I decided to blog a little more about Colombia:
The view of the sanctuary of a huge Catholic church at Monserrate, on top of a beautiful mountain in Bogota.
Here's the view from just outside the church. In front near the bottom is downtown Bogota where the only highrise buildings in the city exist. Most buildings are not more than 5 floors high. No wonder the city sprawls out so far considering the vast number of people who live there (7, 321, 831 - in the 2005 census)I just finished watching a video that was taken during out trip to Colombia. I was in tears through some of it, and laughing through other parts of it. Mostly I could feel the warmth of the people and the LOVE of God that shone through them. It made me want to go back. What a beautiful country. It's hard to believe for me to believe that there is so much horror there as well, but I know it's true. The other day I was in Zellers and a woman was complimenting me on my purse (which was hand-made by a Colombian man when Joel was down in April). She asked if it was made in Mexico. I said, "No, in Colombia". "OH" she said and made a face, then she asked me what on earth I was doing there. I explained that I was down to get to know some missionaries from our church that are living and working there. I went on to explain that it was an absolutely beautiful country, and that most of the people there are extremely warm and wonderful people...some of the sweetest I'd met. She seemed very surprised. It's so sad to me that our "north-american" view of another country could be so one-sided. It frustrates me. I'm not naive, I know about the Cartel, the drugs, the killings, the kidnappings. I met some people who were directly affected by events like this (or part of them). But I also met a lot of incredibly warm people that were much better at showing the heart of Jesus than I am. Far less selfish, far more loving. Those are the people of Colombia that I want to remember.
I'm thrilled that God is moving in that country!! It's so interesting to me that the majority of people there do not doubt the existence of God. Most of the people are Catholic. Yet I think there are few who know the that they can actually have a personal relationship with their Creator. That is so sad to me. My heart breaks for them. I know that a majority of my friends also do not have a personal relationship with Christ. My prayer is that I can shine the love of Christ to them, to be there to help them with their questions and to pray that they will find that hope they are looking for. We may not have to fear for our lives here like they do in Colombia. We may not have to worry about whether we will eat today. But we suffer from over-indulgence and calousness. We forget to see the needs of others. We put ourselves first. I am speaking for myself, but I think it's a pretty common sickness in our Canadian culture. One of my New Year's resolutions is to stop putting myself first. Let me tell you, the people I met in Colombia were EXCELLENT at this virtue. They wouldn't eat until we were all served. They didn't take the biggest and best pieces of steak for themselves. They were GIVING.
I recall a conversation with my team while in Colombia when I shared that I have a hard time being diligent at reading my Bible. I shared that this frustrated me because when I do actually get around to it, I often find it relates to exactly what's going on in my life at the moment. I kid you not, that evening I sat down with my "Message" Bible (a wonderful paraphrased version that is more like reading a story in everyday language). I read these verses:
Romans 12:9-10- Love from the centre of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
Wow.
Melanie
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