wfn.org | Bolivian Drug Dealer Turns Evangelist

[George Conklin <gconklin@wfn.org>]

August 28, 1998
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

BOLIVIAN DRUG DEALER TURNS EVANGELIST
98/28/05

Cochabamba, Bolivia, ([ANN/APD) He had heard about God. Growing 
up, he had gone to church.  Years later, Mr. Vargas was miles
from his childhood home, selling drugs, living a life on the 
run.  But eventually his choices caught up with him and Vargas 
ended up in jail.  There he rekindled a childhood friendship.  
On August 15, Vargas was baptised.  

"We had a beautiful and moving church service," says Pastor 
Eric Monnier, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church 
in Bolivia.  "We talked to many of the prisoners, all of which
expressed needs and concerns for their families.  They need 
clothes, food,  religious literature, Bibles, and study 
materials to share with their friends.  All these things would 
make their lives a little better in this sad environment they 
are in."

An environment which is being made a little better by community 
and ex-prisoners, like Vargas.  Shortly after his baptism, 
Vargas bought one of the small prison cells and turned it into
a small chapel where a group of 36 members gather daily for 
evening services and church services on Saturdays.  Most of the 
members are convicts accompanied by their families, who also
live in the small prison cells as well.

"It's sad to see entire families -wives with small children- 
living in small uncomfortable prison cells," says Pastor Flavio 
Ferraz, director of Communication for the Bolivia Union 
Mission.  "The prisoners need to work for a living. In order to 
survive they must work as carpenters and provide food and 
shelter for their families.  They work with their own tools and 
have to provide their own materials.  Many don't have these at 
all."

Cochabamba's small communities harboured small churches, 
usually over-crowded and under extremely poor conditions. 
Small congregations that are making a big impact in the 
community - now more than ever.

"Our members are excited to see how quickly churches are being 
built," says a local pastor. "If it weren't for the mission
teams that come and help us build churches, we would still
be gathering for worship in small huts."

Mission teams like the ones from North America and Germany 
which visited Bolivia last May, and not only provided the work 
force to build three churches, but also provided medical 
services and dental services for the church and the local 
community.  

Mission teams usually stay in the cities two or three weeks, 
long enough to build churches and long enough to leave a 
lasting impression on the new members.

"Many of our church members gather in humble places which 
are not appealing to visitors," says Ferraz. "Our local church 
members don't have the financial resources to build churches in 
these poor areas.  We still need dozens and dozens of chapels
to accommodate all our members."

But lack of church accommodations is not slowing the church 
members down. The Communication department and the Bolivian 
Adventist Ministerial department of the Bolivia Union Mission 
joined efforts last month and launched a Bible study program 
"Paz Para Vivir" (Peace for Living) over the radio air waves. 
The program was exclusive to the city of Cochabamba. Ultimately 
the outreach was so great, that over 1,000 people are currently 
participating in the Bible study."

"We believe there are more individuals out there that are 
following along in the study, but have not yet contacted a
pastor," says Ferraz. "The program is already on its sixth 
lesson and we have had an overwhelming response." 

A report by the Bolivia Union Mission states that the "Paz Para 
Vivir" will be launched again on September 18. 

With over 100,000 Adventist Christians, the Seventh-day 
dventist Church is the largest Protestant church in Bolivia, 
comprising 220 local churches with 69,194 baptised adult church
members. Adventists restrict membership to those who have been
baptised.