I’ve never been to Venezuela, but that hasn’t stopped me from falling in love with the people of Venezuela.
I think my Venezuelan friends are some of the bravest that I know.
In Colombia, there were several people from Venezuela who served at Ciudad Refugio. After leaving Venezuela, they had found security and family at Ciudad Refugio. One night at Bible study we prayed for the country of Venezuela and I was deeply reminded of my love for that place and the people from there who I have met in various countries over the last two years.
It was an incredible time of prayer. The Venezuelans I have met love their country deeply and want healing and restoration for their land. It was so sweet to sit in a room full of people deeply moved for the country of Venezuela, praying with faith that God will move there.
Cut to Ecuador, our first adventure day, we went to the tourist town of Banos. It’s a cute tourist town surrounded by lots of waterfalls, zip-lining, canyoning, and all kinds of fun tourist things. One morning I was hanging out in a coffee shop when I met a couple of boys from Venezuela. They were traveling with their family to Peru and had been walking for about a month, and that his mom’s foot was currently injured so they couldn’t keep walking.
We chatted a lot and soon he said “come on, I want you to meet my mom” and so we walked a block or so to where his mom was sitting on a bench. She was beautiful and kind and friendly. I chatted for a few minutes and then prayed over her foot and over their continued journey.
Later that day the squad was making different dinner plans, we all decided to abandon our dinner plans and eat with our new Venezuelan friends. We brought a whole bunch of food out and just sat on the sidewalk and bench with them and ate dinner. We shared stories and laughed. We listened to their hardships and prayed. We met them, saw them, loved them.
It was my favorite day of all of Ecuador.
I again was able to love the people of Venezuela, a country I have never been to, but already deeply love. I felt the Lord moving in each of those interactions and I was reminded that it really is the small things. Can I fix the systemic problems in all of Venezuela, no. But can I be the hands and feet of Jesus and love the people in front of me, yes. And I pray that I will choose to do so over and over. Because life is ministry, and ministry is life.
If you would like to partner with me financially in continuing to provide spontaneous meals to Venezuelan refugees or other people in need who I meet along the way you can contribute via Venmo: @Kayla-Gulley-2
Cute!!
Loved that weekend just the absolute most. Thanks for being incredible and listening to the Spirit and making opportunities for connection to happen. You show Jesus really well
So touching what you experienced and the love you have for the Venezuelans! I’m reminded that so easily that could be my story. Instead, I’m in a position to pray for God to provide for them despite their dire circumstances and bring them hope, faith and love. Ultimately, God’s kingdom and salvation is the only hope any of us have in this world!
INCREDIBLE. What a story of restoration and the faithful love of the Father. I love seeing His character reflected through you.