That’s right! This is probably going to be the greatest Venezuelan update you’ve ever received. I understand that some people might say this is long overdue update is a day late and a buck short. But that’s okay I don’t really mind … mostly because, well, I don’t really even know what that means. However, my rebuttal would be this: it’s better late than never! Anyway, in this blog I’m going to tell you a story about God’s abundant love, faithfulness and provision over our Venezuelan friends in South America.
So here’s the background –
My squad was in Colombia during the month of July. As we spent time around town, it became painfully apparent that there’s a real economic crisis happening in Venezuela and it’s severely impacting the surrounding countries as well. But more than countries being affected, we met hundreds, actually thousands of people who were severely impacted by the crisis. Everywhere we went there were people who were forced to flee their homes in Venezuela and try to survive on the streets of neighboring countries. Many of the people we met were doctors, lawyers and business owners who fled their home to sell anything they could on the streets as a means to feed their families. It was heart wrenching to witness. Here’s an informative video that will give you more information about the crisis if you’re interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p9S0EbjqbI
My heart broke for this people group. I think God does that sometimes when He wants to move through us – He lets our hearts feel a piece of what His feels for a certain cause.
In response, a few of my squad-mates and I reached out to our communities back home and started using social media to share stories of the people we were meeting. God responded through many of our family and friends donating funds to provide financial aid. Within hours we raised hundreds of dollars, and within days we raised just over $7,500 in total.
That was crazy to me. How could a few people raise over $7.5k in just a handful of days?! What I learned is that when God has a divine plan, it’s not about a group of people raising money. It’s about how He works through people to accomplish His good and pleasing and perfect purpose.
Throughout the next two months, our squad responded by dedicating a specific team of people to love on and reach out to Venezuelan refugees in Colombia and Ecuador. We wanted to be prayerful about how to approach blessing people, especially financially. We took time and asked the Lord to show us how He was already working to care for the Venezuelans around us. We discussed being open to spontaneous daily blessings but wanted to really emphasize a positive long-term impact.
Using this as a roadmap of sorts, we used some of the funds to bless people we met daily. We provided sack lunches for refugees we met, basic hygiene necessities to those in need, and care packages for moms and children. However, the bulk of the funds that God provided were used towards initiatives that we believed would have a long-term impact on Venezuelans in need.
These are a few of my favorite initiatives we developed and executed:
- Our team worked with one of our host ministries to organize a dinner event specifically for Venezuelan refugees in the area. This precious night consisted of about 200 Venezuelans who joined us for dinner, worship, a message of Hope in the midst of uncertainty and suffering, playful singing and dancing, etc. It was an honor to provide a time for families and individuals to come together with so much love and pride for Venezuela. Through this night of fun, many people were able to connect with an organization that can help provide support and relief for their ongoing needs.
- We worked with another host ministry to deliver food packages to a community with many Venezuelan refugees. Each package included enough food to feed a family for a month, and a connection with an established church organization in the area who can provide ongoing support with spiritual needs.
- We sent two teammates to assist with a non-profit relief event at a refugee camp on the border of Venezuela to provide support for those who had just crossed into Colombia. Our friends were able to be a light in the midst of some of the darkest days for those they met.
- In Ecuador, we organized, planned and hosted a massive event for over 2,000 Venezuelan refugees. The team connected with local churches and community leaders who provided guidance and support with planning and execution. The event included a full day of fun, music and dancing, singing the national anthem, sports, food vendors who provided hundreds of Venezuelan arepas (DELICIOUS cuisine specific to Venezuela), worship, a couple of speakers sharing the love of Christ, and so much more. There were 10 doctors and 4 dentists who provided free medical and dental care. We brought in 7 lawyers to educate and support Venezuelans with legal processes such as getting visas and passports. Many Venezuelans brought their handmade crafts or homemade empanadas to sell. There were multiple booths set up to provide things like prayer and/or information about local shelters, food banks, and job opportunities. It was nothing short of miraculous to see the event come full circle. The team spent the entire month praying and planning, and God faithfully blessed every single person who attended. It was beautiful.
I learned so much throughout those two months of working with Venezuelan refugees. This blog doesn’t do it justice. I wish I could tell you every story of every person who was touched. I wish I could tell you how many times God showed up in incredible ways. Not just in Colombia and Ecuador, but throughout the entire 11 months. If we get the chance to talk, it would bring me so much joy to share more stories like this. Let’s talk soon.
Thank you so much for all of your love, encouragement, prayers, donations, and everything else you’ve done to follow along and support this Venezuelan initiative. And thank you for the way you’ve followed along and supported me on the journey that the Lord called me to this past year. I cannot possibly express all of my love and gratitude for each of you.
