We landed in Colombia around midnight on Thursday, and drove to our host housing! Even thought it was dark out, I was already so in love you guys😭.
There are so many trees in Colombia. So many beautiful hills and green mountains and a ton of narrow streets filled with houses and markets (and more trees). We are right in the middle of a mountainous valley, and through our widow is a busy little road, and a gorgeous view of lots of houses, a church steeple, mountains, and people.
It’s kinda hard to set the scene, but I think to sum it up, every corner of Medellín Colombia is a sight to see, and very full of culture. I. Love. It.
We are staying at Ciudad Refugio. We haven’t gotten too familiar with their ministry yet, but today we’ll have orientation, and get to learn more about some of their many ministries!!
We are in their older building, which is mostly made of bricks. It is a triangle shaped building on a street corner! There are 4 levels and a beautiful rooftop garden that we’ve spent a lot of time in.
One of World Race’s pillars is intimacy, intimacy with God. I feel like training camp really prepared me to be intimate with God and to long for that closeness and desire to learn more about Him every day. I was telling my team last night, that maybe it’s because of how I was raised, and maybe it’s because of all the factors and events of my life, but I’ve never felt God as a loud God. He has always been still, and quiet, and solid, and steadfast. At camp, I felt pretty overwhelmed with all of the voices saying that I should hear God, or I should feel him in deep ways. I do think there is room for that, but I don’t know what that looks like, so it was slightly overwhelming. Anyways, I’ve had that mindset coming into Colombia, of “am I feeling and hearing God enough? Am I doing something wrong in how I worship?” I’ve had to sit with that, and wrestle with it. I know God is enough always, but I’m praying for more of Him always.
As far as community has been, I am so thankful. My team is inspiring, and of course it’s gonna take awhile to learn how everyone functions best, but it’s been sweet to get to do some everyday life with them. We are all very different and that’s worth celebrating. It takes a lot of patience and listening, but I’m so thankful that we have the environment to do so with one another.
This weekend is going to be pretty low key, because our hosts have a busy ministry week, and we aren’t facilitating much of that, rather coming alongside and learning how they do certain things. We’re learning about all of the other people staying here, and getting time to have conversations and make other friends!!
Yesterday, one of the men here, Jason, took some of us to a mall to exchange money for Colombian pesos, and on the way home, I bought mango, and it made my day. It was so good.
I won’t be on my phone again for about a week, because I’m doing a once a week data plan, but I’ll update as soon as possible!
Some of our team is still under the weather, and they’re just wanting to enjoy being here, but that’s a bit of a hinderance! We’re praying for health, and would love prayers against anymore sickness! I’m also praying for new eyes every day, and a sense if patience, and ability to be interrupted by God’s will, and to be okay with my preferences not being reality!
Thank you for supporting me, thank you for reading this!
In Christ (and in Colombia), Ellie
Praise God for a safe trip and a beautiful introduction to Columbia your first few days!
Rest in Him both now before things get busy, then stay in that place as your days begin to move faster. You get to join Him in what He is already doing in Columbia!
Wow the time has finally come! So glad you and your team has arrived safely. Thank you so much for taking us all along with you on journey of sowing many seeds.
I love how that mango transaction made your day.. I had the same experience when I was in Mexico City Building a home for a family. Rather than mangoes I got an avocado, coconut water and a spoon.
The South American culture has a whole new level when it comes to hospitality and keeping their families united. So I’m sure when you bought the mango it was from a family vendor and they probably helped you cut it open and made sure you were properly equipped to eat the delicious mango. That’s at least how it was for me; they offered if I wanted to put salt on my avocado after they helped cut it open and it made me so happy.
Definitely something I took away most from my experience was being more grateful for my family and all the time I get with them. I Adopted there desire to bring together the people we love through delicious food, being outside, and surrounded by the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings to you and your team and may god bring you to places where the light of Jesus has never been seen. I pray that you have divine encounters with the Holy Spirit that not only move you but also the people you cross paths with in Columbia. And I pray you can find some local bussin kombucha 😉
Columbia sounds so beautiful.
I’m so glad you can experience such a fascinating culture. Looking forward to hearing more. Praying now for everyone’s health.
So grateful that you are safe and sound and that you are enjoying the beauty of God’s creation there. Trusting you will hear His still small voice guiding you and saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” He is faithful and I have no doubt that He will be very near each step of the way. 🩷
Hey Ellie, loved your initial description of Columbia, I imagine that mango tasted like those in the first Garden. As you wrestle with who you are in Christ, please remember this. Colossians 3:17. “Put on then, as God’s Chosen ones, holy and beloved. have compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. The Greek meaning of Meekness is submission to God’s will. This word was used to classify war horses. Instead of being a trait for weakness, it actually presupposes strength. The wildest horses were trained to have ‘power under control, like Christ in His human body. Christ never ceased to be determined, strong and passionate but under His Father’s will not someone else’s. We, as His disciples give up being wild, unruly, out of control and rebellious. It’s called (sanctification). We desire to respond to His slightest touch, whisper, or command, stand in the face of evil, stop Satan’s arrows in spiritual battles. We learn to stop at our Lord’s whisper and see His salvation alone. True worship of God is essentially internal, a matter of our heart and born-again spirit in the knowledge and obedience to God’s living word. John 4:23 – Jesus said true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers our Father seeks. Ellie Ree stay on your own path as you grow in the knowledge and grace of Christ. Seeing your sweet, strong walk encourages me so much, looking forward to sharing more of your delicious bread!! Gran
God is definitely in the quiet, in the Still, in the mundane, as you do know! He shows up in the hearts on the ground, in the clouds in the sky, and the smiles of those that you come across. So thankful you are open to what He has for you, and I’m praying that you will keep resting in the peace that passes all understanding.
Thanks for sharing so much!
Thanks for taking time to keep us all updated!
I love you so much! Mom. .
I love that you’re leaning in and yearning for all that God has for you. So great to get a tiny glimpse of your life there. Love you mucho.
Dear Ellen,
We so appreciate the update and the details of your arrival and first impressions. You are a blessing from the Lord to me and all of our family, and to the people you will be interacting with throughout your God-directed ministry. I was reading this morning “Whom God sends he will stand by. What he calls us out to be will fit us out for, and bear us out in” Prayer for you and your team. Looks like you are in mango heaven. Poppy
I love seeing the honesty and kindness in your post. As you hear people’s difficult life stories you can share stories of God’s love and share Christ’s story of redemption with this same empathy!
So great to hear how things are going as you settle in. We’re praying for health and joy in all the transitions.
Ellie,
Thanks for describing all of the beauty of the country you are in! It sounds so wonderful! God is good! All the time! He’s got you in the palm of His hand and will guide your steps as you trust and listen. I love you, girl!
Hello Dear Ellen,
I trust all is well with you and your team as you are all in the Lord’s loving embrace. We are all thinking about you and praying for your shalom daily. You inspire us to be open to new adventures as the Lord directs. Love, Poppy
Look at those mangoes 🥭