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February 1977 Newsletter
COLOMBIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION
Dale and Jeanie Meade
San José del Guaviare in Colombia, South America
Volume 5, Issue 2 February, 1977
IS A PLANE PRACTICAL?
As our desire to evangelize the great planes and jungles of Colombia using a plane has become known, many have asked questions. Is a plane practical? Isn't it very expensive? Who will fly it? Who will fix it? Where will we land it? These are all important and pertinent questions. We are thankful that Christians no longer give blindly. We are happy to explain a little more about this critical need.
First of all, a plane is the most practical way to travel when the roads are so poor, or even non-existent. A car is just too slow and the trip too arduous. A plane, even a slow one can cover in one hour what a car would spend three hours to 20 days covering. In the rainy season these rough roads often disappear into a lagoon of water and mud. In such a state, they are impassable. Yet we can buy a plane for around $8,000. We would spend an additional $2,000 for radios and other safety equipment. When you compare this $10,000 price tag to $13,000 for a new Toyota jeep or $15,000 for a Ford Bronco, it's easy to see why a plane would be so practical. The plane would be used primarily for church planting. The missionary who is in a given area would fly in. The plane would be used by all of the missionaries working in the Llanos. It will not belong to just me, or Phil, but will be used by all. There are qualified mechanics in Colombia, (and in Villavicencio, where we will use the plane). They do good work and it is cheaper than in the States. One final aspect that has bothered many is where we will land. That is perhaps the least of our worries. Since there are so few roads, every town of any size has an airstrip. These are usable throughout the year. Airstrips are so vital for the people of the Llanos that even many farms have and maintain an airfield.
So after much careful consideration, we feel that a plane would be a wise investment of the Lord's money. If you, your Sunday School class, or church could help with this project, it would greatly advance the Lord's church in Colombia.
IMPRESSIONS
After a lot of prayer and thought I have finally arrived here in Colombia, which is the answer to the prayers that have been said for the past five months for this work-study period in Colombia. Though my stay in Colombia will not be an extended one it will be rich in learning experiences which will be a great help in understanding of a missionary on the field.
After only twelve days I have not seen nor know all that might be needed to give a complete account of the work that the Colombian mission is doing. In fact it is only in San Jose that I have spent any good amount of time. Thus it is from this point I will give what must be termed as first impressions of the work in Colombia.
The work in San Jose for the most part must be termed as cultivation with some planting, if I may use an allusion to the parable of Jesus. It does not seem to be the time of harvest. Work is slow and must be done with patience on the part of the worker, when prayer and study of the Word is added, progress will be made.
The area around San Jose, or maybe I should say jungle, has brought forth a harvest which seems to be replanting to some degree, which is really a major encouragement. The churches are small, but they love the Lord very much. But this areas around San Jose is large and travel is time consuming, thus the spread of the Gospel is slow.
There are two customs among the Christians here that I found interesting and I would like to mention at this point. The first is that they call each other "hermano" which is brother. This small custom has in most cases lost its use in the States, which is really too bad. It is good to remind each other that we are indeed a family in Christ. The second is that they greet and leave each other with the words "El Se¤or le bendiga" the Lord bless you. Also very beautiful words to say to one's brother in Christ
In the short time that I have been here I have seen some of the beautiful creation of God. But I have also seen some of the most depressing things for me personally. Undernourished children and a Christian brother with leprosy are only two. But from both experiences I am learning about the world about me and the God who made it, which I can apply to my future work.
Colombians need the Gospel message as does the whole world. I hope that the churches will pray for those who are working in the mission field, whether in China, Africa, or San Jose del Guaviare in Colombia. Eric Duggins