In June my team got to be part of a startup ministry called ‘The Bronx’. We would go the morning after Agua Panela (where we passed out this drink and bread to people) to do followup ministry. We walked around the same street with Agua Panela in thermoses and talked to people. It is a very different atmosphere in the morning. Several people are still high, but some are suffering the aftermath. They’re depressed, crying, feeling sick. It’s a rough scene.
My team is done with our work at Ciudad Refugio, but God is still working in every life on this street. During our few months working with this ministry, we met some really beautiful people with heartbreaking stories.
Here are some specific people you can be praying for:
- Juan Pablo: A 14 year old boy who was in tears when speaking to us. He couldn’t stop hugging us. Every time, he promises to walk to the Foundation for recovery. Every morning he doesn’t show up. But we’re hopeful he will some day.
- Carolina: A woman in her 30s who came to the street after a bad breakup.
- Juan: An elder man, trying to give us gifts.
- Rut: A woman who took drugs right in front of us. Feels a lot of shame for her position in life.
- Junior: A 12 year boy who acts as a runner for men who sell drugs on the streets. Not interested in coming to the Foundation for recovery. Smiles the sweetest smile ever when someone says his name.
As we walked through the street, I got emotional seeing each and every one that is struggling in that crowded place. I can see the faces of the people I know from the Foundation. They were once in the same hopeless place. They were broken, lost, and struggling. All they needed was a little hope and a little motivation. God worked a miracle in their life.
Getting to know people at the Foundation who have gone through the recovery process, now healthy & living their lives for the Lord, is encouraging. God is working things out, even when I can’t see it. I won’t be able to see everything He is doing. I am encouraged hearing several stories of recovery and restoration. I know He has so much more for the people living and using in Medellín.
Please pray that the Lord will shift the hearts of those on the street into seeking refuge and recovery. Pray that these people don’t give up hope, that something radical happens in their lives. The Lord is an incredible Father who doesn’t give up on His children. Pray these beautiful people understand that.
This sounds like a tough scene Katy! Thanks for your heart ??And ministry to people. Love, mom
Hi Katy, I love reading about your ministry. These stories break my heart when I think about children living on the streets & taking drugs. You & your team are definitely the hands & feet of Jesus!! I will be praying for all of you as you continue your trip to other places God has called you. I love you so much!
May God Bless you and keep you safe always.
Thank you for caring
What you said is so true, Katy, “God is working things out, even when you can’t see it.”
I’m so grateful you witnessed the ones who’ve already made it into recovery and have a newfound hope. Their own experiences will be the testimonies that reach the others.
Thank you for all you did to show them the love of God. I pray for each life you touched during your time in Medellín.
Blessings as you carry God’s love throughout South Africa. I am truly proud of you.
Oh this breaks my heart as a read of these sweet broken people on the streets especially the children on the street …thank you for giving us their names! They are someone’s children and through circumstances the love and protection that should surround them has been broken. thank you for reminding them that Jesus loves them and He will bind up their broken hearts. Thank you for hugging Juan Pablo praying now God will bring him back to the foundation and he will be adopted into a new family!!!
Katy I love this update. It’s specific and helpful. Thank you. Ok so we need to pray for:
Juan Pablo: A 14 year old boy who was in tears when speaking to you. Every morning he didn’t show up. So, we will pray he comes through and hears God from some of the things you and your team said. Then there’s:
Carolina: A woman in her 30s who came to the street after a bad breakup. She’s in bad shape emotionally? Right? Ok so we will pray God will touch her soul and heal her and that she’ll know it’s God doing the work. And there’s:
Juan: An elder man, a gift giver Extrodinaire. Maybe we will pray that since he seems to have a gift’s love language that he will understand the greatest gift of all ever given to him through Jesus! Then there is:
Rut: the woman who took drugs right in front of you, yet Feels a lot of shame for her position in life. So, we can pray that God will use her shame to find His acceptance of her, like the woman at the well. Finally, there is:
Junior: A 12 year boy who acts as a runner for men who sell drugs on the streets. He’s not even interested in coming to the Foundation for recovery, yet he smiles the sweetest smile when someone says his name. So, maybe we can pray that Over time he will see the limits of his situation and find Christ.
Katy thanks for the specific people. It’s very tangible and allows me to envision the work you are doing. I appreciate your efforts and ministry endeavors this past year. I’m continuing to pray earnestly for you now in South Africa. I love you mucho and we are behind you 100%. God bless you and be with you.
Dad