Ciudad Refugio on the Move in the Local Community

By Rebekah S. | Staff

“As an NGO we want to work inside our walls offering a refuge, a place of healing, hope and restoration for those in need.  As a church we want to live outside our walls reaching the lost and affecting human need in the name of Christ.  Let’s strive to be both a refuge and a lighthouse.”   – Pastor Douglas Calvano, Ciudad Refugio.

In the months of November and December of 2018, Casa de Refugio launched an initiative encouraging the local church and community to invest funds towards feeding hungry families in Manantiales, Colombia’s second largest camp of displaced persons.  As a result, in January we were able to deliver food boxes and school supplies to 200 needy families.

In addition, we received a group of 44 youth who came to partner with us as a church in local community outreach.  Together with these passionate youth, we were able to impact 350 kids from public schools as well as nearly 300 children from local communities.  We also facilitated live music and evangelistic events in El Refugio, the Ciudad Refugio bakery and cafe, and local city parks.

We are excited to be a part of what Jesus is up to in our community, and we pray He continues to teach and guide us as we share His light.

 

Coming to Medellin

By Julia R. | Long term volunteer

In elementary school I remember my teacher passing out small notecards and asking us all to jot down what our dream profession would be as adults. I remember looking down at the paper, fiddling with my pencil, and scanning the classroom full of young faces scribbling away with ease. I thought for a while, and not genuinely comprehending what I wrote, I copied, “missionary” between bright blue lines.

I had the privilege of being introduced to Jesus at a young age. I was taught that there existed a God who created the world, and this God loved the world that he created. My spirit came alive at the concept, and by the time I could spell my own name, I decided that this was a God I would pursue knowing. This pure view of God became adulterated with wrong teaching and difficult life experiences, and my desire to simply know him became slowly replaced with a burden of performing, as would a flawless piece of machinery. Yet even in the midst of my misconceptions and worthless striving, God was pursuing me. When I was 16, at a turning point in my life, He met me.  

During my senior year of high school, as I neared college application deadlines, God reminded me of that commitment I had made to him a couple years prior: a promise that my life would be His; if He would be willing to lead, then I would follow. The institution, Summit International School of Ministry would not leave my mind for the life of me. I grew up attending the official church of this ministry school, Times Square Church, and I had vowed to myself and everyone I was able to communicate to that I would not be “one of those people who go to Summit.” Yet, I couldn’t deny the unshakeable drawing I had to the place. I applied, only to ease my conscious. I prayed to receive a rejection letter, but to my dismay, I was accepted. Sensing the leading of God, I prepared myself to go, and to let go of my own idea of my future. The summer before that first fall semester, everything I had done to prepare myself financially for Summit fell through my fingers. As August approached, I had no plan for how I would pay my tuition, and I was unable to make more money. As a type of confirmation that this was indeed the leading of God, I incidentally received a donation that covered all of my needs for that upcoming semester. Each semester would prove the same; I would be in need, and in some unbelievable way, I would be provided for.  

During my second year, I needed to make a decision as to what my next step after Summit would be. My entire worldview of life had drastically changed through the biblical teaching at Summit; I didn’t think in the same way as I did prior to coming. I cared much less about social stigmas or people’s opinion on my life decisions; I solely wanted to know Jesus. As I began praying about my next step, the idea of taking on an internship became more and more attractive. Reigniting that childhood passion, God had begun putting foreign missions heavily on my heart, and I felt God calling me into missions work. As part of a work-study program, I had spent some time tutoring a handful of foreign students, helping them with the English language. Writing had long been a passion of mine, but it was through this job in which I discovered that teaching English was something I loved doing. My inclination towards missions and my desire to teach English seemed to go hand-in-hand, and I had an idea of the general area of what I was looking to go into post-graduation.  

Going home on weekends, I came to realize that if I were to make a decision that wasn’t approved of at home, I would have to suffer great consequences. God began to show me areas that were unhealthy in my household, and he began to heal me through separating his character from some of the wrong things I had been through. I started to sense God’s leading me out of my house, and into something new, but I wasn’t exactly sure into what yet. One thing was evident, that if I wanted to be able to be free to move as I knew God was leading me, I needed to separate from devoting myself towards primarily pleasing the people I cared a lot about (like family), and instead devote myself to pleasing God primarily. Meaning, if God led me to do something that wasn’t approved by my parents, I had to realize that my life was not lived for them, but for Him first.   

After class one afternoon, I plopped myself down in the fold-out chair parallel to the office desk of Pastor Ryan Seaborn (a guidance counselor of types at Summit). The weeks prior my mind had been at odds with itself, sensing the call of God yet wrestling with how to reconcile faith with practicality. I explained my frustrations with him, and my aspirations for the future. As I anxiously went through detail by detail, Pastor Ryan nodded and remained almost irritatingly calm. Once I finally stopped to take a breath, Pastor Ryan turned towards his desktop, pulled up a video, and rotated the screen towards me. He then told me that recently an internship opportunity overseas opened up in a church organization called City of Refuge; the internship would be concentrated in the foundation’s school, teaching English as a second language. I sat there dumbfounded, as I couldn’t have described a more perfect position if I had wanted to. Then he pressed play. I fell in love with the ministry’s heart and vision; it was almost exactly what God had been pressing on my own heart for months. I remember immediately holding myself back from attaching myself to the idea of coming to Medellin; it seemed absolutely impossible. Yet, how could I want to be anywhere else?

The next couple weeks, I prayed and thought on Medellin constantly. I felt as though God was calling me into the impossible, to take a step out into the unknown, but I feared. Even after every way God had revealed his unchanging, faithful character to me, after he had proven his presence in my life over and over again, something in me was scared. Another opportunity had become available to me; an internship that would have been much more comfortable, much more doable, and much more financially beneficial. Yet, I felt that in this season of my life God wasn’t calling me to independence, or into a sensical, prosperous progression in life, but rather, into an absolute dependence on him. That is not to say that having money or working in a secular field is disbelief in God, but in that moment I knew that God was calling me out of my comfort. So, I moved forward with taking on the internship.  

Things didn’t become very easy following that decision. There was some conflict in my house, and I decided to go to live with my sister. My plans didn’t pan out exactly as I had originally hoped; my arrival in Medellin was a couple months after my initial intention, but through it all, God was in control. I am able to understand more now how perfectly he prepares us and orchestrates the seasons of our lives. He is a good Father, and He knows what He’s doing. It’s easy to serve God when you’re emotionally well and life is smooth; but it is in the strain, and difficulties that we are able to understand him in a deeper, more intimate way. If it weren’t for my wounds, I wouldn’t know personally that my God is a Healer. If it weren’t for my lack, I wouldn’t trust in him as my Provider. God cares for us, and sometimes in his caring for us he allows us to be without some momentary pleasures so that we can gain a more eternal truth.  

Every one of my needs have been provided for. Not only financially, but my soul has been cared for. I went through a lot of emotional strain during that year leading up to my coming to Medellin, as God had begun healing and reconciliation in many areas, and it didn’t come without pain. Yet, when I was feeling the sting of loss, when I felt the most unworthy, when I was in the lowest possible state, God continued to meet me. He did not approach me expecting me to be more put together, less of a mess, or more spiritual during my difficulties. He met me, and whispered to me his love; he convicted me, but drew me closer in my repentance; he reopened some wounds that had healed wrongly, and piece by piece he sewed me back together. As he is continuing to do so. I am not here in Medellin because I am some super-Christian extremist who has a natural desire to do good in and of myself. I am here by the grace of God, aware of how absolutely degenerate I am without my Savior. I am trusting him to continuing being in my life who he has been for eternity, and his faithfulness can be the same for you if you decide to trust in it. Depend on him. With money, without money; if you have a family, or if you don’t; no matter what your circumstance is, realize your need for him, and find the most satisfying joy by placing every ounce of hope you can muster into his hands. There is no safer place.

 

 

The Long and Short of It All

By Merlin M. | Short- term volunteer

I for one can’t believe that it’s already time for me to write about my experience serving short term in Ciudad Refugio for the last three months.  Time truly does fly here.  I still remember being overwhelmed my first day here in Medellin and just trying to take in what would be my life for the next couple of months.  And now, as I reflect on the end of my time here I can honestly say beyond a shadow of a doubt I have been blessed to have lived here and consider it an honor to have served as part of this ministry.

In many ways I came with one expectation of what it meant to be a missionary and that perception was always based on quantifiable measurement of what success is.  For example, when I came I wanted to go back and tell my home church: ” Well, I went to Colombia and brought 5 people to Christ, cast out 7 demons, healed a leper…”  I’m sure you get the picture.  But what the Lord taught me more than anything else is that missions is about serving and being present with people whether it is working in the kitchen peeling carrots, creating a giant twister board for kids or ministering in a Bible study. Relationships and reliability are what matters the most when serving.  And my perspective changed on what “success” was. A smile, a hug, a silent prayer became my new markers of it.  I had to unlearn so much of my “works” mentality and learn to embrace discomfort and to just be content and faithful where God had placed me.

Secondly, I saw and observed the true meaning of service from everyone who works and serves in Ciudad Refugio.  They truly exemplify and shine the love of Christ everyday in the big and small things.  They serve not from obligation or compulsion but because they long to share the heart of Christ to the needy and the lost around them.  There were no better examples to learn from than the volunteers and staff that serve here.  I have grown just by working and serving along side with them and truly consider myself blessed for having been given a chance to do so!

Having said all this, my heart was deeply touched by my time at Ciudad Refugio that I didn’t want it to end after just three months! So after been given clear direction from God, I can confidently say that I will be BACK! And this time, to serve for a  longer term! So this is not goodbye but see you soon!

 

 

Wait! This Isn’t Africa!

By Merlin M. | Short Term Volunteer

An old saying goes, “Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get!” Well, it has certainly proved true for me and my call to serve with Ciudad Refugio.  You see, I have always felt that my purpose was to someday serve as a missionary in Africa! And the Lord and I had an understanding (or so I thought) that in five years after I had achieved all my career and life goals; I would selflessly give up my cushy job and comfortable life to go slave away for the Lord under the hot African sun.  But it turns out though it was my plan; it clearly wasn’t God’s.  And as you might have gathered by now, the Lord sent me to Colombia, not Africa.

My connection with Ciudad Refugio began in November of 2017.  I came with an awesome team (GONDOLA for life!) from Times Square Church for a ten-day, short-term missions trip.  To be honest, my life and work were super busy before departing that I was in no way spiritually ready to serve and minister.  In fact, I contemplated many times to just cancel and not go at all. But that all changed the Sunday before I left. My pastor prayed for me and said the following: “May this trip be life-changing and forever alter the course of your life!” And after that prayer, something softened in my heart and I found my sense of dread was replaced with a sense of expectation.

When I arrived at Ciudad Refugio, I was blown away by how the ministry was serving in transforming lives and providing hope. What opened my eyes the most was how they selflessly ministered to those who society so often overlooks and discards as broken.  But through their efforts, they refine and redeem a sense of loss with the hope that only Christ provides.  Moreover,  the sheer scope of all they did with the resources they had, absolutely blew me away. And gently, I felt the Lord start to speak to my heart and ask two things of me:

1. Am I willing to come back and serve in Colombia?
2. Am I willing to return not just for 10 days but longer?

Meanwhile, I was actively trying to ignore the gentle whispers as “crazy talk” or my heart’s response to the need I saw around me. But still, the whispers persisted and continued to resound in my heart. So naturally, I began to have in-depth conversations with God which consisted of me trying to teach God geography (“Remember, you said Africa and Lord, this is Colombia. I think you have the wrong continent. Now, did you mean the Congo or Cameroon?” ) and of me trying to push my five year career plan with some benefits (How about instead of me going to Colombia I will faithfully institute a 20-30% tithing habit?)

While on the trip, I told some of my team members of what the Lord was speaking and they were so supportive and in many ways not surprised by what the Lord was speaking to me.  I, on the other hand, wanted to pull a Jonah and run anywhere other than where God was leading. But my resistance began to melt when I heard the sermon preached by a visiting minister the second Sunday of my trip.  He asked the following questions: “What if God destroyed all you know and hold dear for the salvation of just one soul? Are you ready to surrender to God’s will no matter the cost?” These questions pierced my heart and forced me to take a long reflective look at myself and how much I am willing to listen, obey, and surrender! It’s easy to sing on a Sunday morning, ” I have decided to follow Jesus” but am I actually willing to actually live it out; no matter the cost? The Lord broke my will and replaced it with His perfect will for me!

A few days later, I left Colombia with the gentle assurance that one day I would return and that it would be sooner than later. And true to His promise, that’s exactly what happened. Less than a year after my short term trip to Colombia, I am now back and serving for three months with Ciudad Refugio!

So I would encourage all of you who are reading this: Trust God with your life because as it says in Isaiah 55:8-9:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

And as the Lord is teaching me, He always knows best and plans the best adventures for your life. Stayed tuned for more updates from my time and adventures at Ciudad Refugio!

Mi refugio

Por Gustavo Ruiz |Graduado de Summit International School of Ministry, voluntario a largo plazo

Serví durante tres años en Ciudad Refugio en diversas capacidades: en el ministerio de hombres, en el ministerio de personas sin hogar, en la enseñanza y discipulado, en la traducción y como conductor. Mi tiempo con este ministerio ha sido una de las mayores bendiciones de mi vida cristiana. Pasaron tantas cosas durante este tiempo que es difícil resumir o expresar con palabras.

Ciudad Refugio fue maravilloso. Es el lugar donde descubrí que puedo ser útil en la mano de Dios. Es un lugar muy sencillo, con gente sencilla que responde al llamado de amar a Dios y de amar y servir a los necesitados.

En Ciudad Refugio experimenté cómo Dios puede usar a alguien en diferentes áreas, formando dones y talentos según sea necesario para realizar el trabajo en cuestión. Al mismo tiempo experimenté que no me cansaba, ya que servir a Dios parecía multiplicar mis fuerzas. Pasé mucho de mi tiempo sirviendo a Dios de maneras pequeñas y prácticas (haciendo recados u operando rutas escolares en los vehículos del ministerio). Mientras servía a Dios de esta manera sencilla, no estaba consciente de lo mucho que Él estaba haciendo en mi corazón.

La sumisión, la fidelidad, la perseverancia, la hermandad, la disciplina, la conciencia de aceptación, la conciencia de mi necesidad de Dios, son lecciones que no puedes aprender en un salón de clases; las aprendes a través del tiempo, la constancia e intimidad con Dios en tu servicio a Él.

Dios ha sido tan bueno conmigo en Ciudad Refugio. Eso no significa que no haya tenido luchas, pero incluso las dificultades han obrado para bien.

Dios ha sido mi refugio.

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)

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!