Rainbows in Chile always seem more vivid and complete than anywhere else we’ve been. Maybe it’s the atmosphere or the latitude that makes it possible to see both ends of the rainbow. You cannot look at one and not feel hope, that God’s kingdom is coming.

So it is with us in Temuco, in southern Chile. We recently moved here to be closer to the Mapuche community of churches we are working with. Temuco and the surrounding area also are home to a dozen or more churches of our partner convention, so we can reach most of them without having to drive for hours. It is a beautiful place to live and work. It is a place of contrasts: between stunning beauty and relentless poverty, and between one part of a country rapidly developing and another that feels like opportunities and better incomes are out of their reach.

One reason for our hope is that our partner churches, although most of them struggle with poverty, have an awakened social conscience. They want to find creative ways to minister to the needs of their neighbors. Here it is called “mision integral,” or holistic mission. Some are already operating breakfast or lunch programs for children in Sunday schools. Most want to find ways to start and operate sustainable social ministries. Another innovation many churches have interest in is developing appropriate Sunday school materials.

We are beginning to describe our role here in economic and leadership development as capacity-building. Dwight is advising and consulting with churches wanting to develop social ministries. Economic development among the Mapuche involves training in small business and income-generating projects. Barb works closely with the women’s convention on two projects: developing Sunday school materials for children, and both of us are involved in the Genesis Project, which helps women in our churches develop artisan crafts that will appeal to an ‘’upper-class” Chilean market. Both projects are experiencing some early successes. The first book of basic Sunday school crafts and lessons was just completed and will be presented at the annual convention next week. And, our friends Leslie and Isabel have formed the Genesis Projects’ first micro-enterprise, creating beautiful handmade cards. They have sold over $300.00 of cards and called yesterday to invite us to “once” (afternoon tea) to celebrate opening the first bank account either one has ever had. It really is a privilege to be a part of their story.

We will have much to tell you about this group of women in upcoming journals. Another dream of theirs is to start an income-generating project, which can support something like a home for senior citizens or unwed mothers.

The best description we hope to have of our ministry, though, is building relationships and friendships, making disciples of Jesus, drawing people into the Kingdom. We will be telling you about some of those people as well as the changes and challenges we experience in this wonderful journey.

Thanks to so many for your prayers, interest, and love. All blessings and joy this New Year 2002.

Shalom,

Barb, Dwight and Jack Bolick