Return to Cali

Have you ever read about people who use their free time to help others and stopped to ask yourself, "What am I doing to make the world a better place?" Come to Cali, Colombia and find the answer to that question.

October 6-20, 2007, volunteers from across the US will return to Cali to resume construction at Hogar Samaria. If you're a financial supporter of the project, it will be an amazing opportunity to see your donated dollars at work and to meet some of the people who will benefit from our efforts. And even if you've not been able to support the project financially, your life will be enriched as you work side by side with Colombians to help build something that will indeed make a difference for generations to come.

You don't have to be skilled in construction. You don't have to know how to speak Spanish. You'll be overwhelmed to discover how much you have to offer the project and how easily you will learn to communicate without using spoken words. Your two weeks in Cali will be a life-changing experience.

If you think you might be interested in joining the work team in October, please e-mail me privately for details and contact info. And as always, thanks for your support of our project. The need for funds is ongoing, and your donations are appreciated.

U.S. volunteers report progress at construction site

The group of volunteers from the U.S. are home, following two weeks of work at the construction site in Cali. The following is a progress report from group leader Sam Suddarth of Smyrna, Tennessee.

"The work on Hogar Samaria is progressing. Our 13 member group was from 5 states. We moved dirt in wheelbarrows. We dug ditches and poured concrete, twisted wire ties to put reinforced steel together. Hard work!!!

Tired and dirty, we fellowshipped with our Colombian brothers and sisters, and were treated as royalty by our hosts.


We had Holy Communion at the worksite, and stood in a circle on the newly poured foundation for a new wing and prayed. This new wing will be a two story structure with living quarters above, and a gymnasium below. (Photos coming soon!)

We visited Popayan, one of the oldest cities in Colombia, and Ramonsa, the poor area where there was a devastating fire last year. We also visited the Colegio American and it's satellite schools in Samaria, San Marcos and Renacir."

The next opportunity to travel to Cali to volunteer with the construction of Hogar Samaria will be in October 2007. If you have an interest in possibly joining the group on this trip, drop me a note and I'll send you information. Just as Sam mentions in his report, these trips offer much more than just work (though there is a lot of hard work!), but also an opportunity to visit various parts of Cali, including schools, churches and cultural sites. As someone who has been to Cali twice, I can attest that time spent with the gracious people of Cali is bound to be a life-changing experience.

Please join us in thanking to the volunteers who made the January work trip.
Ollie McClung, Glenda Riddick of Birmingham AL
Tommy Jobe of Nolensville, TN
Barry Summers of Huntingdon, TN
Sam Suddarth, Kim Glasscock of Smyrna, TN
Gloria Gregory of Nashville, TN
Obadiah Okeson, Eddie and Linda Bowen of Hodgenville, KY
Cheryl Bingemer of Jasper, IN
Tommy Tiffin, Marvin Terrell of Longview, TX

(photos by Sam Suddarth)