(Note: Due to recent transitions within the country, there is currently no Country Director in Colombia. We are happy to present this letter from the Program Implementation Manager sharing her heart for her country.)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Warm greetings from Bogotá, Colombia!
It is a great joy for me to write this letter and thank you for all the support that you have provided. You help us extend the kingdom of God and to preach to those who haven’t heard about it.
My name is Stella Parada. I have been working at this ministry for over 19 years. For 5 years I have been leading the Program Implementation Department, which works directly with our implementing church partners. We help them develop our partnership and have children develop holistically.
Since Compassion International began in Colombia in 1974, we have seen how this ministry has changed the lives of children in poverty by getting support from the local church. This wonderful opportunity to serve children and to bring God’s love to vulnerable communities in our country has had even a bigger impact by planting new churches.
It is rewarding seeing pastors when they hear that people from other parts of the world are interested in helping them build not only facilities but hopes and dreams in a community in need of the word of God. Your support and prayers are very important for us. As many pastors say over and over again, “This has been God’s answer to many years of prayers and an opportunity for us as the body of Christ to fulfill the Great Commission.”
The local church has accepted this challenge and as a team we have built God’s temple, a place that has been a great blessing to children, youth and adults. Our Mother Churches have walked Daughter Churches through pastoring by sharing their expertise on working with children. Also, Compassion’s field office has given tools for this partnership to begin healthy. We help them reach a high level of maturity by having a partnership facilitator work directly with the local church as the bridge between Compassion and the church.
I am sure that God has had this dream in His heart and then He placed this desire in your hearts, too. As part of your team in Colombia, we pray that our Lord will continue to bless you every day and reward you tenfold for what you have done for us.
You have helped us to work as one body in Christ and to bring hope to those communities that see challenges to building a sanctuary. It is wonderful to see brothers and sisters in Christ working together in vulnerable community to do these good deeds. Members of the community are there from the very beginning when they place the first brick, to put up the first pillar and to finish the facilities. Then they also get involved in outreach activities.
Thank you for helping us to fulfill our mission as a ministry. We have already planted over 10 churches in Colombia. By working together we have been able to bring Christ’s light and plan of salvation to many lives. Let’s continue to do so.
In Him,
Stella Parada
LAC-CO-Program Implementation Manager