfulness that they deserve.<\/p>\n

To the mothers who pray daily for the health and future of their children \u2014 you are the fortitude of your families. To the mothers who battle cultural discrimination because their children are born with disabilities \u2014 you are women of strength. To the mothers who took in children who were not their own because no one else would \u2014 you are brave. To Celestina whose son Wilfram was born with a heart condition and down syndrome \u2013 I count you full of courage for never giving up hope in his life or in God.<\/p>\n

\"AWhen Celestina told us of the hardship she went through with her son Wilfram’s disabilities, she cried. And we cried with her because of her strength and faith in God. \u00a92011 Amy Conner for World Vision<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/em>\u00a0<\/div>\n
\"AIn Tiraque ADP, more than 40 moms meet at this nutritional center every week to discuss the health of their children. \u00a92011 Amy Conner for World Vision<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/em>\u00a0<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n

To the fathers who have considered leaving their families for the sake of a better financial future, but haven\u2019t \u2014 you are men of faith. To the fathers who work 16-hour days to ensure that their children have something to eat, and even then it\u2019s not always enough \u2014 you are worthy of blessing. To the men like 23-year-old Justino who became father-figures for their own orphaned siblings as a teenager because their parents abandoned them \u2014 you are an example of love.<\/p>\n

\"AWhen Justino was 14-years-old, he became a father-figure to his 1-year-old sister. He is pictured here, 9 years later, with his wife, their two daughters, and his sister. \u00a92011 World Vision<\/em><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

To the mothers and fathers I have met on this journey, it has been an absolute pleasure to get a glimpse into your lives. Getting to know what daily life looks like for you, through all its struggles and all its joys, has been an honor and privilege.<\/p>\n

Although I\u2019ve learned a great deal in this past week about myself, this journey was never about me. It was not meant for my own benefit. This trip was about you, and what God is doing in your communities and hearts. His love is what is breaking down the bonds of abuse, gender discrimination, and brokenness. And what joy it has been to see your communities empowered to make the future brighter for your children, all because of your determination and perseverance.<\/p>\n

\"AIn Colomi ADP, children and parents work together to find sustainability in their community. \u00a92011 Matthew Paul Turner for World Vision<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/em>\u00a0<\/div>\n

I will never forget that working against poverty means working in partnership<\/em> with your families that live on $1 a day. My responsibility to share your story will never be finished. By sharing your stories of struggle, my hope and prayer is that more children will be sponsored<\/a>, because it is through sponsorship that basic needs in your communities can be met.<\/p>\n

Thank you for taking the time to tell me your stories, and to share your hopes and dreams for the future. I will continue to carry your stories of hope, love, faith, and determination in my heart, and I am humbled to do so. May the peace of Jesus reside in your home and among your loved ones.<\/p>\n

May your hearts be blessed as you have blessed mine,<\/p>\n

Jana<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Sponsor<\/a><\/center> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I am happy to say that this\u00a0post was recently featured on the World Vision blog! \u00a0 To the incredible mothers and fathers of Bolivia, This journey has been an opportunity to give a voice for the voiceless. To put a spotlight on the unseen. To shed light on what life is like through the eyes…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":235,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,5,29,30,12,14,25,13,35,58,59,8,3],"tags":[20,18],"class_list":["post-330","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-childrens-rights","category-christianity","category-economics","category-education","category-god","category-hope","category-inspiration","category-love","category-malnutrition","category-parenting","category-prayer","category-south-america","category-womens-rights","tag-bolivia","tag-world-vision"],"yoast_head":"\nA Letter to the Mothers and Fathers of Bolivia - Discoveries of a Wanderer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/discoveriesofawanderer\/2011\/08\/a-letter-to-the-mothers-and-fathers-of-bolivia.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A Letter to the Mothers and Fathers of Bolivia - Discoveries of a Wanderer\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I am happy to say that this\u00a0post was recently featured on the World Vision blog! \u00a0 To the incredible mothers and fathers of Bolivia, This journey has been an opportunity to give a voice for the voiceless. 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