Cala, Carmen Rosa Mamani
Carmen Rosa Mamani Cala is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service.
The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world.
Carmen is a lay member of Iemb El Buen Camino, El Alto, related to the Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia. She attends Sunday worship, participates in the youth league and collaborates with organized activities. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture.
“Throughout my involvement as an active member of my church,” she said, “I have experienced significant spiritual growth that has transformed my life. My family has witnessed how, step by step, I have drawn closer to God, strengthening my faith and commitment. However, this path has not always been easy.”
As a teenager, Carmen sometimes felt lost. “Part of this spiritual withdrawal was influenced by my friendships,” she admitted, “as I let myself be influenced by people who didn’t share my values or my faith. It was a period I deeply regret, but over time, I understood that God was working in my life even in the midst of that difficulty.”
She decided to use that experience as an opportunity to reconnect with her friends and talk to them about God. “With much love and patience,” Carmen said, “I invited them to participate in church activities and reflect on the importance of strengthening our relationship with God. Fortunately, my friends accepted the invitation, and to this day, we share our faith, organize activities together and support our community.”
That period of doubt helped Carmen reaffirm her faith and taught her the importance of being God’s instrument to guide others to God. “I believe that experience prepared me to be part of Global Mission Fellows,” she said. “I desire to share my testimony, strengthen my commitment and continue helping people draw closer to God, just as I did with my friends and myself.”
Carmen shares her faith with her university and work friends, encouraging them to remain steadfast and not stray from God’s path. “I believe I have a special ability to communicate effectively and empathetically with people, which is essential for a program of this kind,” she said. “I am convinced that sharing experiences with people and communities from different parts of the world will not only enrich my spiritual life but also my ability to interact and learn from other cultures and realities.”
Carmen sees Global Mission Fellows as a unique opportunity for growth. “A better understanding of the world’s diverse realities,” she noted, “will allow me to develop greater empathy for others, strengthening my perspective on social justice issues and how they are addressed in different Christian communities. This learning will be key to broadening my worldview and my ability to serve with love and understanding, especially in communities facing unique challenges.
“At the same time, the exchange of ideas, values and practices will strengthen my faith and commitment to Christian principles, better preparing me to serve society with dedication and commitment. I am confident that this experience will allow me to grow as a Christian and as a human being, developing leadership based on love, empathy and respect for others.”
As a missionary, Carmen hopes to contribute her theoretical and practical knowledge in areas such as architecture, self-sustaining housing design, home care and nature preservation. “My goal,” she said, “is to support communities in finding practical solutions that improve their quality of life, promoting a balance between human needs and respect for the natural environment God has given us.”
She also wants to share her love for God and the importance of respecting the human body. Self care, she asserts, “is essential to keeping us strong and dedicated to God’s service. Through talks, activities and practical examples, I would like to motivate people to adopt healthy habits that strengthen their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
“I also consider it essential to foster the development of communication skills within the community, strengthening unity and mutual understanding,” Carmen concluded. “Effective communication not only promotes collective growth but also helps build relationships based on respect, trust and mutual support, thus reflecting God’s love in every interaction.”