Christ for Colombia '08: Our Trip to the Guajira
ELEVEN ON A MISSION
First Baptist Church of Rockport sent eleven missionaries to the northern peninsula of Colombia on August 8, 2008. The group has returned with some amazing stories of God's ability to cross language and cultural lines.
The "Eleven on a Mission" arrived in the Guajira section of the
northern peninsula on
Monday, August 10. This is an area that shares a boundary with
Venezuela and is an area of arid desert. The people visited there were
the Wayuu Indians, a group of people who have only been told recently
about our loving Savior and our one single Supreme God. Witchcraft and
other belief barriers were in the way, but the numbers of Christians
are increasing monthly due to the efforts of the local missionaries who
minister in that region.
A major factor that had to be confronted by the FBC team was one of language because these Indians speak their own language, Wayunnaiki. The mission team's program had to be transferred to Spanish by the Nationals who accompanied the group to the Guajira, and then to the native language by people of the tribe who have accepted Christ as savior. Puppet shows, songs, the Wordless Book, the Wordless Bracelet, skits, and hands-on activities were utilized by the Rockport group, all pointing to the love of Jesus. Crafts were done in association with the programs that involved the stories of Zacchaeus and the Prodigal Son.
The Vacation Bible School programs were very successful, with several professions of faith taking place being made by children and adults. In excess of 240 children plus adults took part in the VBS programs. The mission team had learned three songs in the native language, and they were well received.
The '09 mission trip is already being discussed. This was the second trip to Colombia for Rockport FBC, with last year's mission being made to the jungle areas around Cartagena.
Those making the trip from FBC were Gains and Mary Gardner, Robert, Dolores, and Jennifer Edwards, Bob and Carole Crawford, Deanna Longino, Annette Gardner, Joyce Roach, and Becky Livingston.
A major factor that had to be confronted by the FBC team was one of language because these Indians speak their own language, Wayunnaiki. The mission team's program had to be transferred to Spanish by the Nationals who accompanied the group to the Guajira, and then to the native language by people of the tribe who have accepted Christ as savior. Puppet shows, songs, the Wordless Book, the Wordless Bracelet, skits, and hands-on activities were utilized by the Rockport group, all pointing to the love of Jesus. Crafts were done in association with the programs that involved the stories of Zacchaeus and the Prodigal Son.
The Vacation Bible School programs were very successful, with several professions of faith taking place being made by children and adults. In excess of 240 children plus adults took part in the VBS programs. The mission team had learned three songs in the native language, and they were well received.
The '09 mission trip is already being discussed. This was the second trip to Colombia for Rockport FBC, with last year's mission being made to the jungle areas around Cartagena.
Those making the trip from FBC were Gains and Mary Gardner, Robert, Dolores, and Jennifer Edwards, Bob and Carole Crawford, Deanna Longino, Annette Gardner, Joyce Roach, and Becky Livingston.
