By Einer & Girlesa Zuluaga
We have so many amazing friends in Canada—some dating back more than thirty years! Multiply workers Trever and Joan Godard first discipled us in Colombia, which later led us into mission among the indigenous peoples of Panama. Maryanne Berge, Global Mission Pastor at Forest Grove Community Church in Saskatchewan, has been instrumental in partnering with us in that mission for twenty years.
When you have been friends for that many years, you are family.
This year marked our twenty-year anniversary of partnership with Forest Grove. We came to Canada in March to share this joy with our friends; our first visit in nine years. With us came seven young indigenous Wounaan of the MB churches of Panama. It was intense—most had never been out of the jungle before, let alone on an airplane! We landed in -40° weather, and instead of green we saw a white plain that looked like sky and earth coming together. It was different but beautiful and, though cold, we were warmed by the welcome.
| Serving with Forest Grove on a SOAR team was so impactful. A highlight for the Wounaan was being invited to interact with the Indigenous Cree nation of Saskatoon; two nations so far from each other, but with so much in common. Through sharing their cultures, art, languages and faith, we grew in our understanding and respect for one another, and the Wounaan now feel a close bond with the Cree—a desire to pray and bless them with the Good News of Jesus.We are all refreshed in our faith because of the incredible things we experienced with our MB family in Canada. These experiences enrich and strengthen our Wounaan churches. Together we have seen the goodness of God: His power and love are above all languages and cultures, creating his universal church—the Body of Christ—made up of so many different and special members. Thank you for being part of this ministry with us! Einer and Girlesa are working in Panama in partnership with the Colombian MB Conference, where they are discipling and training leaders among the Embera and Wounaan people groups in both Colombia and Panama through the multi-ethnic Discipleship School in Yaviza. |