A visit to Bolivia is the best way to experience Amistad! For over 30 years, we have welcomed children and adults of all ages to share this life-changing ministry together.
New Providence Presbyterian Church, New Jersey
In November of 2025, Pastor Audrey Del Campo and Don Gomber led a missions team of 12 from New Providence Presbyterian Church to visit the children in their sponsored house, Casa Semilla de Amor. Mamá Ana and the children loved spending time with their friends. Pastor Audrey led worship and reenactments of Bible stories in Villa Amistad and Amistad for Families. An overnight stay in Aramasí was spiritually nourishing, and dinner with the Casa Semilla de Amor graduates inspired all!
Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church Youth, Dallas
In August of 2025, Rev. Robin Hinkle and Samuel Moore led 10 Saint Michael Youth to meet the children in Casa Esperanza. They made birdhouses, planted flowers, and went on outings together. The children look forward to the next visit from their Saint Michael amigos!
Christ Church Youth, Ponte Vedra Beach
In July of 2025, Amy Trinidad and Parker Wheeler led the Christ Church Youth to meet their friends in Casa San Francisco. This group of five pilgrims bonded through outings into the city, making birdhouses, VBS games, and morning worship. They are eager to return next summer!
St. Mary’s on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church, Birmingham
In July of 2025, Ann Jones and Monica Sargent led a group of 14 St. Mary’s pilgrims, including four families, to visit their friends in Casa Copacabana. Tie dye t-shirts, painting, paper quilling, outings to the park, and dinner with the Amistad youth were among the many bonding activities!
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Houston
In June of 2025, Courtney Kearns returned to Amistad in a group of six pilgrims from St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. They enjoyed park outings with Casa San Martín, their sponsored house since 1993, and Amistad for Families Tiquipaya. More highlights included walking the Stations of the Cross at Cristo de la Concordia, worshiping at Casa del Padre, eating pizza with the whole Villa, having dinner with the higher education students, and leading the morning reflection.
The Church of St. John the Divine, Houston
In June of 2025, Deanna Lawson and Stefan Murry led a group of six pilgrims from The Church of St. John the Divine to be with the children of Casa Amanecer, their sponsored house since 1990. They met five new siblings just arriving at Casa Amanecer, and the group also had outings and dinners with the adults who originally came to this house when Villa Amistad first opened. They enjoyed the beautiful Corpus Christi mosaics in downtown Cochabamba, grilled cheeseburgers and baked s’mores, took Amistad for Families Quillacollo on their first group outing, and had dinner at a great pizza place with the Boys House!
Cathedral Church of the Advent, Birmingham
In May of 2025, Kelly Hulsey and Liz Lee led a group of nine pilgrims from Cathedral Church of the Advent. They were present for the arrival of two twin brothers at Casa San Miguel, their sponsored house, and developed friendships with Mamá Neli and the seven children living there. Some of this pilgrimage’s many highlights included: a cheeseburger cookout, eating pizza and making Slime at La Morada with the Girls Youth House, hiking up 1,600+ steps to the top of the Christ statue, celebrating a pilgrim’s 11th birthday, and sharing numerous craft activities.
Walker Mathews, Nashville
In May of 2025, Walker Mathews made a solo pilgrimage to Amistad, a place he has visited 35 times during the past 24 years. Walker’s infectious laugh and energy ignited the children and staff with overflowing joy. He encouraged each member of our community to believe in their potential and to never forget how much Jesus loves them.
Christ Church Adults, Ponte Vedra
In May of 2025, Pam Laco led a group of eight pilgrims to Amistad. They cherished time spent with their Casa San Francisco friends and meeting the two new siblings who had arrived since the church’s last visit in November. Arts and crafts always transcend language, and new friendships were quickly made!
King Family, Nashville
In March of 2025, Executive Director Chris King visited Amistad for the first time with his wife and two sons. The welcome and love from the entire Amistad family made for a life-changing and unforgettable pilgrimage. Pedal boats in Parque Mariscal, Burger King in Hupermall, and the first U.S. visit to Amistad for Families Quillacollo were among many highlights!
Christ Church Clergy and Staff, Ponte Vedra
In November of 2024, Fr. Tom Reeder, Fr. Andreis Díaz Dorta, Mike Shepherd, and Amy Trinidad spent a week at Amistad. They shared a spiritual retreat with our staff and bonded with the children in Casa San Francisco. It was a special treat to receive two visits from Christ Church only a few days apart!
Christ Church Adults, Ponte Vedra
In October of 2024, Pam Laco and Diane Downing led a group of five pilgrims to Amistad. Casa San Francisco was thrilled to see their Christ Church friends and enjoyed many outings and games throughout the week!
Quinceañera Celebration, Birmingham/Nashville/Raleigh/Ponte Vedra
In August of 2024, Kelly Hulsey and Lily Hulsey, Walker Mathews, Bill Catchings, and Diane Downing visited for the biennial Quinceañera party. This year, five girls were honored in this special celebration lasting late into the night for the whole Amistad family!
Saint Michael and All Angels Adults, Dallas
In August of 2024, on the heels of the Youth pilgrimage, Saint Michael and All Angels sent an Adult group to visit their friends in Casa Esperanza. Maria and Richard D’Antoni, Kelly Reddell, and Chris King bonded with the children over meals at La Angostura, Burger King, and La Estancia. The staff at Amistad for Families welcomed the group with beautiful folkloric dances!
