Ciudad de Refugio
Ok, so maybe it’s the two cups of coffee that I had this morning (I don’t drink coffee so this is highly unusual), or the chai frapee that I had after lunch (one of the best things I’ve tasted in a long time, and that’s saying something…), or the fact that I’ve been sick most of the week and I finally feel good and healthy… but I’m feeling so alive and happy and hyper today! Haha It’s nice for a change 😀 But I’ve been so excited about this month for awhile anyways, I believe God is going to do some really big things, both in us and through us and how can you not be excited about that?!
So let me fill you in on what we’re doing and why I’m so excited about what God’s up to. We are in Metallin, Colombia now and I am loving it! We are working with the church Ciudad de Refugio and it is honestly one of the coolest ministries I have ever served with. They are so extremely purposeful and are great stewards of everything that God gives them. I love their heart for people and for honoring God with everything they do. Even the building that they built, that we are doing life in this month, was done with utmost intentionality.
The first floor is a concrete floored big room with a drain in the middle of the floor. This is where they house homeless men every night. The first week they get to stay no strings attached, but after then they are required to start coming to the church services and then after a certain time after that they start charging them a small fee for food and boarding as the months progress. This teaches the men that this ministry is not meant to be an end all, or a permanent residence but only a place to start. When the men leave in the morning the volunteers spray and disinfect the whole floor, hence the need for the big drain in the middle of the floor. This area is also used for their church services throughout the week, and a parking lot during the day.
The second floor is devoted to the men’s ministry that helps young and old men alike walk through freedom from drug and alcohol addictions. It’s a strict program but they have a very high success rate. The men are taught to do their own laundry, clean, and cook. These are things that most Colombian men don’t do and therefore is teaching these men to be servant leaders in their future homes. It also teaches them discipline and responsibility. They also have work projects that teach them different skills that will aid them once they get out of the program. These men work their tails off. I’ve only been here a week but I am already so proud of all of these men and how far they have come and the freedom they are walking in. It’s awesome to see them full out worshiping Christ on Sunday mornings.
The third floor is where the women’s ministry is. It is pretty much identical to the men’s program with a few changes due to the differences in males and females. These women are so beautiful. I admire their courage to walk away from something that has controlled their lives for years and I love the faith and strength they are depending on Christ for to walk through these hard days. Their testimonies are amazing and I can’t wait to see how God continues to grow and use them in the future. They are walking away from a life full of darkness and into complete light and it is beautiful.
The other floors in the building are used for apartments for those in need and for transition housing for those who are finished with the program but trying to figure out where God wants them now. We are staying in some of these extra housing for this month and it’s so cool to be surrounded by all of these men and women that are daring to have a different life from what they’ve known.
Other parts of the ministry that I love are the bakery/café that they have off the side of the building and the homeless feeding ministry on Wednesdays. Now, let me just be honest….I’m pretty much in love with the fact that there is actually a bakery attached to the ministry that we are working with this month….where else can you eat super delicious pastries, rolls, croissants, and doughnuts and it actually be aiding the ministry?! I mean, really? You can’t beat that! Especially for me, my eyes are always peeled for a good bakery or bread store….like for real, the rest of my team knows that if they see a bread or flower store they have to tell me about it. Give me bread and flowers and I’m a happy lady. Maybe throw in a couple potatoes and call it a day.
The feeding ministry on Wednesday nights is hard to even begin describing. They take bread and sugar water to the homeless that are living out on the streets. There are so many. They care for a practical, physical need and they invite them to their homeless church service that they have on Saturday nights. Most of the homeless are addicted to either drugs or alcohol or both. I have never seen so many people so completely under the influence. It’s heartbreaking. The power of addiction is infuriating. But in a strange way it was actually a little encouraging to see this because it showed me that there was so much hope in Christ for these people. When I think about all of the men and women that we already have come to love in the programs and think back to how they used to live and to actually see the lifestyles that they came from and to see how they are living now…there aren’t words. They are walking in so much freedom with Christ now that I can’t even express the difference. Don’t get me wrong, there is still a lot to walk through, but Christ is healing them, one day at a time.
So yea if you can’t tell, I’m pumped up and passionate about this place. I’m so thankful that God allows us to be here and be apart of this special family. And this is only the beginning! Whoot whoot!
