There are times in life when God really challenges you through other people. Maybe it is a conversation or act of service by another person, or just the way they live. There have certainly been several of those occasions while living here in Bolivia. One person I would like to share with you is Adelia Chumacero. Adelia may be one of the best examples of passionate, sacrificial service for the kingdom of God I have ever seen. Adelia is a pastor in a rural village called Ravelo, which is located about 2 hours outside of Sucre in the Andes Mountains. For many years Adelia has been working in the rural areas of Bolivia planting churches, sharing about the Bible, and serving the Quecha people group. What many people do not realize about Bolivia is that the Andes Mountains are some of the most rugged mountains in the world. The mountains are literally impassable in certain areas. Because of this there is a section of the country about 200 square miles wide where the Gospel has not been shared or introduced. There are no roads to this area and no evangelical churches. The habitants in this area are very tied to the ancient Inca Indian religious rituals and worship many of the Inca Gods and spirits. It is Bolivia’s own “10-40 window” of unreached people groups. Life in this area is very harsh with climate, conditions and resources being very sporadic and challenging. What is amazing is that Adelia a single women in a male dominated culture has embraced these peoples and started a ministry in several of the small villages tucked back in this region.
Adelia for several years has had a vision to start a seminary in Ravelo that would train and equip indigenous Quecha speaking pastors to plant churches and embrace a ministry among these unreached Quecha people groups. However, in the mean time Adelia has taken it upon herself to reach out to this region of people and share the hope of the gospel. When I (John) talked to Adelia in March of this year she shared with me that she had been walking 13 miles off of the nearest road to the area, to a village several Sundays a month for the previous 3 months preaching and serving the people. She was excited to share that the previous week she had baptized two new believers. Adelia has also spent many days hiking further back
into the regions sharing about God and the message of hope He brings. During this conversation I was humbled by her incredible dedication to these people and the passion she had to try to touch every one of them with the gospel.
Adelia also has developed a radio ministry to the Quecha people, started a kids ministry in Ravelo, and been a vibrant part of our pastor training program over the past year. Not only has Adelia been a leader in her community but she has been a model of faith and love to the Quecha people.
A few months ago we hosted a pastors meeting in the village of Ravelo. During this quarterly meeting we gave each pastor a chance to share about their ministry and what struggles they are facing. Once again I was struck with God’s amazing work through Adelia. Adelia shared about the various villages she had been visiting and the ways that God had been moving in the hearts of the people she had been ministering to. She shared an incredible story of how she had been struck by the car of a drunk driver and God had protected her. She shared how God healed a woman who had been a paraplegic for some 40 years through a seed project of service and prayer. She also shared how she had been blessed by several faith conversions through her radio ministry. Adelia then paused for a moment. With tears in her eyes she then shared with us that she also had recently been diagnosed with Chargas disease.
Chargas disease is caused by a parasite transmitted through a beetle-like bug found mostly in Latin and South American regions. These bugs live within the cracks of mud huts and bite their victims during the night. Once bitten, the parasite enters the blood stream and this incurable disease is contracted. Chargas over time ultimately affects the nervous and digestive system, as well as causes a deterioration of the heart, leading to cardiac damage and eventual death. This of course is devastating information for any person to hear. What’s amazing about the situation is that Adelia’s first response was not about a fear she had about the disease or the unknowns and struggles she would face in the future living with this condition, or even a anger or disappointment that she most likely contracted this condition while living and serving in the severe conditions of this region; no, her first response was of fear that as her heart deteriorated that she would not be able to continue her ministry to these unreached people. With a heart condition it would not be possible for her to walk the distance needed in order to get to these areas. A heart sold out for the gospel and its transformational impact. A servant sacrificing MUCH for the spreading of the kingdom.
Thanks Adelia for your model of sacrificial ministry. You have been an example and challenge for me and many others. Well done faithful servant.
