Christmas in Columbia

by Mark Wittig - Cove Church mission partner in Medellin, Colombia

December is the month for “sound” in Colombia.  The Colombians love their music, especially around festive times, and since Christmas in Colombia is the biggest festive time of their year, it is SOUND-MONTH! 

It is not unusual for a neighbor to pull his sound system onto the porch or sidewalk and generously share his music with others, or even open the doors or the trunk of his car, and let blast.  This can go on into the night and the wee hours of the morning.

Sadly, though, they are not playing Christmas carols or a newer version of the Messiah.  It is music for dancing and drinking their “fire-water” (hard liquor).  The fact that this time of the year has to do with the historical coming of our Savior to this world is lost upon many of them in their drunken stupor. 

Such was the life of Henry Yepes.  A brick and tile man by trade, he would spend most of his December weekends (and his hard earned wages) drinking, celebrating “Christmas” with family and friends.  For good reason, he could never get ahead in life.  When I got to know him, he was living with his woman and small son, plus his three other brothers, in a one room, 150 square foot house. 

His other passion was soccer.  And so, when I organized a soccer tournament for the guys of the neighborhood as a way to befriend them and share the Good News of Christ, Henry was on one of the teams.

Henry, facing, laying down tile at our stadium

Around Christmas time approximately two years later, Henry and wife Mercedes (I later married them), heard a DIFFERENT SOUND—the sound of angels singing—“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14 NIV)!  Henry was one of the first young men in the neighborhood to come to Christ through the ministry of the Christian Union Sports Club (we were just getting started back then).  Later, he was responsible for “bricking and tiling” our sports stadium.

Now, because of Jesus Christ, Henry has, among other things, his own home (total square feet 800)!  What a SOUND…those angels…on the eve of Christ´s birth…you have got to hear them!  Their message will change your life forever.

Mark Wittig is the founder of Corporate Social and Sport of Columbia (COSDECOL), which is based in the city of Medellin.  The mission of COSDECOL is to “provide for and to develop sports skills of children and young Colombians; share the love of God and form in children and youth the character and life of Jesus Christ; and give children and young people an alternative to a life of violence and poverty in which they are found.”  For more information on the Cove Church mission partner, please visit cosdecol.com.