Colombian Christian Mission

COLOMBIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION
Dale and Jeanie Meade
In the jungle and prairie of Southeastern Colombia
Volume 6, Issue 4 April, 1978

REFLECTIONS OF A SHORT TERM MISSIONARY

One of the first things one notices about Dale Meade and Mark Stringer is their slim, tanned and healthy appearance. We were soon to find out how they got that way. One first becomes overwhelmingly aware of his physical condition upon arriving to Bogota the capital of Colombia. Here the altitude is nearly 10,000 ft. above sea level, and the slightest amount of exertion leaves one gasping for his breath. Other side effects are dizziness and headaches. On our return trip to Bogota we found our hotel elevator "out of order." The climb to the tenth floor with over 100 lbs of luggage made me feel like I had just run a four minute mile.
Travel in Colombia can be harrowing. On the bus from Bogota for Villavicencio was no place for a person with a weak stomach. The road curves around mountains with drop offs nearly straight down for hundreds of feet. Guard rails are practically non-existent and landslides are simply marked with a cross at the point where they left the roadway. Retrieving victims is nearly impossible.
Soon after our arrival in Villavicencio we got down to the business of laying up a cement block building which will eventually be used to produce tape recordings and photographs. These will aid in the radio mission work and in educating congregations in remote areas of the country. We spent much of three days laying block and pouring a cement floor; being careful not to become sunburned or succumb to the heat. On other days several members repaired radio equipment while others repaired an auto transmission and electric generator. We soon learned that we needed to drink plenty of water, ice tea, and lemonade to replace lost body fluids. The exercise and sun felt good and each evening we would welcomed the opportunity to take a cold brief shower and retire to our hammocks.
No matter where we were in Colombia we always seemed to be awakened by a noisy rooster. These poorly mannered pests seem to be trained to start crowing at midnight rather than at the crack of dawn. Fortunately after the third day of work, we were so tired that we could sleep right through the commotion.
One has to be impressed by the ability of the human to make himself comfortable, even in primitive living conditions. Twelve of our group slept at a local church. Hammocks were strung up in open rooms just off the church courtyard. We quickly set up house and soon provided ourselves with plenty of drinking water; toilets flushed with a bucketful of water; a couple more bucketfuls provided a nice cool shower. Each of us found a warm dry place to sleep with no guarantee on what insects might visit you. Apparently I was more lethal than they, because I only found dead roaches in my bed. After a week had passed Hugh Vance finally discovered what was making that croaking sound near his bed. You guessed it. Jeremiah was his name.
Travel in Colombia can be rigorous. Our group developed "saddle sores" (slight exaggeration) from the long rough bus rides; and tired feet from all the walking. And even though I envy Dale and Mark for their trim physiques, the traveling they do by motorcycles, on foot and even swimming rivers, is very time consuming. It becomes obvious that air transportation is the most practical way to reach the people. Both Dale and Phil have pilots licenses; so let's hope they will get their plane. I've thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with the Colombian missionaries and have come to appreciate their dedication to their work. Regan L. Moore. D.D.S.


REACHING OUT

In this past month we have reached out into many new areas with the gospel. Isolated towns like Cola de Pato, Valparaiso, and Abeiba, have heard the Gospel and shown interest in learning more. People living in several sections of Villavicencio where there is no church have heard the Good News and invited us to share more with them. How is it possible to reach into so many new areas in one month? Especially when we are spending a great deal of time visiting existing churches and training leaders, this outreach seems truly incredible.
In all honesty, we are not super-human. We get tired and need rest. We spend time in the office that does not give returns in direct evangelism. Yet we work hard to make the most of our time. We look for ways to multiply our ministry. The radio program has done that. While I'm resting up from a rough trip into the jungle or prairie, the taped messages are announcing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In slack periods when I am here in Villavicencio we are able to tape record the programs. So, even if I am spending a week in San Jose teaching the leaders of the churches there; I can still announce the saving message of a Savior to hundreds of other towns throughout the region. we are very please with the early response to our radio ministry.
Recently, there has been a radio station started up in San Jose del Guaviare. If we could afford to put the program on that station as well, we could double our effective coverage of this area in which we are working. Since the station is new, the rates are very reasonable. Yet, since we are having trouble sustaining the program on one station, we didn't feel that it would be wise to over-extend ourselves financially. At the present we have two pressing needs as far as the programs are concerned. The first is more members for the sponsors club. This would provide an assured income to sustain the programs, plus free the funds now invested in this ministry for other important projects. The second pressing need is someone who has training in radio work to come down and help with the production, programming, and follow-up. Is the Lord challenging you to fulfill either of these needs? Write us and let us know if you are interested in working with us in either of these two categories.