Christmas Greetings

Most of our updates this year include trips to the emergency room. This one is no exception. Simon has developed a severe reaction to strawberries that affected his breathing. It was very scary for all, as Katrina drove Alex sat with Simon telling him to keep breathing. We are very thankful to God that we were able to get him to the hospital quickly and he was able to receive treatment immediately. He was released three hours later with strict instructions to take some medicine for the next few days and not to eat strawberries ever again. We are wondering why couldn't his allergic reaction be to Brussel Sprouts, or Mondongo (Colombian tripe soup) ...  or something else much less appetizing than Strawberries!

Apart from these unexpected emergency trips the kids have all been well. Simon played Jingle Bells on the piano for a concert last week. Gabriela performed a Chinese ballet for her end of year presentation and Alex is just finishing studying for his end of semester exams.

Gaby in her Chinese ballet outfit

We, along with 50 others from the ministry were able to have a weekend retreat. It was a good time of fellowship and a much needed break for everyone. A few weeks ago we spent the afternoon fellowshipping some more, as one of our volunteers got married three hours later than planned. The wedding was a beautiful tribute to who God is.  It is the season for weddings; there are 3 more engaged couples on our team.

Ministry retreat

 

 

 

Alex at the wedding

These last few months we have spent a lot of time seeking God about the future direction of the ministry. There are a lot of volunteers and a lot of needs but very little cash. We have been looking at what we have and how to best use that to reach children and their families with the gospel.  One of the ideas involves selling some of the buildings and focus on other areas of the work. We have had a lot of offers and the mayor is apparently going to make a law where 30% of your selling price goes in taxes. He is also making new zoning laws. If we are to sell we should do so now, according to man’s logic.  However, our leadership team needs to make decisions according to what God plans and not man. Which way we choose affects many people now and for the future, so we really need to hear Gods voice clearly.

A lot of ministry activities are closing down for Christmas. The group that works with the families, had an end of year event and the school has its end of year program last Friday. Two weeks ago was the last official Jungle Club for the year. Many kids go to visit family members from other parts of the country.

The Jungle club facilities were also used by other areas of the ministry. The Friends Club that operates in the south of the city brought 100 kids to the Jungle Club facilities for a reward on the 15th. These kids have been faithful in coming to the club this year and have learnt many things about God.  Also some sponsors will host an event for kids there. It is good to see the buildings used more regularly. This year a local church has been holding services there so there is a real sense of belonging in the community.

Our family calendar is full of events until Christmas and we have had to say no to various activities. It is a bit overwhelming with lots of busyness. We have to make a conscious effort to stay focused on why we are here and that the kids and their families know the reason for Christmas.

Prayer points:

·         God protection for all in the ministry, as this is high crime season,
·         For the adaption to the culture and ways of the ministry for the 5 new foreign staff
·         Thanks to God for keeping Simon safe.
·         Peace in the midst of the busyness.
·         Alex, as he prepares and takes his last exam tomorrow.
·         For some books for Carlos to translate

 

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

 

The Paez family

The Last Few Months

The first school quarter is over. The kids had a week’s break in which we went to a missions conference that our church was running. It was a great time of fellowship and being able to hear some great talks. The best one for both Carlos and I was on team work and conflict resolving. The kids had a program in the mornings and the afternoons were games and swimming. The camp is with huge dorms with 3-tier bunks and 80 to a room. There was not much sleep but it was refreshing for the spirit. 



 

Christian Character Day at school.
Gabriela as Mary Slessor 

Simon dressed up as Loren Cunningham ( YWAM founder),
 with a first grader as Steve Bartel (our director)

Gabriela and I left the camp to attend her first gymnastics competition. After a 13 hour bus ride we arrived with her team. A midnight meal and then at 1:00am the girls got to bed. The next morning they had practice and then the opening ceremony. This was an international competition but only one or two of the 30 teams were from outside of Colombia. A 6:00am start for competition day left the girls yawning as they waited to compete. Considering the lack of sleep Gabriela and friends did well. She is in level 1 and was competing against girls from 6 to 9 years old.  That night we had a 10 hour trip back to Bogota arriving at 6:00am.  Two days later and we were still catching up on sleep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In August Gabriela turned 6 and in September Alex turned 15. All 3 kids have been back at school this school year. I was pleased to see that both Simon and Gabriela have got good grades as that means last year’s homeschooling was a success.

Gabriela`s 6th Birthday

 

Alex turned 15.

 



Alex's latest hair style



Back view of Alex`s new hair style

Ministry wise

The Jungle club continues to attract a lot of kids. There was one very special day when the ministry was celebrating 30 years back in September. The parents were invited for a lunch and the testimony of the lady who started the ministry really impacted the parents, many of whom were in tears. She had been a university student and a member of a guerilla group, when she became a Christian and joined YWAM. For 2 years she along with 7 others interceded for the street people, many times holding all night prayer vigils. The building that we have bought to hold the Jungle clubs in was once a church. The pastor 28 years ago was the only one who would allow his church building to be used for the street people to have a church service. Now this is happening weekly in the same building.  God has a purpose for the people of this neighborhood and it started in prayer.

In the 30 year celebration there were very many encouraging stories and testimonies. It was fun to collect data for some statistics. Here is some of it. There have been 18 couples who met in the ministry and later married including Carlos and myself, 17 ministries were started in different cities and countries after volunteers receiving training with us, 18 kids have been the first family member to ever graduate from high school and most of them the first to complete primary school. 16 kids who grew up in the ministry served or are serving God in ministry; volunteers from 35 different countries have served with us.  The fence in front of the office has been painted by people from 17 nations.

The school has had some new students starting along with some new teachers. There are another 6 kids ready to graduate to a normal school next year. The academic coordinator is returning to the USA next year. Please pray that we would find the right coordinator quickly so there will be a smooth transition.

The 31st of October a specail Jungle event was held to give kids a safe place to be. 170 kids came and heard the gospel. Last Saturday Carlos went into the rooms where some of the kids live. It is heart breaking to see the squalor and hopelessness of there reality.

The ministry continues to have more expenses than income. Please join us in prayer for God’s continued provision. We are studying and praying about different possibilities to have fewer expenses but we need to know God’s plan. Please pray for His guidance.

Alex sprained his knee and the next day Simon his ankle. Both are now mended.

Thankful

We got to experience some of the improvements in Colombian hospital care at the end of June when Katrina had her appendix removed.  God answered prayers with the medical insurance company allowing her to be operated on in a good hospital close by. There was a bed for her in a room after the surgery. The night her surgery was first planned the power went off 7 times with a noticeable delay before the generators kicked in. When her surgery did occur the power was normal. She healed well and is back to normal activities. We are very thankful to God that even though there were some negatives experiences during the hospital visit, the overall care and surgery was good compared to the usual public health service which has people on gurneys in halls or with drips inserted sitting on wooden stools.

We are glad that experience is over and are very thankful for God giving us good health.

Gabriela and Simon showing a visitng USA team the ministry farm

The USA team installing the roof to the play tower

Carlos and his brother Sergio celebrating their birthdays

Our directors have been in the USA and Europe since May, they return in August. This means a bit more work  for us. The ministry, in general has been going well. There is a good group of volunteers to serve in the different areas. Financially, there are a lot of expenses, and donations for the daily food and education has been very low. Katrina in particular finds this hard as she has to make decisions as to how much money goes where and which bills to pay. In the middle of this financial shortage God answered a 5 year request and we received a donation to complete the purchase of the houses used to serve the children and families in the prostitution zone of Bogota.

Simon with his friend and cousins

Carlos has to deal with all the legal work of the ministry. Even though we have the money to complete the actual purchase mentioned above, there has been 3 weeks of delays that continue to occur with paperwork on the seller’s side. Please pray that everything will be worked out soon. Carlos needs a lot of patience and wisdom in all of the legal matters. Things here are not that simple with trips to different offices and receiving different answers to the same questions.

We can still see God at work in lives of kids though at times it is hard to see the trees for the forest. Some of the kids in the ministry are facing difficult situations please pray for kids that are being evicted for the 5^th time and for some 10 to 12 year olds for whom  the pull of gang life is hard to resist.

The ministry focus on restoring families has also not been without challenges. The husband of the coordinator of this ministry area fell through a roof and down two floors. He was mending when their baby received 3^rd degree burns to his lower face and chest. It has not been easy for the family but they can see God at work and they have a new dependence on Him. Their baby is healing amazingly well and surgery and skin drafts were not needed. Please keep them in your prayers.

Family wise
Alex has his afro at its longest. Someone was finally able to explain how to look after it probably, so his parents have relented and let him keep it. He has 3 more weeks of holidays before he starts his new school year. He now enters 9^th grade in the American high school system.  A month ago he measured 178cm without the afro.

Alex's afro dream!!

Simon is into video games and basketball. He enjoyed playing in a competition a few weeks ago. After much prayer we are stepping out in faith and putting both Simon and Gabriela back into school. We had a good experience homeschooling but the reason why we are here in Bogota is to serve in the ministry. Time wise Katrina felt too pulled with the various roles she had to do. In a couple of weeks Simon will have testing at the school to make sure he kept up to his grade level while being homeschooled. He is nervous about this. He prefers homeschooling.

Simon's Basketball team

Gabriela on the other hand can’t wait to get back to friends and activities at school. Meanwhile she is kept busy over the holidays by taking daily gymnastic classes. 

We ask for your prayers to enable us to meet the schooling costs. The school board is most likely to give us a half scholarship. We still need NZD $3000.00 to enroll the kids, buy books and uniforms. Then for 9 months pay $800.00  a month for fees.  Education definitely isn’t cheap here but it is a worthwhile investment.



Gabriela's ballet recital

 

Gabriela in the middle of her cousins












Carlos was able to serve at to evangelistic camps run by our church here. In the first camp he lead 7 men and in the second 9 boys.  The majority of whom accepted the Lord as their Savior.  We thank God for allowing us to serve Him in this way.

Alex's real afro



Motherhood

Motherhood is a challenging and growing experience. Some mothers are more prepared for this role than others. The Formando Vidas pregnant teenagers Bible Club is a place where girls are being prepared for this role. Aspects of God’s character and just being loved and accepted are a key part of the club. The 25 girls who attend the weekly meetings live in a social welfare home close by in the Bogota’s red zone district. They are basically in jail and have many needs. There are approximately 60 girls in this building and it is a reward for them to come to the club. A Biblical teaching, memory verses, and a craft are some of what they learn. Most importantly they are able to see through actions and not just words that God is interested in them and loves them and their children.

This is a new area of evangelism that God has opened up. Other doors that He has opened is with government run programs for young gang members, street kids and other teenagers at risk. Through visiting teams, Carlos has been able to contact these residential programs offering them a program. Songs, testimonies, teachings, games or crafts are the tools used. Kids’ lives are being transformed in these visits. A Venezuelan team were so enthusiastically received that kids were crying when they left after a couple of hours. These are kids who have lived many years in institutions, many have never experienced real family life, they have learnt to survive and for them to experience a few hours of childhood joy is something very rare.

For us as a family things are in a bit of a routine. Carlos leads a Jungle Club once a month. Alex loves to serve with him there. (In the latest ministry blog www.colombiastreetkids.org  there are a few comments from kids who attend the fortnightly Jungle clubs.) There are a few legal things that take up his time and he continues to have quite a few different meetings to attend while co-leading YWAM in Bogota and translating to do. He works long hours to fit everything in.

Brothers that regularly attend the Jugle Club

Kids enjoying the Jungle Club

We have had some new long term staff join us which is great. There has been an influx of short termers as well which has been a blessing. There are now 35 volunteers who work at least weekly and another 20 or so monthly.  There is quite a bit of administrative work to do. The ministries income has been lower this year and the expenses a lot more.  This gets stressful at times but only when our eyes leave the Provider and focus on the circumstances, if you multiply the cost of raising your kids by 60 or 70 then you would be close to what we need.  And maybe then you could imagine how easy it is to move the focus to the need and get stressed. God continues to be faithful and we have some stories of amazing provision. The purchase of two houses where our evangelism and initial contact with kids and families occurs is a project that on paper was to take 18 months. This month, 5 years later, we are in the process of signing the purchase papers. From 3 year olds who gave their piggy banks to a widow that gave over a year’s salary, a matching grant that was very informal with no or little paperwork, all were ways that God provided. The glory goes to no one but HIM. He is simply amazing.

On that note we have taken the step of enrolling all 3 of our kids back into school for next year. I have learnt a lot and hopefully Simon and Gabriela have also over the last school year. However, the ministry needs more time that I was not able to give and Gabriela needs more challengers in her work and misses her classmates. Simon is not that keen on returning as he likes not having homework and has homeschooling friends he plays with regularly. As a family we are stepping out in faith. We have some incredibly faithful donors that we are extremely grateful to God for. At this time our regular monthly support is less than half of what we need. Add the huge expense of schooling and we have less than a third. This year for the first time the school is offering a scholarship for missionaries’ kids. We will be applying for this and relying on God to raise monthly supporters.

Please pray with us for this need. With today’s economy it is hard for many to give. We are asking for people to prayerfully consider supporting us in the work we are doing by giving $5.00 a week.

Other prayer points:

• Our school year is coming to a close in 2 weeks. We are finishing up all the required school work and are looking forward to a break.  But before then Alex has his final exams starting next week.
• Our ministry directors are on furlough until mid August. Please pray for all on the team as we help cover their roles.
• Pray for the planning of the ministries’ 30 year celebration that happens this September.
• Pray for the ministries finances and transforming miracles in the lives of children and their families.

Many blessings,

Katrina for all

Foundations!!!

2012 starts with many challenges for our ministry (i.e. the dollar has plummeted, prices has risen, the number of kids going to regular schools has increased, etc.), but we started the year as a team with firm foundations, looking for God and His will.

Katrina awoke in the early hours of the night in the beginning of the year with the thought that our team should focus this year in the different aspects of the Lord’s Prayer. So before our team started the regular activities of the year, we had a week-long induction focusing on the different themes related to this prayer.  5 of the 6 members of the leadership team (Steve and Evie, Sonia, and Katrina and myself) took one portion of the Lord’s Prayer and led the team meetings for the week.  We studied together topics such as God´s holiness, the fear of God, dependence on Him, listening to His heart, worship and obedience, faith, confession and forgiveness, repentance, building solid relationships, unity, mutual love, trials, distractions, perseverance, and spiritual warfare among others. It´s incredible all the themes that encompass Jesus´ prayer. 25 different team members participated leading worship, the devotionals, games, lectures, etc. It was an amazing way to start the year and building unity among the team.

Since Katrina still leads de Administration team, one of her major challenges this year is to try to reduce ministry´s expenses to the full, raise funds, motivate new staff, coordinate all the logistics involved in a mercy ministry, and homeschool two kids! What an extraordinary woman God has giving me!!! I wish I could do at least two of those things at the same time!

This year I will be leading The Jungle Bible club in Bogota’s red district zone one Saturday per month, (others in the team will take the other three Saturdays), continue being the Director’s personal assistant, organizing visiting teams,  and co-leading Youth With A Mission in Bogota.  There are 9 different YWAM ministries in Bogota, being Formando Vidas just one of them.  There is a Discipleship Training School, a School of Biblical Studies, three mercy ministries, mobile teams, King’s kids, YWAM editorial and soon a family ministry. I will oversee YWAM in Bogota with two others. I will also continue translating a youth devotional magazine as a tent-making for a local church.  The magazines have been printed in 14 Spanish speaking countries already.   

On the family front, God is prompting us to experience Him daily in a very real way, looking after Him through special quiet times, Bible reading, worshiping, sharing and involving in our local church.  We plan to continue facilitating a home group, and participating in the evangelistic outreaches to the students in the public schools and their families. Our church has shown this year a special interest in our ministry and we are looking forward to having many people from church involving in what we do.  This coming Saturday we have a meeting to plan their involvement.

Every day I thank God for the beautiful family He has giving me. Alex is growing very fast physically, emotionally and spiritually into a young man of God. I’m so happy to see that even though he is an adolescent with the same challenges that teen-age years bring, he still has the innocence of a child. He helps in the bible clubs on Saturdays with me, so it’s been quite an experience ministering as father and son.  It’s so cool!!

Uncle Bruce and Alex

Simon and Gaby continue being homeschooled.  So far I see it as a very positive experience (maybe because I’m not the one teaching them), just kidding!! It’s been a time of bonding more with our kids.  This year the three will continue to be involved in the extracurricular activities sponsored by the local township where we live.  Alex will be participating in basketball and music, Simon in basketball, music and chess; and Gaby in Ballet.  That’s great!!!

Last week was very special as we hosted my brother-in-law Bruce and his wife Paula, who came to visit from Sydney. It was nice to see them and spend time with them. I was especially happy that Katrina felt closer to her homeland and her family by having Bruce and Paula with us.  They brought Simon’s favorite biscuits among other Kiwi goodies.

Bruce in downtown Bogota

I can’t stop thanking God for all of our family and friends.  Thank you for partnering with us in this call that God has given us.

With much love,

Carlos for all.