Reaching Out in Colombia - by Jim Chynoweth
As a Christian organization, CDA Colombia is committed to sharing the love of God through meeting physical needs as well as sharing the saving message of the Gospel.
Although all of CDA’s projects target those marginalized by society, there are sometimes special circumstances where CDA is able to provide additional assistance. Through the Helping Hands program and the Health Brigades, CDA Colombia is able to extend hands of healing and hope to those living in poverty, sickness and despair.
The Helping Hands program assists 80 families each month, who as a result of unemployment, injuries, illness, a death in the family or forced displacement, cannot meet their basic needs. These families, carefully selected by CDA staff members, receive short-term assistance through the monthly delivery of groceries and other necessities such as clothes or school supplies. New beneficiary families are selected every three months as a way to prevent dependency on the program and to ensure that the current special needs of community members are being met.
Beyond just meeting physical needs, a key element to the Helping Ha nds program is the training that is included. For a family to be eligible to receive the monthly deliveries, they must commit to attending several workshops. The workshops are focused on topics relevant to the community, including Sexual Abuse, Inter-Family Violence, Children’s Rights, Participating in the Community, and Being Grateful (part of a focus on empowerment aimed at preventing attitudes of entitlement and dependency).
Furthermore, a strong effort is made to enroll the parents in CDA’s Vocational Training program to equip them with skills needed to get a job or increase their earnings. During each one of these workshops, the gospel message is clearly shared by a chaplain with the recognition that real life change begins with a change of the heart. Some of the families are also involved in individual counseling sessions and discipleship.
Isabel Rodriguez is one of those currently benefiting from the Helping Hands program. Earlier this year, her husband was attacked and robbed, leaving him seriously injured and incapacitated. Although he is slowly recovering, he is still unable to return to his job, which has put a great financial strain on his family. Isabel recently shared, “I am the mother of four children, three of whom study at the CDA school, and for me the Helping Hands project has been a great help. Since the attack on my husband we began receiving the monthly delivery of groceries through the CDA program, and little by little he has been recovering. We are asking God to help him fully recover his health, and I am so grateful for CDA and all the help we have received from them.”
One of the other great problems facing the marginalized communities in which CDA works is a lack of access to health care. To meet this need and share the love of God, CDA Health Brigades are held once a month. Once a vulnerable community has been selected, the first step taken to prepare for a brigade is to make contact with local community leaders and pastors. With their support and participation, the event is organized and promoted, culminating in the special Saturday event. CDA staff volunteer their time to bring health care and hope to those who need it. During each Health Brigade, a wide variety of services are offered to the community: doctors, dentists, oral hygienists, nurses, psychologists, social workers and chaplains. In addition, the Health Brigades offer vision screenings, a portable pharmacy, hair cuts (to help give people a sense of personal dignity), evangelization, prayer, and recreation. Attendees also receive training in community health, as well as information regarding their rights and how to improve their socio-economic status.
In keeping with CDA’s mission, evangelism plays a key role during every Brigade. Each individual who attends the Health Brigade hears a clear presentation of the Gospel, and all those who are interested are referred to local churches through the relationships formed with the pastors during the event preparation. This provides spiritual follow-up for those new believers or those interested in knowing more about God, as well as strengthening and encouraging the local churches.
Jesus told us that the poor will always be with us. This gives us as Christians the ongoing responsibility to reach out to them, to minister to their physical needs, and to give them the hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ. Through programs like Helping Hands and Health Brigades, CDA is reaching out to the poor of Colombia.
All photos courtesy of CDA Education and CDA Health Jim Chynoweth is a missionary serving with CDA in Bogotá, Colombia, as the International Communications Officer.
