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!
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