Great Visiting Teams

Gabriela

It is a long weekend and we are enjoying some time with Carlos' extended family a few hours from Bogotá. It has been good to get out of the city and relax a bit. There have been a few changes in dates with some visiting teams so this weekend became free.

There has been an average of one visiting team a month this year. This has kept Carlos busy organizing their visits. The first was a YWAM team from Kona, Hawaii. They were with us for 2 weeks and were a great blessing to the different ministries that they visited. Two of the team's members stayed on to be students at the Children at risk training school that started last week. We then had a team from Venezuela, they made huge sacrifices to come ( if you are up to date on political happenings you may understand some of these) and even though they were only with us a week, these university students impacted the lives of many of our teenagers. The last team has been from Texas, USA. They are a church team that have come many times and are an extension of the family. Their church has a goal that 100% of the congregation go on a mission trip in a 5 year time frame. They are like 75% of the way in their 3rd year of this goal. The ministry's USA accountant is a part of this church. It was good for me (Katrina) to sit down and go over the accounting books and see that we have everything balanced. Technology makes the job a lot easier but there is nothing like a face to face conversation. This team also did some videoing for a new DVD of the ministry and took lots of photos for the web page.

These are children who live in the prostitution area

These visiting teams not only come to serve in our ministry. With the schedule that Carlos organizes, an average of 350 kids at risk are reached per team with the gospel in very fun ways. They share dramas, Bible stories, songs, games, and crafts, all with the salvation message included. They have worked with orphans, street kids, children of the prostitutes, children addicted to drugs, etc. Carlos gets overwhelmed every time he works with these teams as there is so much need in this city and the children are the first to suffer. Carlos receives several invitations to bring more teams to different places , it is great that the gospel can be shared openly even in non christian programs.

The Texas team in a very dangereous part of town called "Altos de Cazuca"

The team that arrives next week is doing construction work on the Children's play auditorium. Neighbourhood kids from the prostitute zone have been able to use it for a Bible Club but it still needs some work. Bit by bit it is getting into shape. Carlos was able to be at the first Bible club and said it was great to see these kids involved and listening to the gospel. We plan to volunteer there regularly as they meet on a Saturday so it won't affect our main commitment with the administrative side of the ministry. Between 50 to 60 kids turn up many have never heard the gospel and they are in much need of having healthy fun and hearing that Jesus loves them.

Having Fun

One of our ministries Bible Clubs called "The Jungle" in the prostitution zone

NEWS SNIPPETS

Visiting street people regular has been hard as there are not enough people on the team to go out. Carlos and a guy from Holland are the only regulars who go. It is not safe to have so few people, so they only get to go when others are available to accompany them. The hope is that the street team will grow and trust can be established with the street people so that they will openly hear the gospel.

This is the place where we are building friendship and trust with the street dwellers. The white against the wall is people wrapped up sleeping.

Carlos is now apart of YWAM Bogotá 3 team, which is the leadership group for the 10 different YWAM ministries in the city. He continues to serve as a deacon at church. Our church has moved so that it could reach more youth. The rented warehouse already has more than 400 people attending.

I have just become a part of the board of the school which our children attend. We really don't like meetings but it is a way that we can serve outside of the children's ministry.

Prayers answered:
We had been praying for a new accountant and auditor for the ministry and God has provided some great people who really know what they are doing and are committed to the work. Other new staff have joined the team also. We still need some key people such as teachers and experienced house parents. There are over 30 regular volunteers and over 400 kids been reached. Three young adults who all lived for various years in a ministry home where all in Chile when the earthquakes happened. Two were able to go and help the victims, the other is married to a Chilean and has a young baby to look after. We are hearing great things of what God is doing in the lives of the Chilean people.

There were times when we weren't sure if this years bi-lingual training school for “Children at Risk” workers was really going to happen, with not enough staff, few students,and logistical problems but it is going well in it's second week with 9 students and 4 staff from 5 nations.

FAMILY WISE
Simon turned 7 this month. He had a party at his grandparents farm, with his cousins and some school friends. He had wanted a pinata, but his mum is not very expert in these and brought a cheap one that fell apart with a slight breeze, sticking tape did the job until the contents were poured in and then immediately poured out. The solution a black rubbish bag. All went well apart from a boy accidentally been hit in the mouth with the broom handle. Luckily no teeth were broken and his parents were present to bring comfort.

Simon's 7th Birthday, Alex is the tall giant in the back

This last month we have been house hunting as miraculously we were granted a loan to buy a house. It looks like we will move to a small town near Bogotá, close to the kids school, were prices are a bit cheaper. We have been renting for eight years and that money will now go to the loan. We have also been looking into other ways to support our selves as our support doesn't cover our daily expenses and with Gabriela ready for school that's another NZ $430.00 a month that we need. God shut various doors and we continue to pray about this need.

PRAYER REQUESTS.

• Our ministry director has heart problems, please pray for his healing and that he will be restored to full health soon.


• For guidance in the house buying process.


• Pray for good health, all of us have had a lot of colds and flu's.

Thank you for your prayers, emails, and support. We pray God's blessing on your lives.

Carlos and Katrina