I walk down a dusty, dirt road trying to avoid garbage and puddles. There’s pigs on my right and chickens on my left. I stare at my feet while walking, so I don’t stumble over any ruts in the road. There are no cars to worry about, but motorcyclist, or the occasional horse, or donkey might run you over. It’s Tuesday, and I’m walking with my team and the YWAM team. We’re on our way to tell people about Jesus in the streets of Palenque.
Palenque is a small village about an hour outside of Colombia. It is rich with history and culture. It’s unlike any place I’ve ever seen. For a week I was taken out of South America and, I was placed in Africa. The people of Palenque are mostly descendants of slaves; that were ripped out of their homes in Africa, and then brought to South America when it was settled. They pride themselves on preserving their culture, and they love to tell you about their beloved Palenque. The people are very kind and welcoming. They will invite you right into their homes, and let you pray for them.
They live in cement homes some with tile floors and some with concrete floors. Most of their roofs are tin, but some are straw. The houses are colorful and everyone always keeps their doors wide open. Most homes have basic electricity and limited running water. Water is very precious and has to be wisely used. That being said they bathe and wash their clothes in the river. They all seem to have a place to cook in their backyards; where they cook over open fires. Most families have a pig that wanders around and searches for any scraps to eat, and same goes for all the dogs. Dogs wander in and out of the house quite frequently, but somehow all the animals seem to find there way back home.
No one seems to mind the dirt roads or the heat, they just go about their days. Kids run barefoot through the streets, and women carry buckets of water on their heads. We as Americans stick out, and are always noticed as we walk down the streets.
We’re all tired and hot from the sun, but we put on brave faces and smile. We go to where all the people gather in the town square of palenque. There is a gathering at the local bar in the square; where music is blaring so loud you can’t hear your own thoughts. We decided that this was not the place to be, so we move along to try and find a suitable corner to perform on. After a little more walking we stop and the ywam team sets up to do some singing and skits.
It’s dark now and hard to see, but someone begins to beat on a drum. They start singing to Jesus is Spanish, but with a African melody. Everyone begins to clap with the beat, and kids begin to gather. We are dancing now all around, just like when we were kids, like there is no one watching. We all have smiles on our faces as the children watch and laugh.
This is how I imagine what it’s like to experience a piece of the kingdom. Where we dance and sing together. At any corner. On any street. You just lay down your burdens and spin around and feel freedom.
Christ sees these children of Palenque; he sees all of his people. He loves them to no end. He see the mothers struggling to feed all of her children. He sees the men that work in the hot sun. He sees the broken relationships. He hears the cries of the brokenhearted. He sees the student studying to just maybe make it to college. He knows just how to heal the land and bring restoration to his people.
My time in Palenque has definitely changed my heart. These people are so kind and so welcoming. They want to be heard and seen. They want others to know that they love their culture. They wouldn’t change it. I only spent a week here and I think it changed me way more than I changed it, but I know the Lord is working here. He is stirring many hearts. If just one person, of Palenque, came to know Jesus then we made an impact.
