Day 7 of the World Race means a rest day, the first time calling home, and resting in the Lord’s presence. We landed in Colombia on Monday, had a 10 hour bus ride to Bogota on Tuesday, and started our ministry work on Wednesday. Saturday was adventure day; today we rest.
This week could not have given me a better taste for what the World Race is all about. We relied heavily on the Lord’s favor to get from one place to another since our team speaks very little Spanish. He provided so sweetly. On our way to the bus station from our hostel in Medellin, we had kind man see our need and walk us all the way (several blocks with all our stuff) to the train we needed. Once at the train station, he helped us purchase tickets and passed us off to two policemen, who then not only made sure we got on the right train, but escorted us all the way to the ticket counter of the bus station. Wow, wow, wow!
Ministry at Formavida is some of the most difficult work I’ve done, but with that the most rewarding. Formivida is a church/ after school program for kids ages 5-15 in the area. They have nearly 80 students come to Formavida either before or after school and feed every child lunch. For some of these children, this is the only meal they get that day. The staff at Formavida are some of the most loving and spirit filled people I’ve ever met. Everything they do is to help improve the lives of the children in their neighborhood. They give the children a safe place, a meal, the gospel, and so much love. I am honored to be a small part of their story.
Ministry looks like a couple different things for team Always Before Me. Formavida recently purchased the piece of property behind their building and had tons and tons of bricks donated! They are in the process of some big and exciting things! Their dream is to one day build a school and activity center on this property. So part of our job has been to help move the bricks from one pile into stacks so they will have room to bring in more bricks. This work is tough. This work is fun. This work will one day (long after we leave) result in a school where these students will learn about the love of our Father! That alone makes the blisters and sore muscles so worth it! I am so proud our team and the genuine joy they get out of moving bricks.
We also help out with the children which may not be moving bricks but takes just as much energy! These kids are so fun! They carry such exuberant joy that we can’t help but laugh and play along, even with a bit of a language barrier. They are so eager to learn English that most of our time with them is answering “Como se dice..?!” (How do you say..) They laugh when they thick one of our words is funny, but practice it over and over. My own Spanish is coming back little by little, but I do wish I would have paid a little closer attention in Senora Brownell’s class in high school. I learn just as much, if not more, from these kiddos then they do from me.
Praise Jesus for the Colombian food! We have been served some delicious meals from the amazing staff of Formavida. Which is the third part of our ministry, helping out in the kitchen. Like I mentioned before, Every child who comes to Formavida gets to eat lunch. Which means a lot of cooking and so many dishes to be done. One member of our team spends the day helping in the kitchen. Washing dishes and chopping veggies is the majority of the job, and Ieda, our sweet cook, always makes sure we have coffee or tea while working, and for that I am so grateful.
Colombia has pleasantly surprised me in so many ways. When I first found out that Formivida was our ministry, I certainly did not imagine may days full of moving bricks. I did not expect to rely so heavily on the kindness of strangers. I was sure our language barrier would hinder us so much more than it does. This first week on the World Race is such a sweet example of the Lord’s provision. Always Before Me is being used by the spirit and in turn are being so blessed by those we came to bless.
Ways you can be praying:
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Formavida provides meals for the children through sponsors, and right now only have sponsors for 34 of the 80 children they feed. They manage by the grace of God, but are really in need of more sponsors! Visit their site for more info here: https://www.forming-lives.org/
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Formavida is wanting to purchase the property next to them so they have more room for the school, however the property is not currently for sale. We ask for prayer that this property could come available soon, so they can move forward with their dream.
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I ask for prayer for the sweet staff. They spend so much time working for the betterment of their community and they deserve all the blessings!
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I ask for prayer for our team, that we may not grow tired and can continue to serve our ministry to the best of our ability!
See my first video from Formavida here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkNwppSnJQKML2E_nz6gy7A
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
