It was in 1968 that Wayne and Mary Anne Weld and their family arrived in Medellin, Colombia to teach at the same seminary where Julio would eventually graduate from in 2004. And it was in 1968 when the Welds, along with seminary students from the Covenant Church in Ecuador, began what would become the Colombian Covenant Church. As we serve in Colombia, we are continually reminded of the legacy of men and women, like the Welds, who have served faithfully throughout the years.  This past week it was a privilege for us to visit with the Welds, who have become dear friends, and share stories of how God has continued the work through the men and women of the Covenant Church in Colombia. We were also able to thank them for the way that they have personally impacted our lives from the time we met them in Ecuador, before Julio and I were even married.

The Welds were the first missionaries with the Evangelical Covenant Church to serve in Colombia.

Julio interviewed Wayne back in 2003 for his thesis on the history of the Covenant Church in Colombia

At the same time we were able to visit with other dear women who have been a part of our story and the story of the Covenant Church in Latin America. It is hard to put into words the joy we felt as we sat around the dinner table with Donna Erickson and her daughter Deanna, Pat Camp, and Nancy Reed. These women radiate love and their lives of service are examples for us of what it means to be ambassadors of God’s kingdom on earth. Our lives are forever linked together as we are family in Christ and we thank God for how each of them has encouraged us, supported us, and prayed for us on this journey.

We are thankful for the many years of continued faithful service that are represented at this table. And what a joy to share our stories in Spanish with one another.

While we only had 24 hours at Mount Miguel Retirement Village, there are so many snapshots of our time with these precious friends that are captured in our memories and hearts.