“Emilia” was a child of six when she left her poor Quechua parents in their Bolivian mountain village and moved to the city of Sucre in order to go to school. She lived with relatives until she finished college; then her law studies set her on the tough path of living alone, working at domestic service jobs for low wages, and experiencing terrible social pressures. When she became pregnant, life seemed to implode. The father of her child urged her to abort, as did her older sister; and when she refused, they both broke contact with her.

	Guests at the Albuerge with short-term associates Hayley and Kerri. (Kerri Muir photo)

Eight months pregnant, frightened, and desperate, Emilia came to Albergue, the refuge for girls in crisis that’s part of El Alfarero (“The Potter”) student ministry. Two short-term workers, Kerri Muir from Australia and Hayley Cox from England, welcomed her. Emilia helped in the El Alfarero Café kitchen, attended pre- and post-natal classes and Bible studies, and met weekly with a caring counselor—and God moved in with His healing touch. She gave birth to “Carlos,” and a month later she made a commitment to follow Jesus.

Now she is supporting herself and Carlos with domestic service jobs. The Alfarero day care center provides a safe place for her baby each morning, giving her the freedom to continue her work and her law studies. She has become confident, friendly, and chatty—a growing Christian eager to know and live the Word of God. “I think God has brought me here,” she says, “to help me and to enable me to get to know Him better.”

Young adults of university age are the people for whom El Alfarero exists. Founded by SIM workers Graham and Debbie Frith in 2001, the ministry is now self-financing and is led by Bolivians, with a board of directors, 12 paid staff, and about 100 volunteers. Prayer, love, hard work, and the power of God combine to bring transformation to the large university community in Sucre.

Other El Alfarero Ministries:

	Cafe guests

Café: About 250 students enter the café each night, finding inexpensive food, games, contemporary Christian music, friendship, security, and acceptance.

Biblical Counseling: The Student Center offers Bible-based counseling that deals with the serious problems that flood the lives of the student population.

Pregnancy Crisis Center: Sucre is known as the “abortion capital” of South America. The Pregnancy Crisis Center seeks to help young people make wise decisions in the midst of such a crisis.

Day-care Center: Girls who decide to give birth rather than abort find care here for their babies, in order to continue with their studies and prepare to support their families.

Discipleship: As students make commitments to Christ, discipleship programs help them mature in their faith.

Training: Local churches take advantage of training courses and a library of resources, so their members can help young adults come to freedom in Christ.

Expansion: A new Alfarero is planned for Santa Cruz, Bolivia.