Giving What Is Received in La Paz, Bolivia
Our Sisters Elvira and Maria tell of their work with the poor in Bolivia.
“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’” – John 13:34-35
Buenos días from La, Paz, Bolivia, South America! We are Sisters Elvira and Maria – Franciscan Sisters of Allegany who live and serve in Bolivia. We wish to thank you for helping to support the $800 per month we receive from the Mission Society. We are happy to say that we have been able to assist many people who are poor with:
- Food: The most essential food such as milk, meat and cereals.
- Education: Mostly books and materials but some receive funds for transportation and others to pay for studies in school or college.
- Medicines: Support for the payment of medical consultations, the purchase of medicines, the attention of the eye doctor and dentist according to the current needs.
Sr. Elvira Donaldson is shown with Drufinio and Santusa and their children after they receive food and milk supplies. Our Sisters also volunteer to teach religious education to the local children. Vanessa (center) is a child missionary. Her mission is to bring her parents to Mass each week.
As a result of this sharing with the families, we can see their gratitude for the program and the benefits they receive and an effort to improve their personal lives. We believe this small encouragement helps them to maintain hope in better times and faith in God to continue fighting for their goals as a family.
Our Sisters provided the funding for Isabelle to get her teeth fixed.
Isabelle, with new teeth, is shown here with two of her four children after receiving books and shoes for school.
The monthly help that we receive is very welcome since it gives us the security to continue with this challenge of service and solidarity with those most in need. The needs of these families and the young people’s eagerness for studies are daily realities that, day by day, they live. What we generously receive, we also generously try to distribute it.
The needy families we support require frequent moral, Christian and economical support, which is why we ask that the funds we receive from the Mission Society continue monthly. We are very grateful for your generosity toward our people, and we assure you of our prayers, asking our Heavenly Father for his special blessings on each of the members of the Mission Society.
May God Bless You,
Sr. Elvira Donaldson, OSF
Sr. Maria Miranda, OSF
Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY
To view our 2018 Summer Appeal, click HERE.
A MESSAGE FROM THE MISSION SOCIETY
The Mission Society would like to express our gratitude for your generous support throughout the entire year by including your name in our Summer Raffle. This will give you the chance to receive $200, $100 or $50. Just click HERE to complete the tickets and return them before September 7, 2018.
LAST YEAR’S WINNERS:
- 1st Prize: Kathleen Lynch, Henrico, VA
- 2nd Prize: Bea Sear, Olean, NY
- 3rd Prize: Francis Mahoney, Dracut, MA
