Simon was a Golden Lion Tamarin or a Golden Marmoset which is a reddish orange to golden brown monkey found in some natural parks of Colombia.
We celebrated Isabela's 15th birthday "quinceañera", a Colombian tradition similar to the Jewish Bat Mitzvah, where we pronounced blessings upon her life. Isabela came to the ministry when she was almost half her current age. She now lives in the "Kiwi House" at the ministry farm. We all dressed up as in the 60's.
Juan, Andrés and Yina are Isabela's siblings who are in 24h care. Julián and Doris have also been in the ministry since they were little. Doris is going to Chile this month to do a YWAM Disclepship Training School. Edwin from Venezuela and Annie from the US are part of our staff.
You cannot have a celebration in Latin America without dancing!!!
128 kids showed up to the "Jungle" Bible Club from the prostitute zone of Bogotá. They had a teaching about how valuable we are to God, they did crafts according to their age, and played... Wi games, soccer, basketball, ping-pong, climbed a wall, etc. Both Carlos and Alex go to serve at the club and build relationships with the kids.
Gabriela started Ballet classes which are sponsored by the township where we live. She loves it, as you can tell.
All of the kids are doing well at school. We are looking into the possibility of homeschooling them next year.
Our ministry work has been mostly a catch up from our time away and planning for the rest fo the year including teams that are coming soon. There is also a seminar on transforming pre streetkids that will be run for the month of April.
This year there are less full time volunteers- the school has not opened all of its levels yet. It looks like their might be a new teacher starting soon which will be great.
Carlos was away last weekend in a town 9 hours away. His grandmother died. She was 85 and died peacefully in her sleep. Her husband of 67 years is still alive. Carlos was able to write to her about 5 years ago about the process of salvation and the family member who read her the letter said that she kept repeating Jesus and that she understood that she was saved. I don't think many people celebrate so many years of marriage. His grandfather is not well and the family thinks that he will not last long without his wife. They had 10 children, 19 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
