February school trip

We got to go back to Bocachica to see the new school progress! We have been talking about it and raising money, but we finally got to see all they have done in a year. There are four classrooms, two multi-unit bathrooms, a playground, and now a new office constructed. It was great to hear from them the testimony of the last year as well.
 It seems that if you are doing something good and sacrificing more than necessary that God would have everything go smooth. Contrary to that idea, it seems the powers and principalities get aroused by such work, remember Nehemiah?
 Many of you may remember talk of the building being slowed down by the government due to stricter building codes. They changed the plans to meet the expectations. However, not long ago, they received a complaint from Bogota that someone locally reported them as operating illegally. It is thought perhaps the public school may have done it because they lose revenue if a student isn't enrolled. This would be like someone taking the time to report you to someone in Washington DC. This was a big deal, Emilie, a friend of ours on the island, was telling us the story. She said many tears were shed by the Pastor's wife as well as the teachers at the school. They didn't know what to do. The school was essentially ended. The school leaders said that they would move forward and teach for free even if they weren't allowed to open the school. The parents were upset because they had invested money for something that they thought would be legally recognized and now the government rejected the school. They even had a lawyer that they paid that told them there was no recourse.
 Emilie told us that suddenly she thought of going to the mayor of Cartagena to see if they could help. The pastor's wife asked what good that would do if they had been rejected at the federal level. Considering there were no other options they decided it was worth a try. When went to the office they discovered you can't talk directly to the mayor. He has three secretaries that you move through before you actually get to him. So they went to a meeting with the first secretary. Upon meeting her they discovered that she was a native of Tierra Bomba, this is the name of the island where we lived. She had been a political activist for the rights of the native of the island when the Colombian Navy came to take the island to use as a new naval base. I remember when this happened when we lived there. There were lots of fights over the land, but in the end, the Navy only got what they had been using and a little more. This lady had a price on her head for her fight against the military take over of the island. This happens a lot in Colombia when there is a standoff between two groups, there were 120 activists killed in Colombia this past year. You kill off the head of the weaker party and you can win. Thankfully this didn't happen in this case, she is now the secretary of the mayor in Cartagena. When she found out about the problem of the school she wanted to help them. She advised them about a law put into effect by President Uribe. Law 70 of 1993 allows for indigenous and minority groups to have a local community council have ruling authority over their groups. This would help protect the interests of the group. This power is second to the power of the president of Colombia. Since Bocachica is primarily Afro-Colombian the local community council can decide what they want to do independent of what any other authority in Colombia says except the president. Therefore the complaint and decision of the Department of Education of Colombia is now meaningless. The school had this power available all along but didn't realize it. Sounds like a Gospel sermon there! The only stipulation of this special law is that they whatever ruling they implement it has to be in the interest of the indigenous group. Therefore they have to go back to their legal founding documents and make an accurate vision of what the school will accomplish as relates to Afro-Colombians. So they are going to develop as part of the school a curriculum on the history and culture of their people group.  Part of what Tara and I thought was essential in Bocachica was to promote good culture. The culture that is generally by default in Bocachica is bars and drinking.  This is a good challenge for the school to implement for the community. Recognize and promote the positive aspects of the culture.
  All that happened this year has been an emotional roller coaster for those working to implement change for the children of Bocachica. Please continue to pray for Bocachica as they work toward this new vision.
 We had a great visit with our friends, here are some photos to enjoy:

A picture with the teachers of the School

A night of mentoring with the teachers and parents of the school. This is will be a regular activity with the church and parents. The whole family is involved with the education of the children.

.
Sharing a devotion with the school parents on II Corinthians 4:17 about how this momentary light affliction doesn't compare to the eternal weight of glory that awaits us.

Many people sent greetings to you all here in the states. Katerin and Marley send their love.

Morning devotions before school.

Tara and Emilie touring the school

Working on the new office

Visiting a class in session, we also taught English class in each grade.

One of our original filters still making pure water.

Tara getting to hold the new babies since we have been there.

We had a lot more great conversations and updates from folks there. Perhaps we can share more later. Thank you to all who support this work. This is the gospel long term, the people are changing and the Holy Spirit is doing the work. A great mission's verse is Romans 12:2 "...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." The Holy Spirit does this in our minds, but it isn't instantaneous. It takes time, gospel work is the same, it takes time and sacrifice and endurance to change places. It has been our privilege to help the local church in Bocachica effect this change.
 We are coming alongside what is already in action, and we are supporting them to help them get there faster. If you want more information write to us. If you want to help with the new classroom this year you can send checks payable to:

Juntos
3706 Union Ridge Road
Burlington, NC 27217
Email: ariel.family.mission@gmail.com

Blessings and love,
The Ariels