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Mission Trips

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Read our Colombia Trip blog below:

Colombia Blog: Days 1 and 2
The trip to Colombia was uneventful, but very long. We had a 7 hour lay-over in Bogota, getting into Leticia 24 hours after many of us left from home. Lucy, the home mother, met us at the airport with a large truck to haul us and our luggage to the home. Once at the home, we had time to relax and get acquainted with the incredible heat and humidty. The night ended with us going out for dinner at a hamburger place right in Leticia. The owner, named Ivan, couldn't stop talking to us. It made for some great table conversation.

Day 2 was a bit more focused on what we are here to accomplish. Let it be known that the primary goal of this trip is to build relationships with those we meet (particularly the children) and to help foster their relationship with Christ. A majority all our time will be spent buildling a playground for the children. Tuesday morning was spent purchasing materials for the playground. Because Menard's or Lowe's does not have a prensence in Leticia, we have to travel to many different stores to get all of things we needed. We were pleased to find one vender, however, who could accomodate all our requests. He was a one-man Home Depot. The rest of the group who stayed behind at the home built benches out of scrap lumber for children to sit on.  It was a very productive morning.

In the afternoon we all had the priviledge to take a group of 30 children to a nearby park and swimming pool. They absolutely loved it (and I think we all did, too). One comment from Matt was that while he has heard for years how awesome it is to play with the kids in Peru or Colombia, he has never gotten to experience it until now. All expectations were met! After the children left, we had the opportunity to partake in a worship service right at the home. What a joy it was to worship our creator together with our brothers and sisters in Christ from Colombia. We finished off the day by putting together the food packs for the people of Barrio Nuevo. Tomorrow should be a great day!

Day 3: Today was a very special day for the team. After a light breakfast of fruit and bread, we headed out to Barrio Nuevo (New Neighborhood). Once there, we were greeted by 50 families who would be receiving the food that we brought. We participated in a short worship service thanking God for the food that was provided. The pastor spoke, and then Lucy prayed for the group, and then Tom said a few words about the many blessings and gifts that God provides. The main message was that it was not the group who provided the food, but our good and gracious God. The families expressed true gratitude for the food and the prayers. While there, we were able to engage them in coversation, play with the children, and show the love of God. While many would think that this was a one-sided ministry, all in the group would strongly disagree. Our faith was strengthened just as much as theirs through this act of service and hearing about their new faith lives. How exciting to be a part of this.

After we finished handing out the food, we spent the afternoon trekking through the jungle. Through one mis-communication or the other, the team was not aware that this was happening directly after serving at the Barrio. Therefore, none of us were wearing boots or appropriate clothing. We all had good sandals and shorts/t-shirts, but not exactly what we would have chosen. We found some water at a nearby store, and still had a great hike through the jungle. Afterwards, we had a great meal of fish, corn and potatoes (or the Colombian equivilant). We then had time to splash around in the lagoon.

At this point it is always important to recognize the focus of the trip. Even thought today we got to "play around" by going for a jungle tour, our focus is still 100% on the various service events that are happing while we are here. We have already had a fiesta with the children that would not have happened had we not come. We also were able to visit the Barrio. The next three days will be spent hard at work building the playground. Our focus is and always will be to provide discipleship to those who are here, and spreading the Gospel to all we meet. Until next time.....

Day 4: How is a foundation built? You need to have a strong base, made of materials that will not bend, will not break, and can stand great weight. The foundation is what holds everything else up. Today was an exercise in building foundations. To start our building project, we had to build a foundation. We started with digging holes, then putting in the support columns, then surrounding the columns with hard-packed clay and cement. These  columns are now the beginning of our playground. I was thinking a lot about foundations as we were beginning this project today. I think many times we are arrogant enough to believe that we will be coming down here to start the foundations of faith in the people we meet. Instead, we find a host of believers who have a strong faith in Jesus Christ. Instead of building foundations, we are encouraging upward growth, discipling and building relationships. This encouragement of faith works both ways. While our foundations are firmly set in Jesus Christ, we still need the help of our Christian brothers and sisters in Christ to build our faith. As we build tomorrow, I am certain I will be thinking of this "building" of faith.

Last night was a wonderful celebration of what God has provided for us this year. After spending the night wandering around town with all the other people of Leticia, we came back to the home for a time of prayer and thanksgiving. At midnight, we all jumped off our chairs into the new year (an O'Neill tradition) and then ate 12 grapes in the Colombian tradition. After that, we shared a meal and talked until late into the night.

The morning saw tired faces but excited faces to start the project. The day was filled with hard work as we began construction of the new playground for the children. I would not be surprised if you could smell us from there. We were a ripe bunch after 8 hours in the sun, but we are excited about our progress.

We are all excited to be here, but excited to be with our families again. Many have expressed the wish that they could have brought their spouse, families and friends. Some day!

Day 5-6: Yesterday was a day filled with work. Some were up at 6 to start work, with everybody doing something by 7....in the a.m.! We got done with work around 4, which was a good thing, as we were tired and rain looked to be imminant. The rain stayed away however, but we had already left for an excursion out on the Amazon River. We had a great boat ride up and down the river, seeing some of the sights. We then got to shop around a bit at local artisan shops, ending the day with a dinner at a nice restaurant (Lucy's favorite!). Once back, the team finished up some small projects in the dark so that we could make sure we finished today.

A bit needs to be said about Lucy Palma. Lucy is a wonderful lady with a servant's heart who runs the home. Every day is filled with running around town to buy food and all the things needed to run a home for 75 children. In between she is helping prepare meals, paying bills, reviewing budgets, hiring staff, communicating with team members. Every night Lucy works until 12:00 a.m., because that is the time she can finally get to her desk to tackle some of the bigger projects. Lucy works hard and has a wonderful sense of humor. Not only that, her faith is rock-solid. As she continues to learn and study, she is always reminded that the Lord has put her in this place for a purpose. Lucy has two daughters and one grandchild. One daughter works in Bogota for the the government (occasionaly making trips to D.C.), and the other lives in Brazil. She loves and dotes on her grandchild just as any proud grandparent would. I wish you could all meet her.

Sunday is our last work day. We are frantically getting stuff done so that the playground is finished. Once completed, we will only have a few hours, during which we will attend a worship service, pack up and say our good-bye's. Our plain leaves at 1:00 a.m. tonight/tomorrow. Can't wait for that....

Camp Luther Mission Trips

One of the special ministries of Camp Luther is the annual mission trip to the Hogar de los Ninos orphanage near Lima, Peru. The primary goal of this trip is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with children who desperately need to know that Jesus loves and cares for them.

On the trip, participants will stay at the orphanage and experience these kids' lives first hand. While there, we have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with the children, take them to the beach, complete work projects, and just spend time playing and having fun. The blessing to the children cannot be measured!

This year we have an exciting new opportunity for post-college-aged men. During the same time as the College trip to Peru, Quik will be leading a men's group to the very southern tip of Columbia to share the Gospel with children at an orphanage and complete a MAJOR construction project for the home. We look forward to this opportunity to share the Gospel with children living deep in the Amazon jungle!

Photos of our 2009 Men's Columbian Mission Trip

2010 Trip
Dec. 28-Jan. 6: College-aged student trip to Peru

For more information or questions, please contact Quik.

Camp Luther welcomes your contributions toward this mission effort. Summer campers' contributions over the last three years have been passed on to the Hogar de los Ninos orphanage and have resulted in many improvements to the facility and quality of life for the children who live there.