The Value of Life (Leverage Colombia Team)

My heart has literally been breaking over the past couple days. And things have been stirring in my heart that are hard to explain. But this one, I actually got to process a little with my team tonight (Wednesday) during debrief, so I’m gonna take a stab at writing it out in order to share it with you…

I’m not usually the kind of girl to cry. I would say I’m usually not the emotional one either. But the more I draw closer to God, the more my heart breaks for the things that break His. While it doesn’t feel good to have a broken heart, I have to praise God because a broken heart is an answer to prayer and God’s way of getting my attention. You see, three years ago that was exactly my plea to Him.



Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom’s cause
As I walk from earth into eternity
(Hillsong United – Hosanna)



The first time God answered that plea for Him to break my heart was through the experience on my first mission trip to Haiti in December 2009-January 2010. But this time God is taking me deeper since my trust in Him has grown deeper.

There is much to share about our days here in Colombia, sharing the gospel going door to door. Its been more than words can say but what has been breaking my heart are the real life stories that are being shared when we ask before we leave if we can pray with and for them. It’s story after story of broken marriages, broken homes, sickness in what feels like every family member, unexpected death, the list goes on. Today (Wednesday) was my breaking point though.

After spending 30-40 minutes with this family of six sharing about the Recycle for Life Program and using the Evangecube to share the gospel (and praise Jesus having all six making a profession of faith), my heart just absolutely broke.

The grandmother who was visiting from Spain asked us to pray for everything to come together for her to become guardian of her granddaughter and have her move back with her to Spain. With her 13 year old granddaughter sitting right beside her, she continued to tell more about what was going on. We found out that the 13 year old’s father, the grandmother’s son, had been killed 7 years ago. It was clear that the grandmother still was having a hard time with it as her eyes flooded with tears. The part that got me was the girl being completely unaffected by the reality that she had no father because he was killed. Like it was no big deal.

Back up about an hour to the end of lunchtime, we had just heard that someone had been killed not too far from us and the local believer with us responded by saying, “Bummer…”. I specifically said, “I don’t think that’s the word I would use to describe that.” He proceeded to explain that for Colombians its part of everyday life, its nothing new, definitely not shocking. Colombians are more or less desensitized to a life being taken too soon, or so it seems.

So pair that “bummer” with the lack of emotion felt or seen by this girl with the other stories we’ve heard and your left questioning, “what is the value of a life here in Colombia?” Do they even value life? I mean, of course they do to an extent-clearly this is a generalization! But what if this situation in Colombia, of everything being a mess is exactly why God has chosen to make Himself known in this country,right now!

You wouldn’t believe the number of people making a profession of faith, choosing to put their trust in Jesus and desiring to hear the gospel. Its crazy! This is definitely not happening in the U.S. But what if God has been preparing the Colombians hearts because… What if he has been sending believers to share the gospel here because… What if He is creating unity amongst the churches and body of believers because… What if it’s all BECAUSE God’s heart is breaking into pieces. Breaking, because the people He has created in His own image here, are choosing sin, sin, sin and are being killed left and right. If not 100%, it was pretty close, of the number of people I talked to that had a close family member get killed. What if he is so tired of seeing His children choose death not life for themselves and each other as they choose to murder their neighbor.

Is there a harvest right now in Colombia, specifically, because the value of life has been lost here and something has to change?

- Emily Tuten

Daughters of the King (Women's Colombia Team)

I had no idea that when I came to Barranquilla, Colombia on my first mission trip that I would fall so deeply in love with the people of this country. We have been met with hospitality, kindness, and love at every turn. God has definitely helped me to look beyond the differences and to focus on the similarities. We are all children of God in need of our Lord and Savior. We all need to feel loved, cherished, and treasured . . . to love and be loved. We all need each other to share our joys and sorrows and to live in community with one another. My heart has filled with joy as we have helped to bring a sprinkling of this to Barranquilla. Our team of six women from 12stone have had the blessing of teaching some of the local women to lead small groups in their community. To begin the process of sharing life with one another and to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. We used the Diamond Journey of Faith to teach the women to live life in the order that is glorifying to God: love God, love yourself, love others, love what you do, and love the lost. I pray that they continue to inspire life, share life, and give life as small groups grow throughout the area. I came here with six sisters in Christ from America and am leaving with so many sisters in Christ from Colombia. We are daughters of the King and are precious in His sight. To God be the glory!

- Denise Wegesin

For Such A Time as This (Women's Colombia Team)

Our time is coming to an end here in Barranquilla. It has been a week of incredible ministry and life change. I will go home a diiferent person with a new world view. I will not say that it has been an easy week. There have been many different types of challenges where I have had to remember that my strength comes from Christ. I not only had to remember it, but be willing to believe it, be obedient and perservere. Theee, good news is, with obedience comes blessing. Yesterday as my team was walking the streets of Mesalondia we entered in a home that was basically the size of most of our dens and the only peice of furniture in the room was a bed. The house was full full of people and they were clearly upset. As we began to talk to them we discovered that the person who lived in this "house" was a 20 year named Edwin who, because of living alone and his struggle with depression, had tried to hang himself the night before. He was found before he was able to accomplish his mission and now was on watch by his family and friends. I was blessed to be able to take time to listen to his sister while she cried through the story of what had happened and what she was feeling. As my translator and I talked with her, we called one of the local pastors over to talk with Edwin.

We took the time to share the gospel story with Edwin's sister and three friends. They were very eager and ready to drop thier heads and pray to accpet Christ as their Lord and Savior. Then I was blessed to be able to pray over Edwin. I walked away after that experience blown away with who our God is and how He works. If we had not come to Mesalondia on that day, I do not know that anyone would have been in that barrio at that time not only to minister to this family but for them to have the opportunity to come to know Christ. Obedience in every step. That is what is the key to to the blessings God has for us. I will never forget Edwin and his sister's face. If this trip has taught me anything, it is that I have NO IDEA what God may have planned for me on any given day. I just need to be obedient what He asks me to do.

- Lisa Goodwin

The Unexpected (Leverage Colombia Team)

Her face you would find familiar. Round, tanned by the sun, thick and bushy eyebrows her face finished with dark chocolate eyes. Her small stature yet round dimensions exudes kindness, care and neglect. As we speak through a wrought iron gate, she learns that i'm a foreigner and reluctantly lets us into a small space just passed the front door. I wonder why the hesitation? She kindly pushes tables across the cement floor and hurries about to find flimsy plastic chairs for us to rest. Visibly, we've been blistered by the sun, and beaten up by the humidity. As we further acquaint ourselves with one another I waste little time in getting to the incredible story. I wanted to get to the point where she learns she can have a relationship with Christ right now. So I proceed to explain the story of Christ through a concise visual presentation (E3 cube). She kindly obliged and tenderly listened to us as the gospel discussion unfolds before us. As instructed, this is not a presentation, I would like to ask questions to have a small glimpse into her thoughts. What is sin? Is God a sinner? Why is Jesus special? We asked did she understand the illustration and would she like a relationship with Christ? She seemed to gather her thoughts. She explained that she believed in Jesus Christ and had walked with Him for some time now.

I was encouraged and yet bewildered. Why did she let us go on. Wanting to use our time well, I asked, how could we help her, encourage her, pray for her? As her eyes gradually roamed the floor she begin to explain. She raised her kids in the truth of the gospel but they have unfortunately walked away. She said this greatly saddened her. She asked if we could pray for her kids. I at that moment no longer saw foreign, or Colombian. The poverty stricken area in which her home was placed along with the myriad of details that made her complex situation a reality didn't really matter. At that moment I saw a mother grieving the fact her kids were raised in truth but had departed it. I simply and beautifully saw a mother. Like any phenomenal mother, her concern was not for herself, but for her kids. We laid hands and prayed over her. As I continued praying to the Lord, now aloud, I was amazed once again.

The mother begin interceding for her kids as well. She wanted to participate in her kids return to the Lord. She wanted to participate in the promise that what she has invested as she mothered her kids would not return void. After the prayer concluded, she thanked me. As I began to help her collect the chairs she told me, God commands us to go to different nations to share his good news. She thanked me for what I was doing in her neighborhood. Although she knew the gospel well before I presented it, I believe she wanted to invite me in, and encourage me along. How gracious of her to let me in. How selfless of her to hear me out. I will more then likely not see this woman again this side of Heaven. However, her sweet, self-less actions have been impressed upon my heart.

- Vincent Mack

God’s Timing (Women's Colombia Team)

I asked God to prepare my heart and those I would meet before arriving in Barranquilla. I know without a doubt this was a God appointed time on Tuesday at 11:00am. We were walking in a community sharing the gospel when a local pastor walked up and asked if we would be willing to talk to a woman in the area. When we arrived the pastor asked if she would talk to us. She agreed with hesitancy. As I shared my testimony tears began to fill her beautiful eyes. How amazing…. we both share a similar story. She shared some very private details of her life with embarrassment and regret. She told me how she felt so alone. We talked for a long time and both agreed God set this time for her to hear and accept His message of love, forgiveness and a hope for her future. It was His perfect timing for Jenny. He heard her cries and worked it out for a woman from the U.S to meet with her. This was no accident. My heart breaks for Jenny as I know she wants to change her life. She is not proud of her past or present choices, she questions her role as a mother to her 6 children and does not know what to do. It was also perfect timing the 6 woman from 12Stone would be teaching the Diamond Life Journey in a small group setting at the local church. I invited her to come and begin to learn and connect with other woman how to change her life. She was embraced with our “12Stone love” for woman. I know God has big plans for Jenny. I pray she can feel the depth of God’s love as she thinks about how God orchestrated that day for her. If God sent me to Barranquilla for 1 woman named Jenny – it was so worth it!

- Rita Pantels

What about Ramiro and ... (Women's Colombia Team)

So it hit me the fifth day in Barranquilla. I thought I was going to escape it, but I woke up this morning feeling horrible. Yesterday had been sweltering- hot even by the local's standards. I wasn't sure if the nausea was a result of dehydration or some local fare I ingested. I just knew I was weak, so I crawled back into bed and pulled the covers over my head. The thought of heading back to Mesolandia, one of the poorest barrios in Barranquilla was making it worse. When we were there yesterday we walked around sewage running down the dirt roads and mounds of garbage for about 7 hours. Did I mention it was the hottest day some Colombians were able to remember? It's a long ride to that barrio and I knew once I was there I would be there for the duration. I got up to get my phone to check the time. Maybe I would feel better if I just skipped breakfast and showed up at the bus. After checking the time, I went to put my phone in my purse. Ironically, You Version popped up with the verse of the day. It said, "Stay with God! Take heart. Don't quit. I'll say it again: Stay with God." I knew that was for me, so I downed some electrolites provided by my dear friend Rita and I started getting dressed. Another friend Vickie greeted me with some rolls from breakfast and Gatorade. The entire bus ride I was praying to feel better. We met in the church to pray and then headed out for more evangelism- walking down those same heart-breaking dirt roads.

The Area of Mesalondia where we were served on Wednesday and Thursday.

The second house we visited was approximately 12 feet wide and 24 feet long. We were greeted by a frail looking woman who invited us in. She asked us to come in and then led us to a tiny room in the back of the house where her son, Ramiro, was laying in bed. Another man, we found out was his brother was exercising Ramiro's legs. During our visit with Ramiro he shared that in March he had been shot and was paralyzed. As he began to share his story he wept. He was a fisherman with 3 children and was grieving the loss of his future- the loss of his world he knew. We laid hands on him and prayed for his family, for his peace, for his pain and for his total and immediate healing. We shared the story of salvation with him and he accepted Christ. He said he knew that God had been with him in the hospital and spared his life for a reason. Before we left his brother also accepted Christ.
As I walked away from his house, I was grateful I hadn't quit. I would have missed a God appointment with Ramiro. I would have missed speaking belief into a young lady named Monica. I would have missed praying over Denise who wept bitterly as I hugged her because she was so lonely.

I lay my head on my pillow tonight humbled to be used by God to love the people in Barranquilla. Our hearts are knit in a way that feels so much bigger than a meeting, a day or a mission trip.

I lay my head on my pillow tonight knowing Ramiro's name is written in the lambs book of life and that whether it be on earth or in heaven, one day he WILL be healed.

Written by: Donna Whitten

La Chinita (Women's Colombia Team)

Over the last several days, we have been exposed to some of the kindest and most loving people I've ever met. From the translators to the nationals to the people with whom we are sharing the Gospel, we have encountered such amazing love.

For the past few days we've been sharing the gospel with people in the barrios of Barranquilla. When we started, it was awkward and difficult to do, but over the last couple of days it certainly has gotten easier and more fluent. So many of these people have heard the story of our Savior before, but it was so wrapped up in religion and condemnation that they have given up hope, so we get to share the real truth with them.

One of the sweetest moments I've had was when we were evangelizing in La Chinita. The day was hotter than hot, but God opened up the heaven's, and the rain came down; so a family invited us onto their porch. We had a captive audience! :). We were able to share the Gospel with the family. The whole family accepted Christ, we prayed for them, and we were able to hold an I am Second group with them. When it was time for us to leave, the mother said, "I was in a bad mood when you first came here, but now I am so happy." WOW! That is the power of God!

- Tracy Carrasquillo

The People of Barranquilla... (Women's Colombia Team)

So many new things . . . people, places, food, experiences . . . did I mention people? The people of Barranquilla, Colombia are so gracious, warm, and loving . . . they have made the “gringas” feel completely welcome. They are so very warm and thrilled to see us. From translators to “nationals” (people from the local area that accompany us as do street evangelism) to the people of the area, they are genuinely happy to see us and listen to the gospel. Children in the barrios are absolutely thrilled to see us . . . they provide the best hugs, the sweetest smiles, and are so quick to show their gratitude. This experience has been incredible so far . . .

My heartbeat rests with women’s small groups and yesterday’s was no exception. Lord, I pray that you would take all that we have completed and will complete here in Barranquilla and bless the families that were presented with the gospel and are now spreading the Word.

- Nancy Swindler

It's All About You, Jesus (Women's Colombia Team)

Years ago there was a song I loved to sing. The words were "It's not about me, Jesus, its all about you for your glory and your praise." I understand these words at a deeper level than I ever have before. My dependence on God has increased this week and I know that "nothing" that has happened in the lives of the people here in Barranquilla has been from anything I have done. Colombians are the warmest most endearing people I have ever met. To fall in love with them in so very easy. They are so incredibly "ripe" for the harvest. So different from what we experience on a day to day basis in the states. The last few days we have done door to door evangelism in a few of the barriors that are outside of Barranquilla. I am always amazed at the willingness to allow us into their home and they seem so eager just to sit and talk to us. As of yesterday, our team of 51 had shared the gospel with 1687 Colombians and 1027 have come to know Christ as their Savior!! The joy of the Lord that shines from their face is something you cannot deny. God has clearly been our strength and we are experiencing the harvest of others who have planted and watered the seed of salvation. If there is one thing I have walked away with it is the fact that everytime I talk to someone about the saving grace of Jesus I never know how it will take root in their lives. I may never see the result but someone most likely will.

- Lisa Goodwin

Not on my watch! (Leverage Colombia Team)

On our last day in Ciudadela, we didn't have as much time because of the rain. Scarleth, my translator, and Juan Carlos, a member of the church we were working with, headed out for the hour and half we had left before the "I Am Second" groups at the church started. Juan Carlos took us to a house of a guy he knew growing up. Scarleth got from him, before we even sat down, that he was already a Christian and active with his church. Honestly, I didn't think it was worth our time to sit down and talk, but we went in and sat down anyways.


We told him that we were going to share a tool he could use to continue sharing the Word with people. I started with my testimony and he was very receptive and appreciated me telling my story. I then moved into sharing the story of Christ, using the cube. He was really into the illustration of the story, and it was probably the most interactive time I had with someone thus far. It made me rethink my initial thoughts of being at the house. I felt, as I talked with him more, we were both benefitting from the talk and strengthening our faith. At the end of our talk, I asked him if there was anything we could pray for and he was quick to respond with "his family" (side note: I noticed throughout the week when this question was asked to the Colombians, they were quick to respond with praying for everyone around them and then for themselves they were quite humble). When someone said to pray for their family because they weren't a Christian, we always asked if they lived close so we could go visit them. In this case, he made it seem like they were far away. So we prayed and started our way out of the house. As Scarleth and I were standing on the street talking and Juan Carlos was talking to the guy, a lady walked by. Scarleth told me that the guy said it was his daughter. We both looked at each other and knew we needed to share the story again. She told us she had some time to talk, so we started the story on the streets in front of her dad's house. Her husband called after her and she told us that she'd be right back. Standing in the street waiting, a couple with a small baby passed by and went to the guy's house.


Guess who that was... The other daughter! Talk about divine appointments!!! We were able to go back on the porch , talk, and lead the two sisters and the husband to Christ. As Scarleth was telling them about Yo Soy Seguendo (I Am Second), I couldn't help but think about the first hour we spent talking to the dad and how at first I thought we were spending too much time there. Had we left any earlier, we would not have passed the sisters. God knows when and where he wants us to be, and I realize (yet again) that He is in charge of where my time is best spent. I look forward to more of God's timing.

- Jessica

Connect and Invest (Leverage Colombia Team)

(Pastor Jesus Barrios and Jason) "We are not promoting hit and run missions. We are promoting connect and invest." On Monday our team got to see this philosophy in action. As one of the two 12Stone teams in Colombia this week, we have the opportunity to connect with members of different communities over the course of our time here. For the first portion of the week, our team is spending time with a church in the barrio of Ciudadela, near the city's enormous soccer stadium. The church is called Proclamadores del Reino, or, proclaimers of the kingdom. While here, our goal is to help them live out that name, by presenting the gospel with them to residents and to lead them to Christ. But more specifically, it's to model to the members of this small church how to do this themselves with boldness. Since January, our team has been preparing for this trip. A big part of our preparation has been: how do we make an impact without creating dependency? In other words: how to we promote "connect and invest." It's becoming evident that how we do that, is by coming alongside a church and supporting them in their mission. Much like we might find it difficult to walk up to our neighbors and begin evangelizing to them, many of the members of this church are not as bold as they could be in sharing the gospel with those far from Christ in their community. So on Monday, our team of six 12Stoners each became part of a mini-evangelism team consisting of one of us, one translator, and one or two members of the church from Ciudadela. We then went out separately into the neighborhood and began to share our testimonies and a simple but clear account of the Good News. There are many moving stories that each of us encountered, but a perfect example of "connect and invest" that I witnessed myself was the last house I visited on Monday. Of the mother, father, and two daughters who live there, only the youngest, Vanessa, is a Christian and attends the church. The church worker with us knew about Vanessa's family, and specifically planned for us to visit their house, with the idea that bringing a North American in tow was a good excuse to get invited in! She was right. Both Vanessa and her older sister Betty, who is enduring a troubled pregnancy, were home and very willing to talk to us. As we shared the gospel, and listened to Betty's story, she broke in to tears and prayed to accept Jesus. Betty and Vanessa now have a church that will be connecting and investing in them and their family for the long-term. It's my prayer that they would continue connecting and investing and see their whole household come to saving faith. God is moving in Colombia. With prayer and humility, we are joining Him in that work and helping to establish and strengthen the churches here to continue that work well. -steffan

It's Only The Beginning... (Leverage Colombia Team)

This morning all of E3 was welcomed into local churches around Barranquilla. Before leaving, we met our translator for the day, Grenardo, and a member of the church we would be attending, Juan Carlos. It was a quick bus ride and air conditioned ride to our church, which I was thankful for after yesterday’s bus ride. As we were walking through the streets of this neighborhood, it is hard not to noticed some things. First, the ridiculous humidity! Sweat seems to be a big part of all my outfits now. Second, I noticed this a good bit yesterday on the way to our hotel. there are people...everywhere! Now, I am not saying this as if it is an overpopulated place, but I am referring to the fact that people are outside of their houses socializing with one another. Showing us that there is a strong sense of community amongst the Colombians here. I truly believe this will help with the evangelism process, because the people are out there and are ready to communicate with anyone and everyone! Additionally, the houses are REALLY close, so it supports this idea of community. I also saw a lot of trash on the ground as we walked to the church, so it will be nice to see what our plan is for the Recycle for Life program we will be working with later in the week. As we were approaching the church, I reminded myself that it was our mission (given by Sam, the E3 leader of Colombia) to shake everyone’s hand at the church; however, I was quite surprised when I was embraced with a very big hug from the Pastor at the entrance of the church. Let me give you a visual of this church... Imagine your garage with the door open and a small awning. Squished in this garage and under the awning is a keyboard, drum set, podium, plastic chairs, a couple fans, and no air conditioner. This illustrates Iglesia Cristiana:Proclamadores del Reino, the church we attended. As we were so warmly welcomed into the church, we were quickly given seats and water. The members were already in their time of worship. If you were at the prayer send off, you might remember that I have NO background in the Spanish language (however, I was trying my best to master my small skills at the airport yesterday). It has been quite interesting to be on the opposite side of the table feeling completely lost in what’s going on because of the language barrier; however, the love for Christ has no language. I was completely moved to see how in love these people were with Christ and singing praise to Him. I had no clue what was being said, but I could feel God’s presence. A man sitting next me was weeping, lifting his hands, and singing loudly throughout the worship. I could feel his dedication to Christ. I also observed that between each song it appeared almost every person was in prayer. I should’ve asked someone what was going on. Later between songs in the worship, we were given the opportunity to greet people (this was suppose to be another handshaking opportunity), and we were once again welcomed with loving hugs and handshakes. It’s amazing how without speaking the same language we have a companionship through Christ. Once the worship time was finished for the day, Steffan was welcomed to the front to share his testimony and then Grenaldo provided a sermon for the church. It was nice to take the time to absorb the surroundings, since I wasn’t able to follow along with the message, which was given in Spanish. It reaffirmed the sense of culture that is in Colombia. I saw people coming in and out of houses. People were sitting on their front porches talking to one another, and they weren’t consumed with other things like we tend to be. At the closing of the service, we were able to meet with more of the church members, and we thanked them for allowing us to come into their church for the morning. We got back to the hotel in enough time to rest for a few minutes, and then head to the training meeting. This was a time for Sam to review and train us on what we would be doing throughout the week. We reviewed the EvanageCube that we would use to teach the Gospel when we went out into the communities. The training meeting was followed by the meeting of the Colombians, which included our translators and the people from the church we would be working with. We were all pleasantly surprised to see that we would be working with the church we attended earlier in the day. We had already started making connections with them in the morning, so it made the meet and greet a little bit easier. Some of us started pairing up with a translator, and I must admit I was seeking one person in particular because she spoke pretty fluent English. We were able to talk for a little bit until saying our goodnights. With all that was going on throughout the day, I am ready to review the material and hit the sack, because I know great work is going to happen tomorrow. The team asks that everyone reading this blog post would petition on our behalf that God would provide us with the strength and confidence to share the Gospel with the people of Colombia. We ask that you pray their hearts are opened up to you and that you speak to them through us. Additionally, that all members of the 12Stone team are safe as they go out into the streets of Colombia. -Jessica

All The Feelings (Leverage Colombia Team)

As I sit here continuing to procrastinate on packing (and writing the paper that’s due on Sunday for my doctoral program), I can’t help but take in all the feelings going on in my head. Excited. Nervous. Curious. Thrilled. Anxious. Blessed. Reflective. If you go back just a year ago from this moment, I would have never pictured myself preparing to head out on a mission trip. It’s funny how God can take ahold of your life in such a short amount of time and begin to paint a much different picture. When I decided to go on the trip in late-February I was quite excited, but shortly after meeting with my amazing team I began to question if I was someone who was really qualified to go on this trip. These thoughts remained a silent whisper on my heart, and they were further fueled after hearing a fellow team member’s testimony. His upbringing was strong in faith, and I had to admit that I was a bit embarrassed to follow his story. After wrapping up my own testimony, I confessed to him (and the group) that I was jealous of his testimony. He quickly reassured me not to be ashamed, because it is MY story and it makes me who I am today. This was further confirmed when a friend told me, “It doesn’t matter when and where you start your walk with Christ, but how you finish.” Slowly I became comfortable in knowing that God has a purpose for me now and even on the mission trip. Over the next few months, I spoke to others who had been on mission trips or were preparing for one in the near future, and I found a common theme…no matter where you are in your walk with Christ, we are ALL nervous/anxious/scared/perplexed/apprehensive(you get the picture) that we do not possess all of the knowledge to give justice to who and what He is; however, God would not have placed this calling on our hearts to go if we were not ready to do SOMETHING for Him. With only a day and half before heading out to Colombia I remind myself a few things…He knows what I possess. He knows I am prepared to do His name glory in whatever fashion He deems fit for me. He knows there is someone in Colombia that is waiting to hear MY story. He knows me for me. -Jessica Douglas

A World Beyond Our Backyard (Leverage Colombia Team)

It’s Sunday afternoon on June 10... Four hours until the prayer send off, 6 days until all our financial support must be in, and 13 days until we are in Colombia! I’ve started this “intro” blog a dozen times and at some point I’ll post the “long one” with all my thoughts. But for now I’ll save all that and just tell you how overwhelmed I am at the incredible opportunity God has invited our team to be a part of, to see Him at work in a world beyond our backyard. I’m pretty sure I can say that our team (with the exception of our leader, Steffan, who has been before) has no idea what we are in for when we arrive in Barranquilla, Colombia. I can speak for myself that the first time I heard the heart behind what e3 is doing in Colombia through evangelism, discipleship, and community development, I knew that was something I wanted desperately to be a part of. Not because it’s a new country to add to my list of “Christian Tourism.” Not because its a new experience to add pictures to Facebook. Not because of anything other than knowing I wanted to be exactly where God is at work and where He is moving in such a mighty way. And that is exactly what I’ve heard over and over from each person who has been to Barranquilla with e3. There is so much more to share: about our team that has been meeting over the past several months, about the incredible faith of the Colombian Nationals we’ll be partnering with (based on the stories that have been recounted to us), about the communities of La Chinita and La Luz that we’ll be serving in, about the expectations we have for the trip, about the ways we hope to jump in and be a part of God’s Kingdom work down there... and the list goes on. So again I’ll save some of that for later. For myself and the other team members to share. I’ll wrap it up by begging of you to PRAY. For our leader, Steffan, to lead with wisdom, boldness, compassion, discipline, and conviction. For our team, Jessica, Edbbie, Vincent, Jason, and myself, to serve and evangelize with humility, courage, trust, obedience, and passion. For us to encourage and support the local Colombian believers that we will partner with on projects they have selected to impact their communities. That they will share their love, faith, and passion for Jesus in a way that will be a testimony to their community and to our team. For the nationals we will get to minister to, that they will be curious to hear our story of why we are there and that God will speak through us in a way that each needs to hear. For our God to be glorified, plain and simple. - Emily