Recent Trips
A visit to Bolivia is the best way to experience Amistad! For over 30 years, we have welcomed children and adults of all ages to share this life-changing ministry together.
Christ Church Clergy and Staff, Ponte Vedra
In November 2024, Fr. Tom Reeder, Fr. Andreis Díaz Dorta, Mike Shepherd, and Amy Trinidad spent a week at Amistad. They shared a spiritual retreat with our staff and bonded with the children in Casa San Francisco. It was a special treat to receive two visits from Christ Church only a few days apart!
Christ Church Adults, Ponte Vedra
In October 2024, Pam Laco and Diane Downing led a group of five pilgrims to Amistad. Casa San Francisco was thrilled to see their Christ Church friends and enjoyed many outings and games throughout the week!
Quinceañera Celebration, Birmingham/Nashville/Raleigh/Ponte Vedra
In August 2024, Kelly Hulsey and Lily Hulsey, Walker Mathews, Bill Catchings, and Diane Downing visited for the biennial Quinceañera party. This year, five girls were honored in this special celebration lasting late into the night for the whole Amistad family!
Saint Michael and All Angels Adults, Dallas
In August 2024, on the heels of the Youth pilgrimage, Saint Michael and All Angels sent an Adult group to visit their friends in Casa Esperanza. Maria and Richard D’Antoni, Kelly Reddell, and Chris King bonded with the children over meals at La Angostura, Burger King, and La Estancia. The staff at Amistad for Families welcomed the group with beautiful folkloric dances!
Saint Michael and All Angels Youth, Dallas
In July 2024, the Saint Michael and All Angels Youth returned to visit their friends in Casa Esperanza. Rev. Robin Hinkle and Samuel Moore led 12 youth on this pilgrimage to Bolivia. Four new sisters arrived at Casa Esperanza during the groups visit. They loved sharing a week of games, painting, and outings with the children.
Christ Church Youth, Ponte Vedra Beach
In July 2024, Rev. Laura Magevney led the Christ Church Youth to meet their friends in Casa San Francisco. This group of 13 pilgrims bonded through outings into the city, dinner with the Casa San Francisco higher education graduates, gardening, crafts, soccer, and many games. They are eager to return next summer!
St. Mary’s on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church, Birmingham
In July 2024, Ann Jones and Monica Sargent led a group of 13 St. Mary’s pilgrims to visit their friends in Casa Copacabana. Tie dye t-shirts, painting, crafts, outings to the park, and dinner with the Amistad youth were among the many bonding activities!
The Church of St. John the Divine, Houston
In June 2024, St. John the Divine returned to visit their friends in Casa Amanecer. Deanna Lawson led this family trip of eight pilgrims who forged new friendships through soccer games, card games, spiritual reflections, birthday parties, art, outings to parks, and dinners in the city!
Christ Church Cathedral Youth, Nashville
In June 2024, the Christ Church Cathedral Youth visited their Casa Kantuta friends. Christ Church has been sending youth groups to Bolivia since 1999!
Cathedral Church of the Advent, Birmingham
In May 2024, Amistad Board members Kelly Hulsey and Liz Lee led 13 pilgrims from Cathedral Church of the Advent to Bolivia, nine of whom visited for the first time. The children in Villa Amistad bonded with this group while playing soccer, making bracelets, sharing morning worship, painting a Tree of Life mural, and grilling cheeseburgers. An overnight trip to Aramasí connected the group with Amistad’s origin.
Amistad Board Trip, Nashville and Dallas
In April 2024, Walker Mathews, Mark Demler, and Chris King visited Amistad as the first U.S. group of 2024. Highlights included: lunch with the mamás at La Morada, dinner with the Amistad for Families staff to commemorate the program’s 10 years of exceptional success, game night and pizza at the Boys House, weekend outing with Casa San Martín to a climbing wall, Sunday lunch in Casa Kantuta, and s’mores made in the Villa bakery.
New Providence Presbyterian Church, New Jersey
In November 2023, New Providence Presbyterian Church sent a Missions Team of 12 travelers to visit their friends in Casa Semilla de Amor, the house they have sponsored for 33 years. The group led worship services, taught VBS lessons, played lots of games, made crafts, grilled cheeseburgers, celebrated birthdays, and conveyed the love of Christ. Comprised of 11 first-time visitors, the group left with their hearts full of gratitude for new friendships!
