Colombian Christian Mission

WOW it’s Weimer

Weimer became a Christian about ten years ago as a teenager. He was invited to the church by a friend and was attracted by the mu- sic program and the youth activities. As he finished up high school, he enrolled in the university pursuing a degree in music. But after only a year, he could not afford to con- tinue studying and was forced to drop out. He remained active in the church and married one of the young ladies from the youth group. He supported himself and his new wife by working as a music teacher at a small school. Every weekend he was at church a couple of hours early practicing with the praise band. He is a skilled saxophonist and frequently plays spectacular specials that energize the church service. When he stands up to play, invariably someone will say “Wow, its Weimer.”

A couple of years ago, when Susy and Brian were down for a visit to Colombia, they were also impressed with his dedication and enthusiasm. So they suggested we give him a college scholarship so he could go back to college and finish his degree. When I spoke with him and he was very interested and ex- pressed his excitement at the thought of being able to return. We began sponsoring him the next semester. That was two years ago and now Weimer is now study- ing in his last year of college. Now it is Weimar that says “Wow, thanks to my dear Christian brothers and sisters in the United States, I will be able to realize my dream of finishing my college education.” He plans on continuing to use his skills and what he has learned in serving the Lord with the Colombian churches.

He is like so many of our young peo- ple. They are bright and very committed to the Lord and they gladly give themselves in the service of the church. Yet most come from very poor families where there is no hope of sending a child to college. It is only the love of the church that opens the door of opportunity for these fine Christian youth. So now as Weimer fires up his sax, he is a shining example of the sacrifice many of you have made in making the college dream a reality for many young people in the Colom- bian churches. As they serve God and the church as enthusiastic young professionals, they are not only a blessing for the church; they are an example of Christian love and brotherhood of the church universal. When you donate for college scholar- ships you are providing a blessing to the Colombian church be being a blessing for a young Colombian Christian. You are making a dream come true! If you would like to help a young Colombian Christian like Weimer, fill out the coupon on the newsletter.
Packed into Colegio Peniel

The school year has begun again at Colegio Peniel, our Christian Day School in Villavicencio. This year every single opening for students was filled by the time the school year ended last November. The excellent aca- demic standing the school has achieved has made it very popular in the city. Yet we keep our focus on providing a quality Christian education for the children of the very poor; children whose parents in many cases could never hope to send them to any school, let alone one of the best in town! When we nearly doubled the size of the school two years ago, we thought we would have ample room for growth. Never did we imagine that all those new class rooms would be stuffed to the gills the very next year.

This year, as always, our focus on the children of the church and the children of the very poor, means that if we are to function and offer an education to such chil- dren we must secure scholarships from caring American Christians. Otherwise our only choice would be to limit enrollment to the wealthy parents who could afford to pay for their children’s education. Yet those parents also have many other fine schools to choose from. Our minis- try is to minister to the less fortunate by provided quality education to bright children who were born into poor families. Without Colegio Peniel and the scholarships you offer, most of these children would never attend school at all, or would get a year or two at a very low quality local grammar school offered by the Colombian government. So while Colegio Peniel is bursting at the seams, many of those students know they are blessed by the op- portunity of attending there. But they also know that their ability to remain in classes depends upon some car- ing Christian in the States who is willing to pick up the tab for an education their parents could never afford. Those children will receive a blessing far beyond simply learning to read and write; they and their families will hear the Good News of Jesus Christ as well. That is perhaps the greatest blessing of Colegio Peniel.

You can be a part of this exciting and rewarding ministry by sponsoring one of the needy children today. Fill out the coupon below and become a sponsor today. Put a smile on the face of a Colombian child and a new hope into his or her heart. Be a part of one of the best schools in Villavicencio by being a part of a child’s life and education!

New Publicity Pack

This Spring we are going to be redoing all of our publicity. We will have new posters, booklets, bulletin inserts and brochures. If you would like a pack for your church please let us know. We’ll put you on the list and send you a pack when we get everything printed.

Scholarships

If you would like to support you same student again this year please let us know ASAP.

New Phone Number

The Colombian Christian Mission has a new phone number.

It is: (330) 294-0725