This month is a unique month for ministry. We are normally partnered with a local organization and help in any capacity we can. But this month the four of us squad leaders are on a team together for the very first time. It’s been so nice to be together and continue to bond on a deeper level. Cristin and I have been so thankful and blessed to serve alongside them for these past seven months.
This month has been different in that we do not have a scheduled ministry partner like we normally do. But, we’ve seen the Lord move so much these past couple of weeks. I was really wanting to do sports ministry, particularly basketball, and just find a group of guys to hang out with and see what happens from there. The Lord is so good. The first week we were here, I started talking to one of the staff members at the hostel we’re living at, and he invited me to play basketball with him and all the other locals around Cartagena.
The first night playing with them, they told me “los gringos no ganan aquí.” Which means: “white people don’t win here.” I gave a half grin and chuckled. The month prior we were able to play a decent amount of basketball, so a lot of the rust had been knocked off. Not that it matters, but the team I was on didn’t lose a game that night. At the end, they all gave me a high five. I could tell mutual respect was gained that night.
As I returned two days later to play again, there was no talk of: “white people not winning here,” but they all greeted me with there local “high five-half hug.” They had officially welcomed me into their local basketball community. From that point on the conversations that have taken place are heart breaking, but the outlook they have on life is filled with hope.
Three of the guys that come on a regular basis shared with me, through their broken English and my broken Spanish, their stories. All three actually fled from Venezuela, due to the political crisis that is currently taking place. They said jobs were extremely hard to come by and when they would work, the value of money had declined so dramatically, they couldn’t afford food to feed their family.
The times have gotten so tough, that all three, not knowing anyone or having any jobs lined up, fled to Colombia by themselves. All three have left there families behind in Venezuela, in hope to find jobs here. One is a hip hop dancer at the “square” and performs every night. He said he makes more money receiving minimal donations nightly, than he ever did in Venezuela, when this crisis started to really turn for the worst. He invited us to come watch one night and he was SO talented. He came right up to us after he performed and never having met Cristin, but knowing we were married, gave her the biggest hug. His spirit and care for family was so radiant.
The other two guys sell food on the streets all day, seven days a week. This is no small task, this place is the hottest place I’ve ever been to in my life. They sit out there all day so they can make minimal income to support there families they left back in Venezuela. All three said they send money home monthly, and that they they live about ten people to a room to try and keep costs low while they live here.
I thought they had been here for a few months or so, but no, all three have been here for almost 2 years. Two years without seeing any of their family. Two years of sending money home, so parents and siblings can have food on their plates. Two years is a long time.
These are just three of the thousands of stories that I’m sure are pretty similar. It brought a whole new meaning of what sacrificial love looks like. When I told them some our experiences from this year, all they said was: pray for Venezuela. For the entire country. That’s how large this crisis is.
The amazing thing to me was how they were all filled with so much joy and so much hope. I’m sure they all have there good and bad days as we all do, but there was not a bitter bone in there body. One of many things I’ve learned this year, is the power of prayer.
Please join in praying for these three guys and Venezuela as a whole. That they would be able to return and see there families again soon. That they would be able to have a steady income, as well as, never lose hope.
