Last night (or rather early this morning) we arrived in Medellin Colombia. It is so beautiful here! When we arrived, it was dark out and the city of Medellin was all lit up. It was stunning. When we got up this morning, I could see the landscape better. There are mountains everywhere!!! Even the street that Ciudad Refugio is on is on a 25 degree angle! At home, my house is in the valley surrounded by mountains 360. Here in Medellin we are surrounded by mountains but there is no valley in the middle! lol And what makes it ever more amazing, my team is staying in a little apartment up on the roof! The breeze and view is spectacular! (Note: The pictures were taken from the roof, obviously with a balcony, right after a rainstorm).
[The clouds and mountains are spectacular!]
Today we were given a quick tour of Ciudad Refugio (the ministry we are serving here in Colombia). Ciudad Refugio is based in a five story building was built over the years story by story as they had need and funding. The ministry was originally founded as a drug rehab program for men in the city, and who were also oftentimes homeless. Since then, it has grown to also include a drug rehab program for women, and a feeding ministry for children in Medellin. In addition, Ciudad Refugio runs several programs for children and others in the community. Amazingly, they are primarily self-supportive through their onsite coffee shop and cafe on the first floor right off the street.
[Check out this crazy street!]
As I said earlier, yesterday was a travel day. We traveled from Atlanta to Medellin with a five hour layover in the Ft. Lauderdale airport. It went by surprisingly fast, especially when I saw Dave, one of my teammates talking with a stranger in the airport and was inspired to do the same. I met a young Colombian woman who I saw reading a book on healing your own body through meditation and we got to talking. It was a very fascinating concept and I spoke with her about how God is the one who can bring healing, although she seemed content to search for healing in other ways. We chatted about different things to do in in Colombia and even spoke of trying to get together while I am here in Medellin. (Side note: She said the proper way to pronounce Medellin is [meda-JEEN]).
[The city lights are so pretty!]
I also met another woman at the airport. She was a Christian and had recently been learning some new teachings on Scripture and wanted to tell me all about it. Her enthusiasm was palpable, but what stood out the most to me was that because she was so convinced and passionate about this revelation, she spent most of the conversation trying to help me understand this new revelation, and even to see how some of my beliefs were off. She was very pleasant to talk with, but after we said our goodbyes and I walked back to the other end of the terminal, I thought to myself, So that’s what it feels like to be evangelized to. I told myself, I do not want to share the Gospel in a way that makes people feel like they are being pushed or persuaded. I know Holy Spirit can do all the persuading, after all, He did it for me. It’s my job to love every person I meet, even if it means just doing the listening until they are ready to hear truth.
Until next time, Buenas Amigos!!
-Christy
