No. 34 is our own home that God has blessed us with. We love living here.
We as a family have seen tremendous blessings in the past few months, both ministry and family wise.
On the ministry front, we had the privilege to host many outreach teams; one of those was from YWAM Oxford, New Zealand but we also had teams from churches in the USA (Texas and Michigan) and Venezuela. Every team is very unique and diverse and each one of them always leaves a mark in the children we serve. Sometimes we also get new staff involved in our ministry as a result of these visits. For example, this year we received a volunteer who had been in the New Zealand team the year before. Kristi was a great blessing in our Drop-in Center and in the 24 hour care program.
The picture below may not say much to you. However, for those of us who have been involved long term in this ministry it reminds us of Gods transforming power. Most of the kids in this picture have been with us for many years, they came from the worst backgrounds that you can imagine and are now becoming men and women who fear the Lord. They have become part of our extended family.
Family wise we have been involved in different activities outside of our ministry. Katrina for example is part of the board of directors were our children go to school. She is the secretary and with a group of other parents they make sure, among other things, that the school doesn’t turn away from the vision of providing an excellent education with Christian principles. The school was originally created to teach missionary children and over the years has opened its doors to Colombian Christians who are serving the local church, due to the decreased number of missionaries in Colombia.
Talking about the school, last month Gabriela started pre-kinder. We as parents were a bit concerned for the transition she had to make to become more independent. Thanks to God the transition has gone very smoothly, she loves the school and believe it or not, it was harder for us as parents than for her, to stay for her first full day of classes ( 7 and half hours). Below is a picture of our three “little” children that first day of this school year.
Some of the activities in which I have been involved in outside of the Streetkids’ ministry is being part of the Bogota YWAM leadership team. This has been a new experience for me since God has stretched me to seek Him even more to be able to provide guidance and discernment to 9 different YWAM ministries in the city. I already have had to be involved in a very hard decision concerning the closure of a YWAM school that ran for 25 years.
I have also been involved in an amazing evangelistic program at our church, where hundreds of teenagers and children have given their lives to God. The picture below shows my spiritual children. Yes, I had the privilege to lead these young men to the Lord. They all accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior in a three-day camp that ran our church outside of Bogotá.
The picture below are adults that I was able to present the Salvation plan. Their hearts are harder than the kids´ but I am so happy that three of them are attending church and being disciple. We also rejoice in that our sister in law Claudia also became a Christian at the adult evangelistic camp. She now attends home group and church with us. Please pray for my brother that he also will be open to hear the good news that Jesus is the Savior.
These last photos are of some friends that God gave me the privilege of being present when they received their adopted daughter.
Thank you so much for your part in this ministry that God has given us. Thank you so much for making it possible for us to do what we are doing here. Couldn't do it without you.
I hope that the recent earthquake down in Christchurch has not affected you too much. I had several people contact me here who saw it on the news. We are praying that all settles down Ok.
Gabriela's 4th birthday
Princess, pink and purple are the best
Carlos and Gabriela
