RIOHACHA, Colombia (Mennonite Mission Network) – During a church youth activity, Glendys Smith, Leyli Redondo, Camilo Salgado, Felix Quijada and Gisel Mora put into practice the verse from Galations painted on the wall of Casa del Abuelo, “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
María de Melo, a Colombian Mennonite, began Casa del Abuelo (House of the Grandparent) 17 years ago to serve the needs of the elderly of the Riohacha community. The Mennonite congregation of Riohacha grew, in large part, out of this ministry.
Members of the three-year-old Barranquilla Mennonite Church begun by Amanda and Gamaliel Falla of Mennonite Mission Network regularly travel more than four hours to support the growing congregation in Riohacha. Their priority is building a strong youth group, noting that youth bring energy and a future for the congregation.
Salgado and Mora represent the Barranquilla congregation; Smith, Redondo and Quijada are from Riohacha.
