Bolivia: Watching the Church Come Alive

As I stood in Bolivia watching local churches welcome families, pray with patients, and serve their own communities, I found myself thinking: This is exactly why Echo Team exists.

Not simply to run medical clinics. Not simply to deliver humanitarian aid. But to equip the local church to become the hands and feet of Jesus in their own communities. Long after our team flew home, the churches remained. They are still serving. They are still praying. They are still sharing the hope of Jesus. That may be what excites me most about this trip — what God started there is only beginning.

Our journey to Bolivia began just days after serving deep in the Amazon jungle of Peru. We traveled by boat to remote villages along the river before making our way back to Lima, then on to Santa Cruz and finally Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Walking by Faith

Just weeks before we arrived, there was a real possibility we would have to cancel the trip.

Our contacts in Bolivia warned us about the growing unrest. Roadblocks had shut down major highways, protests were spreading, and many communities were already facing shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. We prayed together as a team and believed God had called us to Bolivia for such a time as this.

Then another challenge came. Just one day before our first clinic, we still didn't have most of the medications we needed. We had brought some supplies from Peru, but many pharmacies had empty shelves, and other medications had become too expensive. God provided. Our teams from Mexico and the United States arrived with suitcases full of vitamins and medical supplies, and local doctors helped us find some pharmacies and the medications we couldn't bring ourselves.

We also prayed that our ten suitcases filled with Vitamins and supplies would make it through customs. God answered that prayer too. A few days after we returned home, Bolivia officially declared a national state of emergency as the unrest continued. Looking back, we're grateful God opened the door for us to serve when He did. Sometimes the greatest miracles happen before the ministry even begins.

From Classrooms to Clinics

Every morning, families were already waiting when we arrived. Some had walked long distances and had been there for nearly two hours before we did, hoping to be seen that day.

As soon as we arrived, our team quickly unloaded supplies and transformed one classroom into a fully functioning medical clinic. Examination tables were set up, dental equipment was assembled, ultrasound machines were plugged in, the laboratory was prepared, IV stations were organized, and the pharmacy was stocked with medications.

Before seeing our first patient, we always gathered everyone together. With music, prayer, and a warm welcome, we shared why we had come, not only to provide medical care, but to share the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Then the doors opened, and the clinic came to life.

For the rest of the day, that classroom became a place of healing, hope, and countless conversations about Jesus.

Preparing the Church

One of the most important parts of this trip actually happened before we ever boarded the plane. For five weeks leading up to Bolivia, we met weekly with pastors and church leaders over Zoom. Together, we talked about evangelism, discipleship, prayer, and how to serve families through the clinics. At the time, it simply felt like preparation. When we arrived, we realized God had been preparing hearts all along.

The Church Came Alive

This may have been my favorite part of the entire trip. While patients waited to see doctors and dentists, members of the local churches walked through the waiting areas. They sat beside families. They listened. They prayed. They shared the Gospel.

Children gathered for games, songs, art, and Bible lessons while their parents received care. Pastors moved from family to family, encouraging people and praying with them. Volunteers welcomed every patient as if they were welcoming them into their own home. As I stood there watching, I realized something. We weren't leading the outreach anymore. The local church was. They were loving their neighbors, sharing the Gospel, praying with families, and serving their own community. That has always been our dream.

We've seen local churches serve alongside us before, but never on this scale. Watching more than 80 local believers joyfully use their gifts to reach their own communities was one of the greatest blessings of the entire trip. This is exactly why Echo Team exists.

One Answer After Ten Years

I've often said that we have some of the best doctors in the world. This week reminded me why. On our second-to-last clinic day, a gentleman came looking for answers he had been searching for over ten years. He had traveled throughout Bolivia. He had visited specialists from Europe. He had spent a tremendous amount of money trying to understand what was happening to his body. No one could give him an answer.

After carefully listening to his story and examining him, our medical director (Danny) believed he was suffering from COPD and was finally able to explain what was happening to his body. For the first time in ten years, someone could finally explain what he was experiencing. But we didn't stop with a diagnosis. Our team was able to provide the medications he needed and a treatment plan moving forward. Before he left, we gathered around him and prayed. He smiled and told us he already felt different — whether that healing had begun physically, spiritually, or both, only God knows.

I am so grateful that the Holy Spirit continues to guide our team as we care for people.

A Little Girl Who Could Finally Run

One of my favorite stories from the week involved a six-year-old girl.

Her mother carried her into the clinic with very little hope. She explained that her daughter had been born with six toes on one foot. The extra toe had caused her foot to become deformed, making it painful to wear shoes, walk, run, or play. They had visited hospitals before. The surgery was too expensive. No one was willing to help.

When our doctors told her we could perform the surgery that very day, she could hardly believe it.

Our team went to work immediately. The surgery went beautifully. The extra toe was removed, her foot was repaired, and she was carefully stitched up before returning home. The next morning she came back for her follow-up appointment. She was already walking better. Her mother couldn't stop smiling. She thanked our team over and over, because she never imagined her daughter would receive this kind of care. Now that little girl has the opportunity to grow, run, and play without constant pain.

I love moments like these. This is how we show the love of God! Sometimes it looks like giving a child the chance to simply be a child again.

The Great Physician

Near the end of one clinic day, as we were beginning to pack everything away, a mother rushed in carrying her baby. The little girl had a high fever and was crying as her mother searched for help. Before the doctor was able to see her, several members of our team quietly gathered around and prayed.

Only a few minutes later when the doctor examined her just a few minutes later, her fever was gone.

The baby had stopped crying. She was calm. No medication had been given yet. No treatment had begun. Only prayer. Medicine is one of God's gifts, and we are grateful for every doctor, nurse, and volunteer who serves. But moments like these remind us that our greatest hope has never been found in medicine alone. Our hope is in Jesus, the Great Physician. He is still healing. He is still working. He is still doing what only He can do.

More Than a Medical Team

We arrived with only sixteen people — eight from Houston, eight from Mexico. There was only so much we could accomplish on our own.

Then the local church showed up.

Doctors. Dentists. Nurses. Medical students. Psychologists. Teachers. Pastors. Engineers. Pilots. College students. Church volunteers. More than eighty local believers came alongside us to serve their own communities. Six Bolivian physicians worked shoulder to shoulder with our medical team. Two local dentists joined the clinics, including one pastor's wife. A local ultrasound technician even brought his own machine, allowing us to operate two ultrasound stations at the same time. Together we performed more than 200 ultrasounds, giving families answers they had been waiting for.

Watching everyone serve together was a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ. Different gifts. Different professions. One Savior. One mission.

A Lasting Impact

One of the things that encouraged me most is knowing the impact won't end just because our trip did.

Several principals told us they had never hosted a health clinic like this before. Many children had never received parasite treatment, something that affects their growth, energy, and long-term health. Together with local teachers and church leaders, we distributed parasite medication, taught families about clean water and nutrition, and developed a plan for follow-up treatments every six months.

That excited me. We're not simply treating today's problems. We're helping local communities build healthier futures for their children. That is exactly what Empowering Communities Humanitarian Outreach is all about.

This Is Why Echo Exists

During one of the clinics, a pastor pulled me aside. He thanked us for coming. Then he quietly said, "This is exactly what we've been praying for." After a short pause, he added, "We just didn't know how to do it."

I've thought about those words many times since returning home.

Our mission has never been to create dependence. Our mission has always been to equip the local church. If pastors leave encouraged, if volunteers discover they can serve, if churches realize they can reach their own communities… then we've accomplished something that will continue long after our plane leaves.

That is why Echo exists.

Thank You

As I look back on these ten days, I'm overwhelmed by God's faithfulness.

Together, our team cared for more than 1,600 medical patients, treated 250 dental patients, performed 200 ultrasounds, completed five minor surgeries, and distributed thousands of dollars worth of medications — all during one of the most difficult seasons Bolivia has faced in recent years. The estimated value of the care provided was $485,750, made possible through a project that cost approximately $25,000.

As I look back on these ten days, what impacted me most wasn't the number of patients we served or the procedures we performed. It was watching the Church come alive. Watching the locals boldly share the Gospel. Watching volunteers pray with complete strangers. Watching believers realize that God can use them to reach their own communities.

Many people placed their faith in Christ. Many prayers were answered. Many lives were touched. And I truly believe the greatest impact is still ahead because those churches are still there. They're still serving. They're still praying. They're still sharing Jesus. Lord willing, we'll be back soon.

We give God all the glory. It is a privilege to be part of what He is doing.

Thank you for praying, giving, and sending us. Every prayer, every gift, and every word of encouragement made this mission possible. Together, we are taking the Gospel from Houston to the ends of the earth.

The Good Shepherd didn't leave the ninety-nine because it was easy, but because He loves the lost sheep. We simply want to follow His example.

This is how we echo Christ.