A Tale of Two Cities

 

This is the city of Barranquilla, Colombia.  It's a very metropolitan city of almost two-million.  All in all it doesn't seem that much different from the United States.

 We left Barranquilla this morning and took an hour bus ride to the Magdalena River.  From there we took a boat 10 minutes to Sitio Nuevo.  Suddenly, we were in an entirely different world; one plagued by poverty.

 And yet in the middle of this poverty, there is great hope.  The children greeted us at the dock with signs that had our names on them.  From there we walked a few minutes to the church. 

This particular project is called Los Hijos Del Rey which means "The Children of the King."  It has only been in existence for about six months and right now it serves 170 children.  The difference between these children being served by Compassion and the many more around them
is profound.  The children in the project look vibrant.  They get food, tutoring, medical care and spiritual training.  But there are  many more children in the community.  Many who don't even have the opportunity to go to school.  This project is looking to expand to 400 children soon. 



Isael & his mom at their home.

After putting on a chef's hat and helping serve lunch, we walked to  a local home to see where a little boy named Isael lived.  The house was simple clapboard with a dirt floor.   In the backyard a dog, kitten, pig and her piglets roamed.  The mother shared with us how her son had started behaving better and looking for ways to help her since he has been at the project.  He is only five years old.  Isael told me that he wants to be a policeman when he grows up.  There are many, many more Isael's here who are just looking for someone to give them an opportunity to succeed at every level. 

Outside of Isael's home.



Blowing bubbles with the kids at the project.



The Dedicated Staff at Los Hijos Del Rey along with our team from the U.S.