Did you know that there are people from more than 150 different countries here in the Columbus, Fort Benning, and Phenix City tri-city area?
This month, IFM is participating in GA Gives: a statewide giving campaign for GA based nonprofits. During this campaign, IFM will be taking you, our prayer partners and supporters, "Around The World" to shine a spotlight on a few of the countries and people we have been privileged to serve through our various ministry programs.
Today we are featuring Chile!
Fun Facts About Chile:
Chile is the longest country in the world from north to south at 2,653 miles. It’s also incredibly narrow and stretches almost half of the South American continent.
Chile is home to the Atacama Desert which is considered to be the driest place on earth. Some parts had no rain recorded for 500 years until a sprinkling of rain in 2015!
The Cueca is the Chilean national dance. It’s a couple’s dance that is typically performed for their independence day. While dancing, the dancers wear traditional Chilean clothes in the colors of blue, white, red or black.
Chileans are the 2nd biggest consumers of bread in the world – just behind Germany. No wonder, considering how unbelievably delicious the different types of bread are, such as the popular marraqueta loaves.
Ministry Spotlight: Guillermo and Eliana:
"My family and I are so thankful for being welcomed here. The previous family from Chile told us about International Friendship Ministries. The wife said, “Make sure you participate in the Ladies’ Bible Study because that has been a wonderful experience for me.” She also told a friend from Honduras to let me know when the Bible studies began. My husband also started attending the Men’s Bible Study which Mr. Ron led.
We have loved the weekly Bible studies! We feel God is talking to us personally during the classes. Though I had attended church regularly in our country, when I started studying the Bible through IFM, I realized I really didn’t know the Lord, but now I do! What a difference this has made in my life! I have learned more the past few months than 40 years in my country. We wish we could stay in this country so we can learn more about the Bible.
When I went to the Bible study group, I also learned about the English classes which were offered. I started going to the classes and really enjoyed them. The teachers were very well prepared and motivated us a lot. I feel I have learned more from these English classes than the college English classes I took.
Our children, ages 5 and 9, have also started going to the church where the English classes are. They love the Awana class and learning the Bible verses in the church. One week my son had to miss class and his teacher sent him a card. He was so excited when he received it, “Look Mommy! They missed me! I have to go back next week!” At night before my children go to bed, we go over their Bible verses again with them.
God has changed our lives here in Columbus. I’m looking forward to sharing what I have learned with my family and friends in Chile." - Eliana
Thank you for giving, serving and praying for IFM!
We look forward to sharing about El Salvador next week!
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