Dusk was approaching as we all gathered in the bakery to get ready to head out to a local park in the city of Medellin, Colombia. The park was known locally for a place where witchcraft was practiced and transgenders, a population that has been outcast from Colombia society, would often gather. Just outside the park, was an area known for prostitution and drug abuse.
& we, a group of both American and Colombian believers were about to go invade the darkness and simply pray with people and over people. It was a moment I’ll never forget. We passed out free bread and juice, played worship music, and just walked around and met people passing out information about the homeless shelter and the drug rehabilitation program the organization we are partnering with host.
We walked several blocks from the bakery to the park where everyone was gathered. We quickly set up and began passing out food and playing music. Eventually we got into groups and began to walk around the meet people.
The small group I was with first headed to the main road where prostitutes were working. My heart slowly ached as we walked by each of the beautiful women standing on the side of the curb. All of the women were so kind and were willing to have us pray for them. We took turns praying that they would know the love of the Father & they would see their worth in Him.
As the evening went on, we moved away from the women and headed down a road known for drug abuse. The bondage on the road was tangible – as people dug through the trash to find recycled goods in order to sell them for more money, for more drugs.
As we stood there, with 4 small children, playing in the trash that flooded the street, the Lord laid on my heart a song.
“If you’re tired and hungry there is freedom. Bring it all to Jesus there is freedom. Freedom reigns in this place. Showers of mercy and grace, falling on every face. There is freedom! Jesus reigns in this place! There is freedom!”
As we walked away from the children the song in my heart grew louder and louder. Finally, we approached a corner on a road where 2 people stepped away to speak with a man. Standing there the Father told me so clearly to sing. Something I was totally uncomfortable with & self-conscious of, I started to hum the lyrics.
& yet again the Father said, “sing Lauren. Declare my glory.” So, I sat there and sang. Softly and quietly. But singing none the less.
As we left the corner and walked down the street I continued to sing. We arrived back at the park & we began looking for more people we could speak to. Walking around I told my sweet friend Kylie, about the song the Lord had laid on my heart. & that I wasn’t sure why He has given me a song & why He wanted me to sing it.
& then we meet A. Sitting under a make-shift tent selling lollipops and cigars. We approached A and asked if we could talk with her and pray over her. We chatted for a moment and then Kylie prayed. After the prayer, she started speaking really quickly to our translator. I was lost.
& then the translator looked over at me and said, she wants a song. She wants someone to sing. My heart started pounding as it felt as heaven touched earth in that moment. The King of Glory knew she needed a song & put a song in my heart.
So, I sat there in the park and sang.
“If you’re tired and hungry there is freedom. Bring it all to Jesus there is freedom. Freedom reigns in this place. Showers of mercy and grace, falling on every face. There is freedom! Jesus reigns in this place! There is freedom.”
& then in her own heart and language, A also sang. I don’t know if she’ll ever know the words of the song I sang to her as the language barrier was obvious. But in that moment, the language barrier didn’t seem to matter. She was so grateful for the song and I was grateful for hers.
Before we left, A prayed a blessing over us and we headed on our way.
It was a moment that I pray will be forever ingrained in my head. The moment when heaven touched earth. The moment when the Father started connecting the pieces together. Where He spoke so clearly to me, and because I followed in obedience both the Father was glorified and I walked away with greater assurance.
& this my friend is just day 3! I’m blown away by the ways the Father has worked and moved in our lives in just the last few days and I cannot wait to see all the He has in store for the next year.
Will you join me in praying for the nation of Colombia? Pray that the freedom found in Jesus would be so evident to everyone who is seeking to fill the void in their heart and life with things of this world, rather than the love of the Father. Pray for the organization we are working with who seeks to minister to the outcast in this country and give not only tangible, but eternal hope. Pray for my team and I as we continue to engage in the community despite the language and cultural barriers.
Much Love & Many Blessings, Lauren
