Last blog of Colombia!! The last couple weeks of Colombia were amazing. In Medellín, our days were filled with cutting tomatoes and potatoes, Spanish worship, Colombian markets, sunsets, and sweet goodbyes before we headed off to Guatapé for a week of debrief!
My team had kitchen duty the last two weeks, which was definitely our favorite ministry in the foundation. We cut, peeled, and sorted through hundreds of green beans, potatoes, cabbages, tomatoes, peas, cauliflower, and onions (which did, in fact, make us cry). This was to help the kitchen make meals for our squad because cooking three meals a day for 42 people is a lot of work for five kitchen staff. We got to know the kitchen staff really well in these two weeks. They also knew me pretty well due to my gluten allergy 😅 One of my funniest memories was after I said bye to them, I was walking away and Daniel, the main kitchen staff guy, says, “GLUTEN FREE!! 🙌🏼” They are the sweetest people ever and were honestly the hardest to say goodbye to. They truly shine the light of Jesus through their generous actions and caring hearts.
(Lisa- the main kitchen staff^)
Worship was also a big part of our last few weeks in Medellín with both the squad and Medellín locals! On our second to last night, we had youth group on the roof and we sang super fun spanish music, praising the Lord together. This was by far my favorite memory of all of Colombia. It was so incredibly special because there was so much joy and thankfulness, and it was a beautiful testimony of how the Lord moved and brought us together in our time there. After worship, the squad sat down with the locals and members of the foundation and shared how we have impacted each other and how we have encouraged each other in faith. They are truly some of the most genuine people I have ever met, and hearing both how we have blessed them and how they have blessed us was so special.
The last Wednesday night, I also got to visit the Broncs again (read my Colombia 2+3 blog for an in-depth description). This experience was similar to the last time, but the streets were a little busier. Last time, my group mostly stayed in this one area, but this time my group walked along the crowded street lined with drug tents, and prayed for the drug dealers! We definitely got pushed around a bit more by people who are mentally unstable (everyone is ok… mothers, no need to worry!), but it honestly gave me so much joy knowing that I was being pushed around solely for the Lord. The Broncs is such a unique experience, and I am so grateful I got to go a second time and shine the light of Christ in this dark place.
For our last week of Colombia, my squad travelled two hours to a different city, Guatapé (by far the most beautiful place I have ever been!) and had a week of debrief. Our coaches and mentors, who lead and mentor us from the states, also came to Guatapé, and throughout the week met with each team to reflect on our time in Colombia. It was a time of looking back and remembering how we saw the Lord work and how we grew individually and as a team, while also acknowledging ways we may have struggled or ways we can improve going into our next country. When we weren’t in team meetings, we were hanging out by the lake, playing games, resting, swing dancing, personally reflecting, having one-on-ones with the coaches/mentors, swimming, cooking, and just simply enjoying our time together, knowing we were about to be split up into teams across the country in Vietnam. We also spent a lot of time in prayer and worship as a squad, thanking the Lord for our time in Colombia and praying into our next season of Vietnam. At the end of the week we had friendsgiving, which was such a sweet time to serve and encourage each other as we close out this first chapter of the Race.
(my team!^)
I have learned and experienced so much in my time in Colombia, and throughout many ups and downs, the Lord has ultimately showed me a deeper revelation of His realness and His love for me. I am so excited for Vietnam, and my prayer is that He would continue to reveal Himself and work through me in all the big and small ways. Thank you for all your support and prayers in this journey of mine so far, and I will continue to keep y’all updated in my adventures and experiences. Next up: Vietnam!!
Mo 😊
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” – 2 Corinthians 2:14-15
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