July 30 - August 7, 2011
We're eight different bloggers from all around the country headed to Bolivia to experience firsthand the work of World Vision and the impact of child sponsorship - all to find more sponsors for children in need. And we're bringing our readers along for the journey. Follow all our thoughts and stories live from Bolivia on this page and on Twitter.
 
 
ElizabethEsther- headshotA
I asked God to break my heart
August 23, 2011 by Elizabeth Esther, The Orange County Register

The father is drunk, stumbling out of his mud-brick house. I see his bloodshot eyes, matted hair, clothes thick with dirt, mouth twisted in anger. I move away from him — fearful. And then he hauls off and hits his daughter square in the face. I gasp….

Rachel Held Evans-headshotA
Christ Has No Body…
August 17, 2011 by Rachel Held Evans, RachelHeldEvans.com

On the highest hill in Cochabamba stands the Cristo de la Concordia, the second-largest statue of Jesus in the world. At 112-feet tall, this steel and concrete “Christ of Peace” ….

Joy Bennett-headshotA
How the Other Half Lives (except it’s actually “The Other 95%”)
August 15, 2011 by Joy Bennett, Joy in this Journey

Do you ever wonder how the other half lives? I have, but I had no idea just how hard it was until I saw it two weeks ago in Bolivia. And then I discovered here that this isn’t the way half the world lives — it’s actually how 95% of the world lives….

Nish Weiseth-HeadshotA
On reentry, culture shock, and the cereal aisle.
August 11, 2011 by Nish Weiseth, The Outdoor Wife

They said this would happen upon reentry. The shattering. Erik and Rowan picked me up at the airport. Smiles plastered wide, I embraced fully, leaned my weight into theirs and became part of the family again….

Deb-headshotA
A “Gram” Looks at Health Care for Women and Children in Bolivia
August 10, 2011 by Deb Wolf, 5 Minutes For Mom

In December, I was thrilled to be with my daughter in the delivery room when my grandson was born. Those memories initiated my thoughts about the experience of pregnancy and deliveries in the United States vs. neonatal care and birthing in Bolivia…..

ElizabethEsther- headshotA
“With peace we can do many things” (and why boys over 8 years old rarely get sponsors)
August 10, 2011 by Elizabeth Esther, ElizabethEsther.com

“With peace we can do many things,” he said. And he smiled. The smile of peace is radiant–like sunshine breaking through the clouds of despair. Here, in the midst of hopelessness, the songs of freedom are pealing….

Lindsey Talerico-headshotA
Thank you, Lisa Leonard [photo album]
August 8, 2011 by Lindsey Talerico-Hedren, World Vision Blog

The first 150 people who sponsor a child in Bolivia through our blogs this week will also get a special “Bolivia bloggers” edition necklace thanks to our sweet and talented friend Lisa Leonard….

Jana Melpolder-headshotA
A letter to the mothers and fathers of Bolivia
August 8, 2011 by Jana Melpolder, Beliefnet

To the incredible mothers and fathers of Bolivia, This journey has been an opportunity to give a voice for the voiceless. To put a spotlight on the unseen. To shed light on what life is like through the eyes of Bolivians.

Rachel Held Evans-headshotA
Confessions of a Sponsorship Skeptic
August 5, 2011 by Rachel Held Evans, RachelHeldEvans.com

I confess that until recently, the first thing that came to my mind when someone mentioned child sponsorship was Sally Struthers kneeling next to an emaciated African child….

Matthew Paul Turner-headshotA
Social Justice Exhaustion: Far too many of us are sick and tired…
August 4, 2011 by Matthew Paul Turner, Jesus Needs New PR

Can I be honest? I think many of us who are engaged in the blogging world (Christian or otherwise) are suffering from a disease. Not a disease like HIV or diabetes….

Nish Weiseth-HeadshotA
what it means to really grow your family.
August 3, 2011 by Nish Weiseth, The Outdoor Wife

I saw her as soon as I walked into the room. Her bright yellow name tag held her name, but I didn’t need to read it to know it was her. I knew that shy smile from the picture….

ElizabethEsther- headshotA
Falling in love: meeting my first sponsored child
August 1, 2011 by Elizabeth Esther, ElizabethEsther.com

I recognized him from across the dusty patch of grass, his shy little face mirroring the exact expression that he has in his picture–the one that is posted on our fridge at home…..

 
First posts
 
Pre-trip
 
Day 1
 
Day 2
 
Day 3
 
Day 4
 
Day 5
 
Day 6
 
Post-trip
 
Our favorite posts
 
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Michael Bianchi-headshotA
Michael Bianchi, trip leader
Amy Connor-headshot
Amy Conner, photographer
ElizabethEsther- headshotA
Elizabeth Esther
Rachel Held Evans-headshotA
Rachel Held Evans
Jana Melpolder-headshotA
Jana Melpolder
Cala Gawthrop head shots.
Carla Swanson Gawthop, WV rep
Lindsey Talerico-headshotA
Lindsey Talerico-Hedren
Matthew Paul Turner-headshotA
Matthew Paul Turner