The murder capital of the world. The home of infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar. The land of cocaine…
Colombia is known by many derogatory names, and with those names comes a certain mentality when anyone thinks of it.
Unsafe, Crime Ridden, Drug Infested
During my two months in Colombia, I saw a different picture. I lived for five weeks in Medellín, the home of Pablo Escobar. Nearly everyone I met was open and wanted to have a conversation no matter where they were or the situation they were in. Nearly every day we went to a park and talked to the locals getting to know them and the details of their lives. We got the opportunity to pray for them, encourage them, and disciple them. Many people said yes to Jesus through simple conversations in that park. Others were healed of debilitating physical issues and proceeded to jump around in disbelief.
The rest of the time we were living and working in an orphanage with some amazing boys and girls from heart-breaking backgrounds. Through all these circumstances, I saw beautiful people, loved by the Lord, that have had their reputation on the world-stage tarnished by the lives of those who chose to be criminals.
This picture only grew as we took a 15 hour bus ride to the city of Cartagena. As we walked the streets, often seven-plus miles a day, we encountered the same joy and hospitality we saw in Medellín. It’s not uncommon to peek in a stranger’s door, and call out, “¡Buenas!”, and then have a conversation with them. This definitely wouldn’t fly in America. Either they’d be diving for cover hoping you never saw them while wondering why someone stopped by their house unannounced, or they’d be reaching for their shotgun, wondering who had the audacity to step on their property. We live in a weird place. But here in Cartagena, it was welcomed and even expected.
It was here in Cartagena that I got to take part in my favorite ministry. On a few different nights we went to the red light district and ministered to prostitutes, promoters, and tourists. The girls in our group ministered to the prostitutes while the guys ministered to the brothel promoters and the tourists. We didn’t see a lot of progress with them, but we did see people open up to us and share their hearts. I know that the Lord was working in them and that He is going to finish that work over time.
Barranquilla was a two-hour bus ride north where we met a pastor and his wife, who also is a pastor, and they welcomed us in like family. We did pop-up churches every night in a different house around the neighborhood. We’d show up with chairs, instruments, a sound system, and then we’d go door to door inviting everyone in their neighborhood. Afterward, we’d do worship, tell testimonies, share a word, and then pray for everyone.
Bocachica was a surprise opportunity that landed in our lap and we took it. It was a 45 minute boat ride out to sea to get to the island. We were only there for two days, but in that time we were able to see the heart of those ministering there and their vision for the future. They have a base to operate out of, a full medical clinic to take care of the locals needs, and a community center! However, the medical center has been shuttered due to a lack of medical staff and the community center, because it was robbed of all of its tables and chairs. We were able to help get the medical clinic cleaned up and ready to receive a medical team that was set to arrive a month after us. (The medical team is just ending their time at the clinic, as I write this.)
Experiencing the culture firsthand, my view of Colombia has been forever changed to the warm, welcoming, love that is exhibited by most everyone you meet there.
Thank you so much for your support over the last six months! Your generosity allowed me to focus solely on what God wanted to do in the lives of those I was ministering to!
•We prayed for 841 people
•450 people heard the Gospel
•We distributed 120 Bibles
•We saw 9 physical healings
•12 people said YES to Jesus!
Now that my time in Colombia has come to an end and the school is over, I am starting my transition to being a full-time missionary. I have been talking with many of the departments here on the Montana base about what their goals are for outward focused missions to unreached people groups (UPGs). I have found one that really has a heart for UPGs and is planning many trips to share the Gospel with them and lay the ground work for a professional team to begin translating the Bible into their native language! Katie and I will have more details on that soon!
I am still in need of many monthly supporters, so if you’d like to hear more or if you’d like to partner with me, you can call or text me to get my donation link, or you can click the link below.
Thank you so much for supporting me and allowing me to follow the call the Lord has placed on my life!
-Tyler Ray
Comentários