I’m on Facebook chat with my Mom. She asks me some very normal and good questions, “So, what are you doing this month? Where are you staying? What do they do?”
Such a simple series of questions but the answers…
This month I am staying and working at the Ciudad Refugio (translated: City of Refuge) in Medellín, Colombia. As for what this ministry does and what I’m doing, that’s a bit longer of an answer.
The Ciudad Refugio was established in response to a calling placed on one man’s heart. Since then this ministry has exploded. The easiest way to explain is to go by floor.
The first floor is a bakery and a chicken restaurant, a church, a men’s homeless shelter, and parking lot. The second and third floors are a program for men and women who are caught in various kind and stages of addiction. The fourth floor is a homeschooling program and kitchen while the last floor is apartments and a mini soccer field.
Just making a list of these things is a vast oversimplification. Those who have successfully finished the program and are in transition work at the bakery and the chicken restaurant. Those that have successfully finished the program live with those currently in the program and help run it as well as serve as a resource for those in the program. The bakery and the chicken restaurant help fund the entire operation. The men of the program help run the homeless shelter. As part of the addiction program the men and women learn work habits by working in the kitchen, aiding in cleaning, and doing work projects given by local businesses.
Along with using their space wisely, the City of Refuge also using their resources wisely. Every week, the City of Refuged receives donations of fruit and vegetable that local markets can’t sell. They cut off the bad parts and us it to help feed the people that live here, including me. This is not the only example of wise and creative thinking that helps this ministry continue. They collect rainwater and use it to clean. The building was building was built in a way that lights would not have to be used during the day and therefore save electricity. Breadcrumbs from the bakery are mix together with other ingredients to make bread for the homeless men that use this building as a shelter every night. A lot of the work here that is not a part of the addiction program is done by volunteers, such as World Racers, German Citizens here as part of a volunteer program, or church members. This is a testament to the healthy and loving environment that the Ciudad Refugio has created. I hope that in the last two paragraphs you’ve also received an understanding to how they use their people wisely.
So you see, answering the question of what I’m doing this month is a lot more complicated than just saying I’m working at a church, for this ministry is so very much more than just a church. This month my team and I are teaching a devotional three times a week for the women of the program, we’re doing working projects (sometimes meaning gluing together lots and lots of coffee sleeves), and we helping to process donations. We’re building relationships with the women by getting to know each other and getting horribly beat at soccer. On Wednesdays, go to the homeless and hand out sugar water and bread. We offer information on how those addicted on the street can come into the program. On Saturdays we help with church-established feeding programs for children in the area. We’ve starting to give our testimonies in church. We’re living life here and connecting with the people.
One of the most overwhelming things I have learned this month so far is that when you use the resources God provides you with and have obedience in his commands, he will continue to bless you beyond your wildest dreams. This church prays for guidance before every decision, every meeting, and every church service. They fast as a church on Sunday mornings to ready their hearts for the service.
The thing that differentiates this church from others I’ve seen is the heart behind their actions. Love is the overwhelming message here. Love people because Jesus loves them. Love them because God thought they were important enough to send his son to live and die for them. Love them because regardless of their choices, they are people and all people deserve love. As a result, they have God and ministry experienced direction in their growth.
There’s one more thing that my mom has asked about this place, and the answer is yes. I love it here.
