CHOCO 2016

 While in Condoto, Colombia, God allowed us to visit a school and talk to hundreds of young people about salvation and God's unconditional love for them.
Standing in the middle of a football field girls lined up to open up their heart and tell us the difficult situations they live at home and ask for prayer. A girl, about 12 years old, came with a hoarse voice and face overshadowed from crying.  While I was hugging her very tight, I reminded her how much God loved her, how much he cared, and no matter the situation, Father God would take care of her and protect her. I was struck by how a girl overwhelmed by fear generated by seeing her mother suffer physical and emotional abuse from her partner, can feel loved, protected and be filled with His peace, only through a simple hug. But perfect love casts out fear. 

Six year old Andres’ parents didn’t have money to buy him glasses but after Jon Carvajal prayed for him, he was able to read the banners in the church for the first time.  

Andres was sure of his salvation but he was concerned about his parents.  The next day, he took home a children’s book about Jesus and while he was sleeping, his father, a miner with little education, read the book.  The next day when the team visited their home, his father was the first one to say the prayer of salvation.

Vanessa:  We were collecting the church chairs after finishing the meeting which was attended by many children and young people for the first time. The church which normally hosted 12 people had been graced with about 40 people.  Jesid, the pastor’s 12 year old son, played a praise and worship CD and everyone there felt a joy that can only be described as God's presence invading us.  From one moment to the next children and young people, large and small, young and old began dancing and worshiping God because He is the source of true life and joy.


It was so life changing to see boys and girls who daily face poverty, hunger and abandonment rejoice in God's presence.  It makes me smile every time I remember this moment.

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