Today was our last day of the trip, but I believe that it was one of the most impactful for everyone on the team.  Due to a very busy week, we all were very tired at the beginning of the day, but no one let that affect the way they acted today.

We started out the day at a special needs orphanage that was founded by a woman who still at the foundation with her adopted, blind daughter. During our time at the orphanage we visited three different rooms with all different age groups of children with different disabilities.  In the first room we were able to interact with children that had mental and developmental disabilities.  This room impacted all of us deeply due to the severity of the disabilities and even brought some of us to tears.  In the second room we were able to look at babies, but due to the lack of sanitation we were only able to look at them through glass.  Although we were unable to interact with them, this room impacted us due to how young and helpless the babies seemed.  As we were leaving this room, Sophie commented that the babies were very peaceful.  This comment really impacted me by reminding me that although they may have been suffering from disabilities, they were being very well cared for in this facility. In the third room, there were children of many ages and with a variety of disabilities and I believe that this room had the greatest impact on everyone in the group.  During the entirety of the time we were in this room I felt the Lord continually reminding me that all of these children were created in His image and were absolutely perfect in His sight. This ended up being my greatest take-away from the orphanage: the children were created in the image of God and because of this they deserve to be loved despite their disabilities.

We continued the day at a children's ministry called La Buena Semilla (The Good Seed).  This ministry is located in a very poor neighborhood but is respected and protected by the members of the neighborhood due to the impact it has on their children. Due to the lack of discipline, these children are usually quite difficult to work with, as we experienced on last year's trip, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that the children were a lot more well-behaved than last year.  I was also delighted to see a few kids who were also there last year.  One boy in particular was the most misbehaved last year but it was amazing to see that this boy was very respectful this year.  This drastic change in character says a lot about the impact the ministry has on the children and the neighborhood.

After doing sessions with two groups of kids at La Buena Semilla, we went to La Plaza Bolivar and to a market to finish off our pesos.  To end our day, we went to Tramonti, a very nice restaurant, for dinner.  While at dinner we were all able to share our personal reflections of the trip and share thanks to all of those who have helped us during the course of our trip.  This time resulted in many joyful tears shed and a lot of beautiful encouragements given, which I think was an amazing way to end a great week. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time this past week, whether I was engaging with the Colombian people or getting to know my team better. As a result of this trip, I am coming home with new and stronger relationships and amazing life experiences that I wouldn't trade for the world.

- Brooke Wadsworth

     June 24

                  Today our team went to a special needs orphanage.  We met and comforted children and others who were into their 20s and even older.  The people there had a large variety of disabilities.  When we first walked into one of the rooms,  I was a bit shocked at how drastic some of the disabilities were.  We had the amazing opportunity of talking to some of these people, and just comforting others.  I realized when I saw these children and older people that I sometimes forget about the lives that disabled people live.  Most of these people are stuck 24/7 at that care center, constantly needing medical attention.  I realized how important it is to minister to those people.  They are not able to constantly interact with others.  Most of them are able to do very little outside of their home at the care center.  Going back to the U.S., I have a better heart for the disabled.  Now I strive to seek them out more and care for them.

     The second ministry that we went to was called Buena Semilla, or "The Good Seed".  It was in a poor neighborhood highly influenced by gangs.  It is a place for kids to go when they are not in school.  They can go there when there parents cannot watch over them or when they need a meal.  This place allows kids to do things like PE and Art, and most importantly the kids learn about God and His Word.  The goal of this ministry is to spread God's Word through the surrounding neighborhood, and to help the kids be in Jesus and live godly lives, even though they have grown up with evil surrounding them.  Some of the kids have seen one of their parents get killed by gangs.  Others have seen their parents kill people.  Many of the kids have parents that are alcoholics and drug-addicts.  When I went to this ministry, I was amazed that God's Word was shining right in the middle of a dark place of violence and gangs.  God can work in awesome ways, right in the middle of  darkness.  There were many awesome people at this ministry who are bringing God to these kids who live in corrupted situations.  It was awesome to see that these kids respond to God's Word at this ministry.  Even though they live in a bad area, this place gives them hope.

-Cal Anderson