Week of Mission - Bogota, Colombia

The month of February I was in Colombia for a month of training along with staff from all over Latin America. It was a time full of joys, difficulties, and learning. The first 2 weeks were training and full of plenaries and biblical readings. The 3rd week was missions and we were divided into groups that would go to different cities within Colombia with the local movement, UCU, Unidad Cristiana Universitaria.

I was assigned Bogotá with team members and was mostly in the Universidad Nacional. One of the activities that we had was "Desahógate", where we invited students to share things that worried them in a sticky note or to talk to one of our team who would be blindfolded. This was an activity UCU had done several times before, but for me it was the first time. The idea was that sometimes it is easier to be vulnerable with strangers than with those around us. Since our eyes can sometimes judge others, being blindfolded aimed at creating safe spaces for dialogue.

It was interesting to hear stories from different students and being able to pray for them. As in the states, depression and anxiety are common problems and the need for someone to listen is important. Our group was impressed to see that students in Colombia start university at a very young. Many were 17, up to 15 years old, moving from small towns to Bogotá and starting university life at an early age. It was sad the first day when we were doing a prayer walk inside the university and walking up the engineering library. As we looked down, one of the student leaders shared that many students have thrown themselves in suicide because out of desperation.

In the evenings we hosted a variety of events with the idea of ​​connecting students we met during the day with UCU. We had topics such as a panel to learn about the different contexts around Latin America, stories of hope, and a night of mental health. I remember that one of those days, we experienced a lot of rain, a very Bogota kind of day. Because of the rain, we were unable to do the evangelism outreaches we had planned and our group was very disappointed.

Many had surrendered to the idea that the day was a failure. After returning to “casa UCU”, UCU home, and having a coffee, we felt encouraged to go to the Universidad National and use the hour we had left before the evening event and evangelize. The Lord is good, and in less than 15 minutes, we had non-Christian students who accompanied us back home! They loved the group and the event.

It was also a blessing to see that the student leaders we worked with also were transformed with the themes given each night and the daily evangelistic events. Below are some of their reflections:

This being the first time I participated in any missionary activity in the university, my experience was pleasant, despite the nerves and normal doubts before this type of activity. During this period I saw the needs and struggles of other young people not so different from me, in addition to evidencing the role of UCU as a mediator between students and Jesus. All this from the patient and loving hand of the accompanying staff. – Andrés (Universidad Nacional)

My experience in the week of proclamation for Universidad Nacional was very good, I felt accompanied and encouraged by each of the staff as we performed the different activities. They were willing to help us in everything we needed, they also motivated us to leave our comfort zone, showing us that with a willing heart you can do great things with few resources, because in the end God is the one who takes care of the rest. This week had a positive impact on the university group as it helped us to get closer and to get to know each other more in the midst of the activities carried out. Among many other positive aspects, it allowed us to meet other students both, Christian and non-Christian, interested in participating in the group. – Paula (Universidad Nacional)

This week I was reminded that my plans are not always going to work out as I would want them to and this includes the mission within the university. We wanted to be in the Central Library and were kicked out, we prayed that there wouldn’t be rain and it rained, all this because God had a slightly different plan on each occasion. He knows everything and His plan was to reach specific people who wouldn’t have arrived otherwise. This week I am very happy, I am glad to see new students at UCU home, I am glad to have worked with people as special as the staff with whom I was and I am glad that it is not our plans that are fulfilled but God’s. – Jonier (Universidad Nacional)

Experiences like these remind me that the work belongs to the Lord, that He goes before us and is already moving in people's hearts. It invites us to be part and see the harvest, but we are the ones who decide if we want to participate and see His provision. I invite you to participate in what the Lord is doing and what you will do in Chile, whether you participate in prayer or financially investing in the student ministry.