Colombia: Through my eyes (Day 2)

July 24, 2011

Barranquilla, Colombia

One of the things I love most about mission trips is that you are constantly seeing how big God really is. From the Compassion staff and children at Iglesia Cristiano Roca de Salvation (Christian Church Rock of Salvation) playing our National Anthem with their hands over their hearts to having multiple conversations where I was speaking Spanish and the children were speaking English and we still couldn’t understand each other; every moment was a gift from God. The church service was overwhelming, and it didn’t have anything to do with the fact that it was over 2 hours long. It seemed like every time I stopped crying something the pastor said or children did would cause me to tear up again. When we got there, children wearing matching skinny jeans and t-shirt saying “Jesus es mi amigo” lined both sides of the entrance and greeting us with American “hi’s”, “hello’s” and “welcome’s”. It was awesome. Then they sang and danced for us, and as they were singing, the littled ones passed out balloons to all of us.

The service was said in Spanish, but the pastor’s daughter translated (almost) everything into English. Both of them spoke with such conviction and passion; it was obious that God had chosen them to minister to us. The sermon was fitting; “Let the little children come to me” (Mark 10:14, Matthew 19) is one of my favorite verses, but it meant so much more when surrounded by children who, because they had been given so little, had so much more room for Jesus in their hearts.

After the service, we were escorted by the children to the Compassion development center where tables were already set up for us. A delicious lunch was prepared and one of the girl who had done a special dance for us sat down at our table. There is something so neat about trying to carry on a conversation with someone who didn’t understand English. My table had many failed attempts at Spanish. The poor little girl, whose name was Clarice, would just stare at us confused at first and then laugh. Every now and then she would go grab a Compassion worked that knew English and could translate for us.

One thing that really stood out to me was the pure joy and love those kids poured out on us. I can’t wait to start giving back to them. This day has been amazing. Our group as a whole agreed tonight during devotions that God has a special purpose for each of us as individuals and as a team. It’s just a feeling we have.

The most heartbreaking moment of today was trying to tell clarice goodbye. I was trying to explain that we had to leave, but eventually I just had to say “adios”. She hugged me, but then grabbed my hand and said, “No. No va.” (No, don’t go). I couldn’t believe that after one meal and two hours of broken Spanish and awkward pauses, I had formed a relationship with this girl that was worthy of a tearful goodbye. I felt so blessed.

Tomorrow is our first day of VBS, so we spent some time before dinner and devotions practicing our songs and puppet shows and preparing our crafts. The songs, all in Spanish, are a little rough when combined with hand gestures and percussion instruments, but I know God is going to pull us together tomorrow.

Right now it’s storming, and our power just when out. No air-conditioning. Uh-oh. Some people have been without air for 2 days, so maybe God is trying to make things fair. I’m heading up onto the roof now to look out over the city of Barranquilla. The experience in awesome. The sights, sounds, and smells are all so fascinating.

I’m praying that God continues to bless our team with theses new friendships and continues to keep us safe and in good health. Hopefully tonight I won’t sweat to death! 

 ....and now a little poem inspired by the church....

Iglesia Cristiano Roca de Salvacion

Rock of Salvation

God’s love poured out

On us

Children who had so little

Gave us everything they had

Which was so much more

Than anything

I could give

Humbled by the thought

That we were the ones being served

We, who traveled to Colombia

To serve

Servir las personas de Colombia

Two hours of broken Spanish and one meal later

Tengo un amigo nuevo

Se llama Clarice

Goodbye was heartbreaking

Simple, sweet

The “no, no va” brought tears to my eyes

Clarice and I after church on Sunday

from Jess, with love

always