Volunteer – Ciudad Refugio

Finding Your Purpose in a Pandemic!

By : Murn J. | Volunteer

I first arrived at Ciudad Refugio in January as a member of a World Race team. We were supposed to spend two months in Colombia followed by two months in Ecuador and then Peru. Ever since I arrived here in Colombia, I have fallen completely in love with this foundation. I felt so at home and saw God working in ways that I had never seen before. As we were approaching our last few weeks here, I was almost praying that something would happen that would allow us to stay here for longer.

About two weeks before the quarantine began, I went paragliding with my team. As I was looking out over the beautiful city of Medellín, I prayed to God that He would give it to me and would one day bring me back here. And God reminded me of Luke 11: “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened.” So, I prayed: “Lord, will you bring me back here some day?” And for the rest of that 20-minute flight while literally soaring above the city, it became a spiritual journey full of God’s promise. First, He showed me the birds of the sky and reminded me of how He provides for them. And then reminded me of Psalm 23, that He will lead me to green pastures and that He is my home.

The following Sunday my team received the heart-breaking news that we would all be flown home due to the Coronavirus crisis that was rapidly getting worse. The team was given short notice and flights had to be booked that very night. We were, however, given the option to not get on a return flight and to sign a contract that relieved the World Race organization of any responsibility for us. My team had 20 minutes to pray about it and make a decision. Throughout this whole evening, I felt so sure that I was not leaving. That my time as not yet finished in Colombia and that Ciudad Refugio was where I was meant to be.

So I began to ponder: What if I stayed? Even though I had no idea what it would look like, or if the foundation would even let me stay. I opened my bible – purposely not trying to open it on one of those conveniently encouraging chapters – and I was brought straight back to Luke 11. This was all the confirmation I needed.

Although far sooner than I had ever imagined, God was inviting me to stay in Colombia and to trust completely in Him like I never had before. He promised me that He would provide for me and would lead me to green pastures. So, I told my team that I would not be getting on a flight. I had no idea where I would be living, how I would be serving, how long I would be staying, but I was filled with a complete confidence and a peace that this is where God wants me and that I would be safe.

Three months later, I’m still here! I have said goodbye to all my teammates. I have been welcomed with open arms by the foundation who have allowed me to stay on as a volunteer. God has provided me with a visa and with funds to allow me to stay for a year. I have found family and purpose in the work that I am doing. And I am SO HAPPY! I feel so honored to be here; that in the midst of all this craziness God would call me. I am in awe of how God would give me the desires He placed on my heart and allow me to serve in a place that really needs it. And that He would use my desire to go to South America, my Semesters journey, my love for Ciudad Refugio, to call me to Colombia for such a time as this. Praise God!

Faithful in the Little

By : Merlin M. | Volunteer

Ciudad Refugio was given a unique opportunity this school year to facilitate an English Club for students at a local high school. Teams of volunteers would walk to the Intitución Tulio Ospina every Wednesday and Friday afternoons to conduct activities and promote English language skills among the students. To be honest, the walk to the school was an easy downhill trek but the return trip was a tiring uphill climb. It definitely burned off calories from a few of the sweets we can get from our bakery! We started this program in February of this year and initially it was a hit among the students. At the start, we were regularly getting about 10 students each session but as time went on, the numbers started to dwindle. And naturally, we as volunteers were a bit discouraged by this.

But we noticed that the faithful few that would come were really invested. And we began to do what our primary goal was: Build relationships! The students who initially were shy to even talk in to us in Spanish, began to open up to us about their lives, struggles, and dreams. So while playing games and having conversations, the seeds of friendship began to bloom. We also began to invite the students to the foundation for our youth group and other youth related events. And by the grace of God, a few began to come! Currently, we have a few students that come on Saturday night to the youth group at the foundation. And some even come for the Sunday service at the church as well.

Last Wednesday was the last English club for this school year. And we hosted a party for them at the foundation. We played games with them like Mafia and ate snacks together. It was amazing to see how much the students have grown since the program began. They were at ease conversing in English and we are truly grateful to have played a small part in accomplishing this. At the party, we also gave the students handmade Christmas cards. Afterwards, one of the students wrote on social media that the English club was the best part of the school year for her! That made all of our hearts so full of joy to know that the little we did meant so much for her! And that we were able to make a difference in her life.

Personally, the experience with the English club has been a roller coaster ride. I was initially disappointed when the number of students started to dwindle as the months passed. But I was so encouraged to see how God was building relationships and how if I am faithful in the little He will bless it and multiply it! So can I encourage you to do the same? In your job, in your responsibilities, in your service to God-Be Faithful. Though you may not see it, know that God is faithful to bring 30, 60, and 100 fold fruit from the seeds that you plant today!

All We Hoped For and More!

By : Team Seattle | Short- Term Volunteers

Our time at Ciudad Refugio was incredible! For many people on our team this was our first mission trip and going in, we had very little idea of what to expect. We went in simply hoping to serve, to grow in our faith and to see God reveal himself to us in mighty ways. During our time at Ciudad Refugio we experienced all that we hoped for and more.

The guys on our team were able to live with the men in the program and participate along side them in their day to day activities. We helped with a work project each morning and went to Bible study in the afternoon. We spent a lot of time with the men with activities such as: playing chess or soccer, talking about our faith, hearing testimonies, and simply building genuine friendships. This experience was very rewarding and being able to encourage the men in the program in their faith was so fulfilling and helped us to grow in our own as well.

The women on our team were able to spend a lot of time with the women in the program. We helped in the kitchen in the mornings doing whatever was needed, which often times cleaning or helping with the food donations. We were able to go to Bible study with the women in the afternoon as well. Sometimes we went to Manantiales during the week to help with homework club or another women’s bible study. The friendships we developed with the women in the program and the kids in Manantiales are near and dear to our hearts. We will never forget all the incredible people we got to know and we will constantly keep them in our prayers.

As a team we helped each Saturday at the children’s program in Manantiales and the one in the foundation. We also had the opportunity to help with the youth group on Saturday nights. We always had a great time playing with the crazy kiddos during children’s ministry and later hanging out with the youth group. We were very sad to say goodbye to many of the youth because we became very close to them over the course of our two months at the foundation.

We highly recommend this ministry to anyone who wants to grow in their faith and do something outside of their comfort zone. Ciudad Refugio does so much good in Medellín and loves people so well. Everyone who works in the foundation has an incredible heart for Jesus and their immense faith brings a spirit of peace and comfort in the difficult and heavy moments of the ministry. People at Cuidad Refugio treated us like family and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve there. Overall, the meaningful, life bringing relationships we made in the foundation helped to make our short two months in Medellín a huge moment of change and growth in our lives.

God bless,

Team Seattle

In the News!

By Merlin M. | Volunteer

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.

Please check out the links below to learn more:

Noticias Caracol

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.

Q’hubo

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.

BiteTalk Medellin

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.

The Power of Restoration

By Yeyson M. and Merlin M. | Volunteers

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!

In Memorium: Dr. Jason Tabick

By Ciudad Refugio

Ciudad Refugio shares in the sorrow over the passing of Dr. Jason Tabick. He completed his race and was promoted on glory on May 20, 2019.

Dr. Jason Tabick loved telling the Chiropractic story from the homeless to the famous and in between. He had a beautiful way of seeing each person as a special creation of God. An avid BJ Palmer GreenBook reader, he practiced the Upper Cervical Knee Chest work taught by Lyle Sherman and Dr Kale. A gentle giant. Always serving for the benefit of others out of abundance! He was a Christian man leaving behind his bride of Sandra.

On behalf of Ciudad Refugio, we offer our deepest condolences to the family and everyone at World Care Specific Chiropractic Missions. We have truly been blessed by Dr. Tabick’s service to the people of Colombia and been deeply touched by his heart to serve and love others. We will miss him! But we know with hope, he is resting in the arms of his Savior and we will see him again on the other shore.

Focusing on the Few

By Merlin M. | Volunteer

This year Ciudad Refugio has been working under the mandate to evangelize where God has placed us and to disciple those who God has placed in our path. Miraculously, the Lord has been opening unbelievable doors for us to accomplish this goal. One amazing opportunity is to lead an English club at a local high school. Read our previous post about this (HERE). Volunteers from the foundation go to the school two times per week on Wednesday and Friday afternoons to engage the students and encourage them to speak in English.

This program began in March of this year with a lot of engagement and enthusiasm. As a volunteer from the foundation, I even wondered if we would be able to manage the number of interested kids! However, as time and the months went on, the number of students who regularly attended began to diminish little by little. This could be due to a number of factors: Many students have said they forget about the timing of the club. Others are engaged in so many other projects and activities and find it hard to make time for this. And most of all, we are talking about teenagers here. Their interest and attention spans are so limited; so, it may be that they just simply lost interest.

I can speak on behalf of all the volunteers (Special Shout-out to the amazing team: Julia, Maria, Tim, Joshua, Luise, and Yeyson) that we do try each week to make the club as fun, entertaining, and educational as possible. Initially, as a volunteer it was deeply discouraging to see the number of students drop as the weeks went on. But an amazing thing happened. I began to notice that as the attendance declined; the students that did come were more engaged and comfortable to speak English. We were able to talk to them on a deeper level as well; more than just the superficial. We would have discussion on their families, strengths, weaknesses, hopes and dreams.

Last week on Friday we only had two students in the class. But it was personally one of my favorite sessions of the club. During the meeting, we were able to discuss about our influences, our dreams, and what happens when we die. My fellow volunteer and I were able to share about our faith and the hope we have for eternity. The most miraculous part of all of this for me personally was that I was able to share the Gospel in the language I am most comfortable in-English! Though looking at the number of students might have been a reason for feeling disappointed; the nature of the conversation and how the kids opened up to us, was something that only God could have orchestrated.

The events regarding the English Club reminded me about the story of Gideon from Judges 7 and how God narrowed down the available men to fight until it was the select group He desired. Therefore, I am learning that the nature of God is more orientated towards quality and not quantity. So, that means we’ll keep working and reaching out to these students; regardless of the number. Because building relationships and creating personal connection is the model that Christ has taught us to follow. And if we can speak life and the truth of the Gospel into the heart of one student, that alone would be worth it. At the end of the day, as it says in I Corinthians 15:58: “ So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” (NLT)

Can I encourage you be fruitful for God where ever He has placed you? Don’t be discouraged playing the numbers game but pray that God provides a fruitful harvest for your efforts!

Listening For The Voice of God

By Merlin M. | Volunteer

As a believer, one of the most difficult things to do is wait on God and often in this situation I find myself praying and continuously bringing my requests before God. But the real question should be: As I wait, am I actually giving God a chance to speak? And more importantly, am I actively listening for His voice?

We all have that one friend in our lives who is “the talker.” No matter the situation or topic they always have an opinion but more importantly they need to share their views. They often dominate entire conversations with just their thoughts and don’t usually give others a chance to talk and share. For “the talkers,” all the world is their stage and their needs and views matter more than anyone else’s. However, “the talkers” miss one of the most important parts of communication-LISTENING!

In basic human interactions, the act of listening is often overlooked or not given enough credit; which leads to miscommunication. To listen not only requires focus and effort but active involvement in the conversation. To put it plainly, it requires you to care. Surprisingly, most successful business leaders credit some part of their success to effective listening skills. Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen is quoted as saying: “The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention.” If the skill of listening is such an essential part of human interactions; how much more important is it in our relationship with God?

I truly believe prayer is the equivalent to having a conversation with God. Though often it’s used as a one way interaction to upload our wish list to our Heavenly Father. But this is not the type of interaction that God desires with us. From the very beginning, He wanted a close relationship with His creation. We can see this straight from the Garden of Eden and how God would spend time each afternoon with Adam and Eve. Our God is not a distant God who just sits up in heaven but He longs to commune and develop a connection with us. Therefore, when we ask something of Him, in His time and according to His will; He responds. But most of the time, we just keep talking and fail to listen to what He is actually speaking.

In Scripture, we can see countless examples of God talking to His people. For Moses, it was through a burning bush. For Gideon, it was through a fleece. One of my personal favorites is how God used a donkey to speak to Balaam. But each example shows how God is creative in how He responds and interacts with His people. He knows our depositions and what manner would work best for each of us. Many times, I expect God to speak through earthquakes, floods, and fires. But instead He shows up in the gentle whisper in my heart; much like He did with Elijah in 1 Kings 19: 11-13. Verses 12-13 says: “After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” The key to Elijah hearing the voice of God was that his heart was open and listening for it. What a great lesson for each of us!

So can I encourage anyone waiting on the Lord to remain steadfast in seeking the Lord. Spend time in His word and in prayer. But also leave time to just listen. Our God can use supernatural means and methods to get His point across but He can also use a gentle whisper in our hearts to convey his love and message to us. As it says in Psalms 27:4: “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Can I also add to that..listen for His voice! He is still speaking today to those whose hearts are open and listening!

A Place to Call Home

By Alexis B. | Volunteer with WCSC Missions

The first time I visited Medellin and Ciudad Refugio was in the summer of 2018. I was warned that Colombia was a dangerous place and that I should be careful. I came with a mindset that I would be treated poorly by the people and was ready to watch my back every where I went. Honestly, I was prepared for the worst. However, I experienced the opposite when I arrived to Colombia. I was welcomed with open arms and received many warm smiles and greetings from the community. I felt the presence of the Lord and knew it was a place where God was moving. And it was clear to me in the first few minutes here that the people of Medellin have hearts full of faith.

This year, I returned to Medellin to bring chiropractic once again to its people. The trust and respect that my team and I received everyday was overwhelming. Women would hand to us their young babies and trust us to care for them; children came running to us with an interest in what we are doing and always left full of joy.

I am so thankful to the City of Refuge for truly showing me and my team the true nature of the community of Medellin. In my time here, I have seen some of the most beautiful parts of the city as well as some of the most heartbreaking. But regardless of where I’ve been one things has been constant, I have the felt the presence and the power of God.

I am so thankful to be given the opportunity to bring the healing power of chiropractic to the community here. The people of Medellin deserve the best care that they can receive and I fully intend to return to this place that I can now call my second home.

Reaching the Community through English

Julia R. | Long- term volunteer

The ability to speak English fluently has proven to be an important key to success in our generation. It is the most popular second language people wish to learn and has been adopted globally as the language of business, science, and much online activity. There is a high demand among students and adults alike to learn English.

For Ciudad Refugio this year has been marked as a time for outreach and evangelism. And we at the foundation, have been brainstorming how to better reach our immediate community in Medellin. The Lord heard our concerns and provided an unbelievable open door for us. By the grace of God, we were recently given the opportunity to launch a brand new English Club at a local high school, Intitución Tulio Ospina. Every Wednesday and Friday afternoon, a group of English-speaking volunteers will head out to the school to practice conversation, pronunciation and grammar with the students.

We hope this club is the start of creating a bridge between high school aged students and the foundation. We pray that this one of many ways the foundation will continue to influence the people of this city, and eventually win many disciples for Christ. Please pray with us as we venture out to make an impact for Christ in Medellin!