Disaster Relief for Mudslide in Mocoa, Colombia

Dear Friends,

The Bible tells us that the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve others and give His life as ransom for many. We had declared that 2017 would be a year of restoration, a year during that which had been lost would be recovered, and that is exactly what I saw take place!    Young girls living in dark circumstances, whose hope and joy were lost, advanced in pursuit of their dreams; others had fairytale weddings, rejoicing amongst the goodness of God in their lives. Parents filled with pride as they watched their children graduate from high school- a privilege that they themselves were denied. Families destroyed by violence and abuse reconciled. Young men lost in drug addiction and criminality recovered their sense of dignity, as they completed training at our trade schools; many having never attended school before.  People discovering the goodness of God amidst natural disasters, such as the mudslides in Mocoa, Putumayo. These are just a few of the ways in which we saw God bring restoration to precious lives!

I also witnessed faithful workers devoting their lives to the service of Christ in each of the communities where the Lord has placed us.  Their load was made lighter thanks to the volunteers and interns who have joined their hearts and hands with those of the team in Colombia.  By working together, they opened powerful channels of blessing and restoration.   Additionally, it was touching to see our staff and children praying and giving to help our friends and supporters after hurricane Harvey caused devastation in Texas.

None of this would have been possible without your friendship.  We are therefore very grateful for your partnership!  

As we look back on 2017, I’m also glad to report that last year our organization was evaluated in a variety of financial and transparency metrics, achieving an overall score of 4.7 out of 5.  We want you to know that we will diligently work to not only maintain but improve this ranking.  Your support is fundamental to advancing our mission, and we take your investment seriously.   Our many initiatives, including our schools, community development efforts, family strengthening program, humanitarian aid missions, leadership development, promotion of safer environments for children, and employment and entrepreneurship mediation and support are only possible because of the financial support of our loyal and generous donors.

THANK YOU for investing in Colombia!

Sincerely,

Dear Friends,

In our previous update on the disaster relief assistance for Mocoa, Putumayo, Colombia we shared with you the story of Yolanda and her five blessings; how your support was making an impact to those affected by the mudslide of April 1^st. Yolanda and her five children now live in the neighborhood called New Hope, and thanks to your support, feel blessed every day for all that God has provided them through the kind hearts of friends like you.

We are pleased to share that because of your amazing support, we were able to provide a Comprehensive Humanitarian Medical Mission to Mocoa, minister to over 200 people, and give a voice of Hope in the midst of chaos. Many of the people served needed to be heard, to be able to talk with someone or simply receive a hug. Our team, in partnership with other organizations, was able to:

• Perform four days of health outreach in the community, providing medical, dental, oral hygiene and medications.
• Provide basic need packages to 50 families affected by the mudslides.
• Counsel those impacted to address post-traumatic stress, bereavement, and depression, with follow up by social workers
• Share God’s message of faith, hope and love with families and children through recreational activities that also helped these families to take their mind off the tragedy and begin the process of healing.
• Strengthen the local church capacity through job training with local pastors and leaders to support reconstruction and recovery of the city.

Much progress has been made, as the people of Mocoa continue to put back together their lives and their community. We are so thankful for your support, and stepping forward to make a difference for these children and families.

If you would like to learn more about our work in impoverished communities in Colombia, and how you can join in support, please visit our website at the link below.

Many Blessings,

the Conviventia Team

Links:

• Learn more about our work in Colombia

“I thank God for the support that these people are giving me. I pray that God blesses them and protects them” Says Mrs. Yolanda, one of the many people that have been not only affected by the long-standing conflict in Colombia, but also by the mudslide that took place on April 1st this year.

“That night I was already asleep when I heard how everybody began to cry for help. Some neighbors helped me pull my children out of the mud” She relates her experience with a heartening look in her eyes. She used to live with her husband and five children in the San Miguel neighborhood, one of the areas most affected by this natural disaster. Her oldest daughter is 12 years old, two sons who are 10 and 9, another 5-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old baby girl.

Yolanda, who came to Mocoa five years ago fleeing from the armed conflict in Colombia, says that her faith in God has filled her with much strength. “Despite I lost all my material possessions to the mudslide, I still thank God that he spared my life and that of my children”

During Conviventia’s first day in Mocoa, Mrs. Yolanda received humanitarian aid from the team of Conviventia, including assistance by the medical doctors, dentists and psychologists, who took care of her and her family.

With a grin in her face she affirms that she is happy in the new neighborhood where she just moved after the tragedy, the place is called New Hope (Nueva Esperanza, in Spanish) and she says that she does not mind paying rent for the house because it means a new beginning for her life. The name of the “barrio” now makes total sense for her and her family.

Thanks to all the contributions of the people who donated to make this outreach possible. For Yolanda, Conviventia donated a stove for her family, school supplies for her children, clothes and the message of Hope that will surely strengthen her precious family. 

Links:

• Learn More about Conviventia, and our programs in Colombia