Our congregation at Iglesia Cristiana Menonita La Mesa invited us to share on Pentecost Sunday how the Holy Spirit (Espíritu Santo) has been at work in our lives leading up to and during our time in Colombia.
Holy Spirit as inner guide (Laura)
About a year before our move, I felt a strong urging from the Holy Spirit to take our family abroad. We longed to immerse our children in another culture and broaden their worldview beyond the Eurocentric perspectives common in the U.S. The idea consumed me. Through prayer and discernment, the Holy Spirit confirmed this as God’s clear call.
Because of the beneficial mutuality experienced by other families placed by Mennonite Mission Network (MMN) at the La Mesa Mennonite church and Colegio Americano Menno in La Mesa, this placement became our focus. God swiftly removed obstacle after obstacle. One week before departure, a major barrier arose, and MMN suggested postponing. Yet the Holy Spirit gave me deep conviction to proceed. God resolved it in an unexpected, far better way — another reminder that trusting God’s guidance is always best.
Holy Spirit as revealer of truth (Laura)
In monthly spiritual direction sessions, the Holy Spirit has revealed important truths. Early on, I often spoke of being “stretched” outside our comfort zones. My spiritual director reframed it beautifully: we are being invited to become more fully who God created us to be. This truth has stayed with me.
During a sermon by Pastor Rodrigo, the Holy Spirit nudged me to release my fear of others’ judgment about our children’s behavior and to let go of trying to control their behavior. I felt the Holy Spirit inviting me into freedom from fear of judgment. Guilt and shame, my director reminded me, block the Spirit’s flow; those voices are not from God. Letting go has allowed this loving church community to become our village — supporting our parenting and helping to raise our children with grace. We are grateful to them for embracing us as family and helping us grow into who we were created to be. Their friendship will forever be important in our spiritual journey and to our family’s story.
Holy Spirit as comforter (Nick)
Living abroad brings real stress, exhaustion, and confusion, yet the Holy Spirit has been our constant comforter. I especially struggled with Spanish, often feeling misunderstood and lost. Then I remembered Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take”
This became my daily practice. My plans and instincts repeatedly proved wrong; God’s way proved right. Each time I chose trust over self-reliance — especially when afraid or uncertain — the Holy Spirit brought comfort and strength. Accepting God’s comfort means surrendering control and pride, but His way is far better than my old life of striving.
I see many of our congregation members living this out naturally — walking with joy, hospitality and peace. They receive the Spirit’s comfort like open vessels. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be in relationship with them.
Holy Spirit as sanctifier (Nick)
The Holy Spirit is also our sanctifier — setting us apart, changing our desires, and producing fruit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (Galatians 5:22–23).
This year has taught me patience as I repeatedly fell short of language fluency and quick impact with my students. I have grown in humility by showing my plans are futile without God’s wisdom. I have grown in self-control as I resist the temptation to let my certainty turn into prideful sin. In Colombia, that is easier because I can’t even be certain about what word to say next. Every sentence is a struggle, and it humbles me. We have seen how God unites and sanctifies people from different cultures into one family in Christ. We see the Spirit sanctifying us together across cultures as we serve and grow side by side.
Family teaching in Bogotá
Our friend Estefani teaches English at Quiba Alta, a Bogotá public secondary school. She invited us and our children, Jesse and Brielle, to meet with her students to practice their English skills with native English-speakers. Jesse (grade 4) and Brielle (grade 1) spent the day conversing in English and Spanish with students in grades 8 and 11 — confident, engaged, and thriving. It was a joy to witness their growth. We are cherishing these moments of seeing them become more fully who God created them to be.
We are deeply grateful for this year, for every prayer and word of encouragement, and for the Holy Spirit’s faithful presence guiding, revealing, comforting, and sanctifying us every step of the way.
