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Mission Team's Visit Left Lasting Mark
EAST BRIDGEWATER, MA (November 21, 2005) - Little did a short-term mission
team from Community Covenant Church know the impact it would have on a
congregation in Medellin, Colombia, six year ago. Or the depth of
gratitude left behind.
The pastor of El Shaddai Church, Javier Salazar, made a special point on
Sunday of telling the Community Covenant congregation that "the team
really encouraged his people at a crucial time," says Don Olson, pastor
of Community Covenant.
Salazar was traveling to Vancouver, British Columbia, to talk with a
church about establishing an orphanage, but he wanted to make sure he
stopped at Community Covenant to express his gratitude and give an update.
The church team had traveled to help El Shaddai with its foundation
after a sewage leak weakened the structure and left a stench. The church
now is going strong and has 300 people involved, Salazar reported with
the aid of an interpreter.
Covenant Missionary Gary Sander in Medellin emailed Olson to say Salazar
wanted to make the stop. While bringing his greetings, Salazar kept
tapping his chest to express his fondness and appreciation for Sander's
assistance over many years.
The timing of the visit was great, says Olson, because the church was
celebrating Soupfest 2005 – an annual meal that benefits Covenant World
Relief. Families brought 22 different kinds of soup as well as bread and
pie. Salazar gave the blessing.
"It was perfect as we thought about the church around the world," says
Olson. Salazar later visited the homes of several people who made the
mission trip.
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