Reflections from Bolivia

“Your presence means more to us than your money.”

When I think back on my first trip to Bolivia, there isn’t just one moment that stands out. Instead, it’s a collection of moments, conversations, and realizations that I continue to ponder in my heart.

One of the clearest takeaways for me was the importance of simply being present.

Before the trip, I wondered what I could really offer in such a short amount of time. I knew I would be impacted personally, but I questioned whether my presence would actually make a difference to the missionaries, who are busy and deeply engaged in their work.

At one point during the trip, someone in our group voiced a thought, that to us North Americans seems reasonable. After seeing the needs on the ground, they said something along the lines of, “Would it have been better if I had just stayed home and sent the money instead?”

The response from the missionaries was immediate and clear.

“Don’t ever think that way. Your presence means more to us than your money.”

That response stayed with me.

Financial support is essential, and it enables the work to continue. But there is something deeply valuable about encouragement, about sitting together, listening, praying, and sharing life, even for a short time. These visits are not a distraction from the work, they are part of sustaining it.

Another area that stood out to me was the importance of who is going on these trips. Our team included one woman, and it became very clear how significant that was. There are many women serving on the field, and while it is common to see men participate in these short-term trips, it is less common for women to come. Yet the need for encouragement and connection is just as real. That was a quiet but important reminder.

Throughout the trip, I was also struck by the reality of how much work remains. There are approximately 150,000 Mennonites in Bolivia, and only a small percentage have a personal faith in Jesus Christ. That is not just a statistic, it represents real people, real communities, and a continued need for faithful, patient ministry.

At the same time, there were moments of deep encouragement.

Among the Spanish-speaking churches we visited, there was a clear and consistent passion for missions. These were not churches focused only on themselves. There was a desire to send, to reach others, and to participate in the work of the Gospel beyond their own communities.

What stood out even more was the Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters' hearts toward reaching Mennonite communities within Bolivia. This was not something imposed from outside, but something spoken by Bolivian believers themselves, a desire to see the Gospel continue to spread.

Their hospitality was another powerful testimony. We were welcomed with generosity that, at times, felt overwhelming, especially knowing that many were giving out of very little. It was a humbling reminder that generosity is not measured by abundance, but by the heart.

One of the most meaningful moments for me came during a Saturday evening service. At the end of the service, the pastor asked our group to turn around and face the congregation. As we did, he said, “This is the fruit of your labour. It was not in vain.”

In that moment, everything connected.

The prayers, the giving, the sending, the years of faithful ministry, it was all visible in the lives of people standing before us. People who had come to faith in Jesus Christ. People who are now part of His Church, a visible testimony to God’s work.

It was a simple statement, but it carried deep meaning.

“This is the fruit.”

It was also a needed reminder. So often, we think in terms of results that we can measure quickly or clearly. But the work of missions is more than a line on your church’s budget. It is slow, relational, and often unseen for long periods of time. And yet, it is not in vain.

Another unexpected encouragement was how often we were prayed for. We went with the intention of encouraging others, but we found ourselves being lifted up in prayer again and again. There is a genuine love for the EMMC and a recognition of the role it has played in the spread of the Gospel in Bolivia.

That mutual care, across distance, language, and culture, was a powerful picture of the unity we have in Christ.

As I reflect on this trip, I am left with both gratitude and a renewed sense of responsibility.

·         Gratitude for what God is doing in Bolivia.

·         Gratitude for those who are faithfully serving.

·         And gratitude that we, as a conference, get to be part of God’s work.

But also a responsibility.

·         A responsibility to continue praying.

·         To continue supporting.

·         To continue going and sending.

The need is still great. The opportunities are real. And the work is not finished.

I am reminded of Paul’s words from 1 Corinthians 15:58:

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Matt Braun attends Hague Gospel Church.