KDurant7 blog adventures

Santa Cruz, Bolivia 1978

When I first went to do mission work in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, I initiated contacts where I would visit and, as in all places where I went, I included the orphanages, the jails, and the hospitals. I would visit 2 or 3 weekly and do a devotional with the people, sing some songs with my guitar, and pray with them to receive Jesus. One orphanage stuck deep in my mind on one of these visitations because the kids were exceptionally hungry for love and attention. I played some games with them, then got them to dance making the tunnel with your hands up and everyone passes under it, and to sing along. When it was time to go the whole group, about 50 of them shouted, “Don’t go, don’t go!” They all then surrounded me and gave me a hug hanging onto my arms and legs crowded up, and they would not let go for about 5 minutes! I was captured, not just physically, but spiritually! How could it be that these kids being so poor were so ready to dance and be happy? How could they get so attached to me after being with them only an hour? I was overwhelmed with the desperation of these beautiful children to get love and attention! It was heartbreaking! I was convicted even more to go to as many places as possible to just spend time with those in very tough situations. In most all of the places I went was appreciated, and I learned that it is a must that we, as Christians, spend time with people who rarely get a visit from anyone.