I’ve been here for about a month now, and so much has happened.

Firstly, for those of you who don’t know about the foundation where I’m working, it’s called the “Hogar de Providencia.” Unlike a typical orphanage, most of the kids that live there do have parents. They live at the foundation for two main reasons: to get an education at the school on the premises and for the food provided by the foundation, which helps alleviate some of the burden for their parents or parent. Most of the children come from the Chimila tribes in Colombia, who were displaced years ago, and are still struggling to acquire things like an education. The Chimilan kids at the foundation tend to be quite intelligent and are the most eager to learn.

Some of the more striking images I’ve had of Colombia thus far were when I went up into the mountains to a church there. Looking around at the kids playing in the streets, next to mounds of garbage in only their underwear, the small, cement houses built into the hills, and the women washing their laundry by hand, it all felt somehow familiar to me. I realized why in the car as we drove back to the foundation. These were the exact images you see in flyers and posters for humanitarian organizations whenever they’re doing fundraisers. The difference is you can’t ignore these images when you’re faced with them in person.

The costal region of Santa Marta is gorgeous. Unlike the inland sections of Colombia, it also stays warm here all year round. Currently there are an abundance of mangos on the trees. As well as thunderstorms most nights, which completely flood the streets in a matter minutes. The drainage systems are not great here, so when I say flood, I mean it quite literally. After about 20 minutes of rain, there will be a foot of water in the streets which remains there until the next day at about 11 AM.

Speaking of flooding, there’s also quite a bit that occurs in the foundation. After any rain, pools of water form inside the walls of the Hogar, which stay there sometimes for a few days. These make great breeding grounds for mosquitos, some of which can carry diseases. So currently I’ve started working with the children to level out the ground in the Hogar. Part of the reason these pools of water form is due to how uneven the ground is, so the water pools at the lower sections. Apparently the ground used to be level, but at some point large machinery went to fix build something in the Hogar, and, while the ground was wet, made it quite uneven. So the first step of my anti-flooding idea is to even out the ground. Next, create some drainage pipes taking the water out of the foundation and into the streets. The kids and I have been working on this for a couple days now, and it’s starting to look better.

Currently the kids are in the middle of their exams. I gave an English exam the other day (I’ve been teaching English since I got here), which consisted of saying the alphabet orally, and then matching 26 translations, one for each letter of the alphabet. It didn’t go so well. But I have two more classes tomorrow and I have higher hopes for them. The kids are lots of fun to be around, and generally quite eager to learn and not just academically either. One of the problems in Colombia, is that so many of the people just don’t have any skill sets. For example, if you know how to make bread, you can make a living. Or if you know how to do basic car repair, you can make a living. But for many people, even knowing how to use a wrench is as foreign as English. So one of my goals at the foundation is to teach the kids basic skill sets. Like how to use tools, or (like in our ground-evening out project) just the basic concept that it’s possible to change and improve you’re surroundings.

The kids definitely aren’t the only ones who are learning. I’ve learned so much this past month its amazing. About the culture, about cooking (who knew there were so many ways to cook bananas), and mostly about myself. I definitely had a large set of presuppositions before coming to Colombia. The people here are some of the friendliest, caring people I’ve ever met. And patient—they’re quite patient with my fragmented Spanish. But I’ve also learned huge amounts about what you need to live (It’s a lot less than I thought), but more than that what you really don’t need (which is a whole lot). It’s easy to think that we’re better of in America because of the things we have, but living here has shown me that really that gets in the way. With less things, it’s a lot easier to focus on God. It’s funny, people here always introduce me as a missionary. I’ve tried to explain that I’m not, just a kid who wanted to learn about another culture. They’re the ones who’ve really, albeit indirectly, been ministering to me.

The photos attached are some of the kids working, a park we went to one time, the fishing village of Taganga, where I took a few of the boys last weekend, and the swing I put up.

– Forrest Hull

These past months have been of great blessings to the children of Hogar La Providencia, thanks to your prayers and donations.

One project that was initiated some months ago was the replacement of the bunk beds of the Hogar. New bunk beds arrived a month ago, with new mattresses and pillows. A few bunk beds that were not so damaged were repaired, so the children are now enjoying new beds.

In the month of July, twelve members of Faith Covenant Presbyterian Church in Frederick, MD and two members of Shady Grove PCA visited Hogar La Providencia for the first time. The team presented VBS programs to the children of the Hogar and also to the children at John Calvin II School in the community of El Yucal and Barrio Berlin. The team, composed of seven teenagers and seven adults, led games, crafts, songs and Bible verse memorization. A doctor, member of the team, examined the children also. They took the children of the Hogar to a day of recreation at the beach. Mrs. Kathryn Stephens, leader of the group, said the team enjoyed the time in Colombia immensely and made many new friends, despite limited ability to speak Spanish.

Also, in the month of August, under the leadership of Dr. Bruce McDowell, a group of sixteen members from Tenth Presbyterian Church visited the Hogar. They also presented VBS programs, taught songs in English, crafts, games and carried out a medical clinic, giving vitamins and anti-parasitic medication. The team built a swing/slide set in the patio of the Hogar and the children were delighted with this gift.

They also built some dining tables and donated a piano for Calvary Church and sound equipment for the community of Taganga, where a new church plant is being developed. Noteworthy was the close and caring relationship developed between the members of the team and the children developing friendships, playing and even providing counseling.

On September 22 the dream that existed since the Hogar was founded to open a bakery within the premises of the orphanage became true. “Today was a marvelous day. We started to produce bread. There was a lot of joy among all. We were filled with emotion as we all worked together. The neighbors bought the bread and we saw the hand of God helping us so that the bread would sell”.

Another project being carried out at the Hogar is the development of a vegetable garden. Miss Lydia Sorkness, who is serving the Lord at the Hogar, is leading the project, coaching the children to take care of the garden and make it grow.

Another good news is that at the end of the school year, in November, four children (two boys and two girls) that have been living at the Hogar for several years, will graduate from High School. This is a great, great accomplishment. BUT in order for these kids to be able to graduate we need to pay graduation fees to the school. If the Lord puts in your heart to help these children, please send your donation stating that it is For Graduation.
Thank you, brothers and sisters, for your prayers and contributions. Please continue doing so. The struggle continues, there is always need to get money for daily food and basic necessities. Also, the bakery is not fully equipped; the oven needs to be replaced. We need to get a cutting machine, a mixer and other small items. And we need to pay salaries to the Director of the Hogar and the watchman. We are trying to be self-supportive, but we still need your help.

May the sovereign Lord bless you richly.
Pastor Jaime Leal.

PS. If the Lord puts in your heart to make a donation to Hogar la Providencia, you can do it by sending a check to Tenth Presbyterian Church, 1701 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 with “Hogar La Providencia” on the memo line. If you want to donate specifically for the Graduation Fees, please add also “For Graduation”

In Christ’s service,
Clara Hernandez

Thankful for all the effort that has been expressed towards us, not only this year, but ever since you have heard of our needs. Your prayers and actions are clearly seen, so that despite all the obstacles we have been able to advance.

The session, my family, the churches, and all the ministry team are conscious that you all have been instruments of God to start and continue our mission. We started with just giving food once a week to boys and girls, with a series of events, sports team, music and giving the word. Now we are ministering to 200 very poor boys and girls, being deficient of all they need for their existence. We provide education, clothing, food, and health. And beyond that we give them the knowledge of the Word of God, knowing that the source of all grace is our Lord Jesus. We pray to God that as you have begun and have shown interest in us, continue praying and supporting the vision and mission of our church. Our needs are many every day. In the Home are 30 children that every day have to be cared for and supervised. In the school are 120 children that every day volunteer teachers are needed to invest their gifts in the kingdom of God. But every day we solve the problem of support and development of what God has proposed to us. Thank you Tenth Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia.

Jaime Leal

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Regosijos en las abundates dadivas del Soberano, al el Sea la Gloria por su buena voluntad agradable y perfecta.

Agradecidos por toda la gestion que han emprendido por nosotros no solo este año , si no siempre que han escuchados nuestras necesidades, Sus Oraciones y acciones se ven claramente, que a pesar de todos los inpaces hemos podido avanzar.

El Consistorio , mi familia , las iglesias, y todo el Equipo de trabajo estamos consientes que ustedes han sidi intrumentos de Dios para comenzar y continuar nuestra mision, Comenzamos solo con dar alimentos una vez a la semana a niños y niñas, con una serie de ludicas , equipos de deportes, musica ty palabra. Hoy estamos atendiendo a unos 200 niños y niñas de estractos bien bajos , en carrencia de todo lo necesario para su existencia. Damos educacion , vestido ,alimento, Salud . y sobre todos damos a conocer la palabra de Dios, sabiendo que la fuente de toda gracia es nuestro Señor Jesus. Rogamos a Dios que asi como comenzaron y se han interesado en nosotros, continuen orando y apoyandos en la consecucion de la vision y mision de nuestra iglesia. Son muchas nuestras necesidades todaos los dias, en el hogar viven 30 niños, que todos los dias hay que cuidar y velar por ellos. En la escuela hay 120 niños que necesitam todos los dias maestros voluntarios que quier invertir sus dones en el Reino de Dios. Pero todos los dias solucionamos el sostenimiente y desarrollo de lo que Dios se a propuesto con nosotros.

Gracias Decima Iglesia Presbiteriana de Filadelfia.

I have to love my brothers and have a common bond in the Lord. I have to rejoice in the Lord always.

I have to be a loving person and not be worried about what I will do. We have to present to him all of our needs, praying and asking him with confidence, because he is our Father.

We learn in his Word that God is God of peace and that his peace passes over all and that I only have to think on the good in everything that is pleasing to God.

Jesus tells me that I have to do everything that I have seen in him and God will be with us always.

We have to be thankful for all things that he gives us, be thankful for all that we have, although we have problems and needs.

We need to bear much fruit that remains because that is what the Lord requires of us. We need to be a fragrance to God and put our faith in him, because the Lord will meet our spiritual and material needs according to his holy will.

Our life is only to adore and glorify God.

– Sent by Jaime Leal from Ester Mendoza, an adolescent living at Hogar La Providencia

Devocional Filipenses 4

El Senor Me Ensena en Su palabra que tengo que permanecer en el Siempre , y cumplir con su, s mandamientos.

Tengo que amar a mis hermanos y tener un mismo sentir en el Senor, tengo que regocijarme con el Senor siempre.

Tengo que ser una persona mamable y no tener afán en lo que voy hacer, tenemos que presentarle nuestras nesecidades orandole y pidiendole con confianza, Porque El es nuestro Padre.

Aprendemos en su palabra que Dios es dios de Paz y que su paz sobre pasa Todo y que solo tengo que pensar en lo bueno en todo lo que agrada a Dios.

Jesus me Dice que tengo hacer todo lo que he visto en El y Dios estara con nosotros Siempre.

Tenemos que ser agradecidos por todo lo que nos da. estar agradecidos por todo lo que tenemos, aunque tengamos problemas, necesidades.

Tenemos que dar mucho Fruto que permanezca Porque eso es lo que el Señor nos pide. Tenemos que ser olor fragante a Dios y colocar nuestra fe en El , porque el señor suplirá nuestras Necesidades Espirituales y Materiales de acuerdo a su Santa Voluntad.

Nuestra vida solo Es para adorar y Glorificar a Dios.