The first thing you notice about Filandia, is that it’s a city on top of a hill. The next are the colorfully painted buildings that seem to scream “come in, you are welcome”! That along with the doors being wide open and the person standing in the door inviting you in, they greet you in to their business as if you were their long lost family.
With the bright colors, open windows, and smiling faces, you feel like you’re in a lively community…. Where the people want to love you like family.
The climate is similar to that of Washington State, (says my fellow racer) aka: cloudy, with a chance of rain most of the day, humid, but not the hot type of humid.
The people here are very welcoming, they are a spirited group that all greet you while walking on the street whether a stranger or someone they know, it’s always “Buenos Dias” (Good day) or “Hola como estás?” (Hello, how are you?) not to mention there is always a “ciao” (good bye) and even a “hasta luego” (I’ll see you later) spoken before we leave!
We’re working with a cute couple: Eyson (pronounced like Jason without the J!) and Karson who have hearts for the children of the area. They own the fundación pioneros: where their motto is “Sharing the love and grace of Jesus Christ with all!” At the foundation, they have an after school program where they get to encourage and love on kids, help them with their homework, give them a snack, create crafts, & play games! Also, on Sundays they have Church with the children of Filandia at the foundation!
They do many different outreach programs throughout the community. They also work with the some of the local farm schools to teach English & Bible. They work with three different schools where the kids ages range from 5 to 11… imagine having 13 kids of the varying ages, to teach every weekday from 5:45am to 2 pm! Wow! I’m impressed!
Once these students get to be middle school age they get rides into town on jeeps that the local government pays to pick them up and take them into town, until they graduate after 11th grade!
Karson and Eyson are also involved in a local church In Armenia. (No, not the country that we’ll go to month 9), this Armenia is a bigger neighboring city next to Filandia. They help to teach and encourage the youth group, children’s church, and the congregation as a whole!
So much love is spread throughout Filandia and Armenia, Colombia through this couple and their ministry! I thank the Lord daily that I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with this lovely couple who are loving each day on mission for the Lord in Colombia!
