Minutemen/ Minutewomen Alert

Repair Flood-Damaged School in Bolivia

March 2018

As you may know, flood conditions in Bolivia caused extensive damage to Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center, an international school founded by WGM and other missionary organizations where several WGM missionaries serve in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

In fact, the center experienced such extensive damage that it appears the library - the heart of any educational center - lost nearly 5,000 books!

Missionary Nathan Schmidt recently shared that his daughter Natalia asked her mom and dad if she could give some of her books to the school library. Her mom, Amy, immediately gathered a few boxes. Together, she and Natalia packed the boxes with the 7-year-old's books.

"A child will lead them...."

The entire school, including the library, is in need of extensive cleanup and the disposal of materials damaged beyond their usefulness. In order to expedite the process, WGM stepped in financially to help through the Minutemen/Minutewomen Program - funds set aside for emergencies such as this.

Missionaries on the ground in Bolivia and area volunteers-some 75 parents from the learning center-have been busy cleaning up, determining next steps, and doing everything possible to bring a semblance of "normalcy" back to the children so affected by this loss. Through their intense cleanup efforts, they've accomplished much!

In the midst of addressing the need for books and other learning materials, we've been struck with the possibility of replacing many books, periodicals, and learning materials with educational tools that will bring the school into the 21st century. And we need to replenish the Minutemen/Minutewomen Fund so monies will be ready for future urgent needs.

Please pray for our missionaries, the parents of our students, and especially the students who are affected by the flood and the closing of Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center.

And please consider making a special and generous gift to:

• Complete the necessary cleanup and disposal
• Replace much-needed books and other learning tools
• Purchase computers and learning software to advance educational opportunities
• Replenish the funds already forwarded to the relief effort currently underway

Having discussed these needs with WGM Bolivia missionaries and WGM leadership at headquarters, we believe $25,000 from our Minutemen/Minutewomen Program-folks who stand with us during times of emergency-will complete these efforts.

That's a lot of money, but Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center is so much more than a school. Teachers and staff are investing in the lives of over 240 students from a wide variety of backgrounds and nationalities. It's a whole mission field in one small school campus.

Nearly $15,000 was forwarded to the field quickly when the need was reported. Since then, the need to replace materials and invest in computers and special learning software has been projected at an additional $10,000.

Your gift today of $25, $50, $100, or whatever you believe God is leading you to give will help reestablish a new and improved Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center and ensure the Minutemen/Minutewomen Fund is ready for the next urgent need. Thanks so much for your generous gift today!

About the Minuteman/Minutewomen Program

Ready on a minute’s notice! That was the vow of the Minutemen units during the Revolutionary War. And their rapid response in times of critical need helped win America’s freedom. Today, our missionaries need your help when they find themselves in crisis situations.

As a Minuteman/Minutewoman, you commit to donating only $30 a year to help our missionaries in their times of need. You will receive a maximum of three appeals each year, highlighting urgent needs from WGM fields of service. We ask that you send in a minimum of $10 for each appeal. It’s quick, simple, and very effective.

Will you be ready at a moment’s notice for our missionaries? Please prayerfully consider becoming part of the solution to meet the emergency needs of our missionaries.

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