I am not even sure where to start. Our first month of ministry was amazing and God was doing big things at Ciudad Refugio. We had a lot of different ministries that we were a part of and I loved each of them.
Las Mujeres (the women): On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays we spent time with the women in the rehabilitation program. These women will forever hold a special place in my heart. Our days would start in the kitchen eating breakfast (arepas con juevos y caliente chocolate). Then we would have class with them. Our first Monday was hard. We didn’t know our role and we felt in the way most of the time. I had expectations going into our first class–I expected the women to be closed off and quiet because three gringas were coming into their space. Oh how wrong I was. They were open. They were vulnerable. They let us into their lives and their stories have changed my life forever. After class we would go back into the kitchen. I peeled more potatoes than I ever thought possible (I have the scars to prove it).
We spent the month building relationships and it was beautiful. We laughed together, we danced, they taught us Spanish and we taught them English. We lived life together. We encouraged them. We pointed them to Jesus. I had the privilege of watching them encounter the Father. I fell in love with these women. Our last class together was bittersweet. We spent the morning in prayer and worship. Then we were able to speak life over them. We cried, we rejoiced, we loved one another.
To be able to see a glimpse of the fruit from our time there was so encouraging. God is so good. He is moving and He is faithful. During worship at church that night I was able to pray over them. God showed me that He has them and that it was time to surrender them. Thank you, Father for my time with them and for the relationships we built. Thank you for my new sisters and for giving me your heart for them. Thank you for all you are doing in their hearts and lives and for allowing me to be a part of it. Please pray for the women. Pray they continue to grow in the Lord and seek after Him.
Agua Panela: This ministry is how Ciudad Refugio began. They faithfully reach the broken people living in bondage on the streets of Medellin. Every Wednesday they take hot sugar water, bread, and the love of Christ to these people. Pray for freedom and the light of Christ to shine brightly in the darkness.
Children’s Ministry: We helped with VBS and youth group, and spent time pouring into a group of boys that would stay at the foundation over the weekends. On Saturday afternoons we would pile into the back of the truck and head to a neighborhood called El Pomar. It wasn’t far from the foundation, but it felt like entering a new world. Kids would come flooding out of the neighborhood and into this big enclosed soccer field. We would do skits depicting the life of Christ, sing songs, play games, and do crafts. It blows my mind that these kids come on their own each week. No parents dragging them, but they excitedly meet the truck as we pull up. God is moving. Pray for the seeds that are planted here. Pray they blossom into lives seeking after Christ and that they bring revival to an area overrun with drugs and violence.
Our last day in Medellin we were able to help with another children’s ministry in Manantialis. This is one of the largest areas of displaced people in Colombia and the poverty is unreal. Houses are made up of scraps held together with whatever they could find. Drugs, violence, and abuse rule this place. I had the opportunity to lead the devotion for the whole team that morning. I prayed they were encouraged in the work God has called them into. Then, my favorite part. As a team we layed hands on the staff and prayed over them.
The morning was hectic, but it was so much fun. We danced, we sang, we held hands and little people. When the kids broke up into classes I was with the 8-12 year olds (or something close to that). The theme for the month is “La Familia de Dios” (the family of God). During class I was asked what I think of when I think about the family of God. The word that came to me was “chosen.” We don’t get to choose our earthly families, but God chooses us specifically to be a part of His. He loves us that much, that He adopts us into His own family. How awesome is that?! I was able to speak that over these kids.
After their classes are over we fed then and were able to just love on them some more. It broke my heart when they asked if I would be at church in the morning and I had to say no. Pray for these kids. Pray the Father reveals Himself to them. Pray they are raised up as leaders in their community. Pray for the staff and the ministry God has entrusted them with. Pray blessings over the faithful that bring the love of Christ to this broken place.
Afterwards, a group of kids come back to the foundation with us. These boys are such a blessing. I don’t speak Spanish, but I speak futbol and hugs. We had so much fun with them. It was awesome to see their hearts to serve during church services and when we had to say goodbye, we spoke life over them. To see teenage boys cry as we told them how much we loved them and how much more the Father loves them is something I will never forget. We told them how much impact they are going to have and to continue seeking after the Father. I love these kids. I miss their hugs and silly games. I miss their smiles, and their hearts. Pray for them. Pray protection over them. Pray they grow into men after the Father’s heart. Raise them up into leaders.
