Panela
Water
Outreach

Since 1994

The panela water outreach represents both the DNA and the birthplace of the Ciudad Refugio foundation. It was Pastor Douglas’ first ministry when he arrived in Medellin, Colombia in 1993, serving the poor and offering them the opportunity to know Jesus Christ.

The ministry continues today through a diverse team of local and international volunteers who take to the streets weekly to minister to the homeless, addicted and displaced.

The panela water outreach represents the first step in the scale of Ciudad Refugio’s recovery programs. Those living on the streets are invited to come and sleep in the Ciudad Refugio shelter. The only two requirements to access this opportunity are not to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol and not to take, in any way, attitudes that express violence or aggression towards others.

Agua Panela outreach has become a bridge for other organizations, ministries, Bible schools, and interested individuals. It is a way to connect Christians with real, tangible human needs. Being part of this ministry is an experience that challenges individuals to apply abstract theory to difficult real-life realities.

My life has changed after this.

Testimony of a Volunteer

My experience serving with the Agua Panela ministry has deeply impacted my heart. I have learned that everyone – every single man and woman living on the streets and using drugs – is looking for love. Some may find this population offensive but they are not, they are genuinely open to receiving the authentic love of Christ.

Sugar water

Every Wednesday night, a group of volunteers from Ciudad Refugio goes out into the streets to distribute panela water and bread to the homeless and addicted people of Medellín. The snack is accompanied by a brochure that shares the love of God and invites people to participate in the shelter and restoration services offered by the foundation. This simple act of love represents Ciudad Refugio’s oldest ministry and also the heart of the organization, manifested by returning weekly to plant seeds of grace.

.

The power of prayer

Each hot drink and bread is served with a “Jesus loves you” and an offer of prayer. Those who accept experience the power of drawing closer to God’s mighty presence and experience, many for the first time, the touch of His grace.

Drops of grace

Every hot drink, every pamphlet, every prayer, every “Jesus loves you” represents a drop of grace. We don’t know which drop will penetrate to open a hardened heart, but every week we continue to distribute these drops of grace and know that it is not us, but God who brings growth.

A smile and a kind word

The men, women and children who live on the streets of the city live invisible lives as the world passes by without noticing their presence. A smile, a kind word, a gentle touch… simple gestures like these communicate a sense of value, of being seen, that they as the “invisible people” are desperate to experience.

The Beginnings | A Personal Look

It was 1994, a very violent period in Colombia. The church where we worked was located in one of the darkest and scariest neighborhoods in Medellin, and the church was in a very dark and frightening neighborhood. The Saturday meeting with the youth had finished, it was almost Sunday, and it was a day full of work for us. I remember that we called the weekends “the big marathon” because we had five meetings to attend and for which we had to prepare the respective message, in addition to evangelizing in the street. By the time everything was over, we were dead, but Monday would come… and we would start again. Added to this list of occupations, I was single and felt lonely, which makes it a very painful situation when you are 25 years old, and on top of everything, I couldn’t sleep.

 

Subscribe to receive our quarterly newsletter

"I have read and accept the data processing policy."

Come and volunteer. Join people and groups from all over the world by signing up and making a difference

Donate financially and make a direct difference in the lives of men, women, children and families in vulnerable situations.

Open chat
Somos una iglesia y Fundación cristiana que busca ser un oasis espiritual para personas en necesidad
¿En que podemos ayudarte?