Religion Books, by Katie

"Walking in the light of God" is the name of the new religion books that are being distributed in the Lutheran Schools this year. The Holy Spirit moved through every part of the process of the preparing, writing, designing, and printing of these books. I am excited to see the ways the Holy Spirit continues to move as the teachers teach the new material. 

Pilgrimage for Justice and Peace, by Curtis

At the world council of churches launching of "pilgrimage for justice and peace" seven weeks for water Lenten campaign, the launch was held in Bogotá. The Holy Spirit definitely is moving in these spaces and through this campaign. 

Photo and Blog by Curtis

Pastor Nelson Celis

The Holy Spirit lives through service - in the same way Jesus lived. We bow before our brother recognizing him as a son of God, in perfect and pure love. In the same, we bow before our sister recognizing her as a daughter of God, in perfect and pure love.

Blog and photo by Pastor Nelson Celis. This photo was taken at the foot-washing service during Holy Week in 2016 at San Pablo in Bogota. 

Mauricio Mendez, graphic design intern for IELCO

For me, this photo expressed the natural essence of the life that the homeless in Bogota, Colombia have. The writing on his jacket (Jesus Saves) is what first impacted me. We normally think and see Jesus in a very attractive way and an attractive life, however this man reflects Jesus also: Jesus in search of something, perhaps love. We just need to slow down and pay attention.

[I bought him a coffee and asked for permission to take his picture.]

Photo and blog by Mauricio Mendez, Graphic design intern for IELCO

The Holy Spirit is Moving

As we begin Lent, we will start our 40-day photo challenge for the third year! The theme this year is around the ways we see the Holy Spirit moving: in our lives, in our communities, and in our churches.

One of the purposes of Lent is to be more intentional, to slow down, and to deepen our faith. This year we are inviting others to participate on the journey with us (in addition to you, our dear readers). We have invited members and pastors from all over IELCO to share a photo with us sharing how they see the Holy Spirit moving.

‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. John 14:25-27. The Holy Spirit is active in this world, even amidst everything that makes us question it. We, as people of faith, have the work of discerning where the Holy Spirit is moving. We invite you to join us on this journey in Lent, where we discern and share how others have discerned the movement of the Holy Spirit.

Kicking off 2018!

We are back! Curtis and I enjoyed some time together at the end of December. Then, at the beginning of January I went to Minnesota for two weeks as part of intensive classes for my Master's program. Since coming back to Colombia I have been busy. The beginning of the year is always busy for the Education Ministry as everything starts (and starts big) in January.

One of the goals of the Education Ministry is to visit all of the Lutheran schools at the beginning of the year and during the middle of the year. Because of my travel, I was only able to be in 3 of the 4 schools.

This year, we focused on looking at the mission and vision of IELCO and the role of the Lutheran schools in living into each of them. It is exciting to be at the schools as they start a new year (the school year here starts at the end of January/beginning of February), there are new teachers and renewed energy and excitement for the year ahead. This year was no different.

At the Lutheran School in Paz de Ariporo

In the above picture the teachers each used a pipe-cleaner to form an object to describe what they were committing themselves to contributing for the year. This served as an ice-breaker activity and a way for us to get to know a little more of the dynamics of each team of teachers in each of the schools.

A group of the teachers from the Lutheran school in Sogamoso

After studying the mission and vision, the teachers were asked to pick three values that they would commit to work on throughout the year with their students (each school picked their own three values). The idea of these values is that each school live more deeply into the mission and vision. At the same time each of the teachers have the chance to understand what it means to be working at a Lutheran school and the values and mission of the Lutheran church.

Zulma (left) and 3 of the teachers at the Lutheran school in El Cocuy

What a great way to start the year! As you can see in the photos, the teachers are full of energy. I am looking forward to a great year ahead for each of these schools.

Peace Messengers

From September 21 - 28, the Lutheran World Federation and member churches held the Peace Messengers Training in Jerusalem, Israel. Youth from all around the world came together to discuss peace-building from their various contexts. IELCO was able to send two young people to this training. Angelica Oquendo from the city of Medellin, member of the Emmaus Lutheran Church, as well as the House of Reconciliation and Peace Education was one of the two Colombians at the training. The Lutheran World Federation recently published this reflection from Angelica on their website:

"For Every Dream There is a Color"

Angelica at the Peace Messengers Training in Jerusalem. Photo from LWF website.

Peace is what allows us to believe that everything can be transformed.

Peace is built between two willing partners.

In this space, so fabulous, there were many who reached out for peace: peace that transforms and sets free, peace that does not oppress, but instead nurtures love, self-control, respect and tolerance.

The experience with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Peace Messengers was wonderful and I would like to thank LWF for this great gift.

When I was a child, standing in the streets near my house, I had to watch my friends carry in their arms one of their friends whose chest had been pierced by a bullet.

I had to witness the death of many, and see how children joined armed groups because they no longer had anything to eat.

When violence touches the doors of a home, of the neighbors, of the whole city, it becomes somewhat normal, and it is seen as a fact without much importance.

What is really dangerous is wen no one speaks out about violence, terrorism, state crimes, and abuse of human rights, and we do not contribute to changing the lives of others.

One day I had this feeling that God was working for the youth, and saying, "I do not want to see more young people die." I prayed to God and asked him how to save lives.

God brought the arts to my life, and since then theater has become the means of social transformation that I use to transform everything.

More education, more culture, more work for young people and more prospects for the future equal fewer deaths.

I deeply believe that when one starts working for the sake of others, God opens unique doors of change to the neighboring communities.


Nurse, actress, and theater teacher Angelica Oquendo Ramos uses active pedagogical approaches to teach youth about peace building in Colombia's second largest city, Medellin, where she is a member of the local congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia (IELCO). In September, she joined young people from Christian and Muslim backgrounds around the world in a week-long LWF training on peace building skills and practice in Jerusalem. 

Link to LWF blog:

https://www.lutheranworld.org/blog/every-dream-there-color