Missions trips, like ice cream, come in many flavors. Some are vision trips; others involve Bible teaching; still others do construction.
Tenth’s upcoming short-term trip to Barranquilla, Colombia is a Neapolitan; it does all three. The team will travel on June 14 and return on June 25. Enrique Leal and Joe Park will kick things off on Sunday June 15 with a Bible conference. On Monday, team members will start construction on the Los Olivos church. A Tenth team has worked on the building every summer for over a decade and it is nearing completion. That same week other team members, in partnership with members of Los Olivos Church, will conduct a Bible camp for as many as 130 children from the neighborhood. The week will conclude with a major neighborhood outreach targeted to the families of the children who attended the Bible camp. This event will feature Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks, a gospel presentation, and an invitation to Sunday worship.
A distinctive of the Colombia mission’s trip, now in its twelfth consecutive year, is the long-term partnership between Tenth and Los Olivos. This is facilitated by the close relationship between Enrique Leal and Carlos Berrios, a Tenth partner and the pastor of Los Olivos Church. Enrique began witnessing to Carlos when they were in high school. Carlos gave his life to Christ and became the pastor of Los Olivos Church. The church continues on a path toward self-sustainability, but greatly benefits from our encouragement as they seek to proclaim the gospel in a land where reformed churches are rare.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing. Will you please pray daily that God’s Spirit would bless the partnership of Tenth and Los Olivos as we seek to bless the neighborhood with the renewing presence of Christ? For those who are led to do so, there is still an opportunity to bless the work financially. While part of the Easter Sacrificial offering is supporting this work, there are additional costs for construction materials, supplies for the Bible camp, and expenses related to the Bible conference and evangelistic outreach. Please prayerfully consider taking part financially in this mission opportunity.