Visiting Darien

By Daniel Bravo, Colombia

I am hitting the road again, this time going to Darien, the world’s most significant migration hub. People from many nationalities start their journey toward the U.S. in this region. From January 30th to February 3rd, I'll be joined by six members of the Doulos team, and we've got some exciting plans to make a positive impact.

First, we'll be heading to Necocli to work with local churches. Our goal is to train them in childhood trauma care. This special training, led by a certified expert, will empower church leaders and volunteers to support migrant children who make up a significant part of those crossing the Darien Gap (one in four people, to be precise).

Next on our list is installing two high-capacity water purification systems in Necocli and Acandi. But it's not just about the machines – we will also be training church and community leaders to team up and make sure everyone, both migrants and locals, gets the clean water they need.

And that's not all. We are eager to connect with local pastors and church leaders, to learn about their current challenges, and discuss how we can support their efforts throughout the year.

And here's something special – we'll be capturing stories on camera. We want to share the incredible efforts of Christians in the area, and highlight the stories of migrants who have found help through the churches. Some of these folks have even found Christ through the love and service shown by the amazing Christians there.

While part of the team remains in Necocli, two others from the team will travel with me by boat, crossing the Morrosquillo Gulf to Acandi. This area is completely controlled by militia groups and drug cartels. Please join us in prayer for the Lord’s presence and protection during the trip. As a team, we have been encouraged in recent times by a passage in Deuteronomy, and we invite you to join us in prayer with this in mind. 

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

A Huge New Year’s Surprise.

We’ve got some thrilling news to kick off the New Year – Daniel got a surprise invitation to the Fourth Lausanne Congress! Imagine that – a movement that Billy Graham and others kickstarted is calling the global church to join forces for the Kingdom of God. It’s a big deal. 

In September 2024, thousands of mission influencers from all around the world will gather in Seoul, South Korea. Yes, you read that right. Every nation on earth. Being invited to something this huge is an honor beyond words. But here’s the thing – we could really use your support. We’re praying for the provision to cover the costs of participating in this once-in-a-lifetime event. 

So, we are reaching out to you, our fantastic supporters, to join us in prayer and, if you can, in helping make this journey possible. If the Lord opened the doors for this opportunity, we believe He’ll also be faithful to provide the resources to make it happen. 

We’ll keep you posted!