Bienvenidos a San Andrés Island, Colombia!
As soon as we boarded the plane to San Andrés Island I thought I had boarded a plane amongst someone’s family reunion. It appeared as though everyone knew everyone, and that was just a glimpse into the island life we have been discovering over this past week. Amidst the late night chaos of a tiny airport filled with tourists and local vacationers, we found a sweet smile to greet us, Mari. Wearing bright red lipstick and a heart of gold, she has graciously helped us cross the language barrier with three hour Spanish lessons, and a host of new friends.
We are staying at Centro Familiar de Alabanza, a church on the corner between the touristy side of San Andrés and a very impoverished part of the island. Our focus has been pouring into their youth ministry (approximately Jr. High age) teaching English, and sharing that God is not boring which consists of throwing a “Mega Party” next Saturday for the youth on the island. We have been making decorations, invitations, street evangelizing and learning Spanish all week in preparation!
While making posters and invites for our “Mega party” we were able to spend time talking with the pastor’s son and he asked the question “¿Cuando conociste a Dios?” which translates to “When did you come to know Christ?” Three of us stumbled through a semblance of our testimony and after each one, he gave us a Spanish phrase in summation. Since no one really asks me that deep of a question in the States, I didn’t think it would be a phrase I would need in my back pocket like I need, “Habla despacio por favor” – “Speak slower please”.
But God knew. That night, a gorgeous 14 year old girl with curly hair, Anna* would ask me “¿Cuando conociste a Dios?” and again on Sunday, another high schooler, Maria* would ask me the same question. I took a deep breath and in my best Spanish accent said the three sentences I practiced. When I mentioned I was baptized at 12, Maria’s face lit up as she said. “¡Yo tambien!” Me too. What a beautiful connection. What if the third question after “What’s your name?” and “How old are you” was always “How did you come to know Christ?” That hit me deeply. How much more real could we be with one another if we were bold enough to ask that when introducing ourselves?
Most of my team has been challenged in someway by our testimonies. Some of us wondering if our stories are “epic” enough and some of us unsure how much of our past we should share. But one thing has been constant, God is faithful in all circumstances.
He has brought us to San Andrés, and we are called to share our gifts and talents with a hurting world. Mari told us that these teens need to SEE God, and our testimonies are a way of showing them that God is good, He is real, He is faithful, He’s not boring. Everyone’s story is different and that is what makes us beautiful.
“¡Son valiente’s guerreras!” – You are brave warriors! Mari said. What an amazing reminder from a woman we barely met, yet feel we have known for years. As a team we have embraced this calling moving forward on the Race. Let us not forget we are fighting a battle every day. And each day we must choose to not let the devil win. May we remember that each story is one that needs to be told, and that each of us are Valientes Guerreras in the LORD!
Psalm 18:30 “This God — His way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”
*Names have been changed to preserve anonymity.
The beach nearby.
Selah Sisters and Mari – our beautiful translator.
Some of the teens from the youth ministry.
Preparing for the “Mega Party”.
