Jenn's Reflections

I truly didn’t know what to expect when I said yes to this great adventure, though I was aware enough to know that it wasn’t going to be all about what I could give. I knew a very large portion of this trip was going to be about receiving, I just didn’t realize how much I would receive.

Our time in Colombia started off with an opportunity to join a women’s retreat. The women who attended were involved in ministry in their homes, communities and local churches. Not knowing any Spanish, I wasn’t sure how I would interact with the sessions. As the worship team began, I quickly realized that we were about to sing songs that we sing at Peoples, only in Spanish. As we sang together, in English and Spanish, it was an amazing reminder that we are one Church serving one God. It was so moving to join my voice with the voices of these beautiful Colombian women in worship.

Throughout the retreat, we had many opportunities to hear testimonies from the women. Many, if not all of them, have experienced very painful, difficult times in their lives. They shared about miracles of healing, restoration, and redemption and it blew my mind. I left that retreat convicted about how much I put God in a box and set limitations on Him that make me feel comfortable instead of believing that He is the same God yesterday, today and forever. He continues to perform miracles around me. I just need to open my eyes.

Our time in La Guajira made a huge impact on me. When we arrived we were welcomed with open arms by the people of the Wayuu tribe. From my eyes, it appeared that these people had a bleak and miserable life because of their environment. It only took 10 seconds of interactions to see that my initial assessment was not the truth. Yes, their environment was difficult and they have suffered some very real pain and dark times but there was an incredible joy that radiated from them. Over the years, through the ministry of Hernan and Rosa Bravo, some of the women have come to know Jesus as their personal Saviour. The women who now know Christ have been doing a beautiful job at leading their families even in the most difficult of circumstances.

The children of the Wayuu tribe were so fun to interact with. Even though there was a language barrier, it didn’t stop us from connecting. They were all so full of joy and love. It was a reminder that it’s not the stuff we own or our circumstances that make us happy. Jesus is truly all we need.

God showed me many things through the people of La Guajira. Seeing how little these families had to live on, I was convicted about how I depend on God when it comes to my family. For example, when my kids are hungry and money is tight, I pray for provision and then just head to the grocery store to get what we need. But when these children are hungry, there isn’t always food available. Or, when my kids are sick, I pray for them, then run to the pharmacy to get a remedy. But when someone in their community is sick, there is no medicine or corner store.

The families that we met do not have the same kind of luxuries we have. What are their options? Well, they cry out to our great God with a desperate heart. They have seen first hand that they serve a God who heals, provides and performs miracles today. I realized that their dependence on God far outweighs any luxury I have here in Canada. Their faith has truly humbled me to my knees.

There are many more stories to be shared from our trip but I’m still processing all that we experienced. We serve a tender, gracious God who gently opened my eyes and my heart to see and feel beyond my own circumstances. I am profoundly thankful for all that I received from Him through the beautiful people I met and served with on this trip.

- Jenn