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The Times Advocate, 2008-09-10, Page 12Crossroads 12 Times -Advocate Wednesday, September 10, 2008 Mission trip to Colombia a learning experience By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF ZURICH — "I wouldn't even hesitate." That's how Zurich Mennonite Church member Scott Gould, recently returned from a mis- sion trip to Colombia, responds when asked if he would go back. Gould and five fellow Zurich Mennonite Church members were in Colombia Aug. 15-25 to work with, pray with and sup- port those living in poverty. Along with Gould were Stuart Blyde, Henry Van Barneveld, Jack Baker, Janelle Cressman and Lee Aim Ramer. Zurich Mennonite has a con- nection with a church in Bogota, Colombia, and it was decided several months ago to send a mission group to the South American nation. For the six, dubbing themselves "Team Colombia Bogota," it was their first time to the country. Their contacts in Bogota were Trevor and Sherry Main, who work in Colombia as missionaries. Sherry, whose maiden name is Steckle, originally hails from Zurich. Coming from Huron County, the six were immediately struck by how busy and fast -paced Bogota is. Gould said there are about 4,000 people per town block and there was lots of pol- lution. The roads, he said, had no lanes. The group spent the first day touring the slum areas of Bogota, where they learned about what type of environment those they were going to help came from. They also made deliveries of food to those in need. At one shack, a group of children were padlocked inside because their mother was away. The next day, the group deliv- ered greetings to Brethren in Christ church in Bogota. From Aug. 17-22, Baker, Blyde, Gould and Van Barneveld worked at a 15 -acre farm one hour northwest of Bogota called Granja Peniel, a place for boys who come from an abusive background or broken homes to live and receive special care. The farm is run by In Ministry to Children, funded out of England. There the group helped reno- vate a maintenance shop. They also donated tools, supplies and clothes to Granja Peniel, and took books and magazines that showed the boys how to make crafts they can sell. The group came away impressed with the home and with the boys who lived there. "The boys are just delightful," Blyde said, adding their lives have really been brightened through the program. Structure has been introduced into the boys' lives and they've been given tasks and taught basic skills. "They were just marvelous boys," Baker adds. "They were unbelievable," Gould says. While the Zurich group was there, a new boy arrived — he was immediately welcomed by all the other boys and made to feel at home. Van Barneveld says saying goodbye to the boys at the end of the week was emotional. Blyde said you don't get the real picture of Colombia unless you go there. "This is real life and these people are really going through this and they need help." Gould adds the children are just happy to be alive. Baker says while at one point he wondered why the Zurich church didn't simply send money to Colombia, rather than also doing the trip, he said it was important for the Colombians to meet the Zurich group and spend time with them. Blyde adds while the trip helped the Colombians, it also changed the lives of the Zurich group, who will make a presen- tation on their trip to the Mennonite Church. One thing noticeable to the Zurich group was the high level of security and military pres- ence in Bogota. Blyde said there are policemen armed with rifles on every street corner. But, the group adds, safety has improved in Colombia. Gould adds that while there are some areas you would want to stay away from, he wouldn't be afraid to take his family there for a vacation. While the men were working at the farm, Cressman and Ramer worked at a school and a hospital and nursing home, which was poorly staffed and had little funding. The Zurich group also distrib- uted milk, food and hygiene kits to boys and girls, including many items collected at the Zurich Mennonite Church. Colombia trip — Six members of Zurich Mennonite Church recently travelled to Colombia, where they donated food, clothing, tools and hygiene items as well as helped support those in need. Pictured in front from left are Janelle Cressman and Lea -Ann Ramer, while in back from left are Jack Baker, HenryVan Barneveld, Scott Gould and Stuart Blyde.Above they stand in front of Monserrate church outside Bogota. (photos/submitted) The group also had some time to do some sightseeing, includ- ing visiting the Monserrate Catholic Church in the moun- tains 1,500 metres above Bogota, which they had to get to by cable cart. Baker said it was the biggest church he's ever seen. The Zurich group came home impressed with the attitudes of the Colombians. Baker said many of the people in Colombia "don't have any- thing, but they're happy." Gould adds the Colombians aren't materialistic, while Van Barneveld said the trip remind- ed him why Canadians "have so much to be thankful for." He said he returned to Canada thinking that he wanted to go back to Colombia again to help. "Those people become a blessing to you," he said. "They're very friendly, open people," Blyde adds. Ian Scott Douglas, a member of Zurich Mennonite Church who didn't go on the recent trip to Colombia but who has been before, said, "you do come back a different person." Blyde said the missionary trip was more rewarding and relax- ing than a normal vacation and he recommends people try it. "It blew me out of the water," Gould says of his experience. New business —Above, the group stands with the owners of a new restaurant in Bogota. In front from left are owner Rubiela, her brother Uriel and her sisterYanira. In back from left are Baker, Gould,Van Barneveld and Blyde. . 111111111111111 At work — Members of the Zurich group work alongside residents of the Granja Peniel farm in Colombia. Mission work — Four members of the Zurich group spent several days working and supporting residents of the Granja Peniel farm in Colombia, a program that takes in boys from broken homes or abusive backgrounds.