With only 4 days left in Medellin, there are so many stories I wish to share. So many experiences, so many ministries, so many relationships, so much glory to God. Be prepared for many posts about my time in Medellin, Colombia. But for now, I will start with a story of my new friend, Luis.
Every Wednesday this month, my squad went out to a park in the afternoon. We would play worship music, soccer, and go around talking to people. This park is heavy in people that are homeless and people that are struggling with addiction. We would go and tell them about Foundation Ciudad Refugio, the homeless shelter and rehabilitation center we are working with. The first Wednesday, Catie Collins and I went around to meet some locals and to spread the word of the Foundation. We met a sweet man named Luis. He is full of the most joy I have ever seen. He has lived on the streets of Medellin for 3 years and every night at midnight he bathes in the fountain. He was so kind and gave us endless hugs. We told him about a church service that night at 6:30pm at the Foundation, and invited him, giving him a brochure of Ciudad Refugio. He immediately wrote our names on the front and the times of our church services. I was overjoyed to see him at church that evening!! He walked in and gave us the biggest smile, running up to give us the sweetest hug.
This past Wednesday, when we arrived at the park, we saw Luis again!!! He came over to us, showing us the brochure he still had with our names written on the front. We invited him back to church, but he kept saying he was too dirty to enter a church again. He said that he is used to being walked over, rejected, and lonely, so he did not see a chance for change in this. He was afraid of discrimination because of his situation. We got to talk to him about how accepted he already is because of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the Cross for him. He understood, but still struggled with feeling too dirty.
He did end up coming to church that evening, and he sat right in between Catie Collins and I, full of joy and energy. In the service, Pastor David talked about how Jesus has an amazing plan for your future. How Jesus invites you to come as you are. It doesn’t matter what you have done in your past or how you look on the outside. The scripture Pastor David spoke about was 1 Samuel 16:7, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Luis was so attentive. The pastor said that you are not defined by drugs or alcohol or any struggle you have faced. Louis kept tapping us and saying, “that’s me with alcohol.” During the prayer, Louis was crying and hugging me so tight. At the end of the service, Pastor David asked for anyone that wanted to start a relationship with Jesus to come to the front (altar call). Luis was so excited. He grabbed Catie Collins’ hand and they walked to the front of the church to be prayed over. On the night of October 31, 2018, the Kingdom gained a new member and I gained a new brother in Luis.
In summary: The Cross covered all of our mess. Jesus does not care how messy or dirty you are or feel. With Jesus, you are clean.
Please join me in prayer for my new friend, Luis, as he still struggles in turning to alcohol in his lonely moments. Pray for these chains of addiction to be broken forever in the freedom he is now able to walk in with Jesus!!!!
