Global Servants
Update from Sarah Matos presented by Sarah Matos
Happy New Year! Thank you for faithful partnership in ministry! As we begin 2022, there are many exciting things happening in my life and ministry. My husband, Luis, and I have been enjoying life together in the midst of all the uncertainty that the pandemic has thrown at us. I am in my second year of Online/Open- seminary through Palmer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania. I am in the Master of Divinity program as a fulltime student. My classes are truly relevant to my ministry. We were able to finally traveled to Bolivia in the Fall so Luis can experience first-hand Bolivian culture and ministry. While we were there I connected with ministry partners which was a wonderful change from seeing them on a screen to sitting across the table and sharing a meal together again. Overall, it was a great time of exploring mission together and getting Luis’ feet wet in international mission, culture, and Spanish! We spent time with partners at the House of Hope in Cochabamba and they took us to El Cristo statue that overlooks the city. Luis started taking Spanish classes online through the language school in Cochabamba which he continues back in WA. We hosted many House of Hope leader meetings with the pastors and medical volunteers during our stay. Visited many churches, ministry sites, and attended a youth camp for a day. I would ask for prayers as he continues his process with IM to be a Global Servant. This is an exciting time for us in our marriage as we prepare to serve God as a couple. Although my ministry continues to be done remotely, it has been very fulfilling. Recently, Barb Bolick (IM colleague/founder of Talita Cumi Girls Club) trained myself, other IM colleagues, and women representatives of all the seven Latin American countries who will pilot Talita Cumi Girls Club program in February 2022 in their respective countries. I participated as one of the trainers and led two workshops on the role of creativity and art within the curriculum. It was a great two weeks on Zoom. Barb invited me to be a part of the project as one of the creativity advisors and I contributed a few lessons into the curriculum as well. It has been an honor to be a part of this program initiative for underserved girls that will give them the tools they need to face the many challenges in their daily lives. It has been a joy to partner with the Bolivian Baptist churches and equip local women to have this tool for ministry. What it excites me most is I get to accompany two Bolivian women program directors as they serve as overseers and trainers to the local women mentors of each girls’ club because of your generous gifts to my ministry. Thank you, thank you! Peace, Sarah Matos
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