On December 9th we flew into Bogota, Columbia at 10 in the morning. We then waited around at the airport for our next plane that was to be at 5:05 pm. When the time came around that we were to be getting on, we didn’t hear any announcements. So all thirty some of us stayed around at the gate that was first listed on the departures board. We soon heard the last call announcement, saying that our flight was leaving from another gate. We hurried as fast as we could to the new gate. We got there, finding out that we missed our flight. The next few hours included waiting at the airport, Kori(logistics) and Aly(squad leader) and a few other people running through new plans, and getting our bags.
Melissa(one of the racers) had relatives that lived in Bogota. She then got in touch with them, and after leadership cleared us to leave the airport, we headed to their house.
Not only did they welcome in 30 or so young adults into their house, they also had a lot of snacks out on the counter for all of us. For them to show such kindness and love toward people that they had never met was mind blowing. All of us then spread out throughout the whole house and slept on the ground. Part of the group left in the morning of the 10th. When the other part of us got up, they made us eggs and totally welcomed us like family into their personal lives. A friend then came over and told us of the things that we could do during the day and they would show us around Columbia. Sophie then took the 20 of us to a nearby park. This park was so beautiful! It was very big and there was a lake that stretched from one end to the other end. Green grass flowed endlessly on either side, with trees dotting the premises. The path surrounded the lake, parting the healthy grass.
We then came to the “beach” that was pretty much sand that was in an area by the water. Even though it would not let us go into the water, it was nice to take off our shoes and walked through the perfect sand. We soon headed back home. Lunch was waiting for us there! They put in so much work with the food that they made it was such a blessing.
After lunch was done, we rested for a little bit at the house. We then headed to Monserrate. It was a place that was on the top of a mountain. It was so beautiful.
The view was great, especially with the last rays of the sun in the clouds over the distant mountains. At the top, there was also christmas lights set up and we could walk through the different things that were set up. At the end, it was cool because there was a news team there. We got to be on the news. We just said things like how nice Columbia was. It was fun! We then headed down and got dinner at the mall. The next day, we then left to the airport.
Over the whole time there, I felt God saying to me, “Would you show love and care to complete strangers that showed up at your door. Would you go above and beyond what was called?” That for me is what I have been asking myself these past few days. God showed me what his unimaginable love toward me looks like. He welcomed me in, a complete stranger, into his family. At the same time, he sacrificed his own son on my behalf. These past few days gave me a glimpse of God’s love and how he truly has blessed me. I am blown away by his immense love.
