The Fighting Spirit of Colombian Women

By Blanca Garcia | Summer Intern & Summit Int’l School of Ministry Alumni 

So often cities are sealed and marked by their past, and as history has it, Medellin, Colombia is one of the many cities that is well documented for having a horrid past, where individuals looked out for their own rather than the community. But, this is not the present Medellin, this city despite living in the rhyme of the past has grown tremendously through organizations such as City of Refuge.

I came to volunteer at this organization because I wanted to see this community effort in action, and since being here I have seen it played out daily. It’s time for class, and as the women begin to trickle into the classroom with their Bibles, pens, and notebooks, I am greeted with beautiful smiles and laughter. Knowing that they have had a long work day it’s amazing to see that they are ready and willing for class. As the class progresses we discuss the attributes of God, their personalities are displayed as they make jokes with each other, and team up to answer my questions. Towards the end of class, we transition to learning some English. As soon as I say this they start throwing phrases “Jesus es mi amigo, Padre, Hijo, y Espiritu Santo, como estas.” As I give them the English translation, some repeat the phrases and those that are shy are encouraged by the others, by the end everyone is shouting and looking at each other laughing because what they are saying sounds so foreign to them. The joy that exudes from these ladies strengthens me so much and allows me to see why it is necessary to have an organization such as City of Refuge.

In the short time that I’ve been here I am privileged to be able to see the heart of the women in this rehabilitation program, they come with a strong desire to change, not only for themselves but for their loved ones, their sons, daughters, and mothers. They don’t only desire to change their circumstance, but their outlook in life. And for that they look towards the cross of Jesus Christ, who continually has provided them with the strength that they needed to push through the dark thoughts, thoughts of quitting the program, of returning to what ate at them. As I sit down with them to talk, I can hear a unanimous cry of desperation to change, to not want what their body most desires, if only they could celebrate their birthday sober and serving the Lord. The lives of these women have unexpectedly made their way into my heart, they have a beautiful and joyful spirit mostly attributed to the new life founded on Christ and the rest to the passionate Colombian spirit.

I know that God has placed me here to witness His heart and compassion for people and to experience what true life in Him is all about. I have many more weeks to come and I am eager to see what God will have in store for the ladies and myself.

The Why of Serving

By Janie W. | Summer Intern & Student @ Summit Int’l School of Ministry 

Chase every opportunity to know Jesus more. Regardless of what this looks like we have to commit ourselves to this calling of intimacy. That is what God has been teaching me daily here in my 3 months in Medellin. I can think of myself as a missionary and find my identity in serving, it sounds good and it feels good, but the priority in the heart of God is for me to know Him more. I have been finding that ultimately what we have to offer people is paralleled to how we set our hearts to know Him in a greater depth. In the first weeks I spent in the City of Refuge I wanted to be used by God without being changed. However, God was showing me that a broken heart is a channel for His love. We can actually take on the heart of God for other people, but sometimes we have to feel the depth of His hurt to have a better understanding of the proportion of His love. I found that we actually receive new sight from this. Made visible to us is fragments of the image of God in addicts, a heavenly home awaiting the homeless, and the Kingdom of God belonging to children who have nothing. And we can give them our best, having no reservations we open our hands and our homes. We loose ourselves and find what is important. We don’t worry about getting dirty or what we have to loose, the thought never crosses our minds because our motivation to move is out of a love that is pure.

There was however a question constantly going through my mind in simple actions, “God, was it worth it.” Was it worth it to come all the way to Colombia to chop carrots this morning with the women in recovery? Was it worth it to come here to hold the hand of an elderly lady during Bible study in a remote mountain village? To share a mat on the street with a drug addict and pray together amid complete chaos. To dance and sing with little kids, to hug them and feed them and tell them about Jesus, to make them feel safe and loved. To laugh through a session of teaching English with broken Spanish. To shake the hands of the homeless and the imprisoned. Was it worth it? The answer will always be yes, even when I am not aware of the significance of a moment, when I look back on every ministry I had the privilege of being involved in, I do not see myself revealing who God is to people, but in every small action, and every hard place, I see God revealing Himself to me a little bit more. And that is beyond worth while, it is priceless. My time spent here was precious and life changing, when you know how good God is you will never question that what He has in store is worth it, you will know, and you will chase that opportunity because knowing Him is what makes life full and incredibly rich.

En Sus Sonrisas

Por Mateo | Voluntario en el ministerio de aguapanela

Mi experiencia al servir en el ministerio de aguapanela ha impactado profundamente mi corazón. He aprendido que todos, cada uno de los hombres y mujeres que viven en la calle y usan drogas, están buscando amor. Algunos podrían encontrar ofensiva a esta población, pero no lo son, y están genuinamente abiertos a recibir el auténtico amor de Cristo.

Una noche, mientras distribuíamos aguapanela con pan, un hombre de la calle se acercó y pidió orar por nosotros. Esto me sorprendió y me hizo muy feliz. Nosotros pensábamos que íbamos a ministrar, pero aquí este hombre vino a ministrarnos. Se acercó a nosotros deseando orar por nosotros y luego lo hizo. Cuando oró por nosotros, hizo una oración muy especial a Jesús, simplemente diciendo: “Gracias Jesús porque a través de sus sonrisas puedo ver Tu rostro. Dios gracias porque hoy es el mejor día de mi vida. Muchas personas vienen aquí para bendecirnos, pero yo nunca tengo la oportunidad de bendecir a nadie, pero hoy lo hago”.

Cuando escuché estas palabras, pensé “Guau. ¡Cómo se reveló Dios a través de la oración de este hombre!” Para mí, el ministerio de aguapanela ha sido espectacular y algo que nunca antes había experimentado en mi caminar cristiano. Y sigo sirviendo, determinado a seguir sonriendo y sirviendo a aquellos que encontramos con el amor más genuino posible.

“Nadie tiene mayor amor que este, que uno ponga su vida por sus amigos.” Juan 15:13 (RVR1960)

A Grateful Heart

By Dr. Jessica Quintero-Villa | Chiropractor Volunteer

I have had the privilege of working alongside the foundation two years in a row and it has been the most rewarding experience! I am a Specific Chiropractor in Connecticut. I have dual citizenship to Colombia as both of my parents are Colombian. As God would have it I partnered up with some incredible leaders in my profession, Times Square Church and the amazing foundation in Colombia, Ciudad Refugio, a source of many resources, including a church to the community, a homeless shelter, rehabilitation program, and a home school service in Medellin. The people are always so grateful and a women especially touched my heart, Maria Nelida Gimenez. Her hug was so profound that it filled my spirit up. This is why I leave my practice here in the states to serve in Colombia. The love and humility that comes from the people renews your spirit of what really is important in life: God. Service. Love.

 

The Path to Truth

By Dr. John McCarthy | Chiropractor Volunteer

Hi, I’m Dr. John McCarthy, chiropractic brainstem specialist. I’ve traveled from Boston to the City of Refuge in Medellin, Colombia on three separate occasions since April 2017 to present (July ’18) and will be returning again in November ’18. My purpose has always been to share the message of good health through the brainstem specific procedure. I first learned about Times Square Church (TSC) and it’s anchor site, the City of Refuge sometime early in 2017 through Dr. Christopher Tabick. Dr. Tabick has been a member of TSC for many years and is a spiritual as well as professional mentor to me. When he invited me to participate in TSC’S first ever Chiropractic Missions trip I was ecstatic and immediately jumped on board. To be honest, I had no idea what was in store for me. At the time I had lost faith, I did not see it as necessary or an important part of living. In fact I almost threw out my Bible, the only reason I did not was because I couldn’t get myself to throw $70 in the garbage. But as I cleaned out my office one day I thought to myself, I will never need this again.

On my first Chiropractic Missions trip to the City of Refuge I knew we would be working alongside Christians. On one of the bus rides to an off site clinic we were working at for the day one of the missionaries from the foundation asked me if I was a Christian. I did not want to lie, and felt a little bit weird about telling her the truth, but I told her “I did not know if I was.” The person who asked me that is Paula, she is still there and I have seen and spoken to her since.  During this trip I saw many hard things, and I saw men & women, in particular 3 men who I look up to immensely. Pastor Douglas, Harry Deitrich and Dr. Tabick. I saw these three men navigate incredibly difficult situations, situations from which the outcome of life or death, sickness or health, nourishment or starvation etc. sometimes hangs in the balance of their decisions. I thought to myself how are these men able to navigate such a treacherous terrain of choices and decisions, how are they able to operate at such a high level of efficiency and energy. This cannot be coming from man alone, human flesh alone. There was one

common denominator. I saw these man often times turn to a book. In moments of quiet, in moments of turmoil and trying times I saw the repetitious pattern of how these men looked to this certain book, this certain set of instructions for direction in navigating all things. This struck me. It peaked my interested, softened my heart.

Time passes and I was back home in the states. Life was humbling me, as it does. And I found myself in need of an anchor, a compass, something bigger then myself to point me in the right direction, keep me on the path, help me to make decisions not clouded by anything other then truth. I slowly started to crack the book. I began to ask questions, to receive some instructions. All the while we kept working away in our offices, planning for the next Chiropractic missions trips to Colombia. We had founded an organization, World Care Specific Chiropractic and by our third trip in just over a year had a group of 23 doctors willing to come serve with us at the City of Refuge. By this time something had changed, my heart had done a complete 180. I couldn’t tell you the day, but at some point I woke up and I knew, I knew that I was a Christian. There was not a question in my mind. I still have a long way to go, this is just the beginning of the journey for me, but it is a start. I am so grateful for my experience at the City of Refuge, ALL of the people there, Times Square Church, Dr. Tabick and World Care Specific Chiropractic. Many blessings have befallen me in this time, and I feel a joy in my heart and strength that comes from something spiritual, whereas before there was doubt and exhaustion.

My first time experiencing a service at the City of Refuge in April ‘17 I did not even bother to listen to the translation of Pastor Douglas. I was that guy. It’s not that I had anything against it, or that I was upset about it or anything. I just wasn’t interested. For someone who is reading this and has felt the Spirit move through them during worship you will need no description to know what I feel now when I am the foundation for worship. I think about the foundation on Sundays often, and day dream to be back there and to feel the purity of the Word and be around the work that is happening there. I have since found a church at home, Boston Church of Christ and attend the Southern Cities region. I have begun a Bible study to learn about discipleship and have a strong community of disciples around me, and for that I am grateful.

There are still moments of doubt, hardship and worry in my life. Somehow things are different now with even the little knowledge I have of the Bible. Beneath it all is a sense of love and peace and joy. I could go on writing for a long time, but I have seen things happen beneath my hands with patients which could be considered nothing short of miraculous. The only explanation of this is a change in my heart, it’s the same procedure as before. The feeling is as if someone has taken a key to my heart and unlocked it, and a flood gate has opened. I do not take credit for any of this, as I am just a messenger. An empty vessel, a hollow bone through which God flows from above, down, inside and out. In closing I would just like to say thank you. Pastor Douglas, Harry and Dr. Tabick are incredible men. I hope that they get all of the credit they deserve and more. Anything that can be done to support the City of Refuge Foundation, may it be done. I feel blessed to be in such great company of people and organizations. Amen.

The Witness of Redemption

By Brendan Filmer | Summer Intern & Student @ Summit Int’l School of Ministry 

Over the last three months I have been witness to the incredible transformative power of Jesus Christ in the lives of some of the most destitute and broken people. Seeing first hand the utter devastation of homelessness in Medellin was initially very confronting and thought provoking. Surrounded by people smoking cocaine, rubbish covering the roads and putrid smells, I would often question how people could live in such conditions. As time progressed however, the Lord began to open my eyes to see these people as He sees them; broken souls that are in need of Him. The cross of Jesus Christ and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit are all that these men and women truly need.

To be able to be a part of the work that God is doing here by carrying this message of redemption to people in the streets, has been one of the most rewarding and satisfying things that I have ever experienced. Contrasting the people in the street with the men in the City of Refuge program, is truly a testament of the faithfulness of God. From a life a pain to a life of joy. From a life of destruction due to drugs, to a life of growth and restitution through the Word of God.

If you want to see first hand the transformative power and faithfulness of an Almighty God, if you desire to learn His heart and you truly want to make a difference with your life, I strongly recommend that you pray and consider visiting the foundation here in Medellin, Colombia. I believe God can change your life forever through this experience!

Experiencing the Life of a Christian

Paola | Staff

I grew up in a very legalistic and religious church that had good doctrine but the spiritual realities of the Christian life was not talked about often, and especially the spiritual reality of people who find themselves in drugs or prostitution. It is the enemy who has them bound, but we did not talk about this. So when God burdened my heart to start working with these people, I did not know what I was getting into. Simply all I knew was that they needed Christ, but I did not know how deep the destruction of the enemy can be. It is not simply giving them a word, but it is accompanying them in a process of freedom that they can’t get instantly. It’s not that suddenly they are free, but rather it is a process that requires prayer, support, counseling, and time, and I didn’t know what I was going to be confronted with. So, when I arrived to the foundation I came with a lot of Biblical knowledge but I did not know how or which way to apply it practically. When I began to work with the women, I would prepare a devotional for them and it suddenly dawned on me that it is also necessary to pray, and not simply just pray, and say “God thank you for these women, protect them, help them in their situation.” It was a deeper prayer where I would need to stand in the gap for them, where I would need to fight with the enemy and tell him they are free, and in the name of Christ he has nothing to do here.

It was appropriating myself in the authority that God has given me through the Holy Spirit to support the work that He does. He uses us to be a mediator of some form, that is what it tells us in The Word. Jesus is the mediator, He is the one that gives us peace and reconciles us with God. But also, we can help reconcile people with Jesus. We are in some way the medium that God uses. I couldn’t simply tell someone Jesus loves you, or give them a hug and leave the person with all of their baggage, problems, or weak points in their life. But, I started thinking, how I can place myself in their shoes and feel their struggles as if it was my own. And that is something that I prayed to God for when I arrived here, was to allow me to put on their shoes and feel their pain and struggles. In others words, the baggage that they were holding I asked that He would put it on me so that I could understand a little bit of what they were living.

I came to this place having a tranquil childhood and all my Christian life was fine, I had no problems with alcohol, with drugs, with lust, nothing. Yes a sinner, obviously, but not in proportion to having fallen for sins such as alcoholism. Because of this, I didn’t believe I had the authority to speak to them regarding topics that I had not lived through. Why tell someone who has lived so long using drugs, that God can help you come out of this addiction, if I did not live it? How can I talk to them about something I have not experienced? God reminded me that it was not about me, rather it was about what He could do through me. And even if I had not lived through these hardships I could still be a part of it in seeing how He was transforming lives.

I remember one of the reasons why I came to this place was because I told God. “God, I know that my life is so normal and flat, but I want to see miracles.” That’s what I would tell God, that I want to see miracles, to see His power transforming lives. And since I came here, one of the greatest motors that has kept me going is to be able to see the power of God in the lives of other people and be a witness of that.

I remember a verse that says: “The person who is forgiven much loves much” and I have been able to see this in the women. They haven’t been perfect, and many of the women who have finished the program have relapsed, but despite all of that, their love for God is with a lot of passion and that is despite all of their problems. That is what I realized I was missing.

Myra, Michelle, and I complement each other in the way we deal with the women in the program. Myra, is stronger and stricter with them, Michelle is able to understand them a bit more having lived through certain things, and what God has given me is love and tenderness towards them. They see me and I am more calm, more passive, and I want to show the love of God in every act, so that they can see that there is someone that loves them no matter what they have done, their past, their history, regardless of who they are, and that is the love of God, unconditional.

For me that’s why it’s a challenge. Yes, the spiritual and emotional charge that one feels can easily become an excuse to run, because it is very hard. Not having privacy is hard, wanting to rest with the hopes that no one would knock on the door, wanting to go out, but being met suddenly with some of the women who need to talk, and then leaving an hour later than planned just to listen to them. In the human nature, you would just want to leave this place because and cry out “I can’t take it anymore!” But that is the example of Christ, He came to serve and not to be served, He came to give himself completely, so anytime I actually want to run away because it gets hard, I think about Him. Of course I could live a more simple life, relaxed at home with my family, but I would have lost the opportunity to get to know God the way I am knowing Him every day by being here. It’s not easy but He gives the strength, the grace, and the authority to be able resist it all.

I just recently had a dream that brought me back into the realization of why I am here and it was God telling me to wake up because there is a lot that needs to be met, and a lot to be fighting for, so don’t fall asleep.

There is a verse in Isaiah that is my favorite verse, Isaiah 41:10, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Another verse in Isaiah 61 that says “He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace.” This is what we came to do, so I think that I could leave and have a relaxed life but that’s not what I was created for, I was created with the purpose of doing what Jesus commanded me to do. I have to consistently remind myself and repeat, I am here because of Him, and I am here for Him, I don’t need  the recognition, nor the acceptance of man. That part has been difficult because I would like them to know, or I would like to be able to explain what I do.

I never imagined the spiritual oppression that I would feel working with these women. Once again, you can see the exterior, but you don’t see the interior, the inner struggles that they are battling with. When you are walking life with these women and you see an advance and then 5 steps backwards, one can begin to think, what am I doing? Where has all the effort gone, all the prayers?  Many times you won’t see the fruit of your labors as you would like to see it. I am understanding that I may not be able to see the fruit immediately, but I was part of the sowing and others will be able to see it even if it comes 10-25 years after. And my role is to continue to sow more seeds. 

A Foundational Education

By Maria Luisa Calvano | Homeschool Student & Ciudad Refugio Volunteer

I started in home school at the age of six years old with my brother at home. We did home school at home for two years until we started doing it in the foundation with some women from the foundation’s program. The home school program continued to grow, and now we are studying from a virtual platform called unicab.org. (The program was designed for students whose schedule is most compatible with a self paced style of learning). I am now twelve years old and in the sixth grade. I like the home school program because we can spend time with a close group of friends, we have fun, we can work at our own pace, and our teachers love us a lot. The subject I like most is Spanish, I enjoy the spelling and grammar. However, English is a very important subject too because there are many people that come to the foundation from the United States, and other missionaries from around the world that speak English, so it is good for us to be able to communicate with them when they come. For example, when a group of Chiropractors came to the foundation, they chose me to be a translator. It was cool to be able to work with them, and I enjoy translating. I also have time to enjoy other extracurricular activities outside of school like music and sports, and there is always a lot going on in the foundation that I help with.

La Belleza del Crecimiento

Por Lydia | Voluntaria de Alemania 

Servir en Ciudad Refugio como voluntaria ha sido una de las cosas más bellas de mi vida. Estoy sorprendida por todas las cosas que he podido ver y experimentar durante mi tiempo aquí en Colombia. Cada momento divertido, sorprendente, extraordinario, conmovedor y desgarrador se suma a un año lleno de oportunidades para servir, aprender y crecer.

Al llegar a Colombia, no esperaba ser desafiada de tantas maneras diferentes. Todo comienza con cosas sencillas como enseñar una clase o aprender un nuevo idioma, pero también implica enfrentarse a una nueva cultura, a la pobreza, a la desesperanza y a la adicción, e incluso enfrentar diferentes luchas personales. Sin embargo, son exactamente estos desafíos los que me están sacando de mi zona de confort, motivándome a aprender nuevas habilidades, cuestionando viejos hábitos y formas de pensar, y creciendo en mi personalidad.

Es un privilegio para mí presenciar el cambio en la vida de las personas que hacen parte de los programas de la fundación, y ver una sonrisa sincera en la cara de alguien donde antes solo podía ver el dolor y la angustia.

¡Este año es sin duda el más intenso de mi vida hasta ahora! Y estoy muy agradecida por esta oportunidad de venir a Ciudad Refugio por un año y ser parte de este ministerio. Aunque a veces es difícil, ¡definitivamente vale la pena!

My Vacation

By Daniel Lee | Short-Term Volunteer 

My first visit to the “foundation” was unplanned while I was vacationing to Colombia using my friends itinerary. A few people from my church mentioned I should stop by if I get a chance. While I was on the local train, I saw that Ciudad Refugio was the 2nd stop (looking at Google Maps). So I got off the train, took a walk up the hill and pop my head in and was quickly welcomed by Rebekah and Harry who mistakenly thought I was another person they were expecting. But they asked if I wanted to hangout and go to Agua Panela in the evening. I thought “sure, why not. I don’t know anyone else in Colombia!” So to make a long story short, after that first day, I was so moved and surprised by how wonderful and organized the foundation was. I ended up staying the entirety of my vacation.

I’m a UX designer from New York and I wanted to use my experience to help make an informative website. So I kept in touch, made 2 more longer visits (one with my church) and spent the spring and summer making a website for the foundation. On my last visit I was able to bring my SLR, DJI and laptop to put content together and sit with Rebekah to organize a structure for the website. During my time living at the foundation (3-weeks), I had a blast. I was able to participate in ministry work, build friendships with the men and women who live in the foundation, hangout and explore Medellin with the German volunteers, and enjoy the company of a friendly dog Lucas. I got to order and eat loads of food from the cafe (steak and eggs for breakfast almost everyday!) and find the best mangos I could so I can eat as much of it as possible throughout the day.

I’m so thankful and inspired to see the hard work done by both the workers and the program interns. Lives are being changed by faith in a great God in small and big things are happening. During my time I learned that people really do live by faith and ultimately thats the only way to live life. I hope that I can be a “foundation” in my workplace, neighborhood, church, and everywhere I travel. I plan to visit again to see all the good fruit from everyones labor. I hope anyone reading this will make a visit and show love to these wonderful people.