Blessed Beyond All Mesure In Medellín
“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
Luke 15:10
Today we went to a new work that was recently started by Missionary Rick Washburn, Comunidad Bautista Amistad En Cristo (Friendship in Christ Baptist Community) and another church that was started years ago, Iglesia Fundamental Bautista Vida en Cristo (Life In Christ Fundamental Baptist Church). The first church is around 1 year old and meets in a rented house on the outskirts of Medellín. It was packed in there. Pray that God gives guidance to find a new building soon.
Praise God for an opportunity to preach his word and for one precious soul that was saved this morning! After preaching on the Power Of The Truth, 13 year old Santiago (the second from the left in the picture below–the one with his eyes closed) decided to place his trust in Jesus Christ. This was his second Sunday coming to the church. Pray that God would work in his life and allow him to grow and to be a witness to his family and friends.
After church and a delicious lunch we decided to go to El Cerro Nutibara. This is a small mountain in the very middle of Medellín, Colombia where you can look out and see the entire city on all sides. At the top they also have a small replica town of the “old days” (Pueblito Paisa) and a few shops. Here’s a picture of Aubrie and I at one of the viewpoints of the city. Sorry about the squinting–the sun was in our eyes just a bit. 🙂
So, today was our last full day in Medellín. What a needy city. I believe that God has great plans to glorify himself in this place, but we definitely need more laborers. Would you consider coming here?
Tomorrow afternoon we’ll be flying out to the city of Bucaramanga. This is a smaller city than Medellín, but I haven’t been able to find any likeminded churches there. Pray that God directs us as we endeavor to discover and fulfill his will.
Here are a few more pictures for your viewing enjoyment…
Two men relax on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It's common here to see people just sitting on benches soaking it all in.
Motorcyclists abound in this city. With the price of gas going up (between $4-$5 per gallon) and the price of motorcycles coming down, it only makes sense. Unfortunately most of the wrecks around the city are caused by the reckless driving of the motorcyclists. I'll have to post a video of the driving here. It would scare most people in the States. Lol
One of the boys from yesterday at the "finca" (farm). This was about 1 hour outside of the city. Lots of fresh air, lots of cows and lots of green. 😀
I love this girl. Thank you Lord.
Many of the Catholic churches here are incredibly ornate. This particular church has vast amounts of hand-painted depictions of "Biblical" events (most of them overly exalt Mary). Notice the couple in the lower right corner on their knees. We watched as they crawled on their knees all the way to the front where there was a statue of the city's patron saint and virgen. The Catholic faith is a sad thing to me. So many believe in God, believe in the Bible and believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. But in spite of all that they are trusting in their own works to get them to God. It is impossible. Pray that God would give us wisdom as we attempt to biblically "connect the dots" for these people drowning in empty religion and faith in their traditions.
Saving Lives In Medellín
She was 15 years old. She has a two year old and a 4 month old baby, both with different daddies. Her family didn’t offer much support. Her surroundings screamed that a life of utter failure would ensue. The babies didn’t have much hope. It was even questionable if they would live. Then she met Christ and her life was changed. There was suddenly a support group around her giving counsel, help with the baby and instruction in God’s word. Somebody made a difference and invested in her. Now there is hope.
She was 13 years old. Her body had become a dumping ground. It’s the only value she could find. It was the only time anybody thought she was worth anything. Then they would leave and somebody else would come. She was at the mercy of the streets. Drugs, alcohol, sex. This was her life. Then she was introduced to a man called Jesus Christ. He showed her what real love is. He changed everything. He put her in a place where she received love in a pure way from people that actually cared for her.
He was 12 years old. His parents essentially kicked him out of the house. The street became home. Drunks, pimps and druggies became his friends. Food was a luxury. His life was hard. Each day he woke up with fear that it might be his last. And with the gunshots, the yelling, the crying, the hallucinations, it’s not as if sleeping through the night were something easy either. What was the purpose of life? Why even try? But then, God came into his life. He brought him into a home where love abounded, where people cared, and they taught him about a man named Jesus. It wasn’t an overnight process, but after time, this Jesus became HIS Jesus. He became the father that never existed. He became a good friend. He became a personal loving Lord and Savior. Now, after 8 years in the program, this boy is now a leader for other boys coming straight off the streets. The unwanted ones. The scum of the city. The ones for which Jesus died. He now makes a difference in many lives because somebody made a difference in his.
These are real stories we heard today, from the kids themselves. These are real kids who have been saved. Saved from a life of destruction. Saved from a life of failure. Saved from the vicious cycle. Saved from hopelessness. Saved from eternal Hell.
We spent most of the day with the Perrow family, who are good folks from the Open Arms Foundation here in Medellín. They have a wonderful work going on. Their mission statement says it all:
Please watch this touching video that they’ve put together. We met many of these kids today, and it broke our hearts for the need. For every kid saved there are dozens more just like them that need somebody to reach out to them. You can find more info on their website here.
Medellín–A City Of Contrasts
A couple blocks can make a big difference.
It may be the difference in whether a child gets a good education or if he’s pushed into the workforce at 10 years old.
It may be the difference in whether an individual receives excellent medical care or is at the mercy of less-than-adequate public clinics.
It may be the difference in whether someone can expect to live a long and comfortable life or is fearful if they will make it through each day, violence surrounding them.
And, it may be the difference in whether people have access to the Gospel or are drastically separated from it.
We saw this difference today. We saw rich areas and poor areas. We saw people who were wrapped up in materialism (a common sight for us, coming from the US), and some that didn’t have even a tin shack to call home. We walked through elegant malls and cruised through neighborhoods that didn’t even have electricity.
Medellín is a very large city, with a metro population that is near 4 million people, and still growing! Another thing that you’ll notice is that the town is divided up into levels of status they have called “estratos.” They have a scale from 0-6, with 0 being the lowest (the homeless, perhaps), and 6 being the richest of the rich (community leaders and officials). Your “estrato” will determine much of what you do, who you spend time with, how you live life, and even how much you are charged for your water bill. It also determines your access to many community services.
Medellín is a land of contrasts for sure.
One major development they have made here to connect the city is their metro system. In a way, it is similar to the MARTA in Atlanta (for those of you that are familiar with it), but it has its differences. For one, they have two connecting MetroCable systems that take you up to remote parts of the city. Something like a glorified ski-lift. It only cost about 75 cents to go anywhere on the metro, including connections on the MetroCable. Not bad…
Here are a few photos we took throughout the day. As you look at these pictures let them break your heart for the need in Colombia. What more can we be doing to reach the lost?
Hundreds of people waiting for the Metro in Medellín
The cheap and extremely efficient MetroCable.
One of the poorer sections of town we glided over. This is probably an estrato 2. One thing you'll notice is that there are very few streets in these hills. There are walking paths, sometimes with enough room for a motorcycle and lots of steps. The army has guards walking up and down the streets that are there, mainly to intimidate the gangs, which have been extremely violent in past years.
There are many shopping centers here that could compete with the US's best malls, all stocked with the latest technology and (although this picture doesn't show it) lots of people. The ugly god of materialism has a throne here, too.
What a sad sight. The best bed these guys had was a flattened cardboard box. It was the middle of the day and they didn't care. What's the point of life?
Our hearts were broken today as we saw these things. There are a few evangelical works around this town, but nowhere near what is needed to give even half of these people access to the Gospel. The harvest truly is plenteous but the laborers are few!
Pray for us tomorrow as we spend most of the day at a 3 different children’s rescue homes. Our evening will be spent with a Colombian man and his family whose sister is a member of our church in Georgia. How exciting!
Soggy Shoes In Medellín!
We made it to Colombia! Our flight landed at about 2:15 PM and we were met at the airport by Rick & Jackie Washburn. They have been missionaries here for well over 30 years and have been so kind as to let us stay in their home for a few days while we’re in this city.
Medellín is a beautiful city. They call it the city of eternal spring. It was 77 degrees today, with overcast skies. Absolutely gorgeous.
Then, it rained.
And rained.
And rained.
And…. rained.
For a good 2 hours there was a constant downpour that overflowed the local canal, which immediately flooded local parking lots.
This picture was taken from the apartment we’re staying in. Crazy.
After the hard rain, it stopped entirely and we were able to walk around the neighborhood downtown close to the Washburn’s apartment.
We have a busy schedule the next few days while we’re here. On Friday we will drive around the city and see the need in different areas. Rich areas, poor areas, business areas, commerce areas, etc… We’ll take the metro (similar to MARTA in Atlanta, GA), and cable cars up to the hills. We hope God will open our eyes to much of the need that is here.
Saturday we will be visiting the Open Arms Foundation pretty much all day. This is an organization that rescues kids out of abusive situations and off of the streets. Many of these, as young children, had been pushed into prostitution, drugs and so many other bad situations. This foundation rescues them from this and gives them the hope that Jesus offers.
Sunday I will be preaching a couple times. Once in a brand new work that the missionary has started, then again at another church that is pastored by a Colombian National.
Then Monday we’ll head to Bucaramanga. That should be interesting!
Thanks for your prayers! We need them.
The Vance Family 