Long Time Coming

Well, I've been home almost 2 months. So here's the wrap up post I've been promising:


It amazes me how God continues to work through things He started in Bogota. When I go on a mission trip, I know the mission trip is not just 2 weeks. We, in our daily lives, see that so much more has happened and is going to happen. How much more must be happening in the lives of those we interacted. How much MORE must also be happening in the spiritual realm. The stories and testimonies we came back with, which are numerous, are just a drop in the bucket in comparison to what God did in and through the 40 people that invaded Bogota over the course of 17 days. 


The biggest lesson God taught me was that I just love to love people. My area of ministry is extremely relationship-oriented. I am not drawn to the stage to preach the gospel and lead a salvation prayer. I jump, however, at the opportunity to sit down in a small group setting or one-on-one environments and simply build relationships. I want to love people so that when they hear about the love of Jesus, they understand. I want to be that glimpse of Christ's love that tills the soil so when the seed of salvation is planted, it finds good, rich soil where the roots can go down deep. 


That's what this trip was about. We did some work projects, but that was not the focus. I doubt the children remember much of the English we tried to teach. I could not tell you how many people gave their lives to Jesus. Instead, we went with the mission to encourage, support, and love. The impact we can physically make in 17 days is limited. However, when we come as a spiritual support, rejuvenating the local leaders, the impact is immeasurable. They are the ones who lead the change. We come saying we believe in you, we will pray and agree with you, and the Body of Christ stands in your support. We renew their hope with our presence. In exchange, we gain a new perspective. We catch a bit of revival to take home. We see God in a new light. 


Here are a few pics:

The beauty of the slums

The beautiful group of ladies I was privileged to work with on the college trip  in front of a lovely green wall we painted

A home we visited. Awestruck.

From the top of the mountain

Sweet children

The district of Suba

These girls changed my life.

Donei. Read about her HERE.

Sweet Luis. Read about him HERE.

Pastor Parra's land.

I credit a lot of who I am today to my experiences in Colombia. It will always be the place God encountered me, shook me up, and set me on path I'm on. However, as the Lord calls me into a new season, He hints that this was my last trip to Colombia for awhile. I cannot fully explain the feeling or why He has shut this door for now. His ways will always be higher than my ways. And I trust that. It was hard to walk away from schools, churches, students, pastors, and friends knowing I will probably never see them again this side of heaven. However, I trust and believe. I pray that the Lord will continue to send harvesters, for the harvest is great in this city. I pray that missionaries are sent to love the children I love. I pray, though I may never hug him again, that sweet Luis will know the enduring love of his Savior. I pray that Pastor Parra receive the funds he needs to build an orphanage, a refuge, for the children without homes. I pray Pastor Samuel's church truly becomes a church without walls that overcomes the district of Suba. Though my visits may cease, my prayers will not. 


With tears in my eyes, I look to the future with great expectation. My passion for the nations continues, but my desire for my God's perfect will trumps all. For now, I will stay put, finish my Early Childhood degree, and see what lies ahead. Though the trip is over, the journey is not.