Kids and More Kids Everywhere

Wow. What a day! 

This morning we journeyed to the edge of Bogotaand up into the breath-stealing, gorgeous mountains.  Our destination, a school, awaited on a mountainous plateau where we were welcomed with "bienvenidos!" over and over again, hugs, smiles, and laughter. Elizabeth had long since deserted us, but we did our best without her (she and Pastor Salazar were teaching a bunch of teachers at another church this morning). Dividing into three groups, Steven, Amy, and Amanda ran two groups of teams playing games. The rest of us taught the principle of genuine love through the story of the Good Samaritan. Although Rose resembled more of a witch than a Levite and Micah was dragged across and thrown onto multiple hard surfaces, the kids seemed to get the point anyway. Then we told it again. And just for fun, we told it a third time. All three groups seemed very responsive to our teaching.

We traveled back down the mountain, made more dangerous due to other vehicles than the rapid descent, and on to Pastor Carlos' church for yet another round of the Good Samaritan. Our lost sheep,Elizabeth, returned to us there and it was quite fun to watch her teach the boomerang song. Next came the Hockenstock story and the principle of truthfulness, which was also very well received.

Upon completion of the children's program there, we went for a snack, then returned to talk with the church's youth on surrender and relationships. Elizabeth, Steven, and Amber all did an excellent job of opening their lives and sharing from their hearts the work that God is doing in their lives.

Our final events consisted of dinner, another bus ride, and devotions. It has been so encouraging to study the book of Philippians together and hear the heart of God through the Apostle Paul. I cannot think of a better way to conclude a day spent in teaching genuine love than by hearing the passion, commitment, and love Paul had for those he had reached for Christ.

Our God is doing amazing things inColombia!

Krystal, reporting for the team

The Cavanaugh guys with their mountain friends.

Within Bogota, things are well-developed, but on the outskirts of the city there are some very poor areas.

The Good Samaritan (Amy) and burro (Micah)The kids we worked with today were all so responsive! It is a pleasure to show them Christ's love and see it light up their faces.