If you’re interested in a boat trip up the Amazon River to see the botos (Amazon River dolphins), or the Isla de Los Micos, an island inhabited by hundreds of monkeys, or simply want to gaze upon the magnificent Nelumbo nucifera, a.k.a. the Lotus Flower, then we have a mission trip for you. Welcome to Leticia, the southernmost city in Colombia, situated along the Amazon River, where Colombia, Brazil, and Peru come together.
When visiting, you must meet Pastor José Martín González. For seven years, he traveled up the Amazon River to minister to the indigenous people in their communities. But when Covid arrived, he was not allowed to travel up the river, so God led him to begin a church in his hometown of Leticia. “We began with 8 ovejas [sheep], and we trust the Lord that He will allow us to see many more come to our new, rising church and meet Jesus.”
José is the youngest child in a family of nine. He explained how growing up, his parents helped establish a church and school in a dangerous area of Colombia whose original inhabitants (70 years ago) included lepers and children at risk. Jose attended an evangelical school where “The majority of the teachers were foreigners. They told us Bible stories and shared the love and sacrifice of Jesus dying on the cross,” he explains. “Over time, God allowed me to see my condition of being imprisoned in my passions and sins, and I ran to Him, receiving Him as my only sufficient Savior and Lord.”
When he felt the Lord calling him to establish a church in Leticia, he didn’t hesitate. “I, along with my wife and two daughters, embarked on our journey to the Amazon and are grateful to be part of this world. We never stop marveling at the faithfulness and grace of our God.”
As far as being a part of our LOGOI family, among other things, Jose took our Bible course on church planting. “I am still using it, and it has been a great help for the ministry here and now for the growth of the church. In fact, it is so helpful, I have taken LOGOI’s church growth course two more times.”
Are you ready to travel to Leticia? If so, you will never forget meeting Pastor José and his enthusiasm for proclaiming the Gospel. What a thrill to be a part of his ministry. Would you take a moment right now and pray for Jose and his family? Specifically, he asks for your prayers that God will strengthen their faith, that He will care and protect them, and for “the planted seeds of God’s love and grace to spread throughout Leticia among the indigenous people.” Of course, he also asks for prayer to see more ovejas joining his church.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Your gifts are used to help train and equip national missionaries like José to help proclaim the Gospel and make disciples all over the Spanish-speaking world. Now you know a little more about one of them.