The End of the Beginning

You probably thought that last blog entry was the last one, since we arrived back in the states yesterday...but technically we were still missing one team member and as a team we started together and finished together, so we wanted to let you know we are ALL officially back in the states. (Ronnie flew back this morning).

We also wanted to take some time to personally thank you, our supporters, for all the prayers, financial support, and ways you helped make our trip to Colombia possible. The ten of us would not have been able to minister in Colombia without your help. Here are some of the top ten highlights from our trip, which occurred because of your support:

1. We made it safely to Colombia! Your prayers helped us patiently spend extra time at the airport when our flight was cancelled and eventually we did make it (with all of our luggage!) to Colombia.

2. Your financial support- supported us in more ways than one, but it helped us get around Colombia and travel to the school each morning. It also allowed us the opportunity to spend time with the McCollums, Carrie Bergmann, and explore the culture of Colombia.

3. Work projects- Your prayers helped us work together as a team, have patience when struggling with the language and the difference in doing it the Colombia way (Not the American way).

4. El Camino- The school was blessed with a variety of textbooks, resources, and supplies from the Orchard that all made it safely in our suitcases. Many of these items came from our supporters, family and friends!

5. Relationships- Not only did we build new relationships in our team, but we also built new Colombian relationships, which will last beyond the physical work we built in Colombia.

6. Ministry/involvement outside of El Camino- The majority of the team had the opportunity to visit two ministries that students at El Camino help serve at. I believe your prayers opened many eyes, hearts, and got the gears turning in many team member's lives. What a privilege it was to see the domino effect- our work at El Camino allowed El Camino students to participate weekly in these ministries (whereas we were able to help at these individual ministries just one day). Short term work making a long term difference!

7. Joy- During and throughout our experience in Colombia our team had a special joy that permeated our team with lots of laughter. And I believe Christ used this laughter to encourage others, lift their spirits, and show that life as a Christian really isn't dull and boring. God is full of surprises!

8. Culture 101- We experienced many different and new things. Foods we had never tasted (some we hope to never taste again ;) But God revealed to us the blessing of different cultures, as we worshiped in Spanish and English, spoke two languages (One of us who could actually keep a conversation going in Spanish and the rest of us who would throw out a word or two), and flexibly moved out of our comfort zone to try something different.

9. Encouragement- Many people were deeply encouraged by our presence at El Camino. Beth (the director at El Camino) said that the Orchard has been such a blessing to the School (ECA) and this was echoed multiple times by the McCollums and Carrie Bergmann. Bob said that it is sometimes easier for supporters to just send a check (which is great!), but actually taking time off of work and visiting their ministry is something that money can't buy.

10. Future- Our last few days we discussed as a team and spent time praying about how this trip has affected us and what it now means for us to go back changed. Half of our team expressed prayer requests about the future and God's plan for their life. God has promised us in Jeremiah 29:11-12 that He knows the plans He has for our lives and they are to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us hope and a future, but the last part in verse 12 says that we are to call upon His name (pray) and He will listen to us. Thank you for all your prayers and please pray that we would all be attentive to the direction God leads us and His plans.

Although the airplane tickets say 10 people traveled to Colombia we really know that number was a lot higher. Each of you, our supporters, went with us to Colombia- through your prayers and willingness to financially give. Let us all continue to run with the gospel!

Behind the scene of blogging w/ ice cream.

We thank you for your prayers and following along with us on our journey to Colombia. The Lord is doing wonderful things through many ministries.

Hasta Luego Colombia! Translation: See you later Colombia

The United States is back to normal, as nine crazy-Christian Americans returned to the states tonight (technically yesterday now). We did end up leaving one of them behind...we knew we couldn't stop laughing if we brought her along ;) No, Ronnie ended up staying in Colombia one more day because her flight doesn't leave until Sunday morning. And the laughing didn't stop, but it was less than usual with one of our team members missing.

This morning we actually got to sleep in! We were scheduled for breakfast at 9:30AM, which gave us a little extra sleep. And the McCollums and Carrie Bergmann joined us for breakfast. The food was good but the spiritual conversation we had afterwards was really good. Tom had us share things we took away from our time in Colombia, what God had taught us, how we will be changed when we go back, and any specific things we would like prayer for. It was encouraging to hear team members tell stories that some of us had never heard about. Especially from those who had been on this trip last year and the year before, those who experienced Bogotá for the first time this year, and some who had Colombia as their first mission trip experience.

One thing that kept popping up throughout our discussion and processing of the trip was the fact that we all saw our team come together as the body of Christ. Bob McCollum pointed out that our team had a wide age span, from 19 years old to 76 (maybe older but the work these elderly men accomplished made their age seem contradictory), yet we all used our gifts and abilities to serve in any and every way possible.

The apostle Paul says it best in 1 Corinthians 12:12-20:

"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body."

We needed each other as a team. The gardening team could not have accomplished the work they did if it wasn't for some members shoveling/moving dirt, transplanting plants, mixing/pouring cement, and neither could the apartment team go out to work on the missionaries apartments if there were not members working on the projects at the school. And a big hats off to the alarm crew, as they worked hard to set everything up and in the end it didn't work the way they thought it should, but they gave it their all and learned a thing or two about being patient in the process too. (Altogether I feel like our "body" was made up with a few extra funny bones, but every body is unique ;)

Our flights home went smoothly, which was an answer to prayer, as the whole East coast was shut down due to weather. We made it back with all of our luggage and were greeted by some very excited family members and friends.

However, it is certainly a transition for each one of us on the team, as we process this past week, continue back on with our daily working lives and try to figure out how the changes that took place in us in Colombia affect our lives now. It can get easy to just be sucked back into our "normal lives," but God has called each of us to be in the world but not of it: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."Romans 12:2

Final prayer requests:
*Ronnie as she still has a traveling day by herself tomorrow
*The team, as we process everything and share with everyone what God has taught us
*The McCollums, as they continue to follow God's will and grow as a family and Bob as he has surgery this coming Tuesday
*Carrie Bergmann, as she looks at what God has for her at ECA this next school year
*Team members as they follow God with future plans and continue to lean on Him when all those unknowns crowd out the Truth
*Opportunities God has for us to present/talk about out trip


Words really cannot do justice in capturing all the laughter and learning that took place on this trip. Guess you'll have to go to Bogotá yourself next year to understand ;) God truly blessed our team, and in return we not only blessed El Camino, the McCollums, Carrie, but we blessed each other and those we came into contact with. Stan mentioned a quote from pastor Colin this morning at devotions, which seemed very applicable to many of us on the trip, "Sometimes you need to slow down before you go around the corner." God brought us all together for this trip, but I believe He used it to slow some of us down and take a look at our lives and where they are going. Now comes the obedience in still moving forward around the corner, and that takes T-R-U-S-T. But God is trustworthy and even though there are many good places to be, the best place to be is where God calls you to be. "Adios" in Spanish means good-bye, but many of the staff at El Camino told us "hasta luego" when we left because that means "see you later." Lord willing we will all be able to return, but the common thread of Christ at the center of our lives means we will all spend eternity together. May we all continue to spread God's love and see the Gospel move in our broken world. Amen!

This is Colombia

"This is Colombia" was said flippantly tonight by one of the team members but it turns out that phrase is commonly used here in Colombia and captures our experience.

Today was our final work day at the school...bittersweet. We were able to finish up many of the projects we started and see a tiny glimpse of the work God was doing during our time in Colombia.

We began the morning with our usual Colombian breakfast; made by an elderly Colombian woman and her daughter. The food is great but too much! (We don't want to be rude so we've been sneaking some of our food on to Gordon's plate ;) Then we had group devotions and shared how we've seen God at work and what we want to share when we get back to the states. And finally we hopped on the bus and headed to El Camino (a 40-60 minute bus ride).

At school today we all got busy right away. Tino & Tyler headed off to work on the missionary apartments with our Colombian friend Henry. After three incidents with water in the apartments, Henry nicknamed Tino "hurricane katino" ;) The garden team got down and dirty with the rest of the planting, transplanting, and extra landscaping. And the alarm was working but stopped working, so hopefully that will be finished up by the school staff next week.

During the day Shealyn and Rachel were able to bake corn bread muffins with the kitchen staff at ECA. They were asked to bake and speak English with the kitchen ladies...but most of it consisted of the ladies teaching the girls Spanish :) Despite the language difference, relationships were made and the kitchen staff greatly appreciated the girls' time, as well as the non-stick Teflon muffin pans they left.

We only spent a half day at the school because we were going to go up the mountain with the McCollums and Carrie Bergmann in the afternoon. We said good-bye to Henry and some of the others at ECA around 1:30pm and Henry asked if we would pray for him. He shared with us how much our presence this week meant to him, as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. He was feeling discouraged but God brought us to encourage him and get him laughing (maybe even dancing too ;) What a privilege it was to lay hands on Henry, as a team, and pray for him.

Next we headed up the mountain, where we took a tram up Monserate, which put us at 10,341 feet. A bit hard to breathe up there! And the team went straight up the side of the steep mountain slope. Good thing no one was scared of heights. It stormed before we got there which made it super cloudy, but thankfully it cleared up and we were able to see the broad panorama of Bogota; population 8 million! ! We (everyone on the team, including the McCollums and Carrie) also had fun taking pictures with the cool Colombian hat Tino bought. What a bunch of silly gringos.

Dinner that night was at the top of the World Trade Center (that is the name of one of the buildings in Colombia). We had the privilege of eating dinner at a fancy restaurant that slowly spins, as you eat. But it wasn't so fast that we had fast food ;) And we got to eat with the director of ECA, her husband, mother and father-in-law, as well as with Carrie, Jaime & his wife Yenny and the McCollums. What a special and godly group of people.

This mission team has really worked together as a team to serve the people of Colombia; specifically through El Camino. We are all very unique but God has used each of our gifts and abilities. He has blessed us with laughter, and as we saw and heard today, that impacted others.

It is hard to leave tomorrow but we have done the work God called us to here in Colombia and with open and willing hearts we will be returning to the states to further the work God has called each of us to.

Please pray for each of us as we process this experience and fly back to the states tomorrow. May His kingdom come and His will be done.

Creeps and Waffles

Today El Camino had teacher development day so that meant no school for the kids (most of them), but there was more than enough work to do at the school.

The teacher's kids came to school today so Rachel helped watch them and do some fun activities with them. Nothing like balancing Oreos on your head (which you get to eat) that gets kids attention.

However, the morning started off with less traffic than normal because it was "No Car Day." Every year Colombia has one day where no one drives their car. Only commercial vehicles and some vehicles with special permits are allowed on the road. Our van has a commercial permit so we thought we'd be fine on the road this morning but the police pulled us over because we were supposedly going over the speed limit. But we did make it to school!

The staff at El Camino had a morning worship service which the team was invited to be a part of. What an experience to worship in English and Spanish.

Work at school today focused again on the alarm system, a variety of gardening projects, as well as Tino, Tyler, and Ronnie working apartment projects. It is crazy to think that tomorrow is our last work day at the school and it is only a half day. Everyone persevered through the projects and it is encouraging to see some of the immediate results from the work that's been done.

The girls had the privilege of going to dinner, after school, to Carrie Bergmann's apartment for dinner and discussion with Carrie, some of the other teacher's from ECA as well as two ladies who are staying at Carrie's apartment this weekend for a big education conference. They traveled by bus, 18 hours, so they could attend this conference!

Afterward the girls met up with the guys and had dessert with Carrie and the McCollums at "Creeps & Waffles," as Ken thought was the name for "Crepes & Waffles." We all had some delicious ice cream and good conversation. It has been fun to hear stories from different individuals on the team of what God is doing in their lives.

Tomorrow wraps up our work at the school. We appreciate your prayers greatly and would love prayer for:
*finishing up/testing the alarm system
*continued patience with each other and the work we are doing, which is all for God
*all the preparations as we leave back for the states on Saturday

Thanks for your prayers!

Short term making a long term difference

Technically it is now Thursday but since we stayed up past midnight to write this blog we are pretending it is still Wednesday.

What happened to us today? Instead of words we are going to show some more pictures and highlight more prayer/praise requests at the end.

Guest Teacher Rachel teaching Carrie Bergmann's 3rd grade Bible lesson- Her demonstration of the Israelites marching around the wall of Jericho (No worries, the walls of El Camino did not come falling down)

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Blessing that she is learning how to walk with help from a few friends (Stan, Camilla, and Tyler)

Tom tickling Diego

Ken helping feed snack to the little man

Ronnie getting Kevin to eat - Gotta do what it takes! And Kevin liked to blow kisses :)

Stan and Jaun Carlos

Tino teaching Juan Carlos how to smile

Cheeeeese!

The Barrio Egipto

The website for the foundation Buena Semilla-  www.foundacionbuenasemilla.org
And the link for the new school project : http://youtu.be/D0Al88rWIys

Gordon saying hi to one of the little guys

It was a jam packed day with teaching, experiencing the poverty of Colombia, but more importantly watching how God is at work in these ministries. What a privilege and honor to be here short term, but ultimately making a long term difference; from El Camino to the disabled and street children of Colombia.

Praise/Prayer:
*Teaching for Rachel went great today!
*The Barrio was an eye opening experience
*Carrie's role at El Camino and possible new position
*Carrie to depend on God for shepherding her students
*McCollum's: Wisdom and guidance for where the Lord would have them be next year
*Bob McCollums knee surgery this next Tuesday and his three weeks on crutches
*Elias Mendoza (Director of the foundation Buena Semilla): The Lord will supply the money to buy new property to buy a new building, so they will be able to do outreach for teenagers from the age of 13-18 since their lifespan is known to be until age 24 (due to violence).
*Tomorrow as we test the alarm system, finish up apartment work, take care of some of the teachers kids, and odd and end work at the school.

Food, food, food...maybe some more food and quality Colombian bonding time.

Why so much food today? Here are the juicy details from today's food-filled day. We kicked off this morning by traveling to the school early to have breakfast with the board of El Camino. During our Colombian breakfast we heard about the history of the school from the director, Beth Afanadors. We all agreed her passion for the school was evident and encouraging. Next, we got to work around the school. Thanks for the prayers for our two transplanted plants, as they looked much better today! The gardening team kept at it today but Jeff and Tyler (the father-son duo: also known as Big Jeff and Little Jeff) worked hard mixing cement and filling a wall for another garden bed. They also did a little painting in their spare time ;) Tino did a little bit of everything and as Stan pointed out tonight, we are blessed to have a Spanish speaker on our team. The alarm team kept at it today and made progress. Thanks for all the prayers! And during all these projects came our daily "onces," which means 11 in Spanish. Around 10-11 am the kitchen staff have a delicious snack for us...snack doesn't do it justice because it is basically another meal! And this happens TWICE a day. The second one occurs in the afternoon. Well, it was a lot of food but the gardening team will attest that all that hard work burns a lot of energy so the food is needed. They worked on a garden bed today that was quite a beast but it is starting to turn into a beauty. Finally, we all rushed home to the mission house to shower before leaving to dinner with assigned families from the school. The stories that came back from these experiences were very encouraging. Ken said he was so excited for the dinner tonight and he was not disappointed. God is at work in these families lives and tonight gave us a small glimpse at that. And save the best for last: More Prayer requests: Open eyes and hearts as some of our team goes to experience a ministry dedicated to those with disabilities and one that works with street children. Also, for Rachel as she teaches the Bible lesson in Carrie Bergmann's 3rd grade class and spends time in the classroom. And continued relationships with everyone we work/encounter at the school. God is good all the time. He has already answered prayer requests and the laughter is still coming! Stay tuned :)