Colombia Journal

Journal Entry 16 by Marcos Olivas on 3/4/2011
Today was a wonderful day. We started off the day with a tram ride up to a beautiful Historical Church on a luscious green mountain. The air was pure and so were the people. Visitors speaking all different languages gathered taking pictures inside and out. Some went in and prayed, shopped, and walked the beautiful stations of the cross. This was also a wonderful place to purchase religious items for friends and family. After we were done visiting we started our way back down the tramway. It was time for lunch so we headed into the downtown and ate in a wonderful restaurant in the Gold Museum. We took pictures and did a little bit more shopping at the souvenir stores. The markets in Colombia are just amazing and shows the entrepreneurs that are here. After the Restaurant we headed to ELOCO headquarters to talk to them about our experience here in Colombia, the feedback was positive, and all of the GSS employees want to do this trip again because it is life changing and i know that we all enjoyed helping out those who are in need. I know that this may be the last and final journal and not much said... but the best way to imagine what life is like in Colombia is hearing it from one of the people who went. We all hope you enjoyed the blogs that we posted and we can't wait to share in detail all the laughs and cries we had, and show you all the pictures. Life in Colombia isn't as bad as it seems on T.V. and honestly Colombia is a very beautiful Country. Adiós, y gracias por toda la fe, esperanza, amor y oraciones para que todos y cada uno de ustedes han tenido sobre nosotros.

Journal Entry 15 by Cindy Nielsen on 3/3/2011
Greetings from Colombia! The group took a trip to Tunja yesterday to worship with a small Lutheran congregation there. The church council and the seniors and youth provided a wonderful meal. Much praying, fellowship, hugs, smiles and dancing were enjoyed. The relationship building with the seniors and youth was amazing even though the majority of us on the trip cannot speak the local language. The young children were very, very curious; however, they still openly smiled and laughed with us. Today, we did some shopping in a local marketplace area. The group was in need of a little relaxation. While this trip is focused on mission and relationship building, in the midst of all of that one can become overwhelmed at all the poverty seen. On the flipside; the people of Colombia are so very filled with joy when they have so very little. The people have a strong faith in the Lord and a desire to share that faith with all of us;it is truly a blessing. Tomorrow we will be visiting the Lutheran Church of Colombia Headquarters and then also going to a historical site in the afternoon. The week has went very quickly for our group. Relationships have formed and there is a strong unity and bond and a piece of each one of us that will never be the same. This mission trip has truly been a blessing to all!

Journal Entry 14 by Cindy Nielsen and Michelle Short on 2/28/2011
Continuing to summarize our day, we ate lunch with the seniors and enjoyed fellowship time together. We are finding out that body language and smiles can break down language and cultural barriers. The children were joyful; dressed in very nice uniforms for school. All the people we met were very welcoming and full of smiles. After leaving Soacha, we stopped at Pastor Nate's nephews pizza place. It was previously Nate's home and now family has expanded into a small business. All loved the pizza and refreshments! After dining, we went for a walk to a local park which was filled with beautiful trees, flowers, playground equipment and even ducks! There was also a historical house on the property of a great Colombian leader. Buenes Noches.

Journal Entry 13 by Cindy Nielsen and Michelle Short on 2/28/2011
We are wrapping up an extremely long day. Left for Soacha at about 8:30 a.m. We were fortunate in that we stopped at IELCO and picked up the current bishop of the Lutheran Church of Colombia. When we arrived at Soacha, we first stopped in at the Senior Center and met with the leaders there. We broke off into two groups and then headed to begin our day of work. Group one did cement work for a single elderly woman which will give her three rooms instead of two in her current living situation. Maria was so very grateful for the work on her house; but also very thankful for the Senior Center and the meals provided there. Maria's favorite time is when they take the seniors on bus trips to more beautiful places. Group 2 worked on installing doors and windows for an elderly woman who lives with her two sons and grandchildren. The children were ages 3 and 4 and were absolutely adorable. They were all very grateful for the installation of the doors which created more privacy and quiet in their very small surroundings. We have two doors left to hang; all framing work is done and the windows installed.

Journal Entry 12 by Cindy Nielsen and Michell Short on 2/27/2011
Greetings from Bogota, Colombia! Everyone arrived safely. Went to a beautiful worship services this morning. Very awesome music and service. Toured the Salt Cathedral it was amazing. Words cannot express the place will be uploading picture hopefully tomorrow. Making plans for our first working project tomorrow. Pastor Greg says we need a good mix of talented and untalented workers in each group. We wonder how we´ll know which one he thinks we are! Buenes Noches!