COLOMBIA, MEDELLIN

This Tuesday we will be traveling to Medellin, Colombia. We have been invited to work with Open Arms Ministry, a ministry to impoverished street children. This ministry rescues children from a life on the streets of begging, drugs and prostitution. They go into very poor areas and invite the youth to their swimming pool. They also feed them and do a bible study. The work is difficult and has 4 stages, from bible studies to housing and mentoring them into adults.

The parents and drug lords are their worst enemies. They do not like loosing their greatest source of income. We have met children who were beat so badly their bones were even broken because they did not bring home enough money. Girls as young as 8 years old were in prostitution and young people so addicted to drugs they could not function. How can you not do something to help when the Lord allows you to see such things?

Here is a picture of Enoc and Cristina, they are in leadership in Open Arms Ministry. We will be staying in their home. Enoc is Colombian growing up as a pastor's son in a very poor neighborhood has enhanced his heart to reach the street kids. His wife Cristina is from Brazil and works endlessly for the hurting and lost in this area. Here is our latest correspondence:
"Hello my family from away
I am so thankful to God to bring people like you both into our lives and ministry.
I am organizing my schedule...And believe me there will be a lot things that you are going to be able to help. Waiting for you with OPEN ARMS"

A picture of some of the girls in the home. Note how young they are.

The boys' ranch houses many boys. These boys below are playing soccer with their coach, a young man who grew up on the streets and spent time in jail. Once he found the Lord, he volunteered to help these boys develop a better life for themselves. Each one has a story that would break your heart.You can follow our work on this blog when we have Internet access. Please keep us in your prayers. Colombia is not only a developing country, it is listed by Voice of the Martyrs as the only country in South America with great persecution against the Christians. The guerrillas and drug lords do not like anyone that could get in their way of extortion and drug trafficking.