About Me

My name’s Laura and I’m a 20-something Minnesotan living in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. For the story of how I wound up in Bolivia, click here or just scroll down on this page. The most important things in my life are God, my family, and my boyfriend. I love people and want to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

I graduated from the University of Minnesota with my bachelor’s in Housing Studies with hopes of working with people and housing in areas such as: homelessness, disaster and crisis emergency relief, public health, and any other issues pertaining to improving shelter. I did much of my university research in Bolivia and plan to pursue this further in the future. I’m waiting for God to open the door to an opportunity to serve Him by serving others in Bolivia.

Currently, I’m keeping myself busy working, hanging out with my boyfriend Mauricio, listening to music, reading, learning to cook, taking photos, blogging, and all around enjoying my life in Bolivia. From the United States I miss my family, chai tea, wild rice, and driving my car.

From Minneapolis to Bolivia

When I was 13 years old I took a two-week mission trip to Bolivia with my dad, my sister, and a group of about 10 other people. We spent our time volunteering at a Christian community development organization and school as I fell in love with the Bolivian people and culture. At age 13 I proclaimed that one day I would live in Bolivia.

Over the years I returned several times to spend my summer vacations volunteering in the same school and visiting the community that I had come to love as my own. As I entered university I knew that I eventually wanted to work in Bolivia, serving God and people. Along the way, I fell in love with Mauricio, a university student that had graduated from the same school where I volunteered.

On May 31, 2009 I arrived in Santa Cruz and have been living here ever since. I love Bolivia and am thrilled to be living here, while still missing my family in the United States.