Friday we left Maria's farm and drove to Cali. We met the pastor Diago and his wife Claudia, they're awesome, they're blessing and serving us so much. We're staying in a missionary retreat house up the mountain outside Cali, they Church has really blessed us with providing us with free food and accommodation, we have our own beds, a pool, big hanging out area, we love it!
Maria cooking for us
Sunday the 15th we led the two church services at Pastor Diago's church which involved 5 hours of solid ministering, so much anointing and people were so blessed, it was a great day. Ministry during the week has included visiting a woman's prison, a drug rehab centre, prostitutes, church services, a business person's meeting and a school assembly. I've loved being more settled here as I've been able to go running through the mountains, I've rested and I've been able to put more time and effort into learning Spanish. What has really helped is Maria Clara, who runs the house where we're staying, is speaking Spanish with me. We have a lot of fun as I practice new words and phrases I learn with her.
Something which is really important in Cali is the ministry of Julio and Ruth Ruibal. They were involved some wild Revival across South America in the 1970s. In 1976 (I think!) they moved to Cali during the time when the city was been heavily controlled by the drug lords. It was a time when it was hardly safe to even walk down the streets in the city for fear of being caught in a drug related crossfire. Julio was instrumental in uniting the churches in the city to pray against the violence in the city. This was very successful and today the city is much safer with the drug cartels being broken down. Julio was martyred for his faith and work in bringing peace to the city in 1995. On Wednesday the 18th Ruth, his widow, and Sarah, his youngest of two daughters came to share with us. What an amazing time we had with them, Ruth is one impressive lady. In the evening we ministered at her church which was so anointed and special. It's called Rey de Reyes (King of Kings) and it's outside this same property that Julio was shot 16 years ago. We prophesied over the church, prayed for them, a man was healed of a broken wrist, is was awesome. The church have started a christian school which Ruth invited us to come and share at on the Friday.
Rey de Reyes Church
That Friday was a definite highlight of ministry for me, it started with a few of us going to minister at a business breakfast meeting first thing in the morning. This was my first time of sharing my testimony in front of people so big day for me! It was a great morning and people were really touched. Many people came forward for prayer and gave their lives. Afterwards they blessed us with a yummy breakfast of rice, plantain, beef and vegetables. Oh, and coffee of course! From here we went to minister at Ruth's school which was very different but just as special. I again shared my testimony with the kids and then we prayed for them. The kids were so cute, some of the girls came up afterwards and shyly asked for a hug! The younger ones who were more shy just waved from the other side of the hall. It was so special hanging out with Ruth afterwards, what an inspiring lady. I've met few people who motivate me as much as she has.
Ruth Ruibal and I
Thursday was also an awesome day where we took a bus 4 hours to an indigenous village Guambia. This is a closed village which doesn't allow visitors in very often. We however were invited by David, who was the village mayor last year, as he is a friend of Ruth Ruibal's. I don't think I'd ever been as honoured by people as I was by this village. We arrived to be part of a meeting in the church where they introduced themselves to us and we worshipped God together.
We then had breakfast, a traditional Quinoa drink which was like an oatmeal drink. We then had a meeting where they told us about the history of the village and how they'd been persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Lunch was then served, potatoes, rice and fish. An entire trout, including head and eyes.
After lunch we were taken through the mountain village where we saw David's trout farm, it was so beautiful. Those of us on the team from far away countries were given gifts: the boys were given ponchos, i was given a small purse for coins plus a beautiful necklace which signifies that I am single!
Pastor Diago ministering
Isn't this little girl just too cute!
See, technology exists even if rural back of beyond villages...
We then had breakfast, a traditional Quinoa drink which was like an oatmeal drink. We then had a meeting where they told us about the history of the village and how they'd been persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Lunch was then served, potatoes, rice and fish. An entire trout, including head and eyes.
Brent eating the trout
After lunch we were taken through the mountain village where we saw David's trout farm, it was so beautiful. Those of us on the team from far away countries were given gifts: the boys were given ponchos, i was given a small purse for coins plus a beautiful necklace which signifies that I am single!
Three old men sitting on the balcony enjoying Quinoa
Over the weekend and the last few days we've been working on our cars which really need a lot of help before we head to Equador. We also went to another of Maria's family farms an hour and half outside of Cali for a traditional Colombian party. It was a lot of fun, we had a salsa competition plus braaied a pig which had been slaughtered for us. A great 24 hours of them totally blessing us. The plan is now to get our cars and ourselves organised and ready for the drive to the border on Wednesday (the 25th) so we can cross into Equador on Thursday.
Susy fixing the pop-up home
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