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.
St. John the Divine Pilgrimage, Houston
In June 2024, St. John the Divine returned to visit their friends in Casa Amanecer. This family trip forged new friendships through soccer games, card games, spiritual reflections, birthday parties, art, outings to parks, and dinners in the city!
In May 2024, Amistad Board members Kelly Hulsey and Liz Lee led 13 pilgrims from Cathedral Church of the Advent to Bolivia, nine of whom visited for the first time. The children in Villa Amistad bonded with this group while playing soccer, making bracelets, sharing morning worship, painting a Tree of Life mural, and grilling cheeseburgers. An overnight trip to Aramasà connected the group with Amistad's origin.
In April 2024, Walker Mathews, Mark Demler, and Chris King visited Amistad as the first U.S. group of 2024. Highlights included: lunch with the mamás at La Morada, dinner with the Amistad for Families staff to commemorate the program's 10 years of exceptional success, game night and pizza at the Boys House, weekend outing with Casa San MartÃn to a climbing wall, Sunday lunch in Casa Kantuta, and s'mores made in the Villa bakery.
In November 2023, New Providence Presbyterian Church sent a Missions Team of 12 travelers to visit their friends in Casa Semilla de Amor, the house they have sponsored for 33 years. The group led worship services, taught VBS lessons, played lots of games, made crafts, grilled cheeseburgers, celebrated birthdays, and conveyed the love of Christ. Comprised of 11 first-time visitors, the group left with their hearts full of gratitude for new friendships!
In August 2023, Liz Lee made her sixth trip to Amistad and first solo visit. Liz and her family have more prayer friends in Bolivia than any other U.S. friend, so there are always many children who excitedly await her arrival. This trip included lots of games, crafts, outings with prayer friends, meals with staff, and giant hugs!
In July 2023, St. Martin's visited Casa San MartÃn, the house they have sponsored since 1993. They loved going on an outing in the city and felt accomplished hiking up 1,400 steps to the Christ statue on the day they arrived! Mamá Isabel and the children felt celebrated by their St. Martin's friends!
In July 2023, Fr. Andreis DÃaz Dorta led the Christ Episcopal Church Youth to meet their friends in Casa San Francisco. Among the 13 travelers were three native Spanish speakers and two parents visiting with their teens. The group bonded over outings into the city, dinner with Casa San Francisco higher education graduates, worship services, soccer, music, and crafts. They are eager to return next summer!
St. Mary's on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church, Birmingham
In July 2023, St. Mary's on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church sent 12 pilgrims to visit the children of Casa Copacabana, their sponsored house. It was bittersweet to celebrate Mamá Teodora's 20 years of service to Amistad, as she now enters retirement. The group loved carrying on a tradition with the 16th Villa Olympic Games, sharing a Bible study with the mamás and tÃas, attending a Wilstermann soccer match, and, above all, building relationships with the children of Casa Copacabana.
Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Dallas
In June 2023, the Saint Michael and All Angels Youth returned to visit their friends in Casa Esperanza. Rev. Chris Girata, Rev. Hobin Hinkle, and Kelly Reddell led 10 youth on this pilgrimage to Bolivia to bond with the children through shared activities, including: tie dye shirts, playground games, crafts, dinners, cheeseburger and s'more cookout, and a visit to the Christ statue.
