Remembering Chuck – A Testimony From Vico and Sandra

God gave us the privilege of knowing a unique and marvelous servant, known by many as ‘Don Carlitos’ or simply Mr. Charles – who definitively marked our lives through his example in many ways. Spending time with him was like seeing the light of the Lord reflected in his life, his actions, his words, and his total dedication toward others. You only had to say one word and he would end up talking with you about the Lord. 

Lighting the way for others isn’t an easy task. How beautiful it would be if we lit the way for others as Chuck did, without determining whether we need it or not! If we all were to be that light, the entire world would be illuminated and would shine every day with a brighter intensity as he did. Thanks to God, we were able to share many great experiences that remain in our memory and are engraved on our hearts for eternity. We learned great lessons on life that today help us to overcome the obstacles or difficulties we face. We learned also to give without expecting anything in return. Most importantly we learned to love, no matter what.

Our Lord gave us one of the best and most important gifts of our life through ‘Don Carlitos’. We miss him, but we remember him each day for all that he taught us, which were great things that marked our lives. We know that he is in the place where he wanted to be, and we can imagine what it is like for Chuck to be in His presence. His smile must be much greater, and he can sing to the Lord all the songs he wrong for Him.

There is something that Chuck did in every instant of his life that wasn’t easy – he loved the Lord with all his heart and soul and with all his strength. 

Thank you, Chuck. We will love you and remember you always.

Vico and Sandra

Go Therefore and Make Disciples of All the Nations...

Blessings! Please allow us to introduce ourselves. Lynnette and I (John) are lifelong residents of Ohio. We have been married for over 30 years and have been blessed with two grown married daughters, both of whom are serving the Lord.

One day my life was drastically changed, which totally redirected my walk with the Lord. While being employed as a Deputy Sheriff, I was injured during an altercation with a suicidal subject, who was high on heroin and cocaine. During the altercation, my right knee was badly damaged. After two surgeries and much therapy, it was determined I would no longer be able to continue my career. To many, this would be a devastating blow, but my wife and I have used this opportunity to follow the Great Commission, which is not a choice for us to consider, but a command for us to obey…. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Since that injury four years ago, the Lord has been preparing, training, and equipping us to follow His command. We have become heavily involved with “short term” missions, including helping those in “immediate” need after natural disasters. We have served those in need after tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and fires in the United States. We have made three trips to Haiti to build an orphanage after the earthquake, traveled to Nigeria to work on a desperately needed hospital compound, and ventured to Bolivia to improve a youth camp. We have made three trips to the remote Eskimo villages of Alaska to build churches and had the honor to help build the camp in Port Alsworth, Alaska that participates in “Operation Heal Our Patriots”. We then participated in serving our wounded veterans and their spouses. Locally, we helped develop “Our Daily Bread”, a feeding program in our home town. Both of us serve in a prison ministry called “KAIROS”, and we are both riding members of “Bikers for Christ” motorcycle ministry. We are compelled to love others and long for others to come to the saving knowledge of Christ, and the hope that comes only through Him.   

Therefore, after much prayer and consideration we feel that it is time “to get out of the boat and walk upon the waters wherever God calls”; we believe that the place for us right now is in Bolivia working with LATCOM, which is where I was blessed to be part of a project rewiring many of the buildings at Monte Blanco Christian Camp & Conference Center from February-March 2013. During this time, I was introduced to the many different projects that LATCOM leads as part of its ministry efforts, and the sharing of the hope and love that comes only through Jesus Christ. My wife and I are taking this step of faith into “long term” missions, knowing that there is no greater joy than the joy that comes from helping others and to see them come to accept Jesus as their own Savior!

This step of faith will require both of us to leave our family, friends, church, and jobs. We trust that the Lord will take care of us… through others. We do not enter into this lightly, but with great trust – the trust that comes without borders or limitations to be able to see the mighty hand of God! Will you embark on this call….will you help your brothers and sisters of other nations? Prayerfully consider helping us financially to reach Gods desire. Thank you.

Ordinary people who serve an Extraordinary God,

John & Lynnette Garrison

If you have questions or would like to support John and Lynette, you can contact LATCOM at (724) 924-9070 or email jrgboat@gmail.com.

REDES Project Updates

Our national missionaries and REDES Project leaders continue to work hard serving the people of the Lomerío. Below are two updates from the Fall of 2013:

2013 Women’s Congress  

The Women’s Congress took place in October in the community of Surusubí. It was organized by the Women’s Committee of the Lomerío and the “God is Love” Church, located in Surusubí. The main theme for 2013 was “Women Who Leave Footprints.” Women from different communities attended the congress and participated in different activities, including a talent show called the ‘Night of Shoe Prints’. The instructors for the conference came from the Riberalta Bible Institute in Riberalta, Bolivia. At the end of the congress, the attendees decided that next year’s event will take place in the “Christ is Coming” Church in the community of Monterito in the Lomerío.

March for Jesus

On September 29, 2013, the United Evangelical Churches of Concepción held a March for Jesus. Their goal was to show the town of Concepcion their united faith in Jesus Christ. The many believers carrying banners with Bible verses set out from the North end of the town, and ended their march at the main plaza with a combined worship service filled with praise music and the teaching of the Word of God. The number of participants served to show us all that the work of God is growing in Concepción.

You can these and much more by checking out the most recent REDES bulletin.

My Faith Journey - From Jamie Anderson

Written by Jamie Anderson, a LATCOM mission participant who feels called to return to Bolivia as a missionary with our organization

I grew up in a Christian home, the middle of three children. My parents not only spoke the word of God, but they lived it out in front of us. They sought opportunities to help us learn about Christ and His love.

One of the things they saw could be a great benefit to teaching us was church camp. They signed my siblings and me up each summer for our respective weeks. Although my first two summers were difficult, eventually I grew to love it. The summer between my 7th and 8th grade year, I committed my life to Christ at camp and was baptized. Camp also served as a vessel that opened my eyes to something else that has been a great passion of mine for years – team-building activities – which even influenced my choice to major in outdoor recreation.

After becoming a Christian, God continued building my friendships with other Christians at my public high school. During my sophomore year of high school, a small group of us took over leadership of our school Bible club. Through this I learned to write and teach Bible lessons, grew deeper and stronger in my faith, and began to understand the importance of Christian community. 

God led me from my home in Indiana to college in New York State. At Houghton College, my love for God, horses, and the outdoors were combined and enhanced through my classes on campus. I also spent time off-campus in special focus programs. Beginning with the first student I met at college, God started drawing me closer to missions. 

I had no intention of being a missionary (even though I have an aunt and uncle who minister in Japan). I always thought that would be for other people, not an introvert like me. This thought even continued after I spent a semester overseas in a program that qualified me for a minor in missions. I went on the program for the spiritual growth and adventure components, accepting the missions and culture classes as a bonus. I left the program thinking, “God will never call me to do missions. He just hasn’t made me to do that, and I’m ok with that.” 

About a year and a half later, I was a month away from graduating and still had no idea where I would be working. Then one day, one of my professors called to say there were some visiting missionaries (Tim and Ceci Ramsey) and I should meet with them to hear about a camp (Monte Blanco) they had started in Bolivia. I decided it wouldn’t hurt to listen to what they had to say. 

I met with them that afternoon. I thought it sounded like a wonderful ministry, but again, I thought I had figured out that God had not intended me to be a missionary in a foreign country. I did agree to pray about it and let them know an answer within a couple weeks. As I prayed and talked with others about the opportunity (to which most responded, “That sounds like just the thing for you!”), it became apparent that God did intend for me to spend six months at Monte Blanco helping with programming for the camp’s horseback riding and environmental education programs. 

Once I decided to go, I only had a month to raise the $3,000 I would need for the six months. I was nervous about having so little time, but believed whole-heartedly that God had called me. God confirmed this by raising up the needed support (and many prayer warriors) within two weeks! I was overwhelmed by His provision. 

The months I spent in Bolivia at Monte Blanco changed my mind and heart in a way that made me see I was wrong. God had made me to be an overseas missionary; I just hadn’t found the place He was calling me to until I reached Bolivia. Through the struggles and victories of those months, God inspired me to grow and allowed me to touch a few lives through Him. Most of all, He planted a seed of love and vision of glory for Bolivians.

Since that time, I have known that I am to return to Bolivia to help the ministry at Monte Blanco grow. The road back has taken many unexpected twists and turns. At times, it has even felt like I hit a dead end, but upon praying for God to confirm or reject me returning, He has always confirmed it through things like people unexpectedly asking when I was going back or one time giving me an ornament that had the word “Hope” on it the day after I had told God that I had no hope left of returning. As I look back, I can only see how He has been using each job, each relationship, and each experience to train me and mold me into the person He needs me to be when I return for full-time ministry.

The time for me to return is now! My desire to be in Bolivia, working along my brothers and sisters in Christ, is stronger than ever. I miss Bolivia and the people there as if it were where I had grown up.   Would you please help me return by offering up prayers as I enter a new spiritual battlefield and by considering financial support? God provided $3000 in two weeks before, and I know He can do it again, if He chooses and if those He has appointed to be my support team will step up to His calling.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my faith journey and why LATCOM’s ministry efforts have become such an integral part of my life. I wish all of you God’s blessings in 2014.

If you have any questions or would like to support Jamie, you can contact LATCOM at (724) 924-9070 or email her at jmeanderson@gmail.com.

Dr. Charles "Chuck" Ramsey - Leaving a Legacy

Written by Tim Ramsey, son of Chuck Ramsey

Over 60 years ago, on July 4, 1953, Chuck and Jean Ramsey stepped on to a plane and left the U.S. They felt they had been called by God to spend their lives among the people of Bolivia. Just 24 hours ago, the last of that intrepid duo embarked on a new journey. At 10:43 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, Chuck breathed his last and stepped into eternity. He was preceded by Jean three years earlier.

What happened between 1953 and 2013 could fill volumes of books. Such books would share stories of adventures of living by faith among a once-violent people group, the Ayoré. It would tell of lives poured out for the Gospel in remote settings, as well as in the growing cities of Bolivia. It would tell of failures, yes; my parents were human, but there were also victories. Most of all, it would be about those changed for eternity as a result of the choices Chuck and Jean made. 

At LATCOM, we have files and files of material, tens of thousands of photos, and miles of videotape that document Chuck and Jean’s lives and ministries. It will be my responsibility and honor, along with my four siblings, to weed through some of these mementos and cull out the essence of Chuck and Jean. Yet the task will not be too difficult, for we all know that our Dad and Mom chose to go to Bolivia for one reason: to tell others the Good News about Jesus Christ. 

It is a fact worth saying that God used Chuck and Jean as His vessels to shine His light into the homes and lives of many, many people. 

You know, missionaries are not “saints”. They are merely ordinary Christians with an extraordinary calling, given strength by an extraordinary God. God is the hero of this story – not Chuck, not Jean, and certainly not LATCOM. It is God Who called and used my parents as ambassadors. It is God Who gave them focus and strength and comfort in the jungles. It is God Who caused them to teach His Word, Who helped them provide medical and dental care to others, and Who compelled them to begin so many ministries (medical and dental; video ministry to high schoolers; the first Evangelical University in Bolivia; radio stations;  and programs, to name just a few). 

I think there are only three things we can touch and know in our earthly journey that have eternal value: Jesus, God’s Word, and people. All the rest is temporary at best. My Dad’s legacy to me is an awareness of these three things. Let me elaborate.

Jesus: The first and most important thing in the world that has eternal value is Jesus Christ. Death cannot hold Him. It is only through Him that we have eternal life and any measure of hope. Chuck and Jean lived their lives with a realization of this value, and they would want you to know that the most important decision one can make is whether or not to accept Jesus as Lord. Accepting Jesus enables one to give up his fierce commitment to making life work and to yield to the guidance and leadership of a loving   Savior. Chuck and Jean’s example of doing just that is a challenge to all of us to do the same.

God’s Word: In her later years at Monte Blanco Camp, Jean spent hours every day pouring over her much-worn Bible. I wish you all could have known her in those final years, for all that time in God’s Word softened her, changed her, and drew her to love    others in new ways right up until the day she went to be with the Lord. Psalm 119:105 tells us that God’s “word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”. We can trust God’s Word to guide our lives. The legacy we five siblings have is one of cherishing the Word of God, of memorizing it and seeking to apply it in our everyday lives. Jesus said to His disciples that “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). This is because immersion in God’s Word changes hearts.

People: Finally, my parents taught us that people are what matter, not possessions or position. We kids saw our parents observe this principle every day as people came to the door seeking help or advice from them. Whether it was a shot of penicillin, a ride to town, or some money, our parents were ready to drop everything at a moment’s notice to tend to the needs of others. And in the process of tending others, Mom and Dad often shared the Gospel as the reason why they were so available. 

Chuck and Jean’s legacy to the world (and to their five children as well as more generations) was this: Love Jesus. Follow biblical teachings. Give to others. It is an eternal legacy. 

If Chuck or Jean Ramsey touched your life in some way, we’d love for you to share in honoring these faithful servants of Christ at a memorial service and lunch in their honor on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014. Full details are below and are also available at www.latcom.org. 

Additionally, online condolences may be offered at www.cunninghamfh.com.

Monte Blanco Camp in Concepción

LATCOM’s largest ministry to youth, Monte Blanco Christian Camp & Conference Center, went on the road to host a camp for over 200 youth from Concepción, the Lomerío region, and Zapocó.

The camp was held from Nov. 21-24 in Concepción and featured activities and recreation designed to enhance teambuilding, fellowship, and healthy ways to have fun. The youth spent 3 days enjoying food, fun, and fellowship. When asked if the teens would like to have another camp next year, all responded with a resounding “YES!” Nearly every teen also said they would bring friends, and 14 made the decision to accept Jesus Christ into their hearts.

Onésimo Rojas, one of our national missionaries, was thrilled at the turnout. He shared that it was a total team effort and was grateful to several local churches that participated.

Praise be to the Lord and for our donors, who made this camp possible!

LATCOM – Our Ministries and Where We Serve

Some of our donors and supporting churches are familiar with the areas we serve in Bolivia, but chances are you may be confused about the location of the towns we mention in our newsletters and update materials.

(credit: countryreports.org)

At LATCOM, we want you to know the names of important cities in Bolivia, as well as the towns where we have ministries at work through Jesus Christ. Knowing the names and locations will help you to pray more effectively. Secondly, you will be able to put the towns into context with one another. Thirdly, if you decide to go on a work trip with LATCOM, you will know where you are traveling and approximate distances between your stops.

About Bolivia

Bolivia is divided into 9 departments (similar to states in the United States):

Department, Capital

Pando, Cobija
La Paz, La Paz
Beni, Trinidad
Oruro, Oruro
Cochabamba, Cochabamba
Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Potosí, Potosí
Chuquisaca, Sucre
Tarija, Tarija

(credit: revivalinbolivia.org)

While Sucre is the official capital listed in Bolivia’s constitution, La Paz is the governmental capital. Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the largest city and the capital of the department of Santa Cruz. It is located in the lowlands of eastern Bolivia and is the educational and economic center of the country. Santa Cruz is the 15th fastest growing city in the world. It has an approximate population of 2 million, which is expected to double by 2020.

Santa Cruz

(View of the plaza in Santa Cruz)

When LATCOM was first founded in 1984, Santa Cruz was a very small city. It has exploded in recent years and now is the largest city in Bolivia. Santa Cruz is home to EPLABOL, our sister organization. Just like we have a Board of Directors for LATCOM in the U.S., EPLABOL has a Board of Directors as well. We provide funding to EPLABOL and communicate about ministry efforts in Bolivia and throughout Latin America.

LATCOM also has a Mission House in Santa Cruz. Among our full-time devoted employees are Omar and Ana Vasquez, who maintain our Mission House and prepare meals when we have people or mission teams staying there.

(EPLABOL Office in Santa Cruz)

Most of LATCOM’s ministries are located in the Department of Santa Cruz. Departments are divided into provinces – similar to counties in the United States. LATCOM has a significant ministry presence in the province of Ñuflo de Chavez.

Concepción

The town of Concepción is located in the department of Santa Cruz and is the capital of the province of Ñuflo de Chavez. It is about 155 miles northeast of Santa Cruz de la Sierra (about 5 ½ hours by car on paved roads).

Concepción, sometimes shortened to “Concé” in conversation, was founded in 1699 by the Jesuits. The town square, large cathedral, and general layout reflect its Jesuit mission heritage. The main economic focus is industry and cattle ranching. Tim Ramsey (current Executive Director of LATCOM) and his wife, Ceci, lived in Concepción for 4 years.

(View of the plaza in Concepción from www.trialx.com)

Lomerío

Our national missionaries (Onésimo and Elodia Rojas, and Pablo and Felicia Chuvé) live on the outskirts of Concepción and plant churches among the Chiquitano and Ayoré people, as well as the rural villages of the Lomerío. A large portion of their ministry efforts is in this region, an area encompassing 28 villages around Concepción. The community of Porvenir is one of the villages closest to Concepción.

One of our ministries to the Chiquitanos is the REDES Project, which provides for the physical and spiritual needs of area Christian leaders, empowering them to reach their own people.

The villages of the Lomerío range from 3-5 miles between one another. The roads leading from Concepción to these villages are unpaved and take several hours to traverse. Most of our short-term mission trip members love riding through the jungles from village to village, as they get to see one of the most rural areas in the world.

Of the 28 villages in the Lomerío region, Christian leaders have established evangelical Christian churches in:

• Porvenir – Evangelical Church of Maranatha
• Monterito – “Christ Is Coming” Evangelical Church
• Coloradillo – “The Light of Christ” Evangelical Church
• San Lorenzo – “Strong Tower” Evangelical Church
• Púquio – “Christ Is Alive” Evangelical Church
• Surusubí – “God is Love” Evangelical Church
• Palmira – “Christ is the Hope” Evangelical Church

Other communities we have begun to reach include Fátima, Florida, San Simón, and Santa Rosario. Our national missionaries and church leaders are working to reach all of the villages in the Lomerío area, as well as the other 46 villages surrounding Concepción.

Zapocó

Our national missionaries and REDES leaders also work closely with another village in this area, called Zapocó. It is home to the Ayorés, an indigenous tribal group. The Ayorés have a different language, history, and culture than the Chiquitanos. For that reason we typically mention them separately from the villages in the Lomerío. Zapocó is located approximately 40 miles southeast of Concepción and takes about 4 hours by truck on unpaved roads to get there. Chuck Ramsey (founder of LATCOM) and his wife, Jean, lived and worked in this isolated village for 23 years.

Monte Blanco Christian Camp & Conference Center

Our largest ministry to youth is Monte Blanco Christian Camp & Conference Center, which is located in the Andes Mountains. It is still in the Department of Santa Cruz, but is situated about 80 miles west of Santa Cruz – about halfway between Santa Cruz and the city of Cochabamba. Many teens and students travel from Santa Cruz to be campers at Monte Blanco throughout the year.

The road to Monte Blanco winds through the Andes and is partially paved. It is subject to landslides during the rainy season. A normal trip to Monte Blanco from the city of Santa Cruz takes about 5 hours.

Monte Blanco lies in a high desert area of 5,200 feet above sea level. Temperatures are moderate year-round, which makes it an ideal location for a camp. The area around Monte Blanco is primarily used for agriculture – especially vegetables and strawberries.

(Overhead shot of Monte Blanco Christian Camp & Conference Center)

We also have several other ministries, including secular and Christian leadership outreach, national missionary training, and more. 

Coming Soon: Watch for future blogs on the Chiquitano and Ayoré cultures!