The beam from my headlamp is weak as I carefully navigate my footsteps over rocks and uneven ground. It’s 4:50am and I’m barely able to keep my eyes open as we head toward the soccer field. It’s our second morning here and we’re about to gather together to proclaim the name of Jesus in the heart of this community.
We follow Yeison, our ministry host, and slowly form a circle as we get to the field. As we begin to pray and worship, my spirit starts to awaken even if my body is slow to respond. We spend the next hour praying and interceding on behalf of the people of Palenque. As we declare Jesus over this place, the Lord starts to deposit His heart for the lost, hurting and broken here. I couldn’t help but respond and pray with more fervor. Jesus, expand Your Kingdom here. Break the chains of poverty, hopelessness and darkness in this place. Lord, raise up a generation that loves You and dreams big dreams for Your glory. United we stand to proclaim Jesus as King in this place.
// August 15, 2016 //
Walking into Palenque, Colombia you feel like you’re transported into the middle of Africa. As the first free African community in the Americas, the people here take great pride in their heritage, making great effort to preserve their roots and slow-paced culture.
Pigs and dogs frequently cross your path as you walk along the unpaved roads. Doors are always open and it’s common to greet people in houses that you pass with a “Buenas!” Children run around playing together and horses trot pass with men heading to and from work. With no internet or running water, we all jumped in to experience what God had for us here.
Throughout the week, we were stretched in so many different ways that all we could do was have a “yes” in our hearts and rely on the Lord for joy and grace with others. It was a week of diverse ministries and experiences that encompassed sharing testimonies, bathing in the river, doing a drama, teaching in the high school, praying for strangers, and playing with kids in the streets.
God is doing some amazing things here despite hard ground to till. I’m excited to see how He will continue to move in the ministry that YWAM is doing and the churches that are established here.
Pray that those living in Palenque will come to know Jesus and will be firmly established in His love and hope. Also, pray that God strengthens the churches and ministries here so that they can continue running hard in this community. God is faithful to complete the work He has started and is cultivating the ground for seeds to fall on good soil. I’m thankful that I could be part of what He is doing, even if it was just for a week.
Blessings.
