¡Gloria a Dios! (Glory to God),We have all safely returned from a dramatic opportunity to serve the Lord in Colombia! This team of individuals have come together to serve as a unified body of Christ! They all brought unique gifts and talents that were freely expressed in the many opportunities throughout the 10 days. From spending time with the children in the streets around the Copacabana church while waiting for the next activity, buying a cold drink for a crippled man who came to see all the activity at the church in Bello, or spending time with 2 boys who lost their mom to cancer a few months ago, the team members were shining the Light of Jesus into the hearts of the Colombian people!One team member said of the ministry trip, “Spending ten days in a foreign country really pulls the scales from your eyes in many ways. Not only do the cultural differences shake your world, but the depth of need (both physical and spiritual) and the intense passion for Christ expressed by the Colombian church are mind blowing!” Another member said, “It was obvious that everywhere we went God was at work, and the Holy Spirit was reaching out to our hearts to bring them love, hope, peace and comfort.”
A Lighter Moment!
Anders in Copa
Carlito & Cheryl
The eternal results of expressing our faith in this way may not be known this side of heaven, but I think some important seeds were planted into the hearts of the Colombian people and in our own hearts as well. To God be the Glory! Amen? Amen!
One behalf of the 2010 Colombian Mission Team, I want to thank the many people who faithfully prayed for us and offered support in so many ways. May God bless each one of you richly!
Tonight I am so tired that it is not possible for me to do justice to the adventure of the last 2 days so that will have to wait until we come back. We had a phenomenal time this afternoon during devotions and it is clear that the power of God has been moving amongst His people both here in Colombia and in the members of the team.
Yesterday, Christen wasn’t feeling well while working at the clinic in Bello ended up being pretty sick. Late last night, I went with Pastor Luis and his wife to get some strong medicine to treat a possible amoeba attack and it seemed to remove the severe pain in her stomach. She stayed in bed most of today but is up and around a bit tonight. Hopefully she will be in good shape to travel into the heart of Medellin tomorrow to visit the inner city ministry and for some gift shopping. We will be getting home late tomorrow night as we will stay in town for the evening worship service. Saturday and Sunday we will have a “de-brief” time at a “Finca” in Copacabana. The term finca is used to describe a rented vacation home or farm outside the city. While there we will relax with our new friends, the church leaders and our host families. Also it will be a valuable time that we will reflect on the week of ministry and discuss the potential trouble with “re-entry” into our own culture which, in many ways, can be more difficult than coming to Medellin!
We, and the church in Colombia, are grateful for your prayers and assistance with this ministry. We could not have done it without all of you! Also, the team can’t wait to share with you some of the highlights of this world class adventure in Christian service! I may not have another chance to write but will try. Here are a few more pictures for you!
Severely Blessed,
Russ
For the Colombia Mission Team
Bello Clinic Line on 6/23/2010
Cheryl working at the Bello Clinic 6/23/2010
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Tuesday, June 22, 2010 Today was a great adventure. This morning some of the team played soccer with some youth worship leaders from another church in Copacabana where we worshiped Sunday night. They played a world cup style game with Colombia vs. USA. Pastor Luis said that it was pretty much even. Kevin told me he scored 10 or 12 goals but I don’t think he is tell me the truth by the look the faces of Ben and Anders. At the same time, Brigitte asked if some of the ladies could be taken up the mountain (near where we are staying) to see a coffee plantation. They said it was really beautiful but then had to ask me, “…did you hear what happened on the way down?” I was little nervous to respond to their question since they were back about an hour after I thought they would be back. Evidently, the brake line burst in the car that brought them up the mountain so they all walked down together. The brakes have now been fixed… and the adventure continues.
Waiting at the Clinic 6/21/2010
After we made all the preparations for a busy ministry day tomorrow, we spent the afternoon getting a view of Medellin from the metro that is truly spectacular. The contrast of poverty and wealth will give you whiplash. One highlight was when we all stopped for an ice cream and the pastor’s son asked me if we could buy one for the homeless boy outside in the street. He was warmly welcomed by the team. I hope someone got a picture of the boy. He could use our prayer for his situation. We couldn’t solve all his problems, but a little ice cream and a few hugs can’t hurt.Please pray for the next 2 days of intense ministry in Bello. The clinic will be all day tomorrow (Wed.) and the VBS will be all day Thursday. The VBS will be followed by an evangelical service for the entire group that came for the VBS during the day, including the parents. With a bit of fatigue setting in, pray for strength, endurance, and wisdom in making decisions on the fly as this type of ministry can change direction rapidly. Also, please continue to pray for the health of the team… it seems to be working!I will send more pictures and information when I can stay up late enough to write.We all covet your prayers,Russ (Papa Shieb)For the Colombia Team
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Monday, June 21, 2010 Friends and Family,
This was our first full day of ministry with the clinic for Copacabana in the morning and a VBS in the afternoon. The clinic saw over 220 people in over 5-1/2 hours of non-stop action followed by a 1 hour break to eat and re-charge the team’s batteries, before heading back to the church for the kid’s ministry to over 100 children in one small room. When the program was completed, the children got a sandwich and a drink and we finally had time to breathe a bit and gather as a team to discuss the happenings of the day and to pray. What a busy day this was.
Everyone is healthy, although some are showing signs of being a bit tired (understandably). Spirits are still high as we head into tomorrow when we prepare for the clinic in Bello (on Wednesday) where we will most likely see 400 people in one day. While meeting with the Justice Department today, they agreed to send along a dental hygienist and perhaps an optometrist to assist the team in this valuable ministry. They will also send a team to educate and entertain the people while we are working the clinic! What a blessing for a government agency to agree to come along side an evangelical missionary group and work together. Make no mistake, they know we are Christians and the message will not be watered down one bit!
Tomorrow afternoon, the team will get to see more of Medellin when we travel on the Metro and their gondola branches up the sides of the mountains. We will also stop at a park in the center of Medellin for a bit of relaxation (I hope). Plans tend to change rather quickly around here.
More later, as time permits.
Blessings to all,
Russ
(For the Colombia Team )
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Sunday, 6/20/2010 Friends and Family,This was our first full day of ministry with the clinic for Copacabana in the morning and a VBS in the afternoon. The clinic saw over 220 people in over 5-1/2 hours of non-stop action followed by a 1 hour break to eat and re-charge the team’s batteries, before heading back to the church for the kid’s ministry to over 100 children in one small room. When the program was completed, the children got a sandwich and a drink and we finally had time to breathe a bit and gather as a team to discuss the happenings of the day and to pray. What a busy day this was.
Everyone is healthy, although some are showing signs of being a bit tired (understandably). Spirits are still high as we head into tomorrow when we prepare for the clinic in Bello (on Wednesday) where we will most likely see 400 people in one day. While meeting with the Justice Department today, they agreed to send along a dental hygienist and perhaps an optometrist to assist the team in this valuable ministry. They will also send a team to educate and entertain the people while we are working the clinic! What a blessing for a government agency to agree to come along side an evangelical missionary group and work together. Make no mistake, they know we are Christians and the message will not be watered down one bit!
Tomorrow afternoon, the team will get to see more of Medellin when we travel on the Metro and their gondola branches up the sides of the mountains. We will also stop at a park in the center of Medellin for a bit of relaxation (I hope). Plans tend to change rather quickly around here.
More later, as time permits.
Blessings to all,
Russ
(For the Colombia Team )
Sunday School on 6/20/2010
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Saturday, June 19
Today was a beautiful day and the team was such a blessing to many here in Colombia! Pastor Luis could not say enough about the tremendous compassion and heart the team showed.
The entire day was spent in the church dividing out the supplies for the different ministries and planning the crafts. It was exhausting. We prepared hundred’s of hygiene kits in an amazing display of efficiency not seen since Henry Ford’s assembly line!
At one point, Pastor Luis introduced a member of his church who lost his wife 4 months ago. He has 2 small boys and as you can imagine, Kevin felt his pain in a compassionate display of love and understanding. As they shared words, many were weeping tears of joy and hope for both men. After the pastor prayed for them, we all looked for the tissues. Luis said that ministry of comfort like this does not come from a pulpit and that this man was truly blessed by the display of love shown by the team.
I wonder what the Lord has in store for tomorrow…I’ll bet it is perfect!Please keep praying for strength and health for the team as we continue to shine His Light wherever we go.
You are all a blessing to us. Know that we are praying for you also.
Strength and Honor, Russ (Papa Shieb)
Luis, Javier, Polo, and Kevin on 6/19
VBS Preparation on 6/19
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Friday, June 18 - Travel Day
Praise the Lord!
We had a long day of travel with a couple small glitches. All the ministry and personal bags arrived in Medellin and I had to explain all the toothpaste to the customs officer. The Lord had already prepared the way in April when I received an official letter from the Ministry of Justice inviting us to hold a clinic and bring in any supplies we need.Everyone is healthy and hopefully all will have a good nights rest.
Tomorrow we will take all the supplies out of the 23 bags and get organized for a full week of ministry.We covet your prayers.
