Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases…These women were helping to support them out of their own means. (Luke 8: 1-3 NIV)Like the women who supported Jesus and His disciples, the Chiquitano women of the Lomerio churches have decided to support the NETS project through their own means. Earlier this year—with the help of LATCOM donors—the women purchased sewing machines to create products to sell in the city of Santa Cruz.
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| A woman in Zapoco tests a new sewing machine. |
Enough money was raised to purchase eight machines and eight sergers. Working with national missionary Elodia Rojas, the women ordered them directly from an import company and got a package deal. Each sewing machine came with a serger, also known as an overcast sewing machine; a table and chair; scissors; and rulers. The sergers in particular will help the women with sewing and trimming seams to achieve a more finished, professional quality product.
The machines have been dispersed to six different Lomerio communities and to the nearby villages of Zapoco and Porvenir. Anyone in the communities is allowed to use the machines if she signs a Rules of Use agreement and if she donates a portion of her income to the NETS project. The church women will use the proceeds to buy items for their churches and for funding evangelistic efforts.
The region known as "the Lomerio" is in the eastern lowlands of Bolivia and is part of the area called "La Gran Chiquitania." In the 16th century, Jesuit missionaries organized missions and villages to evangelize the Chiquitos people. You can read more about the history and culture of this region at this tourism site.
The NETS project is a ministry of LATCOM. The project is a Bolivian-led church-planting effort that seeks to engage communities not only in evangelism but also in community development.
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