Why Colombia
    When I first began thinking about a year of missionary work and would mention Colombia to my friends, their reactions ran the gamut……”You are crazy, it is so dangerous” to “That is awesome…better you than me” to “Wow, that is great, I wish I could do something like that”. Honestly, I had each of these thoughts at one time or another in the 6 months prior to leaving!
    In 1981 I spent a year with a wonderful family in Medellin, Colombia….yes, the home of Pablo Escobar. This was before the country became so dangerous. I fell in love with the people and the country and have always wanted to return. I especially wanted my children to experience the country, culture and people. But up until recently, it has been way too dangerous for my taste.
    The past 5 or so years, President Uribe has brought a semblence of peace to this civil war torn country. It has become fairly safe for foreigners to visit and live and travel. Like any big city, you must be sensible, but the constant threat of kidnappings is not there. Of course, there are parts of the country that the FARC and others control where you would more than likely be kidnapped or attacked, but this is in the very southern region.
    Colombia is a land of contrasts. The coast is beautiful, hot, full of history, inexpensive to vacation. The center of the country is mountainous and warm to cool. Bogota is a city of over 8 million people, is at an elevation of 8500 ft. with mountains to the east, and an average daily temperature of 70 degrees F.. Parts of the city, especially in the south, are extremely poor and parts of these areas are extremely dangerous…controled by the FARC and others. The north end of the city is affluent. Bogota has a new bus system called the trans-millenial which serves all of the city, but you still find the crazy local buses. The traffic is dangerous, there are taxis and buses everywhere, motos slinking in and out of the cars and buses, bicycles trying to go across highways, and the occaisional horse or mule drawn wooden wagon….all competing for road space! Buses and taxis stop anywhere…to get on or off. No one crosses the street at the intersections. I must say, the traffic is worse than New York City! But the people are friendly and helpful and the countryside is beyond spectacular.
 Why Colombia? Basically, I have always wanted to return. I believe God led me to the web site of the school and gave me the desire to be here. It is a beautiful country, rich in history, with incredibly hospitable people and excitement around every corner!