Monday we went to Ciudad Bolivar and worked with Canal de Benedicion, Channel of Blessings. The pastor, who's name I cannot remember, started the ministry after waking up multiple times in the middle of the night to the cries of the hungry children. They currently have 4 projects that feed, teach, and love the kids in the worst part of Bogota. Recently, they have been facing tremendous financial strain since the government has stopped funding them. They reopened the project we visited and are feeding the the children on faith.
They had quite a bit of physical labor planned for us. We picked up trash, dug a trench, swept, mopped, cleaned windows, and painted. It was exhausting work and at times we felt like we weren't getting anywhere. However, I have realized that our presence alone can make a greater impact than any amount of tangible work. By coming in the name of the Lord, we are able to refresh downcast spirits to continue their work.
Half way through the afternoon I went with the project pastor and a couple people from our team to scope out a potential project. As we walked to the house, we left the main road for an unpaved trail that led to the slums. The pastor stopped and knocked on what I thought was a wall. The piece of sheet metal swung open to reveal the house of a single father of 3. The level of poverty hit home quick. Dirt floors. Sheet metal ceiling. Old, tattered clothes hanging on the line through the middle of the house. Our pastor said he would have to pray about helping them build another wall. $400. How could we say no? But we cannot say yes to everything. We can't fix all the poverty in all of Ciudad Bolivar in a week. When we think from this perspective, we accomplish close to nothing. Financial provison and physical labor are temporary. However, spiritual refreshing and encouragement have eternal impacts.
Tuesday we went to Avivamiento school. This school has my heart. Given the opportunity, I would teach there in a heartbeat. I have been talking up this school all week. I just hoped everyone would love it as much as I do. Thankfully, the whole team fell in love and it was almost impossible to get everyone back on the bus.
We broke into groups and were assigned classes to teach English. We were told that activities and lessons would be prepared for us, but the most important thing was that everything be Christ-centered. Our class didn't start till 11, so we had over an hour to hang around with the kids on break. I loved seeing the kids I had met last week. It was so cool to have kids sporadically run up, call me by name, and hug me. The first year I came to Bogota, I understand the impact I could make. The second year, I realized this and made a greater effort. Now, in my third year, I am reaping in relationships what I have sowed for three years.
In our ninth grade class, they were working on subject/verb agreement and past tense. We broke into small groups to complete a worksheet. When we finished early, we talked about all the typical things: favorite food, where I'm from, my university, what they want to do when they graduate, etc. I just love getting to know these kids. After lunch I was talking with a couple of the 10th graders I had met last week. I asked if they thought everyone in their class was saved. They said yes, or at least hoped they were. Around 7th grade, the school had dismissed a number of students because their lifestyle did nit meet the standards. The students are not allowed to date or have Facebook. Some might see this as overbearing or controlling. But to attend this school is a high privilege. It is amazing how easy it is to grow without the weeds of temptation or negative peer pressure.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
