Viva Colombia

Bogota, Colombia--Our taxi climbed the narrow roads up the mountain-side until we could not drive any further. We then hiked part of the mountainside, escorted by the children to a small blue house, seemingly on top of the world. These were simple homes that dotted the hillside, much like the ones described in the Peru story below, made of wood, bricks, metal and any scrap of material to keep the wind out, where life is hard but the views are amazing. There we met Ricardo and his fiancee, Milena, founders of a young ministry to the children of this area. Together they feed and care for the little ones; making meals, helping them with homework and even washing clothes if needed. They also do Bible lesson with them and teach them to be warriors for the Lord. It was refreshing and encouraging to hear these young ones pray. We also met Steven and Leidy, who were only seven and nine but had already been exposed to violence, sex, and drugs. They talked about their life now that they had someone to help look after them while their mother was working in the city as a recycler. We spent several days with them, playing, laughing and talking. It was hard to head back down the mountain the last time. Our prayers will be with this group as they work for transformation even in the high places. 

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  "Come lets have coffee" Pastor Carlos, the foundation leader says as we head to the kitchen where there is a table off to the side for the adults. The rest of the large room is part industrial-sized kitchen and part dining room for the 700 or so kids that come in at various times throughout the day to receive a meal, help with their homework, a little love and attention and the Word of God. When I hear the words of Bob Hoskins original OneHope mandate to reach all the children in the world and to save them from drugs, poverty, violence, prostitution and the evils of this world, I will think of this place because these children in this place have truely been saved from these very things. Child after child that we interviewed (Anderson, Pamela, William, and more) told these very stories but also had renewed hope for their future and a sparkle in their eye. The difference was God's vision in the heart of a man, who was obedient, and the Word of God. What a privilege to witness true transformation and to bring encouragement.

During our many coffee breaks over the course of 4 days Pastor Carlos told many stories of miraculous provision but there is one story that I would like to retell...he told us of a time a few years ago that his treasurer was robbed as he was walking down the street with foundation funds, a few days later their building was broken into--food and supplies were taken. Another couple days pass and they were robbed again. The pastor was distraught and so he took these matters to the Lord in prayer. And that is when the Lord reminded him that he still had his most valuable assets, that they had not been taken...the children. The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy but the Word of the Lord remains and those to whom He has his hand upon are saved.

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Next up...Burkina Faso and Niger in West Africa.