On our first day in Colombia, we attended a weekly session on staff motivation. Willie, one of the directors, discussed the Christian view of poverty with the staff, and how our understanding of poverty will give us direction in working with it. If, as the pagans believe, poverty is the will or anger of the gods, we could not do anything to improve our condition. On the other hand, many churches teach a prosperity gospel of health and wealth where people are promised wealth if they accept Christ, and especially if they give lots of money to the church. So some pastors can attest to prosperity, but the poor get poorer and wonder if they are saved. Beatriz, a project director for CDA, pointed out that many people do nothing, thinking they are too poor to do anything. She gave the perspective that we must minister as Jesus did, walking among the people, and using what they have to help them: Jesus used the water pots in Cana to make wine, and he multiplied a boy’s five loaves and two fish to feed the multitude. If we see ourselves as people created in God’s image to live for him, we will seek ways to use what we have been given to help our fellow image bearers.

Harsh living conditions are a reality for Colombians

As we toured the school at Lucero Alto, Carlos, the CDA chaplain told us of their School of Practical Ministries (SPM) that CDA is developing. It teaches Christian values and helps prepare students to live in this world as Christians. Mature students from grades 7-11 who are active in their church are chosen to form this class. We participated in a class where they learned about trust, and that God is the only one we can always trust. The school’s chaplain asked how the students felt when they were in danger or assaulted, and several responded, indicating they have had traumatic experiences. In the group activities the children took leadership in discussion.

Recently, the grade 11 students in the SPM went to Tenjo, the girls’ home, for a retreat. They had been learning about prayer, and went to the CDA girls’ home to pray with the girls there. As they spent time with them they realized there are children worse off than themselves. The chaplain plans to have the students do community service at the girls’ home, helping with painting and repairs. There is an attitude in Colombia of just receiving and they want to teach the students to give and serve.

SPM students at a meeting

This change in attitude in the students could be seen one day when a government diplomat came to the school to raise support for his party. He was telling the kids how deprived and poor they are. A grade 8 student stood up to say that they are not poor, though they might have some needs, and they are not deprived just because they don’t have everything.

John Otten interviewing two SPM students

The School of Practical Ministries also has classes open to the community. They invite local pastors and parents to attend the classes. Individuals usually attend to be trained as community leaders, but some also attend to be trained as Sunday school teachers or for their personal edification. In Cartagena, the SPM uses a lot of Scripture and material from Bible League International, which goes through Bible passages asking specific questions and then making practical applications. At the school in Barranquilla the teachers proudly showed us the materials they are using – the Sunday school curriculum produced by the Jonkmans in Ecuador.

An 11th grade student teaching at the girls home.

The southern Colombian border is home to tropical rain forests, guerrillas, and around 60,000 Indians. While many Colombians fled when the guerrillas came, the Indians refused to leave the land of their fathers. The guerrillas decided to get the Indians to work for them. Now some of the Indians are becoming Christian and realizing that growing cocaine and marijuana is not right. Some of them studied in the city of Bogotá and somehow became involved in a School of Practical Ministries. Not long ago they asked Carlos, the CDA chaplain, if they could bring these studies to their tribe in the south. Because of the dangers involved, Carlos might go once or twice a year to work with them and help them.

Colombia is a country struggling to change, and the efforts of our partner, CDA, to effect change among the youth are commendable. A change of heart, attitude and understanding, governed by the principles of God’s Word, are vital to bringing hope to this torn country.