Oh Columbia! This month, my team and I are living in Medellin, Columbia. Surrounded by mountains and busy city streets, Medellin is a hub for soaking in the Colombian culture.
My team is working with a ministry called Cuidad Refugio. Cuidad Reguio’s ministry is incredible. Every night, they invite the homeless to sleep in their facility for the night. They also have set in a place a one-year restoration program. The goal of this program is to restore these men and women from their drug, alcoholic, and abusive pasts. The testimonies of their past lives truly breaks your heart.
One of the main outreaches of Cuidad Refugio is called Aqua de panela y pan. In English this roughly translates to “sugar water and bread”. Every Wednesday night, our team goes out to a popular city street where large numbers of homeless congregate.
You step out the vehicle and instantly your eyes catch 50 plus homeless men and women engaging in excessive drug use. The goal of this outreach is to talk to these men and women, give them a little to eat and drink, and be a Light in a sea of darkness, sadness, and despair.
With a little bit of Spanish in my repertoire and the overpowering smell of crack in the air, I quickly started conversing with some individuals.
Sidenote: I do not know how to describe the feeling of sharing the Gospel and Christ’s love amongst the homeless when the person to your left and to your right is smoking crack while listening.
Amongst all the conversations I had that night, one in particular will never leave my memory.
His name was David.
After chatting for a few minutes, I heard what brought him to the streets. David’s wife had died eight years ago. Unable to deal with his wife’s passing, he quickly turned to drugs, lost all of his money due to gambling, and was left with no other option but to live on the street poor and broken. He said his two daughters do not want talk to him and could care less where he is.
With a wave of sadness flood my heart, I asked him, “David, do you get tired of living outside?”
“No, I’m good. I don’t need any help,” he said.
Again I asked another question, “David do you want a warm place to sleep?”
“No, I’m good. I don’t need any help,” David mournfully replied.
Persistently I asked, “Do you ever want a hot shower and a real bathroom?”
“No, I’m good. I don’t need any help,” he responded avoiding eye contact.
Finally I asked, “Do you think this is what the Lord wants for you life?”
“…I’m good,” David sluggishly mumbled.
Psalm 34:18 “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in Spirit.”
Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
David is broken. David is hurt and wounded. David needs the Lord.
Immediately after my last question, David grabbed the few items he owned and moved astray.
I prayed that the Lord would convict him. Convict him that only the Lord can heal his brokenness, hurt, pain, wounds, problems, everything! I prayed that the Lord would tug on his heart to come to Cuidad Refugio and finally walk in freedom that only comes through knowing Jesus Christ.
John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
I do not have some clever takeaway. All that I have is the Lord and this story. My hope is that you read David’s story and allow your heart to be broken.
“Break my heart for what breaks yours.” Hillsong’s Hosanna
Ask the Lord what he wants to teach you from this story.
I may never see David again, but I trust the Lord with his life.
With much love,
Spencer James Belkot
