An Adventist school in Colombia was robbed, but the items were returned after a gang boss learned that gang members had robbed the school he attended as a child. Please pray for this school that will receive a portion of your 13th Sabbath Offering.
Is it good to have gangs living around a school? Not usually. But in Puerto Tejada, Colombia, some good has come from it.
The Adventist school in Puerto Tejada has been educating children in their community for almost 70 years. Over time, many dangerous gangs have come into the city.
“Today, there are approximately 70 gangs here in the municipality.”
The Adventist school has attracted parents to enroll their children because of the Christian values they teach. The parents hope it will keep their kids away from these dangerous lifestyles.
“This institution is a refuge. This is a refuge because unfortunately in our municipality we face a wave of violence from the children who have been involved in gangs and many parents are looking for a way to find shelter in those institutions that can help their children grow up in a healthy environment, with a better perspective and a better vision in terms of being better citizens.”
Even though the school provides an excellent Christian environment, some students still join gangs.
“One student from here at the institution fell into the world of gangs, drug addiction, robbery and he became one of the bravest gunmen that that municipality had seen.”
Even though this former student had become a powerful gang boss, he still had a soft spot for the Adventist school of his childhood.
One morning, the chaplain entered the school to find that many computers and valuable items had been stolen. He knew members of the gang were responsible. He decided to ask his gang boss friend for help.
“He immediately told me that he was going to find out who had stolen those items. After 30 minutes he calls me and tells me I know who stole it and where it is. Everyone was shaking because he was the boss. They brought everything that had been lost. They brought the video, the computers, the fans and immediately delivered them.”
Since that day, the Adventist school has grown bigger and bigger. They have outgrown their current classrooms, and have begun to build new ones.
“We currently have a construction project here in this institution that is to raise three or four or five floors in the preschool area.”
“This is the new project that we have here at the Educational Corporation. We want to develop a space in which a better service can be provided. We want the opportunity to provide a space for our teachers since we lack a meeting room specifically to have our meetings in the old location. There will also be a space in which we will have room for recreation for the students.”
A portion of your 13th Sabbath offering will go to help finish the construction of these new classrooms and offices. Please pray for the education work in Puerto Tejada. Even though it is dangerous, students' lives are being transformed by the school. Thank you for your support of mission around the world.
