Reflecting on Six wonderful weeks!

The rain was pouring down when I stepped out of the taxi into three inches of water racing down the gutter.  Colette and I were on our way to the little church in the south of the city.  Inside a few people were praying – music was blasting from the sound system, and the metal roof transported the sound of the rain like bullets hitting our ear drums.

Fortunately, the rain didn’t last long and over the next half hour the little church filled to capacity until 50 people were crowded into the wooden pews.  The pastor and his wife led a rousing worship time and introduced us. 

It was my last night in Armenia, Colombia.  And what a send off!  The participants entered into the dramas and illustrations and it was really moving to see the cross  filled with the little pieces of paper that each brought forward to tape there – leaving their burdens and cares with God.

In the six weeks I had been privileged to lead 500 people in the sessions - llistening to stories of lives that had been changed through God’s touch in individual lives as they participated in the Groups of Hope.

I am back in my little apartment in Toronto - I have fondly named it “Dulce Refugio” – Sweet Refuge – and it welcomed me home on Wednesday morning.  Suitcases are unpacked, warmer clothes have come out of storage and I am looking forward to connecting with family and friends.

I am so grateful for God’s guidance and presence and the promise that He does walk with us in difficult times.

Evangelism in Action

The streets were narrow – a motor bike could navigate them but not a car.  My dear friend Milena and I were on our way to buy meat for lunch and on the way I watched her stop and ask 6 different women if they would come that afternoon to her house where we were going to have a Groups of Hope session.

That afternoon 12 women gathered for a drama of the woman who touched Jesus’ robe – and each of us could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit with us. 

The evening before we had met at Alvaro’s parent’s home home where six people had gathered for another session of the Groups of Hope.  What I was struck by with this couple, so dear to me, is that they live out their faith by sharing it with their family and neighbours every day.

I left their place after two days feeling like I had had the privilege of being with people who live their lives as Jesus did while here on earth.  Loving and sharing in a real way.

Experiencing God’s light in dark places…

We had gathered in the local Catholic church – St Theresa of Calcutta.  Twenty five women, two men and 6 children sat on the pews that we had drawn into a semi circle.

It was the first Groups of Hope session in Vista Hermosa – translated as Beautiful view.  The local priest had offered us the use of the church so we wouldn’t be squeezed into one of the tiny houses where the women live.

One could see the care and worry that lined the faces of some of the women – others looked curious, some seemed really depressed.  Colette and I had come with Mark to start the group at 2 pm.

Miriam, who lives across the road from the church, unlocked it for us and started the chocolate drink that would accompany the huge cake Mark had baked that day in the microwave at home, when we paused between sessions for a snack.

The women listened carefully as we talked about depression and several shared how they coped when they felt depressed.  It was fun to teach them the relaxation exercises, and to laugh together.

After the snack, several of the women had to leave for a school parade, but 21 stayed for powerful lesson about choosing to forgive the people who had hurt us.  Some of the women shared that they couldn’t forgive those who had inflicted the deep hurts they had experienced – and we talked about Jesus’ compassion for us and that forgiveness is a process and God would walk with them through it. 

Today is Sunday and we returned to the church for the next two sessons – unsure of how many would come.  We arrived in the middle of the worship band practice but got started about half an hour late, as gradually 17 women, one man and two children arrived.

As we finished the session on Light in the Darkness, we set a burning candle in the center of the circle and asked the women what difference they would experience in their lives if they could invite Jesus into areas of darkness within them.

Oh…what joy came to their faces as they helped make the list on the whiteboard – joy, happiness, peace, hope, sincerity, love and contentment – were part of the list.

One of the women came up to me afterwards and told me she would like to be able to conduct the series of the Groups of Hope in her home.  I was so happy to tell her that the book would be available in Spanish this fall.

We left the church – knowing that the women had met with God and were leaving to go to their homes with a renewed sense of hope.

Colombia encounters

Arrived here on Monday evening after a wonderful time on Sunday – first with dear friends who are starting an exciting ministry with CBM and Bolivian Baptist churches.  Spending the afternoon with them was a time full of new insights and of challenges to pray for them as they work through the growing pains.

Then a wonderful evening with the fifteen people in the Mount Horeb Baptist church in El Alto.  I had the opportunity to share with them – and they shared wonderfully with me – their joy and enthusiasm and their love for God.

It has been wonderful to be with my dear friends here in Armenia, Colombia.  It’s raining a lot – but I got out for a walk for 2 hours this morning before the afternoon rain started and that felt great!

This afternoon we are meeting to plan 4 sessions with a group of women in a neighbourhood in the south of the city.  We will be meeting Thursday and Sunday afternoons this week and Wednesday and Thursday afternoons next week.

Ruth is a young woman with a ministry to children in a very dangerous neighbourhood.  I will be sharing for an hour with the children the next two Friday afternoons.  Once again, I realize what a privilege it is to be able to share God’s hope in places where there is a lot of pain.