October 26, 2011
When I told people, I was on my way to Bogota, Colombia, their reaction varied somewhat, but for the most part they would look at me, with that look that says…”Are you nuts?” Colombia had the highest murder rate in the world some years ago but it is truly one of the most organized, cleanest, fast growing countries in Latin America. The people are warm and inviting. We, in North America could take lessons from them on hospitality and service…in and out of church!
The thing that shocked me most was the reception that David Andersen and I received from the moment we arrived. Meetings were planned through a pastor, Jorge, whom we had never met in person, only by emails. The purpose of this trip was to make contacts in a country we knew nothing about, so that we might help local pastors become involved in World Missions. Jorge organized a pastor’s breakfast…the whole purpose was for us to talk to them about Envoy International and what we do. Forty pastors showed up and were very excited to hear all we had to say and show them. Jorge also arranged for us to meet other key people that we had heard about from our Envoy partner, Dana Wilson, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
Finally, we were invited to a conference called LINK. To walk into this well organized meeting where 60 some people attended the first day was impressive. The most impacting part for me was when we were asked to an impromptu meeting with the President of Comibam…The International Director of Comibam…the Pastor of this 4000-member church…the Missions Pastor…and the Director of Mobilization for all of Comibam. We ate together and then they asked us to tell us what we do and what we need from them. By the end of the meeting we had dates set to return to this beautiful city in March of 2012. Doors have never been opened so fast for us in such an important place.
A God thing happened in the meeting. The President of Comibam, the largest facilitating agency for Latin America, announced that he could vouch for the Seminar material and us because he took the course years ago in Bolivia and had been teaching from our material for years. I was shocked and, looked at him, slapped him on the back and just began to laugh…he turned red…and the group applauded. God is faithful in putting together all the pieces that need to be in place…even before we realize what He and He alone has done.
In the airport in Bogota, Colombia
Wick Jackson
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