Mission Experience to Colombia

By Ray Nelson

I suppose we all have an idea of what we think a "mission trip' would be like. Possibly from others relating their stories, or our own imagination of what it would be like: to reach out and help someone by going to their country. I remember the first discussions with my brothers in the Tuesday Group: ( a small group of fellow businessmen who stay in accountability and support with each other in West Palm Beach, Florida) about going to Colombia South America to help out a fellow brother; and now comparing them to the actual experience of going, it is a -- well lets just say WOW, it is going to be more than I can think it to be--this was to be quite the experience for me!

Then I thought about it, It would suffice to say we would be doing our part in spreading the Gospel of Christ, and supporting our brothers & sisters who feel the call to the mission field in another country if we just call in our encouragements from a safe place and mail in our monetary support. Right? Oh no this was not to be. Remember the discussion with the brothers at the Tuesday Group? This interesting discussion was about how many were questioning the responsibility to give. After all look at all the abuses. All could see the grand buildings, the executive staff, the planes, trains, prestigious autos, along with elaborate vacation and or revival trips. Why give when it is obvious that there is little left being given to the poor. Lets take care of our own here at home. Well somewhere in this phase of the discussion I piped up and said; maybe we should do something ourselves if we believe this giving thing is not being done properly. I know this guy in Colombia, a straight shooter, loves God, his wife, and a bunch of drug addicts and alcoholics in a place called Canaan. The first response was Colombia --RIGHT! But upon further discussion; we all agreed none of us were innocent, after all hadn't we all done our part in supporting the "Colombian Trade" in our "raising cain" days B.J. (before Jesus) We would go with our own money and help someone who is at the bottom as we once were. Pay our own way and see the dollars go directly too those in need. lets do it. Lets go on a mission trip if they would have us. Some one laughingly suggested "Raising Canaan" as our mission statement, a reference to our past, "raising cain". For those who may not know the meaning, well lets just say: trouble, scoundrel, etc. Well the name stuck and we went.

It seemed a grand task to go to Colombia, our neighbor to the south. A democratic nation on the edge of South America; bordered by questionable governments and struggling within to overcome corruption and poverty. A people proud of the progress they were making and a military dedicated to bringing about freedom and safety for their children and the development of liberty for all. I fell in love with Colombia when I heard my first Latin accent at the Miami Airport as we prepared to board Avianca Airlines. When we got there the smell in the air, the bustle of people on their way home, and even the military presence in the Barranquilla Airport filled me with wonder and excitement as we arrived to meet the staff brothers from Canaan. I felt like a kid again. I had always been one up for adventure, but this place, these warm people, the atmosphere was electric. Little did I know I was on the "aventura" of a lifetime. This was to be a turn on the road of the spiritual life I had yet to walk upon.

We had such high hopes of blessing Roni & Vivian & our brothers and sisters at the City of Refuge, and we were anxious to take the 1/2 hr trip from Barranquilla to Baranoa to see the camp and meet everyone, and the needs we had heard so much about. But first things first. We were to stay at the homes of some of the local church members of the Barranquilla community that supported Canaan. The ride from the Airport through the sprawling outskirts of this South American city on rolling coastal hills overlooking the Caribbean Sea was an experience in itself. Barranquilla with a population of 2 million seems to be bursting at the seams with life: though not all enjoy the comforts we take for granted. Miles and miles of small concrete homes with no windows in the openings, although some had doors Others were lined with concrete or clay block walls with shards of glass or barb wire atop to keep the poorer from robbing the poor. Small children playing next to the 2 Lane road bustling with 4 to 5 lanes of traffic made up of cars, trucks, large buses, bicycles, donkeys, and motorcycles carrying 3 adults and a baby or two. Wow is that oncoming bus going to merge to the right so we don't see the donkey on a windshield before we have lunch. Well the donkey moves quickly out of on coming "Autobus". We were to soon learn big buses and trucks have right of way, Pedestrians, bicyclers, and donkeys beware. Traffic Colombia style; this is great, I could drive in this town.

Sensory overload is the only way I can describe this new experience. The ora of open spiritual doors vs. religious fleecing, romance and beauty vs. abuse, and lust, freedom and adventure vs hopelessness and captivity! Such strength in the midst of turmoil: In this whirlwind of emotions and new thought I felt as though I was in the center of the heart of God. I had not encountered a people so relational and full of warmth sense since I had been in Viet Nam during the war of my youth. These people, "especially the Christians" I was meeting had such high hopes for their country and their relationship with God in spite of the conflicts and turmoils going on in their lives. It was a little like the 50's where I had grown up, in that they were hungry for truth and hope, there was a cause. So much to believe and do, this was my kind of world. A purpose, a plan. What was God really showing me, what was I to see here? So many thoughts so many questions. Tomorrow, Canaan, the City of Refuge in Colombia South America, I can hardly sleep.

Upon getting us all in the transportation: a small car and a Toyota crew cab with Vivian, our precious host and four 200+ pound North Americans, luggages and 2 Colombian brothers in the back of the truck, Roni our pilot prays this prayer; Dear Lord thank you for this day. As we travel to the camp protect us from those who may have bad intentions, guard us in traffic from accidents or auto malfunctions. bless us today with Your grace and love--- Thank you in Jesus Name, Amen... ( I'm praying under my breath that the big busses don't squash us like bugs in a tin bucket) We were to learn that prayer is not just a passing thought or word on the way out the door in this town. Prayer and faith in God to provide and protect is a necessary way of life here. Roni tells us stories of abuse, murder, robbery, and political corruption, with Gods protection and covering to each event in a country where even the police are not always to be trusted. We breathe a sigh of relief as the police flag us through at a highway check point as Roni recalls his experiences of being faced with paying bribes, and the test of refusing to do so. After much head turning to the right and left to see the sights between the terror of highway near misses, (just kidding, Roni was a blessed driver) We arrived at Canaan!

Follow Ray's journey through Colombia in our next issue. This will be an ongoing series from the mission diary of Ray Nelson, chairman of the board of trustees of Canaan International.

Shekinah Ranch

By Lee Jones

Shekinah Ranch is the agricultural outreach of Canaan International Training Center. It will train leaders from various “Cities of Refuge” and missionaries connected to them, to become self sufficient. This training will occur through the internet as well as hands on experience with various models that will eventually be in place. Lee intends for the agricultural training to have a spiritual depth that goes beyond the practical. The visionary seed of Shekinah Ranch was planted into the Jones family in 2002. Lee and his wife Linda with their two children Jaime and Peter Jones purchased a few acres of land near Dunklin Memorial Camp during the summer of 2005. A year and a half ago, they purchased some hydro-stackers and started some hydroponic vegetables. Ronnie and Vivian Lacuesta, Jaime and Lilliana Garcia, Freeman Nettles, David Garton, Brother Mickey Evans, Dr. Bob and Mrs. Sylvia Crow, and others attended the dedication of Shekinah Ranch. Lee said, “as the Lord has revealed the different steps for Shekinah Ranch to come into fruition, He has constantly reminded me of a few things: 1. Shekinah Ranch isn’t as important as the relationships that are formed through this work. 2. Without full submission to the authority of Jesus Christ, the vision of Shekinah Ranch will not be attainable. 3. Shekinah Ranch is a vision from God. It’s HIS and it will take a team for Shekinah Ranch to happen." Recently a relationship was birthed with Jim and Brenda Spinelli a precious couple that proves to be a future asset for the Shekinah Ranch vision. Brenda works with Linda while her husband Jim has an awesome green thumb. He also has an innate ability to teach others. Jim and Brenda plan on helping Shekinah Ranch get to the next level. Jim is already putting together plans for an aquaculture system. This experiment will give us direction and a low cost solution to help the Cities of Refuge located in third world countries to curve the shortage and high cost of food resource. Please join us in prayer for Shekinah Ranch and the resources necessary to get it to the next level.

NETWORK NEWS

Honduras – Abundant Life Community: A City of Refuge in Guanaja

What an amazing month this has been. When we returned from Colombia we had the long "to-do" list to get ready to have our SLT program and our outpatient program. However, God told us to spend some concentrated time focused on Him and to let Him set our pace. It has been a time of seeking His face and waiting on Him. As we have been obedient to that, trusting that He is up to something even when we cannot physically see it, He has given us tremendous peace. Yet in His grace He has begun to show us glimpses of what He has planned for us and at the same time has made it abundantly clear that His ways are not our ways and what He considers efficient use of time can be quit different than what we consider efficient use of time. Here is a glimpse of what He has accomplished this month…

We have been given (rent free) the use of a 40'x 50' three story building that is 50 meters from our front gate to use for the ministry. It is not an empty shell of a building. It is fully equipped with tables, chairs, beds, cookware, appliances, Sunday School curriculum and craft supplies for children, TV, DVD player, etc. The top floor will house our SLT staff as it is already set up to be living quarters. The middle floor is where we will host our outpatient program as well as recovery church. And the bottom floor, which is ground floor, though currently unfinished, has the potential to be used for industry. Though there are a couple of details still to be worked out we are trusting God for this place. Please pray that not only will everything go through smoothly, but also God will provide the materials for a new roof as the current one needs to be replaced.

This past month as we have been seeking the Lord and waiting on Him He gave us the green light to hire someone to repaint the outside of our house that was in desperate need of a facelift. Little did we realize at the time that God was going to use it to continue to train us in the ways of recovery. Not only did we have the opportunity to teach about doing all things as unto the Lord, but God also used it to teach us the balance of ministering to the heart of the men in the program and accomplishing tasks. Needless to say it has not been without its frustrations, but we praise God for His faithfulness to us to train us up for what He has called us to.

 Two weeks ago we had the privilege of baptizing Karen, Patrick's wife, who had received Christ while we were in Colombia. The following day we spent some very concentrated time with both Patrick and Karen in inner healing. The Holy Spirit ministered in a big way and they were both set free from quite a number of things. Then on Friday, after 10 years of common-law marriage, they were united in a civil marriage ceremony at the municipal office. Two of our brothers in Christ stood with us as witnesses and today Patrick and Karen are walking in freedom of oneness before the Lord. We praise God for His incredible mercy and grace to restore that which the locusts have eaten.

Yesterday we had two ladies come to our house looking for help for loved ones hooked on crack. We had the opportunity to minister to them both and to share a little bit about addiction and forgiveness. Before they left we were able to walk one of them through some inner healing as she received Jesus' love for her, renounced the spirit of witchcraft, and forgave someone who caused the death of her daughter and son-in-law in a boat accident 11 years ago.

We see the Lord going before us and spreading the word that this ministry is being birthed. We are amazed at who is contacting us, not only looking for help, but also offering help. In the past two weeks we have had people from Utila, one of the three Bay Islands here in Honduras, and Grand Cayman come to us looking for help. In addition, we have had a church in Georgia contact us and a ministry in Louisiana contact us to offer their support. Both are saying, "I don't know what our role is going to be, but I feel like we are supposed to support you." Praise God for His faithfulness! Praise Him that He is all that we need. He is the One who moves the hearts of kings. He is faithful to His promises and will meet our every need.

Tomorrow we return to the U.S. for a month to attend a leadership conference and visit with our families and our home church. We look forward to the opportunity to share with our partners and friends first-hand what God is doing here.

"Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations both now and forevermore. Amen!" Ephesians 3:20-21

TRAINING CENTERS, A PRIORITY IN THE WAR AGAINST DRUGS

At the beginning of this year representatives from a couple of drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs came to our City of Refuge in Baranoa, Colombia looking to recruit trained staff from our leadership pool.   It seems whether we are in the United States or in Colombia or in other parts of the world the main complaint is the same, lack of skilled and trained leadership.  In this kind of ministry our tendency is to see as far as our nose due to the overwhelming number of men and women addicted knocking at our door.  It is a catch 22, we can't bear turning people away but at the same time we never get relief because we do not train future leaders and eventually we burned out.  A long time ago a very humble man named Mickey Evans found out the hard way the high price he had to pay for loving drug addicts and alcoholics.  He almost died for it, his family suffered so much and a little center he ran called Dunklin Memorial Camp almost closed down.  This was when he realized that the best leaders for this kind of work were already with him going through the program.  The only thing he had to do was train them to become valid ministers to help others who are coming from the same lifestyle they were delivered from. 

Out of this experience the Servant Leadership Training Program began. Dunklin grew from a small struggling camp to a thriving community of about 70 men with a full staff and averaging 15 Servant leadership trainees constantly in the last 8 years .   A remarkable feat in their 45 year history. Dunklin affiliates are now located in 7 states and 8 countries including Canaan in Colombia.  Canaan in the last 8 years had grown from a fledgling mom and pop operation into a full blown program with 40 residents and full time staff with a Servant leadership training program. They had also trained leaders from Costa Rica, Honduras and Peru.  Such growth would not have been possible without a focus on growing leadership from the very same people who came to their doors for help.  With the high demand right now for drug rehabs that would help addicts and alcoholics, the need for leadership ever more increases.

There are several factors we have to consider when we are facing such an epidemic in global proportions:  Addiction is not only a poor man's disease but it discriminates against no one, it attacks all races, all genders, all economic levels, all levels of education and all levels of occupation.  It is not only a medical and psychological problem but in all reality a spiritual problem.  There is a void in a man's heart that can only be filled by God and only Him. Therefore the root of addiction can always be traced back to the family dysfunction.  Our family was designed by God to provide safety, love, healthy relationships, boundaries and leadership. Our parents are actually our first encounter with authority and their authority are suppose to help us understand the Fatherhood of God.  When this model is distorted trauma happens to us so we are left to trying to survive, filling the void with vices and having a distorted view of God. Drug addiction and alcoholism is not the problem but a symptom of the bigger problem; which is the lack of God in a person's life. Another factor to consider is that people who are addicted are poly-addicted which means that any chemicals will trigger them and lead them back to their drug of preference. Drug addicts and alcoholics do not only need treatment but regeneration. There needs to be a transformation of the heart and long term belonging to a community that would help compensate for the void and give them purpose in life.  This most often take a life time to help in the maturity process.  The medical, psychological and spiritual model need to work together to make a person whole.

The concept of a City of Refuge is to recreate a healthy environment where family is at the center, recovery ministry is not only being imparted to those who are addicted but also to their families. But most of all these same families are given hope that they can do the same for others who are coming from where they came from in their dysfunction. Therefore the City of Refuge as a concept contains three components: 1) The Regeneration program  2) The Recovery church  3) The Training Center. The method of ministry in this work is using the same men who came through the program as models for those are just starting out. They live with their families in the City Of Refuge and their families interact with the residents on a daily basis. There is a factor most important in this, the residents are being adopted by families that understand first hand where they are coming from.  But to bring such a family to this point need a lot of healing and training; however once they get on the other side these same families become missionaries with a vision and mission and nothing can stop them from giving back with compassion and commitment to those who are hurting.

In these 7 states and 8 countries this model has been setup, there is evidence that these Cities of Refuge not only helps the families affected by the illicit drug trade but also impacts the communities, governments and standard of living in their region.  Wherever they are at, they are providing effectively services that national governments cannot provide because of one single factor, adoption and family style community living which only the church and Cities of Refuge can provide.  During the Networking Conference in Orlando, April 24-26, the implications brought up was that faith base recovery support services are a great need that no other institutions can fulfill.  Their concept in healing addicts can also be used to alleviate poverty and help develop communities.  This is the very reason why there has to be an emphasis on grass roots training of former addicts and alcoholics to do the work of the ministry.  As the saying goes, " give people fish and they will be hungry again but teach people how to fish and they will never go hungry."