The Road to Bogota Ministries

These past few weeks have been a blur and very, very busy! I think where we last left off I was begging to plan the trip for OHI to visit. Never did I realize how much work was put into organizing these trips. I spent countless hours making sure everything was perfect and even though we had a few things come up the trip was a success. The week before the trip was full of nothing but phone calls and emails and searching the web to make sure we had the perfect restaurants and routes for the bus. Was everything flawless? No not at all but it was part of the "elastico" experience. For those that don't know what that is, it's something only learned in Colombia and your next chance to learn about this will be in June. Keep following and I will get you the dates when I have them. :) Some of the OHI veterans said this was the best they have experienced in their years coming here which was a sigh of relief. Overall the trip was a success. We completed our task of bringing God's light into these homes and not only changing the lives of the children but those who serve them as well. The kids were so excited "the gringos" were here to visit them. A lot of them were excited to meet my mother, who got to spend a life changing week here in Bogota. I was very excited to see my mother after being gone for nearly 4 months but I was more excited for her to experience a week in my ministry. When I left I was very unsure about what exactly I was supposed to be doing and who I was working for/with. I knew I was coming with God and that was it. When the board of OHI arrived they were very impressed with the work of "The Road to Bogota Ministries." I haven't even thought about forming my own ministry but in just doing what God has told me I had formed my own ministry without even knowing it. I have have no idea how to run or organize a ministry but God has taken care of all of that. I just love His children and share His light with them. Now I'm looking at what it takes to make this all official when I get home. I have even been advised by the board that this is a prospering ministry and it needs to be set up and established with more than just a name. They are grateful to be working on the same team as me and vise versa with them. We have both physically and spiritually seen how God is moving here in Colombia and we are very grateful to be a part of the action.

The kids are great. Absolutely precious. Everyday with them is a new adventure and I never know what to expect from them. Some days they just want to play all day; other days we have Bible studies and they ask any question they can think of about a relationship with Christ. We are experiencing a growing interest in Christ now that started with a group of 4 or 5 girls that were just curious. The Bible study in Santa Maria has grow into probably a group of about 10 girls. Every time we visit they ask for study materials or promise cards. These were cards we found that give God's promises with a scripture that we began giving to the girls. Now its something we have to bring every week for the girls. We also have about 12 new girls in the young mothers/expecting mothers class in San Miguelito.  After working with this now bigger group for a few more weeks we have also experienced a growing interest in a relationship with Christ over just religion. We even have a handful of them saying they weren't there when we distributed Bibles and they would like one to study daily. Today I purchased another box of Bibles to distribute to these girls. Oscar and I are seeing lives changing daily and every week we begin seeing new women with more confidence and more strength. We are very grateful to be His hands and feet here and without the support we receive from home this would be a tough journey. Thank you all for your prayers and financial support. With this team we have back in the States this ministry is developing strength day by day and is making a name for the Kingdom! Glory be to Him! Oscar and I are merely vessels of His love that He is using to change lives! Be sure to view the photos on Flickr and if you have not yet been added please send me an email! I will be adding the photos from our trip as I have time, there is a lot to upload but they are getting there! Also The Road to Bogota Ministries is working on a video so be on the look out for that! Love you all very much!

From His Front Lines,

Chris

A New Year in Bogota

Just less than a week ago I sat in my room as we welcomed 2012. Normally, I'm spending time with my family but this year was different, as a matter of fact it was very different. I was staring down Carrera 68. This particular street is full of bars and clubs and as I watched the partying in the street I asked myself, "what am I doing in Bogota, Colombia." As I thought about it, God made it very clear. I am here following my heart as I search for His. I couldn't be more blessed than seeing my children here in Bogota to end 2011 and begin 2012. Already my heart has been stolen left and right by these children. Today I spent the morning with Luisa. She is 12 months and so close to walking. She can take one or two steps and then falls into my arms. The best part of this morning was when I walked into her room of the nursery. She was the only one awake and standing in her crib. As I peeked around the door her eyes lit up and a smile of new teeth appeared. It was absolutely priceless. I had a great morning loving on her and seeing her laugh. When it came time to leave I even got besos, full of slobber but absolutely precious! There is also another little one in Santa Maria that has stolen my heart. Her name is Nicole and she is 6 years old. She is now the youngest and Santa Maria and doesn't mind being "my baby" there. I am greeted by a little one pushing her way to the front to hug me and tell me she loves me and its amazing every time. We also had a group of girls accept Christ as their savior this week in Santa Maria. The months of relationship building have started to bear fruits. We also have another young lady that is very against religion but now has many questions and our conversation this week brought her to tears. I feel in my spirit she is very close to finally breaking down but the Lord will do it all in His time. I have been building relationships with the older girls of this house. These are typically the girls that are overlooked because they are to old to be adopted and in their eyes everyone just loves the "chiqitas" more. We spend a lot of time chatting with them and playing sports or having lunch and other things. It has been very humbling to have some of them share their stories with us. One of them in particular really breaks my heart. I was talking with Cristina Monday and I asked her how long she has lived at Santa Maria. Her answer was only 4 years. In my mind I thought, "only?!?" Then she followed that by saying she has lived in institutions for 17.5 years. Cristina is 18 years old. She also shared that she has 2 younger sisters that have been adopted and live in Atlanta but she wasn't able to be adopted because of her age. Hearing that my heart absolutely broke. She is a beautiful girl that does so well in school, despite her rough life. Institutions are all she knows. She has graduated high school and will be attending a tech school for 2 years to learn English and pursue a career as a flight attendant. I have been helping her with her English and she is beginning to have more questions regarding a relationship with Christ. Other than that I have been extremely busy helping plan the upcoming mission trip for OHI. They will be here next Saturday and we are very excited. I am excited to share my work with the team so they can see my everyday life here as well as see my mother. This has been the longest I have ever been away from family and yes its rough but the Lord gives my new strength everyday. We have a week full of great fun and quality time with the children. If you won't be here next week I highly encourage you to take a look at coming in June. The need here in Colombia is great and the children are absolutely amazing! You will be welcomed with opened arms and leave with memories that will be impossible to forget. Check out our website at www.orphanhopeintl.org Also to see pictures of my work here in Bogota find me on Flickr and I will add you to view the private photos, they are great fun to see! The Flickr page is Theroadtobogota. Until next time, thank you all for your prayers and support! From His Front Lines, Chris

Flickr has been created

As I mentioned in my last post the photos will now be posted in a private group by invite only. Now in order for me to invite you please send me an email with your Flickr user name (if you dont have one just your email) and I will add you to the group. Thank you all for taking the extra time to view both sites. On the blog I am limited to the number of photos I can upload but on Flickr I am not. This morning I uploaded 100 new photos of my first Christmas here in Colombia as well as many more of the children and the Christmas celebration with them. Thanks for all you do and God bless!

Send your emails to: chris.poole@orphanhopeintl.org

From His Front Lines,

Chris Poole
James 1:27

Merry Christmas from Bogota

First and foremost I have to apologize for being absent for so long. The Christmas season here was very busy for me. I'm gonna try my best to catch yall up on events. Second I have been asked to no longer publish photos on my blog. Its for the protection of the children. Many of them are in protective custody for various reasons and I would never want to put them into danger. I am however able to post them to a private photo sharing web site that requires a user name and password. I think this will be better anyways because it gives me the opportunity to post more than 3 or 4 pictures and you are able to see more activities and more smiles. I am in the process of setting this up now that I have a few weeks off of school. Once it is up and running I will let you all know and you can email me for the name and password.

Since my last update I have been able to experience many different things. One thing that still sticks in my mind is I was finally able to spend a night in one of the homes. I slept in one of their beds and showered in their showers. I have to admit it was a very eye opening experience. That night I could hardly sleep because I was freezing (wearing sweat pants and the same sweatshirt they have). The next morning I took a freezing shower. When I say freezing I'm not sure if you can imagine it because I never knew water that cold existed. These kids do it everyday. I don't have much here but I am very thankful for the things I do have.

Second I saw a group of girls graduate high school. Even in their circumstances they did something that many people don't do. I watched them receive their diplomas with smiles on their faces and with faces proud of accomplishment. They girls received flowers and a graduation ring for their hard work. I was able to be a part of the ceremony by giving the girls their rings. It was very humbling to see some of my new friends in tears thankful for my help. I was a very proud brother that day, seeing my sisters receive diplomas and tell us their future dreams and where they will be studying now.

Third, I was able to be a part of a Christmas celebration for the children here. I was a part of giving gifts to approximately 600 children. The smiles were unexplainable! My heart was full of joy being able to experience that! They girls and boys that were a little older all received brand new clothes and the younger children brand new toys. We had games and skits for them and an incredible lunch. It was very humbling to see this. The kids were so excited to receive something despise their circumstances. I also saw many tears that day for some of the children were spending their first Christmas without their families. I was able to share with them that this is also my first Christmas without my family. As I shared my happiness with them I was able to see smile emerge from behind eyes full of tears. We also shared gifts with my "princessas". It was small but all I could do. It was bracelets, lollipops, and pony tails but the girls absolutely loved it. They then asked where my gift was. As I thought about it I quickly answered, "your smiles are more than enough for me." They are a large part of the reason I came back to Bogota and their happiness is all I need. I also bought a case of 24 Bibles to give to my class of pregnant mothers for Christmas. They have been asking for weeks now for complete Bibles and I finally found a company here willing to help my ministry. The young girls were more than excited that I remembered this seemingly small request and many of them said that was the best gift they have received.

This has been my first Christmas away from home. Honestly it doesn't even feel like Christmas to me. Tradition here is so different. I really miss my family but God has provided me with one here in Bogota. I am very blessed with the family I received. I prayed for friends and guidance here and the Lord provided me with a family. We were able to have 3 of the girls from the foundation spend the weekend with us to celebrate Christmas. This was the closest thing to Christmas any of them have ever had. Most of them don't have good memories of their families and have lived in institutions for more than 5 or 6 years. I once again was humbled to spend my first Colombian Christmas with some of my sisters here in the foundation. I would love to keep writing but we have promised hamburgers and ice cream for dinner and my name is being called in the kitchen. Thank you all for your love and support! and Merry Christmas!


From His Front Lines,

Chris Poole
James 1:27

Location:Bogota, Colombia

Sorry for the dela

I am working on my next blog. However without wifi at home and my final for school next Friday things are a little hectic! It will be up soon! Thanks for the support and God bless you!

Love Them Like Jesus

 Last week could have been one of my hardest weeks here. Last week was a big week in my life. Sunday I missed my mother's birthday. For those of you that don't know me very well, my mom and dad are two of my best friends. To not be there and hug her and kiss her and tell her happy birthday was hard.  I had to email her roses because I couldn't be there to deliver them.  Then Monday I accomplished two years of sobriety and service to the Kingdom. My family here was proud of me but it was still different.  Its a big accomplishment in my life and I wasn't able to share it with my family.  Then Thursday came around. This was the first Thanksgiving that I was away from my family. In Colombia, Thanksgiving isn't even celebrated; actually, very few people even know it exists let alone what its about.  God did provide me with friends here in Bogota that decided to start a Thanksgiving tradition.  Carlos invited me into his home and I shared Thanksgiving with his beautiful family, and extended family as well. I shared my story of how and why I came to Bogota. This was my first Colombian Thanksgiving meal. It was pretty close to home I might add!

Last week was a blur. We had our normal English classes in San Miguel with the girls.  There are many new girls in this emergency center so they kept it fun.  After the week of studying and classes, we played jeopardy another time.  Its been a big hit with the girls.  The competitive spirit is awesome! I tried a class with the boys and lets just say I need to come up with some other ideas.  That class ended up with them asking me what USA is like and what I think about the food here. Very few of them have an interest in learning English and many of them say its unimportant to them.  So lets just say I'm working on a plan to gain their interests. I'm thinking of making them some Christian rap and rock CDs and then translating them during classes. If you have any other ideas I would love them!


Last Wednesday I went to visit my Goddaughters at Santa Maria for my weekly visit.  I learned that Wednesdays are the days that any family the girls have can visit for the morning.  I met their mother and 16 year old sister that will soon be having a baby. It was a new experience for me but their mother thanked me for taking care of her daughters and loving them while they went through these circumstances.

However many children didn't get visits. A lot of the girls here at Santa Maria don't have families. They have been abandoned or their parents are dead. This was very heart breaking. I have to say this day I excused myself to the back and let a few tears fall. I love all of these children as if they are my own and just can't imagine not wanting them. Everywhere I went there was another beautiful angel in tears, wanting their mother or their father. Many of them have only been without families for a few months, some even a few weeks. For many of the girls this is their first Christmas without their family. In this I can relate. This is my first Christmas without my family, and I'm very upset, but I won't leave these children alone. I will trust God to comfort me as I use Him to comfort His beautiful children. I constantly tell them they are not alone because the teachers there in the Princessita Casa love them very much! Oscar and I also contribute more love than we physically have in this home! When people ask how many children I have here I can't give an answer because all of them are mine.  But more important than the love they receive from us, their Father loves them and will never leave nor forsake them.  Last Wednesday, I was able to share my Father with many of the girls there.  God definitely came through with some extra love because I gave those girls all I had plus everything God had supplied me with.  These children are fantastic and want nothing more than to be loved. They want to have a family they belong to. Whether they live in the United States and I have to help communicate or they live here in Colombia, they just want to be loved! These are some of the smiles I managed to have emerge at Santa Maria on the right. The smallest gestures to us are so much to them. Vanessa just loves to wear my jacket or carry my backpack. It can be incredibly hot and she will wear that jacket until I practically have to pry it off of her to go home! Many days I leave every bit of energy I have in these homes. I give out all the love and joy I have each and every day coming home exhausted but I wouldn't change it for the world!

  Last Saturday, I shared my testimony with San Miguel emergency center.  I shared my previous lifestyle before Christ. Many did not believe but it was all true; a life I will only talk about to show the mercy and grace of my Savior.  I told of my first visit to Bogota and how God really broke me down. How in 10 days God showed me I didn't need all the things back home I thought were necessities. I talked of how I sold everything I own and moved to Colombia. How I left a home that was very comfortable and now I sleep on a mattress on the floor. I had a great paying job with benefits and now I volunteer 100% of my time for no payment. I live in faith knowing that God will provide the things I need. Life here is very different.  Washing machines aren't in every home. Many homes wash their clothes by hand and hang to dry. Here in Colombia is the first time I have EVER hung my clothes to dry. The kids laughed as I talked about how I had to adjust to a completely new life style. To them its normal but to me its very different. Then the question was asked: "Why would you leave such a great life and come here?" My answer was spoken before I could even think and there was silence right after. It was short, sweet and all the exact reason I'm here. I said, "I did it for you guys." Once I thought a little bit I let them know that laughing and seeing their smiles everyday are far better than any paycheck or even bonus check I have ever received. Then I really thought about it and told them, " you know what my life may have been luxurious but honestly it wasn't that great. I'm happier here than I ever was in Texas." Their happiness is worth more than money and to me and its way more important.  I know God will provided the necessary funds for me to live my life here. I'm not over here to live like a king.  I eat the same food the kids do. I sleep on the floor. I walk to work. I roll in the grass just like them. Being one of them has made me happier than I have ever been; and the entire time I'm laughing and having fun the Light is just bursting out of me! I told them all of that to share with them Philippians 4:11-13. Paul writes that he has lived in need and want but also a life in which he was provided for. He says that no matter the situation he found happiness in Jesus Christ and that "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength." After I finished talking a young girl in that home that I have been helping with English got up and shared what God means to her and how He has helped her through her situation and her life in the institution. I was beaming with joy to hear God stories come from these children!


And for those of you that want to see what a normal day in Bogota during winter is like here ya go:

Rain, Rain, and More Rain! Everyday!

Until next time may God bless you and happy holidays!


From His Front Lines,

Chris Poole
James 1:27

El Amor De Un Padre

This has been a very busy week for me.  Tuesday my roommate and translator went out of town for a few weeks.  At first I was a little worried but my Spanish has taken off this week...Thank you Jesus! Tuesday morning I worked with the older kids at Casa Egresso with homework.  We attempted a English class but it ended up them questioning me and me working on Spanish! It was actually a perfect time for me though.  I was able to share with them my past and where I came from.  They didn't realize I was just like them; that I have struggled with some of the same problems.  I would say Tuesday some new friendships were established with the youth in Casa Egresso.  Everyday I am becoming one of them. A friend, a teacher, and a mentor to all of the young men and women in that home.  That afternoon I went to teach my class of girls across the street at San Miguel.  Honestly, I love hearing "PROFE" as the door opens.  I actually hear this every time I walk into the house to eat or visit.  Its a great feeling knowing that in only a month I have impacted the lives of these children.  They anticipate my return for class and practice certain words so they can impress me with their English! We worked on basic introductions.  All the girls introduced themselves, their age and date of birth.  This day we discovered our next class should be on numbers and the pronunciation.

Wednesday and Friday I spent the entire days at Casa Egresso helping Jose.  He had meetings with various other directors and needed help monitoring the house and keeping it under some sort of control.  Once again it was a great time for me to talk with the young men and women there about what God has done in my life and why I'm now living in Colombia.  They can't believe I am here for them and the children of FMN.  I wouldn't call this job work because we all have so much fun! Everyday I thank Jesus for allowing me to work for Him and not corporate America.

Thursday I once again spent the day with my Goddaughters at Santa Maria.  Waking up at 5 am is rough but so worth it. Oscar wasn't with me to help this time and it turned into a long day! I ran and played and ran and played with the princessita house that morning.  The girls didn't understand that I don't have the energy they have and many times that day I said, "no tengo enerjia!" I was able to accompany Doraine and the girls to school this week for the first time.  As the girls were in class I sat in the office with the other teachers and shared a little about my life.  As 430 got closer my eyes got heavier! Doraine was ready to go and so was I, so I told all the girls goodbye and we got onto the next bus to Bogota.  About 10 min into this trip I think both of us were asleep!  That night I got home and ate dinner and showered and went to bed.  I couldn't remember the last time i was asleep at 730 but these girls are def worth the sacrifice of all I have.

This past week the love of a father has really been on my heart.  I have always wondered how great the love of our God really is.  I think the closest we can come here on Earth is the love of our children.  I have prayed for a few years now for children of my own. I prayed for one or two but God gave me about 400.  I have a few here that are very dear to my heart, a few that I love and look at as my own children.  When they hurt I hurt; when they are sad I am sad.  My girls got in trouble for bad behavior this week and Thursday they aren't allowed to play with me.  I have been asked to talk with them about their behavior and bring them no surprises.  This really breaks my heart but must be done.  The love I have for these children doesn't even compare to the love my Father has for me.  I wish I could grasp the depths of His love but its just so much on Earth we never will.  I think about having to give on of my children up and I know I couldn't.  He did.  I am so grateful to serve such a mighty King.  I look back on where I came from and where I was saved from and I am still in awe!

Two years ago today, well by the time most read this today, I made the best decision of my life.  I decided to put down the bottle and follow Christ.  Have I failed him? Yes I have; we all do. But I have taken the hand I was dealt and decided to use my life for His cause and not my own.  When I sat in the lobby of Celebration Church that morning I asked for help.  Alcohol had a hold on my life and was leading me into destruction.  I asked God for help and His response was simple; "Follow me." So I did.  I messed up still. I made mistakes still but I followed Him. Never in a million years did I think He would tell me to leave home but He did.  I am now living in a country very different from home.  A country that I constantly have to look over my shoulder as I walk.  I have to learn a new language and a new way of life.  Here I have nothing. I don't have a car or my own house; I don't even have a job with a paycheck.  But what I do have the love of a Father to share with hundreds of kids that are searching for love. Kids that will give anything to receive that love.  God will provide everything else I need here, I'm not worried about it at all.  He even comforts me as I miss home.  When I left everything, I literally left everything.  Today was my mother's birthday. It was very hard to not hug my mother and kiss her. It was hard to not be there to make this day special for her. She brought me into this world so I could work for my Father and she continually prayed as I was away from the Lord.  Thursday my family and friends will celebrate Thanksgiving.  This holiday isn't celebrated in Colombia and will be my first away from my family.  The thought of Christmas without my family is heartbreaking as well but every time my heart breaks and my eyes tear up, God provides.  My spiritual mother here wraps me up and tells me how much of a blessing I am to the foundation.  These are all things I never anticipated when I said, "I will follow" but I wouldn't change any of it for the world.  I love what I'm doing and I love where I'm at.  God is taking care of me and everything else while I enjoy my daily work for Him! I will continue to "love the least of these" with all I have! These children all have my heart and I am thankful for everyone of them!

From His Front Lines,

Chris