Medical Care: Bringing Care to People

Bolivian Boat Clinic

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The Amazon River Basin in Bolivia can be an imposing place. Its communities are often inaccessible by any means except boat, and in the dry season many villages can be totally cut off. Accessing health care can be next to impossible for residents of these remote communities.

Samaritan's Purse supports a unique boat ministry that is overcoming these challenges. Doctors travel along the rivers, treating a variety of tropical diseases such as intestinal parasites and dengue fever. Many of the patients cared for have never seen a doctor in their life.

Travelling with the medical personnel are pastors, who ensure that patients receive whole person care. In each village that is visited, the ministers conduct youth outreach in the morning and Christian services in the evening. Those who have not yet heard the Gospel learn of the love of Jesus Christ; those who have are strengthened in their faith.

 Fernando Roca is one of the people touched by this ministry. Roca describes himself as enslaved by vices and bad habits as a youth. When the boat ministry came to his village, Fernando attended one of the church services, where he accepted Jesus as his Savior.

“This work that you do must go on, as you serve people freely and give people the opportunity to know Jesus Christ,” says Roca, “as well as providing them with critical healthcare.”

Eliodoro Cajareico has worked with the medical boat ministry for several years and for him it is a life changing experience.

“It is an honor to serve the Lord through this boat ministry,” Cajareico says. “Although the voyages can be quite difficult due to rising waters or low waters, the perseverance of the crew is a witness of God’s power and mercy. This work is so important as it serves vulnerable people who are in physical and spiritual need.”

Through ministries such as this, Samaritan's Purse is helping address the whole health – physical, social, emotional, and spiritual – of people and communities.

Ways You Can Help
Pray Pray that God will continue to bless these boat clinics and make their travel down the rivers safe.		Give Partner with Samaritan’s Purse so that medical projects in the developing world can continue to bring healing and hope. Donate Here.