H7 Story: Colombia Mission Trip, Part 1
Where do you begin when trying to recap a mission trip to Colombia with 22 people? Next Gen/Student Director, Travis Chapman, tried to summarize this life-changing trip when he said: “I loved watching these students and young adults serve sacrificially together, encouraging each other, and representing the gospel and FCC well. No one whined. No one argued. Everyone engaged. Watching this group be FOR Colombia and FOR each other was beautiful. I could not have asked for a better group of leaders either.”
No one whined? Seriously, that might be deserving of its own article! But, alas, while this is a good summary, each person on the trip is obviously unique. And the stories they share are as unique as they are. And so, in compiling all the reflections and emotions from various members of this group, it quickly became apparent that …
We needed more than one article to share it all. So, today, is Part I. Please tune-in next week for Part II. How to split it up? Ladies first.
No one whined? Seriously, that might be deserving of its own article! But, alas, while this is a good summary, each person on the trip is obviously unique. And the stories they share are as unique as they are. And so, in compiling all the reflections and emotions from various members of this group, it quickly became apparent that …
We needed more than one article to share it all. So, today, is Part I. Please tune-in next week for Part II. How to split it up? Ladies first.
Sheila Nasekos
I began praying for this trip in November 2024…. and oh how sweet it was to see God answer prayers! I specifically have been praying for our students to catch a vision for missions. It was amazing to see them serve in so many different capacities, from street evangelism, to camping, to serving the homeless, to cleaning a church and serving each other. The students definitely served physically, but they also served spiritually … with encouraging words and Bible verses, and with sharing the gospel freely with new friends across language barriers.
One of the things I love most was hearing the students talk to each other as we travel to, and from our many different opportunities. Yes, there were silly conversations and hilarious jokes, funny pictures of people sleeping and silly songs…. But they were also sweet spiritual conversations where students pointed each other to the scripture and prayed for each other.
One of my personal highlights from the trip was the day that one of the residents of Soacha, Madeline, taught several girls (myself included) how to make empanadas. Not only did she use that time to actually teach us how to make them, she also taught us about biblical hospitality and how she extends love to her community through her home. It was definitely a lesson in the beauty of hospitality and how she uses her home and food for God’s glory. Her joy and love for others was so evident.
I began praying for this trip in November 2024…. and oh how sweet it was to see God answer prayers! I specifically have been praying for our students to catch a vision for missions. It was amazing to see them serve in so many different capacities, from street evangelism, to camping, to serving the homeless, to cleaning a church and serving each other. The students definitely served physically, but they also served spiritually … with encouraging words and Bible verses, and with sharing the gospel freely with new friends across language barriers.
One of the things I love most was hearing the students talk to each other as we travel to, and from our many different opportunities. Yes, there were silly conversations and hilarious jokes, funny pictures of people sleeping and silly songs…. But they were also sweet spiritual conversations where students pointed each other to the scripture and prayed for each other.
One of my personal highlights from the trip was the day that one of the residents of Soacha, Madeline, taught several girls (myself included) how to make empanadas. Not only did she use that time to actually teach us how to make them, she also taught us about biblical hospitality and how she extends love to her community through her home. It was definitely a lesson in the beauty of hospitality and how she uses her home and food for God’s glory. Her joy and love for others was so evident.
Amelia Larsen, Graduating Senior
While on this trip, we visited schools and spent time dancing and playing with the kids, held an overnight camp for teens, held an outreach in a place called Maria Pas where drugs and prostitution reign, fed people in parks, and evangelized by just walking up to random people and telling them about Jesus. These things stretched me; it was painful to see young girls caught in prostitution just to survive. It was exhausting to get up early and work the entire day and get to bed late, only to get up and do it again. It was uncomfortable to walk up to people with the sole goal of telling them about Someone (Jesus!!) who can save their souls once they understand the gravity of their sin.
But, these things, while difficult, reminded me what actually matters in this world. And what is expected of me as a believer; to tell people that JESUS SAVES. He can save the souls of the women trapped in Maria Pas; He can (and did) give us rest and fulfill us to finish His plans for His glory; He can use even the smallest bit of obedience, like evangelizing in a park on a random Monday, to save a soul and share His gospel. We may never see the evidence of this obedience on earth; but the beauty of our hope is that we can see these people one day in heaven and rejoice in the same Savior we share. Different cultures, different continents, different stories; but the same God. I am so grateful for this experience and I was so blessed by this trip!
While on this trip, we visited schools and spent time dancing and playing with the kids, held an overnight camp for teens, held an outreach in a place called Maria Pas where drugs and prostitution reign, fed people in parks, and evangelized by just walking up to random people and telling them about Jesus. These things stretched me; it was painful to see young girls caught in prostitution just to survive. It was exhausting to get up early and work the entire day and get to bed late, only to get up and do it again. It was uncomfortable to walk up to people with the sole goal of telling them about Someone (Jesus!!) who can save their souls once they understand the gravity of their sin.
But, these things, while difficult, reminded me what actually matters in this world. And what is expected of me as a believer; to tell people that JESUS SAVES. He can save the souls of the women trapped in Maria Pas; He can (and did) give us rest and fulfill us to finish His plans for His glory; He can use even the smallest bit of obedience, like evangelizing in a park on a random Monday, to save a soul and share His gospel. We may never see the evidence of this obedience on earth; but the beauty of our hope is that we can see these people one day in heaven and rejoice in the same Savior we share. Different cultures, different continents, different stories; but the same God. I am so grateful for this experience and I was so blessed by this trip!
Kensley Gailey, Graduating Senior
Our first couple of days were spent in Panama, a refugee community on the outside of Bogota. We spent time with the kids at a Christian school and visited our sponsor homes, took gifts, and encouraged them. It was incredibly uplifting to see their deep joy in Christ. Even in the midst of hardship, their faith remains strong. It wasn’t tied to comfort or material things—it was rooted in something eternal. This was such a blessing to witness, and I am so grateful to God for revealing Himself to me in this way. He loves His people!
I was pushed out of my comfort zone when we went to Maria pas, the second most dangerous neighborhood in Bogota, known for theft, drugs, and prostitution. It was hard to see the rough neighborhood and those addicted to drugs. The church there: Mi Casa opens their doors every Friday to let (mostly homeless) people shower, eat, get new clothes, or get a haircut. It was such a blessing to be able to help in their ministry and share the gospel with those people! I was able to sing on stage and cut hair, which were both totally out of my comfort zone, but they grew me! One of the ladies at the church showed a team member and I how to cut hair. We couldn’t understand what she was saying but she was able to show us what to do! I saw that she could have done all of the haircuts and probably would’ve been quicker at it, but she was patient with us and taught us how to do it. She really showed Christ to us in that way as well!
Another special part of the trip was experiencing the beauty of worship across two languages. At times, the language barrier made communication difficult—but during worship, it was amazing to hear all of us praising God together in Spanish and English. Even though we didn’t always understand each other’s words, our hearts were united in worship and joy of Christ!
Through every challenge, God was faithful, and I came home with a renewed sense of purpose and trust in Him!
Our first couple of days were spent in Panama, a refugee community on the outside of Bogota. We spent time with the kids at a Christian school and visited our sponsor homes, took gifts, and encouraged them. It was incredibly uplifting to see their deep joy in Christ. Even in the midst of hardship, their faith remains strong. It wasn’t tied to comfort or material things—it was rooted in something eternal. This was such a blessing to witness, and I am so grateful to God for revealing Himself to me in this way. He loves His people!
I was pushed out of my comfort zone when we went to Maria pas, the second most dangerous neighborhood in Bogota, known for theft, drugs, and prostitution. It was hard to see the rough neighborhood and those addicted to drugs. The church there: Mi Casa opens their doors every Friday to let (mostly homeless) people shower, eat, get new clothes, or get a haircut. It was such a blessing to be able to help in their ministry and share the gospel with those people! I was able to sing on stage and cut hair, which were both totally out of my comfort zone, but they grew me! One of the ladies at the church showed a team member and I how to cut hair. We couldn’t understand what she was saying but she was able to show us what to do! I saw that she could have done all of the haircuts and probably would’ve been quicker at it, but she was patient with us and taught us how to do it. She really showed Christ to us in that way as well!
Another special part of the trip was experiencing the beauty of worship across two languages. At times, the language barrier made communication difficult—but during worship, it was amazing to hear all of us praising God together in Spanish and English. Even though we didn’t always understand each other’s words, our hearts were united in worship and joy of Christ!
Through every challenge, God was faithful, and I came home with a renewed sense of purpose and trust in Him!
Ellie Schubert
My dad always talks about setting low expectations, so when you get there it is not as bad. But, seeing the struggle there was so different than imagining it in my mind. These were real people who were really struggling. I feel like often when I am praying for people in other countries, I am just going through the motions, and I forget they are real people. This trip was so eye-opening for me in that way. They weren’t people I had created in my mind and were praying for them just to feel good about myself. They were in real need. I prayed for them, because I truly believed they were in need. God was the only answer, and He would provide.
One of my favorite memories was a time when we were walking around and giving food and gifts to families. They were so grateful for these things. These were all things I had taken advantage of like having eggs in the fridge or having a toy to play with, and they didn’t have that. Here I am in America with everything I need and more and I struggle to have joy and faith. They lack basic necessities and they just exude joy and faith and hope and love
When we visited people in their houses they often gave us (very delicious) food. They were always telling us they wished they could give us more, but this was all they had. It reminded me of the story from the Bible about the widow giving all she had (Luke 21:1-4).
I loved how close our group became as a team. We sang on the bus rides, cut each other’s hair, and played fun pranks on each other. We had some really good and hard conversations together. My team amazed me with their love for the Lord. It was truly inspiring for me.
My dad always talks about setting low expectations, so when you get there it is not as bad. But, seeing the struggle there was so different than imagining it in my mind. These were real people who were really struggling. I feel like often when I am praying for people in other countries, I am just going through the motions, and I forget they are real people. This trip was so eye-opening for me in that way. They weren’t people I had created in my mind and were praying for them just to feel good about myself. They were in real need. I prayed for them, because I truly believed they were in need. God was the only answer, and He would provide.
One of my favorite memories was a time when we were walking around and giving food and gifts to families. They were so grateful for these things. These were all things I had taken advantage of like having eggs in the fridge or having a toy to play with, and they didn’t have that. Here I am in America with everything I need and more and I struggle to have joy and faith. They lack basic necessities and they just exude joy and faith and hope and love
When we visited people in their houses they often gave us (very delicious) food. They were always telling us they wished they could give us more, but this was all they had. It reminded me of the story from the Bible about the widow giving all she had (Luke 21:1-4).
I loved how close our group became as a team. We sang on the bus rides, cut each other’s hair, and played fun pranks on each other. We had some really good and hard conversations together. My team amazed me with their love for the Lord. It was truly inspiring for me.
Jess Broeske, FCC Vols
There were so many things I loved about this mission trip—it was unforgettable in every way. Not only was it my very first mission trip, but it was also my first time traveling outside the country. One of the highlights for me was getting to connect with the 180 students on our team. It amazed me how quickly we all bonded and how naturally we got along. Whether we were singing on the bus or having deep late-night conversations, those moments became some of my favorite memories from the entire experience.
One experience that really stood out to me was during Sunday night when we were all gathered together in the house for church. In that moment, I looked around and felt such unity and peace—we were all part of something so much bigger than ourselves. It reminded me that even though we all have different stories, we’re all connected by the same hope and the same God.
Something that God taught me during the trip was to be okay with not being in control. There were moments—like travel delays, language barriers, or plans changing at the last minute—where I had to remind myself that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. That’s something that I am working on now that I am back home: trusting Him more fully, even in the unknown.
There were so many things I loved about this mission trip—it was unforgettable in every way. Not only was it my very first mission trip, but it was also my first time traveling outside the country. One of the highlights for me was getting to connect with the 180 students on our team. It amazed me how quickly we all bonded and how naturally we got along. Whether we were singing on the bus or having deep late-night conversations, those moments became some of my favorite memories from the entire experience.
One experience that really stood out to me was during Sunday night when we were all gathered together in the house for church. In that moment, I looked around and felt such unity and peace—we were all part of something so much bigger than ourselves. It reminded me that even though we all have different stories, we’re all connected by the same hope and the same God.
Something that God taught me during the trip was to be okay with not being in control. There were moments—like travel delays, language barriers, or plans changing at the last minute—where I had to remind myself that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. That’s something that I am working on now that I am back home: trusting Him more fully, even in the unknown.
Hannah Staggs
I loved being able to talk one-on-one with the people in Colombia. For example, when a small group of the girls went to Madeline’s house to make empanadas, we were able to talk to her and she got to tell us some of her story. I also got to have a (translated) conversation with a woman named Wendy who shared about herself and her struggles. I also loved hearing the stories of people during our time of street evangelism.
One day, the majority of our group went to Maria Pas. A few of us were asked to stay back and help clean a church. The pastor and his wife were very old, and the church hadn’t been cleaned since 2020. It would have been easy for us to feel like we were pushed aside or complain because most of the group was going to a dangerous area to help minister and we weren’t. However, our group had so much fun, and the pastor and his wife was so thankful. It was a great reminder that God uses even the most mundane tasks to build His kingdom!
When we first got on the plane we hardly knew each other, and now we were so close! God was working in every detail for Colombia and for us!
I loved being able to talk one-on-one with the people in Colombia. For example, when a small group of the girls went to Madeline’s house to make empanadas, we were able to talk to her and she got to tell us some of her story. I also got to have a (translated) conversation with a woman named Wendy who shared about herself and her struggles. I also loved hearing the stories of people during our time of street evangelism.
One day, the majority of our group went to Maria Pas. A few of us were asked to stay back and help clean a church. The pastor and his wife were very old, and the church hadn’t been cleaned since 2020. It would have been easy for us to feel like we were pushed aside or complain because most of the group was going to a dangerous area to help minister and we weren’t. However, our group had so much fun, and the pastor and his wife was so thankful. It was a great reminder that God uses even the most mundane tasks to build His kingdom!
When we first got on the plane we hardly knew each other, and now we were so close! God was working in every detail for Colombia and for us!
Lily Shrader, Youngest Trip Member
One of my favorite moments during the trip was when we were standing on the side of the road in the rain, giving out food and sharing the gospel. There weren’t many women there, because it was after dark, but I saw one woman in particular waiting in line who had especially kind eyes. I felt the Spirit calling me to ask if I could pray for her, but before I could approach her, she came up to me and asked me if I would pray for her. She told me she had a son who lived on the streets, and asked if I would pray for him as well. With the help of a translator, I prayed that God would encourage this woman, and help her son. It was a very special moment. God was working there, and afterwards I wanted both to cry and to sing, and I couldn’t decide which!
There are so many things I learned during this trip, but here are a few key takeaways. First, unity is generosity. The times I felt that our team was the strongest were the moments when we shared things like snacks to hand sanitizer to words of encouragement, and it brought us so much closer together. Second, God honors every humble attempt. There were moments in my fatigue when I felt like my efforts would be in vain, because in my own strength, they would be. Third, joy is not determined by your circumstances. The amount of poverty I saw in Colombia was like nothing I had ever seen before. These people have few, if any, of the comforts I so often take for granted. And yet, they are so content.
This was such an amazing and life changing trip!
One of my favorite moments during the trip was when we were standing on the side of the road in the rain, giving out food and sharing the gospel. There weren’t many women there, because it was after dark, but I saw one woman in particular waiting in line who had especially kind eyes. I felt the Spirit calling me to ask if I could pray for her, but before I could approach her, she came up to me and asked me if I would pray for her. She told me she had a son who lived on the streets, and asked if I would pray for him as well. With the help of a translator, I prayed that God would encourage this woman, and help her son. It was a very special moment. God was working there, and afterwards I wanted both to cry and to sing, and I couldn’t decide which!
There are so many things I learned during this trip, but here are a few key takeaways. First, unity is generosity. The times I felt that our team was the strongest were the moments when we shared things like snacks to hand sanitizer to words of encouragement, and it brought us so much closer together. Second, God honors every humble attempt. There were moments in my fatigue when I felt like my efforts would be in vain, because in my own strength, they would be. Third, joy is not determined by your circumstances. The amount of poverty I saw in Colombia was like nothing I had ever seen before. These people have few, if any, of the comforts I so often take for granted. And yet, they are so content.
This was such an amazing and life changing trip!