Subject: Thank You Hope Covenant, from Colombia

When God’s people pray, are obedient to His will, and put into His hands their plans and desires, God does the miracle for His honor and glory. 56 people from five cities in Colombia and from the United States gathered for the AVA (Advocacy for Victims of Abuse) and the Mending the Soul 3-day Workshop held recently in Itagui, Colombia. As the AVA team from Medellín, continued to pray, to plan, and to raise funds, God continued to confirm, multiplying their efforts and their resources. These leaders from Medellín worked together regarding: informing and inviting the AVA leaders from other regions, fundraising, arranging for the housing for the 18 Colombian out-of-towners, making the tablecloths and floral centerpieces, getting the materials organized in folders, and providing wonderful lunches and snacks during the conference days. The ECC AVA Director, Yvonne DeVaughn, and her husband, William, were able to return to Colombia to lead the workshops. And, this should not be surprising as we know from Ephesians 3:20 and 21 that – “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

One goal was to continue to encourage ourselves and others to move from apathy to advocacy, seeking justice for those oppressed and abused. Another goal was to present the Mending The Soul (MTS) materials as a companion ministry to AVA. As AVA raises awareness regarding all types of abuse, equipping people to advocate and accompany victims of abuse, MTS equips facilitators offers specific helps and an invitation of a healing ministry for victims of abuse. These goals were and are being met.

Thank you, Yvonne and William for your wonderful teachings! Thank you for the personal stories shared. Thank you also for the participation and generous support of the additional five members of the mission team from the Hope Covenant Church in Chandler, Arizona, who not only helped out during these workshop days, but also participated in a special children’s day event, spent time hanging out with young professionals talking about how faith and careers intersect, sharing Biblical principles about business start-ups, and teaching English to the students at the CEIP Christian School in Medellín.

Thank you to the dear friends from Hope Covenant Church, as you prayed for and supported your team, helping them to raise the funds for all the wonderful teaching materials, and for the Mending the Soul books, workbooks, and leader guides. Thanks to the MTS authors and company, as they provided many materials at discount prices! To God be the glory!

Blessings,

Mary Lou and Gary Sander

Colombia Covenant missionaries