Some History
A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated during the 1990s, undergirded in part by funds from the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, the movement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary to overthrow the government.
Families fled from the dangerous guerrilla-infested areas and came to a rural area outside of Barranquilla. These displaced families have squatted in the La Playa area. Unemployment is at 80% in this community. The families live in poverty and 75% are led by single mothers.
I.N. Network's Ministry
"La Rosa de Saron" (The Rose of Sharon) is a school where poor children from the Barranquilla "La Playa" community receive a Christian education.
I.N. Network USA (the organization I work for) provides a child sponsorship program. Through child sponsorship, these children receive a Christ-centered education, school uniform, shoes, one hot meal per day, and basic medical care.
I am so looking forward to meeting the I.N. Network Colombia Executive Director, Martha Villamizar. She started the La Rosa de Saron school. She and her husband, Jose, along with pastor Aida Avila, also lead a church, which is located on the school property. This church reaches out to the La Playa community and now has 80 regular worshipers.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Preparing My Heart
Today our team packed three suitcases full of dictionaries, reading books, markers, crayons, and color pencils. We are also bringing coloring books, stickers, hair bands--and my sister is sending me up beach balls which will be easy to pack. I think the beach balls will be a big hit! Great idea, Sue!
We have been reading a book called, “Prepare your Heart.” It’s a short-term mission preparation guide with Bible studies. I have found this to be a wonderful reminder on the joy of serving and serving with a true servant’s heart.
My dissertation when I was completing my Masters degree in education was about culture in the workplace and the importance of appreciating, respecting, and understanding other cultures. I have taught cultural and economic diversity; but, to be honest I haven’t experienced many other cultures.
God has His reasons why I am going on this trip. I’m not sure what they all are but I want to be as emotionally and spiritually prepared as I can be. This guide was a good reminder about being sensitive to others, going with the flow, being a good guest, and opening my heart.
It will be interesting to see how I handle stepping into another culture, facing customs I see as so different from my own, missing the conveniences I am used to, not being able to have a conversation with someone because of my lack of Spanish skills….
I think this experience will test my true self. God continues to grow me.
We have been reading a book called, “Prepare your Heart.” It’s a short-term mission preparation guide with Bible studies. I have found this to be a wonderful reminder on the joy of serving and serving with a true servant’s heart.
My dissertation when I was completing my Masters degree in education was about culture in the workplace and the importance of appreciating, respecting, and understanding other cultures. I have taught cultural and economic diversity; but, to be honest I haven’t experienced many other cultures.
God has His reasons why I am going on this trip. I’m not sure what they all are but I want to be as emotionally and spiritually prepared as I can be. This guide was a good reminder about being sensitive to others, going with the flow, being a good guest, and opening my heart.
It will be interesting to see how I handle stepping into another culture, facing customs I see as so different from my own, missing the conveniences I am used to, not being able to have a conversation with someone because of my lack of Spanish skills….
I think this experience will test my true self. God continues to grow me.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Getting to Know Jackie!
Jackie invited me over last night to have some dessert and give us a chance to get to know each other better. She is the other woman who will be going on the trip and we thought it might be nice to get to know each other a little before we go. It was great to connect and learn about the other missions she has been on. I’m such a newbie and I am thankful I have some veterans going on the trip. She’s never been to Colombia, though, and knows little Spanish so it will be an adventure for both of us. I’m taking my handy dandy Spanish/English translation book; Dave, our host, is fluent in Spanish, thank goodness. I can pick out some words (thanks to Spanish class from college back in the 80s and studying for Spanish tests with my daughter last semester). :-)
I'm planning on only taking a carry on. Me--who always packs way too much because I don't know what mood I'll be in. So I'm trying on shorts and shirts and mixing and matching and figuring out how to pack light, light, light!
I'm planning on only taking a carry on. Me--who always packs way too much because I don't know what mood I'll be in. So I'm trying on shorts and shirts and mixing and matching and figuring out how to pack light, light, light!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Matthew 6:25-34
As I was deciding about going to Colombia and as I contemplate my trip to Colombia, I revisit Matthew 6:25-34. Trust in the Lord. Wow. The cost of my trip has almost been paid for because of YOU. The Lord provides.
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The Devil at Work
I truly believe the Devil is at work trying to put obstacles in our path. I have seen him at work with colleagues at I.N. Network here and around the world.
It's been difficult getting a team together and this week I threw my back out (doing nothing heroic mind you!) and while going on a college visit with my daughter, I almost blacked out. I never saw it coming. We were in the dance studio and my heart did a huge flip flop and I almost lost consciousness.
He won't stop me from going to Colombia. I'm going. So he better back off. Please continue to pray for our team and if you can pray for my health, that would be great!
It's been difficult getting a team together and this week I threw my back out (doing nothing heroic mind you!) and while going on a college visit with my daughter, I almost blacked out. I never saw it coming. We were in the dance studio and my heart did a huge flip flop and I almost lost consciousness.
He won't stop me from going to Colombia. I'm going. So he better back off. Please continue to pray for our team and if you can pray for my health, that would be great!
Getting the Team Together
It's been difficult getting a team together for Colombia. We believe it's because people think it's unsafe what with the drug lords and the swine flu; plus, of course, the economy. We were unsure if this trip was going to happen and we've been doing a lot of praying. We will be a small team but we will work hard. We also plan on working side by side with a group from the community. Pray we can get alot accomplished down there. There is so much to do. Pray we can touch the community's heart with God's love. I have just about reached my goal of $2,000. Only $300 more to go. Thank you Central Wesleyan (my church) for donating to this trip, as well. Love to all of you.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Thank You!
I am humbled. I don’t know how else to say it. The response I have received from family and friends (and strangers—thank you all in Dale’s Men’s Group)! whether it’s just to pray for me or to donate to my trip has been very humbling. It’s amazing how my faith journey has surrounded me with people who love God and live to serve His purpose. I am very, very blessed. I knew that if I took this leap of faith to go on the Colombia trip, God would provide, and He has through you. Thank you! I'll continue to keep you posted.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Follow My Journey
During this blog, I have decided to put myself out there and be transparent. This is my first missions trip. I’m not sure what to expect and I thought I’d share my journey with you. I plan on journaling every day while I’m down there and take pictures. I understand the hotel we are staying at has wireless and I’ll borrow our host’s laptop.
It was an emotional weekend this weekend. I was with my family and my mom and dad tried to talk me out of going to Colombia. They are very worried about the unrest down there. In Colombia, there are high levels of human rights abuses and widespread displacement of people who have fled rural violence and poverty. The families we will be visiting have “squatted” living in make-shift homes, many living on dirt floors.
There were many tears and we talked for a long while. My sister and brother-in-law were also there. We had good conversation about the extreme poverty in this world. I shared about Kibera where we have a ministry and how it’s one of the worst slums in the world. There are over a million people living in approx. one square mile. The government in Kenya does NOTHING. There is no clean running water, no garbage removal, no sanitation, and no police. Sewage runs down the street and in front of houses—if you want to call them that. They are 8’ x 8’ huts, with no electricity. The children are playing in the sewage. HIV/AIDS is rampant. I could go on.
I think many of us are totally unaware of what is going on in our own country and other countries in the world. Our lives get too busy and the news doesn’t broadcast these issues. I am taking a leap of faith going to Colombia. I’m not just taking a leap of foolishness. I know there are risks but there are families who need our help and God depends on us to be His hands and feet.
During our conversation, my brother-in-law offered to share the Colombia missions trip with his men’s group to help support my trip costs. The next morning, I received a hug from my dad as he said, “I know you really feel you need to do this. I worry; I’m scared. But know I will support you.”
It was an emotional weekend this weekend. I was with my family and my mom and dad tried to talk me out of going to Colombia. They are very worried about the unrest down there. In Colombia, there are high levels of human rights abuses and widespread displacement of people who have fled rural violence and poverty. The families we will be visiting have “squatted” living in make-shift homes, many living on dirt floors.
There were many tears and we talked for a long while. My sister and brother-in-law were also there. We had good conversation about the extreme poverty in this world. I shared about Kibera where we have a ministry and how it’s one of the worst slums in the world. There are over a million people living in approx. one square mile. The government in Kenya does NOTHING. There is no clean running water, no garbage removal, no sanitation, and no police. Sewage runs down the street and in front of houses—if you want to call them that. They are 8’ x 8’ huts, with no electricity. The children are playing in the sewage. HIV/AIDS is rampant. I could go on.
I think many of us are totally unaware of what is going on in our own country and other countries in the world. Our lives get too busy and the news doesn’t broadcast these issues. I am taking a leap of faith going to Colombia. I’m not just taking a leap of foolishness. I know there are risks but there are families who need our help and God depends on us to be His hands and feet.
During our conversation, my brother-in-law offered to share the Colombia missions trip with his men’s group to help support my trip costs. The next morning, I received a hug from my dad as he said, “I know you really feel you need to do this. I worry; I’m scared. But know I will support you.”
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