Dear friends,
Thank you for continuing to pray for and support the ministry of Project Eleven Five. We wanted to share a recent update from our time in Bolivia and some of the ways we have seen God’s faithfulness in both joyful and difficult moments.
As many of you know, just before our trip to Bolivia, Steve’s mom’s health took a sudden turn for the worse. After much prayer, we decided that Remi and I would continue on to Bolivia while Steve stayed behind so he could help with care for his mom. Things progressed quicker than we anticipated, and Mary Ann went to be with the Lord on April 12th. Steve was extremely grateful to be with all of his siblings as they surrounded Mary Ann, prayed over her and reminded her how much they loved her. Her passing came just over two months after Steve’s dad died. While these have been difficult and sad times, we have seen God’s grace and peace poured out through it all. Your many prayers, messages, and support during that time have been a comfort to us. We have been reminded many times that this world is not our home!
After the funeral, Steve joined us in Bolivia. While in Bolivia, it was a blessing to reconnect with Maria Blanca, who we have partnered with from the beginning of Filadelfia Center for Prosthetics. The ministry there continues moving forward, it is a small ministry, but it has a huge impact on everyone it serves.
We are also excited to share that Elias, who has also been with us from the very beginning, has stepped into a new ministry. Watching him grow and spread his wings has been incredibly encouraging, and we are excited to see the ministry continue expanding in new ways.
As we prayed about how best to continue supporting Elias and this growing ministry, we felt led to come alongside him not only through supplies and training, but also by helping him attend university. Unfortunately, there are no prosthetics programs available in Bolivia, so the closest option is in San Salvador. The cost is approximately $5,000 per year for three years. We believe this training would help Elias tremendously, both in expanding his skills and in giving greater credibility to the important work he is already doing for the ministry. Most of the work would be done online. Please join us in praying for wisdom, provision, and open doors as we explore this opportunity.
We will also be partnering with the new organization Elias has helped form, called Paso a Paso, or Step by Step, to help set up a new clinic. We are grateful for this opportunity and the additional people it will serve! The new organization will be directed by a friend of ours who has been in ministry in Bolivia for many years. We are so grateful for his leadership.
One especially beautiful part of the trip was seeing the new soccer team for women with amputations. Steve and Elias are currently making a leg for one of the girls on the team, so it was a joy for us to attend one of their practices and a BBQ with the girls and their families.
During the gathering, a family arrived with their 8-year-old daughter who will soon need to have her leg amputated. She was understandably scared and overwhelmed by what lies ahead. After practice, several of the girls shared their testimonies and encouraged her with their own stories of hope, perseverance, and joy. It was such a powerful reminder that God is always at work — meeting people exactly where they are and bringing comfort through community and shared experiences.
Thank you for continuing to pray for the ministry, for these girls, and for the families we have the privilege of serving. We are continually reminded that God is faithful in every season.
Support the work of this ministry. 🙂
Above is part of the girls’ soccer team. These young women are such a powerful testimony of courage, perseverance, and the incredible things they are capable of accomplishing.
Hope in Motion Center in Kenya continues moving forward through our Hope Fund, Prosthetic Leg Fund, and Wheelchair Fund. Here, and above at top, are recent recipients receiving new wheelchairs and a prosthetic leg alongside their families and the Hope in Motion team. What a joy to see smiles, renewed mobility, and hope in action!