Visit Bolivia with us: Our Trip to Casa De Esperanza (Part One)

Hi everyone! Many of you know about my work with the orphanage Casa de Esperanza (House of Hope), located in the city of Caranavi. I had been praying that we would be able to visit the orphanage again this time, and by God's grace we did! Our adventure started on the afternoon of June 24. My family and I, along with my Uncle David and Aunt Ruth, drove four long hours by taxi to Caranavi. The road, which is built into the mountains, twists and turns and twists and turns and, well you get the idea. It doesn't do one's stomach a whole lot of good for one thing! At first, all you can see are brown and barren mountain peaks up close, threadbare with snow. After the longest time, the road, even for the most part, angles down until you find yourself in the midst of towering vegetation, no longer feeling like you're on top of the world. From frigid wind and coarse grass, you travel to a land of closely packed forest, red-dirt roads, and balmy air. The road, which was smoothly paved until now, has sections that haven't been paved yet. Full of dirt and dust and rocks, it makes the taxi rattle and your stomach vibrate. Dust covers the shrubbery on the side, giving it a rusty look. All the way there, one side gives you a close view of the mountain face you're riding along, while the other side gives you a view of the far-off, usually tree-packed mountains. Finally, buildings and rundown homes start appearing. You know you're in the city of Caranavi when the streets, bumpy, dusty, and littered with trash, are lined with faded buildings advertising restaurants and businesses. Taxis rattle past, and motorcycles weave in and out of the traffic, carrying three or more people at a time.

Once we arrived, we ate a little dinner at a place facing the main square. We waited then, somewhat refreshed, for Charito Corrales (one of the directors) to come pick us up. After a few minutes, we found ourselves driving up, up, up to where the orphanage lies. Casa de Esperanza rests on a mountain overlooking the city of Caranavi, now lit up with blue and yellow lights shining against the darkness of night. After rounding a final curve, you would pull up in front of one of the guest houses next to the directors' house. From there, you can see the city of Caranavi and the faint outline of the mountains. During the day, the scenery is breath-taking!

Really, I could describe Caranavi forever! It is a place of swaying palm trees and muddy roads, of both sultry and fresh air, of rain and clouds in your face, of breath-taking beauty and heart-breaking need. Two years ago I came and fell in love with my surroundings. This time was no different, and I could hardly wait to get acquainted with the people there!