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The Alseth Family

The Alseth Family. Serving in Cochabamba, Bolivia South America Aug 2007 – present. Bolivia facts and figures. Population approximately 9,250,000 Language 61% S panish, 21% Quechua,14% Aymara Religion 90% Roman Catholic, 5% Protestant/Evangelical/Methodist

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The Alseth Family

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  1. The AlsethFamily Serving in Cochabamba, Bolivia South America Aug 2007 – present

  2. Bolivia facts and figures • Population approximately 9,250,000 • Language 61% Spanish, 21% Quechua,14% Aymara • Religion 90% Roman Catholic, 5% Protestant/Evangelical/Methodist • Life expectancy male- 63.8 , female- 69.3 • Percentage of population living below equiv $1/day - 23% • Unemployment approx 60% • Average annual income $1,000/year • Bolivia is likely the poorest nation in South America • Under 5 mortality rate = 61 per 1,000 children

  3. Our purpose • To offer support, encouragement, and prayer to fellow missionaries here (Both Bolivian and foreign) • To serve others less fortunate than ourselves • To bring a message of good news to the needy • To work with abandoned, orphaned, and poor children providing friendship, love, hope, and character building by teaching about and being like Jesus.

  4. Our primary ministries in 2011 • Indoor and Outdoor Bible clubs in the poor neighborhoods outside of Cochabamba where the children learn Bible stories and character traits consistent with the actions and teachings of Jesus. Not only do we participate in the clubs but we are a main source for purchasing study material and supplies as well as healthy snacks such as fruit and/or juice for all the children attending. We are currently participating in two bible clubs with approx 75-125 children attending weekly. We also offer support for the pastor and his family in providing child care, food, clothes, gas, and meals for them to free them up for ministry. • Volunteer work at a BCM orphanage in Tiquipaya where approximately 30 children between the ages of 2 and 17 are housed. These children primarily need love, attention, and mentorship among other things. Besides mentoring and playing with the children we also help run errands, purchase living supplies, and perform maintenance on the grounds and in the house as needed. • Hosting a women’s Bible study/support group for fellow missionary wives/moms. At our house every Friday the missionary moms/wives encounter prayer and support for issues involved with being a mother and the challenges faced when living in a foreign country such as language and cultural differences, visa/passport/carnet issues, etc. etc. This is coupled with a Bible study in God’s Word. Shekkinah and Christian play with the toddlers during this time to give the mothers a break. • Adoption of three Bolivian children ages now 3,7, and 8 years old. We have been blessed with the guardianship of three orphaned/abandoned children. We have complete responsibility for these gifts from God and are raising them in the admonition and hope of our SaviorChrist Jesus as we continue the process for full adoption rights.

  5. Tiquipaya outdoor Bible Club Sharing the gospel outside with the neighborhood children and a few moms Hey, give me back my camera !

  6. Bible Clubs (contin) Waiting their turn in line for a piece of fruit and a juice or milk. A happy camper. Many times they ask for extra so they can take some home for their mom or dad.

  7. Bible Clubs (contin) Typical footwear for the poor children and adults alike is a cheap pair of sandals made out of used tires. Their feet are often in very poor condition. Your donations helped purchase study materials and supplies such as crayons, glue, and scissors for each child.

  8. BCM orphanage Creative little minds can make forts out of anything and everything ! Play time….the children are having fun learning new sports. Normally “soccer only” rules in this country !

  9. BCM Orphanage (contin) Dinner time….typical fare is like a sardine mixture served over rice or freeze dried potatoes (called chuno) and a fried egg with a piece of meat. Bed time for the younger children. These children just love to look at their own pics on the digital camera, point at each other, and laugh hysterically. They think they are famous !

  10. Missionary mom’s support and Bible study group A photo of about half of our group; this summer many ladies were on furlough to their home countries. Christian playing Star Wars outside with the kids in our yard during the study time.

  11. Financials Average current monthly expenses • Rent/utilities/cleaners/toiletries - $590 • Transportation - $185 • Food- $1,100 • Schooling and supplies - $500 • Clothes/Shoes- $70 • Bible Club/Orphanage/Support Group- $200 • Visa’s/passport’s/travel- $300 • Misc items (haircuts, birthdays, special outings, ent., soccer league, etc. ) - $235 Average total monthly expenditures = $ 3,180

  12. Needs/Desires/Prayer requests • Our 2 year visas for Bolivia expire in May of 2012. It is imperative that we begin raising funds for the next set of visas (permanente) and carnets (country id). For Shekkinah and Christian the cost is $500/each and for Kathy and myself it is $750/each. Also birth cert., Bolivian ids, Bolivian passports, and US visas for the 3 adopted children approximately: $600 Total cost= $3,100 • August of 2011 marks our 4th year in Bolivia. We desire to take a time of furlough to the United States where we can visit and re-connect with friends and family and refresh. We also need to visit supporters and potential supporters and churches to sufficiently demonstrate and explain the work that is being done here in Bolivia. We are hoping to be able to do this over Christmas time of this year. We would be traveling as a family of seven (Rick, Kathy, Shekkinah, Christian, Azariah, Naomi, and Victoria Alseth). Estimated cost round trip = $10,500 • We currently do not have a car here in Bolivia. We utilize taxies, truffi’s, and mini-micro buses. If we were able to raise approx $6,000 we could hopefully purchase a fairly reliable used car. • Besides the above financial needs and desires would you please pray for the full adoption process of Azariah, Naomi, and Victoria to be completed in a timely fashion. Also for all of our children’s schooling needs as we live in this foreign country. And don’t forget to please pray for our health and our strength which at times has been tested. Perhaps most importantly pray the God continues to use us to touch peoples lives for his kingdom. Thank you so much.

  13. How you can directly help the children and people of Bolivia through us • To Support Us Financially Tax deductible, monetary donations should be mailed to: Operation Harvest P.O. Box 1410, Burbank, CA 91507-1410 *Please include a note that it is in support of: “The AlsethFamily” • Pay Pal donations can be done at www.operationharvest.org *Please send a note to info@operationharvest.org specifying that your donation was for: “The Alseth Family” • Sharing our newsletter and our needs with churches, coworkers, classmates, friends, neighbors, strangers, and family… • Praying for us • Please visit our website www.thealsethfamily.com for more detailed information about us and our purpose here in Bolivia, South America. With much love and gratitude and to God be all the glory, -The AlsethFamily

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