Great things when people band together to follow the path God has led them to.
This is the story of how Trinity United Methodist Beaumont became instrumental in building a much needed church in Bolivia:
On a dark, cold night 
five years ago several Bolivians had gathered for Bible study in the home of Ruth and Miguel who were lay leaders of Emmanuel Methodist Church in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
They were reflecting on a Bible passage on the importance of following Jesus in their everyday lives when they heard a quiet knock.
They were met, upon opening the door, buy seven cold and hungry Bolivian boys and girls, all between 9 and 11 years old.
The children asked for bread and were treated to a meal by the Bolivian Bible study group.
The children spoke of the difficulties of their young lives including poverty, often abusive families, and inadequate clothing.
The children were from a peripheral barrio, just three miles from town. Their barrio had no church, no community center, and no standard government or NGO social services. There was no safe meeting place for youth or children.It was that night cold Bolivian night that hearts were warmed for service to Christ. The brothers and sisters who had been reflecting on the Bible, experienced the power of God’s Spirit calling them to be the church in the Barrio Lab neighborhood, as a mission outreach of Emmanuel Church. As they continued to meet and gather others, they joyfully chose the name Luz de Vida (Light of Life) from John 8:12, for this new faith community called to be in ministry with the youth, children and adults in this neighborhood. Out of darkness, cold and hunger, Luz de Vida.
In 2010, Trinity member, Ashley Norman, felt God calling her to serve the church abroad. Not knowing exactly where He was leading, she turned first 
to her church for discernment. Through Partners In Mission, Ashley was able to join at the last minute, along with Rev. Katy Ware, a trip with St. Paul United Methodist Church in Houston . It was on this trip that she encountered God’s ongoing work in the Methodist Church of Cochabamba. This trip began Trinity’s partnership with Emmanuel Methodist Church as they planted a new church in an underserved community of Cochabamba. This church is Luz de Vida Methodist Church.
Each year, Trinity United Methodist Church has returned to Bolivia to help this church grow- adding classrooms, a parsonage, and other much needed infrastructure.
This is the story of how the Lord’s word is spread. People listen and watch for the Lord’s prompts. When Christians in Bolivia listen to their hearts and Christians in Beaumont listen to theirs, a church is planted in a community that never has one. Now Bolivian children have a safe place to gather. They receive VBS instruction, just like our children in Southeast Texas receive.
This is a wonderful story. Thank-you to the people of Trinity United Methodist in Beaumont and to the leaders and congregation of Emmanuel Methodist Church in Cochabamba, Bolivia. You truly are doing the Lord’s work.
Would you or your church be interested in getting involved with Luz de Vida?
Find out more on the Trinity United Methodist Beaumont Website.
We’d love to hear about the missions supported by your Southeast Texas Church. Send the info to SetxChurchGuide@gmail.com along with any photos you’d like us to include. Near or far, the missions supported by Southeast Texas churches play a wonderful role in bringing the message of Christ to some of the hardest to reach places.
Some Southeast Texas churches have active ministries to support the poor or new immigrants right here in Southeast Texas. Others provide eye glasses in India, build churches in South America, or assist orphanages in Russia.
Whatever your Southeast Texas church has taken on in the missions field, it would be wonderful to share your story with other Southeast Texas Christians.
You can also post directly to our Facebook page- “Like” us while you’re there!
