Recently, Ciudad Refugio has been creating quite a stir in the local media here in Colombia. We have been honored to have been featured on two different new media outlets in the past week. And earlier this summer, Pastor Douglas was asked to share at a BiteTalk here in Medellin about how to care for and best assist the poor all around us.
Ciudad Refugio was featured on the Noticias Caracol nightly news. Program graduates were able to share of the impact of the ministry on their lives. Also, the homeless shelter and bakery projects were featured as part of the news report. The report ended with our hopes for expansion with the new building project that we plan to begin in the upcoming months.
Ciudad Refugio was featured in a newspaper article in Q’hubo on Thursday, August 22nd, titled: “The angels of the homeless”. The article shared of the history of the ministry and how it began with Pastors Douglas and Marilu sharing agua panela and bread on the street. It also spoke of the testimony of volunteers such as Luis Tapasco, who is a program graduate and current leader for the men’s program. Lastly, the article shared of how the foundation is home for many volunteers from all around the world and how everyone works and functions as one big family.
In July, Pastor Douglas was asked to share at a BiteTalk in Medellin. This event was structured similarly to the more widely known Ted Talks. Pastor Douglas spoke on the topic of how best to help the poor while balancing our good intentions and what is ultimately best for them long term. He emphasized how the church must find the right formula to save souls but also save lives as well. Three key points Pastor Douglas stressed upon was how the church can transform the lives of the needy around us by offering: relief for immediate needs, restoration, and development. We should be a voice for those who don’t have a voice and treat them with dignity and respect. And most of all, we must work to not build dependency but elevation from their current status.
We are truly grateful for every opportunity to share who we are and what we do. We pray that each time we are featured that the name of Jesus will be lifted up and that lives are impacted for the Kingdom of God.
Ciudad Refugio is honored to be able to share the testimony of Yeyson Marin, a recent graduate of our restoration program and a current volunteer at the foundation. After his graduation, Yeyson has chosen to serve and assist in various capacities such as with the homeless shelter and children’s ministry, to name a few. This is his story in his own words:
I grew up in a family without a father figure. When my parents met and fell in love, my mother did not know that my father was a drug addict. Their relationship had many struggles because of his addiction and he tried without success to complete many rehab programs. Finally, when I was three and my older brother was five, my mother left my father. At this time, she also became a believer and we even lived in a church for some time. You could say that I was raised in a Christian home but in my heart, I was anything but. I had no relationship with Christ but would just go through the motions of what it meant to be a “Christian.”
When I was younger, I was considered a good kid. I did well in school, went to church, and never got into trouble. But when I turned 12 years old, I began to smoke cigarettes with some of my friends from school. This habit was a gateway that led me to try other things, like smoking marijuana. For the next three years, I would use marijuana once or twice a month. At 15 years old, I began to start using other stronger and more potent drugs. This began a season of rebellion in my life. I did not go to church because I was older and that meant more freedom and my mother also got remarried at this time. I was angry with her for this and didn’t like my stepfather and would constantly fight with him. (Years later, our relationship has now been restored.) One night, the tension was so bad we had to be physically separated, and from then on, I went to live with my grandparents. This further promoted the downward spiral in my life; living away from home afforded me much more freedom than I should have been given at this time. I began to consume drugs all the time, day and night. I also began to use “harder” and stronger drugs than before. During this time, I also began to sell drugs. I knew the suppliers and would sell the drugs at a cost to make a good profit.
I left school and served in public service for one year. (This is similar to a police force within Colombia and is mandatory service). During this time, I was upholding the law while breaking it at the same time. I would check people for drugs and if I found some, I would just keep it for myself to sell later on. Also, being in an uniform I was never questioned or searched so I can move around and sell drugs freely without any interference. This only propelled me deeper into my vices. But some incidents caused me to question my chosen path. Once, I had a blackout for three days. I did not remember anything that happened but my friends told me that I was functioning but in a trance. Another time, I had a bad reaction to the drugs I consumed and started having convulsions. My family rushed me to the hospital and the doctor told them it was a miracle I was still alive. The doctor even performed an EEG to see the extent of the damage the drugs had made on my brain. But by the grace of God, the test showed that there was no visible damage in spite of my rampant drug use. From that day onwards, I made a decision to stop the use of the hard drugs and would only consume less potent drugs. For me, it was a small step in the right direction.
After completing my service for one year, I begin a job with a local public service company. My life was great and I had everything I wanted. I was making good money, had a great social life, all the friends and popularity I wanted. However, my life took a turn for the worse because of my actions. I was an influencer and with along with others, we started a strike among the workers that cost the company millions of pesos. I was one of thirty people who were fired once the strike ended. I sank into a season of depression after I lost my job. For the next two months, I was living a chaotic and wild life. I began to use all different types of drugs again and would party day and night. But soon the money I had saved began to run out. And in a matter of months I was left with nothing-no money, no job, no girls, and no friends. God had stripped me of everything and I came to the lowest point of my life. With my head bowed, I was forced to go to my mother and ask for help. She knew of Ciudad Refugio and brought me to the foundation.
My first month in the program I hated everything. I was so angry and rebellious and just wanted to leave. I went for three days without sleeping because my roommate snored very loudly. One night, I was just so frustrated I prayed with anger: “God, if you are there…Stop his snoring!” And I kid you not, five seconds after I finished my prayer, the snoring stopped and I could sleep. For the next couple of days, I would do the same angry prayer and God answered in the same way. I was starting to learn that God really did understand and hear me. A short while later, I had a sense to fast for a few days; I asked God to heal me from my issues with anger. And the first day itself, I felt God heal my heart and I felt true happiness and almost against my own will, I began to smile. I learned that God wanted to restore me and that when He breaks you; it’s not to punish you but to build you up according to His will.
Within the next nine months I began to have some real encounters with God. I started to like worship and even hearing the preaching of the Word. By the grace of God, I was recently able to complete the restoration program and time of transition. My dream is to talk about and serve Christ. I want to share how the love of Christ saved and transformed a sinner like me. I want to rescue others and offer them the hope that God only can provide. Like one my favorite verses, Lamentations 3:39-40 says: “Why then should we, mere humans as we are, murmur and complain when punished for our sins? Let us examine ourselves instead, and let us repent and turn again to the Lord.” As for now, I don’t know what the future holds; I just know that God holds it. I am very happy and content to be serving in the foundation and I’m waiting on God to reveal what His plan for me is!
To anyone who is in the same path that I was, I just want to share that God gives us two options for how to life our lives-His way or your own way. God is a gentleman and lets you have freedom to choose. But know that God will never follow you on the wrong path. So follow the right way; the best way; God’s way. God has a purpose for your life. I now can see that everything I have gone through was so God could use me to reach others and offer them a living testimony of how God can restore and transform a life. If He can do it for me, He can do it for you as well!
We are so proud and honored to share the story of Vivana Valladales Londoño. She is a graduate of the women’s restoration program and is now in the period of transition. Viviana is a true example of the transformative power of God and a testament of how Ciudad Refugio offers the hope of Christ to the hurting, lost and broken. This is her story:
I was born in Medellin to a loving family that included my mother, father, and two sisters. My fondest memory from childhood was spending time with my father and how he always sat with me on his knees. My mother was a Christian and raised me in the ways of God. From a young age, I felt a connection to Christ and no matter the situation I always went to Him first. And up to the age of 15 years old, I was a model student and daughter.
However, when I turned 16, my life took a turn for the worse. It all began when I started a new friendship with people from my neighborhood that were not in my circle of friends from school. I began to sneak out at night to drink beer with them and started living a secret life that my parents knew nothing about. I remember my first encounter with trying cocaine was when my older cousin offered it to me. He was a dealer and would provide me drugs whenever I asked or needed them. For about five years I lived a double life and hid my addiction from my family; I would use drugs but always felt I could control and manage it. That changed one day when my mother went through my bag and found drugs inside. She confronted me with what she found. Afterwards, I saw no reason to hide my drug use and I began to use more openly and frequently. But along with my increased drug use, I became more depressed and hopeless. Day and night, I would drink alcohol and use drugs to numb what I was truly feeling inside. I can honestly say that everything in my life changed for the worse after I started using drugs. Things escalated to where my mother could no longer put up with my bad habits and eventually kicked me out of the house. At this point, I wanted to die and felt so utterly alone in the world.
To find a place to belong and to continue my drug habit I joined a gang on the recommendation of my cousin. I mainly just needed access to drugs and this was a means to that end. But to be truly initiated into the gang, I had to prove my worth and toughness. I was required to fight, transport drugs and even carry a pistol. In a period of one year, I remember I had to fight three times. But I felt brave and invincible and always justified my actions because it granted me access to the drugs I needed to survive.
After about four years with the gang; my life changed once again. One day, I was required to transport some drugs to sell in a neighboring town. But while the transaction was taking place a dispute arose about the price of the drugs. The buyers became violent and killed a member of my gang. I had to retaliate in self-defense and was forced to do the unthinkable. The police were called and we all ran once they arrived. I tried to flee but I had consumed drugs before this encounter and was very high. Because I was not in my right mind, I couldn’t escape and was apprehended by the authorities. Once I was arrested, I was charged with crimes such as drug trafficking and extortion. Without a second thought, the judge condemned me to 18 years behind bars.
To spend 18 years behind bars was the same as a life sentence for me. At this point, I had two young kids and was essentially a single mom. My lawyer tried to convince the judge to reduce my sentence or set me free for the sake of my kids. But the judge was adamant that I was a danger to society and should remain incarcerated. I was completely hopeless and felt such anger in my heart towards God. Even though I had hit rock bottom, my heart remained very hard and I would often fight with the other inmates. All appeals for my freedom were rejected by the judge and there was no hope for me.
But God had mercy on me. After two years behind bars, one day I received a message from my lawyer that I had been conditionally released on house arrest. The same judge that condemned me to 18 years behind bars miraculously granted me my freedom after just two years. There was no other way to describe my early release other than a miracle of God; no other human explanation can ever be given. But even after being released, my addiction and abuse of drugs continued; and I lived this way for two years after being granted my freedom. I would still leave my home to buy drugs and go to unsafe places with my neighbors and friends. Through all this, my mother was crying out for me but nothing in my life was more important to me than using drugs.
My lowest point came on a Monday morning when I felt so depressed, hopeless, and alone that I decided to commit suicide. My kids no longer lived with me and I felt that I had let everyone in my life down. There was no longer a reason for me to keep living if this was all life had to offer me. However, before taking my own life I began to walk with no real destination in mind. By the grace of God, my walk brought me to the street corner where the foundation is. I stopped and read the name “Ciudad Refugio” (City of Refuge) and I heard a voice in my heart encouraging me to go and talk to the people inside. Without second-guessing or questioning myself, I went in and spoke to someone who explained what Ciudad Refugio was. So, I began the restoration process that day itself and Ciudad Refugio welcomed me with the clothes on my back and just the way I was; broken, sick, and a shell of the person I am today. Once I met the leadership and the team at the foundation, especially Doña Nena, I realized that I was no longer alone. I truly believe that God’s power and freedom in my life are what motivated me to not return to drugs. Over time, God began to break down my cold and hard heart and replaced it with one dependent on Him. And I transformed from a tough and cold woman to someone who smiled and embraced those around me with love and humility.
I cannot explain God and what He has done for me. He loved me when I was unlovable. His grace found me at my lowest and freed me from the person that I was. I know I would have been dead without God’s intervention in my life. I love Him so much for all that He has done for me. Ciudad Refugio has taught me so much. I learned here that God is my restorer and that He opens doors in our lives. I feel privileged because God always opened His arms to receive me; even when I had strayed away from Him and was in jail. I have begun to understand that the love of God is greater than the heavens and that with God by my side all the other things just fade away. In fact, my favorite verse is Ezekiel 36:26: “ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” I have become a new creation in Christ and He has given me a new heart and life. This transformation didn’t just effect me but my family as well. My parents were strengthened by the change in my life and my kids are now happy and proud of how I’ve changed and become a better mother to them.
As for the future, I have such hope. After completing my time of transition, in three months I will marry a man who has been faithful and with me through it all. I want to find stable work but more than anything else I long with my life to serve God and to be useful for Him along with my family.
This is my story and I hope it can offer light to many people. I want to share about my life to show that there is freedom for those enslaved to drugs and to offer an example of the miracle of God. I want to end by offering advice to anyone who is in the same shoes as I was. The world destroys you and has nothing to offer you. In the end, you will be alone. But Jesus is the only way, truth, and life. God longs to be your friend and confidante. He will never leave or forsake you. With Him is life, and life eternal. All you need to do is surrender everything you have to His hands. If God can offer the freedom of His grace to someone like me, He can definitely do the same for you as well.
Todos los miércoles por la noche es un momento especial para Ciudad Refugio porque, sin falta, es el día del Aguapanela. Para aquellos de ustedes que no lo conocen, Aguapanela es el ministerio donde creyentes locales y voluntarios de la iglesia salen cada semana (llueva o truene) para repartir pan y una dulce bebida caliente en las calles. En muchos sentidos, consideraría al Aguapanela como el motor del ministerio aquí. De hecho, Ciudad Refugio comenzó porque el Pastor Douglas fue obediente a la voz de Dios y salió a ministrar en las calles solo; y comenzó la obra de Dios, un alma a la vez. Afortunadamente, hoy en día no salimos solos sino en grupos. Mientras que el pastor Douglas era un hombre solo que iluminaba con la luz de Dios en una oscuridad total y absoluta, en estos días somos un ejército que trae la esperanza que solo Cristo puede ofrecer a las almas que viven y usan drogas en las calles.
Quería compartir mi perspectiva como trabajadora al interior de la fundación en cuanto a lo que significa servir con Aguapanela y para dar una idea de lo que encontramos. Antes de salir cada semana, el equiposiempre se reúne para orar juntos. Le pedimos a Dios que nos guíe y nos dirija a las personas que más lo necesitan y cada semana Él siempre responde nuestras oraciones. Luego, nos subimos a los vehículos para conducir al área donde ministramos. Esta semana pudimos meter a 13 personas en un miniván, sin desperdiciar ningún espacio. ¡Solo eso es un milagro en sí mismo!
La calle donde tiene lugar el ministerio del Aguapanela es oscura tanto en el sentido físico como espiritual. No hay luces en la calle para iluminar el camino. Hombres, mujeres y animales simplemente caminan sin rumbo, y muchos usan y venden drogas abiertamente. La mayoría son como zombis y no están en su sano juicio. No puedo explicarlo en mejores términos que decir que es como caminar directamente al mismo infierno; la desesperación y la desesperanza juntas en una pequeña calle. Debes tener cuidado donde pisas porque solo hay montones y montones de personas sentadas o de pie con sus cosas. Otros están caminando en un frenesí, pero sin ningún lugar a donde ir. Aquí hay una energía que solo he encontrado en esta calle. No lo había experimentado en ningún otro lugar.
Antes de comenzar a ministrar, todos se reúnen y oran una vez más. Entonces los voluntarios tienen dos opciones para lo que pueden hacer. Puede quedarse y pasar el pan y la bebida, o salir en grupos para hablar con la gente. Esta noche en particular, fui con un grupo de cuatro mujeres y enseguida vimos a una mujer a la cual llamaré Jo, sentada sola al borde de la calle. Nos acercamos a Jo y comenzamos una conversación con ella. Comenzamos simplemente presentándonos y compartiendo información sobre nuestras vidas. La clave aquí es establecer una conexión con la persona y no solo arrojarle un tratado y alejarse. Jo comenzó a abrirse poco a poco y compartió un pasado doloroso de abusos que la llevaron a comenzar a consumir drogas. Lo más desgarrador que compartió fue cómo deseaba morir a causa de la soledad que la abrumaba día tras día. Nuestro grupo compartió todo lo que pudimos sobre la esperanza que Cristo puede traer. Finalmente oramos con Jo, la abrazamos y le recordamos que no está sola. Por la gracia de Dios, pudimos pasar unos buenos 30-45 minutos con Jo y conversar realmente para construir una conexión con ella. La animamos a buscar ayuda cuando estuviera lista. Como todos los que conocemos en la calle, ella prometió venir a la fundación a la mañana siguiente porque quería una vida libre de drogas. (Alerta de información: Jo no ha venido… ¡todavía!)
El equipo tiene una regla estricta y ágil de que cuando se hayan distribuido todos los alimentos y no queden más, todos los voluntarios deben regresar a los vehículos y prepararse para partir. El grupo se reúne una vez más y ora por cada persona que nos encontramos. Compartimos los nombres de cada individuo y los presentamos en oración antes de regresar a casa. Como lo llama Rebekah desde la fundación: “Esperamos dejar gotas de gracia como parte del trabajo que hacemos”.
Aguapanela es el área de miniserio más difícil y cruda que he conocido. Pero cada vez que voy, recuerdo que mi vida debe ser una luz que brille en medio de la oscuridad. ¿Qué razón hay de encender una vela en una habitación que ya es brillante? Como dice la letra de la canción “Poderoso para salvar“: “En la tierra, Tu luz brillará…”. ¿Puedo animarte a brillar en la oscuridad, en las áreas de tu ciudad y pueblo donde muchos viven con dolor y desesperanza? Ofrece esperanza y simplemente con tus acciones demuestra el amor de Cristo. ¡Porque eso es lo que está más cerca del corazón de Dios y es lo que todos hemos sido llamados a hacer!
Let me begin by asking you to bear with me while I bring this illustration to life and forgive me if it’s too cheesy. A fellow volunteer, Luise and I work in the Ciudad Refugio kitchen on Monday mornings helping to prep and clean vegetables for cooking. This past Monday, there was a shipment of donation carrots that needed to be cut and cleaned to be cooked into a soup. And while elbows deep in the prep process, we started a discussion on how these carrots symbolized our lives in some many ways.
Those of you living overseas have never encountered vegetables in such a state as these carrots; and would never think to use them for human consumption. Some of you may use them for a compost pile instead. Upon inspection, the carrots were offensive to all your senses: sight, touch, and smell. We didn’t dare try to taste them in the raw form. But carefully, we began the process to peel and cut away the broken and flawed parts and saw that underneath all the bad there was good. It just needed to be redeemed. It needed someone who cared enough to endure the hardship of finding it. What others would just throw away as trash and worthless did have some value; but it needed someone with eyes and a heart to see beyond the exterior to the hidden worth. And spoiler alert, these carrots were made in a delicious and nutritious soup that fed many!
In many ways, this illustration reminds me of our mission here at Ciudad Refugio. The men and women who come into the restoration program are just like the carrots-rotten on the outside but with God given worth that needs to be discovered and uncovered. While many simply walk past these people or consider them a hopeless cause; time and time we have witnessed how with an investment of time and effort these former addicts bloom and transform into who they were created to be. But this alteration process requires individuals who are patient, disciplined, and willing to invest of themselves to bring about a transformation in the lives of others. And at Ciudad Refugio, we are blessed to have wonderful leaders and volunteers that day in and day out show the love of God and shine His light so that the men and women in the restoration process can have hope.
But can I be honest, it’s not just the men and women in the restoration program that’s the “bad carrot.” At the end of the day, this illustration also represents my life before Christ. You see I was broken, lost, rotten and hopeless without His transformative sacrifice and love in my heart. But He gave of His own life and died on the cross for my sins so that I could be redeemed. And because of His investment, my life became whole and transformed into something of worth; just like the carrots were made into a hearty soup. Like it says in Romans 5:8-10 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”
Would you take a moment to reflect on the love and grace of God that saved a “rotten carrot” like you and me? And if you get a chance, go eat a carrot; I hear it’s good for your eyes!
If you haven’t heard it yet, I would encourage you to listen to the newest hit song- “Goodness of God” by the musical group, Bethel Music.
The words of the song simply and so eloquently highlight a simple Gospel truth that so often we forget or fail to really appreciate. Some of the lyrics include:
I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
And in darkest night You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God!
And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God!
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
-Goodness of God by Bethel Music
In so many ways, this song exemplifies the ministry of Ciudad Refugio. Time after time we have experienced how God truly redeems and restores the broken, the lost, the pain for His purpose and glory. From the men and women in the restoration program, we have seen God repurpose the past to highlight God’s goodness and love, even when they were running away from Him. Their lives shout the story of how God’s goodness was running after them; seeking them in their brokenness and bringing them back home to His loving arms.
Be encouraged no matter what circumstances you are facing today; God’s goodness is running after you. No matter how dark the night is He is right there with you in the fire and the flood. He longs to be your Father and Friend; would you trust Him with all you have? May your life be a testimony of His faithfulness and goodness!
I honestly was blinded of my problem until now. Personally I never had any experience with drugs prior to arriving in Medellín, Colombia.
My sheltered bubble was popped. My eyes were opened and what I saw absolutely broke my heart. I was introduced to the haunting control drugs can hold on someone’s life.
The drugs themselves did not influence me directly. What appalled me most was witnessing the power and damage drugs cause in people’s lives. It’s sickening. It’s disturbing. It’s sad.
The problem is drugs!
Let me tell you about my problem with drugs.
Drugs rip people of their freedom.
Drugs contaminate people’s minds with lies.
Drugs numb people from pain and emotions, even the good ones.
Drugs control a person’s mind, body, and decisions.
Drugs tear apart families.
Drugs ruin dreams.
Let’s start looking at the drugs as the evil and the drug users as people just like you and I; people who are worthy of being loved, people with families, people with stories, people with dreams, people who have made mistakes, and people who need to be forgiven.
The problem is not drug users. Hate the sin not the sinner!
The moment my perspective changed was the moment I entered the women’s drug rehabilitation program. Not because I received healing and freedom from my addiction but because God broke my heart over the effects drug addiction had on His daughters. Living alongside these amazing women gave me so much life and deepened my faith.
The testimonies the women shared were filled with agony, loss, mistakes, shame, and guilt. I would go even as far as to say drugs ruin lives but these women showed me otherwise. Without Jesus that’s where the story might end but because of his power to change hearts and break the chains of addiction, these women were offered a better path for their lives through his steadfast love and grace. These women tell stories about attempting to break their addiction on their own strength but the stories always ended back at drugs. Ciudad Refugio invited these women into the foundation and opened a space asking God to heal the brokenness of addiction by giving them hope in an relentless source, Jesus Christ.
It’s completely evident that God is working through Ciudad Refugio and in the lives of these beautiful women. Despite abandoning their old lifestyles, missing their families and battling lies from the enemy, these ladies show incredible bravery and strength. I am encouraged by the healing God has already done and the faith that these women have in the midst of their trials. I left the program with a better understanding of God’s character and his love for his children. Please pray for the women in the program!
God bless Ciudad Refugio and the work that this ministry is doing for the Kingdom of God!
By John F. | Staff, Recovery & Transition Program Graduate
I met my beautiful wife when I was 18 and she was 16. We met while working at a supermarket, I worked every day of the week and she worked during the weekends. We liked each other and soon began a relationship. We remained a couple for approximately 5-6 years before we got married. We got married through the civil court and not the church because, I did not know anything about Christianity and we were never interested in the Catholic Church.
We had a wonderful family, one beautiful young girl and boy. I was a proud husband and father, I had what every person desired, a family. I would soon miss entering my home and seeing my family in the living room laughing and enjoying each others company. This soon ended when I relapsed. At this moment I was a recovering drug addict, I had stop consuming for a few years already, but the shadow of addiction followed and caught up to me.
Every single day that I worked I wasted it all on drugs. After work, my schedule was simple, go to my dealer, then go to random house and consume till I had nothing left, and finally I would return to my home. I never did drugs at home and always attempted not to enter my home under the influence. The doors to my home were always opened, it was where I would sleep off my drug use and repeat the cycle the following day. This became too much for my wife because, when you are using drugs you forget everything about responsibilities especially in my case the role of a husband and father.
My wife and I came to a mutual agreement that separation and a divorce was needed, because, remaining a family was toxic to everyone. The process of divorcing my wife took a heavy toll on me, even though, by that point I didn’t hold on to any responsibilities. My soon to be ex-wife became a father and mother to our children.
For some a divorce like this can shake someone up to the realities of what they are losing but, this separation nor the loss of my children changed me in any way. Rather, I went deeper into the abyss of my addiction. I began to feel lonely and depressed, I missed entering my home and being in the midst of my family. The only place I now found refuge was in the arms and embrace of drugs. I consumed drugs daily, I essentially lived to do drugs. Let’s put it this way, if I had 50,000 pesos, 40,000 would go towards drugs and 10,000 to food. Completely forgetting that I needed to provide for my children, who never received a penny, clothing, not even a pair of socks during this time. At this point in my life, I had nothing to live for, I was alone, lived on my own, and was isolated from everyone. There were many nights in which I sought to end my life, especially through overdoses. I would start a night doing drugs and continued on nightly binges. I had no way of controlling what was happening to me.
It wasn’t until two years ago that I sought help. After spending a year consuming drugs every day, I ran out of options for help. I sought God for help when I had nothing left. Sadly, this is the conclusion for many, when it should be the first option. It was through a pastor from my mother’s church who connected me to Ciudad Refugio. So, there I was taking the first step at restoration. I got admitted into the men’s rehabilitation program, it consisted of 1 year of restoration, 6 months of transition, and now I have 3 months post transition.
In the midst of being in the program, I began to learn more about God, the love of God, the restorative power of God through prayer and reading the Word. I even learned of the important component that family plays in restoration and being here reminded me of that responsibility I left behind. I now craved to have my family back especially my children, I wanted to be a father once again. It’s interesting, because I was admitted into this rehabilitation program to restore myself and my family, but while in this program, the devil was continually telling me that if I want to see restoration in my family I have to go to them and that I was already “fixed” I no longer needed this program. I thank God for my leaders and counselors because they continually helped me when I was close to giving up.
While in the program, I did not communicate with my ex-wife, it wasn’t until the 6th month of entering the program that my ex-wife decided to come visit with our children. Even then we didn’t speak to each other. But, she continually came to the church service that were held at the foundation before visitation. After I finished the program, she didn’t want anything to do with me nor with God and stopped coming to church for a few months. In fact, she proved this by being with someone else, what hurt was that it was a mutual friend of ours. This completely broke my heart, I thought I lost it all and once again I wanted to pack my bags and leave everything behind.
I still loved my ex-wife, and wanted to see our family get together, but because of the restorative process in my life, I didn’t dare tell her nor signaled to her what I felt, I did not want to create a fantasy that probably didn’t exist. Despite these news of her being with someone, I sought God to be my refuge and strength. I would continually pray for restoration of my family.
One day during visitation she was friendly towards me something that never happened before and so I asked God for a clear sign from Him in regard to my ex-wife. I simply prayed “God if this is you changing my ex-wife, then before anything could happen between myself and her, Lord I asked that she surrender her life to you, and that she would follow you wholeheartedly without the pressure of anyone”. I made this prayer and within a week I forgot about that prayer.
A few weeks later she started coming to church more regularly, week after week, she was there sitting and paying attention attentively unlike other times where she would easily get bored. She was acting different, she would call me and ask for my advice on random things and problems that she was facing. Something was off, she was coming to me for support, of all people, this was uncommon especially coming from her. I was trying to understand what was happening because a few weeks ago she wanted nothing to do with me. So, one night I asked God is this from you or not, because I knew I liked and loved her, but I wanted to make sure that I was not creating this all in my head. That night I went to sleep and woke up being reminded of the prayer I made and the answer that I was witnessing.
So, within a few days I approached her in front of my leaders and asked her if she wanted to mend our relationship and family. And to my amazement she said YES, and fast forward to today, I am happily married, we got married through the church and I now get to go home to my beautiful wife and children.I was blessed to have restoration in my marriage, my wife is my best friend, someone who I admire for all the moments that she spent raising our children and never giving up on our family.
“As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” – Joshua 24.15
Llevo dos años y cuatro meses en la fundación. Soy originaria de Ecuador, pero antes de llegar a la fundación tenía una muy buena amiga en Colombia que había sido voluntaria en otras fundaciones de mi país. Siempre nos mantuvimos en contacto, incluso a distancia. Cuando ella regresó a Ecuador, comencé a desear tener también la oportunidad de hacer misiones a corto plazo. Estaba buscando ir a algún lugar fuera de mi país. Primero, le envié una carta a JUCUM en Brasil, pero no tenían espacio para extranjeros. Entonces, al hablar con esta amiga mía por skype, me dijo que, a través de esta fundación en Medellín (Ciudad de Refugio), ella tuvo la oportunidad de ir a Alemania. Me encantó la idea y le pedí más información sobre esta fundación. Cuando me habló del programa para mujeres, realmente me llamó la atención, porque en mi país no reconocía ese tipo de programas en funcionamiento, especialmente los que se basan en la fe. Quería aprovechar esta oportunidad, así que escribí una carta y finalmente hablé con Rebekah Slick, quien formaba parte del personal de la fundación. Ella me dijo que podía venir durante un mes, así que vine. Sin embargo, rápidamente me di cuenta de que esta cantidad de tiempo era demasiado corta para mí. Necesitaba conocer a las mujeres y realmente vivir la vida con ellas. Hablé con el pastor Douglas durante mi primer mes aquí, y me contó como las mujeres y hombres de los programas estaban acostumbrados a esta historia de personas que entran y salen de sus vidas. Me dijo que es importante tener una relación continua y de compromiso con ellos, para romper ese ciclo de presencia temporal. Esto tenía sentido para mí, así que me comuniqué con el pastor de mi iglesia en mi país y luego tomé la decisión de quedarme por tres meses más. En esos tres meses me di cuenta de que era muy importante compartir mi vida con ellos y quería más tiempo. Sin embargo, el futuro parecía realmente incierto. A pesar de que mi corazón estaba aquí, no estaba pensando a largo plazo, y nada me estaba haciendo realmente comprometerme con más tiempo.
Luego tuve un accidente en una moto. Este accidente hizo que el gobierno colombiano me diera una prórroga de tiempo en el que permanecí aquí para poder recuperarme. No pude caminar por un mes. Un grupo de amigos de JUCUM me cuidaban y yo vivía por fuera de la fundación. Iba a fisioterapia y los médicos continuaron extendiendo mi tiempo de recuperación, lo que me permitió quedarme en Colombia aún más. Sin embargo, este fue un momento difícil para mí, porque me sentía muy improductiva e inútil, y extrañaba mucho la fundación. Cuando me reuní con las mujeres del programa, sucedió algo muy especial. Cuando llegué al servicio de la iglesia el miércoles por la noche, las mujeres me pidieron que pasara la noche con ellas nuevamente. Entonces, me quedé y pude compartir con ellas, lo que fue muy hermoso para mí. Una de las mujeres se me acercó y me abrazó. Me dijo “Myra, te amo” y lo hizo con un profundo amor fraternal. Cuando vi mi cama aquí, seguía diciendo: “¡Esta es mi cama! ¡Esta es mi cama! Me sentí tan amada por las mujeres que quería volver. Así que hablé con Rebekah nuevamente para ver si podía quedarme de nuevo. Una de las directoras del programa de mujeres, doña Nena, se puso en contacto conmigo y me dijo que me quedara con las mujeres nuevamente.
Algo que no había mencionado es que cuando vine de Ecuador yo tenía problemas de salud, pero no era consciente de ello. Como resultado de todas las actividades en las que participé en la fundación, mis enfermedades aumentaron severamente. En Ecuador, ningún médico pudo diagnosticar mi enfermedad. Un día, la esposa del pastor, Marilú, expresó su preocupación porque sabía que yo siempre sentía dolor en la espalda. Ella me ayudó a conseguir una cita con el médico y la pagó. Fue interesante cómo sucedió porque fui a esta cita con una mujer que ora mucho por las mujeres en el programa; ella también estaba orando por mí. Ella me dijo mientras íbamos allí, que estaba orando para que el médico pudiera diagnosticar específicamente lo que estaba mal en mí. Y esto es lo que pasó. El médico me dio mi diagnóstico después de tratar muchas veces de entender cuál era mi enfermedad aquí en Colombia, y en mi país. Ese día finalmente me diagnosticaron. Le dije a Marilú mi diagnóstico, y sucede ella que tiene una amiga que se especializa en tratar esta condición. Así pude recibir tratamiento gratis. Una de las razones por las que he podido quedarme aquí es para continuar con este tratamiento. Una vez más, mi estadía en Colombia se extendió por razones médicas. Aunque la gente dice que me quedé aquí por mi tratamiento, sé que eso es solo una excusa para quedarme aquí con las mujeres. Todas las cosas que he enfrentado con mi salud han sido significativas en mi labor en la fundación.
Todos los ministerios que la fundación ofrece, no solo el programa para las mujeres, sino también el programa de alimentación para los niños, la educación en casa, todos los aspectos han tenido un impacto significativo en mi vida. Disfruto trabajar con personas vulnerables que han vivido vidas complicadas y que necesitan restauración. Este es el vínculo que me une a este lugar.
En cuanto al programa de mujeres, puedo decir muchas cosas, pero hay una mujer en particular que no será nombrada en la que me gustaría centrarme. Creo que ella representa a las demás de alguna forma. Ella viene de la calle, una usuaria frecuente de drogas que busca ayuda y desea un cambio, una restauración entre ella y su familia. Esta mujer estuvo en el programa por primera vez durante seis meses y luego se fue. Su partida me hizo llorar mucho, pero también había esta esperanza en mi corazón. Yo sentía que ella pertenecía a este lugar y que volvería. Después de un año y medio, alabado sea Dios, regresó. Me fortaleció ser testigo de su proceso. Esto me mostró nuevamente que nuestra lucha no es contra carne. Para trabajar aquí, uno necesita aferrarse a Dios. Hay que interceder, luchar, ganar fuerza y coraje para poder ayudar a las personas en este programa. Desde que esta mujer regresó, ha traído mucha felicidad a mi vida y me ha animado espiritualmente.
Hubo un momento que es muy importante para mí y que siempre recordaré y es cuando los hijos de esta mujer vinieron a visitarla por primera vez. Llegaron corriendo por el pasillo para saludarla y le dijeron: “¡Mamá! ¡Mamá!” Ella estaba de rodillas y los recibió con los brazos abiertos. Este encuentro ha impactado muy profundamente mi corazón. Recuerdo este momento con lágrimas porque vi que eso es lo que Dios quiere, vidas y familias restauradas.
Veo esto y me motiva estar aquí y acompañarlos en este proceso. Pero no es solo esto, tengo la oportunidad de presenciar lo que Dios está haciendo en sus vidas. Por ejemplo, ver que sus hijos pueden quedarse con ellas durante el fin de semana. Ver su deseo de luchar para restaurar su familia y sus hogares. A través de esto puedo ver el valor de estar aquí, aunque duele cuando se van y no terminan su programa. Esta mujer específica representa a una que ha venido, que se ha ido y que ha vuelto de nuevo. Ella representa para mí el dolor y la felicidad. Hay dolor cuando se van aquellos por los que hemos trabajado, y hay felicidad y esperanza cuando regresan y cuando podemos ver frutos en sus vidas.
Esta es la paradoja: hay momentos que están llenos de tristeza cuando las mujeres se van; puede ser muy frustrante. Pero cuando dependemos de Dios nos damos cuenta de que no se trata de nosotros ni de lo que podemos hacer por los demás, sino de Dios y de lo que está haciendo en cada momento. Es entonces cuando nos damos cuenta de que tenemos que seguir adelante y no quedarnos paralizados por la frustración. Seguimos creyendo en la restauración. Sigo creyendo que Dios ama y que rescata a los perdidos. Tenemos que mantener esa esperanza y trabajar con y para estas personas. Trabajar con estas mujeres es una de las cosas más impactantes que me ha pasado aquí, pero también está el programa de alimentación infantil en Manantiales.
Veo el trabajo que se hace en Manantiales. Esta no es una obra de rehabilitación sino un ministerio de prevención, porque estamos trabajando con niños. Muchos de los niños se han visto afectados por la violencia. Vemos que la violencia promueve más violencia. Vemos a muchos niños que son violentos, que no quieren prestar atención. En muchos casos, descargan las frustraciones de sus condiciones en otras personas. Pero podemos ver a un niño que ha sido herido. Me encanta trabajar con ellos porque muchos de ellos están dispuestos a dar y recibir amor. Es casi como que uno siente que se puede dar más donde falta amor, donde hay violencia. Sus brazos están abiertos para recibir. Tenemos la misión de aprovechar eso y darles lo que Dios ha ordenado que reciban.
Estas han sido algunas de mis experiencias viviendo en la fundación durante más de dos años. Más de lo que he dado, he recibido mucho y he aprendido mucho. Yo también puedo dar más. Dios me ha enseñado a ser más paciente y a saber que puedo amar a pesar de cualquier limitación. He aprendido que el cambio no es instantáneo, sino un proceso, pero si sabemos esperar y tener paciencia, veremos mucho fruto en la vida de las personas que se están rehabilitando. Y también nosotros nos estamos rehabilitando. Al vivir con la gente, descubres muchas cosas de ti misma que necesita cambiar para que tengamos la capacidad de dar lo mejor a los demás. Dios ha cambiado muchas cosas en mi vida aquí. Una frase que resume mi experiencia y que significa mucho para mí es esta: “Vive la Palabra”. No hay otra manera. Si quieres ayudar a los demás, necesitas vivir la Palabra, y eso abre muchas puertas: inspira credibilidad a los que te están escuchando, observando y recibiendo de ti, y a los que quieren cambiar.
Hay dos versículos que Dios ha puesto en mi corazón. Él confirmó mi llamado a través de esto. Malaquías 4: 5-6: “He aquí, yo os envío al profeta Elías antes que venga el día del Señor, día grande y terrible. Él hará volver el corazón de los padres hacia los hijos, y el corazón de los hijos hacia los padres, no sea que venga yo y hiera la tierra con maldición”. El Señor me dio este versículo después del mi accidente. Él me estaba guiando para que regresara a la fundación. Hay otro versículo en el libro de Lucas. Aquí en Lucas veo el mismo espíritu y llamado de Elías en Malaquías, restaurar vidas. En Lucas 1:17 dice, “E irá delante de Él en el espíritu y poder de Elías para hacer volver los corazones de los padres a los hijos, y a los desobedientes a la actitud de los justos, a fin de preparar para el Señor un pueblo bien dispuesto”.
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.
