After the craziness that was day one, my perception of the remainder of the trip as I awoke that morning still remained a considerably strong shade of daunting, but yesterday's experiences were doing well to thin the paint, so to speak. As testament to how little stamina I had coming into this trip, our schedule for day two's morning provided me a well needed chance to relax for a bit.
So, a lady named Liliana who goes to Antonio's (fellow Evoker / unofficial Evoke mascot) church, Body of One Ministries, was actually in Colombia visiting family. She had heard about out trip and planned her's to coincide. Anyway, she so graciously offered to take us sight seeing in an area know for its amazing vistas. It wore that reputation very well. After a harrowing van ride through the twists and turns and constitution testing that is mountain travel, we arrived at the picturesque city of Salento. This town had flavor. Though our future mountain gawking prevented us from spending any time exploring the city, the drive through it stood on its own.
Examples of the picturesqueness.
So about those future mountains. We went on a hike through a part of La Valle de Cocora. I'll let the following picture montage do the explaining.
After returning to the van, our awesome driver, who's name escapes me, suggested a restaurant which suffers the same name problem as the driver. Anyway, more pictures.
First of all, this is the second round of plantain chips. There first round consisted of individual, appropriately sized portions which we consumed with gusto only to find the absurd sized ones were to follow. Also, note the drink I have. It is guanabana con leche. While good in its own, slightly chemical tinged, right, I can safely say that it does not pair well with fish; like, at all.
The trout heads provided a boisterous amount of entertainment for most of the group. I ended up attempting to eat the tongue of the trout. Much to my chagrin, trout tongues are basically entirely cartilage. I settled for the eyeball instead. Only a small lens to deal with there.
After the morning's adventures and a little kick-around time, we had our assignment for the afternoon. We were told that we will be heading to a rehab clinic. That was about it as far as information. So, we piled into our three cabs and did our best to explain to the drivers where the clinic was. Two of them got it right. The third managed to ensue a rather hairy situation that involved four of our team members missing a turn and heading of in some other direction without a phone. After sending out a recon cab, we managed to herd the lost cab back to the proper destination. While we were waiting, one of the other cab drivers actually remembered Antonio (told you, he's the mascot) from the last time they were there. This man could not contain himself. After a leaping hug, that probably could have killed Antonio given the right circumstances, they caught up while the rest of us went to this sweet look out point near the clinic.
After all there reunions were fulfilled, we were let inside and welcomed by the staff. As we walked onto the property, the first thing that hit me was how deprived the entire facility was. The recreation area was rust and concrete and the building itself was basically one open room that housed 5 bunk beds, some bookshelves and a pile of old school desks.
As we sat down, the peculiarity of the patients began to sink in as well. First was the obvious; every single one of them had their head shaved, men and women. I wasn't sure if this was some odd exercise in camaraderie, or a symbol of renewal, or just common procedure in rehab clinics. Either way, everyone on the Evoke team wore a similar confused look as we took our seats. Soon enough, through the explanation of one of the volunteers, we soon learned that this wasn't your basic drug rehab clinic; rather, it was more of a support home for those with psychiatric disorders. Either onset by drug use or from birth, each resident's condition was influential enough to prevent them from functioning effectively in society, but not severe enough to institutionalize them. Another thread they all shared was that none of them have any family that was able to take care of them.
The volunteer lady explained how they all live in this building and are there basically indefinitely unless someone proves they can care for them, or, i guess, the patient instills enough confidence in the staff with their progress that they are released. We also learned that they were all on psychiatric medication. The lady proceed to show off each patient as if they were a case study. I know she meant well, but it was rather uncomfortable watching as each patient "performed" for us. I will say, however, the first man to eagerly volunteer was a delight. His name was Gilberto and he just embodied happiness. He spoke in a very theatrical voice and made everyone in the room smile with his charm and whit. He had the proverbial village idiot persona which was exploited in his past. When he was on the streets, he would have rocks thrown at him. His mother has Alzheimer's and is unable to take care of him. To the room's delight, He made it known, in a rather tongue in cheek manner, that he would never run away from the clinic.
Other cases included moderate levels of mental retardation and drug histories with varying repercussions, including a man who has difficulties with comprehension. We were later shown a photo of this man when he first arrived. I wish I had a picture of it, the difference is chilling.
As we were learning all of this, there was a tension among the group about how to effectively reach these people. The theme that had been developing on the trip was the concept of preaching to the spirit, that though the mind may not be receiving the message due to whatever form of impairment, if it's spoken in the authority of Christ, the spirit will receive it. So, Antonio began to speak. He spoke directly to the patients spirits, about how they are not forgotten. God knows each and every one of them and their predicaments. He shared the redemptive and restorative message of the Gospel and as he was talking, one of the residents, Carlos was responding. He was in agreement with us and we picked up on it right away. This became a catalyst for confidence around the room and it culminated as Antonio was explaining how God will use them to do great things and that they are not done yet. Carlos suddenly rang out in English, "This is the day!" And a shudder of agreement went through the room. As Antonio wrapped up, we prayed over the group corporately and then broke out into conversation with the various patients and staff.
I went over to Carlos to thank him for standing in agreement with us. As I got to know him, he revealed to me that he has know the Lord for twenty years. During that span he has been in and out of drugs many times. He explained to me how Jesus is his everything and how he wants so badly to continue to walk in righteousness and avoid falling back into a destructive lifestyle. I reminded him of the phrase he used earlier that imparted so much power into the room. This is the day. He explained that a missionary taught him a song that had that phrase in it. "This is the day. This is the day. This is the day that the Lord has made." He repeated it in Spanish as well. I told him to say that phrase every morning when he wakes up. I prayed with him for deliverance from any lingering drug problems and encouraged him to fulfill his role as a light to this community.
Among the group of residents there, one stuck out as being a little out of place. There was a man there who looked to be in his late twenties and was rather well composed in appearance. As we were sharing, he wore the the stereotypical disinterested look that you'd probably me more accustomed to seeing an a run of the mill rehab clinic. An air that many of his peers didn't have the wherewithal to produce. Though I didn't get to talk to the man, Scott (Evoke's founder) and Antonio did. From what I can remember them saying, he had a history of drugs and really didn't have anyplace else to go. After what I appeared to be a very real, heartfelt conversation, Scott was soon praying over the man and later Antonio, Carlos and the young man appeared to be having an impromptu Bible study. Though I didn't hear any of the exchanges, the message of the Gospel appeared to be touching this man's heart. I remember glancing over multiple times to find him with his nose buried in the Book.
Other stories included Jerryl having a rich conversation with the man who had comprehension issues. Something he probably almost never gets to experience nowadays because people assume it would be lost on him. Alexsa was able to talk and pray with the owner of the clinic who came from the streets himself. There were and many others that I can't recall at the moment, but each team member was able to experience these individuals on a very significant level.
Each person seem to have such a receptive and cognizant spirit, if you would just take the time to listen to them. I think the most impactful moments within our interactions with these people came when we treated them as human beings, rather than their conditions. Yes, interacting with them in an accommodating manner, but not patronizing. Speak to the spirit, regardless the communicative handicap you are facing.
I didn't want to break up the story, so here are the pertaining photos:
After saying our goodbyes, we headed back to the hotel. That night, the girls hosted a service at the church we were partnering with. From what I understood, it was aimed at empowering Godly women from around the city and connecting them for more effective affecting within their realm of influence. But I'm a guy, so I didn't get to see the goings on of their meeting. Instead, I went with a group to a mall to get some grub. I'll describe the mall in list form.
The Mall
- Looks and feels like a mall you'd find here in the states.
- Only store I recognized was Dunkin' Donuts
- They win on food court dish presentation.
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And... I think you have had enough of day two for now. I'm gonna come right out and say it. There is a little more of day 2 to come. I just need to get a bit of information from on of our translators before I post it. If you have made it this far, give yourself a round of applause.
Thank you guys, I really do appreciate those of you who read this.
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