While there have been tough moments this year my Lord has been faithful to me, consistently reminding me of His presence . He has spoken to me clearly and regularly, reminding me that He is in total control, and telling me to trust in Him. He has spoken to me through His Word more than ever before, and I have learned to appreciate hearing His soft voice when all around me seems to crumble.
Despite any rough points I continue to LOVE being here. I've had the opportunity to minister to many new children who have entered my program this year, and also to support those who have been reintegrated with extended family. My various programs have continued, and I have enjoyed the feeling of being at home in Colombia.
I think the hardest thing to face this year has been in considering returning home next year. When I came to Colombia it was with an indefinite time frame, but I always had 1-2 years at the back of my mind. I have now been here two years. Mixed with the time I was at Mercy Ships, being away from my country and family for such a long time has started to wear on me. Working 24 hours a day 5-6 days a week with kids has also taken its toll. At times I lose patience, and I´m finding that more and more I need to get away and spend time alone. Working through this is very tough though. I love living in Colombia. I love working with these kids. I love waking up every morning knowing that I am making a difference in the lives of boys who have no one else to guide them.
I had my 30th birthday this year. It was a bit of a tough day for me, and I definitely missed home. That exact night we happened to get to the passage in the bible where Jesus washed his disciples feet. The Lord spoke to me so clearly. He showed me what servitude means. He showed me that He, God, was prepared to come to Earth and serve the same people who would crucify Him. He showed me what love means, and I drew my strength from Him that day. What did I have to complain about, when He was prepared to make such huge sacrifices?
So this has been my turmoil these past months. I am strongly considering returning home in a few months, if not just for a year to recharge and re-evaluate my commitment to Colombia. I´d appreciate your prayers as I make this decision.
A quick update as to how things are going:
WRIST BANDS AND CARTAGENA
My boys have raised approximately $4000 to go to the beach this year through selling wrist bands. They have worked hard and consistently for a year now, and our goal is within sight. Thankyou so much to those who have bought wrist bands and made the project possible. Especially thanks to Camp Carolina, where half of the money was raised. The boys are excited, and we are looking at going on the trip in 3 weeks. I know that I still have some people waiting on orders, and I do hope to fill all the orders I have. The boys are working as fast as they can, and I will get them to you when I can. Post is also very difficult from Colombia, so I always need to wait for someone who will take them back home for me.
There was an unexpected rise in the price of each traveller this year, and the Colombian Peso is very strong right now, contributing to a $2000 shortfall for the trip. If anyone is willing to help out financially to cover some of this I would really appreciate it. I feel that the boys have met their end of the bargain, so I need to meet the shortfall.
MUNDO NUEVO SOCCER PROGRAM
The soccer program is going well. We have 3 teams playing in various competitions. Thankyou to the Zollicoffer and Talbot family who sent me awesome soccer uniforms. The boys were so pumped to receive new uniforms.
MUNDO NUEVO MUSIC PROGRAM
The music program continues to flourish. In April we visited the Capital of Colombia and played a concert at the French Ambassadors house. He put on a fancy party for the kids afterwards, and it was a fantastic experience for them. On the last day of the trip I invited the kids to a waterpark.
DEVOTIONALS
Thankyou to Shirley Towner, these past two months we have enjoyed watching Veggie Tales movies, and reading through new bibles. Shirley sent me money to buy each boy a bible, and they were so pumped to receive them. They lay in bed each night reading the bible of their own accord. Each devotional time we highlight favourite verses. One day a boy asked me if he could take his bible to chapel. I told him that that was sort of the point. He said he was worried that he would get in trouble for reading during chapel. This is a photo of some of the boys with their new bibles.
OTHER PROJECTS
Thankyou to those who have donated for various other causes. Thanks to Ben Howes for protein shakes he has donated for a very underweight boy in Mundo Nuevo. My favourite primary school teacher, Pat Cooper, donated money to buy various books that I have been reading to the boys each night, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mr Fox, Narnia and Charlottes Web. Thanks to Rita Ballenger for her financial support of two boys who left my program. Thankyou to the Heathwood family for their donation of two laptops for my computer program. Thankyou, as always, to Jacqui Huggett for her generosity to my ministry. Thankyou to the Peneder Family, I don't know that I would have been able to stay here this long if it wasn't for you. Thankyou to Camp Carolina, its staff and campers for buying wrist bands, and for the clothes you donated to me for this Christmas. Thankyou to Bussleton Baptist Church and Cornerstone Christian Church. Thanks to Roger Poels, the Sinclair Family, the Renshaw Family, Phil and Val Howes, Dot and Margaret Howes, Geoff Howes, the Heathwood Family, Lawrie and Dawn Darrington, Julie Stone, Cam Kissel, Jennifer and Gordon Keesler, and the Turley Family.
My being here would not have been possible without all of your support. My ministry here has been in partnership with you, so thankyou for blessing the children in Mundo Nuevo and La Granja Infantil Jesus de la Buena Esperanza. There are many other people who have supported my ministry over these two years, and I´m sorry if I have forgotten to mention you.
Jon Howes
