Our Trip to La Paz leaves indelible memories

Worship in the world´s highest city
The Laurier Heights Baptist Church advance team worshipped at First Baptist Church on El Prado on Sunday. Pastor Steve Simala Grant preached, as the photos below show. There is an interesting story about the location of First Baptist. The founderers began building on another site, but encountered opposition from people who did not want to see a Protestant Church in La Paz. The church was forced to move to El Prado, but ironically El Prado became one of the main streets in Bolivia offering the church an ideal location.



Simon Bolivar provided local sermon illustration for Pastor Steve

Pastor Steve based his message on a sermon he preached in 2001 which used an illustration about Simon Bolivar freeing the last slaves after achieving independence from Spain. He challenged the listeners to accept God´s grace to free them from the slavery of sin. Steve told the congregation we are all chosen by God.

Translation was provided by Ivan Gutierrez. All weekend Steve told Ivan he would find a word Ivan could not translate. The word that stumped Ivan was "iceskate". The Laurier delegation broke into laughter, leaving the rest of the audience puzzled. Ivan confessed to the Spanish speakers his confusion and all joined in laughter. Ivan matched Steve´s words, expressions and gestures very accurately.


Women's Anniversary
The women lined up at the front of the church in recognition of an anniversary that would be marked by a special service later on Sunday and in the following week. For more details see an early blog entry by Isabelle Johnson.




Collegial handshake

At the end of the service Pastor Steve shook hands with the Pastor at First Baptist Church in La Paz. Prior to the arrive of the Laurier delegation, the Pastor lead an adult Sunday School class which focussed on God´s love.



Empty hole soon to be filled

First Baptist Church on El Prado in La Paz used to stand on this site. A skyscraper was built next door which damaged the church and it fell down. In compensation, First Baptist has been meeting on the second floor of the skyscraper. The good news is construction on a new building will begin in 60 days on the old site and it will be a 10 story building.



The story of our road trip to La Paz is yet to be told

The trip from Chochabamba (elev 2550m) was a climb of 2000m up some twisty well engineered paved roads (to Cdn prairie standards) and provided outstanding scenery and glimpses of life in the Andes. The photo at right is the high point of the climb.

The high points of the trip were vists to several sites related to the history of Canadian Baptist Mission to Bolivia. There have been terrible sacrifices and stunning successes. We can be be proud of our accomplishes. More on these visits will be put on the blog at a later time.