The ground shook across western Colombia.

The earthquake was felt in 16 departments, damaging homes, schools, health centers, and

livelihoods. But in Chocó, where many families were already living with poverty, geographic isolation, and limited access to healthcare, the impact was especially difficult.

One woman had traveled early that morning to a neighboring village for a long-awaited medical appointment. While she was away, the earthquake struck. When she returned home, everything she had known was gone.

“My house was completely destroyed. It has been very hard because I lost everything. Today I am staying with my sister, but I have no work, none of my belongings…nothing.”

Her story was repeated in different ways across the region. Walls cracked. Roofs fell. Families lost the few possessions they had worked so hard to acquire. Needs that had existed long before the earthquake suddenly became even more urgent.

But that was not the end of the story.

In the days that followed, God began bringing people together, from Colombia and beyond, to remind the people of Chocó that they had not been forgotten.

Conviventia’s humanitarian deployment reached the municipalities of Tadó and Istmina, communities in Cantón de San Pablo, and the city of Quibdó.

Over the course of one week, the Chocó Florece mission provided health services, essential supplies, psychosocial care, spiritual support, and trauma-response training to over 3,500 people. Yet the impact of the mission cannot be understood through numbers alone.

In Istmina, Natalia, a mother, received food and a mattress for her family. Until that day, she had been sleeping with her children on the floor.

For Jose and Nemesis, help arrived in the form of orthopedic equipment. After losing one of his legs, he had been living without the support needed to move more independently. When the equipment was placed in his hands, his first response was gratitude to God.

In Tadó, Tania finally received dental care after going without it for a long time. What stayed with her was not only the treatment, but the kindness of the medical professionals, the organization of the services, and the dignity with which she was received.

In San Rafael El Dos, Ada, who had survived both cancer and a serious accident told the team about her journey of perseverance and faith. In a community where reaching a healthcare provider can be extraordinarily difficult, the arrival of the mission meant that care had finally come closer to her.

These were not simply services delivered. They were personal encounters, moments in which someone felt seen, heard, and cared for.

Not every family could reach the mission’s central locations. So the teams went to them. Psychosocial professionals traveled into more distant communities carrying food, cement, orthopedic equipment, and practical assistance. They entered homes, listened to stories, prayed with families, and shared a message of hope rooted in the love of Christ.

Nancy, a local teacher, accompanied the team to the home of one of her students, a young girl with a disability. The girl’s mother had been carrying deep sadness and anxiety. She was also worried about another of her children, who needed medical attention but had been unable to secure an appointment.

Then, one day, help arrived at her door.

Her family received material and orthopedic assistance. Her son was able to access medical care.

But just as importantly, someone sat with her, listened to her, encouraged her, and prayed with her.

“I never imagined that spiritual, emotional, material, and orthopedic help would come directly to my home,” she said. “These gifts have brought joy and encouragement to my heart. But the gift I cherish more, is the Bible I received. That, is a treasure that feeds my soul. Today you reminded me that God has not forgotten us.”

For a mother who had felt alone in her struggle, the visit became much more than a delivery of assistance. It was a renewal of hope and faith.

The mission also left its mark on those who came to serve.

Lily traveled to Chocó as an occupational therapist with the Sugar Creek Baptist Church mission team. Most days, she could be found supporting the optometry services or spending time with the children. Then she met a little girl with cerebral palsy who could not speak.

Lily slowed down. She observed, listened, and used her professional knowledge to connect with the child. She cared for her, and helped her mother discover new ways to support her daughter.

It was one child. One unexpected encounter. One opportunity to place knowledge, compassion, and faith at the service of a family.

And in that moment, something changed in Lily, too.

This is one of the beautiful mysteries of mission: God meets people on both sides of the encounter. Those who arrive prepared to give often discover that they also receive. They return carrying new faces, new stories, and a deeper understanding of what it means to love our neighbor.

Every Gift Became Part of the Story

The Chocó Florece mission was made possible by many hands and many hearts.

Healthcare professionals and volunteers offered their time and expertise. The Colombian Army, local authorities, churches, community leaders, Sugar Creek Baptist Church, and Conviventia’s partner organizations helped open the way.

Colombians living abroad joined the response. Children and families participating in other Conviventia programs also gave what they could. Some contributed resources. Others prayed, organized, traveled, served, or opened doors.

Different people, in different places, each responding with what God had placed in their hands. To every person who made this first humanitarian deployment possible: thank you.

Because of your generosity, children no longer had to sleep on the floor. A woman regained greater mobility. Families received food and materials to begin repairing what had been damaged. People who had waited far too long were able to see a doctor or dentist. Mothers were encouraged. Survivors were heard. Communities were reminded that God sees them and has not abandoned them.

But Chocó’s recovery will take more than one week.

Families are still rebuilding. Many remain without stable income, adequate housing, essential belongings, or reliable access to healthcare. The first deployment brought immediate relief, but the journey toward restoration continues.

If you have already given, please know that your generosity is bearing fruit in real lives and communities. If you have not yet had the opportunity to participate, we invite you to join us as we continue walking alongside the people of Chocó.

Every prayer matters. Every gift becomes part of someone’s story. Every act of love plants another seed of hope.

And together, we make one united declaration: