H7 Story: The Hope Of Jesus
On August 10, 2026, a powerful earthquake struck Colombia’s Pacific coast, leaving families without homes, people injured, and an entire community facing fear, loss, and uncertainty. As cities across the country began collecting food, medicine, hygiene supplies, and other necessities, the church we partner with in Colombia, La Barca Church, could not simply stand by.
They opened their doors as a collection center. First Christian Church donated $1,100, and in just five days, La Barca Church collected approximately seven tons of supplies.
Every bag of food, every mattress, and every donation represented more than an item. It was a way of telling someone miles away, “You are not alone.”
They opened their doors as a collection center. First Christian Church donated $1,100, and in just five days, La Barca Church collected approximately seven tons of supplies.
Every bag of food, every mattress, and every donation represented more than an item. It was a way of telling someone miles away, “You are not alone.”
But as the donations kept coming, they also realized that the people affected needed someone to listen. They prayed together as a team and decided to go to Puerto Meluk and be with the people.
Puerto Meluk, in Medio Baudó, Chocó, is one of those places in Colombia that few people ever reach. Access is difficult; some communities can only be reached by river, and the presence of illegal armed groups makes the journey one that many people simply do not want to take.
Once there, the local school became their base. Members of La Barca Church spent time with children, teenagers, and teachers, leading workshops and sharing the gospel. Hearing what they had experienced during the earthquake was difficult. Some had lost their homes. Others had lost family members. Many were still afraid when they talked about what had happened. However, in the middle of those difficult conversations, they were able to share the peace and hope found in Jesus.
During those days, La Barca distributed 150 food packages to families in the community and 70 to the school’s teachers. The remaining supplies were sent to Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities throughout Alto and Bajo Baudó, along the river.
One of the days was incredibly hot. The humidity was intense and, as often happens in the community, the power went out. Church members explained that sometimes the community can go as long as three days without electricity. No fans. No easy access to cold water. The simplest things we take for granted suddenly had a completely different meaning.
Then, just before the team was about to head back to their hotel, the power came back on. The entire school celebrated. The teachers explained that this is normal. Everyone feels a huge sense of relief when the electricity returns.
When it was time to say goodbye, there were many hugs and many thank-yous. On the way back, La Barca Church members had plenty of time to think about and process everything they had experienced. They came to the same conclusion: they did not want their relationship with Puerto Meluk to end with this earthquake.
So they will keep praying. Keep serving. Keep building relationships. And they will continue looking for ways to support these communities spiritually, medically, psychologically, and socially.
What began as a response to an earthquake has now opened the door to something more: an ongoing relationship with a community La Barca Church hopes to continue loving and serving in the name of Jesus.
Puerto Meluk, in Medio Baudó, Chocó, is one of those places in Colombia that few people ever reach. Access is difficult; some communities can only be reached by river, and the presence of illegal armed groups makes the journey one that many people simply do not want to take.
Once there, the local school became their base. Members of La Barca Church spent time with children, teenagers, and teachers, leading workshops and sharing the gospel. Hearing what they had experienced during the earthquake was difficult. Some had lost their homes. Others had lost family members. Many were still afraid when they talked about what had happened. However, in the middle of those difficult conversations, they were able to share the peace and hope found in Jesus.
During those days, La Barca distributed 150 food packages to families in the community and 70 to the school’s teachers. The remaining supplies were sent to Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities throughout Alto and Bajo Baudó, along the river.
One of the days was incredibly hot. The humidity was intense and, as often happens in the community, the power went out. Church members explained that sometimes the community can go as long as three days without electricity. No fans. No easy access to cold water. The simplest things we take for granted suddenly had a completely different meaning.
Then, just before the team was about to head back to their hotel, the power came back on. The entire school celebrated. The teachers explained that this is normal. Everyone feels a huge sense of relief when the electricity returns.
When it was time to say goodbye, there were many hugs and many thank-yous. On the way back, La Barca Church members had plenty of time to think about and process everything they had experienced. They came to the same conclusion: they did not want their relationship with Puerto Meluk to end with this earthquake.
So they will keep praying. Keep serving. Keep building relationships. And they will continue looking for ways to support these communities spiritually, medically, psychologically, and socially.
What began as a response to an earthquake has now opened the door to something more: an ongoing relationship with a community La Barca Church hopes to continue loving and serving in the name of Jesus.
