Meetings & Greetings from the Bolivian Baptist Women's Union!

The Bolivian women Isabelle Johnson met are (left to right): Martha de Sanabria, Antonieta Valencia (President Bolivia Baptist women) Lidia Bascon de Rivas, Hermegilda Torrez, Isabelle Johnson, Sonia Zubieta de Riffarachi.

Isabelle is welcomed by Sonia Zubieta de Riffarachi, vice-president for Baptist women in Latin America.

Story by Isabelle Johnson

On our second day here in Cochabamba, we were just finishing lunch at the BBU Center when five women walked in to have a luncheon meeting. Imagine my surprise to discover that they were members of the Bolivian Baptist Women’s Union! I spent an hour with them, finding out about their work here. No, my Spanish isn’t up to that, but one of the women, Sonia Zubieta de Riffarachi, vice president of UFBAL (Latin American Baptist women), was able to translate for us!

They told me that their main areas of ministry are missions and leadership training, the same as ours. They invited me to their conference in La Paz, but we’ll be heading home by that time. Too bad! However, at their request, I was honored to write a letter that will be included in their conference docket. It is printed below, along with the Spanish translation done by Ivan Gutierrez, our multi-talented host here.

When I think back to the prayer before we left, that we would connect with people in similar positions, I am amazed at how I “happened” to meet these women. Who knows where this initial connection will lead?

By the way, the current president of the Baptist Union here is a wonderful woman, Yolanda de FloresJ

ALBERTA WOMEN IN FOCUS

Friendship, Outreach, Character, Unity, Service

“Focused on our calling, through Jesus Christ” Ephesians 1.18

Warm greetings to you, dear Bolivian sisters in Christ!

Do you remember receiving an unexpected gift? Were you delighted? That is just how I felt when I met five of your Baptist women leaders at the UBB office on January 13, just two days after arriving in Cochabamba from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada! What a wonderful gift from God!

It is my privilege to bring greetings from our Baptist women in Alberta. We share your passion for missions and leadership training. We have an annual retreat in Alberta, and a bi-annual leadership conference for Western Canada. I am thankful that Judy Shierman and her daughter, Lisa, are serving on our Alberta committee!

How I would have enjoyed meeting with you at your conference in La Paz, but our team of 6 from Laurier Heights Baptist Church in Edmonton will be leaving on January 24. We have been involved with a project close to your hearts, the Casa de la Amistad. We are praying as we paint two classrooms there. One is bright yellow, and the other green! We will continue to partner with the Casa, and Jireh, over the next three years.

We appreciated the Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer service last November. Thank you to Latin American Baptist women for preparing the service! We gathered from various churches in Edmonton, including a Spanish speaking congregation. What a thrill to pray in a small group with several who prayed in Spanish!

This has been my first visit to Bolivia, or to any country in South America. Your country is very beautiful, and we have been amazed at the warmth, kindness and vibrant faith of those we have met. We have been truly blessed and encouraged!

If you would like to know more about Baptist women in Western Canada, see our website: www.womeninfocus.org

“May the God who gives endurance and unity give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.” Romans 15.5

Dios les bendiga!

Grace and peace in Christ,

Isabelle Johnson
President, Alberta Women in Focus

MUJERES DE ALBERTA EN ENFOQUE

Amistad, expansión, carácter, unidad, servicio

“Enfocadas en nuestro llamado, a través de Jesucristo” Efesios 1:18

Reciban nuestros calidos saludos queridas hermanas en Cristo

Se recuerdan el recibir un inesperado presente? Les gusto? Es así como yo me sentí cuando conocí cinco lideres de las mujeres bautistas en las oficinas de la UBB el 13 de enero, después de 2 días de nuestro arribo a Cochabamba de Edmonton, Alberta, Canadá, que regalo tan especial de parte de Dios!...

Es un privilegio traerles los saludos de las mujeres bautistas en Alberta. Compartimos su pasión por las misiones y el entrenamiento del liderazgo. Tenemos un retiro anual en Alberta y una conferencia bianual de liderazgo en el oeste de Canadá. Estoy agradecida que Judy Shierman y su hija, Lisa están sirviendo en nuestro comité en Alberta.

Cuanto disfrutaría reunirme con ustedes en la conferencia en su próxima conferencia en la Paz, pero nuestro equipo de 6 miembros de la iglesia Laurier Heights en Edmonton tendrá que retornar el 24 de Enero. Estamos involucrados en un proyecto que capto nuestros corazones, La casa de la Amistad, estamos orando al tiempo que pintamos los cursos allí. Uno es de Amarillo brillante y el otro verde. Continuaremos nuestra sociedad con la Casa de la Amistad y Jireh en los próximos 3 anos.

Apreciamos el día mundial de oración de las mujeres bautistas del mundo en el pasado mes de noviembre. Agradecemos a las mujeres bautistas de Latinoamérica por preparar el servicio, nos juntamos con varias iglesias en Edmonton, incluyendo congregaciones de habla hispana, que tremendo poder orar en pequeños grupos donde muchas oraron en español.

Esta fue mi primera visita a Bolivia y mi primer país en Sudamérica, su país es muy hermoso y nos admiramos por la calidez y bondad y fe vibrante de todos los que conocimos. Verdaderamente fuimos bendecidos y animados.

Si gustarían conocer mas acerca de la mujeres bautistas en el oeste de Candad pueden acceder en nuestra pagina Web: www.womeninfocus.org

"Que el Dios que da eternidad y unidad les de un espíritu de unidad entre ustedes siguiendo a Jesús.” Romanos 15.5

Dios les bendiga!

Gracias y paz en Cristo,

Isabelle Johnson

Presidente, mujeres in Focus, Alberta.