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13.11.2009
An anniversary collection of FELM on Nov 15 to build a church in Colombia
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The congregation in Bucaramanga has its meetings in the garage belonging to the minister's home. At night, the garage offers shelter for the car of the congregation. Now they are planning to build a church at the same plot. The building is also to have offices and room for meetings and it is to fulfill the demands expected of public premises by the legislation. Photo Mari Teinilä
The social work practised by the Bucaramanga congregation is extensive. For example, they support the health care and the nutrition of children in the community of Nueva Colombia. The congregation centre also has a small pharmacy dispensing medication for the needy. Photo Mari Teinilä
The Salamancas, a family residing in Nueva Colombia, lost their father to the bullets of right-wing paramilitary troops. Their Finnish godparents support the education of the eldest daughter, Jenny Paola, a third grader. Photo Mari Teinilä
On Sun Nov 15, Lutheran services in Finland will have a collection for a church to be built in Bucaramanga in Colombia, to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of FELM. The congregation in Bucaramanga is now gathering in a garage belonging to their minister's home. A church in a garage does not fulfill the demands expected of public premises by Colombian legislation, and the congregation has been given two years to remedy the situation. Situated in the province of Santander, Bucaramanga is the fourth largest city of Colombia. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia has a small congregation there, with some 200 members only, but one which reaches a wide area with its social work.Reverend Israel Martínez has worked all his life in Bucaramanga, and he says that "when you live from the Gospel, it always produces service of the community". The congregation works in several places, both preaching and engaging in various activities. One of the places is outside the city, in the community of Nueva Colombia (New Colombia). 800 families residing there are mostly internally displaced persons. Forced to leave their home regions by political violence, they have had to start a new life from nothing in a new place. The congregation centre in Nueva Colombia offers food for over 300 children every day. The government pays for the food, whereas the congregation employs three cooks. Some of the children in the community receive support for their education from Finnish godparents. The centre also has a small pharmacy dispensing medication for the residents. Services and Sunday school are held there every week, and the centre also has a youth club. The women of the community are very active. They have, for example, been able to improve the water services of their community, with the support of the church. The church has also implemented many other projects in the region enhancing the living conditions in the community. |
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