mission trip with the diocese of connecticut

Last week, Brittany and I flew to the coast and met up with a mission group of 11 from connecticut. This was our first time working with other americans and we were excited to experience a new part of colombia with them. We arrived and went straight to planning. The plan was to have 4 VBS programs between the 13 people. We were told there would be about 25 kids at each location. That number ended up doubling as we had almost 40-50 kids at each location!

My group was placed at San Francisco mission for 3 days. It was the farthest away and was built on top of an old trash dump. We started with a bible story, sang songs, drew pictures, made bracelets, played with the parachute and gave them juice boxes and cookies. The ages ranged from 3-16 and we had more kids join us every day. Since there were only 3 american leaders and one colombian woman (Betty) helping us with the 40+ kids, the best way I can describe those days is organized chaos. The kids loved it and they all left with big smiles and their art projects.

Every day, the kids would get on our bus with us until we reached their houses. They were so excited to get on a big air conditioned bus and it was incredible to see their faces light up for those few minutes. On our last day it was tough to say goodbye. Betty had tears in her eyes as we hugged goodbye and the kids didn't want to let go of us.

We also visited a mission church in Malambo, about 3 hours away. It was worth the long bus ride as the kids put on a show for us. Then the professionals came in and blew us away. Their ministry is through dance and the kids line up at 8 in the morning on saturdays waiting for their lessons. It's a really special community and we loved seeing them perform!

The four churches/missions in Cartagena and the mission Malambo are run by Padre Rafael. He works with missioners to make them all successful. He has a wonderful family with three daughters and it was so great getting to know them. He has a big heart and he let us stay in his house by the church. Thanks again to the Diocese of Connecticut and Padre Rafael for an awesome week! It was so great to get to know you all!

After a great week with the group, Brittany and I stayed a few extra days on the coast. We went to the beach, went on a rumba chiva (party bus) and walked around the walled city. We visited a family from the church a few hours away in Barranquilla (shakira's birth city!). They were so welcoming and gave us SO much food.

Now we're back in cold, rainy Bogota. Definitely too cold for us to believe it's july! We are back with our work in usme and soacha (the kids are back from their 3 week summer vacation) and we are gearing up for another vbs program with an impoverished neighborhood above us next week.

Love, Kate