From the Bagasao Children:

Every week we learn about a different country or group of people needing prayer. We study their situation and then pray for them throughout the week.

Please join us in prayer for the Columbians.

The country and people:
Columbia is in South America. It is bigger than Texas and smaller than Alaska in area. The capitol city is Bogota’. The population is over 42 million. Their chief exports are oil, coal, coffee, emeralds, and bananas. The country is rich in gold, platinum and emeralds. Columbians speak Spanish and are generally very nice, cheerful people, believe it or not. Many of the Columbians are starving and live in dirty, crowded slums. Many of them are addicted to drugs or are in prison. There are some Christian organizations helping the children whose parents are in prison or on drugs. There are people in Columbia called guerrillas who will attack villages, kidnap people, and steal food. Guerrillas are warriors who are not part of a regular army. They are atheists (believe there is no God) and communists. They want to take over the government. Paramilitary forces are trying to keep power away from the guerillas. The Columbian army fights against both groups. People think that violence is a part of life in Columbia, and in many cases, this is true.

The religion:

About 80% of Columbians are Catholic, but most do not practice their faith. About 13% are non-Catholic Christians and 10% are Muslim. Because Christians do not approve of violence, drug selling, and kidnapping, many of the them are persecuted by the guerrillas, drug cartels, and other violent groups. Some Christians are even driven from their homes. Several years ago a man was released from a maximum security prison in Medellin, once one of the most violent cities in Columbia. He learned about Jesus. It changed his life so much, he went back to the prison to tell the other prisoners about Him. A lot of prisoners have repented and have asked God to forgive them and now they study in their own Bible school in prison. They are now new people!!! They meet every day to sing and talk about God and what He has done for them.

Please pray:

Hannah asks that you please pray that the Columbian Christians will stop being persecuted by guerrillas, and that the efforts made to deliver Bibles and short-wave radios (see below) into guerrilla-controlled areas will be successful, so even the guerrillas will receive Bibles safely without pages being ripped. Elisabeth asks that you please pray that the drug people will stop their addictions and the drug trade will stop. Marissa asks that you please pray that Christianity will be spread to jails and prisons all over Columbia, and that peace and happiness is brought to Columbia through Jesus. Emily says to please pray that the Christians will tell the non-Christians about Jesus. Elijah wants you to pray that the people will have more Bibles and thank God for the people that have more Bibles.

Taking action:

A ministry group called Voice of the Martyrs supports an airplane pilot who drops Bibles and short-wave radios from his airplane into guerrilla-controlled areas of Columbia. He attaches them to parachutes so they don’t break or dig into the ground when they land and so that nobody gets hurt, although Daddy says sometimes people need to get hit in the head really hard with the Bible. We are making parachutes to send to him. If you would like to see how we are making our parachutes or if you would like to make your own, check out either of the two links below:

• Watch us make our parachutes and learn how to make your own.
• Read more about Voice of the Martyrs and see the original instructions for making the parachute, or sign up for the free Voice of the Martyrs magazine or Kids of Courage newsletter. They also have a free printable book about Columbia for children (and other countries) in their download section. We are using some of these in our independent studies.


Hannah at the machine

• Mother note: The Voice of the Martyrs magazine does not whitewash the persecution Christians from other countries suffer. It can be very graphic. Although we personally do not cover over the evils of the world when discussing persecution and sin with our children, we are aware of and sensitive to their level of ability to handle the details behind such issues. Prereading is a great idea before placing these issues (or the children’s versions, for that matter) in your children’s hands. Do check out Kids of Courage, which is directed toward children. By signing up for the children’s version of the magazine/newsletter, you will also receive the adult version. To truly appreciate the remaining blessings Americans have to freely worship our Lord, to awaken to the realities that occur when those freedoms are gradually removed from the citizens, and to learn what others suffer in His name, I strongly encourage you to subscribe to and read the free VOM magazine. Did I mention it is free?

Thank you,
Hannah, Marissa, Elisabeth, Emily, and Elijah Bagasao

I Timothy 2: 1, 3: I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

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