Barbed Wire

This morning Amber, Steven, and Micah returned to the CNG school for government official's children. While they worked with two ethics classes, Pastor Salazar met with the principal to discuss implementing the Character First! curriculum in their schools. The rest of us met up with them shortly after lunch and we headed to one of Bogota's maximum security prisons.

Barbed wire, impenetrable walls, pat downs, security checks, and the like awaited us there, but it was so worth it.  Rose and I were assigned to go with Pastor Matthew to visit a group of Christian prisoners. It was so incredible to see the light of Christ shine from so many of their faces.  If I had not met them within a prison, I could have never guessed they were criminals. The walk to their chapel area, however, was quite different.  Absolutely no comparison between the hardened, bitter faces outside the meeting place and the expressions of joy and love within. We were introduced, Pastor Matthew spoke, their incarcerated pastor gave Rose and me bracelets to express his gratitude to us for visiting, and we were gone. Our time there was short, but life changing for us all.

I could not help but think about how terrible it must be to be held captive in a place like that. Even knowing they were criminals, my heart still longed to take them out of that place with me.  In a place where armed guards walk the walls surrounding you, it's easy to think that way. All you want is out. Yet, how many people around us every day do we encounter who are in spiritual bondage, held captive by sin? Somehow we dress it up, make it look nice, and at times forget it exists, but we encounter prisoners in every aspect of our life. Do we see through the frills to the barbed wire enchaining their souls? Do we take the time to help them see their true state? Is there anything we do to help them escape their dark world? Jesus came to proclaim liberty to the captives. Do we?

Following our visit to the prison, we again returned to the gathering of young professionals. Steven shared a testimony which was followed by the chalk talk, "My Heart, Christ's Home" by Daniel and Amy. The response was overwhelming, as almost the entire room went to the altar to give their all to the Lord.

Thank you for your continued prayers. Our God is still at work in Bogota!Krystal for the teamSorry there aren't many pictures with this blog. Cameras weren't allowed in some of the places we visited.