My squad and I arrived in Medellín, Colombia just over a week ago to begin month 1 of the world race– I can’t BELIEVE that’s all its been. It feels like we’ve been here a month. Our ministry this month is working at a multifaceted foundation with a full rehabilitation program, a homeless shelter, and a very dynamic inner-city church. No matter what band of the foundation, their heartbeat is for the Lord and the goodness of His kids. It is SO evident. Also. There is a rooftop space where you can see what feels like the entire city. Never gets old. I wanted to update y’all on what we’ve been up to since we got here.
Last week, half my squad went up in the mountains to a place called Manantiales to work with older kids who have been deeply affected by the drug issues and violence that is still remnant of Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel, and are now internally displaced or simply recovering from that. The other half of us stayed down at the center to put on a kids camp for younger kids in the surrounding areas.
I was feeling right at home with little ones, but at first, the language barrier was really getting to me. I was so frustrated that something that has given me immense joy throughout my life, I couldn’t make happen. I’ve always been able to connect to kids and more than anything, I just come alive in the bliss they carry. I love getting to see things through their eyes. So missing that was new and really hard. I couldn’t understand them and they couldn’t understand me. I felt so far away. After the first day, I sat with the Lord. I asked Him to give me His heart of persistence. We walked through the thought that though it’s not entirely the same thing, sometimes we do things that resist Him. We push Him away. All He wants is connection with us, and probably feels the sadness I had been feeling when it’s not there. But– that doesn’t stop Him from loving us for a second. I realized my role. My role is to LOVE. And sometimes, that’s literally all I can do. And that’s enough– its the gospel without words.
Days 2 and 3 changed. We danced, played, held hands, hugged, made crafts, chowed on donuts, splashed in water, and learned about Jesús Cristo as our superhero. It was paradoxical because the connection came when I stopped reaching so hard for it. By the end, I could say and understand basic spanish phrases without google translate. Praise. The love the kids showed me, a new and unfamiliar American, blew me away. We wrapped up and I was surprised how sad I could be to say goodbye after such a short time. Some of them will continue to be at Sunday church service at the foundation, so it helped knowing I’d get to see them again for the next couple weeks. :))
Every once in a while, we get to have an “adventure day,” so yesterday we took a 2-hour bus ride to Guatapé, a colorful little town with a lot of fun things to do. We explored and chatted with locals, which included evangelizing and loving on the sweetest shop owner, who explained her story and her connection to the drug world and that she wanted to leave that darkness behind her. This was a moment of pure jubilation. Then we hiked over 700 stair steps to see the view from El Peñón de Guatapé, a mountain with a breathtaking view and a market up top. It was so humbling. I felt small, in the best way. Gorgeously in over my head.
Today we are Sabbathing– a beautiful practice that I’m learning the Lord’s biblical heart for and how to honor. That’s Colombia so far!! Ask me questions if you have them <3
