In 1994 Colombian NTM missionary families’ lives and ministries were interrupted by violence. Since that fateful day, many have lived with a deep sense of loss. Two of our own, suffered the loss of a husband and father. And all remember their former MK school and home located in a beautiful tropical valley in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, where they lived and ministered for so many years. How sad it made us, knowing the lives of our co-worker’s families were changed forever and our former ministry center was left empty and deteriorating.
Macon and I, along with Jeremy and family returned recently to that former school property. Jeremy is a friend with the present owners, Alberto and Maria Sanchez. I cannot express to you the impact this visit has had on me, personally, and perhaps will have on those still hurting from lives interrupted.
Alberto and Maria are believers and they are passionate that this incredible property once again honors God and those who minister in Colombia. It is now a retreat center for Colombian youth, churches, pastors and missionaries. Each building is lovingly restored to better than original state. They are converting the former two-airplane hanger into a chapel building that will seat hundreds. And they have added a state of the art dining facility to the former dormitory school kitchen.
Alberto and Maria have dedicated one restored building on this special property to our fallen missionary co-workers, Steve Welch and Tim Van Dyke and their families.