The REALLY Amazing Race !!!

The REALLY Amazing Race !!! “…Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

Bolivia

Bolivia Population – 8.5 million Bolivia has the highest population of indigenous (Indian) peoples in South America. Capital – Bolivia has two capitals! La Paz (pictured) is the administrative capital, and is the world’s highest capital city! Sucre is the legal / judicial capital.

Flag of Bolivia

Currency of Bolivia

Bolivia – A Land of Diversity Southwest Bolivia (next to Chile) is dry and has several active volcanoes. Southern Bolivia is dry with scattered salt flats.

Bolivia – A Land of Diversity Lake Titicaca in the Andes Mountains is the highest navigable lake in the world. (Northwest Bolivia) To the North and East, Bolivia has striking rainforests and is part of the Amazon Basin. Descriptions of this area inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel, The Lost World.

Mountains and Llamas

People of Bolivia

People Diversity Bolivia has the highest percentage of AmeriIndians of any South American Country (64%). Major Indian populations are the Quechua and the Aymara (descendants of the ancient Incans).

People Diversity Official Languages: Spanish, Aymara, Quechua. Aymara is the language spoken by the descendents of the Incas. Adult Literacy Rate – 77% (Probably less than 50%, in reality.)

Children of Bolivia

Indians in Bolivia Protest Extreme Poverty and Hunger

50% of the World’s Cocaine was Grown in Bolivia!

Coca & Cocaine: Legacy of the Incas Coca leaves were thought to be “sacred” to the ancient Inca Indians, who chewed coca leaves as a stimulant. Many Bolivian Indians still chew coca leaves. Unfortunately, the leaves are processed in jungle labs to cocaine, an addictive drug in the US.

Coca Leaves & Cocaine The government of Bolivia has tried aggressively to eliminate growth of coca leaves. Many local Indian farmers depend on growing coca leaves for their living. Many farmers still grow coca leaves illegally.

Coca-Cola: “it’s the real thing”! In the 1890’s, “Coca-Cola” really contained cocaine! It was advertised as a drink that would “relieve exhaustion”. In 1903, the company replaced the cocaine with caffeine.

Bolivia’s Produce Despite poverty, drug industry, and oppression of the native Indians, Bolivia is rich in natural resources and produces many fruits and vegetables, coffee, and sugar.

Religion in Bolivia Spanish missionaries taught the Indians Catholic beliefs hundreds of years ago, but many Indians still worshipped spirits .

Religion in Bolivia 94% Christian (84% Catholic, 9% Protestant) 12% Evangelical 10% Charismatic 60% of Catholics also practice spirit worship / animism. (This includes the Quechua & Aymara.)

The Ancient Incan Beliefs Are Still Practiced

President of Bolivia Elected by a 54% majority vote in December, 2005, President Evo Morales is the first native American president of Bolivia. He is an Aymara Indian and a former coca leaf grower. He is a member of the socialist party and is developing close relationships with Pres. Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and Fidel Castro of Cuba. He opposes some US policies.

President of Bolivia Identifies with Indian Idols and Spirits President Evo Morales, an Aymara Indian, was honored with an Indian ceremony prior to his presidential inauguration. At an ancient Indian (pre-Incan) site which Indians believe confers strength, Morales dressed as a sun-priest and accepted a staff of authority symbolizing his Indian rule.

Will the People of Bolivia Choose Jesus or Idols?

Some Encouraging Signs: The Aymara Indians, descendants of the Incas, are turning to Christ, and over 20% are now “evangelical”! The Quechua Indians have responded to the Gospel in large numbers over the past 15 years!

“…the Ends of the Earth.” A large number of Aymara and Quechua Indians live in remote villages in mountains or forests and still need to hear the Gospel. Pray for more missionaries willing to go to these remote places.