Ok.
So…
I think it’s about time I tell you a little bit about country #1 and what we are actually doing here.
For starters, Colombia is very different than what I expected. I did not expect to be living on a mountain with an incredible view to wake up to each day. I did not expect Medellin to be a thriving and innovative city. I did not expect to be able to drink the tap water. I definitely didn’t expect the food to be as yummy as it is. And I sure as heck didn’t think I’d go two weeks without tasting non-instant coffee in Colombia of all places… but I did lol.
We are partnered with an Assembly of God ministry that has a little storefront location along this narrow, upward winding mountain road. The second story of the storefront is where the pastor and his family live (this is also where we share meals each day). The floor above that is the space where we have been staying. A simple and bare space with concrete floors, thin walls, exposed wires, three rooms, and an awesome balcony with one of the most spectacular views I have ever seen (I know I’ve mentioned that a lot already but I can’t help myself. I wish I could teleport you here right now to look at it)!
Pastor and his wife are some of the sweetest people on the planet, but to be honest so is every other person we’ve met since we’ve arrived. The church we are working with has two other locations. One of them is further up the mountain in a little town called San Pedro, and the other is a few minutes walk down the mountain. Over the past three weeks, we have been in and out of these locations meeting the believers, evangelizing the surrounding areas, praying for families, hosting children’s programs, and eating all the food that is so kindly offered to us. It seems like each person we meet is sweeter than the last. The believers have so much passion for the Lord that it challenges my own. They worship, pray, and serve with everything they have. They have made us feel so welcomed and accepted that I am constantly humbled in their presence.
Being able to help Pastor William (our host) and Pastor Diego (the pastor of the church down the mountain) has been such a joy because they are men of great faith and love for the Lord. So knowing that we are encouraging them and advancing their ministry (even if only in small ways) is crazy awesome! So far we have ministered every single time there is a church service which is about 3 times a week. The first Sunday I was actually able to preach which was an unexpected blessing! So awesome being able to share God’s Word among these passionate believers.
Oh, which reminds me of the best news. My teammate Kaylin was able to lead a young woman to the Lord one day last week during lunch, then God used us as a team to see another young woman accept Christ two nights ago, and just last night God blessed again and allowed us to see a husband and wife accept Him in the living room of their home!!!
HOW AWESOME IS THAT!?!
God has given us boldness in evangelism, favor with the people, safety, and relatively good health. Some of our team have fallen sick, but thankfully the Lord is walking with them and keeping them from falling into anything too serious.
On our off days, we have also been able to venture into the city of Medellin. It’s such a cool city with much diversity, wonderful people, tasty street food, and gondolas that take you from the top of the mountain down to the train! We finally found a coffee shop that makes delicious coffee haha! You would think that there would be gourmet coffee shops on every corner… unfortunately, that’s not the case… or maybe it is and we just didn’t look hard enough.
All in all, I don’t think God could have given us a better month #1. We have fallen in love with Medellin and the people who live here. God has allowed us to start authentic relationships with the people as well as care deeply for them. It is going to be so difficult to leave, but I know God will give us grace when the time comes.
So there ya go. World Race Month #1 Ministry Breakdown. I think I covered all of it at least in a general sense. I really wish you could be here and experience what God has allowed me to experience. Hopefully this blog painted a portion of the picture and gave you a small taste of what God is doing here in beautiful Colombia. More to come.
Cheers!
