Mission Colombia

Who knew that our adoption would lead us to where we are today? Who knew we'd be serving in Colombia this day with a heart for the people of this land? Who knew?

God is so good. I think he only gives us pieces of the story as we are ready to receive them. We never have the full picture until He is ready to reveal it. I can see how we only had "a little piece" of the picture of our own adoption story and how it relates to the Kingdom of Heaven. He has knit us with so many other believers thru our adoption, and He's impregnated us with this desire, this passion to serve the people of Colombia and help win them over to Christ by sharing the Gospel!

Today, we had the opportunity to help serve children breakfast in Coronado. This is a second church plant that the Hills' have established. There were over 60 children that came out this morning. It was heartbreaking to see the children so needy and to think of how much we have... if you could have only seen them! It would melt your heart!

To see them look after one another... and the little guy who would bring more children in from the streets for food... the two little ones that followed me around and gave me lots of hugs! The grandmother with the disabled child... the family from Florencia who had not eaten in 2 days... Each of them, with their own story... As you look at these pictures, pray for the work that this ministry is doing to reach the lost and hungry souls of Coronado... I covet your prayers; they covet them.

This princesa followed me around quite a bit. She didn't mind giving mucho abrazos! I wish I could be a neighborhood mami, ya know? Be a safe place for children like her and the many other to come to... Please pray that this Church here get the resources and manpower that they might be that... Making a difference in the community in which they live... I believe they are doing it already; However, the need continues to grow in the community of Coronado.

This family photo is a woman with only two of her children. She has 3 more. We sent these children backpacks with goodies last year. The mother has seen both husbands (married twice) killed in front of her by the guerillas. She's fled from Florencia, where our children were born. She is emotionally distant. When Bro. Milton introduced us, she look down and was minimal eye contact.

HOWEVER, after breakfast was served, she approached me. Did not say anything, but just came near to me and smiled. I asked her for a hug. She let us take pics of her and the family. She has a few more daughters and another son who is another picture. She sojourns from place to place, and the children often stay with different people.



Jose, precious Jose. He is the child who went out into the streets to gather more children to come and eat. And what did they have to eat? Eggs and a piece of bread. It is the only food that some of them will eat today. God bless our bud, Jose!

Tatiana serving. We gave out the cars and dolls we had brought before they ate. We ran out of cars, because some of the girls wanted cars instead... Next year, instead of backpacks/balls, I want to get at least 100+ matchbox cars! Can we do it?

This was a grandmother with a "special" child, she called him that. He is unable to walk. He talks but is very shy. Grandmother seemed very appreciative for the food and car. She came up to me and just talked away, and bless her heart, I had no clue of what she was saying except, "special". You could tell she was genuinely grateful.

Something in the spiritual happened today. Something with Tatiana and Andrew...they may not see it just yet. But this physical act of serving meant a great deal more than just handing a cup of cocoa and bowl of eggs to a hungry child... It has been such a blessing to see them serve and want to!

See the child in the plaid? The bigger one? He is a son to the Florencia' family above. He came to eat, but then left to go work. Yes, I said, go work. Does that anger you? That baby... working! No school... for public school, you must pay for it. These people have no money... so today, he is working...and he may make 50cents, maybe! And according to the pastors here, that will probably go to the people who he is staying with (mother moves around and the children stay with different people). Please pray for him. I believe his name is Carlos.

We gave out cars and dolls. This is one of the first guys to arrive. He also gave lots of hugs! He was with the girl. I think they may be siblings.

This is another Pastor's wife. She did the cooking. They were so proud of the pots & pans, and new knives... showing them off. Before, when they would serve, they would bring pots and pans, and even a stove from another member's home in Palmira to cook for the community.

They were able to purchase a new stove for this church. The Pastor's wife was thrilled commenting often on how beautiful it was... It didn't stop her from putting it to quick use.