Thanks to scholarship funds Willmer attends the My Covenant with Jesus school in Baranquilla, Colombia.

My name is Willmer, I’m 12 years old and I’m the oldest of three children. My father died 2 and 1/2 years ago and my mother and siblings and I have had to make a new way forward. We thank God that we found the Covenant church in Baranquilla and that I am able to study at the school they have. It has helped me and my siblings so much. My dream is to be an engineer and work for the best company in Barranquilla and help improve my family’s quality of life.

I like soccer, reading, and watching movies!

Comment: This child is the son of a woman who had to leave her town as a displaced person 8 years ago. She lived in Soledad and her husband died from a strange disease, leaving her a widow with her three children. The three kids are now being helped by the scholarship program of the Covenant Church of Colombia and Covenant Kids.

A mother in Medellín, Colombia says thank you:

I am Gloria Vargas Restrepo and I am the head of my house. Five years ago I enrolled my daughter in the Covenant School (Centro Educativo Integral el Pacto).

This has been a difficult time in my life economically, I work as a seamstress, but only on a temporary basis and there are moments that are very difficult. For example, this year I made the decision to take my daughter out of school and put her in a neighborhood school because I lost my job. It was just at this moment that the school, via the director, offered me the help I needed – a 100% scholarship. The truth is that the context in which we live is one filled with violence, so to have a school like this is truly a blessing. Thanks to the donation of people with a big heart, the school had received resources to be able to bless other people like me with what we’ve always dreamed about – an excellent education for my daughter. Continue Reading »

The Potosí Christian School in Bogotá, Colombia receives scholarship donations from Covenant Kids Colombia. Marlly Rocio Alvarez Verjel, the director of the school, states that, “the main objective of our ministry is that each child and family know and live out the transformation that Jesus Christ promises in His Word, and at the same time provide academic tutoring and food to each one of these children.”

Preschool children line up for recess.

The Rodriguez Anzola family gives witness to how God is at work through the Potosí Christian School:

Mrs. Carlina Anzola is the mother of eleven children. Her husband passed away six months ago, and she arrived from Paraiso Bella Flor thirteen years ago. Her situation was a dire one, and she has been able to find economical, spiritual and academic support at the Covenant church where she attends.

Mrs. Anzola shares, “currently, I have five children studying at the Covenant school, Juan Diego Rodriguez Anzola in 5^th grade, Edwin Alexander in 3^rd grade, Wendy Vanessa in 2^nd grade, and Sara and Ruth in Preschool.  I am very happy and thankful that my children receive love and are fed both physically and spiritually. I am thankful for their teachers, and for the support and help we have received from the church and the Covenant foundation that have changed our lives. I can say that we are truly blessed.”

Kim Crawford, who works in Mobilization and Connection of Covenant World Mission, recently visited ministry sites in Colombia.

Kim writes, “The barrios of Medellín, Colombia are set up in the hills.  Refugee families have settled on those steep streets; fleeing from violence in the villages of their countryside homes.   Over the years these hillside gatherings have developed and become part of the city – complete with paved roads, stores, churches and police presence.  Last summer I walked through these steep streets and into a Covenant Church.

The Sed de Justicia Thirst for Justice Covenant Church is a 4-story building that sits among the sea of terra cotta and wrought-iron structures.  Our small visiting group sat down with Pastor Alvaro Alonso Muñoz to hear about the church and its ministries.  He told us about the gang activity that permeates this barrio.  He explained that young men are sucked in and young women are victimized.  But he also spoke about hope and being a light in the community.

Pastor Alvaro is most affectionately known as Pibe, which means friend.

As we talked with Pastor Alvaro a  girl quietly slipped into the room.  She hovered at the entrance; one arm hanging by her side and the other sheepishly grabbing it from behind.  Pastor Alvaro warmly invited her in and she slowly started to walk toward us.  “This is Kelly Tatiana.” he explained, “She is 12 years old and is sponsored through Niños del Pacto (in Colombia).”

Kelly Tatiana and I began to talk.  She smiled as I chatted with broken Spanish. She told me that she likes to go to school and study.  And she likes to play and hang out with her friends.  Kelly Tatiana’s father left the family and her mother often does not make enough to purchase food or school uniforms.  Kelly Tatiana is grateful for the support she receives from Niños del Pacto. With these donations she is able to go to school and receive extra support for the family.  She loves being part of the church and it is obvious that she felt at home there and in the presence of Pastor Alvaro.

Kim Crawford chats with Kelly Tatiana in the Sed de Justicia sanctuary.

I left my new friend with very mixed feelings.  She seemed so smart and friendly – a pre-teen girl enjoying the things that pre-teen girls should enjoy.  And yet she lives amidst dangerous gangs that threaten her life, her security and her future.  Please pray with me for Kelly Tatiana, and others in her neighborhood, that she will continue to find strength and refuge at Sed de Justicia and in the presence of Jesus Christ.”