ORDINARY people, EMPOWERED by God's spirit, DOING what Jesus did, TOGETHER, WHEREVER they are...

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

NCC is heading back to Bolivia to continue partnering with Children's Impact Network at the Bolivia Life Center. Our goal is two-fold: pour out the love of Christ on the boys and support our full-time NCC missionary in his efforts to strengthen the adventure therapy program at the orphanage.

The Bolivia Life Center is one of the most magical places in the world. Originally built 10 years ago, this boys home has become a safe haven to almost 65 boys who were otherwise known as "disposable" in Bolivia. Each has a story to tell; of brokenness, neglect, survival, abuse, abandonment, fear and a desire to be loved. Each also has a unique story of their development on the flip side of their suffering because one couple followed a God-given dream to literally live out James 1:27.

Our team has been called to be a part of that vision by being the hands, feet and heart of God that remind these boys for weeks at a time that there are people who care so much about their well-being and happiness. Won't you help us fulfill this calling? Won't you help us show them that they are beautiful children of God who deserve to be loved and encouraged?

How exactly will we do this you might ask? Here's the short version: we'll live alongside these boys for a week, taking them on adventures, helping to build and maintain their facilities, listen to their stories, love them regardless of the languages we speak and simply BE THERE.

I had the privilege of spending over a month at the BLC this summer. And my biggest take away was the power relationships have on us as human beings. It makes perfect sense, given that God has called us to live in community. But as I watched the boys interact with a missions team that has been coming back year after year for the past 9 years, it was so evident that they didn't view these people as mere missionaries that come and go. They viewed and treated them as family. In fact, when that team left, many of the boys had tears in their eyes knowing that they'd have to wait an entire year to see them again. It was one of the most powerful reminders that relationships are so important to our well-being.

This is why BEING THERE is of utmost importance. Some of our team members are returning missionaries and it is so important that these people get back there to show these boys that NCC and its community members are not just one-timers. We care about them, we love them and that love will keep bringing us back year after year.

Help us bless these boys. We appreciate you more than you know for helping us in our God-given dream.

Blessings,

Melissa and Jason: co-leaders 2013