Meeting Sucre Friends

Writing from Sucre, Bolivia, after taking a few days to acclimate to the altitude, which, though lower than La Paz, still had us breathing a little harder than usual.

About 15 years ago Zacarías and his family left La Paz where they were members of the National Friends Church for work opportunities in the capital city of Sucre. Soon afterwards two other families joined him, and they began worshipping in Zacarías´ home. This worship group began to grow and finally about 4 years ago they were able to purchase some land and build a church, for the now 60+ families that are part of the congregation. They have partnered with a group called Compassion International and, during the week, provide a home and care for about 180 kids, most of whom are abandoned. Friends take Jesus´ message of love when they reach out to the families of these children, where abuse, alcoholism, and fighting are common.

Today when Nancy and I visited the church, Iglesia Junta Mensual San Pablo, we were very warmly welcomed. We were told that our appearance made a difference to Friends here. They don´t get many visitors, since they are but one church located far from the hub of the yearly meeting in La Paz. (there are over 200 Friends churches in the La Paz area, in the National Friends church (INELA) yearly meeting alone, and it´s not even the largest of the six yearly meetings in Bolivia.

One of the interesting things about the Sucre church is that the congregation is majority Quechua-speaking, unlike its three Aymara founding families. For those who aren´t already aware, Aymara and Quechua are the two main indigenous groups in Bolivia,and the vast majority of Quakers here are Aymara. The pastor, Juan Quenta Quispe, has had to learn Quechua. The worship service that Nancy and I went to today was mostly in Spanish, with a little Quechua here and there (the hymn book was Spanish/Quechua.) But the Sunday evening service is mostly Quechua.

We look forward to seeing Zacarías again next weekend during INELA´s yearly meeting sessions. Tomorrow, we head back up to La Paz.