Todd Pierce, Riding High Ministries

Cowboy Up! Bolivian style! We just had our first bull riding event in Trinidad, Bolivia! I estimate at least 2,000 people attended the 3 hour event hosted by Samaritan's Purse International Relief. Riding here are Mike Lee, Jody Newberry and DJ Domangue.

Now, imagine planning a bull riding demonstration in a Spanish style bull-fighting ring. No shoots, no stalls, just a large round pen and stands. A local crew worked all week to install what we needed and even constructed a small round pen to allow me to demonstrate breaking a horse. All out of wood. All by hand!

I noticed two hours before the event started, the stands were mostly filled and by event start time the stands were packed, people lined the fence and were stacked on top of each other for this free event. Local media had their cameras rolling and a live band cranked up to start things off.

Mike, Jody, and DJ took several turns on local bulls we selected earlier in the week. They had great rides and the crowd loved it. Even my friend Jonathan Lemus (a Samaritan's Purse staffer here in Bolivia) rode his very first bull and lived to tell about it! After four seconds Jonathan hit the ground hard. I ran to him, as he lay motionless, finally he looked at me and said "I'm alive! I'm so happy!"

My horse breaking demonstration held the attention of the crowd as I began to train a very nervous animal. As things progressed he settled down and began to trust me. He learned that running from me lead to frustration and exhaustion, but trusting me lead to peace and rest. I finished the illustration within 45 minutes and presented a saddled horse that had yielded to my loving hand. He became an entirely new creation ready for his purpose - to live in a relationship with me and to grow in the knowledge of my love for him. In many ways this shows how we can enter into a relationship with god as our father.

A surprise ending happened for the children who attended this event. We were able to distribute 1,000 Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies and clothing. Operation Christmas Child is project of Samaritan's Purse and they look for any opportunity during the year to give these boxes away to those who need it. It was my first time to pass out these gifts and it gave me a new joy for giving. I remember when one little girl took her box, she looked at me and then kissed me on the cheek. I think it may have been the greatest gift she had ever received, possibly the only gift. Mike, Jody and DJ also had the pleasure of giving these shoe box gifts out as well.

In the poorest country in South America, it's great to see Samaritan's Purse at work. Over our 10 days here we helped them distribute cattle to needy ranchers hurt by a recent flood, built bio-sand waters filters that provide drinkable water to those who do not have it and picked up hammers to assist in rebuilding a church in the Amazon basin. Samaritan's Purse also works in 100 other countries, bringing hope and relief to many people in need.

Thanks for being on this adventure with us. I look forward to a great partnership with the PBR riders, Samaritan's Purse and Riding High Ministries. In the weeks to come please look for our video podcasts from the trip and if you want to learn more about Samaritan's Purse, visit them at www.samaritanspurse.org or log onto my web site www.ridinghighministries.org.

Todd

Todd Pierce, Riding High Ministries

If you're a rancher, farmer or you like to eat beef, you will appreciate the value of cattle. The cattle industry is one of the most important businesses in Bolivia. Since we landed we have had beef at mostly every meal. With me are bull riders Mike Lee, Jody Newberry and DJ Domangue and we are on a humanitarian effort with Samaritan's Purse International Relief.

In 2007 and 2008 this part of the Amazon basin was hit hard with devastating floods wiping out much of the vital livestock in this area. The cattle raisers were hit hard in a country that already struggles with deep poverty. Our hosts for this trip, Samaritan's Purse, have recognized this need and are helping restock the cattle that were lost in the floods.

Today we attended two cattle distributions for owners who lost some or all of their cattle. It was amazing to see 20 families receive two cows each. They welcomed us as we presented each family with two numbers that match the ear tags on their new cows. The communities celebrated with music while the children dressed up and performed "The Bull" dance.

Samaritan's Purse also provides one bull per distribution with the condition that the new owners "pay it forward" with the first two calves to give to other families who lost their cattle. It's a solid way to help someone in need and provides accountability from the families who receive the cattle.

We are also preparing for a rodeo-style event at the end of the week. I plan on breaking a horse and Mike, DJ and Jody have selected a few bulls to ride for the audience. I also take this opportunity to share god's love and hope He has for all of us.

I want to continue to encourage you to get excited about helping your neighbor in need. If you want to learn more about Samaritan's Purse, visit them at www.samaritanspurse.org or log onto my web site www.RidingHighMinistries.org. Please look for more updates from us here in Bolivia and thanks to all the fans of PBR!

Todd.

Loreto, Bolivia (June 17, 2009)

There's nothing better than starting your day roping a water buffalo in the Amazon basin of Bolivia! We managed to tie it to the nearest palm tree when Jody Newberry got on with no rope, no flank, and no water buffalo experience. But he did it and was quickly ejected to the nearest muck hole to the tune of laughter from fellow riders Mike Lee, DJ Domangue and myself. It was a good start to a great day.

[More]