Family Leading the Way to Christ
Aura and her brother Roman, 12, live in one of the most economically deprived regions of Colombia—the slums of Soacha. This industrial area is where impoverished families and the lower middle-class struggle with unyielding poverty.
In the barrio (neighborhood) where Aura and Roman live with their parents, their pastor shares Project Philip Bible studies with anyone who comes to his church for meals. Pastor Jesús believes reaching children with God’s Word will encourage them to lead as they grow older. Aura is certainly eager to help bring his vision to pass. She has already become a Philip (a Project Philip Bible study leader) because she wants to keep growing in Christ. She says, “I am experiencing spiritual growth.” Roman is also motivated; he says, “I am understanding more of what is being said in church.”
Just then, Pastor Jesús is interrupted by a group of lively children who are using him as a barrier in their game of tag. He asks them to sit down, and Roman begins to share his testimony with them. “I learned that Jesus sacrificed Himself for us,” he says confidently. “Jesus loves the children.” Aura stands and says, “When we see the life of Jesus, we have an example to follow. If we live as Jesus lived, we will change the world.”
For the first time since the children came in, there is silence—because they are reflecting upon what they just heard. Pastor Jesús says as Roman and Aura have gotten much closer to God, they are also closer to each other. “We pray together here and at home,” Aura says. “We constantly pray for our father because we want him to know Christ, too.”
