Soon before leaving Colombia our team was showered with notes from the kids. Valentines Day was still two weeks away but it felt like it had come early this year. On the last day of ministry three of the children came to our room with tears in their eyes and notes in their hands. They poured out their love and gratitude. It was a little overwhelming to have so many of them write notes about how we impacted them in only two to three weeks.
Working with the kids at Santa Cecilia was so fun! We were able to read to them in English and Spanish to help them learn English. We danced with them, played games outside, made cookies, helped with homework and did devotions. One day while helping with homework the kids started calling me profe. Short for “professora”, the spanish word for teacher. It took me by surprise and was so sweet! Immediately my love and heart for them increased. Being able to help where I could was a blessing.
Making Cookies
Plying soccer outside the church
Loving on the kids at Santa Cecilia was something that not all of them experienced at home. It was heart breaking to hear story after story of their home life and a disconnect between parents and children. Hearing that many of the kids see porn at home on a regular basis was shocking. Finding out that the tears of a little girl at meal times were because she hadn’t eaten in days and felt too sick to eat hurt my heart and simultaneously slapped me in the face with any previous claims of “I’m starving” or “I’m so hungry”. Breaking up fights in the middle of class was where my compassion expanded in insurmountable ways knowing that it reflected what they were shown at home and was how they learned to solve conflict.
Santa Cecilia’s after school program “Oasis” is truly a place where they can go and be safe, learn, be loved, have a meal, receive support with homework, and grow spiritually and emotionally. Each staff member has a passion for the health and wellbeing of these kids. They love them deeply and are working so hard to help them walk in the light of the Lord.
To further provide for the youth of this neighborhood the church has a vision of building a sports field in the lot behind the building. This will provide teens a safe place to go as well. They have the plan, they just need the funds. To be transparent, some of the children at Oasis are sponsored through Inca Link. Others are not sponsored and the parents are not willing to pay any portion of the cost. Fortunately the children are not turned away and still receive a hot meal daily. I know that God is working in this neighborhood though pastors Lucy and Ricardo, and through each staff member of Oasis. Please keep them in your prayers. If you are interested in supporting Santa Cecilia’s expansion project or sponsoring a child please visit their website.
Sponsor a child:
http://incalink.org/ministries/oasis/
Help fund the expansion project:
http://fundacionformavida.org/en/
Cheri, one of the children who attends Oasis
Saying goodbye on our final day of ministry
