Colombian Christian Mission

On February 8, 2008,

Six Americans boarded a plane in Cleveland, Ohio to travel down to Colombia, South America to put a new roof on the church in Normandia in Bogotá. It was the first Colombian Christian Mission Work Crew to take place in 14 years!

On February 8, 2008, six of us met at 7:30 a.m. Orrville Christian Church to head down to Colombia, South America for a Work Crew. Our team consisted of: John Mulpas, Senior Minister of the Orrville Christian Church, Trisha Doty, wife and mother of 3 from Dalton, OH, Mike Hamsher a personal trainer from Orrville, OH, Dennis Day a brick mason from Millersburg, OH and Brian & Susy Morris (me and my husband).

We arrived in Bogotá that evening around 9:30 p.m. Dale was waiting for us at the airport with one of the local preachers and his wife. They greeting us warmly and we loaded up in the two cars and headed to Dale’s apartment. After unloaded our 12 suitcases and carrying them up to the 7th floor apartment (good thing there’s an elevator), we had a snack and set up our beds for the night. The apartment was definitely cramped with 7 people in it, but we moved furniture and managed to fit everyone in somewhere.

The next morning, we all awoke to the smell of freshly brewed Colombian coffee. After breakfast we headed out for some sightseeing. We headed up to Monserrate, a cathedral on a hill that overlooks the city of Bogotá. It was a beautifully clear day, which is not all that common in Bogotá. While looking out at the city, Dale pointed out all the areas where churches have been established and where future churches might be started. Then we traveled to a small town on the outskirts of Bogotá to have some lunch and to visit the Salt Cathedral at Zipaquirá, this is a Catholic cathedral that has been built inside the tunnels of an active salt mine. We got an English speaking guide (well sort of), and we made our way through the 14 stations of the cross and then finally into the large cathedral. It was an interesting journey. That evening we headed back to the apartment for dinner and some rest (our “rest” day wasn’t very restful). We spent the evening talking with Dale about the work of the Colombian Christian Mission here in Bogotá and throughout the country of Colombia.

Sunday morning, we attended church at Normandia, one of the oldest Christian churches in Bogotá. We enjoyed some Spanish singing and then John preached a message about letting your light shine. After church service we headed upstairs to the fellowship hall for some snacks (typical Colombian empanadas and coffee). We enjoyed some time getting to know some of the Colombians. After everyone left, we headed up to the third floor to look at the roof. Dennis figured out a plan and we started making a list of supplies we needed. We headed back to the apartment and Dennis and Dale headed off to Home Center (a Colombian version of Lowe’s) to get the things we needed for the project.

On Monday, work day #1, we went to the church in the morning where we were greeted by several Colombian Christians. We worked hard all day taking off the old roof and sending down the side of the building into the lot next door, and brought the new roof up the side of the building. We finished around 5:30 and headed back to the apartment where we all showered (with nice hot water!) and had some dinner. After dinner we all headed over to the nearby commercial center for some delicious ice cream from Crepes & Waffles. The next three days were spent installing the new roof and cleaning and painting the walls. We finished the project on Thursday evening.

On Friday morning, we got up early and loaded up a small bus with with 9 suitcases full of school supply bags to distribute to the children at Colegio Peniel. We arrived at the school around 9 a.m. and passed out the bags to the children one class at a time. The kids were thrilled that people in the United States had made little bags of school supplies for them. After spending several hours at the school and spending time with the kids, we headed out of town for a traditional “prairie style” lunch of beef roasted slowly over an open fire. After lunch, we went a little further out of town to stop by the church camp. Around 4 p.m., we headed back up the mountain to Bogotá (we didn’t get in until 8:30 that night because we got caught in a traffic jam for 2 hours).

On Saturday we slept in and had a big breakfast, then we headed out to a big store called Carre Four (kind of like a Super Wal-Mart). Everyone bought a few things to take home to their friends and families. We spent the afternoon doing laundry and packing. We also spent a while distributing the leftover school supply bags into smaller bags to give out at church the next day to give to the children.

On Sunday morning we headed out to a church in the south end of Bogotá, in one of the poor sections of the city. We were able to give all of the kids small gifts of pencils, crayons, and small toys: they were thrilled. After the service, we enjoyed a chicken dinner with the preacher and his family. In the evening we headed back down to the south end to a different church. That evening we packed our luggage for our trip home the next morning. Monday evening, we were back in Ohio.

MIKE HAMSHER wrote this about his experience in Colombia:
What a great trip.  It was awesome to be able to help out the churches in Colombia and see the work that God has anointed Dale and Jean and the supporting churches to do.  I think we went down with the intent on helping others, but in doing so, we received much more in return.  The Colombians are a proud, grateful, and gracious people with so much fire for Christ.  Although the language is different, it was evident that their love for Christ was so important to their everyday life.

Fixing the roof was a highlight, as were the many beautiful sights we were able to experience.  So many memories created in such a short time:  Old Style, A&C, Crepes & Waffles, Colgeio Peniel, Camp, mind changing discussions, philosophical debates, wonderful bus rides, terrific food cooked by a terrific lady, loving kids, slap happy videos highlights at 11 pm.  All these contributed to a growing trip both for those we came to serve and for us.

It is important to keep the fire and mission of church planting up, as the spread of Christianity is, for many, a saving grace from an otherwise hard life.  Hope in Christ can alleviate even the largest issues and fears for not only the Columbian Christians but also for us.  The task the Dale and Jean have received to accomplish for the Lord is so imperative in the growth of the Kingdom.  God has and will bless the continuing efforts in the mission field by CCM. 
Phil 4:13

TRISHA DOTY wrote this about her experience in Colombia:
Although this was technically my first "mission trip," I pray it was not the first nor the last of my ministry work!

I knew I would not be able to afford the trip on my own, but I believed that God would take care of the details... and He did! Thank-you to everyone who obediently and generously gave! God will bless you for your faithfulness!

Preparing for the trip, I wondered if I would have motion sickness, become ill from food, water, or disease, or most likely... homesick!? No! I could sense throughout the whole trip that I was covered in prayer! When I returned home, I found it to be true ~ thank-you to all of my prayer warriors for praying for me and my family!!

I felt the loving welcome of the Colombian Christians from the moment we met! They are obviously affectionate and amazingly giving!! What a blessing each of them are ~ thank-you to my new dear friends... until we meet again!

The concepts used by CCM - in the teaching of new believers on up to the training of church leaders - are such Bible basic principles that should be used by every Christian church! Thank-you, Dale, for the many hours of Q/A of your seasoned wisdom for inspiration and ideas to carry back home with us!!
God put together a great team! Each Colombian and each "Gringo" stepped in and helped get the job done ~ everyone working together!! We had some fun along the way which helped us build unity, teamwork, and relationships. For this I am very grateful!! More than any other part of the trip, I have taken those friendships home in my heart: I love every one of you whom I met on Work Crew 2008!

Thanks for a productive and memorable experience!!

JOHN MULPAS wrote this about his experience in Colombia:
I'm so thankful I took the time to travel to Colombia. The work crew project was a great experience. Thanks to Dale Meade and family for hosting us. If you've never been on a short-term mission trip, please prayerfully consider it. CCM is planning future trips. What an opportunity for you to grow personally. What an opportunity for your church to get involved and develop a global vision for the kingdom of God. What an opportunity to partner with CCM. The Meade family and CCM is doing a wonderful work in Colombia. They've been faithful to God's call for over 30 years. Lives have been changed. Churches have been planted. Leaders have been trained. And yet there's much more to be done. Let me challenge you to steward your gifts, talents, and resources to further God's purpose in Colombia. It's an investment that will pay eternal dividends!

DENNIS DAY wrote this about his experience in Colombia:
If you are reading this newsletter, I am probably safe in assuming that you can remember a day when you decided to start living your life for Jesus. And, going a little farther out on that limb, that probably occurred some time ago. You are probably the kind of person that people can depend on and there is little question in your mind that God's Word is true. But you may have wondered if you could really "put down your nets and come follow me."

After 12 years of trying to live my life for Christ, I heard a guest missionary from Colombia who had been invited to our church. He issued a challenge that I could not ignore, even though I tried. A year later he returned and asked me directly to consider going on a short term mission trip, which I had never done before. He assured me that every reason I had for not "putting down my nets" (four children at home, prohibitive cost for a one paycheck family, employer did not offer vacation, to name a few) would somehow be taken care of, he was right. Through the prayers and help of the brothers and sisters in our congregation they were more than met. It became a turning point in my life.

Fourteen years and a number of short terms mission trips later, I was able to return to that school in Villavicencio, Colombia and see it being used as Dale and the church leaders in Colombia had envisioned it so many years earlier. I worked as part of a very good team in 1994 for two weeks on the school in Villavicencio. There was still so much to do after we left that we felt like we were just getting started. Now looking back, I think that is all God wanted us to do. The help we gave started something in the hearts of the Colombians, and that trip started something in me. For the first time I saw what it was like to "go and make disciples of all nations," and at the same time understand that brothers and sisters there were helping me grow as a disciple in return.
As an experienced believer yourself no doubt you have heard about some trials and tribulations of missionaries. Mission trips, and mission work in general, is certainly less than euphoric at times, but with much prayer, support from others, and excellent leadership there is every reason to expect them to be valuable and even enjoyable  learning experiences in spite of the circumstances.

Assuming again, if you are reading this news letter, you are probably supporting the Colombian Christian Mission. I would like to encourage you to continue and assure you that you have made a very good investment in the Lord's work. If it is true that you can " judge a tree by it's fruit," then the time I spent with Susy and Brian Morris (Dale and Jeanie's daughter and son-in-law) on this most recent work trip continued to affirm the high regard I have always had for Dale and Jeanie. I have found Dale to be consistent in all things every time I am around him or hear him speak, even when he is grinding coffee at 5:30 A.M. He is loved and respected by young and old alike, and everybody in between. This includes many non-Christians. I saw it with my own eyes. He likes a good joke as much as anyone, but he's all business when it comes to focusing on the goals that have been set. I especially enjoyed the impromptu evening Q+A sessions with him and the fellow work crew members. If he was starting to get tired of them, he did not show it.

No matter who you are, Dale would encourage you to continue your education. A short term mission trip is certainly one good way to do that. When you come home, your "nets" will feel a whole lot lighter.

BRIAN MORRIS wrote this about his experience in Colombia:
This was my fourth trip to Colombia since Susy and I have been married and I have to say it was the best. My role was different on this trip as I watched most of the events unfold from behind the camera. This also gave me a unique perspective on things as I experienced the excitement, trepidation, realization, and love that others were experiencing through the lens. I also saw a change in Dennis, John, Mike, and Trisha as the week went on. They went from being foreigners to being friends.

I am so glad that I was able to share in this experience, it is not one I will soon forget. Not only because of the work that was done but because of the bond that was built. Though I might not spend much time with these people in the future, I consider them my friends and for those 10 days, we were a close family!

Hopefully I’ll see you on a trip to Colombia in the future!
If you want to watch the videos visit supportCCM.com and click on the February 2008 blog archives on the right. All the videos are listed there in chronological order.
http://supportccm.com/videos

Next mission trip opportunity: We have many work crews & mission trips planned for the future. Let us know if you are interested and we will put you on our list and keep you updated on future trips and projects. Or plan to visit alone, with your family, your Sunday School class, small group, or church.

FUTURE TRIPS

We are in the process of planning future Mission Trips and Work Crews. If you are interested in going to Colombia with us let us know. Let us know if you have a special gift or talent you would like to use in Colombia. If you would like to travel down individually or with your church contact us, we can help you arrange a personal or church trip.

We have many options for future trips:
Deaf Ministries
Teacher Education
Health/Medical Ministries & Education Ministries
Construction Trips
Family Trips
Church Mission Trips
Sunday School Class Trip

Contact us to let us know if you’d like to attend or plan a future Work Crew or Mission Trip.

Colombian Christian Mission

Post Office Box 95 

Rittman, OH 44270-0095
e-mail: SusyMorris@supportCCM.com

or visit our website at: SupportCCM.com

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO COLOMBIA TODAY!

We have so many opportunities for you to see first hand what God is doing in Colombia. If you would like to travel down and visit us let us know. We’ll keep you updated on future trips. We will be planning medical, teaching and constructions trips in the near future.

You can also visit us alone, with your family, bring your Sunday School Class, small group, or plan a trip with people from your church. If you need any resources, fund-raising ideas, or help planning your trip let us know.

You can come down almost any time and we have plenty of projects for you to work on. If you have a specific skill or are educated in a certain area we can also plan workshops for you to teach. (for example, we have a friend who has traveled to Colombian on 2 occasions to teach seminars on learning disabilities. He has been able to teach a few seminars to the teachers at Colegio Peniel and a few city-wide seminars for all teachers in Villavicencio. He has also had the opportunity to teach seminars at a few private schools in Bogota. The Minister of Education in Colombia was so impressed, she wants him to come back and teach a few more seminars. (for more information about his trips to Colombia see the August-September 2008 CCM Newsletter, he wrote an article about his 2 trips to Colombia)
We can use you and any skill or knowledge you have. Let us know what you would like to do and we can taylor a trip just for you or your family.

Come visit, you’ll be glad you did!

SCHOOL SUPPLY BAGS

Thanks to all of you who worked so hard to put together these school supply bags. The children were so thrilled with them. Needless to say, it’s much easier for the children to understand the love of God when they are being loved by others!

Thank you for your efforts in making this project a success!

If you would like to sponsor a child at Colegio Peniel let us know via e-mail or regular mail.

SusyMorris@supportCCM.com

Colombian Christian Mission
Post Office Box 95
Rittman, OH 44270-0095