Family Radio Mission to Bogota, Colombia
February 9th - 20th, 2010
LETTER #1
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Tuesday, February 9, 2010. A Family Radio group of 29 “Ambassadors for Christ” (16 men and 13 women) from various parts of the US and Puerto Rico arrived in Bogota, Colombia on another tract distribution trip.
We plan to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to the people here during the next ten days by distributing thousands of Family Radio tracts and hundreds of Bibles in the Spanish language. The tracts were printed locally and contain the current Family Radio broadcasting schedules for this area and a reference to the multilingual website. The Bibles have been purchased here as well.
We currently have a total of 150,000 Judgment Day and Does God Love You? tracts in Spanish and 300 Spanish Bibles (a King James equivalent) in our hotel, and we can order more as needed. We also have many booklets and CDs of Family Radio’s Bible teaching materials.
Colombia is located on the northwestern corner of the South American continent. It is bounded by Panama and the Caribbean Sea to the northwest, Venezuela to the northeast, Brazil to the southeast, Ecuador and Peru to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. With a population of about 43 million, it is the second largest country in South America by population and the fourth largest by area.
Bogota is the capital and the largest city with a population over 8.6 million. It is located on a high plateau in the Andes mountain range, and its elevation of 8,660 feet (2,640 meters) makes it the third highest capital city in the world after La Paz, Bolivia and Quito, Ecuador. Bogotá has become one of the safest large cities in Latin America during the last decade.
The official language is Spanish, and AmerIndian languages are also spoken by some of the ethnic minorities. The principal ethnic majority are the Mestizos, who account for around 58% of the population, and are of mixed White European and AmerIndian descent. The Whites (or Spanish) account for 20% of the population, and the Mulattoes, who are of mixed Black African and White descent, constitute 14% of the population.
Literacy is estimated at over 90% of people over the age of 15, and over 95% of the population claim to belong to the Roman Catholic church.
We are looking forward to sharing the True Gospel of Salvation with the people of Colombia, which includes the warning of the impending judgment of Christ; and we are praying that God will perform a mighty work of grace in the hearts of many in this part of the world.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010. After the customary logistics meeting and assignment of teams, we had a late start to the day; and teams went out in the afternoon to downtown Bogota, a large mall, and the Bogota National University, one of the largest in the country. At all the locations the teams reported that there were large crowds of people of all ages, including businessmen, the elderly, and of course the student population. The teams report that the acceptance rate was unusually mild for a Catholic/South American country (50% 60%), with better reception amongst those with very little of this world's goods.
Since the end is fast approaching, this is the first trip that the primary tract we are distributing is the Judgment Day tract and the seconday tract is the Does God Love You tract.
Despite the average reception, some ambassadors stated that they had opportunity for witnessing, especially to the few people who were quite incredulous about the October 21, 2011 date for the end of the world, and they seriously enquired as to whether this would really occur, as we are proclaiming. The ambassadors were able to point these dear people to the Family Radio website as well as the two AM radio stations that broadcast some programs in Bogota.
We thank the Lord for opening the hands of those who gladly received the tracts, and we pray that He would apply His word to the hearts of these people and bring them into the kingdom according to His will. Also we trust the Lord for improved reception as this message of hope continues to be declared in Colombia.
“Rejoice evermore.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in Bogota, Colombia
LETTER #2
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Thursday, February 11, 2010. This was our first full day of distribution in Bogota, and the work progressed well in all of our assigned locations. Although the acceptance rate remained about average, the teams tended to empty their loads of tracts everywhere they worked due the high volume of people.
One team went to Universidad Internacional, the largest university in Colombia, and reported very good results. The students were polite. If they did not want a tract, they just passed on by without comment. Occasionly, some would ask questions, and we gladly provided them with more materials and pointed them to the website.
We met a man who has been a Family Radio listener since 1970. He said he was a shortwave "DXer" who sends reception reports back to FR. He already had some Bible study materials, but was thankful for some additional booklets we supplied.
This city has some very strict anti littering laws, which may account for the fact that essentially zero tracts are discarded on the ground. The people who take the tracts tend to keep them, or they discretely put them in a trash can. Many people are seen reading the tracts as they are walking along to their destinations.
One team visited three prisons in the area seeking permission to distribute Bibles, tracts, and other teaching materials. At the first prison, they were surprised to meet a well dressed lawyer who is a long time Family Radio listener. He devoted his whole day to working with the team in all three prisons, and each one promised a response on Monday. God certainly works in mysterious ways, and we give Him all the praise and glory for what He is doing to set things up for us.
Other teams went to busy areas of the city and reported similar results. One team went to an outlying area of the city and submitted the following report:
"We visited the Universidad Javareina which is about a 40 minute cab ride from the downtown Bogota area. This is a medical university with an adjoining hospital, and we were greeted with many doctors, and nurses, and office personnel reporting for duty, and students either going to classes, or sitting around the campus, in booths or little conversation nooks. Two team members stayed on the street getting the students as they came off the buses, taxis, or other modes of transportation, while the other two members went on the campus.
"We started sharing and with good reception on the campus, preparatory to visiting the hospital. We were there for about 25 minutes before security told us that we cannot distribute the tracts there. We even sought permission from the higher authorities, but to no avail. We were told that we can share the tracts only on the sidewalks.
"We complied with this directive with the two ambassadors remaining in front of the campus, while the other two went a couple of streets over to a busy intersection where they were able to share with workers who were on their lunch break and going about their business for the day.
"There was a slight improvement to the acceptance, and the people who received additional information, including Bibles, were very appreciative. One man declared that he would most definitely check out the information."
We pray that many would adopt the posture of the Bereans and check to see whether these things are so. Altogether, the teams had a productive day sharing the words of eternal life. Please pray that God will open the hearts of many of these dear people of Colombia to receive His Word.
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in Bogota, Colombia
LETTER #3
“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4)
Friday, February 12, 2010. The weather has been sunny and mild here since we arrived with temperatures in the mid 70s during the day, and we thank God for another productive day of distribution. Acceptance rates were highly variable depending on where our teams worked in Bogota and were excellent outside of the city.
Teams worked in various busy areas in the city, and two teams went outside of the city to some smaller towns where they experienced over 90% acceptance and very few discards. All teams reported accounts of people showing special interest in the message and requesting additional information. Perhaps some of them are God's elect whom He will save.
One of the travelling teams submitted this report:
"Our assignment was to visit a large farmers' market located in the village of Usaquen which is a forty minute drive south of the Bogota city limits. As soon as we arrived in this huge complex, the ever present security stopped us and told us that we could not conduct our distribution efforts until we received permission.
"So, two ambassadors went to the director's office where they were told that it is not normal that one sees the director without an appointment; nevertheless, the receptionist indicated that they could wait a few minutes and then have their questions answered. The director sent his assistant to talk with the ambassadors, and initially they were told that permission could not be granted to share the message of hope in the complex.
"Our Spanish ambassador diligently negotiated with the assistant who was going back and forth to the director, and then he told them that they would have to pay a fee to distribute there. Even though it is not customary for us to pay a fee to share tracts at any location, we were willing to do so, in anticipation of the large crowds that would be there, and tentatively we set up the assignment for next Thursday.
"The ambassadors left Bibles, tracts, and teaching booklets with the director and the assistant, praying that God would soften the director's heart and that he would grant permission. They left the office and while the team was about to exit the complex, the assistant came running breathlessly to our Spanish speaking ambassador, saying: "I have good news for you; it appears that God did soften the director's heart because he has granted permission, and you can distribute for no charge." We had an extra spring in our steps as we praised God for His magnificent providence.
"We continued the day at an adjacent outdoor market with the wonderful reception to which we have grown accustomed in South America. After a lunch break, we went to a busy commercial area not too far from the market and shared with the shoppers in all the stores, offices, eateries, with the same good reception. We thank the Lord for a very delightful day of sharing the words on eternal life with these dear people of Colombia."
That is one example of how God opens doors for the Gospel in this country, and we look forward to other opportunities that He will provide for us as we share the message of salvation and judgment in Colombia.
“Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me.” (Hebrews 10:5)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in Bogota, Colombia
LETTER #4
“In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.” (Hebrews 10:6)
Saturday, February 13, 2010. Thanks to God, today was another good day of tract distribution in Colombia. This being Saturday, we went out to busy markets and other shopping places in the city, and all of our teams reported that good volumes of tracts were handed out despite low acceptance rates in many places. Some people show additional interest, and we gladly provide them with additional materials for further study.
Two teams traveled to the town of Villa Vicensio, which is a three hour drive south of Bogota and has a population of about 400,000. They submitted this report:
"We arrived at the town center, and one team stayed there and traversed the streets sharing with the many shoppers and vendors, office staff, and at mini malls. The ambassadors were kept very busy sharing the True Gospel with the residents of this town and experienced very favorable results.
"The other team traveled a little further into the town and walked the streets there too. Apparently this was the section of town that dealt primarily with automobile paraphernalia because all we saw were mechanics fixing cars, or stores selling auto parts and other accessories. Even though the men were covered in grease, they graciously accepted the tracts, and some even had questions. We shared the FR teaching materials with them and pointed them to the radio stations that they could listen and obtain more details of God's judgment and the only way of escape. Two ambassadors were also able to locate the market and shared the message with quite a few people there.
"Today's travel took us through mountainous terrain and roads that were very difficult to traverse, but we are thankful that the Lord's hand of protection was upon us and our driver, taking us there and back in safety. We are also grateful for the wonderful reception in this town, and pray that there is a bountiful harvest of souls, through our planting, as the Lord purposes."
We praise and thank God for His hand of protection upon all of us and look forward to what He has planned for us tomorrow.
“Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.” (Hebrews 10:7)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in Bogota, Colombia
LETTER #5
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” (Ephesians 1:13)
Sunday, February 14, 2010. By God's grace, we had another enjoyable day of distribution in Bogota. All teams reported excellent results everywhere they worked in the city in the busy markets, in the big plazas, and on the streets in general.
One team visited a large amusement park, another went to an arts and crafts market, and another went to a gathering place where people catch a cable tram to a large monastery on top of a mountain (Cerro Monserrate).
There was much activity on a street in the downtown part of the city that was closed to vehicular traffic. Many bicyclists and skateboarders took over the street, and some demonstrators were marching there for various causes. Many street performers were gathering crowds of people, and street vendors were doing a brisk business. There was a "Christian Rock Concert" on Plaza Bolivar that also drew a large crowd; and in the midst of all that activity, the people were taking our tracts with the message of salvation and judgment.
As usual, the ever present police were very polite and respectful of our work, and they all took tracts.
One team submitted this report as an example of our work:
"Today's assignment took us to the "Iglesia Veinte de Julio" (Twentieth of July Church), which is a Catholic mega church that holds masses every hour on the hour beginning at 8.00 a.m. with the last mass at 5.00 p.m. In addition, there is a flea market that occupies four blocks including the street that intersects with Veinte de Julio, and which leads right into the Church complex.
"We arrived at the location at about 11.30 a.m. and in fact, because of the huge crowds that participate at this church, as well as shop at the flea market, our taxi driver had to drop us five blocks away from the church, since many streets around the area are cordoned off, to accommodate the flea market, which is "Sunday only" affair.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, *by grace ye are saved;)” (Ephesians 2:4-5)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in Bogota, Colombia
LETTER #6
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)
Monday, February 15, 2010. Things were back to normal work day activities today, and most of our teams scattered throughout the city to distribute the remaining tracts. We expect to receive the first batch of tracts from our new order from the printer tomorrow.
We are learning where the busy places are in this city, and the teams all reported good results with very little opposition everywhere they worked. One team went to a large university complex, another visited a hospital, and another worked at two "Transmillennial" express bus stations. Certain streets have dedicated lanes for the express buses in the center and special overhead walkways to access the stations. Since all the passengers have to use the walkways, they provide excellent distribution opportunities.
Today two teams traveled by van to the distant cities of Melgar (population 400,000) and Girardo (about 200,000 inhabitants) and submitted this report:
"These cities were three and three and a half hours from Bogota, respectively. On the way, we stopped at a little town and did a fifteen minute distribution at the town's central plaza, with great results, and then we continued on to the final destinations.
"Each team reported a wonderful time of sharing the message of hope with the residents of these cities; and we see, without a doubt, that God had inclined the hearts of these dear people to be warmly receptive to our efforts at both locations.
"When the team that traveled to the furthest town was about to embark on the return journey, a man drove his motorcycle up to our van seeking more information. He had heard that we were proclaiming the message of the beginning of God's judgment on May 21, 2011. It turned out that he is an itinerant preacher, and he stated that his next stop was Puerto Rico. Our Spanish speaking ambassador witnessed with him for a little while and told him to carefully read the tracts and FR teaching booklets that she gave him before he heads for his next country. We pray that he might be one of God's elect who would receive the gift of grace and be turned to preaching the True Gospel of Christ.
"Then the van picked up the first team in the town of Melgar, and as we were heading back to our hotel, there was a fatal motorcycle accident that resulted in a huge traffic jam on this two lane highway of dangerous turns. The drivers and passengers in the cars, vans and trucks that were caught in this hour long traffic back up became a captive audience for us to continue our distribution of the few hundred tracts that we had left.
"We thank God for His providence, even in spite of the fatal accident, and for bringing us back safely to the hotel. We cannot help but note that this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes."
There are a lot of motorcyclists in this country, and they and their passengers are required to wear special color coded vests and helmets with their license numbers prominently displayed on both for security purposes. Many of them receive tracts as they wait along the curb at traffic lights.
We are grateful for God's protection and guidance as we share the precious Words of Life with the people of Colombia, and we are praying for a rich harvest of souls in this part of the world.
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,” (Ephesians 5:15)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in Bogota, Colombia.
LETTER #7
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010. Today was a short day of distribution because we received the first batch of tracts at about 1:30 pm, and then it rained hard for about an hour. However, most of the tracts went out despite the delays. We received all the rest of our order in the evening and plan to distribute them during the three remaining days here.
One team submitted this report:
"Our assignment was to visit the Palacio area of Plaza Bolivar which is in the city center of downtown Bogota. Many business offices, university campuses, and colleges are found in this area, so our express purpose was to capture these people as they headed home during the 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm peak time.
"On our way to the assignment it was raining heavily, and we had prayed that the Lord might stop the rains before we arrived at the location. By God's mercy, our prayers were answered because it was completely dry at our venue. One of our two mini teams was stationed in front of the palace and the other mini team went two blocks away at a busy intersection. There was a steady flow of foot traffic at both sites as the people went for the various modes of transportation to their respective homes. Because of the volume, we were able to distribute over 3,000 tracts in the space of two hours not hindered by the rains as some of the other teams were.
"On the way home our Spanish speaking ambassador had a marvelous opportunity for witnessing with the taxi driver, who was very interested in the message. During the conversation the ambassador had pointed him to the local radio stations where he can hear teachings from the Bible. So keen was he about the Gospel, that, without any prompting from us, he turned on his car radio at 7:00 pm to hear the broadcast on one of the two AM stations that is available here in Bogota. The Bible Reading Fellowship was on at that time. We pray that this young man, as well as many others, will be spiritually nourished by the Gospel that is provided through these radio broadcasts.
"Also, one of our ambassadors from New York was on the elevator in our hotel with a young man from New York, who was in Colombia on business. This man read about the May 21, 2011 Day of Judgment on the ambassador's tee shirt and inquired as to the meaning of the date. Our ambassador witnessed with that New Yorker, who had never before heard about Family Radio, and gave him an English tract with the WFME radio station on the back. So that young man had to travel all the way to Colombia in order to come in contact with the true message of salvation. We praise and thank the Lord that our ambassador could be a participant in this New Yorker's divine appointment."
To God be the glory.
“Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in Bogota, Colombia.
LETTER #8
“We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
Wednesday, February 17, 2010. We had beautiful weather for distributing tracts today, and all teams reported good results everywhere they worked. Teams visited two hospitals, some "Transmillenniel" bus stations, and other busy areas in the city of Bogota.
This being "Ash Wednesday," many people went to the Roman Catholic churches to have ashes put on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. We were glad to be on hand to share this wonderful message of hope with them knowing that this was probably the first time that the majority encountered the True Gospel of grace.
Two teams traveled to six different towns northeast of Bogota, with the furthest town being about 90 minutes away from our hotel, and here is their report:
"At each location we would stop at the town's central plaza and walk the streets around the perimeter of the plaza sharing the precious words of life with shoppers, street vendors, office workers, and people in their homes. The acceptance rate was excellent, and we had opportunity to answer questions from some.
"In two towns we arrived just in time to catch the students as they were dismissed for their lunch break, and at one school, we were even able to share with the parents who had come to pick up their small children at the end of the morning session.
"Our last stop was at the biggest town, and because it was the 4:00 pm hour, we were able reach many who were on their way home from school, or work, or trying to get the last session of the Ash Wednesday church services.
"We thank the Lord for a very delightful day of spreading the word of God outside of metropolitan Bogota, and we pray that many will be the recipients of true faith and the peace that passes all understanding as the Lord purposes."
We received permission to visit the largest prison tomorrow, and we will again send two other teams outside the city. Please pray that God will continue to open the hands of these dear people to receive this message and accomplish His will in the hearts of many.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
In Christian love,
The Family Radio Mission Group in Bogota, Colombia.
__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4875 (20100217) __________
The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
http://www.eset.com