News in Colombia

At 7:00 pm each night we stop, sit in front of the TV to learn about what happened in Colombia during the day.  Several things have made the news this month.

•  President Juan Manuel Santos had surgery October 3^rd to successfully remove a cancerous tumor from his prostrate

• This week Vice-President Garzón announced he is stepping down in order to devote his time to treating his own prostate cancer.

Some are asking; “Does political power cause cancer?”

•  Peace talks have begun between peace negotiators and the FARC, the group that has been responsible for much of the violence in Colombia.  The talks are taking place in Oslo, Norway.  Meanwhile back in Colombia…

1. ·   On Wednesday 3 were killed and over 20 injured when someone threw a grenade into a supermarket on the coast of Colombia.
2. ·    Bombings and killings are taking place in Barranquilla, another costal city-the reason; small business people are not paying their protection money.
3. ·   At least 5 were killed and 12 injured in an attack carried out by the FARC.

All this is happening as I am reading a book about how God brought peace to the most violent prison in Latin America; Bellavista in Medellin, Colombia.

No reporters were there, but for the first time in our 4 years someone thought I was from the coast of Colombia!  Maybe I am losing my accent, finally!  

Other than the upcoming election, what is making headlines in your part of the world?

Getting a Taxi

As I was hurrying to get to the center of town I tried to flag down a taxi as I walked out of our apartment complex.  He didn’t see me, but someone else did!

He was bent over several bags of garbage.  His sandpaper hands, with black lines running up and down his fingers, the cracks filled with dirt that had accumulated as he rummaged through the garbage, looking for his next meal or at least a snack.  He stood up straight and began calling after the taxi.  What he did next caused me to stop walking down the hill.

He left his “food” behind, ran down the hill, around the corner and out of sight.  Was he doing what I thought he was?

Soon he came around the corner again and flashed a toothless grin that softened his otherwise hard and somber face.  "Your taxi is waiting around the corner!  I will walk with you.”

 As we approached the waiting taxi his hand that was just looking for food in a garbage bag opened the taxi door allowing me to enter. I reached in my pocket for the coins I always have when I leave home and placed a couple into his hand.

 I was reminded that while we may only see a homeless person making a mess of the garbage on the street corners, God sees a person who still has a heart that longs to help others and be of service.

Learn Spanish in 5 Minutes

We are praying God will send some short-term teams in 2013 to work alongside us in Church Planting.  Spanish is a great help-so here is a Spanish lesson in 5 minutes!  

Eight phrases you will hear in Colombia!

• A la orden- Frequent response when someone asks a person to do something.  Means:  You tell me what to do and I will do it!
• Para servirle- Frequently heard as you walk into or past a store.  The clerk is telling in you-     I am here to serve you!
• Chévere- Cool!
• Miércoles- Literally  means Wednesday but is used in the same way English speakers use Shoot!
• No sea sapo- Literally means Don´t be a toad!  In Colombia it means- Don´t butt into something that isn´t your business.
• Pelado- Literally means Bald but in Colombia it means- A teenager.
• Regular o tres cuatros- Literally means Regular or 3/4s but in Colombia it is a common response to How are you?
• ¿Qué pasa chino?- Translation is What´s happening Chinese person but in Colombia it means What´s up?

 If you are interested in coming with a short-term team in 2013, please let us know.  We are PARA SERVIRLE!